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. Ejaaz11
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Want to bring in fabianski..

    Who to replace
    Patricio or guita?

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

      Pat

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

      Depends on chip strategy, I think.

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

    I am confused on Higuaín news. Is he more likely than not to start tomorrow?

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

      I think he will start

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

      Confirmed fit by the club. Link is a few pages back.

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

        Great - thanks, 1 less worry

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

      Defo keeping anyway, reckon 75% he starts.

  3. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Free Hitters including Mane?

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

      Yes of course.

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

      at the moment yes

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

      nope

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

    Apart from United and Wolves what other teams are likely to get Doubles in GW32?

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

      Wait for 2 days you'll have your answers.

    2. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Most teams apart from the ones playing this week.

      1. Ole.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Plus Chelsea

  5. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go?

    Boruc
    Pereira VVD Luiz
    Salah(TC) Richarlison Mane Anderson
    Wilson Higuain Rondon 

    DDG Maddison Doherty Bednarek

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

      Play Maddison imo.

      1. Scotty B
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ahead of who?
        No goal in 15 PL games

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

          Fair enough, don't. I would play him instead of Richarlison but could go either way, best you stick to your own instincts.

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

    Who's the better pick for GW31/33:

    A) Ake (NEW BUR)
    B) Maguire (bur hud)

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

      If In doubt go with the home player.

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

      Ake

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

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

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Yes.

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

        Which one?

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

          Go for it I think, depends on chips available as well and rank/ml.

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

        B

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

      B hopefully worse case you get pts bank, anything else cs etc is a bonus

    4. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Somebody get down to the Liverpool training ground 😀

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Anthony Martials chef did

  9. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    For the teams that are not playing the games this week, when will their DGW predicted to be?
    Ben Crelin's spreadsheet only states 1 additional game for GW32 and GW35..?

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

      Try the scenarios tab.

  10. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    PLEASE HELP

    Should I consider -8 pts hit, if..

    Aguero, Son, Jimenez
    FOR
    Fraser, Wilson, Vardy

    I am thinking that all 3 new guys will score or assist which will cover -8 pts (+ guaranteed 2pts for 90min). I would like to save my free hit for future.

    WOULD YOU DO THAT?

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

      Yes I would

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

      yeah as your trans have guaranteed games
      jimi has two blanks, aguero same as city should beat swansea
      son would need brighton to lose to have a gw 33
      depends if you using free hit 32 as jimi has double, aguero could to

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

    Anyone selling Pogba to Mane despite having big value tied up in Pogba?

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

      Not me. Can't.

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      sold a couple weeks ago for 600k loss

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

      I kept him.

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

      Trading Pogba to Fraser or Brooks as part of a -8. Just tried a free hit with 3 City, 3 Utd, 3 Chelsea, 1 Spurs, 1 Wolves and it's pretty simple even with paying the full 8.9 for Pogba. If no free hit or wildcard I'd definitely keep though.

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

        Whats your total value?

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

          Selling value is only 104.8, remember though there's 2 3.8 million defenders in the game and with it being a double gameweek there's no need for a bench as if somebody misses one they will probably play the other so the bench won't be used.

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

        Thats good to hear. I'm free hitting next week also. I've even considered doing Anderson to Mane so I can keep Pogba, as Anderson has been pants anyway.

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

          I considered that, and probably would have done it except for this Mane news put me off getting rid of a non-blanker over a blanker, this way 1 have 12 potential players this week so I can afford a Mane no show. Not expecting much from Anderson though. Might even be dropped. 3 changes reported for the West Ham side.

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

      sold pog and son for haz and mane
      lost some value but its pts i want, not money !

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

      Thinking the same but for Fraser. Only have 9 players playing. I've kept Jimenez for this reason but need a decent squad this week. Might do it.

  12. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is taking -12 too much?

    Sterling > Hazard (already done)
    Son > Fraser (already done)
    Camarasa > Maddison
    Mitro > Wilson

    Prob doing the Maddison move but it’s the Mitro one for -12 that’s bothering me.
    As he looks likely to play both 31 and 33 blanks.

    What you all think? (Quickly) 😉

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Isn't it the other way around - looks likely he won't?
        You could do with Watford being more than 1-0 up really

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

          Sorry that’s what I meant. Do you think it’s worth the extra -4 now before deadline? I’m think that Newcastle defence is depleted and Bournemouth could go ham!

          1. MTPockets
              5 years, 1 month ago

              If Watford are still ahead at deadline then yes think I'd take the hit
              Been a while since he scored anyway

      • JustPark
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Deadline in 30 minutes right?
        Hazard in for a hit(would be 10 playing) or Fraser for free(would be 9)?

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yes. Hazard

        2. madame shelly
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          1 of maddison, barnes (lei), brooks or fraser ?

          bit worried about picking fraser as anderson & mane doubts in my side already

          1. N00B
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Fraser

          2. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Fraser

        3. N00B
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Who to buy for -4?
          A) Hazard in for Pogba
          B) Arnie in for Jimenez and maybe captain him too

          1. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            B

        4. DeadStarComing
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Last question of the GW for me. Which of the below do you prefer?

          A) Fraser, Maddison
          B) Fraser, Arnautovic
          C) Brooks, Higuain

          Cheers all,

          1. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            B

          2. barcaa7
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            b

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

            C

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

          If you could only bring in one of these for GW 31/GW 33 mainly which would it be.. TAA/Salah owner atm.

          1. Mane
          2. VVD
          3. Robbo

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

            VVD

          2. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Manè is the best option but the doubt on tomorrows game make VVD appealing.

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

            2 or 3

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

            1. On form.

        6. FPL Maldini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Has Mane been spotted in training yet today?

        7. DR0GBA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Who to vice captain if Mane doesn't play?

          A) Hazard
          B) Vardy

          1. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            B

        8. Nightf0x
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Which player to complete the attack?
          A) barnes
          B) wood
          C) rondon

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

            A

          2. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            A

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

          Clean sheet chances for

          BOU

          &

          che

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

            BOU: 9/5
            CHE: 13/8

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

            Hot Topics

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

          Not a bad half. Either team could've scored. Come on!! I'll take a 0-0 🙂

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

          What’s this West Ham leaked lineup. Is Anderson in it?

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

            Yes please. I'd like this.

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

              Look in my post history, yes Anderson starts in the rumoured XI.

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

            Cheers

          3. Sting in the Tail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yes - and no Snodgrass so he could get more set pieces

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

          Where's Marcelo Bielsa when you need him?

          1. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Sitting on an icebox somewhere

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

          Get Benteke on, come on.

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

            You want Watford to win?

        14. PBC
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Is Daniels nailed for 31 and 33?

          And who will play out of Ogbonna and Balbuena?

          1. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            neither 1 of those 2 will start... drop nailed

            Daniels will play 31 for sure

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

          If Mane is not in training:

          Mane & Wilson => Firmino & Felipe?

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

            Good luck doing that.

          2. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Mad move.

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

            NOOOO.

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

            Lol no

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

            Lol

        16. gaurava1216
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Update on Mane?

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

          Going for it.

          Salah (TC)

          Don’t let me down Mo.

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

            doing the same... gud luck

          2. Dirty Harry
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thinking the same, the rough patch is a worry but hopefully he can find some luck and put the sword to Fulham. I was going to TC Mane but damn, the speculation of missing Friday's training session is playing with my mind. I'm out in front in my ML at the moment by about 30pts so maybe Salah is the better choice.

        18. Totti
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          wilson vardy hazard for -8

          A) yay
          B) nay

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

            Yay