Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Stoke vs Man City

Gameweek 30 concludes at the bet365 Stadium tonight as Stoke City entertain champions-elect Manchester City.

The third most-captained player in Fantasy Premier League, Sergio Aguero, misses out due to a knee injury, with Pep Guardiola affording the fit-again Gabriel Jesus a first start since Gameweek 21.

Handed the armband by 1.16% of FPL managers, the Brazilian returned to the teamsheet with a goal against FC Basel in midweek.

Jesus is one of three players in the visitors’ starting line-up – along with Kevin De Bruyne (3.34%) and Leroy Sane (0.88%) – ranked in the top 20 captain picks for Gameweek 30 as they look for a repeat of the 7-2 win over the Potters back in Gameweek 8.

Sane heads into tonight’s match as the most bought player for this round of fixtures, acquired by 192,000+ new owners.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling – sold by a massive 339,000+ ahead of Saturday’s deadline – is fit to return and is named in the starting XI, as Bernardo Silva drops to the bench despite back-to-back strikes against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Guardiola’s side arrive on the back of successive clean sheets and boast the league’s tightest away record, conceding just ten goals in 14 road trips.

After scoring in three of his previous four league appearances, Xherdan Shaqiri is the man most likely to breach that resilience for Paul Lambert’s side, with tonight’s match affording us the chance to scout the Potters’ potential ahead of Gameweek 31’s reduced set of fixtures.

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

2,795 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I have a huge value tied up in kane, gross and sterling. So can't remove any of these 3

    The only transfers I can do is Davies to Ake and schmeichel to a keeper....

    Which keeper would you consider ? Triple up on pool already

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      That value is meaningless if you never sell

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

        Partly true. Depends how many are holding those players that they bought later at higher prices.

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        But what's the use if I sell them and buy them by giving more money? It doesn't makes sense then

    2. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Butland the keeper with the biggest ceiling. Everton will definitely be shooting.

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I bought Kane for 12.4m and sold last night. Why would you keep him when he's likely gonna be out for awhile?

  2. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Sooo, who should I get as my last FT for the blank?

    Foster (Elliott*)
    VVD - Daniels - Coleman (Alonso*, Hunemeir*)
    Salah - Walcott - Shaq - McArthur (Mkhi*)
    Firmino (Kane*, Vardy*)

    Some idea, i keep changing:
    Alonso > PVA
    Mkhi > Mili or Zaha
    Kane > Mounie or Wilson

    WC Week 32.

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      dont lose mkhi

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        the clue is in the bottom line

        1. Salah'd n Sauce
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Haha savage

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      maybe get stanislas

  3. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Best striker + midfielder for GW31 (not liverpool?)
    King + Zaha?

  4. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    before taking hits, how many players do we all have playing gw 31?

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      10 but siggy and gomez are included so 8 maybe 9

    2. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I have 9 currently with a FT still to go so probably 10 (hoping Wally is fit)

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      7 with Walcott and rlc

    4. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      8

    5. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      8 with Kenny and niasse

    6. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      9

  5. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, I have 7 starters, 2 FT and 0.5 ITB.

    A - Speroni & Richarlison > Begovic & Stanislas
    B - Kenny > Daniels (and save 1 FT so I can dump Wally or Kane)
    C - Richarlison > Stanislas (save 1 FT)
    D - Other?

    VVD
    Salah (c) - Richarlison - Shaq - Walcott
    Firmino - Wilson

    DDG - Speroni - Bavies - Ota - Kenny - Ogbonna - Mahrez - Kane

    1. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Speroni and Ogbonna to any 2 GW31 players.

  6. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Likely to bring one more player this week.

    Zaha or Shaq

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha as I feel the majority have shaq

  7. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Best Defender for next GW (max 4.8) ?

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      As in GW31? Daniels?

      1. _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah GW31

      2. BigBarn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Daniels has been subbed off early in 3/4 of his last home games. One of them was at h/t. I'd be sceptical. If Zaha wasn't fit, I think it would be Schlupp. Adam Smith mught be gold but comes at the risk of rotation. Bauer would be the safest bet, I reckon.

  8. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Firmino and Stanislas
    B) Mane and Tosun

  9. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Need to ship Kane + Siggy.
    1. Benteke/King/Tosun/Mounie. (Which of these?).
    2. Shaqiri/Stanislas/Pritchard. (Which of these?).

    Current team-
    Pickford.
    VVD, Ake.
    Salah, Siggy**, Wally*, Richarlison.
    Firmino, Wilson.
    Speroni, Kane*, Otamendi, Mahrez, Mee, Ogbonna.
    1ft, 0.2m.

  10. Patch
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Ragabolly please look at which players in the top 10k who have consistently got the captaincy choices the most correct.

    Name and fame them so we can copy like sheep.

