Dugout Discussion
2 September 2018 2514 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The first of three matches this afternoon kicks off at 13:30 BST, as Cardiff City entertain Arsenal.

The visitors’ starting XI represents bad news for those who own the most in-demand FPL player on show in South Wales: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m) is only among the substitutes this afternoon. The Armenian features in more than one in five Fantasy squads and was the only Arsenal midfielder or forward to have played all 270 minutes of Premier League action this season.

Mkhitaryan recorded a goal, an assist and two bonus points in his side’s previous away league fixture at Chelsea in Gameweek 2.

Despite a tumble in ownership after three matches without an attacking return, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) is actually the fourth-most-popular captaincy choice of Gameweek 4 – though that only equates to just over 3% of all FPL managers.

Over 148,000 managers lost faith with the Gabonese striker this week and cashed in on his premium price tag.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) gets his first start of the season today, which presumably means Aubameyang will move out to the left flank to accommodate the Frenchman. Mesut Ozil (£8.3m) returns from illness to take Mkhitaryan’s place, with Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) also dropping out.

The hosts have registered two clean sheets in as many matches, with Neil Etheridge (£4.6m) currently the highest-scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy Premier League following those back-to-back shut-outs and a brace of penalty saves.

The Philippines international is also the most-owned City player in FPL, sitting in over 6% of our squads.

There is further disappointment for those hoping for a start for Lee Peltier (£4.0m) – the Bluebirds’ most-owned outfield player – who is only among the substitutes this afternoon.

Neil Warnock has made three changes to his side, all in attack: Bobby Reid (£5.4m), Danny Ward (£4.5m) and the fit-again Junior Hoilett (£5.3m) come into the starting XI.

Cardiff City XI (4-4-2): Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls, Hoilett; Reid, Ward.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Cech; Bellerin, Monreal, Mustafi, Sokratis; Ramsey, Xhaka, Guendouzi; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

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2,514 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Will end up with 79 points this week.
    Happy days.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      98 here with Shaw to go

      1. Jack Sparrow
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Sure you do.

    2. jia you
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      big score that this week, WP!

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Cheers!

    3. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      You need to be looking at a century to be happy.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        No, not me.

  2. Football Heaven
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    A. Firmino to lacazette
    B. Mkhi and firmino > hazard and Jimenez -4

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      B

  3. Boyce
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    53 points with Lingard and Moura to play. What do you think I end the day with.

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      68

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      49, 2 red cards

      1. NWA
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        lol

    3. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Crippling anxiety.

  4. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Relax Mkhi owners, there's countless better cheaper options. Just avoid him in the future.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Are there?

      1. Digital-Real
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Without a doubt. Try researching 🙂

    2. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Who you looking at??

      1. Digital-Real
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Madison
        Gros
        Walcott
        Pedro
        Schurle

        To name a few

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Haha, mostly terrible options.

          1. Digital-Real
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            I predict all those listed score more points than Mkhi come end of season.

            Happy to revisit this discussion at the end of the season.

    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Yeah but those fixtures...
      Will wait and see a bit.

    4. RashFraud
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Keeping for now. He should start next match after Ozil’s display tonight

  5. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Looking forward to De Gea's 1 point added to my score today

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      reverse psychology

  6. FlyingWithoutIngs
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wildcard activated for after international break, hows this team looking

    Fabianski
    Mendy robbo Alonso wan bissaka
    Hazard mane Maddison
    Ings aubameyang aguero

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      9.6/10

    2. ShababQ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      what are your subs? Laca may be better than Auba and allow a stronger 3rd mid or stronger bench

      1. FlyingWithoutIngs
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Will Hughes bennet ( wolves) and hojberg, I have 1.6 ITB I wanted to do auba to Kane but not sure yet

    3. NWA
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      ill do ghezzal over maddison

      1. FlyingWithoutIngs
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        You think? I didn’t think he looked that great against us he just got an open goal

        1. NWA
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          I think he was great and always pushing forward. all the balls went through him rather than maddison in the last game.
          I think he will be a great value at just 5.3 + you save funds to upgrade elsewhere

          1. FlyingWithoutIngs
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Do you think he is nailed on though?

            1. NWA
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 1 day ago

              I think because he was new to the team he was benched the first 2 games. With his display and performance vs liverpool he will I believe surely start the next game.
              Not sure there is a better option in the team at his position unless puel changes his system. The dude was brought to replace Mahrez so the plan is to start him i think

              1. FlyingWithoutIngs
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 1 day ago

                Cheers for the insight I’ve got him in fingers crossed now he does well

                1. NWA
                  • 8 Years
                  8 years, 1 day ago

                  ill do the same and transfer him in for walcott or mikhi to upgrade somewhere else. And am even thinkin of bringing in vardy for zaha. fixtures look favorable for leicester

    4. FC Barkerlona
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Needs more Miki

  7. ShababQ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Laca in? Is he a sure starter now?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      yes

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I don't know but he has to be, we've always played better when he's on the pitch

  8. ZTF
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Moura is nailed now, right?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Till around the champs league yea

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      yes

  9. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      ?

