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Dugout Discussion March 31

Hazard benched for Chelsea’s opening Double Gameweek 32 fixture

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The first of two Premier League matches to be contested on Sunday takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Chelsea, who have lost four of their five away league fixtures in 2019, are the visitors to South Wales. Kick-off is at 14:05 BST.

Both of these sides have two fixtures in Gameweek 32 and are in action again on Wednesday night.

The headline team news from Cardiff is unquestionably Eden Hazard‘s first Premier League benching since Gameweek 11.

Maurizio Sarri had suggested on Friday that the Belgian winger, along with N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud, was tired after his exertions for his national team and indeed not one of those three players start for the Blues this afternoon.

Sarri has just told Sky Sports:

At the moment, Kante has played 50 matches this season and Hazard 47.

They both played with the national team, Hazard for 187 minutes and Kante for 175 minutes and so I think that it’s time to rest.

Pedro and Willian, who both had the international break off, have been chosen to flank Gonzalo Higuain in the visitors’ attack. Callum Hudson-Odoi is also among the substitutes.

Hazard has made three appearances off the bench for Chelsea in the top flight this season and registered attacking returns in all of them (three assists).

The Belgium international was transferred in by over 200,000 managers ahead of Gameweek 32 (as well as featuring in thousands upon thousands of Free Hit teams) and was the third-most-popular captaincy choice. Just under 50,000 FPL bosses used their Triple Captaincy chip on him.

Elsewhere in the Chelsea starting XI, Marcos Alonso retains his place at left-back and joins a familiar-looking defence alongside Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger.

Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal, as expected.

Cardiff are unchanged from the team that beat West Ham 2-0 in Gameweek 30, with Joe Bennett and Harry Arter shaking off fitness concerns to start.

The Bluebirds have lost all eight of their meetings against “big six” sides this season, conceding 27 goals in the process.

Cardiff City XI (4-2-3-1): Etheridge; Peltier, Bennett, Morrison, Manga; Arter, Gunnarsson; Murphy, Camarasa, Hoilett; Niasse.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Barkley, Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Higuain, Willian.

1,342 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Bapserts, how will it end?

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  2. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Any baps for Azpi? Doubt it with that yellow card!

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    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      He'll get BAPS.

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    2. weaver93
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      3 - Willian (30)
      2 - Azpilicueta (27)
      1 - Camarasa (26)

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      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Is that final?

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      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        This is before deductions though. Willian likely to have a few (although I didn't watch the game)

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  3. Peter Russo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Looking forward to Cardiff City's post-match press conference.

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  4. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Gave up watching at 80, how did Dave score?!

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    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      O F F S I D E

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  5. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Justice prevails

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  6. andrewe63
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Cue the Salah Hat-trick yawn

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  7. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Azpi 3 bps or Bombay roll?

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    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Maybe 1 or 2

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    2. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      If it's up to the ref he should get 7 bonus points.

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    3. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Bombay roll = ?

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      1. Yoshioka
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Willi in the baps.

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  8. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Way too early but got no wildcard to build dgw35 team and need ultra differential tc captain for that gw to compete with my ml rivals.

    Is Deeney(tc) madness. They have Soton and Huddersfield in that gw

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    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Yes. Madness. Dont do it

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    2. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Jiminez

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  9. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Warnock can take some of the blame for that one, still shouting at the ref 5+ minutes later - just gives players an external reason for losing and (subconsciously) lowers concentration/motivation imo, seen it loads of times.

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    1. Party time
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Your post is absolutely meaningless to me. When a team fights for survival and they are robbed. Do you just stand and smile with the officials.

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      • SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        the most common one is the obviously wrongly-given corner kick - knowing they won't be blamed makes players worse - people love having excuses to down tools, even if they don't realise it

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      • JJO
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        BS

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        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          it may not be the common view, but I believe it to be true - happens quite a lot

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      • Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I'd love to see Klopp smiling at the ref if those type of decision cost them the title...

        But because it ain't a big side "it doesn't matter"

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        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Klopp makes the same mistakes. He also implanted a loser mentality in his team by forfeiting the FA Cup. Pep gives his team a winner mentality by fighting on all fronts.

