Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 2

Just a couple of days after Gameweek 1 closed its doors, we’re bracing ourselves for another round of fixtures. Home comforts help Tottenham, Stoke and Everton supply us with a couple of starters apiece, while a pair of in-form Manchester-based frontmen get the nod ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline:

We select Southampton stopper Artur Boruc between the sticks as he prepares for a home clash with Sunderland. A clean sheet against West Brom last weekend maintained the defensive resolve that saw the Saints concede just nine times in the final 10 Gameweeks of the season gone by – the Pole looks a solid cut-price option across the Fantasy games.

Rested for last night’s Europa League romp away to Dinamo Tblisi, Jan Vertonghen returns to the Tottenham fold for Sunday’s home game with Swansea. The centre-half kicked off his campaign with an eight-point haul thanks to a couple of bonus points and clean sheet at Palace – his eye for goal harvested five strikes last time out and could come to the fore once more as Michael Laudrup’s men make their way to the Lane.

Robert Huth gets the nod for Stoke’s home game against promoted Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon. The big German offered plenty attacking threat against Liverpool last week and had more efforts on goal that any Potters player – Huth offers decent potential of points at both ends of the pitch as Mark Hughes looks to grab the points in his first match at the Britannia.

A goal, assist and maximum bonus points away to Norwich last week has earned Seamus Coleman an early-season bandwagon. As highlighted in this week’s Technical Area, Roberto Martinez’s 4-3-3 affords the right-back plenty opportunity to forage forward and provide width from deep, allowing Kevin Mirallas to drift into more central areas – a home clash with West Brom looks enticing for the Republic of Ireland international as Martinez gears up for his first game in charge of the Goodison faithful.

We double up on Everton’s assets by giving the nod to Kevin Mirallas. Joint-top scorer in pre-season with four goals to his name, the Belgian’s goal potential has taken a turn for the better under Martinez after being moved to the right of the Toffees front three – classified as a midfielder across the Fantasy games, Mirallas’ mid-price appeal could well be set to flourish against the out-of-sorts Baggies tomorrow.

He may have drawn a blank in last Saturday’s surprise home defeat by Villa but we hand Theo Walcott another chance to impress in this week’s Scout Picks. The Arsenal winger was in sparkling form on Wednesday evening, providing a pair of assists in the 3-0 Champions League win at Fenerbahce, and may be set to run riot against a Fulham side hit hard by injuries to Maarten Stekelenburg, Fernando Amorebieta and Kieran Richardson at the back.

He may have failed to deliver the goods against Stoke last time out but, as s highlighted in our recent Monitor article for Members,Philippe Coutinho showed plenty attacking endeavour. The Liverpool winger makes his way to the midlands to face a Villa side that have now conceded in each of their last 24 league fixtures – a home clean sheet looks far from likely at Villa Park, with every chance Coutinho will be the hosts’ chief tormentor.

Having missed a last-minute spot-kick in last week’s narrow Anfield defeat, Jon Walters has much to make amends for. Luckily for the Stoke midfielder, he’s been handed a plum home tie with Crystal Palace this weekend – the ideal platform for Mark Hughes to pick up the points in his first home match in charge at the Britannia.

Granted, there are fears over rotation up top at City but Edin Dzeko has surely done enough to retain his starting role with a superb showing against Newcastle on Monday evening. He may not have scored but the Bosnian had more goal attempts than any other forward in the Gameweek and looks full of confidence as City roll up to Championship winners Cardiff. With Manuel Pellegrini easing Sergio Aguero back into action with a 60-minute appearance against the Magpies and Stevan Jovetic a fitness worry, Dzeko looks in pole position to produce against the Bluebirds.

With a double in the Community Shield against Wigan followed by a two-goal haul away to Swansea, it’s business as usual for Robin Van Persie. Sir Alex Ferguson may have exited Old Trafford but the Dutchman remains as deadly as ever – a first home game of the season against Chelsea is by no means easy but we’re backing him to produce yet again.

Roberto Soldado warmed up for the visit of Swansea by bagging a brace in Tottenham’s Europa League romp at Dinamo Tblisi. With a spot-kick winner against Palace in Gameweek 1, the summer signing from Valencia has made an instant impact at the Lane and leads this week’s Captain Poll heading into tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

A home game against West Ham brings Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa onto the Scout Picks bench. With Steven Taylor suspended, the January signing will shift into centre-half alongside Fabricio Coloccini against the Hammers – granted, the Magpies were far from impressive at City but bearing in mind their visitors scored just 11 times on the road over the entirety of 2012/13, a home clean sheet may well be on the cards.

