Dugout Discussion
24 February 2018 1612 comments
Paul Paul
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After a 1-1 stalemate at the King Power, we turn our attentions to five mid-afternoon matches.

Liverpool’s home encounter with West Ham United will be the focal point for many.

Mohamed Salah is again the top captain pick by Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers as he goes in search of a thirteenth double-digit points haul of the season.

Backed by over 1.6m with the armband – including 77 of the top 100 managers – the Egyptian has already delivered a 15-point return against the Hammers back in Gameweek 11.

The Reds are one of four teams among the 3pm contingent who are guaranteed to play in Gameweek 31, with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk also among the key targets.

Another of those sides, Bournemouth, entertain a Newcastle United outfit with a single clean sheet in their last 11 on the road.

Owned by 9.8%, Callum Wilson is their most popular pick on the back of 12-point hauls against both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last five Gameweeks.

Yet with two goals and as many assists in four since returning from injury, Junior Stanislas (0.9% owned) could be worth considering as a differential in midfield.

West Brom and Huddersfield also play in Gameweek 31 and go head-to-head at The Hawthorns in a vital six-pointer.

Encouragingly for the Baggies, Salomon Rondon has scored in each of his last two home matches across all competitions.

Meanwhile, the Terriers arrive with a woeful away record, failing to score in ten of their 13 road trips. However, David Wagner’s side will be buoyed by a 4-1 hammering of Bournemouth last time out, with Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie both delivering double-figure tallies.

Elsewhere, Pascal Gross and Jose Izquierdo could be instrumental as Brighton welcome Swansea to the Amex Stadium.

The German has scored all five of his goals at home, playing a part in 60% of the Seagulls’ strikes in front of their own supporters. Izquierdo, meanwhile, welcomes the Swans on the back of successive goals against West Ham and Stoke in the previous two Gameweeks.

Finally, Burnley will look to rectify a run of one clean sheet in nine when Southampton make their way to Turf Moor. With the Clarets set for a kind run-in to the campaign, a return to resilient ways could bring the likes of Ben Mee back into consideration for some Wildcard squads.

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

  1. Silenthunder
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bobby Firmino! Get in!!

  2. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  3. Jar Jar Winks
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    bobbbbbbbyyyyyyyyy

  4. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bobby Dazzler get the foook in lad....

  5. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Brilliantly unnecessary no look finish

  6. faux_C
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Worst thing about GW31 is it's pushing people into owning both Salah and Firmino, ruining it for those of us who had them both anyway!

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Just enjoy the points fella. Would you prefer they blanked? 😆

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He was well owned before the blank ?

  7. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    at the same time screw you Hegazi

  8. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How do you even defend against this Liverpool team. Jeez...

    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Well for starters, don't play a bunch of 50 years olds.

      Second tip would be don't be West Ham.

  9. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How is Firmino so high up the baps

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He does everything

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Quality.

    3. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tackles, turnovers. He's a machine.

  10. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    MORE POOL MORE

  11. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    VVD, Firmino, Salah(c)

    United ST holder.

    Got to be done though, and at least when they thrash teams I get a slither of enjoyment from the returns.

  12. rivercityransom
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    pool cs gone

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

  13. Jar Jar Winks
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    lol @ liv cs

  14. Gobigorgohome
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    NO VVVDDDD CDSSSDS

  15. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Oh for crying out loud VVD

  16. DR0GBA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    F**k this gameweek, cheers VvD

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    WE WANT MORE VVD SALAH(C) Firmino

  18. Grand Thibauto
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anotnio Goal

  19. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio! OMG!

  20. TheRealDog
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    F off, Can. Play the ball you idiot

  21. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio.always believed in you son

  22. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Been a struggle for me choosing when to offload Vardy for Firm with those fixtures (and Vardy knocking in a few as well)

    But I guess it's time?

  23. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hahaha VVD bandwagon crashing as predicted

  24. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    why tho

    all cleanies gone and the only defender currently with a cleanie is first on my bench

  25. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    FFS

  26. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Why can't Liverpool keep a CS?

  27. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Kouyate assist

  28. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Why is Salah so low in the baps?

    1. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He's missed about 3 sitters

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Missed shots, bad passes

  29. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bye Bye Van Dijk Cleanie yay! Never fool for the Liverpool DF trap!

  30. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Oh f**k off