Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 34

Four teams provide us with a pair of fixtures this week, though Sunderland’s dismal form has hardly been convincing. Our starting XI contains just seven double Gameweek options, with in-form Everton and City both supplying us with the full quota of three players apiece, as a certain Argentine makes his long-waited return up top:

Palace’s Julian Speroni welcomes Villa to Selhurst Park before Wednesday’s trip to Goodison. The Eagles approach their double Gameweek in impressive defensive form, with a single goal conceded in the last four and, although the Everton match perhaps looks unlikely to harvest a shut-out, Speroni’s save points could come to the rescue – his average of 3.7 points per game is greater than any Palace defender this term.

Seamus Coleman is drafted in ahead of Leighton Baines as our Everton defender of choice. The reasoning behind this is that all six of the Republic of Ireland international’s goals have arrived from open play, whereas Baines’s four goals have come from free-kicks or penalties. The Toffees’ chances of defensive points look good, too. First up, they travel to Sunderland, who have scored once in their last three home games, before hosting Palace in midweek – prior to their win at whipping boys Cardiff last Saturday, Tony Pulis’ side had scored twice in their previous six matches.

Two goals conceded in the last seven bodes well for Pablo Zabaleta’s prospects. Whilst we’re not expecting too much from Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, City’s home encounter with Sunderland looks a likely source of points at both ends of the pitch, as the Argentine looks to add to his five assists thus far. With so much uncertainty over the left-back berth, Zabaleta’s security of starts on the opposite side of Manuel Pellegrini’s back-four earns our faith.

We turn to Ryan Shawcross for Stoke’s home game against Newcastle. The Potters have conceded once in their last three home fixtures and entertain a struggling Newcastle side with a single goal in their previous five matches – Shawcross has earned a couple of bonus points in each of the last two occasions his side have registered a shut-out.

Roberto Martinez’ midfield rotation has been a real frustration for Fantasy managers in recent weeks but we’re willing to stick our necks out and hand Kevin Mirallas a place in our line-up. Having started just two of the last four, the Belgian’s acquisition doesn’t come without a degree of risk attached but, as he showed in a 23-minute sub appearance against Fulham recently, Mirallas can still deliver the points off the bench. Weekend opponents Sunderland have a single clean sheet in seven, whilst Wednesday’s visitors Palace will do well to contain a Toffees attack that has now scored three times in their last four fixtures.

Yaya Toure is impossible to ignore for City’s two matches against Liverpool and Sunderland. The Ivorian continues to deliver the returns at a relentless rate – having served up 31 points in double Gameweek 31, many will be looking to hand the 46%-owned midfielder the armband this time around, with the home clash against the Black Cats, in particular, looking profitable as he attempts to add to his 18-goal haul.

A trip to West Brom hands Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen the chance to pick up where he left off from last Monday’s sensational display against Sunderland. The Dane has delivered three goals, a trio of assists and five bonus points in three appearances since returning to the starting line-up and looks key to his side’s chances of breaching a Baggies backline with just a single clean sheet to their name since Pepe Mel took charge.

Southampton’s Adam Lallana is welcomed into our four-man midfield for the home clash against Cardiff. The Saints skipper has already served up six double-figure hauls at St Mary’s and, up against a defence that have shipped 12 goals in the previous three Gameweeks, could well be on course for another bumper return.

Back in contention for the first time in three months, we’re opting for Sergio Aguero as our City forward of choice. Given his lengthy period of absence, it’s by no means guaranteed he’ll even start both of the games against Liverpool and Sunderland but the Argentine has proven on many occasions that he needs little time to produce the points. Aguero has managed 90 minutes just four times this term yet has still plundered 15 goals from just 17 appearances – his return looks vital as Manuel Pellegrini searches for a pair of wins that would place his side firmly on course for the title.

Romelu Lukaku is a nailed-on option for Everton’s two fixtures. The big Belgian seems immune to his manager’s rotational whims and has delivered four goals and a pair of assists in six appearances since returning from injury – with some uncertainty surrounding the City strikers’ game time, Lukaku leads the way in this week’s Captain Poll, having racked up two sets of double-figures in the last three matches.

