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Fixtures August 20

Premier League fixture list published as Manchester clubs blank in Gameweek 1

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The fixture list for the 2020/21 Premier League season was published this morning and Fantasy Premier League looks set to kick off with a Blank Gameweek 1.

Manchester City and Manchester United will both start the season a week later following their exploits in European club competition.

Their scheduled opponents on the opening weekend, Aston Villa and Burnley, will also begin their campaigns in Gameweek 2.

Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers were in Champions League and Europa League action earlier this month but, although they have been handed a bit of an extra breather, their first fixtures still fall within Gameweek 1 and will take place on Monday 14 September.

Liverpool and Arsenal take on newly-promoted Leeds United and Fulham in two of the most eye-catching fixtures in the first round of 2020/21 matches, with Chelsea away at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Early-season interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) may well be short-lived, with the Gunners facing Fulham and West Ham United before meeting four of last season’s top five and Sheffield United between Gameweeks 3-7.

Liverpool also have a mixed start, with the visit of Marcelo Bielsa’s side followed by clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal.

Manchester City get their season underway in Gameweek 2 with a trip to Wolves, with visits of Leicester City and Arsenal to follow in Gameweeks 3 and 5.

Their cross-city rivals meanwhile follow up their Blank Gameweek 1 with a more appealing fixture against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with matches against Brighton and Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United coming next.

Spurs have a decent start: they have six meetings against sides that finished 10th or below in their opening seven fixtures, with Championship runners-up West Bromwich Albion then up in Gameweek 8.

Wolves’ run of matches from Gameweeks 3-7 also stand out, while Chelsea will be quietly pleased with their initial schedule aside from a Gameweek 2 clash with Liverpool: the Blues take on Brighton, West Brom, Crystal Palace and Southampton in the opening five Gameweeks.

West Ham United may well be the team to avoid in the opening two months. After a favourable opening-weekend clash with Newcastle United, the Hammers then face six of last season’s top eight in quick succession.

We’ll be back later today with a more detailed inspection of the best and worst fixture schedules.

Our Season Ticker has been updated in the meantime, with Fantasy Football Scout subscribers able to sort by difficulty, attacking and defensive potential and rotation pairings.

Also check out Porstmouth Bubblejet’s fine work in identifying the clubs that rotate home and away fixtures in 2020/21.

The Complete Guide to FPL Pre-Season 2020/21
1,726 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Vinagre saliba taa kwp
    Auba maddison salah son maximilan
    Werner

    Subs: button, ferguson, mitrovic,bamford

    Gtg?

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    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Benching Mitro and Bamford?

      Mitro I definitely don't bench.

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Whats wrong with benching bamford? Vs liv lollll

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        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Just that you may aswell use the funds elsewhere. That’s 2.5m if excess on your bench you’re not starting

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    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mitro over KWP, Bamford > 4.5 and use the 1m imo

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agree thanks!

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      2. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        But with the 1mil what will you do?

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        1. luk46
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe Ziyech as gw1 punt or just save it and get Greenwood/Rashford for gw2

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  2. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    setting team for first time this season.. 100M is not sufficient and need a 10M-20M loan to set a decent team.

    3-5-2 or 4-4-2 is the flavour of the season?

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm on 352 atm, gives you a nice balance.

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      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        who's your 5th mid?

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        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Soucek and ASM

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          1. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            5 & 5.5

            nice!

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

      I don't do seasons.
      GW1 433
      GW2 343

      then we'll see.

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  3. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So much love for Saliba, are we even sure he's going to play?

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    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope.

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    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      We'll see what they do in the community shield first, so wouldn't worry about it. Not like there aren't plenty of other options at that price anyway.

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    3. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      the other Arsenal defenders are crap so he will surely be nailed

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    4. unclesbasement
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im very hesitant in getting him. He is young and hasnt played a minute of pl football. I think arteta will have 2 CB instead of the 3 he had after lockdown which will make it harder for him to play full games as there is alot of competition
      He is right footed so will be playing instead of david luiz which I cant see happening especially early on. Pablo mari and Gabriel will be fighting for the other cb place as well

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

      The transfer - or non-transfer of Gabriel should determine that. I'm leaving him out until I know. It could be after GW1 h as started.

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  4. unclesbasement
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    any 5m players apart form soucek worth looking at?

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    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ritchie, Mooy etc. Likely to be few more players.

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    2. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kebano if Fulham doesnt do much signings.

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    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Plenty of good defenders.

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  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early wildcard is tempting. Makes picking the initial team so much easier. All very messy otherwise.

    Plus you would imagine it will be a tumultuous market for the first few weeks, at a time when a 0.1 change means having to free 0.5. Wildcard would help you get on top of that quickly.

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  6. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane or Son?

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    1. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane

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    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably Kane

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    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer Kane for structural reasons.

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    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son for me, not too many nice options in the 9m midfield bracket

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      1. unclesbasement
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Son played wasnt getting involved much post lockdown

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    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son

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    6. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In case of doubt, take both.

