[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
26 December 2014 5523 comments
Paul Paul
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After Chelsea strode six points clear at the summit with a 2-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime, we now have a further nine matches on offer today.

Eight of those encounters take place at 3.00pm. Burnley slipped back into the bottom three last weekend and now face a Liverpool side that are hinting at shoots of recovery following a switch to 3-4-3. Raheem Sterling and co. face further scrutiny by Fantasy managers in light of the Merseysiders’ superb schedule.

Southampton have Dusan Tadic, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama back for the trip to Palace, though of that trio, only the Frenchman starts, with Tadic and Wanyama amongst the subs. Graziano Pelle is edging back to form with two goals in his last three and, with some tough fixtures ahead, the Saints will be keen to kick on from last weekend’s convincing 3-0 win over Everton.

Speaking of the Toffees, Roberto Martinez will be desperate for a response after a disappointing display last time out. Leighton Baines has a chance to boost his stock after serving up five straight blanks, whilst Romelu Lukaku has four goals and an assist in his last five home starts ahead of the visit of Stoke. Kevin Mirallas shrugs off an ankle problem to return to the XI.

Tottenham head to Leicester looking for a third straight league win under Mauricio Pochettino. Harry Kane has earned plenty of new investors over the last few days after netting in each of his last three in all competitions, whilst in midfield, Christian Eriksen has returned 13 points in two of his previous three away appearances.

Man United have a host of attacking options all vying for our affections as Newcastle roll up to Old Trafford. Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao lead the line once again and Wayne Rooney is looking to score in front of his own fans for the third successive appearance. There’s no Angel di Maria for United, though, after he sustained another injury in training – Juan Mata retains his starting role once again.

Sunderland’s recent defensive displays have seen the likes of Costel Pantilimon and Santiago Vergini arrive on Fantasy radars. The Black Cats have four clean sheets in six and host a Hull side with a meagre two goals in their last nine, whilst further up the field, Adam Johnson’s goal and assist in the last two suggests he’s starting to find his form.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wilfried Bony both return as Swansea host Villa at the Liberty. With the Ivorian soon to depart for African Cup of Nations duties, Christian Benteke has the chance to step up as a potential replacement – the Belgian has two goals and an assist in his last four and has some excellent fixtures to follow.

Man City roll up to West Brom looking for a seventh straight win. As we saw last week against Palace, the champions still have the weaponry to cope without their first-team strikers, with David Silva, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri looking key for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. The City boss rotates his full-backs once again, though, as Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksander Kolarov are replaced by Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy.

In the 5.30pm kick-off, Arsenal will fancy their chances against a QPR side that have lost all eight of their road trips to date. There’s no doubt Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud are the form options for the Gunners, with Captain Poll favourite Alexis Sanchez notching just once in six appearances since a change of formation forced him onto the flank. Harry Redknapp’s side have scored a mere three goals on their travels, and for all his impressive home form, the odds are stacked against Charlie Austin grabbing the goals again.

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  1. Yome
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Best defenders to get until WC besides City players?

  2. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Still 30 minutes to play at Goodison.

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      wouldn't get too excited - it's dire

    2. Tangerine Army XI
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      15

      1. JWF
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        It'll feel like 30

    3. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      How come? Joking?

    4. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Could be 90 mins...we wont score! 🙁

      David Moyes set up a very good defence at our club and Rob does play good football but we havent got the steel we once had.

  3. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Disaster , don't think it's technically possible for today to go any worse

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      ?

  4. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    how is benteke playing?

  5. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    42 Points so far 😀

    I love you Bony

  6. Green Arrow
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    So Arsene has decided he will keep playing Alexis until he gets injured like all his other players.

    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      unfair

    2. Kip
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      i think i might get rid of him. At this rate he'll be injured soon

  7. AH 🙂
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    As a Sanchez Non-Captainer , should I be hoping for a blank ?

  8. Punty
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Think I have a chance to climb into top 10k from 12k with 72points + Austin and Giroud?

    1. Jump in Micah
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      nah

  9. amol
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    51 pts, ffs

  10. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Come on seamus. Still time for you to score

  11. Reedy
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Pen to Newcastle

  12. Jax
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    yes palace scored!

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Who scored?

      1. Nobodinho
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Scott Dann

    2. Nobodinho
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      OH YESSS

    3. toxik
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      result

  13. Ser Football 42
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Peno

  14. Tangerine Army XI
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    2 Southampton clean sheets gone

  15. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    newcastle penalty

  16. mattyrobinson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    YES PALACE!

  17. Judeksi
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez needs to score a goal or two or I'm out of the cup :S

  18. RabMac
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    newcastle penalty

  19. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Palace goal 🙁

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Cisse goal

  21. Flynniesta
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Wow. Penalty at Utd,softer than the 1st one

  22. Golaso
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Here was me hoping Bony would have a blinder so that I could use my FT to rid Yun. Bony to Kane or Giroud looks like the plan now.

  23. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Cisse \o/

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Pls lads link to bp page

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Thank u man

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        That is not working mate

  25. Gobigorgohome
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Yes palace

  26. Jay_
      11 years, 3 months ago

      How can Sakho and Skrtel have more baps then Sterling ? His currently on for 1, will he get more ?

    • Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Saints conceded. Terrible.

    • Punty
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      United and Southampton CS gone in 1 minute, nice

    • Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Fek sake southampton!!!!!

    • leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      southampton and united cs gone