Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Boxing Day

Gameweek 18 continues in some style, with half a dozen three o’clock kick-offs boasting a strong cast of leading Fantasy assets.

All the top captaincy options are in action, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying huge expectations into Manchester United’s Old Trafford meeting with Sunderland – he is the top choice for skipper, backed by 25% of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Equally, Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott promise attacking returns of their own at the Emirates, though the latter misses out – he is suffering a calf complaint which allows Olivier Giroud to earn a recall up front. Sanchez is backed by 14.6% for the captaincy but finds himself deployed on the right flank today.

Stamford Bridge will also be a major focus.

Without the suspended Diego Costa against visitors Bournemouth, manager Antonio Conte deploys Eden Hazard as his central attacker, with Michy Batshuayi kept on the bench. Hazard has returned six of his eight goals at home but has recorded just a single strike in his last five Gameweek starts.

Elsewhere, Swansea City’s meeting with West Ham in South Wales also promises goals and returns, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the star turn on show.

Burnley’s meeting with Middlesbrough is, on paper at least, likely to be a far more dour affair, while Everton’s visit to Leicester City pairs two unpredictable sides.

Romelu Lukaku is by far the most popular asset on show as he seeks to exploit a Foxes defence without the suspended Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs. However, the Belgian has scored in just one of his last seven Gameweeks.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,348 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    KDB assisting the assister. FFS.

  2. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Aw aye, NOW he scores.

  3. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    De Bruyne assisting the assister.

  4. wbm
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Finally holding on to Nacho pays off a bit, sure has been an awful transfer.
    Would have gotten rid earlier, but just had to do Kane > Ibra befor this GW with my FT.

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Worst transfer ever! But it's got us some points eventually

  5. FPL Notebook (John)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Makes up for my Benteke -1 earlier

  6. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    YayNachoooo!

  7. Shaikh91
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Nacho gave me some return for the past few weeks I've had to keep him

  8. fantasyfiwip
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    The BIG question for me this week;
    Will Walcott start against Crystal Palace?
    If not who will get more points next week, Hazard or Satchel?

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Answer: 2 small questions = 1 BIG question

      1. fantasyfiwip
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Apologies 1 BIG and a follow up question.
        I want to do Payet > Walcott and Hazard > Sanchez over the next two game weeks.
        But with Hazard playing Stoke next I can't transfer him out this week, can I?

    2. MartialMatas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Does Satchel play for the Baggies?

    3. Ridcully
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I imagine Satchel will bag a few points.

  9. roghippo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    kdb captain fail
    letting sky sports dictate my team as always.

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      why did you captain him over likes of ibra and hazard ?

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        80% of his post says why...

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    http://gph.is/12MTajM

  11. MarvelouSuccess
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    best striker for 7.8 mill budget?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      rondon and tekkers

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Rondon imo

    3. Morgs
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Defoe by a mile

  12. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Will Nyom rise tonight?

    I can do Jordi Amat/Donald Love for a FT for Nyom and get 0.0 ITB.

    But I have Theo injured also and fire players left in this GW. What would you do?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't bet on it, hardly moving on FFF.

    2. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Isn't Nyom likely to be off to the African Cup of Nations in a few weeks?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Doesn't want to go

        1. FPL Panda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Is he going or not TM?

          1. Licious Lizard
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Read the article on AFCON players. No news since then.

          2. ol3andre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            He is not going to AFCON according to the afcon article.

        2. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          He won't be allowed to play though, so not worth bringing in tbh.

          1. Licious Lizard
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Not certain yet.

          2. ol3andre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Because?

        3. Reuser
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Really? That's interesting - thanks.

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Apparently he's refused to go so might get a ban

      3. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Nah he doesn't fancy it

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Gonna be tight with nyom, if not tonight def tomorrow. Depends on your squad.

      1. ol3andre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Rest of the squad is:

        Foster

        Van Dijk - Rose - Lovren - Amat - Love

        Sanchez - Lallana - Hazard - Walcott - Knightly

        Costa - Ibrahimovic - Negredo

  13. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161226/team-news-walcott-and-gibbs-latest

    on Gibbs…
    It’s a kick. I don’t know how bad it is, but it’s a kick on the knee.

    on Theo…
    Theo has a small calf problem, but a very small one.

    1. AA33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks!

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Small calf?

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      its not small, its just far away

    4. Legomane
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Doesnt that Theo just sound like covering for him being given a wee break? Expect him to start next Game?

  14. The Hoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Dropped, Would really appreciate your thoughts on this WC team

    Cech Pickford
    Jones McAuley Holebas Ake Amat
    Sanchez Hazard (Walcott/ Firmino dep on injury/arrest)
    Ibra Defoe Benteke

    0.3 itb

    Defence is weak but the only good defence in the game, Chelsea, is about to go on an awful run of fixtures.