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          1. Vobinho
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            How does any mentality stop such BS decisions happening?

            Not linked at all.

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            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              because when you have an excuse you know you won't be blamed - accountability is a big thing and when you lose it performance will suffer, even if you don't realise it

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              1. Vobinho
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                I'd like to see any manager keep their cool at such awful decisions. There are borderline decisions that I can cope with.

                The likes of Pep have a "winning mentality" because the big clubs always get bias with regards to the bigger decisions, so he never needs to show this side. Also, the likes of City don't really need to worry about financial impact of relegation.

                Let's hope VAR will iron these decisions out - a fair playing field is needed.

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      • InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I think you're being harsh. Its 1 thing getting angry at a debatable decision but an obvious one like that? Would make even the calmest manager angry.

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        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          it's more the continuation of the anger I have an issue with, once play restarts then you should just leave it until the end

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    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Time for Kane needs to prove his price tag.

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      1. Costa in Wengerland
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Hatrick you mean

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        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          That would be ideal

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    3. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      midfield of: pogba, son, sterling and Hazard has done some serious damage so far. 6 points between them.

      Worse than my normal team...

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      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Cuz you a troll

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      2. JohnnyMagrinho
          5 years, 27 days ago

          If you did anything other than that on a FH it wouldn’t have made sense.

          Have to play the numbers game.

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      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Hazard almost got a bonus point for making an appearance and touching the ball a few times.

        Shows just how bad the rest had been.

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      4. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        A Kepa, Laporte, Tomkins & Rashford
        B Ederson, Azpi, Schlupp & Jimenez

        Mulled over this for about 12 hours Friday night/Saturday morning and they both ended up scoring a combined 22 points haha

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        1. FlockofSeagulls
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          What a waste of time!
          You could have done something productive in that time like completing a 3,000 piece Jigsaw puzzle.

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      5. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        BAPs very close.

        Azpi - 27
        Willian - 27
        Camarasa - 26
        -----
        Alonso & RLC - 23

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        1. Gegenpress
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          AZPI 3 GANG GANG 10 POINTER YAAAAAY

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        2. InSaneMan-e
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Not too familiar with the scoring. does this take into account azpi yellow?

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          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Yes, final BPS includes everything.

            Azpi should end on 27 BPS and with 3 BAPs.

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            1. TheDragon
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              This would be epic

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            2. InSaneMan-e
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Fabulous!

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        3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Are these for real? Azpi yc and no cs with only defender goal baps. Shows how poor Chelsea were but feels harsh on cam

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          1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            From an azpi owner

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            1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Thank you, by the way

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          2. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Azpi always good for BPS with his CBI & passes.

            Low quality game and once both CSs go the BPS required is always lower. Hazard ended near the top and only played 40 mins.

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            1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Thanks for explanation 🙂

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        4. Jay_
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Cheers mate

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          • Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            You're a saint

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        5. KOKAK
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          This one game alone is reason enough to question the fairness in football.

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          1. Ruinenlust
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Life isn’t fair boohoo

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        6. glufs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Why did I pick 3 players on a free hit that dont start their matches?

          Haz, Son, Jimenez

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          1. Samwise
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            same as me

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          2. InSaneMan-e
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Its unlucky tbh. I thought jiminez would be rested for utd.
            On the plus side haz and son still have a tasty fixture and will probably start those

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          3. threeputt
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            I stayed clear of Jim & Son as I figured at least one rest

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          4. PrettyDick
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            I really think with the first two you're just unlucky, I had Rashford and Martial (and hazard ofc) and bot of them could've started on the bench. They're still decent picks imo, Son will most likely get minutes today and then he'll start at home to CP in the new stadium, surely a horse to have your money on.

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        7. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          57 with 12 to go including Son who doesnt start, Martial who is doubt and Aguero(C) doubt too. There is no way to reach 100 without Aguero...

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          1. Cruz88
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            60-62 here (depending on Azpi bonus), 11 to play again but unfortunately captained sterling over Aguero

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            1. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Sterling will start surely dont worry and i think you re going to have more points than Aguero C

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              1. Cruz88
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                Hopefully, though sterling did play 90...