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Hes starting lol

      You misred or u tryna fool people

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        If so

        BAN

        1. Fantastisk
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Ban

    3. Patch
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ermmmm he is playing non?

    4. ShababQ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      what are you saying man? Trippier starting...

    5. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      The old Jedi powers have got a bit weak haven't they

    6. FC Barkerlona
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      You tripping

  10. Patch
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wow desperate for Burnley to destroy Man U

    Need a 1-1 for Spurs game

    Maybe Bavies and Doucoure.

    Pretty Please!!!

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Burnley couldn’t destroy a flea

      1. Patch
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        The Man U squad does look too strong this time

        It's actually the spurs game that could cripple me score most thow

        Need a quiet game!

  11. Brap.
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Tonight's the night the template defence goes to a back four of Mendy Robinson Alonso Trippier

    1. clodhopper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Minus robertson

    2. Point-one short
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Was expecting a teddy bear's picnic

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Robinson lol

  12. FC Barkerlona
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone who lost out on bench points due to the Miki sub playing any of their chips next week to go with their saltiness?

    1. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Lmao

  13. Fantastisk
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Alright, who's on banner watch for the man u match?

    1. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      David Banner?

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Ban

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Erik Bana?

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Ban

  14. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    is getting auba being ahead of the curve or falling far behind. Will weaken my team as I intend to get him and kun up top. would you advice me to get him

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      yes

    2. ShababQ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Laca is cheaper and better, just like Mane over Salah

    3. BIind Moth
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I own Auba but would probably get Laca if I had neither.

  15. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    So Hazard Zaha in for Mane PEA didn’t work this week...

    Hopefully should work out in the long run though. And it did enable Alonso too

  16. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Laca in on WC?

    1. Brap.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      No I think he's still in the shower

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I would say yes

    3. el polako
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Cool kids already have him

    4. WINNING!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Are you telling me your not nostalgic.

  17. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Thought Aaron Ramsey had another solid showing. Could have scored as well as assist. Points imminent.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Disagree. Think he tries hard with no end product. Would be better to see Ramsey and Ozil out and Torreira and Mkhi in.

      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Nah. Torreira in for Guendouzi. That's it.

        1. Rsforstar
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          in for xhaka*

          1. Drip Doctor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            No Guendouzi.

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      yes

  18. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Need this Spurs Watford to be like 1-0 watford

  19. Toby Lerone
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    If on a WC what gk combo would you recommend?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      De Gea Hammer

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        De Gea 5.9 now bargain

    2. ShababQ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      following, I'm on a wildcard too, going for Hennessey and Etheridge, wanna see what others say though

    3. ZTF
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Kepa Hamer

  20. Nomar
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Watch Erik sen get a booking and 1 pt next now. Spurs will score 5 to make sure I get no Holebas points and Erik will get nothing.

    This effing GW.

  21. Outatime
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Miki —> Pedro/Moura it looks like for me.

  22. Ed
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    That Mkhitaryan minute has cost me Cedric’s 12 coming off the bench 🙁

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      This I have more sympathy for than a clearly bad decision like benching attackers for Palace defenders.

    2. LewanGOALski
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      same...

  23. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Unless they are injured I’ll be keeping Wally, Mkhi and Auba

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      they will come good

    2. TAT
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I'm considering shipping all of them, to be honest.

    3. El Lobito 10
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Why keeping Mkhi?

    4. darth_valdes
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I would sell Auba and keep Micky. Auba generates more fund and get less points for goals + he’s not scoring much.

  24. Kizza_10
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    A or B please

    A. Hazard & Mane

    B. Salah & Walcott

  25. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi coming on cost me a net -1 loss of points in my total, but in terms of my H2H work ML and against everyone overall rank, i think it avoided a lot of jammy rival autosub points

  26. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi has to start next game surely after that display? Awful

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Did you see emery at the whistle, he was delighted

    2. I Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      At whose expense? Auba and Laca will keep their places. Can he oust Ozil or Ramsey?

      1. Brosstan
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        He should oust Ôzil. Laziest player in the league.

  27. G00LI0
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wanted in Hazard but had to do a -4 to do it. Pulled the trigger last night before price rise to remove Laca and Bilva to Mitrovic and Hazard.

    Had been waiting on Laca to get his chance. Will monitor for now and may very well get him back if he starts being assured of starts.

  28. ZTF
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi > Moura FT?

    1. barracuda
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Tough with Lamela and Son.. or?

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      keep Mkhi he could start next game

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Keep him because he could start? That's convincing.

    3. WINNING!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      time will tell:_

  29. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    If Zaha gets four weeks, as some have linked to, would he drop twice? I'd be happy to hold if he could remain at 7.0. Think that news would trigger a lot of wildcards but those transfers don't contribute to price changes right?

    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      You are right about the wildcards, but four week out would almost certainly force a double drop

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Thanks

  30. The Mastermind
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Great, Mkhi comes on for 1 minute to stop 9 points coming off my bench.

    You can’t write this stuff.

    1. Reedy
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      You just did.

    2. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      More salt!

    3. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Exact same