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29 October 2016 919 comments
George Osborn George Osborn
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Rarely do we stumble upon a sure-thing in Fantasy Football. However, the potential profit offered by Liverpool’s midfield assets over their forthcoming run of fixtures gets pretty close.

The Reds manage to avoid all the sides currently residing in the top eight in the Premier League, right up until the Merseyside Derby on the December 19.

And as if that wasn’t enough, they will have the chance to fill their boots against three of the sides currently situated in the bottom six – Middlesborough, Sunderland and West Ham United.

The question facing Fantasy managers isn’t whether they should have a Liverpool player in their squad, it’s simply a question of who.

For 36.9% of FPL managers, the answer has been Phillipe Coutinho and, with his recent performance in Gameweek 9 against West Bromwich Albion, he has been promoted in our thinking. Coutinho’s stock continues to rise.

But, given his ownership and the options elsewhere in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, is Coutinho really the stand out option?

In this latest article for members, we will analyse the Opta data to track Coutinho’s progress, attempting to assess whether, with so many strong midfielders on offer, he is truly a player that warrants such popularity.

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  1. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Which two of these for longer term..

    A. Alonso
    B. Clyne
    C. Fuchs

    Your recommendation?
    Thanks.

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A and C

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely A. Can't decide between the other two

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I fear with B you'll be forever waiting for the "inevitable" returns -- meanwhile 7 blanks out of 9 GWs

  2. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I am actually thinking about burning a FT (have 2), I would need to take out Sterling (8.3) or Walcott (7.9) for
    A: Chadli
    B: Redmond
    C: Ali
    D: No one, burn the FT
    I am really lost as to which way to turn, so help would be much appreciated!!

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Don't like any of those transfers

      1. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        B

    3. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      What's your team like? You can probably sub in a one week punt just for this gw since you have 2FT.

    4. DantheManinaPan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Would like to see the rest of your team. Is your defence perfect?

  3. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    2 FTs and 0ITB. Any changes?

    Heaton Pickford
    Smith Walker Holebas Pieters Amat
    Sanchez Firm Sterling Son Fletcher
    Lukaku Aguero Deeney

  4. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    My squad for GW all done and finalized GTG?

    Grant
    Williams Holebas Martina
    Capoue Mane Sanchez Son
    Austin Aguero (C) Costa

    Bench;Pickford,Antonio,Bailly & Love

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Looks ok

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  5. bdwhite91
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Snodgrass > Bolasie worth it? Or should I hold to double switch next week. L Kone is coming off my bench if Walcott doesn't play...

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Redmond is a better option IMO

      1. bdwhite91
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        don't fancy him against Chelsea

    2. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Well in light of the apparent astonishing effects of Koeman saying "score 10" maybe get Bolasie

      (Man management is easy, isn't it)

  6. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161028/alexis-or-giroud-up-front-or-both-

    - Alexis and Giroud have different styles, but Wenger is convinced that both can benefit the team

    “They are completely different, but they can as well play together,” he said. “[If Giroud starts] I have to move Alexis out as I always have that problem with Ozil being behind the striker, he cannot move much deeper. As [if you are] much deeper, you need defensively to work. So one [striker] would have to move wide. And if you move one of them wide, it can only be Alexis.
    “[Alexis and Giroud] are two top players. It is not a bad option - it is a good option to have. To leave quality players out is tough. But the toughest thing is not to have quality players.”

    - Alexis has blossomed as a central striker this season, and Wenger says that is where his long-term position could be.

    “Yes, I see him there, because he is… provocative. He has a short technique and can always create something,” he said. “He has a good mixture between scoring and giving the final ball.
    “In my taste, he still comes too much to the ball, because Alexis likes to have the ball. We have enough playmakers in our team and we would want him a bit more… we do not want to forbid him to come to the ball, but to get in a bit more with off-the-ball runs.
    “But that’s why when we have Walcott it balances well, because when he comes, Walcott goes. This is a good mixture, a good working unit.”

    1. 32chickens
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      grd always looks on the way out and then he comes back
      but certainly the prof has allowed sanchez to play this time

    2. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      So…reading between the lines (i.e., making sh*t up), Sanchez coming back for the ball meant v Boro they had little to no penetration thus Giroud will start today, Sanchez wide with no Walcott or Ox.

      I'm happy to work for any tabloid sports desk

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 19 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I think he's more likely to keep Giroud for Tuesday and rest Sanchez. He won't need Sanchez against the Bulgarians and Tuesday will give Giroud 90 minutes. He also can't afford Giroud breaking down now that Perez is out so I can't see him starting today and Tuesday.