We’re backing Hatem Ben Arfa to deliver the goods and help lift the Tyneside gloom against the Hammers tomorrow. Fielded on the right of a front three against City, the Frenchman looked the most likely to threaten the Etihad clean sheet , firing more efforts at goal than any team mate – with a strong upcoming run of four fixtures (WHM, FUL, avl, FUL) on his agenda, Ben Arfa looks a viable mid-price contender over the short-term.

Having notched the winner on his international debut, Southampton’s Rickie Lambert opened his domestic account for the season with a last-minute spot-kick garnering the points at West Brom. A first game at St Mary’s see Sunderland pay visit this weekend and with his form flourishing, Lambert could be the difference as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to hand the Black Cats back-to-back defeats.

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2,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    No Demel?

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Please delete your comment 😉

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  2. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Can someone get me a drink? I'm dying of first

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on the Stella, good a fridge load here... Pop round if you like?

      Playing Best of James on Cd 😉

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Jesus! 😀

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      2. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Saw them at reading in the early 90s . Surprisingly awesome festival headliner. I didn't even Sit Down once.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          If you;ve been touched by the breath of madness, then you can sit down next to me

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    2. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Unlucky

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Sat thinking about what to write for too long

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  3. ...---...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    No Mata? 😯

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Why would mata be on there?

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  4. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I see the scout pickers dont like Palace much

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Your playing Stoke away! Thats not a good fixture for anyone.

      We dont even know who to buy from palace anyway as nobody showed any signs of scoring last week.

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    2. AAAAA
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Whose worth picking from Palace in your opinion?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Poxy Moxey. And Puncheon.

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    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Can't work out why? Some much value for money.

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    4. Matt
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I was just going to say that! I actually think we've got the 3 points tomorrow

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  5. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Walters poor pick!

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  6. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Which three would you play from this defence:

    Shaw Zabaleta Toure Collins Mertesacker

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    1. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Zab, Shaw , Toure

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      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        same but merts for toure

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    2. adultswimbaked
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw, Zabaleta, Toure

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is Walters in the Scout Picks for his penalties?

    😆

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  8. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I have 5 😯

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    1. maff
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      i have 6

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    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      2 here. 😎

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I have 6! 😮

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Your well and trully fecked, especially if one of them is Walters

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            Thank God - not that one!!! 😆

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    3. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I have 4...its going to be a good week

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    4. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      4 here

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    5. Oldman Unathletic
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      7 here. Its going to be a bad GW.

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  9. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    nice scout picks

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  10. waitinginthelonggrass
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Which three defenders to play from Zabaleta, Coleman, Turner, Collins, Chester?

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    1. adultswimbaked
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Zabaleta, Coleman, and Chester

      I think Hull will grab a CS vs Norwich this week.

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    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      zab coleman chester

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  11. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    No Christian Benteke 🙁

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  12. Mark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A few punts - Walters and Dzeko are perhaps risky. Lots of debate on Benteke vs RvP too.

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      You just couldn't rip that RVP blanket off could you fella 😆 ?

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      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It's just so cosy.

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          On man...

          I bet you tossed him the armband too (other are too punty ?)

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    2. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      palace did look awful last week to be fair. walters could score this week.

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      1. crystalpalaceRus
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        defensive wise we didnt look awful at all.

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    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      i would have picked aguero over dzeko and anyone over walters

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    4. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Walters 😕

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    5. Matt
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Dzeko > Chamakh 😉

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    6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      as long as stoke dont get a peno, walters will be fine 😉

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    7. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      They should have put me in.

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    8. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Heard you had Nolan, pretty flabbergasted I overlooked him

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    9. Totally J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Walters is a shocking pick.

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    10. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 7 months ago

      If Aguero starts (and i pray he does) i think he will the biggest scorer this week.

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  13. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    -4 hit for Walters (c)

    DO IT

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  14. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    no aguero ...... i thought hed be a lock this week

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  15. Corkyote FFS CWC Champion 2…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hopefully this is one of those weeks when the scout picks do terribly....

