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. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Brilliant FPL goal that

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      So true 😆

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

    Xhaka assist, casuals win again

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      FFS

    2. Four Hit Wonder
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Casuals own Mkhi.

      1. Sasquatch Slayer
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Then he’ll score

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    This Cardiff defence 😆

  4. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Monreal one on one saved by etheridge

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

    Auba completely out of form, will come out of it in about a month

  6. MikeBravo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Xhaka, Mustafi? Really?

  7. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi relax and stay on the bench pls

    1. FPL Mentor
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Billing 9 pointer teasing me but its not going to happen is it 🙁

      1. mir
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Ouch I hope not for me but that is painful for you if he comes on.

      2. Red Star Toro
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Dunno. Depends how the game goes.

  8. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Warnock will be gone by what date?

  9. Gobigorgohome
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Xhaka for fourth Mid?

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

      No

  10. Ady87
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Just stuck the game on to see Mkhi benched. Not good. Don’t know where to start with my team this week!

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

    Cardiff are shocking, cannt wait for Chelsea destroy them 8-0 next week

  12. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Auba hardly involved

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ozil neither

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

    Guendouzi looks class (not from a fantasy perspective).

    1. FPL Mentor
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I agree. Boy can play.

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

      Best Arsenal player so far this season, and he's 19! Quite telling about the rest of the team.

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal could have a hatful here

    This Cardiff defence is all over the shop

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      They’ll go down! They were one of the worst teams I’ve ever seen when we played them (although some how we still didn’t win!)

  15. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Manga playing poorly... hmm maybe a certain peltier on the bench could come on

  16. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    this is laughable

  17. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Oh yes..xhaka and mustafi.. my fight back is on..

  18. dvdguy
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Laca looking sharp

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Özil looks rubbish

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

      whereas lacazette is one of the best players, he's underrated

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Agree! And Özil is so overrated for what he does these days

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

      Ok Alan Brazil.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Cos he’s the only other person who thinks that yeah

    3. Reiger
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Lingering sniffles surely.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        😆

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

          Did someone say lingerie sniffer?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Would explain his expression

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

    Mkhitaryan benched.

    That should just push me over the edge to WC.

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

      Keep us informed.

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Could be worse. I wildcarded and brought in Mkhitaryan and Zaha.

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        I can see why as well, fixtures-wise. Early doors.

  21. dvdguy
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Alonso hat-trick next GW

  22. XabiAlonso
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Chances of miky coming on, have Ings 1st sub

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      60-40 I think

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

      80%

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Nightmare

    4. JJO
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      95%

  23. hannibalos
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Still waiting for my first points from Ramsey. Don't mean 1-3 points

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Me too 😆

  24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Battle of whose defence is worse in this game

    1. Sasquatch Slayer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Bellerin loves a challenge

  25. OldBenKenobi
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Go a feeling I’m taking my first hit of the season depending on today’s results

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

      Wildcard for me tbh.

  26. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal can run riot and Mkhi isn't going to be a part of it....uhh

  27. Limbo
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Ward nearly done a Billings.

  28. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Cardiff attack close to paying off, Ward inches away from ball, Hoilett shoot it high

  29. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Keystone Cops defending from both teams

  30. Dannyb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    This difference in class between these teams are night and day. Have fun in the championship next year Cardiff.