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­FPL 2025/26 team previews: Man Utd – Best players, DC magnets + more

8 August 2025 463 comments
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Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd take centre stage in our latest 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team preview.

Top FPL picks, a Gameweek 1 line-up prediction, fixture assessment, defensive contribution (DC) magnets and more – it’s all covered here.

Fantasy EFL: when should you use your

The data and graphics in this article come from either our Members Area or Statsbomb, with whom we are again partnering in 2025/26.

Fantasy managers can get access to the wealth of Statsbomb numbers, as well as the usual Opta stats, new defensive contribution (DC) points, recalculated points from last season, exclusive articles, transfer planner, tools and app, with a 47% discounted Chief Scout membership today!

MAN UTD: REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

INCREASED FIREPOWER

FPL new signings: Does Mbeumo have less appeal at Man Utd? 4

Man Utd’s disastrous 2024/25 season ended with a 15th-placed domestic finish and defeat in the UEFA Europa League final.

In an attempt to improve matters, particularly the goals scored column, Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) were both signed earlier this summer, and now the club have agreed a deal with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

Mbeumo and Cunha combined for 35 goals and 16 assists (Opta and Fantasy) in the Premier League last season.

They were admittedly two of the top expected goals (xG) overperformers, but they will certainly add something to United’s attack.

Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m), one of the Premier League’s top chance creators, is staying too.

NO EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Ruben Amorim – Scout Report 1

United’s lack of European football in 2025/26 should help them in the Premier League.

Indeed, Ruben Amorim has already outlined the benefits of not playing in Europe by saying it will allow him to properly prepare his team each week.

It should hopefully lead to a more settled XI, as United look to bounce back.

“I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League, could be an advantage to perform well, to perform better, to prepare better the games, to build that core we need for the future. So, I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage.” – Ruben Amorim

MAN UTD: REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

2024-25 STRUGGLES / OLD TRAFFORD WOES

Man Utd v Brighton team news:

Last season was a total disaster for United.

They were beaten in 18 of their 38 Premier League matches, registered a negative goal difference (-10) and collected just 42 points, as they failed to adapt to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

They were particularly poor at Old Trafford, with nine defeats in total.

Only the three relegated teams netted fewer home goals, too:

Above: The Premier League home table in 2024/25, via FootyStats

CENTRAL MIDFIELD CONCERN

463 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jackie Moon
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Thoughts on a GW1 bench boost of:
    Areola
    AWB
    P Sarr
    VDV

    It’s cheap so don’t leave too much cash on the bench afterwards and playing promoted team, but is it still maybe better off for later in the season?

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    1. I Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      That looks good enough to me.

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    2. Sir Michael Taker
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      West Ham have just signed Leicester's old keeper I believe

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      1. Jackie Moon
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Ah cheers for the update. Maybe Kelleher or Vergbruggen instead then?

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    3. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Currently have Diouf over AWB but otherwise same BB bench. Point noted below though on today's signing of Mads Hermansen so wait with interest to see his price but expect 4.5m. Would need some real confirmation he starts GW1 though to not swap to another option.

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      1. Jackie Moon
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Is Diouf looking the part? I generally prefer not going with new signing straight away.

        And yeh I’ll have to wait and see on the keeper. Don’t mind switching to Kelleher, can play him in GW3 as well.

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        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          From what I've read Diouf seems the more attacking option and been putting in some nice crosses in preseaon. You know what you get with AWB though I appreciate.

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  2. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Not many going for Mbeumo, is it lack of penalty etc and the United connection??

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    1. FPLCEO
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Just too many unknowns at Utd right now but no doubt we will have some of them in our teams in due course.

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  3. FPLCEO
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    All the content creators seem to have Palmer as locked in but he was shocking at the end of last season?!

    I am thinking Saka or Marmoush instead will end up a differential

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    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Same

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    2. Jackie Moon
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      He had a really CWC and much better fixtures than Arsenal. That’s why I’m picking him to start, but Saka could work out well.

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      1. FPLCEO
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        He was great at CWC but not sure that translates personally.

        Think I will get Saka and Marmoush instead and have Pedro for some Chelsea cover.

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        1. FPLCEO
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          Also think there are goals to be had in Arsenals first 2 fixtures.

          Wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up 2-2 and 3-0 or similar

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        2. Jackie Moon
          • 8 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          See it’s Pedro that I think could be the trap. Really good player, but without penalties I don’t see him getting a whole lot of returns and will share minutes with Delap.

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        3. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          Confident on Marmoush minutes - bar Haaland I really have no idea on City attack atm and worry it could see a fair bit of rotation. Cole, at least, is nailed but yes yoou pay for it. Also agree on Saka though amd GW2 (c) material.

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    3. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I'm actually considering just Pedro from Chelsea. Even with all the rotation risk, he should start for them. He can play anywhere in attack and he's their best attacker after Palmer.

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      1. FPLCEO
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Snap.

        Front 7:

        Salah Marmoush Saka Gakpo Malen

        Watkins Pedro

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        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          If I'm not getting Palmer, I'm getting Haaland.

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    4. martynteresa
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I dropped Palmer and brought in Marmoush a week ago. Not going back lol

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    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      How was Saka's form at the end of last season...

