Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Carroll to Negredo worth a -4 punt? I see goals in the Bournemouth game.

    1. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Yep so do i. go for it

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Worth a punt.

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I see goals in the Sunderland match too

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        For Boro anyway

  2. BlueIncognito
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Sorry to repost but I'm stuck and want your opinions. Here's my team.

    De Gea
    Naughton Chambers Vertonghen
    King Coutinho Alli Alexis
    Lukaku Defoe Vardy

    Pickford -- De Roon, Pieters, Kingsley

    1 FT & 1.3 ITB.

    1. skeyrd
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      defoe to tekkers and gamvle with de roon for dgw over king

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Defoe and vardy to Negredo and Benteke

  3. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Anyone else stuck on what moves to make... Benteke, Ibra, Negredo all appeal for different reasons...

    Grant

    Valencia. Gibson. Mawson

    Alli. Zaha. Firmino. Siggurdson.

    Kane. Lukaku. Aguero
    (Amat, King, Cedric, Pickford)

    Leaning towards Ibra and De Gea in for -4 as rival likely to TC zlatan. Any thought appreciated

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Looks good. Deffo got to get him in if you reckon your rival will TC

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I can't see him starting vs Burnley so just doesn't feel a natural move. Rashford did enough that he will (imo) start vs Burnley. Then it's just Ibra against an improving Man City defence (kompany)

        1. DT42
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          I did exactly those moves. Ibra will be desperate to score against Pep and the Burnley game is just a bonus. ManU also have a good fixture next week too.

        2. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          He will start because Burnley away is not the same as Chelsea. Wether he plays vs City, Mou could deploy a similar tactic with Rash and Lin, but I think he will play that too. Mou said it was tactical, its not tactical to not play him vs Burnley, who sits deep and defend.

  4. gorilla
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    any further news on valdes situation?

  5. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Repost

    Pulling the AOA this week. Gtg?

    Boruc
    Barragan Bavies
    Alli Sane Sanchez Firmino Zaha
    Lukaku Benteke(c) Kane

    Pickford Mee McAuley Bertrand

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Yeah good to go. Maybe get a DGW keeper if you have a FT

  6. Hey Soccer! (What the hells…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    A) Coutinho & Origi > King & Benteke (-4)
    B) Son & Origi > Stanislas & Benteke (-4)
    C) Save (2FT next game week)

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I wouldn't want to get rid of Coutinho. Liverpool have nice fixtures.

      Any other way of getting Benteke?

      1. Hey Soccer! (What the hells…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I'm a pessimistic Liverpool fan... the only other option I'm considering would be Hazard > Sane. But, I'm a pessimistic Liverpool fan.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Save

      As a LIverpool fan; have you seen Cout of late? In that mood he is now it is quite bold to take him out, would´nt you say? King is a good option, but alongside Cout not instead-) Origi vs Palace without Sakho means Kelly and Delaney if Tomkins doesn´t make it. Origi to Negredo? At least he plays vs bad defences-)

  7. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Heaton
    Stephens Valencia Holgate
    Coutinho Eriksen Alli Redmond
    Kane Aguero Lukaku

    Robinson, Carroll, Chambers, Ake.

    A) Aguero & Redmond > Hazard Ibra

    B) Aguero Redmond > Sanchez Benteke

    All for -4

  8. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Morning ladies. Good to go? Anyone you'd bench for Siggy? Anyone you'd take a hit for?

    Jaku
    Valencia Rojo Alonso
    Eriksen Alli Zaha Townsend
    Kane Ibra Kaku

    xx Siggy Evans xx

    1. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Nope. Solid team

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I'd personally play Siggy over eriksen. Must win for Swansea and he has been threatening

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Surely not??

        1. SouthCoastSaint
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          They're so similar. Eriksen in a better team but Siggy on pens too. Eriksen at an improved palace. Don't think it would be madness to play Siggy

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Agree to an extent, Siggy should have a fine opportunity to get something from that, but his form and lack of confidence is worrying me, not just him but the whole team suffers from low confidence. I´m selling for Hazard, but maybe holding for this GW. Eriksen keeps popping up with assists, but Palace could be a stern test for them even though i think they will win. Pretty close it will be between them this week, i think

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Gorgeous team.

