Dugout Discussion
31 December 2016 2216 comments
Mark Mark
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Six afternoon kick-offs get Gameweek 19 back underway, with our attention fixated on a cast of key assets.

More than 27% of FPL managers go into these matches with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as their captain.

The Swede needs two goals to surpass Lionel Messi as Europe’s top goalscorer in 2016 across the top flight leagues, with the Middlesbrough defence in his way at Old Trafford.

Diego Costa ranks next in terms of armband popularity, claiming the support of 15% of FPL managers ahead of a meeting with Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

The striker is recalled following a one-match suspension and is part of a reassuringly familiar Blues line-up that also includes Eden Hazard, backed by 6.7% of FPL managers.

There are teamsheet changes elsewhere, however, with Southampton innevitably shuffling the pack for their St Mary’s meeting with West Brom. Jay Rodriguez, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand are among the notable names omitted from today’s Saints line-up.

Tony Pulis also makes a key change to his Baggies starting XI for the south coast clash – Salomon Rondon is benched with Hal Robson-Kanu earning a first Premier League start for West Brom.

Meanwhile, Alan Curtis takes the temporary reins for Swansea City against Bournemouth and makes no less than seven changes, recalling Fantasy favourites Jordi Amat and Leroy Fer, along with Fernando Llorente up front.

Elsewhere, Burnley host Sunderland and Leicester City take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium, as they attempt to end the visitors run of three successive wins.

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

  1. Legomane
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Adam Smith and Rondon : rested or dropped?

    1. bojack
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I'd think rested. Schedule is pointlessly busy. Should've played Mon - today - Weds.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Rondon deffo rotated.

      Smith probably dropped. He's been pretty rubbish lately, imo.

    3. AA33
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Rondon surely is rested. Not so sure about Smith

    4. bojack
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I love the half time transfers for a hit. 45 minutes to go and first halves are often tighter than second. Personally feel 2FT after FA Cup is the way to go.

      1. Crystal
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        People moaning about casuals when they play casually themselves, 2 FTs is the way to go

    5. squintykid
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      9 points from 8 in the first half. FFS Costa please net a couple and save my GW.

    6. Viprin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Why did I start Amat?

    7. tm245
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Can anyone fit
      2 expensive attackers (6m+) and 5 luxury attackers (10m+)
      comfortably into their squads?

      I can only get 2 and 4

      1. Point-one short
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        2 and 4 here, and even that is stretching it.

    8. Ghost86
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      How did hazard look first 45?

      Worried captainer here

      1. Numb
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Done nowt.

    9. PvA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Lee Mason went with a differential captain pick this week

    10. Ravager
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      45 minutes to save a game week.

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Last clean sheet gone lol

    11. dudload
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Anyone reckon g-rood is back in the fold now? Thinking of Costa ibra and him on wc

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

        Too much hassle worrying about him each week

    12. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      This Swansea team man...

    13. Lav
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Anichebe off?

    14. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      CHELSEA CS GONE! YES

    15. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Chelsea clean sheet gone....

    16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      p*ss off stoke

    17. Richd
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Even Chelsea CS gone now..WOW lolz

    18. 824545201
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      6 points from 8 players.
      That's not even counting the -4 hit.

      I want to die.

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Context. It's a virtual game.

    19. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Nooo. Chelsea aren't supposed to concede

    20. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Martins Indi goal

    21. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      All 4 cleanies dead

    22. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      And with that goal goes my last clean sheet

    23. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      LOL

    24. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      CHELSEA CONCEDED

    25. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Chelsea concede! Scenes

    26. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED?

    27. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Be lucky to hit 30 points this week!

    28. rivercityransom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      everyone's got a chelsea defender now anyway

      1. _Ninja_
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Sadly i dont

    29. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      First time owning a Chelsea defender all season. Figures.

      1. Fred54
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Lynch him!

      2. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        So it's your fault

      3. Crow
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Damn it bleus!

    30. Numb
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      They ain't gonna keep a CS every week, calm down.

    31. Rains of Castamere
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Rival has triple Chelsea defence, ha

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        This is where it helps!! Mine has 2, always hoping they concede despite owning Alonso.

    32. boc610
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      needs to be a gif of robin williams telling bob bradley its not his fault....