Members

Versus – Mata, Hazard, Sterling and Ramsey

There may be under a week left under the 2014/15 season gets underway but for many Fantasy managers, the midfield dilemma is yet to be resolved. In the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, in particular, the player price list has handed us numerous options to consider for our five-man midfields, with ten players coming in at 9.0 or over:

In this, our latest article for members, we take a look at four of the main contenders – Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Juan Mata and Raheem Sterling – currently on Fantasy radars.

Sterling has netted in two of his last four appearances and, after notching nine times last term, is backed by many to step up for Liverpool after Luis Suarez’ departure. Ramsey’s 10 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances last season has catapulted the Welshman into the premium bracket at 9.0, with his strike in yesterday’s Community Shield handing us a timely reminder of his talents. Mata (9.0) has been one of Louis van Gaal’s star performers in the role in “the hole” in a new 3-4-1-2 formation, whilst the 10.0-priced Hazard, despite only returning to pre-season action last week, sits in 22% of squads ahead of fixtures against promoted pair Burnley and Leicester in his first two fixtures.

Casting an eye back to last season, then, we delve into the data and compare their respective displays. First up, we assess each player’s creativity and distribution.

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6,408 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jwaltz86
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Surely Hazard isnt as appealing this season with Fab and Costa coming into the frame and likely to take share of the FPL points? Just my opinion though

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    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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      1. Twelve years a slave
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Happy to start with fab and see how it develops

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    2. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      This begs an interesting question. If talented players are added to a team, do they enhance the value of players around them, or do they steal their scoring opportunities? I'm inclined to think its the former more often than the latter.

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      1. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I'm wasted on you lot 🙂

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        1. jwaltz86
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          I agree to an extent but i think in Chelseas case they relied heavily on Haz last year for goals and creative spark, hence his massive points haul. This year theres less of a burden on him for goals now theyve got a proven goalscorer in Costa, plus Fab will chip in with assists and few goals

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    3. The Iron Tulip
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good point.

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    4. thes7s
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      talented player add more value to existing star players. Ozil and Ramsey is what I'm building my argument on.

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    5. Del Griffith
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Fab could be rotated with Ramirez at key times as well

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    6. Leelas legs 11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yup, I have decided to go Fabregas over hazard primarily due to price and recent positive pre season reports. However, hazard was great for my team last year!
      Costa just too pricey for me at present but will be watching closely..

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

    I just finished watching Citzen Kane

    Didn't see what all the fuss was about tbh

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ah. Now, go back, and understand the context. Watch the framing of each shot.

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

        I think I understood the context

        I enjoyed it, just think "the best film ever made" is stretching it a bot

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        1. Ludo
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Not so much the best as the greatest. A lot of that comes from innovations, which don't seem so remarkable when you've grown up watching them as standards.

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

            well that is true

            I remember Jason and the Argonauts being massively hailed for it's special effects. When you watch it now the stuff is so basic, but back then.

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        2. The Machine
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Agree with the second. Could name a few better, but still...Great movie

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      2. Hay Number 2
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I agree...it changed cinema!

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

          In what way?

          I'm curious, I found it enjoyable, but what did it do that was so different at that time?

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

      Curious: how old are you and where are you from?

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

        29, from the UK

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  3. Home Run Baker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Great article. But I think Eriksen could have been included, perhaps in place of Sterling.

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Do you think the emergence of Lamela in the side has raised questions about Eriksen being as prolific as last season?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        What emergence? It is pre-Season. Wait until Noble fondles his testicles. 😉

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        1. Home Run Baker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Does that explain why he's in your grav?

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Probably!!! 😀

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          2. Laserface
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            😀

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        2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Just realized why you liked my spreadsheet...

          It's because it said Noble was the 4th best prices (and value) midfielder 😉

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Exactly. But also, it's true!!! 😎

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      2. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Not really.

