Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Wednesday

The penultimate fixture of the packed festive schedule gets underway at 7.45pm as Arsenal and Chelsea go head-to-head at the Emirates.

For the hosts, Alexis Sanchez has upped his output in recent weeks – after a slow start to the season, last term’s top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League has delivered points in seven of his last 10 league appearances.

That form suggest that the Chilean is likely to pose the main danger to a defence that’s conceded just four times in their previous 11.

Nonetheless, it’s Alexandre Lacazette who is the Gunners’ most captained player for Gameweek 22, handed the armband by 2.02%.

The Frenchman has been a consistent source of points at home, producing a goal or assist in seven of his 10 appearances, but he’s struggled for a cutting edge of late and failed to find the net since Gameweek 15.

A return to form could reignite interest in Lacazette ahead of four kind fixtures (bou CRY swa EVE) in as many Gameweeks.

Despite a run of two goals in the last nine Gameweeks, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (3.7%) is the top armband pick for this fixture.

That lack of form means that the Spaniard and team-mate Eden Hazard were among the top five most transferred out players for Gameweek 22, sent packing by 243,000+ and 207,000+ respectively.

Hazard has mustered just a single assist in five yet both he and Morata also have some decent fixtures ahead to arrest their recent declines – over the next five Gameweeks, Antonio Conte’s side host Leicester, Bournemouth and West Brom and also make their way to Brighton and Watford.

Encouragingly for Hazard’s owners, he looks set to return to a central role with the visitors rolling out a 3-5-1-1 formation.

The Gunners, meanwhile, welcome back Mesut Ozil from a minor knee problem, though injuries in defence means that Arsene Wenger is forced to field the likes of Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in his starting line-up.

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4,961 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JoBro
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is Forster not the main keeper for Southampton any more?

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      no because he's rubbish

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah wasn’t sure if he was injured or dropped?

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        dropped. Been on the bench both games, been appalling so far this year and McCarthy is doing well

    3. Bragazeti
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Mccarthy played well against United. Didn't watch the game against Palace.

      1. pjomara
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Seemed a bit dodgy for the winner, just stood there while the ball went past him

  2. LC1
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Probably my most frustrating week so far this season.

    McArthur & Hazard out for Son & Arnie. Just need them to make up for it tonight...

    Also have Morata 🙁

  3. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Right then: time to try and stop the slide

    Flappy
    Azpi Christensen Jones
    Salah Richarlison Sterling Son Arnie
    Kane Vardy

    Elliott Ogbonna Kenny DCL

    got an FT and 0.8 itb, thinking of a Son to Pogba/Lingard

    Gives me the funds to go Fabianski to Ederson the week after, or take a hit to get Aguero

  4. ajones1608
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    A). Pope & Stones
    B). Ederson & Jones

    1. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B by miles

    2. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      b
      but a and b aren't the same price

  5. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Who to get for Son:

    A - Pog
    B - Lingard

    If I get Lingard then I could do Ric > Mahrez the following week but this won't be possible if I get Pog. Or maybe Mahrez could be heading for a transfer?

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Lingard and mahrez sounds good

  6. Babit1967
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone know if milliojovic is Crystal Palace’s pen taker?

    Tempted to do Alli and Choupa out for KDB and him after the next gameweek

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He is.

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      He is, missed his last one but can't imagine he's been taken off them.

      1. Babit1967
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Cool cheers

      2. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        unless Benteke jumps in.

        1. Francescoli
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          😀

        2. Bragazeti
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          He loves doing that

  7. Magic Box
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    One of those days for Morata. Excellent positioning, diabolical finishing...

    He'll have a point to prove soon for sure, I just hope he can get confidence levels back up - would make Hazard a much more enticing option too.

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I won't buy Morata again, I've seen enough to know he won't go on a hot streak

      1. Magic Box
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Naive comment, he'd scored 10 goals and 4 assists before this poor run - including a hat-trick.

        1. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          The hattrick was against a team playing two midfielders at cb and fb as well as back up defenders in three other positions and back up mids too. His record apart from that game is quite poor for the money.

    2. boc610
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      too many of those one of those days for morata. If that was lukaku last night there would be no "oh i hope he gets his confidence back etc" it would be "get out of my team now you massive troll". There seems to be special dispensation for Morata and Haz for some reason, whose returns at that price have been pitiful.

      1. Magic Box
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I'll concede the first point about Morata - this is his first season in the Premier League so we have no previous record to compare.

        You can't include Hazard in that, he's set a precedent for 200+ points in a season - regardless of a bad run of form, the stats and quality of the player suggest he will provide the goods over a long period.

        1. boc610
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          for a player of Haz's quality the returns are steady at best and he has had some poor seasons. That was taylor made for him last night to really hit a kane-esque haul but instead has to make do with a dubious pen. he hasnt scored from open play now since GW15

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      You're deluded 😀

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      If he wasn’t getting the chances I would be worried, he did well to get in to scoring positions, he beat defenders for speed, he didn’t hide and he made the keeper make 3 out of 4 saves ... a bit different to Lukaku maybe ?

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Just didn’t score, but the goals will come ...

