Dugout Discussion

Zaha injured as Palace and Watford start FA Cup action

Fantasy Premier League managers are about to learn more about the fixtures that will take place in Blank Gameweek 33.

The FA Cup quarter-finals start today with Watford hosting Crystal Palace in the early kick-off.

If the Hornets win the tie then their meeting with Fulham on April 6 will be postponed and moved to another Gameweek.

However, a victory for Palace would see Watford and the Cottagers confirmed for Blank Gameweek 33 and a postponement for the Eagles.

That would also see Newcastle Blank that weekend as they are currently scheduled to host Roy Hodgson’s men on April 6.

As for today’s match at Vicarage Road, Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m) misses out with a tight hamstring after failing a fitness test earlier this week. That will be discouraging news for anyone looking to sign the Ivory Coast international, especially with Double Gameweeks on the horizon.

“The problem with Wilf is really relating to the Brighton game. He came off with a tight hamstring and we’ve been nursing it all week. We tested it early on Thursday, because we didn’t want to leave it to the very last minute, and he didn’t come through that. The hamstring problem is still there so we couldn’t risk him.” – Roy Hodgson

That means Michy Batshuayi (£6.5m) leads the line on his own, flanked by Andros Townsend (£5.8m) and Max Meyer (£5.5m).

Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) is also absent for Crystal Palace, but as yet there has been no confirmation of an injury. Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.5m) has dropped to left-back.

Having rested key players in recent Premier League matches, Watford have named their strongest XI possible as their focus increasingly shifts to the FA Cup now that their survival from relegation is well-secured.

Watford XI: Gomes; Holebas, Cathcart, Mariappa, Femenia; Pereyra, Capoue, Doucouré, Hughes; Deulofeu, Deeney.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Schlupp, Tomkins, Kelly, Wan-Bissaka; Kouyaté, Milivojevic, McArthur; Meyer, Batshuayi, Townsend.

1,145 Comments Post a Comment
  1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it Free Hit time yet.

  2. ronpateluk
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero to Vardy for a hit?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        If you are free hitting 32, that is.

        1. ronpateluk
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I mean another -4. already made 2 transfers so would take me to -8

          1. whosBenj
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I've taken -12, do it!

            1. ronpateluk
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              fpl community taking hits left right centre. love it

          2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Are you using free hit next week?

            1. whosBenj
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Yes, FH next week! All hits 'should' play GW33 as well, so appearance points levels out as 0 (((hopefully)))! Might even take -16 to do Diangana > Fraser.

              1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Do all the hits you like then!

                Well, as long as you have wildcard to wildcard all the rubbish out in 34 in preparation for 35 DGW.

                1. whosBenj
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Yep FH32, WC34. I'll probably take the -16, have 10 playing 31 and do FT to get 11 (GK) in for 33.

                  1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Take all the hits you like then!

    2. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeee

  3. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Mane, Salah, Vardy, Hazard??

    1. FPL FREAK
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mane

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      salah now with doubts

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why doubts? His form?

    3. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salad.

  4. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How do price changes with FH work? If I wait to for players and they go up then I'll lose out on money? But If I get them early they'll sell for the same even if they go up?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      you won't make any money on players you bring in

      the team you have now before free hit will rise/fall in price as usual

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        What about double risers?

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          you need to get the players in early into your team if you are worried about value. However when you come to the next week your team reverts back to what it was so the 0.2m is beneficial for building the team only

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah so if I bring in Kun and he rises 0.2 but then I decide I don't want him, and bring in Kane (who hasn't risen at all). Do I make the 0.1 profit?

            Obviously the profit is lost at the start of GW33.

            1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              if you bring in aguero during the free hit and he rises 0.2 you can sell him for profit yes, it's basically a wildcard but on a temporary basis.

              However, if you buy aguero during free hit and he rises 0.2 you can't sell him the next gw for kane then you can't. Aguero will only be in your team for the free hit week, you can't sell him, you're team goes back to rashford, jimenez or whoever you already have.

              1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Thanks. Yep that's what I thought.

                1) So basically bring in any players you might want that are rising.
                2) Bring in any players that you may/may not want that might double rise
                3) Remove any players that might fall that you want, if you will lose value
                4) Don't transfer anyone out if you think you might bring them back within the FH week.

          2. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yh that's what I was worried about. Cheers mate

          3. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Make unlimited free transfers for a single Gameweek. At the next deadline your squad is returned to how it was at the start of the Gameweek.

        2. grumpyman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Read what Bemba said again.

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Read I what I said.

            1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              *Read what I said

        3. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Double risers I believe you do get the profit if you swap them out again before the deadline.For instance bring in say Sterling this afternoon and he rises twice then you sell him for Hazard on Friday week. You get that 0.1m.

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's the same as a wildcard, except after the deadline passes, your team value will revert to what it was with your pre-free hit team.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Correct

        Make unlimited free transfers for a single Gameweek. At the next deadline your squad is returned to how it was at the start of the Gameweek.

    3. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You can get double risers in your FH team - but you only get the additional profit for your FH week.

  5. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it crazy to bring Mane?

    1. bhh
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If its going to cost you points it is

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm gonna wait another hour for news, if there isn't anything from training, I'm bringing in someone else.

  6. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fraser or Maddison...?? For this week only... And why..??

    1. bhh
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maddison, more likely to start and burnley aren't exactly brilliant right now (although I'd possibly go Tielmans over Madd)

  7. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah TC'ers Raise your hands. 😉

    Make or Break decision going against Form. But hey fpl top points scorer against the leakiest defence is worth the gamble imo.

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

      GL

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

      If ever there was a time ...

