Fixtures

Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 17 – The Weak

Having already assessed the sides with Strong schedules over the next four-to-six Gameweeks, we turn our attentions to those teams feeling the sharp end of the forthcoming fixture list . Both Welsh outfits are set for a testing festive period, whilst Southampton’s evil run of games is not quite over yet:

Swansea

swansea17
An inability to put more than one goal past Norwich at the weekend doesn’t bode well for Michael Laudrup as his Europa League-ravaged squad enter a dark winter of horrid fixtures. With games against Everton, Chelsea, Man City, Man United and Tottenham in the next six, the only respite from the onslaught is a trip to Aston Villa as Fantasy investment in the Swans looks set to hit a low ebb.

Owners of Ashley Williams and Chico Flores will be minded to part company with pickings looking so slim, while Michu and Wilfried Bony face a very tough task to find their much-needed goalscoring form against such formidable foes. In other circumstances, the injury to Nathan Dyer would have brought Alex Pozuelo into contention as a budget 5th midfielder but these ghastly fixtures all but kill off his potential.

Southampton

southampton17
A point at St James’ Park did little to slow Southampton’s sad slide down the league table. Injuries to several key personnel have come at the worst possible time for Mauricio Pochettino as the Saints are beset by a prolonged patch of difficult fixtures. Home games against Tottenham and Chelsea and a trip to Everton – all in the next four – look set to curb the point-scoring from a raft of early-season favourites.

With Nathaniel Clyne, Artur Boruc and Victor Wanyama still injured, these fixtures look all the more fruitless for defenders like Dejan Lovren and Jose Fonte. Adam Lallana’s earlier explosion of returns has been dampened by the onset of their difficult fixtures, though the bright spark of Jay Rodriquez has refused to be extinguished, having scored against Chelsea and Newcastle, but these fixtures will surely deter all but the most ardent of suitors.

Chelsea

chelsea17
Another lacklustre performance last night saw Jose Mourinho’s goal-shy side knocked unceremoniously out of the Capital One Cup by Sunderland, following on from an unconvincing win over Crystal Palace. Such tepid form puts their title aspirations in jeopardy as they prepare to face two of their table-topping rivals – Arsenal and Liverpool – in the next four weeks and Man United in the next six.

Owners of Eden Hazard and Oscar may opt to keep faith despite the fixtures but now is probably not the time for a punt on Fernando Torres after his second goal of the season at the weekend. The bigger puzzle is the defence – uncharacteristically porous for a Mourinho side, with goals conceded to the lowliest of opponents, faith in John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic has been tested to the limit recently and many owners may decide at this point that enough is enough.

BE WARY OF

Stoke
Having shown glimpses of promise at both ends of the pitch at various points so far this season, Mark Hughes’ team have largely retreated from Fantasy radars of late. That situation looks unlikely to change as The Potters’ short-term fixtures look less than enticing. Their next game, at home to Aston Villa, is comely enough but following that are four fixtures which Fantasy managers will surely turn their noses up at (new, tot, EVE, LIV). Stoke backline options such as Asmir Begovic and Geoff Cameron had been scoring well enough recently due to good fixtures but that looks set to change, while Stephen Ireland looks to be an ill-advised punt right now, despite a recent resurgence in his attacking competence.

Cardiff
The bizarre feud between manager and eccentric owner rolls on, but Malky Mackay stands firm and a good three points at the expense of Steve Clarke’s job will help their ambitions to stay in the Premier League. The next six fixtures are a very mixed bag, though. Home games against Sunderland, West Ham and even Southampton could be profitable but trips to Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City are daunting to say the least. Owners of Ben Turner or David Marshall may be minded to keep hold if they have a solid rotation plan but Peter Whittingham will need to make the most of those good fixtures to atone for a likely scarcity of goals in the tricky ones.

Hull City
Fantasy investors in the Hull City defence have been rewarded with five clean sheets from eight home games but the prospects of that form continuing are a little bleak. The Tigers have just one appealing home game – against Fulham – in the next six and beyond. Other visitors to the KC Stadium include Man United and Chelsea and, with a trip to Liverpool also on the horizon, James Chester and Curtis Davies could struggle to justify even their meagre prices. Robbie Brady continues to struggle for game time and, even without such fixtures, would scarcely warrant investment.