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

      It'll just be a larger proportion than on average than a wider sample. There's a reason why a lot of the top 10k are top 10k. They're going to be those who've been on the right side of variance, in general.

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Im close and I’ve only got my cap pick right twice 😮

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

          gargatron.com

          Have a look here - most of the very high ranked have upwards of 450 for captains this season

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            True this. Nailing the captaincy has been the most contributive factor for my rank.

    2. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Take a look at me then

  11. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Dumped this gw Sterling to Silva because i think Silva will play all games until the end of the season, anyway Silva is a old new kink 🙂

  12. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Shaqiri look decent tonight?

    Any reason not to bring in Shaqiri and Mounie ?

    Team will be as follows for -4 :

    Bauer Otamendi VVD
    Salah ———— Wally Pritchard Milli
    ———— Firmino ————

    A: Wilson & Mounie -4 (343)

    B: Shaq & Mounie -4 (352)

    C: Other

    1. UpUp&Away...
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Otamendi not playing...
      B

  13. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Currently have 7 players for 31 with one FT; worth doing a -4 to get Zaha and Wilson in?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would do it.

    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      probably not, because you need to dump zaha and wilson awter gw 31 if you not planing wc on gw 32...

      1. Harmonica1967
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Will be WCing in 32/33

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Of course only if you're wildcarding after GW31.

    3. Sizo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Considering this myself, but I need to sell either Son or Mahrez and will loose 0.1 in value if I choose to buy back on WC.

  14. Dele
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Since Christmas I have had red arrows every week dropping from 80k to 275k.

    When will this torture end, I just can’t get anything right!

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Only 8 GW's left, mate. So not that much longer.

    2. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I jumped from 120k to 15k in 2 weeks, don’t give up

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        3weeks*

      2. Teror
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Holy cow! How the bleeding ell did you do that?

        1. J T
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Mainly because I’ve had Son Mahrez Aguero and no Kane, for the last 5 weeks. That and KunC MahrezVC this week helped.. slightly fortunate 😀

      3. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Your rank jumps are very impressive no need to exaggerate about them.

        1. J T
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry Fred I got a little carried away 😀

          1. Bingo
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Are you using free hit chip for 31?

            1. J T
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Nope I’ve already used it, fielding 8 with no hits thou, WC 32/33

    3. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I was ~110k before GW30 I'm now nearly 200k. What happened? My GW rank:
      5,442,795

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Having Salah and always captaining Kane.

        Having a gut feeling to punt on players who end up hauling and not going for them.

        Sticking with the template for too long.

        Getting GW31 players in too early such as Walcott and Wilson who have done nothing since I got them weeks ago.

  15. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    From an FPL perspective, I'm quite glad Kane is injured. So much money tied up in him, hardly ever tempted to captain him and he blanks far too much for what he costs. But who do we replace him with?

    Aguero probably not assured of starts now that Jesus is back and Pep could always play 4-6-0 as well, not to mention that he'll have one eye on the CL seeing as the title isn't in doubt at all. I can't really see past Aubamayang in that case: Arsenal have great fixtures and he can't play in the EL – which they'll drop out of next round if they come up against a decent side. Thoughts?

    1. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If you think that it's a disadvantage as you were considering it and could have made gains. Now a lot will sell Kane out of necessity.

      1. Teror
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'm not a very adventurous player

  16. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Just saw my mini league has Mustafi and transfered in Cech before this GW... Do you think I can still catch him with 85 points behind?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  17. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    People without the FH chip but wildcarding in 32? Be interested to see some drafts.....

    Essential players?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You really need to know who will be in the FA Cup semis - WC teams will concentrate on those teams and FH in 35 when those teams play their FA Cup game in 35 ...

  18. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which two would you bring in this week? (Or 3 for a -4?)
    A. Tousan
    B. King
    C. Zaha
    D. Stan
    E. Coleman (have Pickford)
    F. Van Aanholt

    1. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Personally, I'm concentrating on the home teams so only B & D for me out of that lot.

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing Kane > Tosun. But aside from that I'd probably get Zaha and VA

    3. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Two replies, two totally different plans! 😆

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Ç and B

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A, C & D

  19. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Current GW 31 team. Free hit or take a couple of hits?

    Pope* (Adrian*)
    Schindler, VVD, Kenny (Davies*, Maguire*)
    Salah, Shaqiri (Eriksen*, Arnie*, RLC*)
    Wilson (Aguero*, Kane*)

    1FT, 1.2 ITB

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Six players is decent. Get two more in and you're orright. I'd dump Kane and Eriksen

  20. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Why Davies didn't play on Sunday? Is he injured or just given a rest?

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Rest.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks.