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  7. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Given the strong finish, has Kane broken the witch's curse about scoring in the first month of the season?

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    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      August will be gone fortunately 😉

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    2. Critical Observer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There is no previous of his end-of-season form carrying over to new season, don’t know why this would be any different now.

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      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I guess since it is much, much shorter?

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  8. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How's this. Worth playing a £4m defender?

    McCarthy
    Trent, Tierney, Justin, Ferguson
    Auba, Salah, Ziyech
    Kane, Lacazette, Adams.

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    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only if you're certain that he starts which at the moment I'm sure you aren't.

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  9. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think no Peireira, Chilwell and Evans will affect Vardy's returns?

    Harder to transition from defence to attack, weaker on the flanks, more defensive to compensate...

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

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    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      100% they’ll be a completely different team

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    3. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pereira will, the others won’t in my opinion.

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    4. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      His returns were affected alot when both chil and Per were out, evans doesnt have that much influence as far as aiding Vardy to score but the defensive stability does help. Overall I'd say tentatively avoid until closer to gw1 when either fullbacks might return

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    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all. Not a fan of parties anyway...

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  10. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ghost team (had enough of football after last season and I'll never best last season's rank). Safe to keep Fernandes/C. Taylor/Foden for the GW1 blank?

    Ryan
    Vinagre - TAA - Taylor*
    Aubameyang (V) - Moutinho - Foden* - Fernandes* - Salah (TC)
    Mitrovic - Werner

    Button - Dallas - Brewster - Ferguson

    There's a big risk I'll only have ten players in GW1 (unless Brewster gets his move), but surely better that than riding it out with KDB as well?

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  11. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Tierney first choice ovet Kola? Just need him.for gw1

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    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

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  12. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing lot of planning Gw2 transfers already.
    Why not wait and see first.
    Im not willing to automatically transferring out likes of Son, Auba for KDB, Bruno with those fixtures at hand.

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    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Auba is a prime captaincy candidate in GW2. Will only sell him in GW3. Will hold Son too. Liverpool mid out in GW2. Auba out in GW3.

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      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Liverpool mid out? No, thanks.

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  13. Sune
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anybody wants 0.5£?

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    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      wire it to 150954

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      1. Sune
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        😀

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  14. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    seems like either Son in a 352 or Ings/Jimenez in a 343 rn, who would egde it? first few looks nice for spurs, but mourinho...

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    1. Bob B
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimenez

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  15. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Bellerin nailed at RB?

    Is Cedric a threat?

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    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No one in that Arsenal backline is nailed. Tierney probably has the best chance tho as many are touting him as the next club captain.

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    2. unclesbasement
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Most likely....but still depends on what happens in the transfer window. Remember there is also maitland niles fighting for that spot(if he doesnt leave)

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    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks. The risk v reward ratio probably not good enough then...

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      1. unclesbasement
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yep...I was looking at Davies(spurs) has potential to keep clean sheets but dont know if hes nailed down

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  16. All For One
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost:

    Mccarthy
    Taa, Vinagre, Saliba
    Salah, Auba, Son, Soucek
    Jimenez, Mitrovic, Werner

    Button, Stephens, Ferguson, Taylor

    How does this team look?

    I'm thinking GW3 to bring in Kdb and Martial by swapping out Auba and Werner.

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    1. unclesbasement
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get saliba out of your squad...I dont think he will play ahead of Luiz early on

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      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'll keep an eye on him.

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      2. PrettyDick
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        1. he very well could be and 2. he doesn't have to, he can play alongside him

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    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This is good. Hard to fault any of those picks.

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      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks man

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      2. All For One
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I only see Soucek as the weak link but it's the best I can do with 5m.

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        1. One Man
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I’ll have him to but I plan to rotate him during tougher fixtures.

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        2. Pipermaru
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          There's Matt Ritchie with ok fixtures.

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          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cool thanks

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  17. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone looking at Hegazi for a 4.5 defender?

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This might help:
      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/09/west-bromwich-albions-defence-assessed-ahead-of-fpl-return-in-2020-21/

      Not sure I trust a promoted defence from the off...

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      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I read it before I posted, and somehow I'm strangely drawn to this option given poor fixtures for many other options (especially Leeds and Burnley).

        Or perhaps Johnstone in goal and then get KWP instead of McCarthy?

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    2. Bob B
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I remember him doing well last time but there's no way I'm having a West Brom defender

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    3. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Didn't start much last season

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  18. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which teams have the best run-in? Looks very mixed to me. Can't really see one team that looks the best..

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    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Spurs have good opening fixtures.

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  19. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mitrovic has V good opening fixtures. Prob better than Calvert L. To start now ?

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    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mitrovic 100% nailed in my team. Probably Ings too.

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    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He'll be in my side.

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    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Was always going 2 up top until I saw his fixtures. A must-have.

