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Captain Sensible February 5

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 23?

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Liverpool and Manchester City’s Gameweek 23 meeting at Anfield should allow Fantasy Premier League managers the chance to spread their wings and think creatively with the captaincy this weekend.

Fresh from their 9-0 win over Southampton, Manchester United options are in the conversation ahead of a meeting with Everton, while Spurs host a relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion outfit. 

But considering the Red Devils were helped by the Saints’ unfortunate injuries and poorly-timed red cards, and Spurs have struggled without Harry Kane (£11.0m), is now the time for a differential captain?

West Ham’s in-form attack travel to face a Fulham side whose recent defensive improvements appear to have lapsed while Aston Villa host Arsenal, who have some defensive personnel missing for Gameweek 22.

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to sort through the best options, comparing their recent underlying statistics against those of their upcoming opponents.

As this uses extensive data from Fantasy Football Scout’s Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

The early results on our website indicate that our users have identified three main captaincy candidates for Gameweek 22, each of them gaining more than 15% of votes so far.

Unsurprisingly, Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) sits in first place with just over 32.0% as Manchester United’s prepare to host Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

Despite Spurs’ toils in front of goal, 21.4% of our voters trust Son Heung-min (£9.7m) enough to capitalise on West Bromwich Albion’s woeful defence. They have given up at least two goals in each of their last seven Premier League matches.

This week’s top-three is closed out by Michail Antonio (£6.7m), who, despite not finding the net in his last three league appearances, is still chipping in with assists (three since Gameweek 20) and remains a constant goal threat.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) are the best of the rest this time around as Aston Villa host an Arsenal side without Bernd Leno (£5.0m), Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds squad will be out for revenge on Crystal Palace, who beat them 4-1 earlier in the campaign.

KEY MATCHES

Manchester United v Everton

Fernandes punishes Saints' ailing defence as Man United face more appealing fixtures
The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 23
745 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford vs Watkins. Predicted pts this gw please folks. thanks

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both will score big. This Arsenal stand-in keeper is awful.

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    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford. But I think both will return minimum 6.

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    3. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both good options this week.

      Bamford is template, Watkins more differential.

      Watkins has a huge score in him but keeps failing to deliver bon this promise.

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    4. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      12 points vs 6 points

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      1. Luton_Fan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks all. its definitely a tricky one.

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  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would love Salah to somehow bag a brace or something this wkend

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

    Would you play Dallas over:
    1) Gundogan
    2) Cancelo
    3) Dias
    4) Nope!

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes over dias, palace possibly without wilf and toothless

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    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias

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    3. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just play him over Dias but make him first on bench.

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    4. Fplviz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm looking to bring in Dallas (planning for the DGW) and play him ahead of Stones this week!

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  4. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone interested in Fulham? Historically, teams fighting relegation have been decent options towards end of the season, they will have two DGWs, and could be a nice contrarian to play against Burnley defenders.

    WHU, eve/bur, SHU and another DGW26 most likely cry/TOT

    Lookman?

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not convinced I'm staying clear

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      1. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        fair enough, its tough to trust these teams

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  5. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play him over Dias but make him first on bench.

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  6. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On 2 FT’s
    Can’t do Johnstone to Pope in 1 move:

    Would you:

    A) Do Chillwell to Mee and keep him as Burnley defensive cover and roll
    B) Chillwell to Shaw Johnstone to pope for free. However leaves me with only 1FT next week.

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

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    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who's your first bench? (for A)

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  7. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defensive option:

    1) 4.8 or under
    2) 6.8 or under (non-City)

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      shaw and shaw again

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      1. Tmel
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Annoyingly, he's 4.9

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    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1.Rudiger
      2. Shaw

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

      Coufal / Dallas
      Alonso

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  8. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins to Bamford this gw or wait until gw 25? in 2 minds with this.

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tough but worthwhile long term so yes

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    2. GoodFella93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      imo Watkins will outscore Bamford for the rest of the season.

      Bamford has a bee in his bonnet against Palace though, and would love to score against them again.

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  9. FantasyFooty01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Into week 2 of last man standing, who should I pick? comment below. 50 left.
    Already picked:
    Chelsea
    Man City

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  10. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For the first time in a while I think I can save my FT. I know Kane is out but I think I can wait out his return for the DGW.