      2. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 19 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Sanchez at the Emirates against a team dropping deep and Sanchez away at Sunderland against a team that has to at least try and attack are two very different things.

        Wenger likes Giroud when the defence is deep, for me, it's Sanchez starting up front with Ox out wide for Walcott if he's not fit. Giroud starts Tuesday with Sanchez left behind.

  7. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Only Lovren as playable sub on my bench. Is it worth -4 to do Diomande -> C.Wilson or Deeney as backup for Walcott ?

    Grant (Pickford)
    Walker - Holebas - Smith
    Coutinho - Allen - Firmino - Sanchez - Walcott(?)
    Aguero - Lukaku
    Sub: Lovren, Diomande, 3.9 DF

  8. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Preferable captain choice seems to be anybody playing Hull, at home if possible, so... Holebas?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Could be genius

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Is my VC

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      The way things are going recently I'd take 6 pts x2 for Holebas (c)

    4. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      There's so much doubt about Kun, KDB and fellows now. And then I can't be really convinced by ManU either.

      Arsenal's got a good fixture, but it's away. Spurs semi-decent. Chelsea tough.

      I'm not filled with confidence by my main options.

  9. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is Walcott definitely not starting?

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Nobody knows for sure but recent tweets suggest he won't

  10. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play Heaton or Pickford this week?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      H

    2. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Heaton

  11. George James
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Bench 1
    A) Williams
    B) Lovren
    C) Francis

    Captain 1
    1) Aguero
    2) Sanchez
    3) Firminio
    4) Lukaku

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bench A - Captain 2

    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B 2 for me.

    3. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A2

  12. Yankee Toffee
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez to be rested? Rumour mill churning. I don't like this.

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Oh you have to be joking. Link?

    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not a good timing.

    3. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

    4. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No way. Ban this guy

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Ban yourself koppite

    5. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      From Ozil

      http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161028/wenger-my-approach-to-resting-alexis

      “For me, he is not a special case. He’s a player like everybody else,” Wenger said. “When I decide to take him off, I take him off. There is no special case. He has his own character but he is not treated differently from anybody else."
      “We test the fatigue level of everybody, for example I tested Alexis because he played two games in South America. Sometimes I rest him straight away after [the internationals]. I played him the other day against Swansea so I thought I would take him off when it is possible. We consider every case individually."
      "Also, some positions are more demanding,” added the boss. “Up front you provoke, at the back you respond. Sometimes you can choose to go or not to go at the back. Up front if you don't move you create nothing. So there are positions that are more demanding on the energy front.”

      1. pax888
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        The article talks about substituting him like he did v Swansea not resting him.

      2. Sanchit
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I think he'll play 60

    6. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I didn't mean it like that. It's more about gameweek after int. break. I didn't mean to scare people or anything, I just wanted to share this article with you so you know what else Wenger mentioned in his interviews.

    7. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      For the trip to Bulgaria? More likely he'll be rested on Tuesday.

    8. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sorry I didn't mean to scare people either.

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I know! 😀
        You are allowed to ask questions just like everyone else.

  13. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Feels good to own this guy for the first time this year.

    Hope I dont jinx him like I did Alexis(3;5;3) & Walcott(3;injured)....

  14. Luz1978
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Mata likely to start?

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    2. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Just read the differential article.

    3. Luz1978
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers both! Fancy him to weigh in with at least an assist if he starts!

  15. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    Heaton
    Holebas, Coleman, Walker.
    Lallana, Wally, Sànchez(vc), Sterling
    Aguero (c), Lukaku, Deeney.

    Pickford, Lovren, Whelen, Amat,.

    1ft, 0.2m in bank..

    1. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Start Pickford & captain Deeney

      1. Sz21
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Pickford really?? How come..?

        Think Heaton has a better chance of a clean sheet.

        1. Scotty B
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Fancy United to bounce back and Pickford will at least get save points. Moves will park the bus

          1. Dr Mantis Toboggan
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Heaton is the save points king

    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good. Not tempted by deeney (c)?

    3. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Fancy helping me below?

  16. Scotty B
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Pickford
    Clyne Vertonghen Evans
    Antonio Firmino Capoue Coutinho
    Ibrahimovic Lukaku Aguero

    Heaton Snodgrass Collins Amat

    A Save FT
    B Collins > Pieters and bench Evans?

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B looks good.

  17. ralfb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play evans or pickford?

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      ?

    2. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Think im playing both

    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Play Evans he might get more save points

  18. Whazza
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play Antonio(eve) or Capoue (HUL)?

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Capoue

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm playing both of them as well lol

    4. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Antonio. He may play up front.