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  16. Declan
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Only 2 picks 😎

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    1. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      7 picks 🙁 I'm doomed.

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      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Ouch!

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      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        That's why I didn't get Dzeko.

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  17. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Last question of the day, Play A or B ?

    A - Ward (A) (Stoke)

    B - Chester (H) (Norwich)

    Currently on Ward 🙂

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    1. adultswimbaked
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Chester!

      I'm feeling a CS for them this week

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    2. Dilzy
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B

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  18. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I am doomed! 🙁

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  19. The3rdTurd
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Yanga? really? he looked like a right card magnet in the City game.

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  20. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Red Hot Chilli Papers one of the most overrated bands ever.

    All songs talk of Danny, California... Bla blahs....

    Discuss.

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      *peppers (damn iPad)

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      1. EoinM
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Under the bridge is one of the greatest songs of all time imo

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          I agree that is a 'good' song, all the rest sound the same.

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      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        lololol

        but seriously blood sugar sex magic was an awesom album, as was their early stuff

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    2. The3rdTurd
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Agree. But why would one be dabbling in those waters anyway? :-0

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It was on Nation Radio ' hall of fame ' hour.

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    4. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Agree, think they were selling their attitude more than anything.

      By The Way is a brilliantly exhilarating 3 and half minutes though.

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    5. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      early albums are excellent

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    6. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Blasphemy! Blood sugar sex magic is an absolute bloody classic.

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    7. unoaime
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Listen to Tom Petty - Mary Janes Last Dance.

      Since Dani California came out, i've hated them.

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    8. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      My favorite ones !!! you should listen some of there older songs. Danny California is commercial

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  21. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    the picker of these basically just thinks oh its palace, cleansheet and we'll put walters in it too because he wont miss a penalty

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    1. Matt
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I agree 200%

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    2. The3rdTurd
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That's quite a chip you have on your shoulder.

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      1. crystalpalaceRus
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Voted up because it's true.

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    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I just can't see Palace scoring - IMO just too many new faces in attacking areas, it's going to take time to gel into something that poses a threat. I think it will be a right old battle but I reckon Stoke will nick it by the odd goal.

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      1. crystalpalaceRus
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        We'll see then

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        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          To be fair, Palace won't be the first team I bet against when going up to the Britannia, so it's nothing against Palace in particular. I don't think any side will find it easy.

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      2. Declan
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Cue Kevin Phillips 90min winner 0-1 🙂

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Joniesta assist 😉

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    4. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I also agree. They're all against us but i think we'll get the 3 points tomorrow. C'MON YOU EAGLES!!!!

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  22. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Did you score 49 points or less this past game week? There's a home for you.

    Worst To First - The 2 Million+ Club
    Code: 459213-545168

    All entrants must have a score that ranked them 2,000,000th or worse at the end of any one of the first 5 GWs.

    Scores will start from GW1

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Very encouraging league title.

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      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        well, someone has to win it 🙂

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    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      after an 8 point hit this week i may be there

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  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I must say. ONE OF THE BEST SCOUT PICKS. EVER!!! And I am here 4-5 years

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      And not a single Chelsea player!

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        We play away at Old Trafford. P.S. Red Hot rules !!!

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  24. Raddy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    4 scout picks. Could be worse, had 10 once.

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  25. beanz87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    DZEKO or LAMBERT guys?

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    1. ...---...
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      DZEKO!!!

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    2. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lambert for me
      Dzeko in the scout picks first team confirms it 😉

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  26. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    6 including Lambs

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  27. ...---...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Can we have FIVE forwards next week chaps - just for a little variety? 😉

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      #cheating

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  28. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Walters in the Scout Picks! You're 'aving a laugh!

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It is the spice that brings out the other flavours! 😉

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  29. Mr Smith
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you play out of:

    A). Toure - playing AVL @ away

    or

    B). Chester - playing NOR @ home

    ?

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    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Toure.

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      1. Mr Smith
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        You think Pool can keep the beast, Benteke, out?

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        1. Mull
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Yes, everyone is overrating Villa at the moment. If you have Mignolet, hedge your bets and play Chester.

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  30. unoaime
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    All of last season i went without Man City strikers and did really well. Is getting Dzeko in really an option? They have too much talent up top and would be expected to batter Cardiff with or without him.

    Problem is, i don't trust any other option for Lukaku out either.

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