580 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sarnab
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Nasri or Mirallas?

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    1. Sarnab
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      for next 3

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      1. Reeker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Mirallas

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    2. Sweetpea
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      nasri. better team.

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    3. *Unrial
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      neither

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  2. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Howard
    Coleman, Figueroa, Mertesacker
    Yaya, Ramsey, Shelvey, Oscar
    Lukaku, Rooney, Suarez (C)

    Bench: Boruc Baker, Brady, Clyne

    Should I bench play Baker? Thinking about playing him instead of Mertesacker or Shelvey

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    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      * bench or play Baker?

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      1. Hurri Kane 42
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Sack Baker 😉

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  3. Hurri Kane 42
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Hi ..... ppl r sooo carried away by Walcott dey forget therz Podolski whoz got even gr8r potential given Girouz poor show

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  4. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Can't think Rooney will start after what happened to RVP, they desperately need him but even by the Moyes united standards they should be able to dispose of West Ham.

    It would make sense to bench and play if needed rather than risk him being out the rest of the Xmas period.

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      🙁

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It;s a tough one to call

      Rooney is a notoriously quick healer.

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      1. Hurri Kane 42
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        & hez a fightrrrr

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      2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        he likes a few mince pies at xmas though

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    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      agreed

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    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      You actually believe that he was injured?

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

    Don't forget to join my midseason leagues if you have the space.

    After Xmas : 58-344
    Millionaire Club : 58-339
    January Wildcard : 58-349

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    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Which week is gamestart for each?

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

        18 & 21.

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        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Thx.

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    2. FPL_Liger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      done (After Christmas league)

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

        Merry Xmas 🙂

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    3. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Just signed up for the January Wildcard League. You must have seen my suggestion of changing its name!

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    4. Johnstad90
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      joined all of them.. in gw 10, so im a little behind everyone anyways! merry christmas:)

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      1. Johnstad90
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        started in gw 10*

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  6. Damo.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Looking at Utd's fixtures. Busy, busy busy.
    Hull on the 26th, Norwich on the 28th, Spurs on the 1st. 4 days later they play Swansea in the FA cup, 2 days after that they play Sunderland in the CC then Swansea again 4 days after that.

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

    Press Release: Petr Cech to leave Fulham Forest.
    Rumours circulated City Cottage today early this morning but it has been confirmed that Petr Cech was finally handed his marching orders by manager Simon Rugg. Rugg is reported to have been 'unhappy' with the Czr Republic's performances of late.

    David De Gea is believed to be the newly preferred option between the sticks.

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      ...

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  8. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I have three Everton players in defence, should I play Williams over Jag or go all in for the Everton clean sheet?

    Howard
    McAuley Williams Coleman (Burner Jagielka)

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    1. Sarnab
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Go all in

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      1. thunder_mike
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        It is why I got the three of them, I should stick to my guns!

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        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Absolutely, and stay at it

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    2. Johnstad90
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      GotBalls? 🙂
      I wish you good luck, and hope the gambler in you takes the decision 🙂

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  9. Sithlord007
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Evening,

    Had 6 either injured or suspended. Took a big hit but here's my team.

    Marshall
    Williams, Evra, Coleman
    Walcott, Hazard, Oviedo, Valencia
    Negredo, Suarez, Rooney.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      -12?

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    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Fairly good, altough Oviedo is now threatened by Baines returning

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      1. Sithlord007
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I have ward prowse to come in if Baines is back? Couldn't do another transfer. I had to do 4 in total

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        1. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Thats just more of a future thing to be aware of, he should be ok for at least one gameweek and then there is still the small chance he might keep playing

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    3. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Thats looks pretty good n ready for a celebration

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    4. Sithlord007
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      12pt hit, correct

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  10. FantasyNik123
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    How does this look?

    Marshall (Lewis)
    Coleman - Dawson - Gabbidon (Terry and Kos)
    Yaya(vc) - Ravel - Barkley - Walcott (Kasami)
    Suarez (C) - Lukaku - Negredo

    RMT Please! Thank you. 🙂

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty good, not a big fan of Kasami but besides that it looks good.

      If you have Terry you might as well play him

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

      6

      Too weak mids.

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    3. charlie1X
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Midfield is too light, defence to expensive.

      I'd lose Terry for a cheap home rotation and get Silva to start with.