  21. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    29k two gameweeks ago, started looking at a top 5k finish now a drop to 52k this gameweek. Absolutely devastating. Motivation starting to drop

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

      Only about 50 points off top 10k, can't throw in the towel at this stage

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I know but just a kick in the teeth, playing smart and with patience aint rewarding but some good weeks coming up to make ground I guess

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      In last 13 gw, I have had only 3/4 green arrows even after scoring pretty good scores.
      In those 13 gw I have never left the 2k-3k position.
      You are at that stage where you can't make a significant rise but can have a free fall.

      You just have to pick 2 differentials and nail the captaincy

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        well you are in a great position for a top 1k finish if you play the chips right, a bit different seat then myself

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Different seat yes, but you have more probability of rising up the ranks than I have.

          You have to play smartly, take odd risks . And just choose the correct captain. That helps a lot.

          Also with the chips coming into the play, you can email finish in top 10-15k or maybe higher.

          Good luck to you buddy . Don't lose hope for this is the best time for any fpl lover

  22. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Got a 100 point lead in my ML, with all my chips remaining. Second place has used his wildcard but has the rest, third is 130 back but has used everything, and fourth has BB and FH left and is 135 back. After that it's 150+ to anyone else. At what point can i start to feel secure enough and go a bit bolder in my transfer choices, with the aim of moving up the OR?

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't ease up until the last gw or two. I had over 100 pt lead in my ML but as over last two weeks that has been cut to 60 whilst I was focusing on players in for gw31 whilst they had son and silva

  23. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    After owning Shawcross for 6 Gameweeks it’s infuriating that he likely won’t play this weekend.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Same happened me with Martina but I knew the risks with Baines.

  24. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    8 GW , 4 Chips !!!

    I sometimes think that people who have used some chips don't have to go through what us ( people with all chips ) are going through

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      7 GWs infant for those not using FH in 31.

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        in fact**

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Oh yes. I am in this group of people .

        Lots and lots of ovethinking 😀

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

      Obviously those without chips don't have to think about using chips... I still struggle to understand why so many blow their chips early season when we know the latter stages are chaos.

      1. Daniel Exeter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah

        People playing FH in GW 7

        Guy in my ML played his WC in GW 28 yet knew about the upcoming blanks and doubles. Mad really.

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Some really had a good result by using FH chip in earlier stages

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

          So what?

  25. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Baines
    Salah Mane Walcott
    Wilson Firmino

    Kane, Tom Carroll > King, Zaha (-8) worth it? I think yes in a gambling mood.

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King(c) could pay dividends..

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Will he start?

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, rested v Spurs. Fresh and raring to go. Him and Stan are BOU's best players by far right now.

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

        So could Francis(c) but I wouldn't recommend it

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          As I've said many times, Francis is a truly garbage player who shouldn't be playing professionally, let along the captain of a PL side.

          1. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Alone

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

            I agree, I'm being facetious.

  26. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    What are the benefits of WC in 32, over 33?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You can take 2 FTs into GW34 and more importantly get rid of the GW31 trash if you’re overloaded. Also gives you the chance of getting on differentials a week earlier and maybe gain some ground on ML rivals.

      1. Daniel Exeter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        hmm
        Fair enough I get it.

        Think 33 is best for me then.

    2. George James
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      To sort the mess of a team you have created for 31?

  27. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    (DDG, elliott)
    VVD, Mariappa, (davies,naughton, ogbonna)
    Shaqiri, Walcott, Milivojevic, Salah, (KDB)
    Firmino, Depoitre, (Kane)

    1 ft, any suggestions on what to do ?

  28. Darklord_bg
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone hoping Kane is out till the end of the season(I realize it's horrible from a personal standpoint - let's say I hope he's OK health-wise but saved for the WC).

    It will really make Wildcard planning easier, since there will be extra cash to spend.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      no not really

      1. Darklord_bg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Hmm...you must have a high TV then.

        Mine has been plummeting the last few game weeks.

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I am

  29. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here? I will be wildcarding in 32

    A) Siggy >> Stan (8 playing)
    B) Siggy + Kane >> Stan + Tosun -4 (9 playing)
    C) Siggy / Kane / Azpil >> Stan / Tosun / Adam Smith - 8 (10 playing)

    1. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A or B tbh

  30. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hows my Free Hit team looking

    Butland (Lossl)
    Coleman Ake Schindler (Zouma Mariappa)
    Stanislas Salah Shaqiri Mane Zaha
    Firmino Benteke (Wilson)

    Also is 3-5-2 the right decision considering the better options of midfielders this week

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

      Basically the same as mine, going 3-5-2 and I have Baines Mounie over Coleman Tekkers. Might also go PVA over Ake.

    2. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      lol this is also the dilemma with FH
      Feels wrong seeing Wilson on the bench

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Currently undecided on Wilson or Stanislas to start

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not much upside in a Watford defender? Baines on set pieces over Coleman? not sure who is nailed as second forward? PVA for attacking threat ? ... but pretty much there

      The big question for me is will VVA + good mid outscore Mane + rubbish defender ?