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Fantasy Premier League Focus

Our weekly look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game arrives a little later than usual this time. The rundown of the Scout League standings sees three of the overall top four lead the way, while we assess the transfer market, where the arrival of Rafa Benitez has had a significant effect already…

Scout League Standings

We’ve a two-way points tie at the top of the Scout League after Gameweek 14. Iyad Zahlan returns to the summit by virtue of the fact that he had made less trades than his rival before the midweek deadline. Iyad racked up 53 points during the week, mainly thanks to goals from captain Robin Van Persie, Gareth Bale and Michu, while Carlos Cuellar shipped in with a clean sheet. He now sits on 897 points, second in the overall rankings and just three points off the leader.

Brad Conlin sits in second spot on 897 points and third in the overall rankings, despite taking a four point hit. His decision to name Theo Walcott as his vice-captain came in handy when Carlos Tevez warmed the bench for City at Wigan, while Bale and Rickie Lambert also found the net.

T.I. is a non-mover in third spot after picking up 58 points in the previous round. He also chose to captain Van Persie, while Bale and Cuellar were joined by Ryan Nelsen in picking up the points. T.I. sits in fourth in the overall rankings on 892 points.

David Jones moved up to fourth after accruing 50 points in Gameweek 14. Captain Wayne Rooney let him down, though Michu, Bale, Marouane Fellaini and Rafael helped boost his overall tally to 876 points, enough to earn him 20th spot overall.

Paul Rowland completes our top five after a 61 point haul in midweek. Intriguingly, his approach is entirely different from our previous quartet – he doubled up on the Chelsea and United defences, while Michu was handed the armband and Fellaini also produced.

The performance of our top five have ensured Fantasy Football Scout stays top of the Best Leagues – an average of 886.8 is 23.6 points ahead of our nearest challenger.

In the contributors league, Facer keeps his place at the top. Bale, Fellaini, Rafael, Michu and captain Van Persie helped him to 63 points in midweek.

Market Trends

A quick turnaround in Gameweeks has afforded less time for the bandwagons to get into full gear, though Gareth Bale’s goal and assist against Liverpool have earned the Spurs winger over 56,000 new owners. Marouane Fellaini is a distant second behind the Welshman – over 39,000 Fantasy managers have drafted in the Everton midfielder after he produced his third set of double figures in his last four appearances in midweek.

Faith in Liverpool’s Fantasy assets is on the rise ahead of a strong schedule. Luis Suarez (35,000), Jose Enrique (28,000) and Raheem Sterling (16,000) have proven popular since Tuesday evening’s deadline passed. Swansea’s display against West Brom has earned Wayne Routledge and Michu plenty new suitors – a combined 39,000 have snapped up Michael Laudrup’s midfield pair.

Arsenal’s kind upcoming run of games has prompted investment in Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla – the pair have attracted over 28,000 transfers in between them, while a combined 24,000 have snapped up West Brom duo James Morrison and Shane Long ahead of three home games in four.

Between the posts, John Ruddy’s injury and subsequent three month absence has seen Asmir Begovic, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Brad Guzan all transferred in by 11,000+ Fantasy managers. Chelsea’s record of back-to-back clean sheets under Rafa Benitez has seen Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole reappear on Fantasy radars – a total of 22,000 have drafted in the pair, while Norwich’s cut-price appeal has seen Javier Garrido (16,000) and Seb Bassong (13,000) continue to rack up new owners. Ryan Shawcross, Per Mertesacker and Matija Nastasic are all on Fantasy radars approaching tomorrow’s deadline.

The Benitez effect has had an adverse effect of Chelsea’s attacking assets, with the midfield exodus gathering pace. Juan Mata is the most transferred out player in the Gameweek, with over 41,000 parting company with the Spaniard – Eden Hazard isn’t far behind, with 33,000 trades out.

Leighton Baines’ possible hamstring absence has resulted in 39,000 sales of the Everton left-back, with many making a move for Jose Enrique to free up budget. Carlos Tevez’s failure to appear in the first XI for City’s last two has persuaded 36,000 to part company with the Argentine.