    Martinez
    Stones Cancello Dallas
    Gund Bruno Soucek Raph Salah
    Bamford Antonio

    Bench - bednarek coufal Kane

    Save FT?
    Right bench? Maybe two city defenders is too much?

    Cheers for any input

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      save or get pope/mee. Sell coufal if the latter

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  11. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Mee or Dallas?

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      mee

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    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers

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    3. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas, more chance of assist, goal and cleanie returns, and can look forward to the footy on Monday

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      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Swayed me ha

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  12. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford in for who? Also, would you bench one of City defenders and bring someone else in?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Cresswell
    Salah Gundogan Bruno Grealish Son
    Antonio DCL

    Steer Bamford Bednarek Mitchell 2FT, 2.1 itb

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    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      dcl

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    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      bench gundo

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      1. Jonesfromthere
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        dcl actually

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    3. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

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  13. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    *bottomed
    Do you think that Mane will start?

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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  14. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else looking at bam bam captain? CPA defensive numbers looking good for a haul

    Only thing that worries me is Leeds don’t seem to be as good at home

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    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer Antonio

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      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would be on Antonio (c) if I had him or could get him in 1 move

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    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm not based on their first meeting, was a classic Roy Hodgson counter clinic and he can pull it off again. Leeds aren't exactly going to surprise anyone with how they play. Zaha is a loss but Ayew, Townsend etc can still be an out ball

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        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Disagree with that, think they will struggle without zaha and Leeds will get the better of them - let’s see though !

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          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Oh I didn't say they wouldn't struggle or would win but the question was captaincy. I think Leeds will win but I'm not sure and wouldn't be surprised if they struggled either

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        2. GoodFella93
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          As a Leeds fan I'd be very weary. If Palace perform a good low block we will struggle to break them down and Bamford will struggle to find space. You never know with Leeds, any of the the attackers can haul but I'd sooner captain Alonso than Bamford I have to say.

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      • Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Does it really make sense selling Areola (eve,bur) for Pope (cry,FUL) when I could instead just sell Coufal (SGW) for Mee, who’s got some goal threat?

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        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'd sell coufal for mee

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          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers yeah, that’s what I’m thinking but every reply on the last page suggested Areola to Pope instead, was a bit puzzled as to why

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

          GK transfers are rarely worth it

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          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            that’s kinda my thinking? Sure Pope could get 2CS, saves and BAPs, but at least then I’d have CS for Mee as well, while also have an extra DGW player in Areola already owned

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            1. Pompel
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Exactly same conundrum, leaning towards selling Areola since Pope have better fixtures, and also get Mee in addition. But your point that Burnley defender will get cs points is very true, but I though maybe to double up given Burnely's much better fixtures

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

          Yeah think it makes sense in your case. I’m getting Pope but I don’t already have a DGW keeper.

          Losing Coufal for next 2 could bite though.

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          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yea, it could tbf... 24 is a non arguement as he’d be on my bench anyway, but I’m inclined to keep him for this week...

            Just don’t know what move to make this week then, given I have 2FT! Dare I say burn one?

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      • as33
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have 2 city def Stones and Cancelo, should i switch Stones to Kilman?

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        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          nope

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      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Palace has not scored in the three games that Zaha was out.

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        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Dallas haul inbound

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      • Arsenal97
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So confused .who to start ? And what transfert should i do ?Jonstone to Steer and Stones to (Rudiger or Alonso)?

        Martinez
        Dias Shaw Cresswell Justin
        Salah Fernandes Son
        Werner Bamford Antonio

        Johnstone Soucek Gundo Stones

        2FT £2.4m

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      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Best midfielder up to 10.0 for gw24 and after except Grealish,ManCity?

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        1. More Cowbell
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Soucek? JWP?

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      • Bene_the_horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just checking....If I have two free transfers and only use one this week, I will have two free transfers next week?

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        1. Lazaretti
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes.

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      • More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Son is giving me a real dilemma....thoguhts!?

        All my rivals have him - if he scored big, I'm doomed.
        Great fixure
        He and Spurs' form is bang average
        Other priorities to focus on ... i.e. DGW24

        To bring in or not?

