Dugout Discussion
14 January 2018 3597 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

After Bournemouth’s comeback win over Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium, we now make our way to Merseyside as Liverpool entertain Manchester City in the 4pm kick-off.

Still reeling from the departure of Philippe Coutinho, the hosts have been dealt a further blow after their January arrival Virgil van Dijk was ruled out due to a hamstring problem.

The top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Mohamed Salah – who was sold by over 179,000 for Gameweek 23 – recovers from a groin problem to start for the hosts.

With a goal or assist in 12 of his last 13 league appearances and nine double-figure hauls this season, the Egyptian is the most captained player for this one, handed the armband by 8.6% of FPL managers.

Indeed, with both sides boasting the most potent attacks in the top-flight, Salah is one of five players in this match ranked among the top 10 FPL captains for Gameweek 23.

Man City pair Sergio Aguero (6.6%) and Kevin De Bruyne (3%) are next in line.

With fellow frontman Gabriel Jesus sidelined through injury, the Argentine was second only to Harry Kane for transfers in among FPL forwards last week, snapped up by 191,000+ on the back of six goals in as many matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino (2.8%) and Raheem Sterling (2.5%) are also among the main captaincy contenders – both have bagged three sets of double-digits in their respective last four starts.

However, it’s bad news for the 9.9% still holding David Silva – the Spaniard warms the visitors’ bench and has now started just two of the last six Gameweeks.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    76 + DDG + Lingard to go.

    Happy with 6th green arrow in a row, the only way is up!

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      on for my 6th red in 7 lol

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        I had a shocking start to the season. I'm still outside the top 100k, just need to get captains right more often

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I had a shocking start too, was ranked 2.2M after GW5. But then I wildcarded in GW6 and I found myself ranked 19k by GW16.

          Now I'm 87k though so it's a season of ups and downs

  2. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    is mane a good option now?

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Still looked rusty for most of the game despite his goal

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        His touch is rather poor. Always a good option for sure.

      2. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        ?

        He played brilliantly

  3. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    54. 3 to play including capt

  4. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero has regressed a lot this season. That late header (offside BTW) was the type of chance that he would normally be putting away.

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Wasn't exactly an easy header

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Plenty of time to anticipate getting it right though.

    2. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Most of City's attacks ended when Aguero got the ball

    3. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Struggled today. His returns per min are very good though. Still has that killer instinct. Next few games will be time to truly judge

    4. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      As an owner I was still happy to see him plugging away near the end. Got the assist. Not many chances.

      Not in a rush to get rid just yet.

  5. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pep more likely to rotate later on in the season now with the unbeaten thing no longer possible

  6. liiusions
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Firmino is actually a better #9 than Aguero. What a time to be alive

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Disi-Liiusions

  7. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Rp.

    Mane or Firmino?

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Firmino

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Depends on your team but given the amount of mids performing, Firmino alongside Kane imo is the better option

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Do you think Firmino will continue this vein of form without the creativity of Coutinho in the side?

  8. CarsonYeung
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Gundogan's goal has robbed Firmino and Salah of baps

    1. Sims
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      salah will still get 1. firmino to lose out i think

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Salah will rise to 40 max, well behind those ahead.

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Wow Firm fell loads.

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

    Will Firmino's returns dry up now that Coutinho is gone?

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      and Salah? We need a ScoutCast to discuss this

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Was discussed last week - was mentioned that in both cases they do better without him.

        1. Bilbao Baggins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Your article said that firmino would be negatively affected I thought and Salah improves? Are you saying that this isn't the case and that both improve statistically? Sorry if I misunderstood but seems like that is what you are saying.

    2. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No statistically he always scores more ppg without Coutinwho in the side.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Just wanted to wait and see. Get it now

    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      that article midweek was class about Coutinho's influence

    5. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      ? he scores more when coutinho isn't playing

    6. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No- the evidence based on his ppm is that they will improve.

      Today was another example of that.

