634x258 Spot the Differential
24 August 2013 1173 comments
Paul Paul
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Our weekly look at some overlooked Fantasy alternatives arrives for your perusal this morning. As always, we highlight a trio of protagonists with some favourable fixtures on their respective agendas in the Gameweek ahead.

Nikica Jelavic

Having taken the Premier League by storm during the latter half of 2011/12, the Everton forward struggled in his first full season on Merseyside last time out. Jelavic notched just seven times over David Moyes’ final year at the Goodison helm and with new Toffees boss Roberto Martinez snapping up Arouna Kone from former club Wigan, it seemed the Croatian would be edged out of the picture.

Jelavic has risen to the challenge, though, and over the summer returned to the form of old, notching four of his side’s 12 goals across the pre-season fixtures. With Martinez’ possession-based game affording Everton an extra attacking edge, the former Glasgow Rangers star is benefitting from the move to a 4-3-3, with Kevin Mirallas and Steven Pienaar offering support on either side; no longer is he reliant on knock-downs from the aerial threat of Marouane Fellaini.

Coming in at 7.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Jelavic has remained an under the radar option ahead of this morning’s Fantasy deadline. Just over 2% of managers have acquired his services thus far but with his confidence restored, the Croatian has a home clash with West Brom and trip to Cardiff look enticing opportunities for Fantasy points.

Peter Crouch

After a narrow defeat at Liverpool last time out, Mark Hughes’ home debut in charge of Stoke sees Crystal Palace pay visit later this afternoon. The Potters’ following three fixtures (whm, MCI ars) could well see them toil, making a victory against Ian Holloway’s men all the more essential at the Britannia.

With Hughes’ men set to go on the offensive against the Eagles, then, Crouch, as the lone target man in a 4-4-1-1 set-up, could be an unlikely Fantasy ally over the weekend. Hughes may be looking to implement a more possession-based approach but Crouch’s aerial threat may well prove the visitors’ undoing, with crosses aplenty expected from the likes of Matt Etherington out on the left. Coming in at 6.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and with an ownership under the 4% mark, he may appeal to owners of Nicolas Anelka or Romelu Lukaku looking for a short-term gamble.

Tomas Rosicky

An injury to Mikel Arteta keep the Czech midfielder in the first-team frame at Arsenal right now. With Jack Wilshere slotting in alongside Aaron Ramey in the double-pivot as a result of the Spaniard’s absence, Rosicky has started both of Arsenal’s fixtures in “the hole” behind Olivier Giroud and looks set to get the nod ahead for today’s lunchtime trip to Fulham.

A convincing midweek win away to Fenerbahce silenced the doubters and handed the Gunners a real confidence boost as they roll up to the Cottage. Martin Jol’s men may have scraped a victory at Sunderland but the Black Cats had 20+ attempts on goal at the Stadium of Light and with injury depriving the hosts of half their first-choice back-four (Kieran Richardson and Fernando Amorebieta) and keeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, Wenger’s side will be buoyed heading into this one.

At just 5.5 in FPL, with a 1.1% ownership, Rosicky is a short-term, under the radar option as Wenger’s side look to build on Wednesday’s morale-boosting victory in Turkey.

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  1. Stats King-@football2space
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1 of the foll. : Ivanovic ,Toure, Collins, Coleman , Chambers ?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Ivanovic, imo.

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    2. Anonymous
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Isn't Chamber injured?

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      1. Admiral Stark
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Where did you get this news?

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    3. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Chambers

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    4. SkyByBo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I dont know who chambers plays for but excluding him id bench collins. Dont think toure, collins or ivan will keep a clean sheet though.

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    5. Stats King-@football2space
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      thnx, Cheers 🙂

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  2. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    rasher/sausages/eggs/black pudding on the pan ftw 😎

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    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      C'mon, share the wealth!

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    2. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Just had scramble egg on wholewheat.

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Captain eggs.

