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Dugout Discussion – Sunday

A sunny Sunday afternoon provides a perfect backdrop for a day of Premier League football and, hopefully, ample returns in Fantasy.

We start with two lunchtime encounters, with most attention drawn to the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal will host West Ham United.

Arsene Wenger’s announcement that he is to leave the club in the summer has undoubtedly given this encounter a new perspective, with the atmosphere and perhaps even team performance likely to be affected by that revelation today.

Fantasy interest is certainly high, with strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacaszette demanding huge attention prior to Saturday’s deadline.

The big team news is that Wenger delivers on his threat to manage Aubameyang’s minutes as he prepares his side for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final with Atletico.

Aubameyang starts on the bench today, despite having scored four goals in his last three home matches, with six in eight Gameweeek appearances overall. He was brought in by over 201,000 for Gameweek 35 as the third most signed, while he sports over 221,000 armbands in this match.

Wenger’s press conference, hinting at Aubameyang’s rotation, created huge late interest in Lacazette and he starts today.

The Frenchman is undoubtedly a key asset for those managers with the Free Hit chip active, with Ragabolly’s article revealing last night that 63.9% of the top 10,000 managers playing the chip elected to recruit Lacazette. He has two goals from his last three Gameweek appearances, including his strike at Newcastle United last weekend.

Elsewhere for Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey earns a recall to a strong starting XI and could prove a key differential for Gameweek 35. But Mesut Ozil, signed by 24,000 prior to yesterday’s deadline, misses out through illness, along with goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Elsewhere this lunchtime, Stoke City host Gameweek 34 favourites Burnley at the bet365 Stadium for what is a crunch encounter for the Potters.

The Clarets assets go into this contest well supported, particularly by managers without the Free Hit active.

Stoke’s asset remain differentials, though, with Xherdan Shaqiri their most popular target prior to Saturday’s deadline; he commanded a modest 51,000+ transfers in, with goalkeeper Jack Butland – back on 7700 – ranking next.

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

2,727 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Wow Laca the saviour of free hit week

  2. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Finally some luck over the non FHers

  3. MikeDuff
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Huge differential point from Laca there

  4. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    How many own Laca in top 10k? at 9.1k I’m hoping it isn’t a huge %

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      21.1%

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      21%

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Punished for going with the more nailed-on forward - Welbeck.

    Cruel game.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Wenger made it clear that Laca was starting.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Nah. Welbeck needed preparation for the EL tie more than Laca. He was benched the last game.

        Also, he didn't make anything 'clear'. Just made Auba less nailed.

      2. Ramboros
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        He certainly did not. He said the players that didn't start the previous game needed a game. That means Welbeck to start. Then he said he was not certain whether to start Aubemeyang, which automatically means that Lacazette might have been benched.

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Yep. Lacazette was a major groupthink gamble in this place, but it's typical he comes up with only his second brace of the season now 🙂

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You are punished for going for the forward that is least likely to score.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        In better form than Lacazette lately. 4 goals in his last 4 games in all competitions.

  6. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Well played Laca owners...

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      ...just cause you couldn’t afford Aubameyang

      1. some witty pun
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        surely money isnt a problem for FHers

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          😮

        2. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Yep

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            😮

      2. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I could have afforded but just followed my gut and went for Laca

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          😮

      3. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I can assure you 100% price played no part in me picking Lacazette over aubameyang 🙂

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          😮

  7. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I just want to thank Big Boy Arsene. Couldnt have done it without you mate.

  8. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Did butland get his 2x save points?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Could he get a bap?

  9. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Lacazette next season will be unstoppable

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Only if you get rid of Xhaka and get a Gilberto Silva replacement.

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I agree. Arguably the best striker in the league at the moment. He's only going to get better

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Not better than you Collin

      2. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Agreed. Whether or not he's the best is arguable. But there isn't a better finisher in the premier league than Lacazette. If he gets a clear cut chance he puts it away

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      lol.

    4. West Hammered
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lacazette is bang average IMO

    5. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A Lada with no brakes rolling downhill is also unstoppable

  10. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Laca and Arnie saving my GW.

    Now time for City to thrash Swansea.

  11. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    laca ownership in top 100k?

    1. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Top 10k
      Aubameyang(50.3), Lacazette(21.3), Mustafi(18.4)

  12. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Butland could have got a 12 pointer but laca saving the day

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You always post these dumb "could" comments. Lowton could have got 26 points. Guess what, he didn't.

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        THats way out of probability u Muppet. This is just conceding one goal

  13. West Hammered
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Almost every C * * * ahead of me in my league has Lacazette. Done dirty by my own team.

  14. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Kane Laca Vardy for 37? Boom

    1. proczell
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Kaku to score 4 goals

  15. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any chance Butland can sneak in another BPS?

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Hope so

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Potentially. Bps will get readjusted in a bit

  16. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No room for differentials in this game, it punishes badly if they dont work, boring *facepalm*

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Are you being serious? Ramsey and Lacazette, for example, were great differentials.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        So were Bellerin, Kosc, Ozil...

        1. Pariße
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          That’s why they’re called differentials, it all about getting the right ones.

  17. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    WC - fail
    FH - fail

    Sums up this season 🙂

    1. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lottery mate. That's all it is .

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

      Better luck next time 🙂

  18. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Özil & Auba instead of Laca & Ramsey.

    Lol at me.

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      At least we've won 😀

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah that's the spirit

  19. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hopefully Barnes will drop out of the baps. Should see Butland and Tark share the 2.

  20. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    So my last minute sale of Salah to fund Lacazette actually was right. 😀

  21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No sane or otamendi

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    YES PEP!

  23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No walker

  24. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany (C), Laporte, Delph, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Silva, Sterling, Jesus

    Subs: Bravo, Walker, Sané, Mendy, Otamendi, Touré, Foden

  25. Norman Conquest
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany (C), Laporte, Delph, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Silva, Sterling, Jesus

    Subs: Bravo, Walker, Sané, Mendy, Otamendi, Touré, Foden

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Goddammit. I Did Mane > Ozil to afford Silva > Sane because apparently he was a much more secure option loooool

  26. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    sane, otamendi, walker benched

  27. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Walker, Ota, Sane benched!

    City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany (C), Laporte, Delph, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Silva, Sterling, Jesus

    Subs: Bravo, Walker, Sané, Mendy, Otamendi, Touré, Foden

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Team News: MCI vs SWA
    Referee: Craig Pawson

    MCI: Ederson, Laporte, Danilo, Kompany, Delph, David Silva, De Bruyne, Gündogan, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Jesus
    Subs: Bravo, Otamendi, Mendy, Walker, Foden, Sané, Yaya Touré

    SWA: Fabianski, Mawson, Naughton, Fernández, van der Hoorn, Olsson, Ki Sung-yueng, Carroll, King, Jordan Ayew, André Ayew
    Subs: Nordfeldt, Roberts, Bartley, Routledge, Dyer, Clucas, Abraham

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Ffs why did i get walker

  29. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Guess who owns Ramsey and Laca 🙂

    1. Ode
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Wenger

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

      Cheers, go celebrate mate

  30. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Phew dodged a couple of bullets there