Dugout Discussion
2 September 2018 2514 comments
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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. OPTA FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping Mkhi will come in 2nd half to prevent auto sub, lots of jammy points on the bench there. Mkhi has 27% owners in top 10k too

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He will.

    2. XabiAlonso
      8 years, 1 month ago

      What if he comes on and scores who’s jammy then

      1. OPTA FPL
        8 years, 1 month ago

        still less than jammy bench points

    3. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A lot will be hoping for Cedrics 12 pointer off the bench

      1. OPTA FPL
        8 years, 1 month ago

        dont forget Billing, and whole Wolves def

  2. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    that arsenal defense 😆

  3. Bolivian Seaman
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku to break the template today? 😉

    1. Sasquatch Slayer
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Needs a hatty to do that

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No chance, even if he gets a brace.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Has he been loaded onto the game this season?

  4. tafrère
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Danny Ward reminds me of Vardy.

    1. THE Wild Rover
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A fast ugly scrote?

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He has a rat like face?

      1. tafrère
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Harsch

    3. Drexl Spivey
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Like Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet?

      1. tafrère
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Great film

    4. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arold!

  5. Gt1996
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best Arsenal defender for FPL? Who has the most potential boss BAPs/provide any attacking returns? Bringing one in over this easy run

    1. KadMan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Monreal looks like it

    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bellerin. But they look like they'll concede every game.

    3. tafrère
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bellerin.

    4. Brosstan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Monreal looks like Alonso light at times.

    5. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why bring in an Arsenal defender? This comes from an Arsenal fan.

      1. FPL Mentor
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Attacking threat, reasonably priced and fixtures

        1. TAT
          8 years, 1 month ago

          But how many goals will Arsenal concede over that period? Plenty.

  6. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Monreal would be an excellent pick if he played for any top 6 club except Arsenal and United

  7. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bellerin better not get a YC ffs

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't he always?

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Loool jinxed

  8. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Those with triple Liverpool, what is your plan over the tough fixture run?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping Mané. Sold Salah and Van Dijk yesterday.

    2. Lallana's Bananas
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Keep 'em all

    3. Silecro
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I will upgrade Robertson to Alonso and stick with Mane & Salah since they're fixture proof

    4. RashFraud
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping mane and Robbo for sure. Thinking of Salah > Haz

    5. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Have the Front 3 & not too worried tbh?

      And, there are far more pressing issues I've got to deal w atm.

      Be hard to use a FT on Bobby Firmino before I deal w suspended & / or those who lost their starting place.

    6. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly Mane to Hazard. Keeping Salah and Robbo.

  9. Ravager
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like I'm definitely wildcarding

  10. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    WOW well done referee. Clear yellow card foul and the referee himself prevent a quick FK for absolutely no reason. Nice one Anthony Taylor.

    1. Brosstan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing more annoying than when refs prevent quick free kicks.. Basically helping the offending team.

  11. Gudjohnsen
    8 years, 1 month ago

    WC activated yesterday. Would you keep Mkhikitarian?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    3. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

    4. OldBenKenobi
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure I wan any arsenal players right now (regardless of their fixtures)

    5. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Better options elsewhere IMO

    6. Drexl Spivey
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sooner know why he was benched first.

  12. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Still cant belive Guendozi is 19 and his last club was in Ligue 2. What a find.

    1. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking about how his teammates play, he'll look good every week.

  13. The Mighty Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Someone really needs to have a word with that lad about his hair.

    1. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      David Luiz did

  14. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Colin up screaming in his annoying voice.

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Monreal yellow

    1. Differentiator
      8 years, 1 month ago

      so are you

  16. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Monreal YC

  17. BIGREDDOG
    8 years, 1 month ago

    The ref's not giving enough Arsenal free kicks

  18. pundit of punts
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like going without any Arsenal on WC would be a wise move.

    What are WCers thinking?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, they look pretty average and Auba playing as winger but getting forward points for goals isn't very tempting.

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Probably just get Monreal or Bellerend tbh.

      1. TAT
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Monreal if any.

    3. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Did my WC two weeks ago, keeping Auba and bringing in Mkhi. Dropping both for a -4 most likely, before next GW.

    4. OldBenKenobi
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Currently I don’t want any regardless

    5. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      WCd last week and brought in zero Arsenal. Not regretting it yet let’s put it that way

      1. Drexl Spivey
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Who else did you bring in?

    6. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bellerin Ramsey Laca (now starting) for good fixtures

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Team is linked under profile

    7. stachman
      8 years, 1 month ago

      There are better options elsewhere

    8. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Cech, Bellerin, Ramsey, Lacazette on my watch list.

  19. Gudjohnsen
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Got Wan Bissaka 0 points coming on if Mkhiki doesn't get minuted today. Typical for this gameweek.

  20. OldBenKenobi
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just 1 goal Auba.....anything ffs!

  21. MeinBergkampf
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Was planning on De Gea -> Cech to free cash for Mane -> Hazard, but this has turned me right off that idea...

    1. RashFraud
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of options at 5 & 5.5

  22. Rogue Todd
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Referee Fatboy Slim. I'm not going to Praise You.

  23. stachman
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Time to drop Auba... I really expected more from him...

    1. OldBenKenobi
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Been such a killer going him over Aguero....

      1. stachman
        8 years, 1 month ago

        You can say that again...

    2. Srv210
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Really ,it's been depressing performance from him...also thinking of dropping him

  24. SuperMane Returns
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Emery was proper taking the Mkhi leaving him on the bench. Surely he comes on later against tired legs.

  25. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I could do with a few TVs today with all that is going on.

    Italian GP
    Captain Kane playing
    All Ireland final

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      8 years, 1 month ago

      cricket too!

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I have enough on my plate as it is. 😉

  26. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Its not about No Salah, its just a case of having to get Hazard for one week at least because Cardiff are just plain trash. I think there is a chance they could trouble Derby's Premier League record..

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'll retract that last bit, didn't realise it was only 11points Derby got that year!

    2. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      100% Salah sellers will regret soon, those big teams are good for Salah and Liv

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe long term, but the one week hokey cokey is tempting.

      2. Rogue Todd
        8 years, 1 month ago

        100% is very high

    3. CL4PTRAP
      8 years, 1 month ago

      After 2 cleansheets. Is that trash? Waste of a transfer perhaps.

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I take your point, but if you look closer it was two cleansheets against two of the poorest teams in the league and no goals. Played against 10 men for half hour in two of the games, plus keeper saved two pens. Hardly incredible.

        1. Bouncebackability
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Bit of an error on my part here. I spelt Arsenal wrong.

  27. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bobby Reid close

  28. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard captain locked in.

  29. Four Hit Wonder
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I just tuned in. How does Laca look?

  30. bennyp
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal almost look as bad as Cardiff