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

    Own goal , C.Davies.

  2. Jay_
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Davies OG
      Sterling A

    • Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Is Pogba a genuine fantasy option ?

      1. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Could have scored four today but he lacked sharpness and luck. Against Sunderland though...

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

        I don't think so. I really rate him as a player but he doesn't do enough in terms of fantasy output, despite decent underlying stats. Better options in that price bracket.

    • Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yess well done Haz

      1. Shirokov(c)
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thought Ibrahimovic had no chance of scoring? lol

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

      Bottomed.

      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

        Oh you're right, just refreshed the page. Have they added the winning goal baps though? If not, Pedro will get the 3.

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

        Probably tied.

    • JJJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      sterling assist?

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

        yes

    • HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      City scores 3 and no kdb involvement. unlucky owners

    • Heavy Data
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero back for the Liverpool game on the 31st??????????????????????

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

        YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        1. Heavy Data
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          good, im just about to transfer him in

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

            and pep will bench him

            1. JIM BOB
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Lol

            2. Heavy Data
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              No doubt. I really hate Pep from a FPL perspective

    • Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      £1.50 14 team accumulator, returns 1200. Only Newcastle left. Cash out offered 500...gotta ride it out?

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

        What odds are Newcastle?

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

          4/5

        2. Shirokov(c)
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          1.7

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

        Go for it

      3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Ride it for sure.

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

        Sit tight. GL. Christ, 14 teams 🙂

      5. Shirokov(c)
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Go with the flow imo

      6. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Ok slight change. Newc now 3/4 and offered 620...

        1. Shirokov(c)
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Same answer.

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

          I might take that

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

            Would you bet 620 to win 1200 if offered on Newcastle

            I would say no , so cash out

      7. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Mathatically it's always best to ride it out

        Depends how much the money means to you

        500 is not a bad days work for 1.50 !

        But then why put Newcastle in if your going to cash out

      8. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I need Newcastle for £200.

        For that much how much would it be Sheff Wed/Draw to cover the bet?

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

        If you bet 1.50 on a 14 teamer I would take that offer...

      10. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I've decided to leave it until half time before deciding. Just hope newc are still in it or ahead at that point. Thanks for the advice people

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

        I would something like 300 pounds bet for draw / Sheffield W to win.

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

          so even if Newcastle doesn't win you will get atleast something.

    • JogaSemmedo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      What ℅ captained Zlatan? Terrible sleeping off an hangover to wake up at 11.34am and remember you hadn't changed the armband from Kane to Zlatan.

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

        But why haven't you just changed it at some point during the past week?
        You own fault. But Kane haven't played yet, so too early to be bitcheen' about it yet anyway.

    • TheBusDriver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      KDB is useless.

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

        He's no Raheem Sterling that's for sure

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

      Pickford
      Alonso - Rose - Holebas
      Lallana - Sigurdsson - Sánchez - Hazard
      Origi - Benteke - Ibra

      Foster - De Roon - Ogbonna - Kingsley

      3.0 itb
      any ideas, I'm stumped?

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

        Save and then get in Kun and Kosta next GW?

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

        Benteke to Costa?

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

          can't afford

    • wbm
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      So close to another Nacho goal hehe

    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Wanted to get Reid 3 weeks ago but was exactly 0.1m short so ended up with Pieters instead. Am raging given Reid has now got 27 points in the last 3 gameweeks now.

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

        undeserved

    • Arteta
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161226/wenger-and-giroud-s-honest-relationship

      on what Giroud needs to do to keep his place…
      We are not in an administration here. We are in a competition. You do not have ‘your place’, like a seat that you buy with a season ticket. We are competing and I think if I have only one striker, everybody says ‘What are you doing, you have only one striker?!’ So you need two or three strikers and we have Welbeck coming back so most of the time I will have to make the decision considering the opponent we play. Like today, I knew it would be deep and that in the air could be a solution. So I have to make the right decisions.

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

        More rotation in 2017? Probably 🙄

    • M.A.G
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Hazard and Pedro 3 Bonus points 😀

    • Jay_
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Either this week or next, I'm going to do;

        Siggy & Lallana > Mkhitaryan & 6.5

        Best shout for a 6.5 mid?

        A) J Rod
        B) Phillips
        C) Cabaye
        D) Any other?