Kevin Nolan, Yaya Toure and Hatem Ben Arfa have been moved on by over 15,000 Fantasy managers as midfields get refreshed, while somewhat surprisingly, Dimitar Berbatov has been sold on by over 17,000, despite four home games in the next six.

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854 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Michu's price set to finally hit 7.5 tonight, it's been swapping between 7.3 and 7.4 for weeks as people take him out when he doesn't score and put him back in when he does.

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  2. jamsiep
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Final question on the matter, if you had the money to afford both, would you choose Cazorla or Walcott?

    Leaning towards Walcott at the moment.

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    1. jamsiep
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      lol, nevermind. Can't actually afford Cazorla anymore. Bloody Maloney dropping in price!

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    2. Philman
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I agree. Walcott. Just so much more potential there, and the 0.8m saved will always come in handy.

      Put another way, who would you captain if you had to choose one?

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      1. jamsiep
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        I can't imagine myself ever captaining either.

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        1. jamsiep
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          ...says the guy who has already captained Cazorla this season!

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          1. Philman
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            And that's what I mean :o. So have I.

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    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Walcott. Seems to be the points magnet and seems to playing himself into undroppable status

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    4. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Walcott, and it's not THAT close for me. Rate him very much as a fantasy player and the jury is still out on Cazorla.

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    5. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Cathorla, clearly. He is a beast and is going to play every minute of the campaign injury permitting. Walcott however, is not.

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      1. Philman
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        That's when bench players come in, but Walcott outscoring Caz when he plays.

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    6. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      my answer is:
      Walcott 4 goals and 4 assists in 512 minutes.
      Cazorla 4 goals and 4 assists in 1250 minutes.

      walcott 0.8mil cheaper, and now looks like he'll get the minutes

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      1. Philman
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Bingo.

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    7. 1mills
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      If it's any consolation I plan to do Cazorla > Walcott next week (not worth the 4 points this week).

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    8. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Get Gervinho again. He is about to hit form.

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  3. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go?

    -- Bego -- (Trem)
    Enrique -- Cuellar -- Nasty
    Bale -- Mata -- Felliani -- Sterling
    RVP(c) -- Suarez(vc) -- Berba

    Subs: Puncheon Caulker McCartney

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    1. jamsiep
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Surely captain Suarez over RVP?

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      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Hedging my bets just incase Pool do the unthinkable and dont score against Southampton. I think if they do well then just by my having their front 3 I will definitely do well.

        Also fancy RVP to score versus Reading

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  4. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Baines -> Enrique for a hit? Really, really can't decide on this - I love Baines, but the injury/respective upcoming fixtures are making this very tempting.

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    1. Philman
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      You can always get him back (after he gets another penalty :o).

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      1. Philman
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        He will be back down to 7.5 tomorrow.

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    2. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't do it for a hit, unless the money you free up is used for the other transfer

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      1. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        I'd maybe then go Wilkinson -> Nastasic.

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        1. Doolittle
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          I mean that would be next week - already done Tevez -> Suarez this week.

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    3. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      You will regret if you don't do the trade ASAP

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  5. Ostrich Baby
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    How's my team looking for this week, good to go?

    Bunn (Guzan)

    Enrique, Nastasic, Nelsen (Davies, Shorey)

    Walcott, Silva, Bale, Fellaini (Puncheon)

    Benteke, Suarez (vc), RVP (c)

    A big call, which I guess a lot of people will have, is on captaincy. On RVP at the moment, as I think Sot'on's defence is better than Reading's, but it's a close call.

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    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      gotta love that midfield! I'm between RVP and Suarez too.. currently on Suarez (c)

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      1. Ostrich Baby
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        thanks - it's a wild card week, hence why I've managed to get it so strong. But this week, it's too difficult a call between the two captains, I'll probably change my mind a few more times yet!