      2. Magic Box
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed.

  8. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Some feedback pls:

    A) Morata+Alli --> Aguero+Lingard (-4)
    B) Morata+Christensen --> Firmino+Alonso (-4)

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      b for me

  9. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Really surprised how many people consider pool away as a bad fixture for Aguero.

    If Klopp throw VVD directly in, reds defense won't have time to settle and it could be a distaster for them imo

    1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      You look at the amount of chances he’s been getting recently. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the big scores again.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      This

    3. MTPockets
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Not bad, just not worth taking a hit for.

      • Chris_H
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I know past form doesn't count for anything, but.... City's record at Anfield is absolutely awful too.

        1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          This is true.

    4. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      what to do with this lot? 1FT 0.9ITB

      pope
      alonso jones duffy
      salah eriksen sterling son arnautovic
      kane rashford
      subs: eliott dcl kenny hünemeier

      looking at save FT, then rashford + spurs mid -> aguero + lingard or something for free

      any ideas? cheers

    5. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      What’s people’s opinion of Wilshere at the moment. Gooners seem to think he’s playing very well.

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Overrated junk

        1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Nice. Lol.

          1. Kings of Lyon ★
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Looking at the pass completion last night he was 13th out of 22. Thats not what would want from a CM

            1. Sims
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              kdb's pass completion % is often one of the worst for city evry game/ it's a result of trying to play a lot of goal scoring passes

      2. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        6.5/10

        Stands out amongst a team of 5/10 players (+ Ozchez)

      3. pjomara
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Ramsey is no longer injured so that might affect things

      4. Deus
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        He is starting to pick up the form. Wait and see how it goes.

    6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      What to do with Coutinho? No really keen in shipping before he’s confirmed out.

      1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Get rid. Don’t need the uncertainty imo

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Last time I shipped a yellow flagged premium mid they got 2 assists and max bones. I'm waiting for news.

      3. 1zverGGadeM
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Bring Mahrez/Alli in

    7. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully Tosun comes in at 4.7 so he's a straight swap for Niasse

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Lol.

      2. TwiggsJameson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        You wish.

    8. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      When Ramsey comes back, will Wilshire be starting you reckon?

      1. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Almost zero chance

    9. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Which combo?

      A) Firmino and Mahrez
      B) Aguero and Gross/Depoitre (rotating 7th mid)

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        *7th attacker

      2. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Probably A

      3. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        A

      4. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        a

      5. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Great looks like over the next two GWs I'll take -4 to roll with

        Salah Sterling Mahrez Arnie Lingard
        Kane Firmino (Depoitre)

    10. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero and Salah.

      Two attackers I would like to have (and do have) going into City Vs Pool. Going to be a high scoring game IMO

      1. Bragazeti
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Both teams will likely be in 'all out attack' mode

      2. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        If Salah plays.

        1. Differentiator
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Billy says he will

      3. 1zverGGadeM
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I have 5 players in this game including both Salah and Kun and expect goals even from the defenders!

        3:2 Liverpool

      4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        It will be. Any for the sake of pl hope liverpool win 3-2.

    11. Unconstitutional
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Would you rather have Eriksen and Lingard or Pogba and Son?

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 5 months ago

          former

        • kinghenry14
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          EL imo

        • Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          E and L. I don’t think Son will staying in the side.

        • Deus
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Eriksen and Lingard for sure

      2. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        5 playing tonight, but Son (c) instead of the Kane.

        Small green so far (240k to 220k) but could go either way tonight, wish I had C Kane now though.

      3. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I'm legitimately excited for the FA cup, I want a nice low stakes weekend of football and time to re-group and calm down on the FPL front

        1. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Not that low stake for Liverpool/Everton fans 😀

        2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          This has been by far my worst season so I agree. Play up Cov v Stoke. I fancy an upset!

          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Why on earth did you keep coutinho on a fh play?

            1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Well I didn’t know he was out. It was a toss up between him and Mahrez. That’s how my lucks been this season!

        3. SouthCoastSaint
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          This. I ditched hazard and pogba for eriksen and son. Damage limitation tonight

        1. Differentiator
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Tldr but "Salah is a dead asset without Coutinho" 😉

          1. Differentiator
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            *tldaw (at work)

          2. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            You should have read it.

        2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks for this very interesting.

        3. Arteta
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Good post Andy!

      4. golfboy
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Hello chaps. Massively behind in my ML and decided to hit the Wildcard button. My team value is poor so can get to the below, but leaves 0 in the bank, anything obvious I'm missing?

        Pope (Ryan)
        Alonso Jones Stones Kenny (Mbemba)
        Sterling Salah Mahrez Lingard (Carroll)
        Kane Fermino (Quaner)

        1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Pretty standard side. Stones not sure about - rotation risk? It’s a tough one you’ve got some good big hitters in there.

        2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          I think if you're massively behind you get rid of salah.
          I also think you drop stones and go for someone with a good run (schindler). Have the mid something like this:

          Sterling,KDB,Mahrez,Townsend,Lingard

          Same front line up

          1. golfboy
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Really? Salah is a beast, ballsy dropping him but I suppose I need to take a risk to catch up. Thanks

            1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              I am keeping Salah on my wildcard now.