    7. AsAF23
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Haters gonna hate

  10. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Morata + DCL to
    A) Firmino + Wilson
    B) Aguero + Crouch

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

  11. niloh1
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Would you rather have firmino or aguero

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Depends what you do with the extra coin.

  12. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Was hopeful of an 11th consecutive green arrow this week but as an Ota and Sterling owner, that game was a disaster! United CS and Lingard returns might help stem the damage tomorrow.

  13. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    How's this for next week?

    Adrian
    Otamendi Jones VVD Alonso
    Sterling Lingard Salah Arnie
    Firmino Kane

    Pope Ogbonna Quaner Gross

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      gtg

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Pretty happy. I really hope VVD starts though. A cameo will sting.

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Perfect tbh

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      VVD injured ?

  14. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    0 points for today. Ota + Sterling.

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Same. Can't be helped.

    3. Viper
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hard luck

    4. MTPockets
        8 years, 3 months ago

        That's harsh.

    5. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Losing Salah for Pogba for one week not my most genius move ever even for free.
      And because Salah never price dropped I can't straight swap back - short .1 and got to lose Eriksen instead 🙁

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        This is why you don't get rid of season keepers if they're out for less than 3 game weeks.

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Yip

    6. Deano
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      What a great game, the high pressing tactic from both teams has changed the way football is being played for the better.

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        In the top 4 maybe. I think its resulting in more buses being parked overall

    7. Slippy
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy or Firmino?
      (Have Salah)

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Firmino

    8. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      63 with Lingard Jones and ... err .... Crouch off the bench 🙂

    9. JJO
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No chance of Salah bonus again?
      This season...

      1. Sims
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        he will get 1 imo

    10. Sepp Blattered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      90 points all out.

      Disappointed not 100 but should break into the top 10,000 after this for the first time this season!

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Well done

      2. VFORVANDETA
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        91 with DDG Lingard to go.

      3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Well done!

      4. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Great result!

    11. Hi I'm Jose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Any chance not to play Jones? Gundogan is my first sub

      1. skriniar
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        lol

    12. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      If baps stay as they are I will be up to 29 points for the gw 😎

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Bragger

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        so sick of these brags ..

      3. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Congratulations... You were a bit down after your 7 pointer yesterdat

    13. Whats the Huth
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Morata to Wilson
      Rich to mane

      Good transfers?
      No lingard/Alonso/Aguero

      1. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Lingard over mane

    14. JustPark
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      On the verge of Vert + Morata to Alonso + Firmino. Both don't have any other match before next league fixture, ye?

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Cup semis ?

        1. JustPark
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Ah~

      2. MTPockets
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Chelsea play Norwich

          1. JustPark
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers.

      3. Viper
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Who do you reckon wins this head head?

        Me: DDG, Jones, Lingard

        Him: 19 points

        1. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Hopefully you, as I've those 3 too. Most likely him though.

          1. Viper
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Need a CS + Lingard goal

            Not overly hopeful

        2. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Tie

      4. skriniar
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        job done:
        Groß and stupid Morata >>> Arni, Firmino

        so the nex GW stupid Morara hatrick you sob

      5. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        I am definitely going to rage transfer Morata out on Friday evening 😉

      6. beetlejuice
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Play who?
        A-) Mustafi (vs CRY)
        B-) Masuaku (vs BOU)

        1. Zenith UK
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Both are worries. West Ham conceded in 5 last PL games.

        2. JustPark
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Probably Mustafi.

      7. eamonhegg
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Choose one Please!

        A - Bellerin & Arnaut & mcburnie

        B - Mustafi & Lanzini & Wilson

        1. beetlejuice
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          A if u ve 2 good subs

      8. andymck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        69 all out, hopefully enough for a green

        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Depends on your rank but if Man U keep a clean sheet I doubt it will be. Nothing wrong with that score though

          1. andymck
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Started this gw at 80k, worried about man utd for sure.

        2. skriniar
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          red

        3. VFORVANDETA
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Yup.Above average.