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  6. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I'm gonna do Baines -> Enrique, but then who should I take out for Walcott...

    Nolan or Mata?

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    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Nolan for sure. Poor fixtures. Then sell Mata in the next few weeks before his blank. He'll play versus WHU for sure

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  7. सनकी
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So her me out, im just telling ya'all that Southampton is not gonna be a thrashing or easy game for Liverpool. Not as easy as you think it would be. They didnt concede many these days(southampton) whih is why i changed my armband to RVP(C), leaky and weak, error prone reading defence might just do it for RVP. Cant argue with west ham at home return, sam allardyce's man at the back are good and strong..

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    1. Ostrich Baby
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      My thinking too. Reading's defence is poor - Gorkss and Morrisson is a weak centre back pairing and the Madjeski is hardly an intimidating place to go.

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    2. El Asesino Pacheco
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      He did nothing against QPR

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  8. Red Devil Swede
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Walcott has now signed a long term contract with Arsenal:

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-signs-a-new-long-term-contract

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😆

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    2. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Clever!

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    3. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😉

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    4. soulivests9
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      What you did there... I see

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    5. El Asesino Pacheco
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Great let the season begin

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  9. RVP fc
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Rp what do you all think I should do get either sterling, lallana or Walters for pienaar?

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    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling.

      Stoke are not great attacking and their fixtures get harder soon. Lallana has a blank coming up soon. Wheras Sterling is even at his inflated price still great value, nailed on and got great fixtures

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    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ramirez

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  10. Red Devil Swede
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Walcott was training with his team mates today: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/46117/arsenal-train-ahead-of-swansea-pictures

    So that should be the Walcott injury doubt sorted then. Up to Wenger to pick him. And he will.

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  11. BDMC5
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    close to doing tevez to suarez and hazard to walcott -4. il be making suarez captain but il have sterling,enrique and suarez (c) which too much? tempted to captain RVP but if i bringing suarez in for -4 id have to be

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    1. Phoenix Wright
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Do both

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    2. puzzydee
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'm in a similar situation.
      I have Enrique, Suarez and sterling.
      I also have RVP and Berbatov.
      Not sure who to captain and if I should play all three Liverpool players.
      My midfield options are Mata, Walcot Fellaini and Michu.
      Not sure whether to bench Sterling Michu or Fellaini.

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  12. Scholsey
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    bench lambert and play five mids??

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    1. Phoenix Wright
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. But it depends on your midfielders.

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  13. BDMC5
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    close to doing tevez to suarez and hazard to walcott -4. il be making suarez captain but il have sterling,enrique and suarez (c) which too much? tempted to captain RVP but if i bringing suarez in for -4 id have to be cap him..

    any views?

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    1. Phoenix Wright
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      My view is that KFC > McDonalds.

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    2. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      U can do the hazard to Walcott trade next week, so no -4 pt hit, then not a must to cap Suarez then

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  14. soulivests9
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Two questions:

    Who should I start?

    Michu or Mata

    and

    Shawcross or Caulker (will be fit)

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    1. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Mata and Shawcross.

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      1. soulivests9
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Sterling or Michu?

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  15. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Foster / Begovic
    Davies / Baines / Evans J / Nelsen / Gorkss
    Sterling / Mata / Puncheon / Silva / Bale
    Van Persie / Berbatov / Ba

    2 FT, £1.1m in the bank.

    Baines ---> Enrique
    Mata ---> Walcott
    Sounds good?

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    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good to me.

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    2. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Excellent

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    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Baines to Azpilicueta or Nastasic. Keep Mata.

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      1. Kenneth Tang
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Disagree. why keep Mata? Azpilicueta and Nasty deliver no attacking returns comparing to Enrique, with minor differences of price.

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        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          They give CS. Pool won't keep as many. Enrique is the most overrated player ever in FF. Check him out in front of goal v Spurs, useless. One goal in 4+ years in PL? He's not even a great defender.

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            Most overrated player ever in FF? Haha, GTFO!

