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Podcast August 8

Scoutcast Episode 263 – squads and strategies for FPL Gameweek 1

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The start of the new season is just days away and the Scoutcast crew are still full of doubts about their 15-man Fantasy Premier League squads.

Andy, Az, David and Mark join me to mull over our likely strategies for the start of the 2018/19 campaign as well as reveal our current line-ups.

Across our 82-minute chat, a consensus emerges on backing Manchester City and Liverpool premium assets. But that could all change depending on tomorrow’s transfer deadline day deals and surprise team news.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth look set to supply our teams with a supporting cast of bargain enablers due to favourable fixtures. Well, for now at least.

But the groupthink soon breaks down when we discuss forward options, with Mark looking exclusively for value up top, while the rest of us are more keen to splash our cash.

The hive-mind soon returns at the end as we reveal our top choice for the Gameweek 1 armband, so to help those daring to shun a certain Egyptian we also offer up a host of alternative captaincy options.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Also, this week we are publishing a series of videos looking in detail at each of the Scoutcast regulars’ current Gameweek 1 line-ups.

Rate My FPL Team #1 – Bargain Hunting at Crystal Palace

Rate My FPL Team #2 – Maximum Man City and Liverpool

Rate My FPL Team #3 – Daring to be Salah-less

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium | Forwards: Budget | Forwards: Mid-Price |Forwards: Premium

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Arsenal | Bournemouth | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Cardiff City | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Huddersfield Town | Leicester City | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United | Southampton | Tottenham Hotspur | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

Read them all in one place

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

3,764 Comments Post a Comment
  1. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one midfielder and one forward:

    -Mané, Eriksen, Mahrez or Sane? (Salah is in my team already)

    -Firmino or Lacazette? (I have Aguero and Arnie)

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    1. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I have Laca but I'm concerned over minutes

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    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez Firmino

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    3. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Eriksen Firmino

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    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez n Firmino

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  2. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Almost there with my team now, how should I finish this off?

    Patricio (Stek)
    Mendy Robbo X (AWB Peltier)
    Salah Mane Richarlison X (X) 
    Kun Arnie King

    a) Tomkins, Mahrez & Stephens
    b) Walker, Jota & Cairney

    (Stephens/Cairney would be a bench player)

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    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      a

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  3. Hykkerten
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Lingard
    B) Fraser

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    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      a

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    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Haven't seen a draft with Lingard. Don't think he's back from world cup rest, so him.

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    3. Van Djik-Head
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't recommend Lingard tbh

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  4. Lukaku91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    rmt pls - any suggestions appreciated

    foster
    mendy robertson daniels
    mane sanchez richarlison lucas-moura bernardo-silva
    aguero firmino

    bench: fabianski kamara wan-bissaka peltier

    0.5 itb

    a) is daniels a good pick for the first 3 game weeks? if not who to replace him with
    b) anybody know if peltier will start?

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    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Try here: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

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  5. Salahlulijah
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on Gray from Leicester? Should get more game time now mahrez is gone and good fixtures from gwk 2

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    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just bought a new Algerian though.

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    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      One for the watch list.

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    3. Van Djik-Head
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Watchlist, Maddison is the same for me

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    4. Salahlulijah
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah ideally save for watchlist, but trying to downgrade Bilva to a mid under 6.5m. Not much about unfortunately. Thanks

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  6. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like Maguire is heading to United....

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    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Does it?

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    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I hope so from an FPL pov.

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      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Whats there to hope
        Everyone will have him if he goes to utd

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        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          True. I suppose that makes thing worse. It would be a 6-6.5m defender rated at 5.5m. A no brainer.

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    3. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No chance that happens this late. Hopefully the odds on him staying at Leicester rise with the deadline day hysteria

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  7. Paul
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Are we gonna see some Anfield Express magic this season?? :Lol:

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    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If we do it'll be King Power Express - he's the sub keeper who moved to Leicester, Danny Ward!

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    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Dead. Extinct. No more.

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    3. slamdunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Think it has closed down

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    4. Paul
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers guys...could have done with knowing the other 2 starting defenders

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  8. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Short term punt!

