Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 22

While the upcoming double Gameweek earns a trio of Chelsea players a spot in our Scout Picks XI, we’re a little reluctant to place our faith in Southampton, with our single Saints pick only managing a place on the bench. As winter wildcards continue to be wielded at a frantic pace prior to tomorrow morning’s deadline, here’s who we have for you:

Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks as Sunderland welcome West Ham to the Stadium of Light. Sam Allardyce’s side have scored a mere five times on their travels – the worst away record of any side so far – and with three clean sheets and 27 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points in his last five home games, the Belgian offers the potential of save points should the Black Cats concede.

Leighton Baines makes a Scout Picks return for Everton’s home clash with Swansea. David Moyes revealed earlier today he expects the left-back to shrug off an ankle knock to take his place in the starting line-up and with goals in each of his last two in all competitions, Baines’ attacking potential has risen up late. Michael Laudrup’s side have failed to score in two of their last three on the road, boosting the prospects of a first clean sheet since Gameweek 5 for the third top scoring FPL defender.

Let’s face it, there’s always going to be a risk of rest and rotation as long as Rafa Benitez is in charge at the Bridge but we’re willing to take a punt on a Blues defender ahead of the double Gameweek. An out of position central midfield role, in addition to a share of set-pieces and spot-kicks, brings David Luiz to the fore against Stoke and Southampton. From a clean sheet perspective, the Potters have scored no more than a single goal in six of their 10 home games, while one goal conceded in four home league games under Benitez boosts Luiz’s appeal going into tomorrow’s deadline.

We’re opting for Seb Bassong as Norwich welcome Newcastle to Carrow Road. Four of the Canaries five clean sheets have come at home this season and with their visitors registering a mere four points on their travels all season, Chris Hughton’s side will be looking to recover from a poor run of festive displays. With three goals to his name already, Bassong’s attacking sensibilities have helped him register 74 FPL points, 14 more than any other Norwich defender.

A trip to basement-dwellers QPR affords Gareth Bale the chance of a profitable weekend. The Welshman has produced seven of his nine goals this season on the road and has returned double figures in four of his nine away appearances so far – the R’s have conceded in every home game under Harry Redknapp, with their recent Gameweek 20 Loftus Road battering at the hands of Liverpool bolstering Bale’s chances of another substantial haul.

Similar to Bale, Marouane Fellaini has produced five sets of double figure returns this term. Two of those have come in his last three home appearances, which bodes well as Everton prepare to welcome Swansea to Goodison tomorrow afternoon. Averaging 6.2 points per game so far, Fellaini will fancy his chances against a Swans side with one clean sheet in the last six Gameweeks.

Leader in the Captain Poll by some distance, Juan Mata is a nailed-on option for us this week ahead of Chelsea’s double. The Spaniard has produced attacking returns in 11 of his last 12 starts, highlighting his superb Fantasy consistency – having benched Mata against QPR and watched his side lose, Rafa Benitez surely won’t make the same mistake again as he attempts to recover from the midweek cup loss to Swansea.

Our faith in Theo Walcott remains resolute in spite of a tricky home clash with City. With Olivier Giroud struggling to overcome a knee problem, Walcott is expected to lead the line for the Gunners on Sunday – bearing in mind City conceded three at Norwich in their previous away match, Walcott could well maintain a consistency that has seen him score or assist in seven of his last eight appearances.

Given his incredible level of consistency, it’s almost an irrelevance as to who Robin Van Persie is up against in any given Gameweek but for the record, he welcomes Liverpool to Old Trafford this time round. The Dutchman will be looking to maintain a recent run that has seen him score or assist in every match since Gameweek 13 – with United averaging 2.8 goals per home match and Liverpool conceding at least twice in three of their last four on the road, there’d be no surprise if he produces the goods yet again.

Demba Ba is our Chelsea forward of choice for the Blues’ double Gameweek. Climbing off the bench in the midweek cup defeat at the hands of Swansea, the former Newcastle man showed enough to suggest he could well get the nod ahead of Fernando Torres for this weekend’s trip to Stoke. Over the two games, we anticipate around 120 minutes for the Senegal striker – plenty time to wreak havoc as he looks to add to his 13 goals and three assists so far.

Dimitar Berbatov is our final forward as Fulham get set for the visit of Wigan. The Bulgarian is back amongst the points again, following his move to a more advanced role in light of Bryan Ruiz’s recent return from a hamstring injury – with the Latics shipping at least two goals in four of their last five on the road, Berbatov’s owners will be confident of another haul at the Cottage tomorrow.

Ian Harte warms the bench as Reading prepare for the visit of West Brom. A recent move to 4-4-1-1 has helped the Royals register back-to-back home clean sheets and with a share of set-pieces also in his locker, the left-back’s attacking potential – as demonstrated by an assist in the previous Gameweek against Spurs – earns him a place above any of the Southampton double Gameweek options. While it may be a little risky, with Nicky Shorey back from illness, the latter was handed a 90 minute run-out for the reserves in midweek, suggesting that Harte should be in line for another start tomorrow afternoon.

