Dugout Discussion
26 December 2016 3348 comments
Mark Mark
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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.

  1. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Given how quick they've been to sack decent managers, I'm surprised Bob hasn't been tossed by Swansea already.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      In bed with the owners

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Might be sleeping on the couch tonight.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Do you think he should be tossed?

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I'm not sure. I prefer people getting a fair shot, but Swansea are in crisis and I'm really not convinced he knows what he's doing. The team gets changed every week but then he comes out saying they need more consistency.

        Thought Llorente was a dead cert to start today. His strength could really help against the West Ham CBs, not to mention a decent recent home goal scoring form. I just don't know if he has any plan.

  2. Canelo
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mirallas goal

  3. Respect My Authoritah
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Robles assist

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      😯

  4. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I used to love owning Mirallas..

  5. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    wish I could be rid of Amat in my team. Swansea absolutely woeful and he's not even nailed.

  6. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    hazard ©
    never doubted you wonderful.player

  7. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Gutted I put Capoue ahead of Brunt on the bench.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Never bench Brunt

  8. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sweating on Sanchez (C)

    Won't be suprised if Ibra gets a pena before full time either.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah think it will be a Sanchez(c) fail today....

  9. JustPark
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure I'm reading this right. Mirallas has just scored for Everton with Joel(the goalkeeper) assist.

  10. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Feels like payday when your keeper gets an assist

  11. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Fearing a Hazard monster haul. Chose Ibra as captain.

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

      We've got an assist.

      If ibra scores then suddenly ibra is on top.

      Definitely looks like haz will score again though!

      1. Danstoke82
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Very true. Fearing Hazard is up for this today though!

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

    Looking forward to FPL Virgin's next scoutcast question, about how hazard is a poor captaincy choice
    😉
    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2016/12/25/spot-the-differential-gameweek-18-5/?hc_page=10#hc_comment_14714416

    1. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Looool Rekt

    2. Jay_
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Break him in gently

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

          Cherry popping stuff from Hazard. 😉

          1. Jay_
              9 years, 2 months ago

              😀

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

          The classic 'it was only a penalty' line will come out.

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

            I've just had that in twitter from someone - pen won by hazard tho .

        3. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          But it was only a penalty 😉

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

          Anyone saying it was only a penalty never watched the game.

        5. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Great Bantz and Dec 😀

      • Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Need some Ibra goals here.

      • Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Zlatan needs to be getting those on target at the very least

      • MartialMatas
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        my rival has gone 5-3-2 and TC Haz

        1. HVT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Early days mate

          1. Respect My Authoritah
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Lol, it's not though

        2. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          then he is not a rival just a silly player

      • Speédy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        come on defoe ,siggy,one goal each wont harm anybody

      • Ryan Naysmith
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Hazard my captain because no one else around me has him. It's looking like a good choice. He looks dangerous.

      • fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Need an Ibra goal. That Hazard goal has ruined me.

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Half the season left. Calm down. How many points behind are you? Anything less than 150 can be overturned.

      • The Overthinker
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Come on siggy !!!

      • Fred54
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        FYI, was on the toilet for those flurry of goals...

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Puncheon (c) ?

      • La Roja
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Sanchez so close

        1. twoplustwo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Not clinical at the moment 🙁

      • Jay_
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Foster 5 saves

        • Kaneyonero
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Sanchez close points again

        • Boydinho
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          thats the first GK assist this season right?

          1. Speédy
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            i think robinson pulled one off before

        • Over Midwicket
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Willian, Haz and Pedro are shredding Bournemouth apart with that pace

        • fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Siggy to Pedro on the cards for me.

        • Tomlette Greggs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Bravo, Clichy, Stones, Otamendi, Sagna, Touré, Fernandinho, Silva, Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling.

        • Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Robles first GK with attacking returns this season?

        • M.A.G
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Hazard looking so sharp

        • HVT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Why wasn't Hazzard awarded an assist for his own converted penalty?

          1. moz_1983
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Players don't get assist points for assisting themselves.

          2. Somalion
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            #Conspiracy

          3. Hect.OR 98th
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            That's how the scoring works. You don't get assists for your own pen or FK conversions.