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

    still can't believe ibra goal was disallowed, difference between a good and bad gw 🙁

    1. Hakchak
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Only half time Bemba, things change in second half

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

        true but sickening to see we could be in double digit score by now

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

          Sickening ? lol

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

        Hope so...

      3. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Vengeance Ibra hat-trick incoming...

  2. Johnny too hotty
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    boom just pulled the trigger. zlatan and siggy put for aggas and Phillips.

    shoot me. cant be a bad move right?

    1. greghammer95
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      If any of them get injured today then yes lol.

    2. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Why not wait until the match is finished!

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

      Could have at least waited until the games were done

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

    Does having Hazard AND Alexis justify only having two of Ibra, Kun and Costa?

    1. M.A.G
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Same dilemma

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

      Yep, although I think Hazard will have to go if Costa restarts his form. Simply too good.

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

        Exactly my thinking, I don't think Hazard will cover Costa. In a few weeks time I think it'll be achievable!

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      If you have Hazard, Costa is expendable.

    4. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I feel like rage ditching Hazard, 2 goals in 7 gameweeks

  4. FALCAO & MOU
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    This GW hasn't gone well till now, but I am happy that there is still 45mins to go.

    1. Hakchak
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Exactly

  5. That Was Easy!
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Siggy + Eriksen + Carroll > Aguero + Phillips + Cabaye....just want to do it.

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      max for -4

      1. That Was Easy!
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        -8, only way to facilitate Aguero.

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Would like to keep Eriksen, esp if for -8...

  6. Pompel
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Stanislas or Phillips - guess I'm not the only one pondering that one

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

      i am getting both

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

        Could be the way to go

    2. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I'm getting 2 of Cabaye, Stan and Phillips.

    3. HazardAGuess
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Same. I have no idea who to downgrade Defoe to if I bring in Phillips, though. (Already have Brunt and Foster.)

  7. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    As of now, thinking to remove Defoe and siggy.
    Replacement?
    Lukaku and some mid ?
    Anichebe and hazard?

  8. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Siggy -> Phillips all over the place

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

    ML leader has regularly fielded 5 MFs and they annoyingly keep delivering points.

    Sanchez - Hazard - Eriksen - Antonio - Phillips
    Ibra - Origi

    Considering to match him, but it would be hard to catch him.

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

      That's why he is a leader.

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

    I'd say that most of the big FPL points are coming this evening and tomorrow

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

      Hell yeah, Firmino, Lallana and San(C)hez

  11. 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. 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.

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

      Why did I start Amat?

    6. 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.

    7. 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.

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

      Lee Mason went with a differential captain pick this week

    9. 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

    10. 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

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

      This Swansea team man...

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

      Anichebe off?

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

      Chelsea clean sheet gone....

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

      p*ss off stoke

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

      Even Chelsea CS gone now..WOW lolz

    16. 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.

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

      Nooo. Chelsea aren't supposed to concede

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

      Martins Indi goal

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

      All 4 cleanies dead

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

      And with that goal goes my last clean sheet

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

      LOL

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

      CHELSEA CONCEDED