634x258 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. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Another good week for me. 🙂

  2. Cymro
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Can someone explain to me the love for benteke. Anyone been watchingVilla? How has he looked?

    1. ANON.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Good fixtures

      1. Cymro
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Is that it? Has he looked good lately?

        1. ANON.
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          He's looked fairly decent since coming back from injury and should get some decent chances next few games

    2. Judeksi
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      fixtures + differential.

  3. mojoindojo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Edged it 72-71 in the cup phew! 😀

  4. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    so looking at the stats for the week https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/gw-18-transfers-and-team-selection/#more-2503

    top 10k have 34 different goalkeepers, seems rather a lot, does that mean a lot like the autosub ploy ?

    STARTING GOALKEEPERS
    Random Sample Top 10K
    1 de Gea 17.2% 1 Pantilimon 17.3%
    2 Howard 9.9% 2 Guzan 15.4%
    3 Forster 9.8% 3 Foster 12.2%
    4 Lloris 9.1% 4 Hart 10.2%
    5 Courtois 7.4% 5 de Gea 9.7%
    47 different goalkeepers 34 different goalkeepers

  5. PhoggyRatherGroggy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Just saw the silva knock, didn't look too bad but could be rested on Sunday for sure!

    1. threeputt
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      pellegrini said he took him & toure off early to rest them ready for sunday

    2. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      He was subbed off to keep him fresh for Sunday. Nailed on.

  6. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Happy with 63 points (Including BAPS) because I had Bony captain. My rank is 2,575 and I expect a huge red arrow.

  7. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Who's more nailed on for next game: Mangala or Demichelis?

    1. Judeksi
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Mangala gets my vote

  8. A.T
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    There is a new post

    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      That was quick.

  9. Tangerine Army XI
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Baines & Jags -> Skrtel & Zab (-4)

    Yay or nay?

  10. Proggy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Giroud ---> ????

    What's the general consensus?

    1. A La Pelle
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      With 0 itb probably Benteke

  11. FionnMac
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Baines > Hutton
    Siggy > Silva for a -4?

    Or just Baines > Zaba for free?

  12. FionnMac
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I own Chambers, Yun, Siggy Baines and Bony.

    0FT, who would be your priority to get rid of?

  13. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Just got home... Giroud red and Austin goal! YES!

  14. BMox81
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    89 all out.

    I'll take that.

  15. DIegoCosta19
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    team for next week

    Guzan
    Zab Hutton Azpi
    Siggy Hazard Yaya Sanchez
    Austin Costa Bony

    What transfers would you make..? 1FT.

  16. jgjokaj
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    What was the point average today ?

  17. OLEgend
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    siggy to silva? yes or no?

  18. jfxm
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Will Zabaleta and Clichy start against Burnley?

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Zaba yes, Clichy no IMO

  19. Citizen kano
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    feel sick took sanchez out for yaya still got 88 should I be happy

    1. Little Lukin
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I think you should be perplexed

  20. Citizen kano
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    why yes I screwed up I kno

  21. Citizen kano
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I wish someone wud break sanchez legs sick of the guy

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Classy

  22. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Eriksen/Downing, Bony>> Silva and Kane?

  23. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    giroud to bojan .............. west brom not good enough in recent weeks

  24. BlueIncognito
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Finished on 92, how did everyone else do?

  25. BlueIncognito
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Should I be looking to get Yaya in for one of Sterling, Fab, or Sanchez?

  26. amol
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Suggestions for next week? FT

    Adrian(Hamer)
    Terry Naylor Chambers (Clyne Wisdom)
    Sanchez Hazard Downing Yaya (Siggy)
    Austin(C) Kane Costa

    1.4 itb

  27. team77
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Best option to replace Forster with?

    - Courtois
    - Hart
    - De Gea

  28. BigBlackBony
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Hi guys! Need some help for the next game week I have no defenders with favourable fixtures (Apart from Jagielka who probably won't play) and my strikers dont look like they be getting over 2 points with Giroud suspended Bony not playing too well and Sakho may not start and is also playing Arsenal 

    Team: 

    Guzan 
    Janmaat (Eve) Cresswell (Ars) Williams (Liv) Jagielka (New) Clyne (Che)
    Midfield is alrightish: Downing Mata Nasri Fabregas Sterling 
    Giroud (Suspended) Sakho (Ars) Bony (Liv)

    So I need some defenders and I'm desperate not to have another bad week as I did this week so I dint fall further down my league 
    I have one FT and 0.9 ITB but dint want to drop a lot if points with the WC coming up 

    All help would be much appreciated and thank you very much! 

  29. RSe
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Baines & Siggy to Terry & Silva for free??

    Yay or nay??

  30. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Should i make any change to this team ?

    http://i.imgur.com/BsmTGta.jpg