A home clash with Newcastle affords Norwich the chance to bounce back from four successive defeats. We turn to the Canaries main Fantasy protagonist, then, with Robert Snodgrass warming the Scout Picks bench – three set of double figures in his last eight is indicative of the winger’s form and with the Magpies failing to register a single clean sheet on the road thus far, his mid-price potential has already persuaded over 31,000 Fantasy managers to snap him up ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

The best value forward in the FPL game so far, Rickie Lambert’s double Gameweek earns him a spot on the bench. Ahead of his trips to Villa Park and Stamford Bridge, Lambert has scored in three of his last four away games and with spot-kicks also to fall back on, a cost of just 6.3 looks enticing – in comparison to the Chelsea forwards, Lambert’s game time is guaranteed; he’s started every match from Gameweek 9 onwards.

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2,267 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Bassong or Dawson for this weekend?

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    1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bassong

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    2. Mr. Perfectionist
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bassong

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    3. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Dawson

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    4. Thomass
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      daws

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    5. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bassong

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  2. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play michu or ruiz? First to 4 votes plays for me

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    1. The King
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I would say both. What is your team saying?

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      1. Darth
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        ditto

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      2. The ghost of a Pug's g…
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Begovic

        Harte gibbs luiz
        Mata bale fellaini walcott
        Rvp ba

        With choice of michu or ruiz

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        1. The King
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          I'm personally benching Theo. Out of Ruiz & Michuuuu I'd bench Ruiz.

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          1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Would u drop walcott then?

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    2. The King
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Michu if any.

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    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Mich, all day long.

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    4. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Michu

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    5. Mr. Perfectionist
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ruiz

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    6. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      ruiz

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    7. super711
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      michu v erevton
      or ruiz v wigan
      ruiz is the better option but michu is a goalmacine
      = play ruiz

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    8. FPL GREG
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      So, playing walcott now? Im choosing between podolski and walcott myself n was gonna go podolski

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    9. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      3.2 to michu...need 1 maybe 2 more votes...i did fancy dropping walcott but he will b up top again

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      1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        3.3 now

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  3. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Michu

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    1. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      is a REALLY good player

      One of the best I've seen

      Well done

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Now, now ... 😉

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bless you.

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  4. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    So with the news that Cech will be assessed for fitness, are we now getting rid of Turnbull for this week? Wondering whether to just do Turnbull to Bunn (as I was intending to do eventually) and Suarez to Ba for this week to give me three Chelsea players.

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    1. silverwood
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      In the same boat however it's Defoe for Ba, Considering Defoe has QPR away...

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    2. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm highly considering the same thing right now

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    3. meule
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I just did Turnbull to Bunn, but with Ruddy back soon i"m not so sure ...

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  5. Mr. Perfectionist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Lampard to play atleast 120 mins. Can you see him starting both games? What do u guys reckon??

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  6. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Federici
    DAVID LUIZ – SAGNA – CLYNE
    MATA (C) – WALCOTT – Michu – Fellaini
    RvP – Berbatov – Suarez

    sub: JAASKELAINEN – DEMEL, Davies, Sterling

    Is my team ok for this GW?

    Do you think I need to bring in one of West Ham defender from the bench???? Jaask or Demel?

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  7. meule
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I did Turnbull>Bunn
    Play bego or bunn exceptionnaly this week ?

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  8. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play Begovic or Federici?

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    1. unoaime
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going for Federici.

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  9. kanubelieveit
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Pilks usually the points magnet when Norwich are at home but all under consideration notwithstanding

    cheers

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  10. AGUEROOOOO!!!!!
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    How does this look

    bego (cerny)
    baines - gibbs - luiz - (demel) - (davies)
    fellaini - mata - walcott - snodgrass (noble)
    rvp - ba - lambert

    0 in the back

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    1. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I think you've got a bit much in your defense. I'd want to start all 5 next week. I'd rather have a cheapie and Bale than Baines+ Snodgrass. You could also get some cash socked away for Agueroooooooooooooooooo next week.

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      1. AGUEROOOOO!!!!!
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        thanks for input

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  11. Nopli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    RMT TIME 🙂

    Jussi

    Luiz(C) Ivanovic Harte

    Mata Bale Fellaini Nolan

    RVP Cisse Fletcher

    Bench : Bunn Martin Demel Maloney

    Good to go?? Rate my team out of ten

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    1. meule
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      i wish i was crazy enough to captain Luiz 🙂

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    2. .
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm with ya on the Luiz (C)mate 😀

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    3. heeljames
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You can surely squeeze michu in there? Otherwise very good

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      1. heeljames
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        nvm thought it was a WC team

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    4. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Words cannot describe how jealous I am of Cisse. Good luck.

