Dugout Discussion
31 December 2016 2216 comments
Mark Mark
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Six afternoon kick-offs get Gameweek 19 back underway, with our attention fixated on a cast of key assets.

More than 27% of FPL managers go into these matches with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as their captain.

The Swede needs two goals to surpass Lionel Messi as Europe’s top goalscorer in 2016 across the top flight leagues, with the Middlesbrough defence in his way at Old Trafford.

Diego Costa ranks next in terms of armband popularity, claiming the support of 15% of FPL managers ahead of a meeting with Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

The striker is recalled following a one-match suspension and is part of a reassuringly familiar Blues line-up that also includes Eden Hazard, backed by 6.7% of FPL managers.

There are teamsheet changes elsewhere, however, with Southampton innevitably shuffling the pack for their St Mary’s meeting with West Brom. Jay Rodriguez, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand are among the notable names omitted from today’s Saints line-up.

Tony Pulis also makes a key change to his Baggies starting XI for the south coast clash – Salomon Rondon is benched with Hal Robson-Kanu earning a first Premier League start for West Brom.

Meanwhile, Alan Curtis takes the temporary reins for Swansea City against Bournemouth and makes no less than seven changes, recalling Fantasy favourites Jordi Amat and Leroy Fer, along with Fernando Llorente up front.

Elsewhere, Burnley host Sunderland and Leicester City take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium, as they attempt to end the visitors run of three successive wins.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. FALCAO & MOU
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Southampton 6 goals over last two home games, all of a sudden they don't look that solid at the back.

    1. Budweiser
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      VVD best centre back in the league apparently..

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    I was right to transfer Phillips in for Chadli wasn't I?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Huh?

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      No. Chadli will score 8 goals next game.

    3. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Bit sideways but if you did it before this GW then yeah I guess so.

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        How on earth is it sideways? Chadli isn't even playing 90 minutes and hasn't done anything since GW8 and Phillips is in scintillating form.

        1. Top 210 Club
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Hate to say it but... Bit sideways m8

        2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Then you've answered your own question.

    4. Over Midwicket
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      So smug.

  3. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Should I?

    3-5-2 - > 3-4-3

    (Diamonde - > deRoon)
    Hazard - > Phillips
    Siggy -> Costa
    (-4)

    ???

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Look good

  4. Vinyl78LP
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    23 from 7 but at least ML rivals have all played their Ibra (c).

    Sanchez (c) haul will now do nicely - Eriksen/Lallana/Holebas left.

    Would be delighted to get out of this GW with 50+

  5. Kimmich
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Heaton - Pickford
    Alonso - Jones - Holebas - Evans - Amat
    Sanchez - Firmino - Eriksen - Siggy - Rodwell
    Costa - Ibra - Origi

    If Aguero performs, Ibra + Siggy > Aguero + Phillips 0.7itb.

  6. -SB-
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Worth bringing in Sterling?

    Man City play Burnley next after Liverpool.

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Looking at him. I'd get if on a WC, probably need to use transfers elsewhere.

  7. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Hands up if you're tempted to WC o/

    1. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      o/

    2. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Not really. Don't know how much I'd change

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      DONT! Nothing a -8 can't partially mend!

    4. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I really hope there are lots of you *rubs hands*

    5. The Royal Robin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Who haven't you got that you wish you did?

  8. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Crouch outnumbering Costa for baps. Never thought I'd live to see this day.

    1. AA33
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Crouch got a goal and assist while Costa only got a goal.

    2. Coffee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Difficult choice choosing two heavy hitting strikers..

      Which 2 of Zlat, Aguero or Costa 🙂

      1. Aubaaaaa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Question: Origi is on the bench against City; what are the chances of him starting in the next game against Sunderland?

      2. Aubaaaaa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry, reply fail. I would choose Ibra and Aguero

    3. Budweiser
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Dann or Brunt?

    4. HazardAGuess
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I want to bring Phillips in (if only, for the price rise alone) but do we think he starts next game, or rested?

      1. Bellerinmondo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        don't know, played full 90 but obv in form so Pulis might want to keep him in team

        1. HazardAGuess
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          I'll probably make the move. Stanislas will probably get injured again & Palace mids haven't hit form yet (bar Zaha, ofc.)

    5. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Come on Bobby, Come on Mane. Just tear it up please.

    6. MartialMatas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      whats the average around here after bonus?

      1. TooDifficuIt
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        24 i guess

    7. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Drop Alonso for Ake to get Firmino in for Siggi?

      1. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Why would you drop a Chelsea defender?

      2. Aubaaaaa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        I wouldn't.

    8. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I never thought owning 3 WBA would block me getting another!
      Foster/Jevan/Fletcher > Philips!

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Evans and Fletcher here so far so may forget Brunt.

      2. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Same. Foster/Brunt, but kinda want both Rondon & Phillips! (Won't go there though...)

    9. The Royal Robin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Surely it's a good idea to WC when there's a break in January?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        no

    10. Del Griffith
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Theres a chance that Phillips will not start on Monday? He played 90 minutes today. Think I'll risk it though as Siggy has to go

    11. Crow
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Haz+Payet > Sanch+Wally
      for a hit. Was really amazed by Hazard's dribbles and touches at today's match but not convinced. Arsenal has such great fixtures might even bring in giroud as third striker and triple arsenal.. Any advice? Was originally going to do Sanch+phillips but if Wally fit again that would be much better

    12. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      'Twas a day fir a strong bench !

      1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Always the same over Christmas, but most never learn.

      2. Vinyl78LP
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Bench if fine if they are rested, Rondon coming on for 15 mins is a killer though.

    13. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Leadbitter 4.7mil, probably on pens. Got to be worth considering.

      1. Bellerinmondo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        think he's played 90 mins all season !

        1. Monkey Hanger
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Just come back from injury. Club captain. And scored a load of goal last season from pens, and fk's.

    14. TheBusDriver
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      My defence this week:

      0

      0 0 0

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Aguero will save you!

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          😆

    15. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      City attack more or less back to last years offering. What a waste of money in the summer.

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        2/3 of those are injured tbf. The other Nolito was only £15m or so.

    16. true_Jerry
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      mane rose +4 against kane eriksen who wins?

    17. -SB-
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Hazard > De Bruyne?

    18. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      World of Sport wrestling on ITV at the moment with good ol' Jim Ross on commentary.

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Any Mick McManus?

      2. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Mah Gawd!!!

    19. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Right. Was too chicken to bring in Phillips instead of Lallana. Go on Adam, I have zero faith in you!

    20. Coaly
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      a) Mane Defoe to 4.2 Kun
      b) Mane Siggy Defoe to 4.2 Pogba Ibra -4

    21. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Everytime Liverpool play, I end up going lower down the rankings.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Even though I have double Liverpool players

    22. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      BBC have Mane playing in the middle of the up front 3. Owners better hope he doesn't leave for AFCON at half time...

    23. manutd99
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Bought Ake and Phillips last week on WC. Ake sub so only comes on if Walcott doesnt play.