    1. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Downgrade Cech.
      McAuley -> Brunt.
      Amat -> Nyom if he doesn't get suspended for refusing to take part in AFCON.
      Would stay away from both Walcott and Firm atm.
      Who are your 4th and 5th mids?

      1. The Hoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, they seem to have dropped off! Philips and Allen. Have low tv. Why brunt over McCauley ? Everyone likes brunt but McCauley is getting goals and is cheaper

        Arsenal have great fixtures - aside from bell and kos no-one in def looks safe. What do you think?

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Rondon instead of Defoe
      Definitely downgrade Cech
      Stay away from Holebas
      Get a Chelsea defender

  15. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    9.6 for Wally replacement if he isn't declared fit.
    Who to go for..?

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      mkhitaryan

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Mkhi ?

  16. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    CURRENT BONUS
    3 bonus points: Otamendi, Yaya Touré
    2 bonus points:
    1 bonus points: Iheanacho, Clichy

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      3 - Yaya Touré (33)
      2 - Otamendi (31)
      1 - Sagna (28)

  17. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Boxing Day this year has had a daft setup. Last year I think they had an early kickoff, 3pm kickoffs, 5:15 kickoff and Soton crushing Arsenal at 7:45.

    1. Ravager
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      And the fixtures weren't exactly appealing this year. Meh...

  18. wachu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Costa price is protect? for how long?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      7 days.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      about a week

      1. Morgs
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Why is his price protected?

    3. wachu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      wow, it's good news.
      Thank you guys 🙂

  19. Clump
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I've stunk for weeks. Gone well this week with Ibra c.
    Thinking too much emphasis is placed on picking the right c.
    Rant over.

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      ???

      Say you've done badly and then the one week you've nailed the C, you've done well.

      Then question the importance of the C?

      ???

      1. Clump
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. Think it carries a little too much weight.

        ???

        1. You Must Be Jokin Ere
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          You must really hate the triple captain then.

          1. Clump
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Not a huge fan of the chips either. Humbug.

    2. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Ive heard better rants.

      1. Clump
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Just warming up.

  20. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Is Yaya off to the AFCON next month?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Retired

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Retired.

    3. Jamin
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Nope he retired

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers all. Might bring him in for Mane considering I have Lallana also for Pool cover

    4. Clump
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      No, retired.

  21. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    15.2m to spend on two midfielders. Hit me with suggestions.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Miki + Phillips

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Already have Philips. Current midfield: Sanchez, Philips Carrick and I want to sell Lallana (I have Origi) and Sigurdsson.

        1. Morgs
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Give Siggy another 1-2 gameweeks, good fixtures

    2. thunder_mike
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Phillips and Lallana?

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        See above. It seems Philips will be a popular choice in the coming weeks.

  22. KISSES
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    KDB worth holding?

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Not at all

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      No. I'm getting rid.

  23. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    So Nacho to Origi might not pay off after all lol. Come on Divock!

  24. Sol
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Will Lallana rise tonight?

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      The South will rise tonight!

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Na tomo

      1. Sol
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        you think , got the exact cash for it 😐

  25. MTPockets
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Plan was Defoe/Hazard-> Aguero/Philips (wba fixtures) & 0.2m itb

      Pickford, Foster
      Alonso, McAuley, Cedric, Holebas, Amat
      Sanchez, Lallana, Siggy, Phillips, deRoon
      Aguero, Ibra, Costa

      Siggy & Hazard form now giving some pause. Any thoughts on squad - too top heavy?

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Lovely front 3 but yes feel your MID is a bit weak.

        1. MTPockets
            7 years, 5 months ago

            That's fair - just can't decide what to do for Aguero.

        2. Jamin
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Like it but think I'd hold fire for a week

        3. WVA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Hold but really like it, my plan was Defoe and hazard to rondon and kdb but think your plan is better.

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Cheers both. Will probably hold, but fed up with Defoe.

        4. Tomlette Greggs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          so Hazard tied for 3 bonus points with Pedro (40 BPS each, now that the third goal was changed to an OG)? Or could it still change?

          1. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Pedro got the 2nd goal or..? He's on like 50 BAPs

            1. Tomlette Greggs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              changed now

        5. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Seems I have too many players I want before GW20 with too few FTs/not enough $$$..

          Costa, Kun and Brunt come to mind..

        6. FPL Panda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Scoutcast this week ? If so what night ?

          1. MartialMatas
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            no

        7. MartialMatas
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          did haz just change to 3 bonus?

          1. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            No, 2nd goal accredited to Pedro at least one my screen. After update, it can't be changed anyways

            1. Tomlette Greggs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              now an OG. Pedro assist.

          2. AA33
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Yes

        8. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          F U Sterling.