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      1. FantaCity
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        that's a bit rasher you

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I'm sausage with my choices - what do you mean??? 😉

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          1. FantaCity
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            your eggspectations are too high

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 5 months ago

              Surely you're yoking? 😛

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              1. FantaCity
                • 12 Years
                12 years, 5 months ago

                no way omelette you get away with that 😉

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                1. Optimus.
                  • 14 Years
                  12 years, 5 months ago

                  😆

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    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Relying a bit too much on a few big hitters. Don't neglect solid picks like toast, tea, mushrooms, tomatoes.

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      1. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        and a budget option, beans.

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    5. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      You are all a bunch og cholesTROLLS

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      1. FantaCity
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        should I take my Statin to consideration 🙂

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Ooo ... 😉

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      3. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Joburg troller

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        1. Christina.
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Joburg.

          Don't think so.

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  3. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    @Doos, how many minutes J.Cole will play tonight, you reckon?

    I got him in the team now. With Nolan.

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    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      i have cole too..why is there a doubt?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I don't believe there is. He is on form. 🙂

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        1. Optimus.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          cheers 🙂

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          1. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            good luck to us! 😀

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      60+ is my guess. Should start.

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        thanks mate. Think i'll be rewarded by one of them tonight 🙂

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          No-one will be more pleased than me. I have Noble and Reid. 😀

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  4. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, so team is ready

    Boruc,

    Terry, Zaba, Toure

    Mirallas, Theo (c), Coutinho, Silva

    Benteke, Soldado, Bony

    Subs: Davis, Chester, Williams, Burner

    How is it looking?

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    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Nice.

      I don't know what I'm going to do. Come gw 4 I want those 3 strikers.

      Plus Rvp.

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      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Just focus on "now", take the weeks individually. If it comes worse by week 4-5, wildcard

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        1. Christina.
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I know. I'm WC as first ball is kicked in gw 3.

          Going to be tough though with all 4 having form already and fixtures aren't even tasty yet!

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  5. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Choose 2 of silva, Walcott or coutinho?

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    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      play all

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      1. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Ownership of only 2 is feasible

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        1. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Theo and Coutinho then

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    2. SkyByBo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Silva + walcott

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    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      the first 2

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    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      if u have studge
      go wally + silva
      if dzeko
      wally+cout

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      1. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        if giroud?

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        1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Then god have mercy.

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  6. King H
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    dzeko or welbeck ???

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    1. SkyByBo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Dzeko by a landslide, citys fixtures are immense ad welbeck will be rotated more than dzeko imo.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I preferred Welbeck.

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    3. Just A Hat
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Wellbeck, especially when Rooney leaves

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      1. SkyByBo
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Do you really think Rooney will go to Chelsea? I just cant see it happening although i really hope it does!

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        1. Just A Hat
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I'm not too sure, it seems like it will happen but I don't mind either way really 😀

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  7. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Better to have half a mignolet (half because he rotate with boric) plus a lambert

    Or a sold ado?

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  8. Mak_Gold
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Captain who out of RVP, Walcott and Sturridge?

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      1. Audiobully
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Think Walcott could be a great shout today

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      2. Beamer
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Walcott

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    • ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone have any leagues to join :)?

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      1. Mak_Gold
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Join mine. 140-441. 🙂

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      2. Sheldon420
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        @Doosra - Thanks, I'll start him ahead of Cole.

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      3. Puyol Self Together
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        RMT..

        Made FOUR subs from last week (Sky FF)...

        OUT: ivan, haz, lukaku, rat
        IN: bass, coleman, zab, rvp

        What you think?

        Mignolet
        Bassong - Coleman - Rose - Zabaleta
        Walcott - Coutinho - Kim - Mirallas
        RVP - Soldado

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      4. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        *Repost

        burnt on one side sausages/rasher/eggs/black pudding on the pan ftw 😎

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I've gone much the same apart from black pudding. Overrated.

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      5. The Milkman
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Will Dawson start?

        On wildcard so could transfer out for K Toure...

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        1. Puyol Self Together
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Rose should, and is cheaper, no?

