[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. Azathoth
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Spurs should build a statue for Liioris.....

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

    Currently have

    Costa Austin rooney

    Should I swap one for Kane? If so who?..

    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      no

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    3. Esalman
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      None. Don't chase points.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I'm swapping Kane for Austin

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

    Fak off 87.min

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

      City?

      1. JJO
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        And south

  4. liberalfamilia
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    come on prove thyselves to your loyalists, baines

  5. Esalman
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Silva played ~60 minutes, still getting 3 bps. Like a boss.

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

      Cos theyve been crap since he went off

      1. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Rested for next game too

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Guaranteed to play next week 😎

  6. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    City lose their clean sheet Bwahahahah

  7. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    wow

  8. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Terrible...terrible week.

    1. Pablitto
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      for 90% perfect, for 10% terrible... I am in the boat of 10% too

  9. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Swansea will be lucky to win this.

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

      yeah they don't deserve it

  10. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    51 pre bonus with Sanchez (c) and Austin to come. A lot depends on the next game.

  11. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Wat a disaster. My rival 14 points ahead b4 today,he's on 78 pts, I'm on 36!! Need giroud (c) Hatrick to save my season. He has sanchez (c). could b the end of my ML

  12. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bloody yaya out the bonus!

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

    Come on Benteke, score man!

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

    Sterling on for 3bonus points now after goal-winning 3 bps added

  15. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Post scores good & bad

    40 pre baps

    Capt Sanchez & Austin left

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

      76 post baps, Giroud and Austin left

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

      46 pre baps

      sanchez & austin left

    3. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      46 pre baps. Sanchez and Austin left

    4. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      54 post baps Sanchez & Austin to come

    5. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      47 pre baps only austin left

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

      45 pre bonus

      Sanchez and Austin left

    7. beric
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Im not looking but less than you

    8. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      so 40 odd isn't a total disaster ?

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

    Come on everton

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

    yes got 1-0 right for pool

  18. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    70 pre baps Austin to play 🙂

  19. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Benteke goes very close.

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

    easy for man u.

  21. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    41pts 😆

    anyone worse than me ?

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

      no.

    2. Van Dal
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      After bonus?

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

    palace will beat QPR

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

      lol

  23. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Yaya game winning goal?

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

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

  25. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bloody blow the whistle ref at swansea matxh

  26. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Why did clyne and Jagielka come off?

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

    Cheers Bony

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

    Kane and Sterling in for Downing and Bony?

  29. diabydoesgallas
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rvp on for bonus?

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

      2, sitting on 29

    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      no

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

      No

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

    Is it full time already? Enough is enough... 😥