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  4. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    So much excitement about the new season, so much anticipation, so much expectation, so much optimism. 🙂

    So many players you can't get who will kick you in the nuts 🙁

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      my thoughts exactly lol

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      😆

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

      And so many you will get who will do the same.

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    4. Leelas legs 11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Lol 🙂

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  5. K3lviN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Out of interest, is there any reason you left Silva out of the comparison? His stats (I won't say which) match up the same if not better for some of the key threats and involvement figures.

    I know he's being overlooked by many with Aguero unlikely to start the season to create for, but for those members who can see the above stats, have a look at how Silva compares.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      He has very little goal threat.

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        its not the size of your goal threat that counts........

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Well, actually ... 😀

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          1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            ahh yes its how many youve got 😉

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        2. Mull
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          😀

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      2. K3lviN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Compare his average minutes per attempt against the 4 above, he'd be third. Ok he'd be 5th for his goal conversion stats, but coupled with his average minute per chance created he's surely an option if he can stay injury free?

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    2. A.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I owned him about 3 times last season, every time curtailed by an injury

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

      Silva has started well the last two seasons, but had a pretty unassuming preseason.

      Can see it going either way for him, but personally I'm staying away from City due to lack of sharpness.

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    4. jwaltz86
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Agreed im already looking at him as a differential.. 7.7 ownership

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  6. Andy1
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which is best?

    A. Eriksen & dzeko
    B. Henderson & costa

    Already have fabregas

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    1. XhakaCan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A, but both are good options

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    2. dykeypunk
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A imo

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

    Fabregas or Ramsey? I got D. Costa.

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    1. XhakaCan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsey

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      1. FredrikH
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you:)

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  8. Super Frank
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard & Eriksen or Mata & Cesc (I have DDG, Rooney & Costa)

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    1. The Iron Tulip
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B.

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  9. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I need £10.

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      youll just spend it on haribo and crack, like always...

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

        He'll spend £9 on that, he'll waste the other £1

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          😆 Badum-tish!!!

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

      How does it feel to need?

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  10. PHILLYSTEAK
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    guys, Eriksen or Lamela?

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    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen

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  11. Albert Cole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    QPR defence - how do you guys think it will look?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      well hes goin 3 at the back apparently....

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  12. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo to go for

    1. Eriksen and 4.0 def
    2. Mutch and Terry/Cahill

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    1. Albert Cole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I like the latter. Think both Terry and Cahill will outscore Eriksen this season.

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  13. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    a) Clyne and 4.0

    or rotation with:

    b) Van Aanholt and NTaylor

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    1. v12w12
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone for A

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  14. Cadavre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A)
    Foster, Krul
    Lovren, Kolarov, Caulker, Evans, Clyne
    Mata, Hazard, Silva, Eriksen, Ramsey
    Bojan, Wickham, Pelle

    B)
    Guzan, Krul
    Wisdom, Kolarov, O'Shea, Taylor, Clyne
    Snodgrass, Hazard, Silva, Eriksen, Sigurdsson
    Rooney, Lukaku, Pelle

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  15. LewanGOALski
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I've settled my front 8, but struggling with the back-line now :/

    DDG - Gilks
    Ward - ____ - ____ - PvA - Collocini

    A. Pieters + Naylor
    B. Clyne + Ferdinand
    C. Debuchy + Wisdom
    D. Lovren + Wisdom
    E. sth else for combined 9.5 M

    ??

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    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      C

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    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      huth and taylor...

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  16. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Inspired by RodallegaBomb I have made a new spreadsheet.

    Makes for some interesting figures about values.

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good to hear 🙂

      What does the sheet entail?

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  17. Wings Fan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Looking forward to Kim, Brayford and Aspas getting me big hauls. All have had good pre-seasons, all nailed on. This game's too easy.

    Oh how little we knew...and how ridiculous some of our picks will look in a week or 2 😉

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    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I pick the wrong players until gameweek 38 too.