      Maybe later upgrade Yaya to Ozil

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  11. Hurri Kane 42
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    With Snoddy back howz Redmond gonna fit in midfield as a Left Winger ??

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  12. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    is there a SC tonight?

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

      Guess so.

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    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      If there is I hope they aim to post it at 8 cos they always seem to be an hour late

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  13. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Mignolet
    Coleman - Terry - Kos
    Haz - Ramsey - Ravel - Sess
    Suarez - Lukaku - Rooney

    Lewis, Chester, Brady, Collins

    1FT, 3.9m in the bank

    Kos to Evans and Sess to Silva for a hit?

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      just sess to silva. play chester.

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    2. Sarnab
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Do it

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    3. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Kos ...

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    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I'd wait with the news on Kos..as for Silva, as long as you are aware that he is on 4 yc it is a good move

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        yea im aware, taking a risk on that

        feeling i need a man city attacker in my team

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    5. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      aite thanks for the info on kos

      seems like he will be back sooner than ive expected

      alright shall wait for arsenal presser tmr 🙂

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  14. Chelsea 4 life
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is it a good team for GW 17 ??
    3-4-3 formation.
    Myhill
    Gabbidon, Coleman, Jagielka
    Sterling, Silva, Hazard, Yaya Toure
    Negredo, Chamakh, Suarez (C)

    Bench : Bannan, Terry, Turner, Kelvin Davies (inj)

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      good team. Would be tempted to play bannan but not sure how you could fit him in

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      1. Chelsea 4 life
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        i am also thinking about this.
        Bannan can play only if we are allowed to play a 3-5-3 formation 😀
        Terry & Gabbidon ?? hard to choose but looking on the fixture i think Gabbidon is safe.

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          play gabbidon

          palace prob better chance of cs

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          1. Chelsea 4 life
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks for the suggestion 😀

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  15. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Looking short to medium term, which is better?

    a) Walcott & Chester

    b) Sessegnon & Dawson + 4 points

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      a

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

      A

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    4. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A

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    5. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      a

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    6. A.T
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A.

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

      A.

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    8. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A.

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  16. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Vlaar 🙁

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

    Anyone playing their Jan WC ASAP? 10 days to tinker.

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Probably not. My team barely needs touching at the moment.

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  18. Hurri Kane 42
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Wid plenty uf quick games after recovery its gonna b tough 2 keep zaba whoz on 3/4 YC ...... m thinkin 2 bring in Ward but not confident uf Cryz defence..... sugest a budget full back guyzz

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

      English version?

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      1. Hurri Kane 42
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        dats da best as I cum frm a 3rd world 🙁

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    2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Not quite sure what you just said - but if you're looking for a cheap defender, I'm liking JEvans.

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  19. DAVE47
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    With Vorm now injured, should I bring in Ruddy for another -4 hit (already took one this week) or should I just hold off until next week? Davis is my sub and won't play.

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  20. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Found this video online...

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OBnXVjsiQ4E

    🙂

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  21. sounerous
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    How does this look?

    Howard (Lewis)
    Coleman - Dawson - Flanagan (Chester and Clark)
    Silva - Hazard - Ramsey - Ozil (Oviedo)
    Suarez (C) - Rooney - Negredo

    RMT Please! Thank you

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  22. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    looking at keepers, who is likely to keep more cs over next few weeks:
    Guzan: sto, CPL, SWA,sun, ARS,liv,WBA....i say max 2 against cpl and wba
    Mannone: NOR, eve, car, AVL, ful, SOT,STO...i say around 3/4
    Speroni: NEW, avl, mci, NOT,tot,STO, HULL...i say max 3

    so based on above go for speroni and hope for save points during tough away games?

    mannone is a good shout but worried about westwood

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  23. thegunnersozil
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    For the gameweek 17

    Krul(Mannone)
    Flanagan-Kolarov-Coleman (Distin and Gabbidon)
    Ozil-Walcott-Ramsey-Nasri-Fernandinho
    Suarez(c)-Gouffran..

    in the bank 0.3 and is using wildcard

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  24. white heart pain
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Migs (Gaz)
    Coleman Ward Chester (Clyne Colin's)
    Ozil Hazard Ramsey Morrison (Bannan)
    Suarez Rooney Lukaku

    3.0 in bank how can I use it?

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