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. ee99101
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Please help me.

    Bego or Bunn to play this week?
    Luiz or A. Cole?

    Thanks

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

      luiz

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      1. Butters
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Luiz Bunn

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  2. Fifa las vegas
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Never realized Cisse was so dear, but really want him in my team 🙁

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

      me too, im wildcarding him in nxt week

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  3. CravenA
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hey, Scouts, how do I get 4 forwards into my team like you?

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

      you can only play 3 anyway so stop bitchin'

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

        Good cover though, Lambert on the bench instead of Clyne.

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

      You need the code.

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  4. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hey all my WCT as it stands

    Begovic Turnbull

    Luiz Rafael Gibbs Davies Demel

    Bale Fellaini Walcott Michu Puncheon

    RVP Suarez Ba

    Got 4.8 to replace Turnbull. Any recommendations? First to 3 🙂

    Also any recommendations on who to bench would be appreciated. Finding it a bit tough this week.

    Cheers

    #

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    1. Butters
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bunn/ Federici, not sure which... trying to make a decision myself on that particular choice

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      1. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Its tough hey. Thinking i may go with Federici as Bunn has'nt kept a clean sheet in his life as far as i am aware anyway 🙂

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        1. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          And then get Ruddy once he's back

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    2. Basil Fawlty
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bunn or Federici

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  5.  ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Which Wc looks best plz

    Jaaskelainen. Bunn

    Zabaleta. Rafael. Gibbs. Demel. Harte

    Mata Walcott Fellaini Bale Marveux

    Van Persie Suarez Ba

    Or

    Jaaskerlainen. Gazzaniga

    Walker. Luiz. Gibbs. Demel. Harte

    Mata. Walcott. Fellaini. Bale. Michu

    Van persie. Lambert. Ba

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

      2 because of Michu alone

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

    I just hope Luiz is not like Samson

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

      i'd be Delilah'd if he was.

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

        That was funny the first time

        *checks laughter indicator**

        yup still funny 😀

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

          an oldie but a goodie.

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      2. isacki: full casual
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        It would be incredibible

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

      Pienaar had haircut and got sent off going -1 0 2 2 2 2 2 2. So it can happen

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  7. 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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  8. Butters
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Friends 🙂

    Finalising my WC so wanted to know what's the dealio with Ruddy? Any estimated date of return?

    Was thinking Bego/ Bunn or Fed

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

      March. Go Fed.

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      1. Butters
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks Torresmagic

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

      Mignolet and Federici!!!

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      1. Butters
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I got Bego at 4.5! And sunderlands defence is injured!

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

    The BUNN in the OVEN is now BURNT!!! Please revert to Federici ...

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    1. reply fail
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Whyyyyy? I just got him in my WC.

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

      am guessing that was a reply fail to Butters?

      Either way I concur

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

        No. I just gave up!!!

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

      Amen.

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    4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Say it ain't so

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  10. donkey73
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    currently have Mertesacker, Walcott and Caz from ARS and intend to do Caz>Bale...

    OPTION A) do Bale back to Caz and next week. plus I'll get J.Cole (WHU).

    OPTION B) Leave Bale against MUN next week (save myself the -4 hit)
    and add Gibbs next to Merts as 3rd ARS. (No 3rd WHU)

    I know it’s VERY early, but this choice affects all my other WC moves now.

    HELP?

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  11. isacki: full casual
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Let's try to put some numbers to our fears.

    How many points could you tolerate the following scoring if they weren't in your team:

    A) Ba
    B) Mata
    C) Bale
    D) Luiz
    E) Baines
    F) Lambert

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

      A) Anything less than 10
      D) 6
      E) 6
      F) Not really fussed on how many they get

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

        *he not "they"

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    2. reply fail
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Don't know, I have all of them 😉

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        😮

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        1. reply fail
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Going all the way with the WC

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  12. Caboose
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys, would appreciate some help with my subs

    bego, bunn
    luiz, sagna, harte, clyne, demel
    mata, walcott, bale, fellaini, puncheon
    rvp, ba, pog

    Who to bench?
    Thanks in advance!

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  13. Ings on the up
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    WC options

    A. Begovic & Azpilicueta (0.1m spare)

    B. Turnbull & Luiz (0.7m spare)

    Other GK is Jussi... other Chelsea player is Mata, no Stoke defence except I might possibly Wilson at the moment

    Thanks

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

      Turnbull...NO. Federici instead, thank me later.

