[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
28 February 2016 2148 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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Gameweek 27 reaches a climax with a pair of match-ups that will shape the landscape at the top of the table.

Manchester United invite Arsenal to Old Trafford as they look to rebound from defeat at Sunderland, while Swansea City visit a Tottenham Hotspur team that’s on a five-match winning streak.

Although only three teams registered fewer big chances (four) than Louis van Gaal’s side over the last four Gameweeks, they still managed a respectable haul of five goals. Over the season, that lack of creativity in front of their home fans has proved hugely frustrating, with just 15 goals scored over their 12 Old Trafford matches. However, that has been balanced by a robust defence that has allowed just five goals on home turf.

Visitors Arsenal arrive having suffered an inconsistent run of form on the road. Their last six away trips have delivered just two victories and includes the dramatic 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton. Indeed, the Gunners have disappointed in attacking areas of late, scoring just seven goals in their last six league outings.

However, with Leicester claiming a late victory against Norwich City on Saturday, Arsene Wenger’s men will surely be seeking out three points against a United side disrupted by key injuries throughout the squad – not least at the back.

At White Hart Lane, Tottenham’s title challenge will be tested by a Swansea City side desperate to drag themselves clear of the threat of relegation.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men go into this game in superb form having claimed five straight wins, conceding just three goals in the process.

That will serve as a daunting prospect for the visitors who will be seeking to recover from their first defeat under Francesco Guidolin, having been edged out by Southampton in Gameweek 26.

They arrive at the Lane with just that one defeat in their last five, then, although goals have remained scarce, with just four registered over that spell.

Indeed the statistics suggest a comfortable afternoon for Spurs. Only Aston Villa have notched fewer goals than Swansea so far this campaign. The Swans have also earned just a single shut-out on their travels – only Norwich have a worse clean sheet record on the road this term.

  1. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Who would have predicted at this stage of the season not only Leicester top but Spurs 2nd? Not even the most mystic loyal fans . Rubbish Arsenal big big chance blown. It would be criminal after for the majority of the season having been so woeful Man U qualify fro the CL

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Woeful but still challenging for a Champion's League spot.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      They might win the Europa anyway. Wouldn't put it past them.

    3. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      A season is 38 games mate. It isn't about how well you start, but how you finish.

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        True mate but it doesn't speak volumes for the PL

      2. davies
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        It's about both.

  2. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    How many points do we reckon we'll end up with then. I think I'm on 54 if Ozil gets two bonus.

    1. fickle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      and it begins.... sigh

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        A thousand apologies. Wasn't aware we weren't allowed to ask. Just trying to get a feel for an average score mate.

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 days ago

          https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com

          And you'll know why these are annoying 😉

  3. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Aguero starts, WTF, I benched him!!!

    1. Our Man Charlie
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      😆

    2. odannyboys
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      haha

    3. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      He'll come in for Kolarov for me.

  4. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    46 after baps. Aguero and Silva left

  5. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    One of the more enjoyable games this season. There haven't been too many.

    1. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Especially the fact that academy players kicked arsenal

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Yup! Beating Liverpool and Arsenal is always fun to watch!

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        Shame theres nothing to show for it

    3. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      +1

  6. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Alexei truly is a waste of fantasy space isn't he.

  7. Tangerine
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    49 a pretty decent score this week?

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Yeah

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      No

    3. faux_C
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Yep.

    4. turd ferguson
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      average

    5. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Yes

  8. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Moreno brace incoming

  9. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Arnie or Barkley?

    I know Barkley has a blank coming up but he has Villa next.

    Is Arnie fit enough to play three games in a week?

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Arsenal players lack title mentality.

    1. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Thiss

  11. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Hahaha.

    Piers Morgan, Rory McGrath, Alan Davies, Ian Wright, Dale Winton, Dido, Nick Hornby, Spike Lee, Ian Poulter - your boys took one hell of a beating from our kids.

  12. In Bale We Trust
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    People who sold Ozil to Sanchez a few weeks ago. My commiserations.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      🙁

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      I talked a lot out of it. Still no offers of free beer, however. Lessons learned.

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      I had to try something with a terrible rank. Ah well.

  13. Dempsey
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    incredible, top of my ML forgot to do his team this week, C lukaku VC Ozil!

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Forgot? He's trolling you

      1. Dempsey
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        definitely not..

  14. Swan - Villa Proud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    38 all out ML rival scored 43 with 8 players getting Arny and Dawson off bench.

    DGW is my only chance to get done money out of this league. But losing confidence in myself as each week goes by

  15. ARKANOIIDE
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    51 points, whas the average here?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      52

  16. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Dier assist?

    Ozil bp?

    1. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Dier didn't even touch it

    2. turd ferguson
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      great name.....

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      What's this about a Dier assist?

  17. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    38 all out, terrible week. Sanchez has to go asap.

  18. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Red arrow with 38! 🙁

  19. DGWjegy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    can't belive fabianski will get me 8pts

    bps sytem works 😀

  20. money face bandwagon
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    12 points ahead of 5th position..looks like even if there is a dip of form leicester should have secured UCL

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      hahaha

    2. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Lmao

  21. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Looks sharp this Rashford boy

    Plenty of pace.

    I think Rooney is a big issue for United. Slows the team down

    Today pace...

    Rashford, Memphis, Varela, Lingard

    Plus creativity in MF - MATA & Herrera. Too many holders this season

    United have always played with pace and quick wingers..

    He who dares, LVG
    He who dares....

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Memphis for a change played well...that adds a lot to overall performance...
      Blind Great as always, very underrated

    2. Lizard Lips
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Was great to see. Mahrez and Vardy pure pace as well with Kante Drinkwater pulling strings. Seems pace is essential this day and age.

    3. turd ferguson
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      lvg out

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      I hope people give him a chance . It looks like no one has learned from Macheda

      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        I was actually thinking of Macheda

    5. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      I think the itch to move Rooney back to DM should be scratched. As he gets older and slower he will be excellent there.

      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 3 days ago

        Or in China 😉

  22. Garlana
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    This rashford kid...what the hell!? Aguero to rashford! 🙂 ....on a serious note, are people taking him seriously!?

  23. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Spurs could actually win the league.

  24. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    I hate Mesut

    1. Flynny
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 days ago

      Me too....replacing him with Sanchez has been total disastrous

  25. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Stupid bragging post o'clock

  26. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Omg wtf they aren't showing the cup game here?!?!? Noooooooo!!!!!

  27. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Play Courtois or Butland this week?

  28. Liastro ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    Start 3 of these:

    Toby (whm)
    Bellerin (SWA)
    Fuchs (WBA)
    Wollscheid (NEW)
    Ward (sun)

  29. LeicesterA
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 days ago

    57 all out with Smith grinning at me from the bench. Not a bad score, I know, but I was hoping for more from some big hitters and can't help feel a little flat still. I just don't how to catch those ahead of me, no matter how much I plan :/