Typically, we’d look to fill our three forward spaces with double Gameweek options but Palace and Sunderland’s strikers hardly instill any degree of confidence. Instead, we opt for Luis Suarez as Liverpool go head-to-head with City at Anfield – the Uruguayan has either scored or assisted in every one of his 13 home appearances this term, and with a win set to take the Reds seven points clear of their visitors, Brendan Rodgers’ side will be relying on Suarez to deliver yet again.

Jose Fonte warms the bench for Southampton’s home game against Cardiff. The big centre-half has already notched three times this term and his threat in the opposition box looks likely to cause the Bluebirds concern – given that the visitors have failed to score in two of their five road trips under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Saints will be optimistic of racking up their thirteenth clean sheet of the season tomorrow.

Jason Puncheon makes the bench for Palace’s two games against Villa and Everton. The 5.0-priced Eagles wide man bagged a brace in last week’s vital win over Cardiff and is likely to be first in line for spot-kicks if Glen Murray is not on the pitch – with Tony Pulis’ side desperate to clinch survival before their remaining two home games against City and Liverpool, Palace – and Fantasy managers – will be looking to the Villa game in particular as a source of points.

A home game with out-of-sorts Cardiff affords Rickie Lambert the chance to maintain his current form. The Saints may be missing top scorer Jay Rodriguez but Lambert – with three goals and a trio of assists in the last four – looks likely to plunder the points against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dire defence.

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4,521 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hyperion
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    I've got 2 FTs:

    A) Evra -> Zaba/Demichelis, save 1 FT.
    B) Evra -> Dann, Sturridge -> Aguero

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    1. Keep the Faith
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Without seeing your team, B

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      1. Hyperion
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Mannone, Adrian
        Ward, Azpi, Chester, Coleman, Evra
        Janu, Punch, Silva, Yaya, Mirallas
        Suarez, Sturridge, Lukaku

        Still B?

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  2. rakse93
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Pls Help !!!

    Hazard

    A) Mirallas
    B) Ramsey
    C) Lallana
    D) Barkley

    already 3 from MCI

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    1. Keep the Faith
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      C
      A
      toss for B and D

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    2. rakse93
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      pls 🙂

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  3. Bakeyournoodle23
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Ward or Azpi? Already playing Speroni

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    1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Ward for me.

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  4. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Mannone

    Coleman Dann Ward

    Mirallas Toure Sidwell Hazard

    Dzeko Aguero Lukaku

    good to go?

    Aguero or Lukaku as captain?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Captains poll goes Lukaku.

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    2. rakse93
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero

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  5. Tatty Bojangles
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Play Ward (AVL, eve) or Lallana (CAR)?

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    1. Onwards
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Tricky, very tricky. Why have both in your squad for this gw and not have another option for benching. I'd play lallana. Just.

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  6. gers23
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores more this week? In your opinions and by alot?

    A) Speroni Ward Delany Baines Miralles Bardsley

    B)Mannone Azpi Coleman Ivanovic Aj Lallana

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  7. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    this my team and i want ur advice

    Speroni

    Coleman Baines Coleman

    Yaya Silva Gerrard Schurle

    Suarez Sturridge Lukaku

    1 FT 0.3 m IN THE BANK

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    1. Keep the Faith
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You have coleman twice

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Zab*

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    2. lifes a pitch
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      too much Coleman and Pool

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  8. Franfe98
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Sell hazard or not?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sell.

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      1. Franfe98
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Bring eriksen or lallana?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Eriksen long term.

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    2. lifes a pitch
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      depends who else you have, i will bench until further news but i have 3 dgw's in mid+Gerrard so not too bothered...yet

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  9. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Haz -> Silva done.
    Come on!!!

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    1. NATSTER
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Do you have Dzeko or Kun too?

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  10. cruzex
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    OK....Lukaku for captain!!

    Good to go?

    Manonne
    Baines Coleman Dann
    Silva Yaya Puncheon Erikson
    Aguero Lukaku Suarez

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    1. lifes a pitch
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      yes, nice team for this week

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  11. Onwards
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    It must have been asked many times already but... ignoring the NDNC mantra, can anybody give me a logical reason to not captain baines? Thanks.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Defenders in general are harder to captain with confidence.

