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. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start:?

    A. Fab
    B. Boruc

    And pick who?

    A. Rice
    B. Cresswell

    Thanks all! Good luck!

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

      Fab and Rice

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

    The West Ham News twitter account has over 60,000 followers. Would be doubtful if it’s fake

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

      It’s not the ITK one though

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

      I think Arnie and Antonio probably are coming to the team. Balbuena may as well come in. Hopefully Andersom starts who I think will.

    3. Gatsby
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      rumoured line up, he has no source..

      also he misspelled Arnautavic

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

        You can’t even spell it mate

        1. Gatsby
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Thats true, but im not claiming the starting 11

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

        Oh dear

      3. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It’s Arnautovic, for the second time

        1. Gatsby
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Got it, thanks..

        2. Mambino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          thank God you cleared that up, I had no idea who he meant before.

      4. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe that's how he loves calling him.

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

        Even you’ve predicted Arnie comes in for Hernandez in a previous post. Mate have a day off and stop trolling

        1. Gatsby
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Im not trolling, you seem to be picking me up all wrong and having a go

          of course Arnie is coming in, i just dont think its a reputable source and its rumoured.
          Arnie in for Chicha, Antonio in for Snod, Balbuena in for Ogbonna (is the most rumoured changes)

          You're the one who keeps trolling me, mate..

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

    Any Mane updates, looks like TC Salah now then?

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

    Leaked west ham team ???

    1. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Google Ex West Ham employee twitter

  5. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which two to start?

    A) Anderson
    B) Rich
    C) Emerson

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      that's like asking asking which spike you shout on

      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        sit on

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

    Holebas injured

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

      F.....

  7. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Had a terrible GW30 score of 38 points! And a 7k fall in ranking.

    Any courage I can take from this team below for this gw? -8 taken..

    Lossl
    VVD TAA Chilwell
    Salah (C) Fraser Anderson Hazard
    Arnie Wilson Vardy

    Green arrow incoming surely?

  8. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?

    A) Aguero, Son > Wilson, Hazard -4
    B) Aguero, Kamara > Wilson, Vardy -4
    C) Aguero, AWB > Wilson, VVD/Robbo -4

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

      B kamara just taking up space

  9. Canary_Kid
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    On FH:
    Fab (Boruc)
    Trent Azpi David Luiz Rice (Simpson)
    Salah(c) Mane Haz (Fraser Barnes)
    Vardy Wilson Arnie

    gtg?
    Wary about double Chelsea defense but cant see any other clean sheets.

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

      Maybe play Fraser ahead of one of your chelsea defenders

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes or Arnie on a free hit.

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

      Arnie

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

      Arnie

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

    So,Mane is out?

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

      We don’t know

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

      What?!

    3. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      We don’t know 🙂

    4. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully he is. Need a bit of luck there 😉

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

    For those yet to use TC, if not using on Salah today, when do you plan on using it?

    1. Canary_Kid
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling/Aguero next week

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe City in DGW32, maybe Kane sometime in the new stadium, maybe Salah vs HUD

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      GW35

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

    Maddison and Brooks or Fraser and HBarnes?

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

      Maddison Brooks

  14. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    TC Mane, Salah vc

  15. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I think I’m selling Jiminez

    Bought at 5.6 but points probably more important now

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me when want him straight back for 32?

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

      My thinking too.

      Will probably bite me is the ass when it's time to WC but meh.

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If FHing in32 then yeah why not as he misses 33 as well.

      1. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It’s done!! Wilson points please

  16. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    TC Salah?

    Reasoning:
    Chips played in GW32,34,35. GW36 and 37 are very close to CL semi finals, so expecting rotation. That leaves this week, GW33 and GW38. Liverpool V Fulham looks the best of all fixtures in these weeks. Unless Man City lose to Swansea...

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

    Reluctant but is Pogba (0 will lose.4 value) > Fraser worth it (-4)?

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

    Button, Jimenez, Doherty, AWB

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Got a similar thought on whether to upgrade Hayden to Fraser. Can't decide. Might just go for it

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

        I would do that but only have 9 players at the moment. If you have more then go for it!

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

    Do you think Doherty to Azpi is worth a hit?

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

      I think this will a tight game, Chelsea will win though.

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

        The battle for 3rd/4th place this season is unreal! Will go down to the wire...

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m tempted, but I’ve 10 playing already so it has to pay off this GW, technically it’s -2 with the opportunity to be +2 or more

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

        Yeah, I understand the logic and agree. Good luck!

    3. Mesh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can you field 11 players without the hit?

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

        Nope. I think I'm gonna keep him and sell Bednarek instead.

  19. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Guaita
    Robertson - TAA - Luiz - Pereira
    Salah - Hazard - Maddison - Fraser
    Wilson - Rondon

    No bench.

    Thanks guys!

  20. Lionel Ronaldo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Have I got this right?

    ----Watford win---
    GW32: Watford have (mun/FUL), Palace have (HUD)
    GW33: Watford blank, Palace have (new)

    ---Palace win---
    GW32: Palace have (HUD/new), Watford have (mun)
    GW33: Palace blank, Watford have (FUL)

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

      Would think they would have mun/SOU in 32 and hud/FUL in 35 and a blank in 33. Might be wrong. But great options for bench boost 35 if that's the case.

  21. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Will Fraser start?

    1. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes should be fine

    2. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Promising words from Howe

  22. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arnie or Higuaín on a free hit?

  23. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Brooks or Fraser? Cheers

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

      Fraser 100%

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fraser, though apparent small chance of not starting. Better option imo regardless.

  24. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    bring in:

    fraser or maddison (had wilson)
    fabianski or boruc (thinking of changing lascelles to rice as well)

    thanks...

  25. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Jenas is not a go co-commentator.

    He also used the word 'dearth' when he meant to use the word 'abundance'

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      *good

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      There are very few nowadays. Worst is during European games when BT comms don't even know anything about a player.

      They were saying Sergi Roberto (incidentally calling him Sergio) is a natural RB. He has played CM for 5 years...

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

        Embarrassing

        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Obviously that irked me being a Barça fan, but there are plenty others.

          Last year Saúl Ñiguez was apparently just "breaking into" the Atlético team - he had over 200 appearances for Atleti at that point...

  26. Mini Mahouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Mané doesn´t play tomorrow? Have him as my captain

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes
      We just dont know and it seems we wont before deadline

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

    Leicester defender or Ake? Swaying towards the latter myself (he's just shy of 50% returns since around Christmas time).

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I like Ake's futures and not much trust in Lei defence for me.

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

      Ake...goal threat as well

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pereira will be the hero this week

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

      Cheers.

  28. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go? (-8 taken)

    Fabianski
    Robertson - Luiz
    Salah (c) - Mane - Anderson - Hazard
    Barnes - Wilson - Rondon

    Button* - Pogba* - AWB* - Bednarek* - Doherty*

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

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

      Yeh, unless you want to do a -12 like me 🙂

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I was tempted to ditch Doherty for somebody but thought there's nobody I can say I desperately want so holding off for now.

        Thanks for the responses, both. Good luck.

  29. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    United and Wolves already confirmed but what other teams are likely to get Doubles in GW32?

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

      Google Ben Crellin's spreadsheet

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea look very likely as it is almost impossible to fit one in from 33-36 with their European commitments.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fit in the match vs BHA that is.

  30. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Play with 10
    B) Bring in Ake for Lascelles (-4)

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

      B