Dugout Discussion
2 September 2018 2514 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

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.

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the price of just £15.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

2,514 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. OPTA FPL
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day 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
      8 years, 1 day ago

      He will.

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

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

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

        still less than jammy bench points

    3. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

        dont forget Billing, and whole Wolves def

  2. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    that arsenal defense 😆

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

    Lukaku to break the template today? 😉

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

      Needs a hatty to do that

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

      No chance, even if he gets a brace.

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

      Has he been loaded onto the game this season?

  4. tafrère
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Danny Ward reminds me of Vardy.

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

      A fast ugly scrote?

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

      He has a rat like face?

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

        Harsch

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

      Like Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet?

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

        Great film

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

      Arold!

  5. Gt1996
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day 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
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Monreal looks like it

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

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

    3. tafrère
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Bellerin.

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

      Monreal looks like Alonso light at times.

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

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

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

        Attacking threat, reasonably priced and fixtures

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

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

  6. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

    Bellerin better not get a YC ffs

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

      Doesn't he always?

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

      Loool jinxed

  8. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

      Keeping Mané. Sold Salah and Van Dijk yesterday.

    2. Lallana's Bananas
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Keep 'em all

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

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

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

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

    5. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day 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…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Possibly Mane to Hazard. Keeping Salah and Robbo.

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

    Looks like I'm definitely wildcarding

  10. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day 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
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

    WC activated yesterday. Would you keep Mkhikitarian?

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

      No

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

      yes

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

      No

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

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

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

      Better options elsewhere IMO

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

      Sooner know why he was benched first.

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

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

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

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

  13. The Mighty Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

      David Luiz did

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

    Colin up screaming in his annoying voice.

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

    Monreal yellow

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

      so are you

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

    Monreal YC

  17. BIGREDDOG
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    The ref's not giving enough Arsenal free kicks

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

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

    What are WCers thinking?

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

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

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

      Probably just get Monreal or Bellerend tbh.

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

        Monreal if any.

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

      Currently I don’t want any regardless

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

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

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

        Who else did you bring in?

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

      Bellerin Ramsey Laca (now starting) for good fixtures

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 16 hours ago

        Team is linked under profile

    7. stachman
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      There are better options elsewhere

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

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

  19. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

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

  21. MeinBergkampf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

      A lot of options at 5 & 5.5

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

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

  23. stachman
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

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

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

        You can say that again...

    2. Srv210
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

      cricket too!

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

        I have enough on my plate as it is. 😉

  26. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 day 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
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

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

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

        100% is very high

    3. CL4PTRAP
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

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

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 1 day 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
          • 17 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

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

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

    Bobby Reid close

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

    Hazard captain locked in.

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

    I just tuned in. How does Laca look?

  30. bennyp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal almost look as bad as Cardiff