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

          I'm looking at the same but i don't like those 6.5's...

      • Sergeant Garcia
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Who's the better ManU pick going forward:

        A) Pogba
        B) Mkhitaryan

        1. Shirokov(c)
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          The one who is nailed on

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

          Mkhitaryan

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

          B easy for me.

          1. Sergeant Garcia
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            You reckon he'll go straight into the first eleven next game?

            1. bojack
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Not sure but he's the more attacking player, plays higher up the pitch and goal conversion higher.

              Saying that Pogba had plenty of chances today looking at the stats.

      • Atimis
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Siggy to Sterling ??

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

          Give Siggy atleast next game and hope for cheeky penalty

          1. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I'm rly tired of him and would use some cheap City option

        2. Hect.OR 98th
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I'd leave it one more week.

          1. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Maybe will do as you are saying guys

      • Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Damn. Was looking like I'd knocked 20 points off my rival's 100 lead. Sterling and Kolarov have almost wiped that out.

      • Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Do we have a confirmation that Firmino won't play v/s Stoke (tomorrow) ?

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

          no

        2. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          He'll play

        3. Hect.OR 98th
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          No

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

          Unless he was really drunk he can play. Klopp could bench him perhaps but suspect he'll play him to get the fuss out of the way.

          1. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers all.

          2. Neeskens Under Matip
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I'd be extremely surprised if he does...

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

          They ain't going to suddenly drop him for being a naughty lad. More likely a bollocking followed by a dose of love to show support.

      • skeyrd
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        thanks you raheem was already looking at others...

      • Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Kane owners: is there any way that Kane will convince you not to transfer him out for Costa before the start of the next GW?

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          If he gets a brace from open play and looks involved, I'll hold fire for a week.

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

          6 goals

          1. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            You may as well do the transfer now 😉

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

              A spurs fan can dream can't he?? 🙂

              1. Les Bleus
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 5 months ago

                Indeed 😉

                I hope Kane gets 7 goals for what it worth!

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

          Think I am going Kane -> Kun and keeping Ibra no matter what. Costa can suck it 😉

          1. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I was in the same boat all season. Did not work out 😛

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

            Might do this. I have Hazard who is always involved and on pens.

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

          Of course. Watford next.

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

            Any chance of him being rested with chelsea to play in the following match ?

        5. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Now I have Kane Ericksen Walker (Costa) Alonso Hazard and want to reduce it to Walker Costa Alonso before Chelsea Spurs game so Kane is gone this week

      • Shirokov(c)
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Think about the stick Rooney got for having a drink in a designated area

        Imagine if he had been in Firminos situation, my god

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Exactly. One was naivety, the other was criminal.

        2. twoplustwo
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Sad situation eh

          1. Neeskens Under Matip
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Exactly, the whole "icons that children look up to" will takeover...

      • FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Why did I take the armband off Zlatan this morning?!?! What a tool

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

          Agreed.

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

          For who?

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

          Silly

        4. MTPockets
            7 years, 5 months ago

            ditto

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

          Hazard - just a pen today or worth keeping? Chelsea are only scoring 1 or 2 goals a match and it is usually Costa getting them. I am torn between Hazard and Aguero.

          1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Definitely Worth keeping.

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

            Hazard was really good today, should have got way more points than he did. Keep at least for Stoke.

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

          1 FT. Who to get out first. 0.4 ITB

          A. KDB ---> Mkhitaryan
          B. Wallcott ---> Phillips/JRodriguez (0.1 short for Pogba)
          C. Firmino ---> Pogba

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

            A

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

            C

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

          So now Walcott is injured, who do we dump him for with so many options?

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

            Only minor injury?

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

              There's no such thing as a minor injury with Walcott!

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

            Sterling

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

              Yaya

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

          Non Ibra Cappers - RIP

          1. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Many went Hazard and he wasn't too far off to be fair.

            I went Ibra(c) though 😎

          2. willl
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Sigurdson captain, 62 points from 9 players.

            I think ill be just fine.

          3. Hooky
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            There's plenty that didn't captain him who have more points than you this GW 😉

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

              How many of these have a better OR than me though ?
              Yep... didn't think so !

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

          KDB to Miki anyone?

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

            Not for me