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        1. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think there are serious doubts over his form both before but particularly since Kane’s injury. I bought him but wish I hadn’t and I’ve just move my captaincy to Bruno

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        2. Lazaretti
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No. If you own him don't sell but if you don't own don't buy!

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        3. RyanC
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I've brought him in, perhaps against my better judgement.

          Purely fixture over form in this case. Fixtures create form, right?

          But yeah. Brought him in, thrown the armband on him, what the hell.

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      • Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would you bring in Pope for a hit. Martinez my other goalie. Also have Zaha and want swap him out.

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        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No chance

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          1. Lazaretti
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks. Both Martinez and Pope can haul.

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        2. GoodFella93
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Pope and Martinez rotate well for the rest of the season. Perhaps not worth a hit for this week only but overall I'd say it's going to be worth it.

          You'd also play Pope next week for WBA (h) over Martinez LEI (a). Pope would then be benched until GW31 but I think overall if you have the spare cash then it's worth it. And if you have bench boost to use it's absolutely going to be worth it.

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      • tissae
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do you guys play 2 City defenders this GW, or bench one? If so, who are you starting instead?

        Martinez
        Cancelo Dias Cresswell

        Bench: Bednarek Mitchell

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        1. sreten76
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cancelo and Cresswell

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      • Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who's the most playable this week?
        A. Coufal
        B. Dallas

        Doesn't matter too much as the latter would come in for Chilwell if he doesn't play

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        1. Phlajo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hard du tell, but I'd probably start Dallas of those.

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      • More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Is anyone benching their Man City defenders this week?

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        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thinking of benching Dias and playing Cancelo. Not sure though, feels like I'll just be disappointed if MC keep a clean sheet and also if they don't

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          1. GoodFella93
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            dont feel disappointed if they don't as Cancelo can get attacking returns. It makes the most sense to bench Dias and play Cancelo.

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        2. Fit_to_drop
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I havent done my 2 FTS yet but assuming 1 of them is a defender (taking out Robbo), I may bench 1 city.

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        3. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nope

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      • Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Over the next 2 weeks, I will sign Pope (replaces Forster), Keane (replaces Robbo), Lowton (replaces Mitchell) and Jorginho/Soucek (replaces Dale Stephens) to tee up a BB in DGW24. Total cost -4. WC after that.

        Are these good moves?

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      • Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This is my current defence...
        Martinez (Johnstone)
        Cancelo, Coufal, Chiwell, Dallas, Dias

        1) Play Chilwell and have good back up to come in (Coufal/Dallas). Then get Mee or Shaw next gw. Use transfer to do Johnstone to Pope for DGW.
        2) Sell Chilwell. Bit of a bench headache, but probably get Mee/Rudiger/Shaw now. Play Martinez, skip Pope.

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      • Phlajo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Got 2FT and 0.6 itb

        Martinez (Forster)
        Dias Digne Dallas Coufal Douglas
        Salah Bruno Rashford Son Maddison
        Antonio DCL Brewster

        Exact cash for Douglas to Lowton (DGW24 preparation) and then roll a FT?

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      • STILL ILL
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Current team:

        Mendy
        Robbo Cancelo Stones Coufal Strjuik
        Grealish Salah Bruno Gundo Son
        DCL Bamford Brewster

        On 2 FTs, would you for DGW 24 do:

        A) Coufal -> Mee now, Robbo, Mendy -> Digne, Pope next week
        to give you 7 DGWers: Stones, Cancelo, Gundo, DCL, Digne, Pope and Mee (and Bamford benched vs ars)

        B) Stones -> Mee now
        Son, Robbo -> Sterling, Digne next week to give you 6 DGWers (Sterling instead of Stones) and playing Bamford

        Any opinions or other ideas? Leading in ML, and leaning towards B as I doubt that Stones will play both of the DGW fixtures, dislike playing Son against mci and benching Bamford against ars, and like Sterling as a potential big hitting "differential".

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        1. STILL ILL
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          1.8 ITB at the moment

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      • Avery
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        New thread https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/02/05/fit-again-pereira-can-return-to-2019-20-form-in-castagnes-absence/

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