Dugout Discussion
26 December 2018 2303 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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The final game of a bumper Boxing Day Fantasy Premier League schedule is largely unaffected by Christmas rotation.

There had been fears that Marcos Alonso (£6.9m) might lose his place as Chelsea travel to Watford but he has been named in the starting line-up.

In fact, Blues manager Maurizio Sarri has made no changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Leicester just days previously, keeping faith with his key men.

It means another stint on the bench for Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) with Eden Hazard (£11.0m) leading the line as false-nine once again, flanked by Willian (£7.3m) and Pedro (£6.3m).

Even the midfield trio of Jorginho (£4.8m), N’Golo Kanté (£4.9m) and Matteo Kovacic (£5.8m) was left undisturbed by Sarri, despite a few options for rotation.

Meanwhile, Javi Gracia has kept faith in the front two who punished West Ham in Gameweek 18, Troy Deeney (£5.8m) and Gerard Deulofeu (£5.4m) leading a Watford side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Holebas, Kabasele, Cathcart, Kiko Femenia; Pereyra, Capoue, Doucouré, Sema; Deeney, Deulofeu.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Kanté, Jorginho; Pedro, Willian; Hazard.

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  1. Gabbiadini
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    is TAA going to drop

    1. aborg
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Apparently

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        But slowing down, if he doesn't snt tonight then he won't.

      2. Numb
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Nah he won’t.

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Not now surely

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Won't it depend on how many are transferring him in to offset the transfers out required?
        They have Arsenal next so may not be many bringing him in.

        1. Numb
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Need transfer out momentum to drop and he’s being transferred in.

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            OK thanks

    4. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so

    5. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      His price was held last night so they wont let him drop now. He'll start getting blue arrows soon.

    6. FPL_DON
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      doubt it

  2. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Salah, Hazard, Son, Pogba, Richarlison
    Kane

    The ultimate front 6 right now?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It could be

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      They all scored today so yes

    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Salah with bad fixtures, Auba cheaper than Kane, Richa can be questionable also

    4. FPL_DON
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      not sure on salah next 2 games but after for sure

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        The game is not won in one week, look long term.

    5. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Kane ahead of Auba?

    6. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      until the next City midfielder haul yes

    7. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No. Aubama needs to figure - better form than Kane, plus Felipe Anderson is a better option that Pogba and Richarlison imo

    8. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yes.

    9. Lionel Ronaldo
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'd argue Martial instead of Pogba once the former is back and fit.

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Even with Pogba (presumably) on penalties?

        2. Klaren
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Penalties and nailedness (Lukaku and Sanchez both returning) makes Pogba a better choice imo.

    10. white lightning
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Which trade do you like:
      (a) Sane out - Pogba in for free (already have Martial) or
      (b) Sane, Wilson out - Hazard, Ings or Kamara in for a -4 hit

      My current team with 1ft & 0.7itb

      Fabianski, Patricio
      Robertson, Doherty, Digne, Shaw, AWB
      Salah, Sane, Son, Martial, Richarlison
      Auba, Wilson, Jimenez

      Thoughts & thanks.

    11. Never Captain Nicky Butt
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sane or Martial more likely to play next game?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Martial

    12. fc_skrald
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wildcard will finally be activated today - I dont know if it was stupid to keep it that long, I am ranked 200 k.

      Anyway, any players I need to get in today before prize changes?

      A bit strange not to have any Man City players bar Ederson - I might as well keep him, the clean sheets got to show up at some point...

      Ederson
      Robertson, Alonso, Digne
      Richarlison, Son, Pogba, Hazard, Salah
      Jimenez, Ings

      Speroni, Doherty, Kamara, Peltier

      2.1 million inthe bank

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I’d lose Alonso in a heartbeat

      2. EMBOLOFAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        upgrade pelts

      3. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Swap Ederson for Alisson

      4. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You’ve got to have auba or Kane in the team

    13. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I’ll be sorry to see Camarasa go... but power 5 midfield’s the way to go, isn’t it? Just so many in-form mids to choose from...

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh I think a Spurs mid is a must

    14. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling Balbuena to Pogba Digne?

      Or Sterling Alonso to Salah Digne?

      Fabianski
      Alonso/Robbo/Doherty
      Sterling/Hazard/Son/Martial/FAnderson
      Auba/Jimenez

      Hart/WB/Kamara/Balbuena

    15. Gabbiadini
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Thoughts on Alonso, Robbo, Sane and Martial to TAA, Digne, Hazard and Son?
      Weakening the defence to strengthen the midfield where the points seem to be.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        For -8?

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          yar

          1. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            With 2 def out can backfire imo

            1. Gabbiadini
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I feel like Robbo > TAA is pretty safe, like for like almost and Alonso > Digne is just chasing form

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I’d keep Robbo. Really regret ditching him four GWs ago after owning him from the start.

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          TAA back now

      3. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Martial out? I think he’s the one I most want in!

    16. Ian Davis
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling to ?

      A) Hazard
      B) Son

      B allows Torreira > Martial/Lingard

    17. Leao ball
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Need a totenham player.can afford everyone. Thoughts ?

      1. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Son is the form man.

      2. Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Kane IMO, O/W Eriksen LT

      3. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Me

    18. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Going forward, whom do you prefer?

      A. Jimenez (3-4-3)

      or

      B. Preyra (3-5-2)

      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Both are good options

      2. Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Prefer 3-4-3 LT, always does me well. So A

      3. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A

      4. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers all.

    19. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Some straight answers to these...(2fts)
      1. Laporte to Digne? Y/N
      2. Sterling to Hazard? Y/N

      3. Better use of banked cash...
      A. Jimenez to Arnie
      B. Obiang to Snodgrass
      C. Martial to Pogba
      D. None

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Y
        Y
        D

    20. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Any idea where to go with this?

