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

    Bony -> Kane?

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Considering the fixtures for Spurs, I woud not do that

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

    Giroud > who?

    Budget of 10.2

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      benteke

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

      Kane

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

      Austin

    4. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Benteke?

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

      Jovetic

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

    Brought Aguero just when he got injured. Then changed to Dzeko (warmup injury), then Bony (didnt play) then Giroud (RC). Keep posted for my next move not to do it...

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

    Chambers likely to stayed benched? Got ntaylor first sub

    1. Hakuho FPL
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Chambers warming up

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

      bloody hope so.
      i've got berti first sub

  5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    lovely -4 point captain I think that is a record for me the dopey b0llix...

  6. QueefParkRangers
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Right from one week to the next... who to swap out Giroud for?...

    1. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      jovetic

      1. bluenredhattrickmaster97
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        So sell Milner?

    2. Mata-Is-The-Juan
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't watch Trekkers play today but he's an option.

  7. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Who plays with 10 players?? Looks the opposite.
    How does rednapp coach still??

    1. Tiki-Taka
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Think the 2nd Arsenal goal killed them off. In all honesty they are best just saving themselves for Sunday at this point

    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      he doesn't know the diff between 10 and 11 anyway...

  8. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney to Giroud(c)

    Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare. 🙁

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

      Ouch. Feel for ya man.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      So basically a hit minus Rooney points

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

      Will try to cheer u up ... I transferred Costa out for Giroud and captained him

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

      Think we should have a couple of self-help groups. I'd be in the one that did the same but stopped short of captaining.

  9. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    So my 2 main concerns this morning were Hazard and Sanchez not playing.

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

      same. lol

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    My last moaning post about this gw. Then I start drinking and hope Qpr ruin my accumulator as well.

    Want to see fpl horror story:

    - Siggy -> Silva (+3p)
    - Rooney -> Giroud (c) for a hit
    - Switch armband from Sanchez to Giroud 10 min before deadline.

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

      Wow

    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      If u win ur bet then who gives a feck

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Will get about 500€ if Arsenal win without conceding.

    3. Frank Black
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I sold Sigurdsson for Cazorla and captained him instead of Yaya. I also wanted to do Baines to Terry but said: "nah, i don't want to take hits, i'll give Baines one last game".

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        unlucky not to pull the trigger.

  11. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez has whm and sot coming up. Still not captaining

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

    Boo. My cup run is over and i'm blaming giroud, who i brought in for costa and captained. Worst move i've made all season, even worse than the last time i sold Costa!

    Never sell Costa

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

    If it weren't for Fantasy Football, the yellow for Hoillett is exactly what makes me want to forget about the Premiership. Full of cheats who don't care a jot about conning the ref to further their teams aspirations. Not "sport" at all.....in other news Preston North End won again today 🙂

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      While I agree to an extent, I really don't think it's that big an issue that you can say it's no longer sport. That's a ludicrous statement.

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

    Giroud is a dickhead of the highest order

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

      A guy in my mini league took a hit to bring him in and captained him 😆

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

        No hit but I brought him in and captained him

  15. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Many going to hit 100 this week?

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

      A few.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

  16. Elfozzie 42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Lesson about being swayed today.
    Had Sanchez and Costa (with possible Hazard) as captain / VC till this morning when I read too much and opted for Bony. Another 10 points chucked away (went from Austin to Sanchez last week!)

  17. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Why does Cisse not start???

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

      Not fit for 90s

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

    Sanchez on for all 3 bonus

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

      and rightly so - best player on the pitch

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

      Good

  19. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    C'mon Wenger get Chambers on.

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

    QPR are so poor - I think Arsenal would need to be down to 8 men before QPR would look decent

  21. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Need a Austin goal

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

    Another day, another -4

    Baines -> Zabaleta
    Giroud -> Benteke

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yeap

  23. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Why isnt Wenger taking out Sanchez now? if he needs rest, better now than Sunday...

  24. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney Siggy > Austin Silva -4 ?

    (Got RVP, differential)

  25. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Why doesn't Wenger take Sanchez off now and save him for Sunday? 😕

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

      Because Wenger

    2. The Chosen One...
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Becoz Arsenal could still bottle this

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

      he's a terrible manager... end of it

  26. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Sanchez, 1 more goal and I score the magical 100 for the first time!!

  27. chilli con kone
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Drop 1

    A. Siggy (liv)
    B. Azpi (sou)
    C. Downing (ARS)

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

      A

      1. chilli con kone
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Come on Austin.

  29. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Costa rest next game?

  30. Jimbo123
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Is the following worth -4?

    Chambers ----> Kolarov

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

      No