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      1. Paulo67c
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1

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  14. reply fail
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play Gibbs or Demel this GW?

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Demel, defo

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

      Giibs for a cheeky assist.

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

      Gibbs

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

    Kilgallon a good short term option for Sun def??

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    1. reply fail
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      short term yes

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

    Begovic out (selling value £5.2m)...Mignolet in? Yay or nay?

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

      Nay man NAY..nay way!! are you mad?...Bego is the top scoring keeper you would be nuts to get rid ..dont believe the hype!

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

        I was thinking that.

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

      keep bego

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    3. Samwise the Brave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I think its a good Idea, then go wilson in a couple of weeks, u could wait and bring in cuellar if u can afford

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  17. Fifa las vegas
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Play Puncheon (DGW) or Snodgrass (probably more form)?

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

      snoddy

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

      Punch, he has a DGW and Snodgrass is at home

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

        I agree

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

      Snodders

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

    check please!

    who to play?

    Turnbull (now that Cech is in the squad may only get STK)

    or

    Mig (WHU)

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

      Turnbull. still a chance of both games.

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

        ooh. cheeky.

        i suppose it's "if i don;t play him this week, when would i?"

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

        Gambling problem? 😉

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    2. reply fail
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Mig

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  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Stephen Kelly will wear squad number 27 and can play either on the left or on the right side of defence

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

      yurr ..the boys got potential ..and well the fact that he is wearing no 27 makes him all the more appealing

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  20. ogqozo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    So 35% of players have Ba now. Well, can I only hope something happens and he stops scoring, but I see it hard to happen.

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    1. The Mousa is Loosa
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Or Torres keeps starting over Ba

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

        starting is not the problem. it's the scoring.

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    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I don't have him and I'm worried, but I can't get rid of RVP, Benteke or Berbatov with their fixtures. Gulp!

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  21. õõzileyes
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Who to captain for dgw?

    Luiz, Mata, Ba, RVP or Lambert?

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    1. Butters
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea player 🙂 either of the 3 really

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going for BA

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

      Luiz

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

      mata out of that lot, but i'm captaining bale

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

    2 from michu walcott or ruiz

    Go!!!

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    1. Butters
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Michu Walcott

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

    Bunn or Fed, short term?

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  24. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Chances of Cech making either game?

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

      He'll start midweek imo.

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

    Is bassong worth the extra other turner..?

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      IMO yes. A tank and a fixture in the team.

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

      No way!!! Turner will score a few before the season is over too

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

      IMO Turner at least equals Bassong's goal threat.

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

    I have 4 Chelsea players this week, which means 4 times the headache, out these four who do you think is nailed on for two games

    A) Ba
    B) Mata
    C) Luiz
    D) Ivanovic

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

      Well ... I am captaining Ba ... 🙂

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

      D

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

      thanks 🙂

      I think D too, altought I can see Ba scoring against stoke

      Gonna go with the gut, Ivanovic for captain

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  27. Hammers Select
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    My head is wrecked for captain choice this week, Ba, Mata or RVP

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

      Mata - simples.

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

      maybe its berbatov secret answer number 4 lol

      kidding

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  28. rdpx
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Played WC last night and really can’t see anything I want to change.

    Only ? is well worn one of Michu/Walcott for the bench, and we won’t know until the dust settles. I can see both sides. Walcott is there at the moment but I am leaning towards Michu. Hmmmm. Interesting week indeed…

    GF also playing her WC and getting in a bit of a pickle, by all accounts.

    Here is my version of the standard issue DGW22 WC team, for what it’s worth:-

    http://i.imgur.com/u3Ks8.png

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

      Go harte over collins

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

        no.

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

        might be persuadable to go Harte over Zabaleta.

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

      I had michu on then swapped theo in off the bench

      scout picks seem to be pretty good lately

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  29. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is it worth me doing?

    A) This week : Cazorla to Mata -4
    Next week : Mata, Cuellar to Cazorla, Gibbs -4 next week

    B) just sit tight and do Cuellar to Gibbs next week no hit

    Only have Ba as Chelsea coverage

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

      b

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  30. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Doing Silva and McAuley out for Mata and a defender worth 5.2. I'm thinking of Reid for the double. Any other suggestions?

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

      Collins I've gone for.

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      sagna?

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      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Oooo...interesting. As I already have Jaask and am not mad about doubling up.

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

      sagna fo sure

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