    A) Bilva

    B) Lucas Moura

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    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

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    2. In FPHell
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

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    3. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      both look good short term

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    4. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just A for me.

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    5. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B!

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    6. slamdunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

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  9. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    My take on the cheap midfielders (under 7m). I think that there are lots of interesting options. Their form may well fluctuate throughout the season and there is a good chance that one will come through as the must have asset.

    For now I think they are a gamble. Gross at 7m looks a good long term option. Mikhi if he plays looks another good option. Silva at 7.5m looks a good short term option. Pogba 8m looks a great longer term option.

    For now I would steer clear of the sub 7m midfielders and jump on the player when he appears with a downgrade of a 7-8m midfielder. It is a big gamble to pick the right one from the off and a gamble too far for me.

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    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone for Mkhi and Bilva for the easy downgrade if it goes tets up, but also for the points if it goes tets down

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      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Exactly. This is the point. The upsides are higher and (if Mikhi starts) you know what you are getting with them.

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    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer 6.5 that those 7.0-7.5 ones tbh

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      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Tell you who's not a gamble and NO ONE has mentioned.

        Reuben Loftus-Cheek. If he goes back on loan to Palace today he's straight in my team. 5.5. Sweet.

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        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Same but I already have triple Palace so that would introduce a quandary. Half my team would likely change from the knock-on effect

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          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            So do I. He'd be in for Miliv with a spare mill to spend on beer.

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  10. Van Djik-Head
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    With a current team of the following, I would really love some help with this decision!!:

    (A) Luiz & Mane vs. (B) Tomkins & Sanchez

    Foster - Fabianski
    Robertson - Mendy - D.LUIZ / TOMKINS
    Salah - B.Silva - Richarlson - MANE / SANCHEZ
    Aguero - King - Zaha

    SUBS: Wan-Bissaka - Peltier - Ward

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    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A for me.

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    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

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    3. Fire Chief Moe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A = my team

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  11. darkmatt3r
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any chance of Willian starting?

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    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      There is a chance. That wouldn't be enough to tempt me.

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    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, should start so long as he's genuinely made up with the club.

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  12. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Just perused RAWK there to see fans’ predicted lineups; my god, is there a more pretentious forum on the Internet?

    Thread title sub headings in Latin, referring to players by their full names, posts that look they they are literally thousands of words long... utterly cringeworthy

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    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ts;dr

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  13. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which position has Zaha been playing most of pre season?

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    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      2nd forward / LW

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  14. Mayo for Sam
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Can anyone recommend any decent cash leagues? Feeling confident

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  15. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I’ve ended up with a 4.0 4.5 4.0 4.0 bench.

    Every single year this happens

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    1. slamdunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same as my bench,i always say i wont do it but why have lots of money on the bench.

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    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yep, same here

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    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same here

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  16. Limit80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why no Madison love (bar Az)? His stats look better than Jota (esp. creativity) and is playing for an established PL team. Saw he was flagged - I guess it's this as gw1-5 fixtures are about equal?

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    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Im interested as soon as Vardy is back.

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      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This.

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    2. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Maddison in team who knows pl. But new in team. Jota opposite. 50/50.

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      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Get both 😀

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  17. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Best midfielder for a maximum of 7.5? Already have Bilva, Richarlison and Jota. Currently on Lucas Moura but I'm unconvinced...

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    1. Snikii
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I would say Ramsey, but i am not sure if he will start

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    2. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      lucas should play first few game weeks

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    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Moura

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    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer 2 premium players in every formation (back, mid, attack) so don like that idea but Moura is the best here if you ok with the fact its a transfer waiting to happen

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  18. Snikii
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Where can we find out the schedule for the press conferences?

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  19. RichRover
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why do so many seem to have Richarlison?

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    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      fixtures

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    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Collective hysteria

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  20. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Lerma a possible better choice than Stephens for that fodder role? Would assume he’s nailed with no points potential, great for the bench

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    1. Snikii
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      card magnet and why would you want a new player than someone already proven

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      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Just looked it up, his yellow card record is astounding 😀 16 in 26 games last season.

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        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Wow!