      2 FT, 0.9 ITB

      Fabianski
      Robbo, Kola, Doherty
      Sterling, Sane, Haz, Anderson, Rich
      Kane, Jimenez

      Hamer, Kamara, Schindler, AWB

      1. UshFPL
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Looks good. Sane/Sterling -> Pogba/Martial and upgrade elsewhere perhaps

    21. STONEROSES
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sane to Son for free worth doing?

      Only worry would be Son rotation. But that hangs heavy over Sane like a dulling wine, too..

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        bit sideways for me

      2. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

    22. Maddi Son
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Recon Sterling gets dropped next game?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Thought he would today, who knows now...

      2. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        He’s sure to make changes... but hard to predict

      3. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'd be concerned for sure

      4. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Nah...

    23. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Those who jumped on Martial last week.

      Keeping faith or raging to an immediate Pogba switch?

      1. Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Faith

      2. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'm getting him this gw.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I like him a lot. Just interested - plus Pog will inevitably get a double rise.

      3. Numb
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Keep the faith. Although I’ve got Pog as well

      4. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Faith unless confirmed out again.

    24. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Have Hazard, son, my captain Harold didn't blank and still red? Comeeeee oooonnn. I am 200k btw

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        59 points at 62k giving me a red arrow.

        Anderson, Fabianski + 2 points to come tomorrow though.

      2. Ghost Gooner
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Top 1k avg is 65

    25. GuillermoDickero
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Feel as if it should be a hot topic every week but what are people thinking with Alonso?

      Stick or twist?

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Have some other issues in my team every week to take care of and he keeps staying. Planning to sell for VVD/Lovren after their next 2 games

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Ditched him four weeks ago

      3. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sticking for a couple of weeks then he’s Van Dijk

    26. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lads please share some words of consolation. I can't forgive myself. Would have been in dream land. I missed the best ever transfers in 10 years. Son and Digne in for Laporte and Odoi and Hazard captain 🙁 Instead I went Kane in and Kane captain.

      Can't sleep.

      Please help.

      Thank you lads

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Chill.

        Happens to everyone.

        You will soon get one big one right.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          At least if I captain Hazard and not being vice 🙁 This morning was difficult to decide that

      2. drughi
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        ''Its not what you thought of doing its what you actually did''

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          lol

        2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          This. Everyone has hundreds of thoughts each week.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            You can see my history. I clearly explained this . I can prove it. Then after 5 mins went Kane. Just go with your initial thoughts and hunch

        3. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I know Drughi that is why it is painful

    27. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Brag time. Scores on the doors?

    28. Gríma Wormtongue
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Plan on wildcarding in 3 GWs. Pick one.

      A) Sterling + Success --> Pogba + Vardy -4

      B) Sterling -- > Pogba/Hazard

    29. Alvaro Morata
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Doherty > Digne...? Thanks.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Feel like Doherty deserves more time. Last GW he blanked vs Liverpool, not a big shock. Today’s blank vs Fulham wasn’t as expected but I feel it’s to early to say he’s not worth having.

        Fixtures are not great however...

    30. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling to hazard or Sané to Pogba?

      1. drughi
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I did sane>pogba but I have hazard. Hazard is close to essential now

      2. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Both!

    31. Infamy, Infamy
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      84 (-20). Hits have yielded 23 extra points plus whatever Ings scores tomorrow. Most of you will mock, but it doesn’t sound like you had the fun I had this week.

      1. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Hits are good m’kayyyyyy....

      2. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Fair play, well done

      3. UshFPL
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Could you have made more points with a smaller hit though?

        1. Infamy, Infamy
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Only part that didn’t pay off was Aubameyang to Kane. Wasn’t sure that Aubameyang would start and thought Kane would bag a brace.

      4. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        But we don't hear from the vast majority who try this sort of thing and it doesn't work.

        1. Infamy, Infamy
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Very true. Felt it was necessary to chase down ML leader though. Ultimately that is worth more than overall rank.

    32. UshFPL
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Thoughts on this? 2FT. 0.1 itb
      Thinking of doing Sterling and Brooks -> Martial and Richarlison but I'd like Hazard now.

      Hart
      Alonso Robertson Digne Fernandez
      Sterling Son Anderson
      Kane Auba Mitro
      (Steele Camarasa Brooks Doherty)

    33. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hey guys , do you think Sterling and Sane start next game or Mahrez comes back in ?

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sane I would think gets a rest

        1. Totalfootball
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks !

    34. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hi all.

      Sterling > Haz? Or lose the 0.1 and sort out my defence / waiting on martial news?

      Fabianski
      Digne • Kolasinac(liv) • Doherty(tot)
      Sterling • Son • Rich • FAnderson • Martial*
      Kane • Aubameyang
      (Button / Kamara / AWB / Schindler)

      1. Ghost Gooner
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Arsenal CB crisis over and I doubt they'll play 3 atb again so I'd bin Kola

    35. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      anyone got or considering bringing in kun?

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No, considering the state of Man City atm

    36. Malkmus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Evening all. Would you do sterling and Sané to hazard and son (-4) ?

      Ta

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah why not

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Probably not -4

    37. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Help, 35 points this GW with a Digne first sub not coming in (unless Anderson doesn’t play, very unlikely ) 2FT & 1.6itb who would you prioritise getting in to stop this rot?

      Fab button
      Alonso Digne Doherty Robbo bennet
      Sterling sane Anderson Richarlison Mctominay
      Kane rashford mitro

      1. Pukki Party
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sane/Sterling to Haz