    5. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Capoue

    6. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

  19. ashkroft
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I´ve got 2ft this round, yet im struggling to justify trading anyone out. Does everyone else feel compelled to use every single ft- or are you okey with sitting on 2 if your team looks fit?

    aoa
    grant
    koscielny,prödl
    sanchez,firm,coutinho,arnie,capoue
    lukaku,aguero,deeney.

    contemplating Mata>Arnie after disappointing blanks two rounds in a row.

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Stoke has good fixtures. So I wouldn't transfer arnie out. Who are your other defenders?

      1. ashkroft
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        lovren,evans and kingsley. I have 0.4 in the bank atm

  20. sergioaguero67
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is Allen a good option for a 4th midfielder?

    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No. 5th mid yes, 4th mid no

      1. Aubaaaaa
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        This. Allen's my 5th mid.

    2. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No

    3. Astronautovic
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I prefer to play with 4 midfielders who r higher in price but u can do it like this and invest much more in forwards

  21. Astronautovic
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    5th best midfielder?
    Fletcher 4.4
    De roon 4.3

    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Both crap so might as well go with the cheapest

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        This

  22. Turbo Timo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    (C)alum Wilson anyone?
    Have Walcott, Kun, Lukaku in my team but Wilson is really tempting me
    15k overall rank though so I don't want to take grave risks
    What say?

    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Too risky, I think.

      1. Turbo Timo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Who do you suggest then? I have also Firm and Mane apart from the above

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Away to Middlesbrough. You joking? They one of stingiest defences which showed against Arsenal and they scored 6 against Hull and he only managed goal and an assist

      1. Turbo Timo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Hmm I needed this sort of reply to change my mind!
        Idk who to go with though

        1. 32chickens
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          sadly kun walcott luka are not outstanding options this week
          if that is who you have
          -luka traditionally scores well in this match
          -wilson is not the worst choice

    3. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Away to a defensive MID side, boosted by a CS against Arsenal? Bou don't score a lot of goals...

      1. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        On the road

        1. Turbo Timo
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          That's right I guess

  23. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Team sheets have been leaked Walcott, Montreal and Cazorla out for Elneny, Ox & Gibbs

    Looks like I have to transfer out Walcott

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Where did you see it from?

    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Reliable one?

    3. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks . Source?

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Can i get man u one to see if Rojo starting?

    5. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Was on twitter but got taken down I'm gonna say it was legit otherwise wouldn't have got removed

    6. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Most expect the doubts not to start. It is Sunderland after all

    7. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Deeney captain locked in.

    8. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I was right

  24. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all!

    Save FT and GTG?!

    Heaton
    Holebas Walker Kos(C)
    Walcott Allen Firmino(vc) Sterling
    Aguero Deeney Costa

    Pickford Capoue Amat Evans
    £2.5ITB 1FT

    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Interesting captain choice

      1. Evasivo
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        All my other options more risky. Kos should be on for 6+

      2. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Arsenal shouldn't concede really. I like it

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sunderland have only failed to score in 1 out of 4 BPL home matches this season.

      I don't think captaining a defender away from home is a good idea at all.

      If you really want to captain a defender then you should be looking to holebas surely?

  25. D0GS B0110XS FC
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    do i risk leaving walcott in or do walcott and costa out for sanchez and deeney, worried about the no arsenal cover

  26. CAN'T STOP THE ZLATAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play which 2 defenders?

    Stones
    Pieters
    Holebas

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Pieters Holebas

    2. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Holebas and Stones. Stoke will concede

      1. CAN'T STOP THE ZLATAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Having the same thought...

  27. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Why Monitor

    Just get him into your teams

    1. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Who Syd?

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Coutinho he is talking about

        1. Evasivo
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Ahhh agreed

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Have you got a spare ft and 2m to lend?

    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I thought that was a bit strange myself considering his ownership

  28. mikess
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Pickford
    Bellerin, Clyne, Valencia
    Sanchez, Firmino, Payet, Coutinho, Walcott*
    Lukaku(c), Austin

    Would you ditch Walcott for a hit or use Will Keane or Stones as first sub?

  29. NestorC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Walcott to Cout? Have Snod,Rash flagged and crap bench.

    1. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good

    3. NestorC
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      My mid is Sanch Firm Walc Snod Fletcher

  30. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Firmino or Mane lads?

    1. NestorC
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I like Mane but have Firm. To much love for Firm but not sure why,maybe bcs of price.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I've got both.

      I like the mane pick best though.