Dugout Discussion
26 August 2018 4533 comments
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Eden Hazard (£10.5m) and Mateo Kovacic (£6.0m) make their first starts of the season as Chelsea attempt to win on Tyneside for the first time in the league since 2011/12.

Willian (£7.5m) and Ross Barkley (£6.0m), as would perhaps be expected, are the two men to make way as Maurizio Sarri otherwise rolls out the same team that beat Arsenal last weekend.

Marcos Alonso (£6.6m), who comes into this match on the back of successive double-digit hauls, is now the second-most popular defender in Fantasy Premier League after being bought by 470,266 new managers ahead of Gameweek 3.

Chelsea assets are popular in the Fantasy community after their 100% start to the season: five of their front six (the exception being Kovacic) have been bought by more than 100,000 FPL bosses since the Gameweek 2 deadline passed.

It’s all change in the Newcastle United starting XI, with six alterations to the team that drew 0-0 with Cardiff City. The injured Jamaal Lascelles (£5.0m) and Jonjo Shelvey (£5.5m) are among the players to drop out, while there are starts for new signings Fabian Schar (£4.9m), Federico Fernandez (£4.5m), Ki Sung-yeung (£4.9m) and Salomon Rondon (£5.9m).

Rafael Benitez seems to be rolling out a five-man defence, too, switching from his regular 4-4-1-1 system.

Slavisa Jokanovic has also rung the changes at Craven Cottage, with Ryan Sessegnon (£6.4m) and Fabri (£4.5m) among five players to drop to the bench. Denis Odoi (£4.5m) returns from suspension, while Marcus Bettinelli (£4.5m) is a surprise inclusion between the sticks. Andre Schurrle (£5.9m) also returns.

The Burnley team news is much more straightforward: Sean Dyche has named an unchanged starting XI for the third league match in a row.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic; Pedro, Morata, Hazard

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Ki, Diame, Murphy; Rondon

Fulham XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fosu-Mensah, Le Marchand, Odoi, Bryan; Seri, McDonald, Cairney; Vietto, Schurrle, Mitrovic

Burnley XI (4-5-1): Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson, Lennon, Hendrick; Wood

4,533 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Zoostation
    8 years, 2 months ago

    How has Pedro looked?

    At work, cannot watch.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Had a great chance

    2. HurriKane
      8 years, 2 months ago

      wastefull. missed 2 great chances

      1. Zoostation
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Wonderful

      2. My Name Is Pepu
        8 years, 2 months ago

        He created something out of nothing once. The other one was a half chance from outside the box. Come on!

      3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Clearly don't ever watch or have never played football!

    3. Marcos Alonso is god
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Looks decent not getting too far up the pitch though got into the box from the right and bent it far over was a really good chance

    4. My Name Is Pepu
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Constantly stretching the defence with his movement, came close to scoring but fired wide. Decent passing.

    5. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Did ok. Headless chicken at times. Telegraphed a shot for the only shot on target

    6. MTPockets
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Ok - couple of shots. Newcastle defending like hell, but still a 6.6m mid playing right wing for Chelsea with form and fixtures.

  2. Dynamic Duos
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Big Mit yes mate 🙂

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's gonna bang goals in this season

  3. Marcos Alonso is god
    8 years, 2 months ago

    444 passes for Chelsea and 93 percent accuracy lovely stuff

    1. La Roja
      8 years, 2 months ago

      And one shot on target

      1. Marcos Alonso is god
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Can’t blame them really very difficult to break down 9 men at all times

    2. Rainer
      8 years, 2 months ago

      All fart, no poo.

      1. doublyG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 2 months ago

        They've been pushing though. Sooner or late something will land

        1. Rainer
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Need to put the squeeze on Newcastle!

      2. Hiphopopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 2 months ago

  4. ☈☾
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Chelsea have a total shot of 1 on target. Sad.

  5. pundit of punts
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Can't wait to do Mane ➡ Hazard this GW.

    1. HurriKane
      8 years, 2 months ago

      cue mane brace vs leicester

      1. HurriKane
        8 years, 2 months ago

        one gw too early i reckon.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      8 years, 2 months ago

      considering same for a hit - you doing for a hit or FT? Bournmouth will be like moths to a flame, they will try to attack chelsea. could see a 4-2 or 5-2 game

      1. Pep says
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Last 4 games at the Bridge, the score is 5 all..

      2. pundit of punts
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Mane + Richarlison ➡ Hazard + Walcott for a hit.

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

      Hazard not 100% fit yet though?

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Apart from Richie scratching his Achilles and Diame standing on his calf (accidentally) he's fine!

    4. Regin
      8 years, 2 months ago

      why? Has hazard done anything special today?

  6. TomSaints
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Mitro v Zaha over next 5 GWs including this week.

    Who do you think wins?

