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. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    A) Gibson and Negredo
    B) Friend and Benteke

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A just because of Gibson

    2. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A

  2. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Currently tempted to go without Ibra/Benteke... is this a viable option?

    A) Evans to Barragan (Bench Davies/Alonso)
    B) Siggy to Townsend (Bench Llorente)
    C) Evans, Llorente to Barragan, Negredo (-4, bench Siggy)

    1FT and only 0.2m ITB

    Grant,
    Alonso, Valencia, Davies,
    Sanchez, Alli, Coutinho, Siggy, Zaha,
    Kane, Kaku,

    Jaku, Llorente, Evans, Amat.

    Thanks Guys.

  3. Pjanić At The Disco
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Apologies, got bottomed.

    Considering you have Sanchez and Alli, which trio would you choose till the end of season?

    A: Kane + Lukaku + Hazard
    B: Eriksen + Aguero + Costa

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A easy

    4. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A

    5. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A by faaaaaar

    6. Pjanić At The Disco
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Cheers guys!

  4. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Last post. 😉

    Valdes
    Bailly - Stones - Davies
    Sanchez - Coutinho - Eriksen - Zaha
    Ibra - Lukaku - Kane

    Pickford - De Roon - Yoshida - Barragan

    1 FT and 0,2 ITB

    I will be playing bench boost this round, as I still need to play my TC.

    And suggestions? And do we think Valdes will be fit?

  5. GE
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Bench boost 1) or 2)?

    1) Heaton (United home), Baines (West Ham away), Robertson (Watford home), Tadic (Chelsea away)

    2) Jaku (Palace away), Chambers (Soton home), Towsend (Hull home), Robertson (Palace away)

  6. ANON.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    2ft, 0.1m itb. Playing WC in 36 for BB in 37. Was going to do A but shall I just do B now?

    A. Heaton + Mawson to Valdes + Chambers/Fabio/Barragan?
    B. Heaton + Mawson to Hennessey + Gibson

    Pickford
    Alonso, Valencia, Holebas
    Sanchez, Alli, Eriksen, King
    Ibra, Lukaku, Benteke

    Heaton, Mawson, (Fletcher, Evans)

  7. Don Look Back in Wenger
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    sorry repost, lost at the bottom of previous page.

    I am on my WC . countless hours spent so yeah, any advice on this setup?

    Picky Henn
    Stephens Yoshida Rojo Gibson Holgate
    Sanchez Haz Son Erik Zaha
    Tekker/Negredo Ibra Kane

    GW34= bench erik
    GW35= Bench Negredo/Tekker

  8. Live Lad
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Any worth doing? AGUERO to
    (1) Zlatan
    (2) Negredo
    (3) Benteke
    Already have Zaha, DDG, Gibson.
    (4) Add one defender each from Mid and Man U

  9. McQueen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Kun to Ibra for -4? Don't know if I wanna ditch Lukaku before Wham who he likes to score against.

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Hard to take out Kun 🙁 .If Ibra cap probably yes then

      1. McQueen
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Cheers mate, yes I agree. Not very fond of it. But with Jesus soon back maybe it's the most sensible move to do.

  10. torshov_bulls
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Zaha, Townsend or Cabaye for DGW 34? Highest ceiling vs differential/bonus magnet vs pens?

    1. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I have Zaha and Townsend - they will cause chaos vs Pool

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Isn't Milivojevic on pens now instead of Benteke and Cabaye?

      1. torshov_bulls
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        That is true, he took it v Arsenal. That leaves Zaha v Townsend, i guess

  11. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    4 defenders who didn't play this week..

    Alonso, Mustafi, Nyom, Jones

    Need to get rid of 1 for a DGW defender, which one?

    And is Alonso the most likely to be OK to start?

    Help appreciated! 😀

    1. torshov_bulls
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Nyom out.
      Alonso was sick with a virus, should be OK

      1. GoonerByron
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Any chance Jones might be back or am I clutching at straws? 😛

  12. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    @ FantasyFootyFix

    Price rises - "It is likely that thresholds are doubled in the GW before a DGW"

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      yep reason why Kun Sane Sterling didn't double rise or triple rise when they were well above 100 % . Ibra Benteke the examples now

  13. Taffer
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    So on average I've beaten the Top 10k by 2.1 points this year - but my rank is 66k. Just goes to show how the most important thing is to avoid the low scoring weeks..they have crippled my rank this year.

  14. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Choose one (still have WC)

    A) Siggy, Origi ➡️ Milivojevic, Ibra -4
    B) Alonso, Origi ➡️ Boro, Ibra -4
    C) Origi ➡️ Benteke
    D) Origi ➡️ Rashford

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A possibly with De Roon. Milo relies on penalties for points if any

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        hmm. was thinking that too. De Roon looked dangerous yesterday

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          He scored a goal too which unfortunately was ruled offside

  15. aguerodontblankonme
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Which boro defender to get for the double gw?
    yes or no? mawson, aguero, foster-> boro def (who?), ibra, valdes for -8

    1. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Has to be Gibson, surely?

