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. zaahid786
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Will Turnbull start? Or is Cech fit to start?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      cech fit

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

        what? since when? PANIC!

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    2. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Turnbull

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

    they mean 90 mins andd sub appearance

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

      Guess this is in reply to previous post! I misread 120 for 180. Cheers.

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

        yeah no prob

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

    Play Peanut or Lennon??

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

      Lennon

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

      lemon

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

      Peanut

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  4. JapBen
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ramirez or Puncheon?

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

      ramirez

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  5. Live4pool
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    pls bench one:

    michu, walcott, bale, rvp, suarez (these are my only non DGW attackers)

    has to be theo right, despite being in the scoutpicks?

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

      Theooooooooooooo

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    2. don parcheesi
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      its such a tough choice, in the same boat basically (no bale though, but Fellaini). I am benching Michu. Bookies rate arsenal more likely to score than Swansea, and one can never be too upset with oneself when playing the home fixture, so that's what I'm going with.

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

        same players, same choice 🙁

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      2. Live4pool
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        last 4 ars-mci games:

        0:0
        1:0
        0:1
        1:1

        theo hasn't scored in any of these...i think it's him for me

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

          was he playing as a striker ? 🙂

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

    ok so this got lost on previous pages, take 2! 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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  7. The King
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes needed? On WC.

    Federici (Begovic)

    Gibbs – Zab– Luiz (Harte – Demel)

    Bale – Puncheon – Michu – Fellaini (Walcott)

    Ba (C) – RVP – Ruiz

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  8. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Mata or Bale?

    Mata has DGW, but Bale scaring the s*it out of me not having him against QPR.

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

      bale for me, I've got both and i'm captaining bale

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      1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I can have both but then I cannot have Baines.

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

          get bale in and baines out

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          1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            I decide tonight. Thanks SS.

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    2. Merlinho
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm scared of going Bale-> Mata for a hit...very scared. I may keep him and captain him instead.

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

    is ian harte worth getting 3.8 mil. bench fodder is he likely to keep his spot ahead of shorey? think he will for now. hold is he lol someone was saying he might not be able to keep up with 1 match every week haha

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

      wouldnt be surprised if shorey starts this weekend

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  10. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Moyes you rat basket, Anichebe has shown form. No need to play Fellaini as Attakcing mid!

    Laudrup you stud, tell your men not to concede too many!!!!

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

      😀

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

      A 1-1 scenario with a Pienaar assist and a Michu goal.

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

      My prediction: Fellaini starts in central midfield and this place will about melt down. Then he'll get his head on a corner and there will be much rejoicing.

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

    Good to go? , on WC btw

    Turnbull

    Luiz/Gibbs/Bardsley
    Mata/Walcott/Fellaini/Punch
    Rvp/Suarez/Berba

    Bench: Bego/Demel/Michu/Harte

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

      take out turnbulll jus get another cheapie he wont play both

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

      also i dont think bardsley will start hes been shiiiite this season

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

        ah srsly?

        he's pretty much first choice when fit and sunderland backline is pretty depleted so i might disagree with you on this

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

      Turnbull --> Bunn

      He won't play both and Bunn will last you for the long term too.

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

    Hi guys, really confused about my subs :S

    Which 3 would you play out of Luiz, Sagna, Demel, Harte, and Clyne?
    Also, would you play the Pog or Puncheon?

    Any advice?

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Luiz Sagna Harte

      Puncheon

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

        +1

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

      Luiz Clyne Harte
      Punchface

      Easyykaneessyy

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

      Thanks!

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

    Will Ryan Nelsen play this week?

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    1. Merlinho
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Should do.

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  14. stevexp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    When is the last time you can use your Jan wildcard, is it next GW ?

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

      deadline for GW25

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    2. Portuguese&Proud
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      deadline is 2 february 11:30 a.m.

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

    long-term value:

    Lloris / Jelavic / Sagna
    OR
    Reina / Defoe / Walker

    ?

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    1. Thick Of It
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      First one for me. Tough call though

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  16. Thick Of It
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Please forgive me Father for I have sinned, but I think I may play Theo over Michu.

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

      i have done same

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Citeh without Yaya and Aguero et al may be week, and it is not like they are the defensive rock of last season

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

      then the lord shall smite thee down with the fury of a thousand spanish headers

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

        🙂

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    3. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Flagellate yourself at once.

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I think my over-flagellation is why I wear glasses

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

      It is ok my son.

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  17. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    With Cech fit how does this sound?
    Bale -> Hazard, Cech -> Federici

    Bego Turnbull
    Hughes Sagna Demel Wisdom R Martin
    Mata Bale Felliani Michu Walcott
    Rvp Ruiz Ba
    0.3 in bank

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  18. Hazardous
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Chelsea Ramires ornsoton Gaston Ramirez for dgw

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

      Gastooooooooooooooooooooooooonn

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

      Hop on the Gaston Martin 😉

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  19. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Worth a 4pt hit for Defoe>Lambert (have Puncheon)?

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

      NO

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

      YES

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

      NO.

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

    Is Cech back?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yes will travel to Stoke.

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  21. mr messi
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Bench Walcott or Fellaini?

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

      good luck, no idea.

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

      Wally

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    3. A.T
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Walcott

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    4. This comment has been removed. Please consult our terms and conditions if in doubt on content suitable for posting on this site.

  22. Fernando Torres
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT
    Begovic Rudd
    Zabaleta Demel Azpi Dawson R.Martin
    Walcott Puncheon Bale Mata Michu
    RVP Suarez Berbatov

    Thoughts?

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

    Podolski or walcott? If walcott is in most of my rivals and I need to gain ground?

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

      t h. e o
      you dont wanna lost ground.

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

        Thanks

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  24. Downtown
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hmm...Kelly has moved to reading...what reading defender is going to lose his place? :/

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

      One of the full backs, I guess Gunter, as Kelly is a RB

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

      Which Kelly? Pool?

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

    A or B?

    A. Fellaini + Lambert (Power 5)

    B. Puncheon + Ba

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      c

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

      Need more info, will they all play the next 2 gw's?

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

        For the long term, team is:

        Begovic

        Azpilicueta – Clyne – Cuellar

        Bale – Mata (C) – Michu – XXXXX

        RVP – Suarez – XXXXX

        Subs: Bunn, Walcott, Demel, Davies.

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

          Puncheon & Ba. Play Walcott, Bunn & Demel instead of Bego, Michu and Cuellar (=out)

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

    Hmm, play Cazorla (MCI) or Marveuax (nor)

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Caz

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  27. EoinM
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT please and thank you
    Begovic,Federici
    Luiz,Ramis,Demel,Shaw,Davies
    Bale,Mata,Michu,Gaston,Snod
    Rvp,Ba,Lambert

    With 1.9 in bank to sell Ba to Suarez next week!

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  28. Zat Knight Rises
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Gibbs and anichabee or Sagna and ruiz?

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

      2nd one

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

    Album for the evening:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7adOEBWRh0

    😀

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    1. mr messi
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Jazz nice!

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

    RMWCT

    bego or sczeney to start? pick one
    gibbs luiz(c) r martin or ian harte (pick one)
    mata or bale (pick one) walcott fellaini ramirez
    ruiz rvp suarez

    Bench gk michu demel davies

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