  9. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Which DGW players are worth hits do you think?

    A palace attacker and a united defender?

    Or would you throw Gibson in there too?

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Boro at a leaky Bournemouth and effectively relegated Sunderland.

      Unlucky not to get a point last night

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I'm not getting a boro attacker.

  10. eamonhegg
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Repost (for confirmation)
    .......................................................
    What would you do?

    Costa > Ibra

    OR

    Lukaku > Ibra?

    my head is telling me costa but my heart is lukaku

  11. BlueIncognito
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Thoughts on Afobe? Great fixtures

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Nah. King on pens sways it. Striker spots taken up

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Striker spots to precious imo, especially when King is available as a Mid

  12. K.F.C
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Repost
    Hey chaps thoughts with this lot
    Valdes
    Valencia Davies Pieters
    Alli Zaha Sanchez Firmino N'Diaye
    Lukaku Kane

    Bench Pickford McAuley Barnes Stephens
    0.7ITB 1FT

    Was thinking McAuley to Gibson and possibly Pieters to some one else for a hit but now Valdes injury is a concern for the weekend.
    I don't have WC left so it could be smarter to start preparing for GW36-37 haha and still pondering who to captain.....
    Cheers lads

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Just leave Valdes now and maybe do mcauley to Gibson

    2. K.F.C
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Thanks mate

  13. BlueIncognito
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Is Defoe to Tekkers worth it? Tekkers has considerably harder fixtures and Defoe has a DGW in G37 just like Tekkers does this upcoming GW.

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Sunderland could have nothing to play for. At least tekkers is in form and fixtures haven't affected him (goal away to Chelsea)

  14. Enzo the Baker
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Is Friend going to start both DGW games ? On Wildcard, thinking of getting him instead of Gibson.

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I doubt if Agnew knows the answer yet tbh

      1. Enzo the Baker
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Haha fair enough

        1. Moosie the Staggie
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          Truth is Gibson is more expensive but you are paying extra for pretty much 180 minutes guaranteed.
          All the others are a punt. Some more than others, but a punt nonetheless

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      With Fabio out probably.

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Fabio is his contender, look for news on him.

  15. Fantasy Challenged
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Hi Guys. 🙂

    Just brought in Benteke for Llorente because I'm not willing to lose either Kane or Lukaku this week.
    Already have 4 DGWs in Zaha, Benteke, de Roon and Valencia.

    Should I get a 5th for a -4? 0.8 ITB

    A) Lovren --> Gibson
    B) Lovren --> Bailly
    C) Foster --> Hennessey/ Valdes/ de Gea

    Will do this last possible trade right before deadline most likely.

    1. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I am in the exact same scenario... Im just sticking with 4

      1. DT42
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I was in the same boat and went for Foster to DDG. He also has a good fixture after the DGW which was what swayed me.
        Now I'm considering another -4 for Gibson!

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A looks good

    3. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      B will be good, hoping united will have clean sheet

      A no for a hit
      C Hennesey will be hard to be clean sheet, deGea in

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      C, if pushed. de gea

  16. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    good morning!

    a) maguire - watford h
    or b) de roon- bou a , sun h

    1. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A

    2. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      B

  17. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Oh ffs. All set on playing bench boost this week but it's just occurred to me that I'll almost certainly have 5 players in a fiesty Chelsea Spurs cup match, Sanchez gotta come through too. That is very scary. Might have to rethink, Valdes not recovering would likely be the final straw

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Valdez a concern for me. Stopped my BB

  18. eamonhegg
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    HELP!

    jaka
    Alonso, maguire, valencia
    sane, zaha, coutinho, walcot
    Negredo, Lukaku, Ibra

    Randolph, Erickson, robertson, yoshida

    Would you change anything???