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        8. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          So this is what Sarri-ball is. I get it now.

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        9. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          5 points from my 3 Chelsea players. So proud of them.

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        10. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Ffs:
          Willian: 27
          Azpili: 27

          Fpl:
          Willian 30
          Azpili 27

          Which one is more correct?

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          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            FFS is more accurate. But will be close because the post-game deductions aren't always accurate from FFS.

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          2. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            FPL won't have all deductions applied to it yet. FFS does.

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          3. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Ffs is, updates faster

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          4. threeputt
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            any chance of a camarassa increase ?

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        11. boc610
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          That missed offside could relegate Cardiff..small teams getting f ***** as standard

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          1. InSaneMan-e
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            And the rudiger call. I dont think Cardiff lose this vs 10 men

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          2. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            The first half of your comment is very true. The second half is just nonsense based on nothing.

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            1. boc610
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Really? So you subscribe to the it all evens out in the end narrative..the stats dont back that up chief

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              1. George Sillett
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                What stats and produced by whom ?

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          3. Party time
              5 years, 27 days ago

              I agree. Poor officiating. Bad luck for Cardiff knowing fully well they were playing a top 5 club and fighting for survival. Craig Pawson and friends obviously know what they did

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          4. onceuponatyne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Does anyone like Chelsea?

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            1. onceuponatyne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              I mean, I think Warnock's a total muppet and I still wanted them to win.

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              1. sully29
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                I was going to say no but once you pit them against Neil Warnock for my sympathies they become infinitely more likeable.

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          5. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            This FPL stuff is getting boring. Can´t wait for the season to be over.

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            1. Ravager
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Same

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          6. Ode
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Probably will get slaughtered here, but the yellow on Rüdiger was the right decision imo.

            Kepa got to the ball first and would’ve cleared the ball anyway without the foul

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            1. InSaneMan-e
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Is that relevant?
              I mean rudiger is the last Chelsea defender.
              Bbc pundit said it's the right decision but I think it's seriously debatable

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              1. Brosstan
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                Yes it's relevant. If the player won't even get the ball first, then surely he's not denied a clear goal scoring opportunity..

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              2. PrettyDick
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                it's highly relevant, it's about stopping a clear goal scoring opportunity and if you (the officials) argue that he wouldn't have gotten to the ball anyways (which he wouldn't have because Kepa was there) then it's not a red card and that's not debatable.

                However the officials robbed cardiff massively in several other ways (offside, not giving penalty etc)

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            2. The Tinkerman
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Yeah I agree, both teams should have had a pen, and one Chelsea goal was offside.

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            3. Yoshioka
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              You're right.

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          7. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Bednarek of Southampton (3.9m ) scored me more points than the three CFC players v Cardiff for a combine cost of 26m !!! And he is on my bench as THIRD sub !!!!!

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          8. Dynamic
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Kepa, Luiz & Hazard = 5 points

            F*** off Chelsea

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            1. FPL Pillars
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Half time Buddy, calm down.

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          9. The Tinkerman
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            26m on 3 Chelsea players = 5 points

            If Salah or Mane return vs. Spurs my old team will beat my FH team 😀

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            1. PrettyDick
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              wow.. really?

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          10. tm245
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Is that a 10 pointer for Azpi? Amazing.

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            1. Samwise
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              wahooooo

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          11. HNI
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            I wanted to confirm, EPL will also have VAR next season onwards correct? I dont bother with Cardiff but today they played so well and this 3 points may well lead to club losing on 50-60 million dollars if relegated

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            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Yes - comes in from next season

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            2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Karma for not paying £15m to Nantes.

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          12. Firminooooo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Nightmare. Luiz, Kepa and Hazard. Now Kane have to make it up, but want Liverpool to win whitout involment from Salah, Mane, Robertson, TAA and VvD. Lets go.

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            1. Firminooooo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Or Firminoooo

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            2. Gudjohnsen
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Surely real world more important than FPL? Sold Salah for Sterling but still hoping for a Salah brace.

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