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  18. XhakaCan
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A) Siggy + Dzeko (No Man Utd midfield)
    B) Bojan + Mata (No City cover)

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    1. hunkydory
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

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  19. aries1973
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Getting closer but having put Sturridge in, concerned about my defence is pretty poor until general team increases in price and I can bring in a better defender

    De Gea Hamer
    Terry O'Shea Widsom Bruce Moore
    Fabregas Sterling Mata Ramsey Wanyama
    Rooney Sturridge Fletcher

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

      Our dedicated RMT thread is the best place for team advice http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/08/11/rate-3/

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  20. copps
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Lovren, Ramsey, Marney
    OR
    Huth, Eriksen, Siggy

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  21. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    'Matic significantly improved Chelsea's defensive display'

    http://i.imgur.com/nRBB86h.png

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

      That goals conceeded stat though

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    2. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Can't tell if you're trying to be sarcastic or not?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Parm? 😯 Never!!! 😆

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      2. Parm
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Depends, on a real life perspective I guess he has, but from an FPL point of view he hasn't had that much of an influence.

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    3. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say I agree, based on that.

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    4. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Okay, Cahill is definitely worth 1m more than Evans!

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  22. JeremyBentham
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Last decisions for my team:

    1) Best £4.0m budget defender option? (Currently on Bruce)

    2) Best £4.5m budget midfield option? (Currently on Marney)

    3) Best striker for under £6m? (Currently on Shane Long)

    Any advice would be much appreciated 🙂

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    1. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      3) I have Bojan. Another option is Austin at 6.0

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    2. Nurse Chilli
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Watch for a Sanogo start on Saturday. Also reckon Nugent might bang one in against an Everton that look shaky.

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  23. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Can't for the life of me understand why people are willing to pay 1.0m more for Hazard when Fab will light up the prem.

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard is closer to a striker, and Fabregas is closer to a CB 😉

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    2. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Especially as Hazard's game is all about dribbling aimlessly around the penalty area.

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

      Position and penalties.

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  24. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone care to help? I have 13.5 with three open defender slots. My GK combination is Krul-Foster and my two expensive defenders are Luis and Evans. The three will fight over one spot, so I need them all to play and I want them to rotate well.

    Anyone?

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  25. Marcus Aurelius
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Luis, Eriksen & Jovetic

    vs.

    Cahill, Fabregas & Bojan (1m left)

    ?

    Cheers.

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    1. copps
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

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    2. Arsenal USA FC
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

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  26. Arsenal USA FC
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 1 from each.

    Hazard or Fab
    Sterling or Silva

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    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      fab + sterling as silva is fragile but if fit he would have a great season

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  27. mcgrejam
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Is getting Sanchez at 10.5 really worth it or would u just Ramsey instead?

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    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yes because you can downgrade later instead of taking hits to fit in IMO.

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    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I say Rambo n see how Sanchez fits in

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    3. Hay Number 2
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      That's what I'm doing, he seems to have carried last seasons form through to this season!

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  28. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    What is southamptons back four likely to be?..

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    1. Wings Fan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Clyne - Fonte - Gardos - Bertrand

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    2. Arsenal USA FC
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Clyne Yoshida Fonte Betrand?

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      1. Wings Fan
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Gardos joining, 25 year old CB, Romanian international.

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        1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks

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  29. Hay Number 2
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Evening gents....how are we? I randomly bumped into Ashley Williams and Titus bramble down Langland bay in Swansea. I said hello and kept moving lol

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

      The sad thing is, Titus Bramble would probably improve Swansea's defence

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      1. Hay Number 2
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed, I don't think he will be signing or anything....looked like a family hol

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  30. Messi & fabregas
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Regardless what the article says

    A) sterling

    or

    B) Mata

    have rooney + evans , only lovren from liverpool

    thanks

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    1. Wings Fan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Mata

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      1. Hay Number 2
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed

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