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Playing no Spurs attack is trouble.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        i.e. bench Walcott

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Walcott to Alli?

  19. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Sanchez c against Leicester

    Or

    Benteke c against Pool away and Spurs home?

    Currently on Tekkers but I'm not so sure.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Sanchez is probably 2 pointer incoming... So Benteke

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      not really sure with Benteke

      Sanchez for me

  20. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    2 questions.
    The next scoutcast?
    How can you stop these painful google ads?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Probably tonight

      Ads block maybe, not sure. Havent came across

  21. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Bellerin to rojo for -4 ? Alreay have valencia

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A good way to maximise 2 x DGW's

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Bailly instead? Rojo looks like a card magnet

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        to be fair both are. Bailly also a bit rash at times. But i think Mou have told them not to do anything rash because he can´t afford to loose one of them to suspension that is. They were both calm sunday vs Costa and you could´nt get any worse opponent than that. price could also play a part in all this-)

  22. Meltens
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Play King (MID) or De Roon (bou, SUN)? Really struggling with this one. King incredibly much more likely to score but you know...DGW and all that.

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      King

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      KING !

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      King

    4. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      King is a season keeper. Looks like scoring a brace every game.

    5. Fantasawy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Oh that's really a debatable one but i would go for de roon he scored yesterday an offside goal and scored against Hull so he's very tempting specially that stanislas is back and he could take penalties rather than king

    6. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Thanks all!

      Wouldn't be just to bench King after all he has done for my team since GW28.

    7. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      The most you can expect from de Roon is 5 points across the 2 games. So play King.

    8. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      one goal from King and de roon will have trouble to get as much point since King have a knack of getting bps as well when he scores. de roon also in danger og yellow card, so i´d played King, but DGW is clouding things up-)

  23. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Any Brighton fans here?

  24. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Who's the better defensive pick?

    A) Gibson
    B) Bailly/Rojo (double up with Valencia)

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A if you already have Valencia

  25. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Which move do you prefer for -4? WC in gw36 planned

    A aguero Carroll & lovren to ibra benteke & Gibson
    B Carroll Sanchez & lovren to ibra zaha & Gibson

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A looks nice

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Cheers

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A

      Sanchez looks still potential

    3. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I would do A, got a feeling Sanchez will go mental against Leicester. He looked genuinely happy for the first time in ages after the final whistle yesterday!

  26. Fantasawy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Thinking of getting Townsend in for Tom Carroll but it would cost me -4,as I'm getting ibra for lukaku.However if i did so I'll be benching aguero as I'll be playing
    King-coutinho-Townsend-Alli-Son
    Ibra-Benteke
    Any suggestions?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I wouldn't want to be benching Kun..

      1. Fantasawy
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Neither me but I really want Townsend into my team

    2. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      To be honest I think you're better of just playing Kun and not getting Townshend in. If you still want to do it I'd bench Coutinho rather than Kun.

  27. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Should I:

    A) Play AoA and Bench Holgate for King
    B) Bench King and play Holgate

    Hennessey
    Rojo Gibson Holgate
    Haz Alli Eriksen Zaha
    Ibra(c) Kane Luk

    Bench: Pickford King Lowton Yoshi

    1. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      A

  28. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    How sure Chambers will be play?

    Dont have money to buy Gibson, is Barragan enough?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      All about WC.
      Barragan plenty if not.
      He played well last night; as did Boro.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Wait for presser, but he is fit at least. Look for any development regarding Fabio´s injury, Friend could be a nice route into DGW.

  29. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Not happy with King benched. Would you do anything different?

    DDG
    PVA. Gibson. Valencia.
    Saha. Alli. Sane. Eriksen.
    Tekkers. Ibra. Negredo.

    Jak. King. Mcauley. Reid.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Bench Sane then.

  30. Federico
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Need to get rid of Siggy or Tadic to get Zlatan this week. Buying Tadic early for DGW was duch a bad decission. I'm gonna WC for GW36, so can buy DGWers then.

    Thoughts?