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      1. Onwards
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I asked for logic and you have certainly delivered. Perhaps a better question on my part would have been: can anyone remember a gw where the risk / reward balance has been so precarious? There is another double gw and just about enough time to recover from errors this week but many a ML will be won and lost this weekend. Is there a safe captain option this week?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Lukaku seems the safe option. Could easily fail.

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          1. Onwards
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 6 months ago

            Everton's attack only has one plum fixture but their defence has two. One of their defenders is on set pieces. Is this too simplistic? Sorry for the delays, you now have my full attention.

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    2. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Once a defender concedes its game over....an attacker can always get points back

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      1. Willis.
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        A defender can get attacking points too, especially if he's Baines...

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    3. lifes a pitch
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Cos Lukaku, Aguero, Dzeko, Yaya are all better, more proven options this season

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      1. Onwards
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I'll give u yaya but lukaku is inconsistent, aguero is moments from the treatment table and too many of my ML rivals have dzeko for me to entertain the idea of him having a bonanza weekend.

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  12. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Mannone;
    Baines(c), Azpilicueta, Shaw;
    Yaya Touré, AJ, Eriksen, Puncheon;
    Agüero, Lukaku, Suárez.

    Adrián; Olsson, Noone, Chester.

    0FT; £6.3 m ITB

    Good to go?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Different but fine.

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    2. lifes a pitch
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      nice

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  13. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Gerrad , Schürrle > Lallna and Erisken

    Yay

    Nay

    for - 4

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Nay for me

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    2. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      ney

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    3. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Okay thanx

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  14. Spike ⚽️
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A) Sturridge and Hazard to Aguero and Lallana ?

    B) Hazard and Chester to Nasri and Baines ?

    Thoughts please

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    1. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      A

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      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

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  15. Beans on Toast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    -4 to do Cameron to Stones?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Could easily be Stones last GW.

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    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      No way. Stoke have a good chance of a cleanie this week.

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    3. Dr Dream
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Nah..check out Everton's chances conceded in the box since Jags has been injured...rubbish.

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      1. Camp No No
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Wakey, what say you?

        Boruc
        Coleman-Zaba-Chambers
        Silva-YaYa-Mirallas-Eriksen
        Suarez-Sturridge-Lukaku

        Bench: Adrian; Chiriches, Cahill, Noone

        1 FT, 3,5 in bank

        A) Boruc -> Speroni
        or
        B) Silva & Studge to Aguero & Ramsey/Lallana/Schürrle -4

        RMT suggests A even if I would bring in a DGW'r like Punch or AJ for Silva, and frankly I'm not fond of them as they will be worse later.

        That said, RMT also says that captaining Aguero is the best move this GW. And I don't have him.

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        1. Dr Dream
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          All depends on if you are chasing or holding...Aguero (c) is a gamble for the chasers this week (as I am) but Studge is the safe option, especially with Norwich up next...

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          1. Camp No No
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 6 months ago

            I'm torn between. I'm chasing a 40 points lead, but there's another couple of managers chasing the same just behind me. Maybe I should focus on chase.

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            1. Camp No No
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 6 months ago

              My current position is also a money position, but it's more like get my own back position than one that would actually win something. Next position would win me much more already.

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  16. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Already have Yaya and Aguero. Get Nasri or Llanana?

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Go for the full house

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  17. KagKagKag
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Punch to Lallana / erickson makes any sense ?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Not this week.

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    2. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I don't see much sense there.

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  18. Dr Dream
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Difficult to make moss nor sand of the captains poll this week...Aguero is now the second highest (c) choice but is he the run away choice for today ?...

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  19. Jimbo123
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    If you already had Hart, Yaya and Silva, would you bring in Aguero this week?

    I'm thinking not......

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      No

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    2. Godfather Bandit 42
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You wouldn't be able to...

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      1. Jimbo123
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Obv I'd have the tough decision of ditching Silva or Yaya alongside bringing in Sergio

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      2. Back to Back Ballacks
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        why not?