            2. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              I wouldn’t drop him. Too much ownership and a viable captain option. He has a good week and you will go the opposite direction in rank.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Terrible advice, get rid of Salah?! Only if he's injured long term

          3. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            If you agree massively behind then you need to change strategy imo.

            Go big at three back and in midfield with one forward might play off. Kane not realty great cake with all the other captain options this season so if you are short on funds it might be worth dumping him.

            If be tempted by Chelsea def double up with Christensen and if coutinho goes then getting mane in for Carroll. Kenny to brighton defender or maybe wayfkrd defender (think they will tighten up once they get injured players back and once Silva gets to work with them on the training pitch again and they have some lovely home games now to end of season

            1. golfboy
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Ok, good advice, thanks I'll have a look. Lucky it's quiet at work!

          4. MTPockets
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Looks fine, although not sure on Kenny.
              I don't agree on dropping Salah as differential.

          5. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            No scoutcast this week?

            1. Podge
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              🙁

          6. Essrick
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Just catching up on MOTD.

            Zeegelaar's at fault for all 3 City goals hahaha

          7. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Early armband thoughts for next gw?

            1. kinghenry14
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              kane for me

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Same

            2. Podge
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Kane or maybe Pog if you have him

            3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Hazard

          8. @persecuted_by_mods
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Hazard this year is basically David Silva but with penalties, might as well get Silva when he's back and save the money

              1. rnrd
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                he's frustrating.
                Not essential for sure but his Bonus appeal is hard to ignore when it comes down to captain choice, for instance for next week

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Never will own him again, always trolls me

                2. SouthCoastSaint
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  Not sure I’ve got points from either this season which is mad

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Been like that with me too, got maybe 3 assists and a goal out of them out of like 11 weeks

                      1. SouthCoastSaint
                        • 12 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Ditto. Ditched silva the week before he scored 4. Got hazard. 1 assist then ditched before his goal last night. Even thought about going without Kane but idiotic to go without a player who’s just scored 6 in 2 games! One of those seasons for me (727th last year! Seems ages ago now!)

                        1. @persecuted_by_mods
                            6 years, 5 months ago

                            Exactly the same, that's why hazard is done for me now. Even though Chelsea have good fixtures and he will surely get points now Morata is back. At least Silva isn't that expensive

                  2. pjomara
                    • 13 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    A. Alonso + Lanzini/Arnie (have Lingard)
                    B. Christensen + Sane?

                    1. kinghenry14
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      a

                    2. Deus
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      A

                  3. fkmzcgp
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Coutinho and Naughton >> Lingard and Alonso for a -4 hit?

                    1. tafrère
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Good hit.

                    2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Yell yeah

                  4. ponsio22
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Do we look at jack wilshere now as a snip at 5.4?

                    1. Podge
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      I try not to look at him at all

                    2. kinghenry14
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      no

                    3. SouthCoastSaint
                      • 12 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Glass ankles. Mad to get him in with his record. Worse than Evans with his injuries

                  5. Deus
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    I shipped out Salah for Eriksen (also transferred Alli) for the DGW. The plan is to bring him back after City game. Either use Alli or Eriksen.
                    The reasoning was to get points from 3 games, but loose in Total Value. Salah was expecting to drop in price but still isn't.
                    So I shipped him out for 9.6 (10.1 - 9.1) / 2 and lost 0.5, which is a big deal.
                    What do you think is it worth to lost TV for points?

                    1. SouthCoastSaint
                      • 12 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Team value is overhyped imo and I’ve been a sucker for it this season. Going to stop looking. Have TV of 104.6 which is probably average but it hasn’t translated into points. It may be helpful on my 2nd wildcard. I ditched pogba over Salah so very bitter !

                      1. Deus
                        • 7 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Very strange that we don't have Total Sell Value metric which will be much more helpful I believe.

                    2. rnrd
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      not meaning to offend but this is a Rookie mistake imo.
                      The game is not about team value but points, but the 0.5 that you spew here for a DGW matter will cost you probably later in the season 3x times the points you will get by pilling up DGWerks.

                      Your move is thinkable only from GW 34/35 I'd say but that was a mistake to make it now

                      1. Deus
                        • 7 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        I think in this game there are different styles of play. For instance, I use many hits, still gain a lot of points.
                        Others play more tightly, which is probably the better way to play.
                        I am going from 3rd place to 1st after these moves in my mini-league. (after today's game)
                        Thanks for the opinion, much appreciated

                  6. tafrère
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Eriksen on the bench tonight ?

                    1. Kings of Lyon ★
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Source?

                      1. tafrère
                        • 7 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        None, he just played all 90 minutes since november, a rest seems obvious I fear.

                    2. SouthCoastSaint
                      • 12 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Great fitness levels since the days he used to get benched late on all the time. Can’t see him being benched against an improving (ish) West Ham. Done forget they beat them at home in the cup. Poch won’t risk too weakened a team

                    3. Hardly Athletic
                      • 14 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Hope so. My cup opponent has him.