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  20. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Right I've decided to just attack the first gameweek targeting the fixtures almost like a free hit team and then wildcard GW2 which will be a completely different team.

    Possibly not ideal using the wildcard so early but I tend to use the first wildcard early anyway every season. At least I may actually get off to a good start for once.

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    1. Bob B
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will be better to keep hold of your wildcard for later down the line

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      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The Utd and City blanks has meant I will be unable to save it. Will simply be too many transfers and hits to get the team I want from GW2. The second wildcard is more important to keep in your back pocket for the end of the season anyway when the double weeks and blank gameweeks are a factor.

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      2. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Also to add to that, at the end of the day the wildcard is there to use whenever it's needed which for me this season will be GW2.

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

      Its great fun doing an early WC

      I nearly always do it

      Nearly always regret it too mind you, but great fun nonetheless 🙂

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      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Every year I try to save it for as long as possible but it burns a hole in my pocket. I think in the 15yrs I've been playing GW8 is the longest I've gone before using it.

        I will be able to make some team value as well with the price rises and have a look at some players who played GW1 which will also provide clarity on who the starters are particularly when trying to pick up a 4m defender.

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

          This set of blanks is going to open up a lot of opportunities for strategies like that to be effective

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          1. gooberman
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah hoping to use it to my advantage. Only trouble is if any of the players in my GW1 team who I wasn't planning on keeping do well, it may be hard to let them go.

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  21. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Knew Mitro would have a good fixtures

    Gah

    Mitro and Mane
    Jiminez and Ings

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    1. Bob B
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mitro and Mane, wouldn't have both Jimenez and Ings. I'm going for Jimenez, Werner, Mitrovic.

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  22. unclesbasement
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Davies nailed on for spurs

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    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would rather Aurier tbh. Better attacking threat and Mourinho seems to like him.

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      1. unclesbasement
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yh but spurs are good at keeping clean sheets and have very good fixtures early on

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        1. PrettyDick
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          "but" ? that doesn't go against what Chandler said.. it only adds to it

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          1. unclesbasement
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I dont have enough for aurier

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      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aurier to AC Milan may happen..

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  23. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hey fam! So what's the plan with Manchester clubs missing GW1?

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    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The easiest, hit-free one is this

      Start with Auba Salah Mané.

      Bfr GW2, Mané to Bruno
      Bfr GW3, Auba to KDB

      But that means no Kane, probably. And Werner as the only premium fwd.

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      1. Bob B
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Booking in transfers doesn't seem wise

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

          My thinking too, especially as City's opening fixtures aren't great. I'm basically doing nothing until after TDD, post-GW4.

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          1. Pieterke30
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            TDD?

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            1. Pieterke30
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Oh. Transfer deadline day.

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        2. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I dont call that booking transfers, it’s just planning how I can get a Utd attacker for GW2, and how I can get KDB for GW3 by taking the least amount of hits.

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  24. footballfreak
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hows this for a first draft? wildcarding in gw 2..thinking of changing justin soucek and vardy to tierney amstrong and ings
    Mcarthy (fabri)
    TAA Robertson Justin (Ferguson, Mitchell)
    Salah(c) Auba(vc) ASM Soucek (Stephens)
    Werner Vardy Antonio

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    1. footballfreak
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry its VVD not Robertson not enough money

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  25. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I don't rate Spurs and Leices and if wasn't for the Mancs' blank I'm not sure we'd be considering them

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    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, double Chelsea attack while others are on Spurs could be a nice differential.

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  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Vinagre kwp/justin taa
    Salah auba maximilan maddison son
    Werner mitro

    Subs: button, saliba, ferguson, bamford

    Gtg ?

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  27. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    McCarthy - Nyland

    TAA - Ayling - Vinagre - Justin - Ferguson

    Salah - Aubameyang - Son - ASM - Armstrong

    Werner - Jimenez - Davis

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  28. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does it look, lads?

    McCarthy / Ryan
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier / Vinagre, Saliba
    Salah, Son, Ziyech, Armstrong / Gordon
    Werner, Jimi, Mitrovic

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  29. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    the team just looks shite without manchester players in it.

    im more and more tempted just to "free hit" wk1 & 2 and wildcard wk3. historically the wildcard has always been used wk2 or wk3 anyway, so i probably shouldnt kid myself into thinking this time is any different.

    with that in mind...

    McCarthy (possibly Martinez) 4
    TAA Tierney Justin (Ayling 4)
    Salah Auba Maddy Soucek (4.5)
    Kane Ings Mitro

    Do Salah to Bruno wk2 and captain, rotate Soucek with Ayling to cover wk2.
    Then wildcard wk3 all the manchester and wolves players in, decide if the chelski players have any promise, and jump on any emerging bandwagons wherever they may be.

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  30. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Maddison? could turn into a great mid price midfielder.

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    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would rather have Robbo/VVD/Doherty in a different formation. Flatters to deceive.

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