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  20. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    This my team and i want ur advice

    Speroni

    Coleman Baines ZAB

    Yaya Silva Gerrard Schurle

    Suarez Sturridge Lukaku

    1 FT 0.3 m IN THE BANK

    A- Gerrard > Lallana

    B- Schurle > xxx

    C- Save

    D- any other Thoughts

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    1. Keep the Faith
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Took a hard look, C

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    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      C

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    3. Hubert
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      C

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  21. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Cahill and Azp

    Or

    Cahill and Wilson (Stoke)??

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Spread the risk unless totally confident of Chelsea's away record

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    2. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      In general. Diversify.

      It leaves you with the chance of getting 2 + 2, 2 + 6, 6 + 2, or 6 + 6. Compared to the mere, 2 + 2 or 6 + 6. (in terms of clean sheets)

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  22. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A) Gerrard and Nasri

    OR

    B) Lallana and Silva (-4)?

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    1. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      A

      (B if it weren't for the -4)

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      1. HurriKane
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        silva has one more double to come so B edges it

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        1. Ikey Warrior
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Nasri also has a double?

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    2. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      B

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  23. Ikey Warrior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    What's the consensus on Hazard?

    I've got Silva and Yaya already. I'd rather bring in Aguero for Sturridge than bring in Nasri (as my 3rd City player). There's nobody else I'd want as a big mid.

    Hazard actually becomes a nice differential for the rest of the season. I just hope he's back next GW.

    I think I'm set on benching Hazard this week.

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    1. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I'm doing the same

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Champions League so doubtful next week. Pool in GW36 so get rid.

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      1. Ikey Warrior
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I would be benching Ki Sung-Yueng. So I'm happy to take his 4 points this week (hopefully he starts both 😉 ). haha

        His price drop doesn't really affect me too much considering he's so much more expensive than any of my options to replace him with. So if I have to take him out next week, I won't be too bothered.

        Sturridge vs Norwich next week is the only thing making me hesitant (and Hazard's Champions League game coming up. 😉 )

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    3. Spike ⚽️
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I'd bench him too but I cant see Bacuna doing too much at Palace so Eden has to go

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    4. Reckoner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Only 5 games left, and he will be doing well to start 3 of them.

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      1. Ikey Warrior
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I'll bring in Mata if I do replace him. Mata's blank this week means I may as well wait.

        I'll want Mata for the GW36 NOR, and DGW37 SUN & HUL.

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  24. lachyas
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth a hit for Hazard -> Lallana (the alternative is playing Mutch) or Boruc -> Speroni (no backup keeper).

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    1. bmb100
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Think hazard to Lallana is worth it.

      Not sure on the keeper, Boruc could easily play and keep a CS and Speroni you're basically gambling on a CS vs villa, with not great fixtures to come after the double

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      1. lachyas
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate.

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  25. jam
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Feels weird having 2 dbl Sunderland players on the bench...

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  26. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Mannone
    Coleman, Zabaleta, Ward
    Gerrard, Lallana, AJ, Mirallas
    Lukaku, Dzeko, Aguero

    Adrian, Azpil, Bacuna, Skrtel

    Anything worth a hit?

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  27. stephenl15
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Right so what's the general consensus on Lukaku vs. Baines for (C)?

    ... Or I could always go with Dzeko :/

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    1. Hyperion
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go Dzeko tbh, how many times have we been stung by Romelu this season?

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  28. Lemon Ninja
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Silva or Mirallas for -4 point hit??

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    1. IL Fantasista
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Silva all the way.

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    2. tw
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      silva

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  29. Strificus
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Speroni (Mannone)
    Terry, Cahill, Zabaleta (Parr, Chester)
    Yaya, Gerrard, Schurrle, Mutch (Ki)
    Suarez, Aguero, Lukaku (c)

    Hazard -> Schurrle
    Sturridge -> Aguero (-4)

    Good to go?

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    1. IL Fantasista
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You don't fancy Haz-->Lallana?

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      1. Strificus
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I've been unlucky with Lallana

        I have a feeling about Schurrle; I really think he will step it up

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  30. bmb100
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Olsson to Baines and take a hit next week

    OR

    Sterling to Mirallas, sell Mirallas no hit next week

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