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Valdes might be injured. Ibra might not play both games. Boro likely to concede to Bournemouth. And you want to take a -8 for that?

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Valdes Might be fit for next games. Ibra might play both games. Boro may not concede vs Bournemouth..

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          Of course but I'm pretty sure you catch my drift

          1. Phil Dagger ⭐
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 26 days ago

            😉

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      yes if Valdes is fit and Gibson

  16. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Thoughts? 0.8itb 2FT

    Jaku
    Luiz / Brunt / Walker
    Alli / Zaha / Siggy / Firmino
    Ibra / Lukaku / Kane

    Bench: Heaton, Yoshida, Barry, Love

  17. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    GTG?

    Hennesesy

    Valencia Darmian Alonso

    Zaha Alli Coutinho Sanchez

    Lukaku Rashford Aguero

    Pickford Sane Davies Stephens

    0 FT 0.4 itb

  18. Wengerout88
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Grant/Jaku

    Barragan Gibson

    Couthino Alli De Roon Son Hazard

    Lukaku Kane Zlatan (c)

    Sub: Britos Yoshida Stephens

    Using AoA

    Comments?

  19. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Genuinely think I'm going to captain Negredo this week..! 😮

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Could be a shrewd move. Possible returns in both games.

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Same

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      may well be worth it you know

    4. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Im thinking this too

  20. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Pick one

    Origi (saving ft)
    Benteke (ft)
    Negredo(ft)

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Punt on Negredo.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        2 goal + 2 bonus would be extremely good from him , isn't it? 😀

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 26 days ago

          yep could easily get 10-12 points that's the beauty of DBgws 😉

    2. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Benteke

    3. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Negredo

  21. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Heaton Pickford
    Alonso Valencia Davies Evans Pieters
    Siggy Sanchez Eriksen Snodgrass Zaha
    Lukaku Ibra Anichebe

    Got 2 FT and 0.5 ITB.

    a) Alonso to Gibson, Anichebe to Negredo
    b) Evans to Friend, Heaton to Hennessey
    c) Evans to Friend, Alonso to Bailly
    d) Other?

    Any ideas would be much appreciated

  22. Rover
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Which transfers (max 2) for a 1 week punt with BB before WC:

    A) Lukaku > Benteke
    B) Siggy > Townsend
    C) Siggy > Herrera (especially if he doesn't play on Thursday)
    D) Pickford > de Gea

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Benteke and Townsend but don't sell Lukaku.

      1. Rover
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        I have Ibra and Kane so maybe just Townsend then.

  23. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    1FT 0.0 itb no WC
    Grant
    Valencia,Alonso,Gibson
    Sanchez,Alli,Tadic,Zaha
    Ibrahimovic,Lukaku,Kane

    Foster,T.Carroll,Pieters,Yoshida

    2. Alonso,Pieters > Bailly,PVA -4 (bench Tadic next week)
    3. Tadic,T.Carroll. > JWP, 6.1m
    6.1m?
    A)King B)Townsend

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Or DeRoon?

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      3
      Townsend

  24. NachoMan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Kun and Cedric OUT
    Ibra and Valencia IN
    -4
    Would Give me;

    Pickford (Grant)

    Valencia, PVA, Gibson (Fabio*, Maguire)

    Siggy, Sanchez, Alli, Zaha (Sane)

    Ibra (c), Kaku, Tekkers

    Go for it?

    1. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      I own Valencia, but doubt he'll play both. 🙁

      1. Sahil Yadav
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Not only Valencia. Ibra can also come up for only a cameo

  25. Pjanić At The Disco
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Best boro cover for less than 4.5m?

    Barragan, Chambers or Friend?

    1. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Friend...but all quite risky...

  26. ScotDougie
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Any news on Fabio injury please

    1. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Knee

      1. ScotDougie
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Will he be right for the weekend?

  27. Sahil Yadav
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Who to bench:
    Jaku, Heaton
    Alonso*, Davies, Bernardo, Friend, Robertson
    Sanchez, Alli, Firmino, Zaha, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Benteke

    BB, AOA still in tact

    1. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Davies I guess

  28. MallettMan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Aguero to Kane or Ibra? Currently have Benteke and Lukaku

    1. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Personally I would keep for this week and get Kane next week. You are nit considering keeping him and selling Lukaku (for Kane)?

  29. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Playing AoA so only 1 of these can play:

    A) Baines
    B) Pieters
    C) Holebas
    D) Davies

    which one ?

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      Davies

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      D

      1. trinzoo
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 26 days ago

        Im on D as well - thanks!

  30. Hipstermanc
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 26 days ago

    Which combination would you rather have for GW34

    A) Sanchez + Negredo

    B) Downing/Gaston Ramirez + Ibrahimovic

    Torn between getting Ibra or Negredo. Can get only 1 as other 2 forwards are Kane and Lukaku and I want to keep Kaku for West ham away.

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 26 days ago

      A for me.
      Ibra might not play due to rotation. Jose would probably keep him as a sub only for difficult times.