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  12. Hazard267
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Rights lads what are your opinions on my wildcard team thanx 🙂

    Feds(Beg)

    Bassong, Sagna, Luiz(Davies, Demel)

    Mata(C), Fellani, Bale, Walcott(Noble)

    Ba, Rvp, Ruiz

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      nice, i would want michu but all your picks are solid so cant have everyone

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    2. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      you think mata will play twice?

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  13. The King
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play Federici & Zabaleta or play Harte & Begovic?

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    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Harte & Bego

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  14. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I'm highly considering switching to Bunn right now

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    1. Darth
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ruddy will take his place as soon as he is fit again?

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    2. Mr. Perfectionist
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ruddy is back in training i think.

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  15. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    My Team:

    Jaask (Bergo)
    Harte Luiz(vc) Invanovic(c) (fonte demel)
    Mata Michu Nolan Puncheon (walcott)
    Lambert Ba RVP

    Ivanovic captain a risk?? I have a feeling he may score, combine that with at least one cleansheet, and its mega points:)

    Thoughts?

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  16. Fabio20
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    If you have played your wildcard, can your rivals see this? I'd like know if anyone has activated theirs.

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      yep they can

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    2. The King
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah.

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    3. Fabio20
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      thank you 🙂

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    4. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, it will say 'Active' in the wildcard box.

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    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Change your link to your history one.

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    6. Fabio20
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      😀 no has and most are light on GW cover, the £30 will be mine...

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  17. SC not pearls before swine
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I hate you Scout Picks. I want this team. But I can't afford it 🙁

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    1. Frip
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      +102.4 🙁

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  18. ampere
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Alright, I'm getting this narrowed down. Play Michu or Silva?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      still michu for me, but ive been buned before

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    2. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I really wouldn't too bothered if I was benching Silva

      Play Michu

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      1. ★FC Borecelona★
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        *be

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  19. Bests Conquests
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is it just mental now to have Tevez?!

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    1. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      no

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  20. Just_Ty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hate not having Punch for the DGW but their fixtures look terrible after that...
    Better having Fellaini at the expense of an expensive def right?

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  21. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Isacki - brain has rebooted!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jB3zzv2G6Y

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  22. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Can't wait for the DZ, everyone going silly now.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You have only just noticed??? 😀

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Just woke up.

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    2. gravless
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      It's you getting old. 😉

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I am. Birthday past this week. 😕

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        1. gravless
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Happy Birthday TM.

          June 10th for me.

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          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Thank you. Less than 5 mths for you.

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  23. Ste7ieBoy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    With Terry back in the squad is Azpi > Luiz a decent move?

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  24. KunBaYayaMyLord
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I've got 4.8m to spend on a defender. Who should I choose that isn't Davies, Demel or Clyne?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      James Collins 😛

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  25. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Final RMWCT, Good to go?

    Jussi
    Debuchy Clyne Azpi
    Mata Silva Puncheon Michu
    RVP Ba(C) Suarez

    Bunn Taarabt Davies Cameron .2 in bank

    Will do Azpi ➡ Gibbs next GW

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Very nice dec

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      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers Dec.

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  26. Declan-
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    need to bench one of my front 8 but have no idea who
    Michu, Fellaini, Walcott, Ramirez, Mata
    Rvp, Suarez, Lambert

    It'll have to be one of Michu or walcott but not sure. Any opinions? Thanks

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    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ramirez

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      1. Declan-
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I think that would be very silly 🙂

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      now youve caused yourself a real headache with that team.........pff toss a coin, but dont expect a kind result

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    3. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      There is no right answer, it's go with your gut time.

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    4. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks guys

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  27. AK ⭐
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play Puncheon or Walcott?

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    1. The King
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm playing Punch. Guaranteed 4 points, all good. Theo vs Kompany - Nah. An Arteta long shot again for me 😀

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    2. Declan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Theo

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    3. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Tough one. I have the same decision. Currently going with punchbag

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Puncheon. 🙂

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  28. Chris_White
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BAWha2VCUAE58Bv.jpg

    Not as bad as first feared... 😛

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  29. Bungalow Bill
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    ok so current squad is as follows:
    Begovic Jaaskelainen
    Shorey Fonte Baines Garrido Enrique
    Bale Puncheon Sterling Michu Cazorla
    Defoe Lambert Suarez

    For WC this week I was thinking:
    OUT Shorey Fonte Garrido Enrique Sterling Suarez
    IN Jones Davies Zabaleta Cameron Fellaini Ba

    looking to get Suarez back in next week and have 0.8 in the bank after that, how does it look?

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  30. The_Druid
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Repost: How would you RMT?

    Guzan

    Luiz, Gibbs, Turner

    Mata(c), Walcott, Fellaini, Gaston

    RVP, Ba(vc), Berbatov

    Federici/Michu/Demel/Davies

    Cheers!

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    1. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      who is gaston

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      1. The_Druid
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Ramirez of Soton.

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        An overpriced twat called Ramirez ... 🙂

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        1. The_Druid
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          😉

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