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          1. The Milkman
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            Midfielder lol

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            1. Puyol Self Together
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 5 months ago

              Ah, in as a DEF in Sky FF...

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      6. Pasqualinho
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Could i get a gauge on an opinion? I suspect that overall more WCs will be played in the period running up to the GW3 deadline than for any other GW - but not sure if the trend will be the same for FFS users. Are many here seriously considering it? I am but will wait until today's matches have finished before I decide.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          No. Will take more hits.

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          1. Pasqualinho
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            I guess that's a good strategy - as long as there aren't too many of them.

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 5 months ago

              Money.

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        2. Psakhotherapy
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          for me it all hinges on rvp's price/performance on monday night...by which time will have probably missed a hat-load of price rises

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          1. Pasqualinho
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            Definitely - that's one of the reasons that the decision needs to be made early. And if price is a consideration (and it should be a factor), then the best time to WC is when everyone else is - as prices will be more volatile and if you don't jump on and make a few transfers, a few players will go out of range.

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      7. Grande Djokatore
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Migs,Boruc

        Cameron,Coleman,Clyne,Garrido,Baker

        Silva,Coutinho,Walcott,Mirallas,Ward-Prowse

        Rooney,Soldado,Džeko

        Rate my team please.

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      8. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Soldado or Walcott (c)?

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        1. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          The latter

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          1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            The quiet zone here seems to be preferring Walcott.. Hmm

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        2. Marty McFly
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Struggling with this one myself. Got it on Soldado at the moment.

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        1. Just A Hat
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          lol why did they use such a strange photo for Marshall

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      9. HellasLEAF
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        alright, here is the wildcard team RMT (no rvp)

        Mingolet - Boruc
        Zabaleta - Coleman - Chester - Ward - Turner
        Silva - Walcott - Mirallas - HBA - Barkley
        Aguero - Soldado - Benteke

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      10. Bullet Tooth Bony
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        My teams captain picks in order of preference:

        Lambert (C)
        Giroud (V)
        Silva
        RVP
        Mirallas
        Hazard
        Snodgrass

        What do you think?

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        1. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          good to go

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      11. Aosni
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Walcott or Giroud for Captain?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Walcott.

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        2. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Walcott

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        3. vshmn
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Walcott.

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        4. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          wally

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      12. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Is aguero going to play

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        1. Optimus.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          i hope so..hes mt (c)

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          1. Optimus.
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 5 months ago

            *my

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      13. Esalman
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Any chance that Welbeck might not start?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Slim to non-existent, imo.

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      14. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Team is not ready.

        Cech
        Lescott Clyne Murner
        Mirallas (c) Walcott Nolan J.Cole
        RvP Dzeko Sturridge

        (Marshall Chester Toure Kim)

        - confused on captaincy
        - 4 subs playing at home
        - mid as 3rd sub.

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      15. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        How has Kim looked?

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        1. KLOPPTOMANIA
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Or too early to,say?

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        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Crap.

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        3. GlasgowFF
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Kardashian?

          Hot, but a bit dirty.

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        4. vshmn
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Wittingham was way better than Kim.

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      16. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Benteke 3 goals v Liverpool in last years BPL fixtures

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        1. Timon
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Liverpool lost the match last year, so you see it doesn't count

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      17. indiangunner
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        guys I've asked this before but I'm still confused... can someone plz tell me whether Joe Cole is a good choice for this week?

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        1. indiangunner
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          and should I start Barkley instead of him?

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      18. Beamer
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Walcott or Aguero for Captain? I rate both of them high to get good score ...

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        1. Timon
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          aguero

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      19. Timon
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        turner or chester?

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      20. The Happy One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Can any FFS members help me out - what time does 'The Brief' arrive usually? I signed up last week but never received an email before GW1? Thanks for any help 🙂

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      21. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Bit stuck today

        Option 1
        Silva aguero Lambo

        Option 2
        Walcott aguero dzeko

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        1. aussiegooner
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I actually can't choose between these two. I will say 1 marginallyyyyy.

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