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      both on form but palace through fixtures

    2. yakirh
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Both

    3. TomSaints
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Brought Zaha in last week for King... which is kind of annoying but happy long term.

      Had Ings since GW1 but Saints look awful and have the money to upgrade to Mitro

  7. Bubz
    8 years, 2 months ago

    More goals to come for Mitro in the 2nd half? *licks lips*

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      How many?

      1. Bubz
        8 years, 2 months ago

        2

    2. yakirh
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Cairney's turn now

  8. RomeluStormzy
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Getting settled on my WC team:

    Ederson (Hamer)
    Robertson Mendy Alonso AWB (Perriera)
    Mane Pogba Walcott Hazard (Guendozi)
    Aguero Mitrovic (Wilson)

    What you guys think?

    1. Bubz
      8 years, 2 months ago

      where's Salah

    2. JustPark
      8 years, 2 months ago

      -WC
      -Pogba
      Can't brain this.

      1. doublyG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Pogba in. No Salah. Clearly United fan

    3. Hy liverpool
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

      1. learnedlizard
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Salahhhhh

  9. teneighty
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I don't care if Burnley concedes as long as Tark keeps on scoring!

  10. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Chance of Chambers coming on and denying me benched Mee points?

  11. OzilFozzil
    8 years, 2 months ago

    What are people doing with Richarlison? I’m rather concerned with his price dropping.

    Richarlison > Walcott seems like the most obvious route given Everton’s next two fixtures (2 on the difficulty rating and both at home)..

    But then there is the worry of wanting Richarlison back AND not being able to afford him...

    1. yakirh
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison price will drop mate, you will be able to afford him

    2. Danstoke82
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Already did Richarlison > Walcott. Theo seems to be in form so gonna jump on whilst it lasts

    3. SheBangsTheDrums
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm shipping - my squad isn't strong enough to carry him!

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      8 years, 2 months ago

      How much did you pay for him and will he drop below that ?

      1. OzilFozzil
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Ive had him since week 1

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          8 years, 2 months ago

          The first .1 drop won’t matter then

    5. Norman Conquest
      8 years, 2 months ago

      they will prob be same price by the time he returns

    6. Khark
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t ignore Everton attack against Huddersfield. Walcott is the sensible option despite it being the bandwagon.

    7. PlayPercentage
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Next two Everton fixtures are very good, and at home.
      Rich -> Wally is a decent move, I think.

    8. yakirh
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I will probably do Rich -> Walcott , wanted to wait for all games to finish this time, since I could afford the transfer after a price raise/drop

  12. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 2 months ago

    In desperate need of more pts from Kante Mee Kepa. Wouldn’t be averse to Kamara pts as well.

  13. diesel001
    8 years, 2 months ago

    People have a go at Pulis and Allardyce, but how is Benitez any better?

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Have to completely agree.

    2. *Reformed-Character*
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, valid point

    3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He has a group of mediocre players. This sort of game if it stays 0-0 will be like a victory to him. Wish they'd try and string some passes together tho.

    4. Dybala10
      8 years, 2 months ago

      True, but hideous squad.

      1. diesel001
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Any worse than the squads Allardyce had at Sunderland or Pulis had at Stoke and West Brom?

    5. Pierce34
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Pulis and Allardyce played that way all the time - Benitez actually varies his tactics.

    6. SheBangsTheDrums
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think he's trying to prove a point to Ashley!

    7. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He has a marginally better record as a manager but I agree he is playing just like em

  14. SheBangsTheDrums
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is Hazard a trap? No doubt he's an unbelievable player but FPL-wise, does he justify his price tag?

    I get the impression he gets more pleasure out of dribbling past 5 players than scoring or assisting!

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You're not wrong - a great player but not greedy enough for FPL. He needs to score more. (probably get two in the second half now I have said that)

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No he doesn't justify his price for FPL

    3. MTPockets
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's brilliant but if Pedro/Willian play can't see him offering 3m to 4m extra value.

    4. Khark
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I kind of agree. Best player in the league for me.

      If he had the eye for goal I guarantee he’s same price or more than Salah.

  15. Danstoke82
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Mitrovic looking decent value at 5.5! Might have to get him in on my WC team when I play it

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      6.5

      1. Danstoke82
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Whoops for some reason I thought he was 1.0 cheaper. Kinda reduces the appeal now :-/

        1. Mambino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          8 years, 2 months ago

          He's going score lots this season I think

    2. fedolefan
      8 years, 2 months ago

      *6.5

    3. *Reformed-Character*
      8 years, 2 months ago

      5.5?

    4. diesel001
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's £6.5m?

      1. Danstoke82
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah my mistake thought he was 5.5 for some reason! Fail.

    5. PlayPercentage
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Mitro is 6.5.

    6. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If he was 5.5 everyone sane would have him!