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        2. Snikii
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Its only 26, because he missed the other 12

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    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Didn't realise he was 4.5... pretty tempted by that. Might have to reconsider Cairney as my bench mid and save 0.5m.... Thanks!

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  21. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pls RMNST

    Patricio
    Robertson Tomkins Mendy
    Mane Jota Sanchez Richarlison Bilva
    Aguero Aubameyang

    Wanbiss/peltier/kamara

    Was thinking Auba >> Firmino & Patricio >> De Gea ?
    Also Sanchez >>Pogba & Bilva>>KDB looks good in 2 weeks

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  22. amsemp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) Bilva & Mkhi
    B) Eriksen & Hughes

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    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A but not sure on Mickys gametime, and Bernardos either. Bernardo and Gross?

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  23. Paul
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Just Curious why has Jonty started calling himself Joe all of a sudden?!! 😮

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    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Dunno but I'm gonna start calling you 'Pee' 😉

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  24. vinniebolton
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi All

    Any thought on improving this?

    Pickford (Norris)
    PVA Mee Cedric (Tarkowski,Malone)
    Sanchez Salah Erikson Mili Richarlis
    Zaha Firmino (Kamara)

    Thanks

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    1. amsemp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Great team mate, like it a lot

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      1. vinniebolton
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, I’ll take that, for only my second effort, decided to wait till the final week this year

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    2. Paul
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      RMT article

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      1. vinniebolton
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        What’s this?

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  25. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    a) Zaha/Arnie and Mane
    or
    b) Firmino and Jota

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    1. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A.

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      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        cheers

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  26. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Whats peoples opinion on my team then

    Ederson
    Shaw, Tarkowski, van Aanholt
    Hughes, salah, richarlison, erikson
    Aguero, Jiménez, Aubameyang

    Bench, button, keane, stephens, wan-bissaka

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    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

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  27. Lukaku91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    tomkins or daniels?

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    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Heard talk of Daniels not being nailed this season but I m not sure how accurate.

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      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        True, His replacement has a 3-match ban, then Dan's out.

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      2. Bram
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Rico is expected to take the spot but he's banned for the first 3gw so Daniels should be safe until gw4.

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    2. pls
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      tompkins

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    3. Gee_mm
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Both if you can. Daniels For Gw1

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  28. banskt
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any news on Chris Wood? Is he fit to play GW1?

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    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      We'll know tonight - he's over in Turkey.

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  29. samy888
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    So I dont have ( Mendy , Davis, Robertson ). IS this a a bad sign for my defense ?!

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    1. JJO
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No,if you got yourself a better front 8

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    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Depends who you do have.

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  30. ponsio22
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why is sane getting no love, because he has started a little bit slow in pre season?

    Think everyone will be scrambling round to get him before long.

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    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      too many options. mane looks a better pick right now. bsilva also offering value as hes certain to start the season

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      1. ponsio22
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I have both mane and sane. Why do you think sane might not start? Plus, it won’t be long before David Silva and KDB are back and potentially pushing bilva out.

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        1. Lukaku91
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          i do think sane will start but i see mane getting more points early on, that being said its a coin toss, anythings possible. Having both is definitely not a bad choice. and very possible bilva gets pushed out, but that'll take at least 2/3 weeks. pep loving bilva right now.

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    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      didnt went to WC but than Pep said he is...not qite fit and than he was subbed in community shield playing really poor. There must be a reason.

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    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s set up for him to score a brace v arsenal. Then the Hokey Cokey will begin in earnest. People will take hits to swap Mahrez to him for Huddersfield. Then Mahrez will score & Assist v Huddersfield. Then people will take point hits to get Mahrez for GW3. Then Sterling will score next game. And so it will do on all season.

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      1. Lukaku91
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        this is what im dreading with city. mane dont have that issue

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        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          He will be subbed at 60 for Shaq in every match, though

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        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Mané, Salah, Firmino should get 240 minutes between them each week... not many city attackers you can say that about.

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          1. WesMantooth
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            240 is to rich. maybe 240 when they all start. But there will be injuries and rotation.

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    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Was slow and unfit in CS. Mahrez and Bilva looked better.

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