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            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 4 months ago

              Chalk it down. Chances created and not taken are the sign of a bad player, not a good one. If you're so sure Enrique is great tell me how many goals and assists you think he'll get from now til end of season? Max 2 and 4.

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      2. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Not convinced by either of them. Enrique seems like the better choice.

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  16. TheKingThierry
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Suarez and A.Cole or RVP and Nelsen ?

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    1. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I will do Suarez and Nelsen. Then using funds for somewhere else.

      That said, I will do Suarez + Enrique/Nasty/Ridgewell

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  17. roscola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Yesssss! David Silva is Funny Friday Feeling. Finally someone I own will do well 🙂

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  18. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone benching Fellaini and playing Sterling? I am struggling to decide.

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    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Makes sense to do it this week

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    2. Kenneth Tang
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I personally will play Fellaini. But better to bench someone else but not Sterling

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Silva, Bale, Walcott?

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        1. El Asesino Pacheco
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Bench Silva

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    3. jamsiep
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Playing both (the beauty of owning Puncheon). But if I had to decide between the two I'd play Sterling, definitely.

      #mindgames

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        You aren't even a threat. What's that gap like now?

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        1. jamsiep
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          😀

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      2. hillbillypete
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        me too....the beauty of owning adam johnson...

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    4. The Finnisher
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      There is a new post in case you didn't know.

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    5. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd try to play both - don't bench Fellaini.

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  19. Tinman10
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Fill in the blanks,

    _____, Cerny
    Baines, Rafael, _____, Davies, Gorkss
    Cazorla, Bale, Michu, Fellaini, _____
    Tevez, RVP, Berbatov

    a.) Begovic, Clyne and Sterling
    or
    b.) Federici, Enrique and Britton

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      a by a mile

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  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Bego

    Enrique, Rafael, Cuellar(Clyne, Demel)

    Mata, Michu, Fellaini, Sessegnon (Sterling)

    Rvp, Defoe, Suarez (c)

    Still not sure if you should start Sterling. Could be overkill since i have Enrique and Suarez though

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      if I should*

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    2. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd play him ahead of Sess.

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    3. Tinman10
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I would keep Sterling on the bench too. Spreads the risk.

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  21. eMDilla
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    best striker for 6.4M please

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    1. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Probably Long.

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  22. Omar Devone Little
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    To play Begovic (CHE) or Jussi (wba), that is the question

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    1. Omar Devone Little
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      fail, its the other way round

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  23. Littlebitwizardoföz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Begovic Jask

    Hughes Rafael Cameron Davies Demel
    
Cazorla Mata Sterling Ramirez Fellaini 

    Rvp Berbatov Fletcher

    1FT, 3.3m in the bank.

    A) Mata —> Bale

    B) Cazorla —> Walcott
    
C) A + B (-4pt)
    D) Fletcher/Berbatov —-> Suarez

    Any suggestions greatly appreciated, thanks.

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  24. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Would anyone change anything from this team? 2.4 in the bank.

    Foster (STO)

    Mertesacker (SWA), Rafael (rea), Wisdom (SOT)

    Sterling (SOT), Walcott (SWA), Mata (whu), Fellaini (mci)

    Suarez (SOT), Berbatov (TOT), RVP (rea)

    Subs: Guzan (qpr), Ramirez (liv), Nelsen (AVL), Gallas (ful)

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  25. JJO
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Is Giroud fit?starting tomorrow?

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    1. Nelson Vivas Fan Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, he's fit!

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      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        So Baines,Jelava===>Enrique,Giroud?
        Good transfers?

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  26. ramezhp
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Begovic
    Rafael - Baines - Jose Enrique
    Michu - Cazorla - Fellani - Bale - Nolan
    Berba - Ba

    Ruddy - Crouch - Reid - Shawcross

    Should I change the formation around?

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  27. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Foster to play tomorrow?

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Unlikely

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  28. A.T
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    How much do you think Baines will drop if he's only out for one week?

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