      1. Danstoke82
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Very true!

      2. Pied Mee Ince Silva
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Everyone sane has him at 6.5. 🙂

  16. Richd
    8 years, 2 months ago

    How’s alonso looking ?

    I’ve been test driving at the Porsche garage. Fancy I know

    1. Gianfranco Zola
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not involved in the attack so far

    2. doublyG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hasn't done much yet offensively

    3. Pep says
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Please don't buy one

      1. Naboo
        8 years, 2 months ago

        This. You can do better

    4. Danstoke82
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve brought him in this week so expecting a 2 pointer!

    5. Marcos Alonso is god
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not much going forward

  17. Gianfranco Zola
    8 years, 2 months ago

    When will Watford Palace bps be finalized?

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      they can change at any point within 1 hour of match end

  18. PlayPercentage
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Mitro absolutely nailed on for 3BPs.
    Unless he gets sent off, that is.

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Big possibility

    2. yakirh
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He could score more, that's your new goal

  19. Mic
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Props to mitro owners. Austin -> mitro on cards last week coulda woulda shoulda

    1. Cok3y5murf
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yawn

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        8 years, 2 months ago

        u ok hun xx

  20. Louis Van Gaalstones
    8 years, 2 months ago

    So what are the chances of a Newcastle goal? Have they been in Chelsea's half at all?

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      They had a little flurry towards the end of the half... Don't think you can bank the CS points quite yet

    2. Podge
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yep set pieces in particular

  21. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 2 months ago

    How’s pedro looked? Keep spot likely?

  22. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Paris Saint-Germain are ready to offer Tottenham £100m for midfielder Christian Eriksen. (Source: Sunday Express)

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      8 years, 2 months ago

      sell sell sell

    2. #FPLBhuna
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn’t matter we won’t sell him

      1. doublyG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 2 months ago

        As an Arsenal fan that would be hilarious

    3. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Collect

    4. La Roja
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If they sell him, might as well shut the shop.

    5. Marcos Alonso is god
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Where they getting all this money from

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Backed by Qataris...so oil money

    6. Fred54
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Lots of talk about English window closing before some other leagues would hurt EPL, but it seems clubs do have the final word afterall.
      I can't think of anyone of note moving away from England after window closed, including Karius.

    7. Brap.
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Outside of the English tranny window? No chance

  23. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw + Rich + Ings + Bilva for Alonso + Wally + Mitrovic + Fraser
    Worth it for 8 point hit?

    1. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Do it!

  24. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Wow just saw Serri's goal - oof
    Mitro doing his Alan Shearer impression with all the headers

  25. Dog and Fox
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Foster Stek
    Mendy Robertson AWB Bertrand Peltier
    Salah Mane Mikhi Richarlison Neves
    Aguero King Zaha

    Would you wildcard?

    Happy with the first 3 gw, but cant sort out the right transfer!

    1. The 12th Man
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No way

    2. La Roja
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I’d WC to your current team

    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      what are you on about?

    4. *Reformed-Character*
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t sort out right transfer so wildcard? Are you alright ? Or are you just looking for praise ?

    5. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      you serious?

    6. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Obviously a 'isn't my team good' brag camouflaged with a RMT

      1. Dog and Fox
        8 years, 2 months ago

        No, foster, peltier, Bertrand, Neves, King... Is it worth a wc to get rid?

  26. Monkey Hanger
    8 years, 2 months ago

    The Mackem Slayer seem to have been to elocution lessons. What has happened to that Geordie accent?

  27. Feloh
    8 years, 2 months ago

    have the baps been updated, zaha still on 3 baps.

    1. Bubz
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Dont think so

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      8 years, 2 months ago

      no

  28. JÆKS ⭐
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Firmino Lucas over Mane Mitro keeps haunting me....

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      8 years, 2 months ago

      ouch

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I went Firmino, B.Silva > Mane, Zaha before GW1. Been a win so far.

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Nice!

        Yea it's not my year haha. Also had Cedric (gw1) Peltier (gw2) Hamer (gw3), 3 cs for the rotation there. But I'm on 2 points from them lol. Guess I'm just due a bad season!

  29. Fpl Old Guard
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Any Mitrovic points yet?

    1. Marcos Alonso is god
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Keep your fingers crossed !

    2. Bubz
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Only 12

  30. Srv210
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Aubameyang is really a pain to own now...11.0m striker giving no results , but only reason I have him are the arsenal fixtures ,

    Should I
    A) throw him out
    B) give him one more week, save FT & asses after international break

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      8 years, 2 months ago

      think you have to stick now - if you xfer him out and he scores it'll only hurt more

    2. conners88
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same dilemma.

      I will probably give him 1 more week.

    3. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Currently debating it myself. I know if I ship him, given his fixtures, he could easily haunt me and score a hat-trick. I feel it's a matter of 'when' not 'if'. I'm tempted to keep