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        For Mo To break the shackles its now 😉

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

          So tempted

  8. AllThePies
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Afternoon Gents.

    Tripled up on Leicester (Vardy, Barnes, Tielemans) on my FH. Think I need to bench one for Rondon?

    Salah-Hazard-F.Anderson-Barnes-Tiele
    Wilson-Vardy

    Rondon benched currently....Dilemmas!

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t bench rondon..

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

    FPL Stats in meltdown - Kun, Pogba, Doherty, Rashford etc all in the red zone 🙁

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Will be unreliable to FH played (like WCs)

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

        I think they take that into account now, and been pretty reliable so far ... actually they have been a bit cautious if anything

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Ah balls does that mean on a FH you get all the price changes?

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

            Nope

            1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              So the players dropping that I don't currently have due to FH means I won't lose value on them?

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                You sure will. 🙂

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

                You original team players will get any price changes, and you will return to that team after the FH

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yess i want all of them to fall !

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

        Get them in on the cheap next week 🙂

  10. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If You TC Mo Salah rise your hand
    \O/

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      \o/

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Really tempted. Not pulled the trigger yet though. Tbh I find the TC chip agonising.

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If I had not wasted it on sane I would be more tempted by GW36 vs Huddersfield

  11. The Strokes
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    FH team :

    Fabianski (Boruc)
    TAA - Pereira - Rice (D. Luiz, Tark)
    Salah © - Mane - Hazard - Fraser (Hayden)
    Wilson - Vardy – Arnie

    => TAA or Robertson
    => Arnie or Higuain or Rondon
    => Mane safe or need to be changed to Bobby

    1. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      i think Arnie is a great diff.. i have Hig and i'd rather Arnie

  12. whosBenj
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Once FH is activated can you make unlimited transfers throughout the week / until deadline?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    2. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yus

    3. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. A one week wildcard.

    4. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, I'm hitting it as soon as game updates after 2

      1. whosBenj
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I shall be doing the same! Thanks guys.

    5. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, it's like one week Wildcard

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Without price rises

        Make unlimited free transfers for a single Gameweek. At the next deadline your squad is returned to how it was at the start of the Gameweek.

  13. RÏɠBY
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    any HAMMER fans in the house (or those in the know)

    who plays 31 & 33 out of this lot
    a) Zabaleta
    b) Balbuena
    c) Ogbonna

    want Zaba but none of them seem to nailed on

  14. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson or Firmino for this gameweek?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bobby.

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

      Firmino

  15. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The adrenaline rush of doing hits.

    1. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You should try crack.

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

      2. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Haha

      3. RÏɠBY
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        🙂

  16. SM001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have 3.9 in the bank. Is it worth transferring Hayden out for -4.
    Possible options are: Siggi, Anderson, Maddison, Brooks, Pedro
    Or anyone other recommendations?

    Fabs
    Pereira / TAA / Rice / Tarkowski
    Fraser / Salah(C) / Richarlison / Hayden
    Gonzo / Barnes

    De Gea / AWB / Pogba / Jimenez

  17. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Capoue!

  18. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    CAPOoooooooooooo

  19. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you use free hit if you had 6 players and 2 free transfers? I'm thinking about one or two hits and save it for later.

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Take the hit

  20. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Nice, let's get those Palace players a match in GW33.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Chipless scum!

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Keep taking hits.

    2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lascelles survives.

    3. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Don't forget Newcastle 🙂

  21. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Watford 1 Crystal Palace 0 (Capoue)

  22. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bring in kun for a -8 and triple captain him
    What do you think? Genius?

    1. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rolling on the floor laughing I am

  23. Father72
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know how likely Higuain will be playing today?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He’s not.

      1. Father72
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        @This weekend... I'm a day ahead!

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Should start according to Chelsea website...

    2. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      100% won't play today

      Sarri giving mixed signals whether he'll play or not tomorrow. My feeling is that he will

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fixture is tomorrow...

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

      He plays Sunday, and very likely

      1. Father72
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Got My FH team sorted then...

        Fabs
        TAA / Luiz / Rice
        Hazard / Mane (VC) / Salah (C) / Fraser
        Wilson / Vardy / Higuain

        Any thoughts or am I good to go?

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

          Just a suggestion
          Boruc
          Robbo / Luiz / Rice
          Hazard / Mane (VC) / Salah (C) / Pedro
          Wilson / Vardy / Arnie

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

          You may want to take Mane out with all the rumours flying around ?

          1. Father72
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Rumours?

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

              Seemed to have a problem with his ankle after the midweek game, not seen in the photos of the last training session

              1. Father72
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Not flagged and nothing in the press conference?

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

                  Seems not

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

                  Get a decent bench option by down grading Higuaín ?

  24. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    9 players out. Pogba > Fraser worth -4 (hold 0.4 value in him)

    Fabianski
    TAA, Robertson, (schar)
    Salah(c), Lanzini, Hayden Hazard,(Pogba)
    Wilson(vc), Vardy

    Button, Jimenez, AWB, Doherty

  25. Boleyn Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Afternoon All. Yay or nay to my transfers below which would give me a full team (-8). I'll be using the Free Hit next GW. Thanks in advance:

    Bennett, Bednarek, Billing & Aguero > Luiz, Maguire, Maddison & Wilson

  26. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Get lost Capoue

  27. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah TC this week. I'd be happy with 10 points from him. That would be my best ever score from a TC in 4 attempts

  28. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Watford almost doubled

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good save that.

  29. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Cap goal.

  30. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth a hit for a keeper that plays in both 31 and 33?

    Thinking of Button to Boruc (-4) - other keeper is Guaita

    1. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Guaita will be playing 33

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He will probably get dropped after today mind