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    6. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Marmoush is in my diff pick

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    7. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Saka fixtures issue and probably palming off any pens to Gyokeres to build some confidence. Marmoush a huge minutes risk. Palmer looked great at the CWC.

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  4. I Member
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    60-70 mins of Joao Pedro or 90 mins of Mateta?

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    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      JP because better team, better attack, better fixtures. It's more likely that Pedro scores a brace in 70 mins and Mateta blanks in 90 mins on MD1.

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    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Mateta

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    3. martynteresa
      11 months, 13 days ago

      60-70 Mateta and he still wins
      Pedro 5 goals last season without penalties
      6 the season before.
      Granted only 2000 mins per season, but thats all the time he might get with Delap competition and palmer on pens

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  5. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Best 5.0m 5th mid? Currently on KDH, but is Pape Sarr an option (have Kudus).

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    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I've been on Sarr the whole week. How's KDH an option now? Because of his move to Everton?

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      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Yeah he should be nailed as an eight here. In my team RN

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      2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Right.

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    2. FPLCEO
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Christie

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      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        0 mins in preseason and I don't think he will be available by GW1

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    3. martynteresa
      11 months, 13 days ago

      When Mbuemo moved I looked for his successor at Brentford. He's been in my team for around 2 weeks now. I think I have this season Rogers. As long as Brentford dont sign a RW its all his.

      Carvahlo 5m

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      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Yeah good shout

        I like so many cheap mids lol i have KDH, Sarr, Ndaiye, and want Carvalho too

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    4. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I really like Xhaka

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      1. Bram
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Should hover up some def points althoough they will likely comewith a card or 2 too.

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      2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Xhaka is a solid shout.

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  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Is verbruggen best 4.5 keeper for gw1?

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    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Maybe. Kelleher could be an option as Forest looked a bit toothless preseason or see whether we get any confirmation who's starting GW1 at WHM now Mads Hermansen is there.

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  7. Skout
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Is RAN too risky from the beginning of the season?

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    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      No. A little

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  8. McGurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    The Ipswich steal tonight was worse than the Great Train Robbery. I realise no one care but I am being nostalgic to the the days when people chatted here! x

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Course of the game they were worth a point.

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    2. Dubem_FC
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Match fixing.

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  9. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    How does one get the player list in mobile view now?

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  10. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Haaland and Salah draft with no Chelsea?

    Sels Dubravka
    Williams Richards Andersen Dorgu Rodon
    Salah Saka Wirtz Anderson Carvalho
    Haaland JSL Guiu

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I mean weak. JSL as a week in week out player seems awfully hopeful and the defense looks bad.

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  11. AD105
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    A) Van de Ven / Ndiaye / Bowen
    Or
    B) Murillo / Rogers / JSL

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    1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      A for me

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    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 13 days ago

      got to be a

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  12. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Please help me out here completing this:

    Sanchez | Dubravka
    Tarkowski | Williams | VdV | Diouf | Esteve
    Palmer | Bruno | Wirtz | X | X
    Haaland | Watkins | Guiu

    A - Gakpo + 4.5
    B - Ndiaye + Xhaka + 0,5itb

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    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      2 cheap mids and frw? No

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      1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        I don't understand... Which cheap mids?

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        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          One mid and one frw i mean
          I prefer playing 343 352

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    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      A assuming you plan on playing 4-4-2.
      B if you fancy trying to rotate or want some more bench security but will you start Xhaka at all?
      If intending to rotate 3 at the back then B.

      So in summary ........ depends!!

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      1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Yes, I was thinking 442 but BB on GW2 with the Sunderland-Burnley game.
        Xhaka might be one of the 5,5M mids like Anderson, Malen, Adingra, Wilson, PMSarr, etc.

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        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          Sarr is only 5.0 but I guess more of a BB GW1 than GW2 option. (I currently have him in my BB GW1 side). I like Andersoon but I'm a biased Forest Fan although I'm only really looking at their defence atm much as Anderson, MGW and Wood occassionally nag at me!

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  13. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Thoughts on chalobah?

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Big headache

      Don't bother

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    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Obvious swap from Colwill but ....
      Does the loss of Colwill just make Chelsea def less appealing in general? Your answerr to this answers the other question.

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      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Just targeting gw 1 & 3

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        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          Yeah - I was on Colwill but scratching my head a bit now.
          I'm also considering Badiashile as he's the logical immediate replacement as he was last year but Hato muddies the waters a bit now as a possibility and I'm planning a GW1 wc so don't want really to risk starts. If you can afford a risk he may be an option at 4.5m as I suspect he'll start there initially but be under pressure from Hato.

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          1. Bram
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 months, 13 days ago

            lol GW1 Bench Boost not wc!

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  14. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Which combo?

    1. Bruno & Muniz (any 5.5m forward)
    2. Kudus & Joao Pedro (or any 6.5m mid/7.5m fwd)

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 13 days ago

      B if early WC

      A with guiu and keep the change

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  15. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Hey chaps

    Currently on a rather strange Everton quadruple.

    Tempted to leave it that way as an EFC fan

    Pickford
    Tark Milenkovic Gvardiol
    Palmer Ndaiye KDH P.M.Sarr
    Haaland Watkins Bowen

    4.0 Semenyo Konsa Gudmunsson

    Any thoughts?

    I feel like there are some deficiencies but unsure which Everton player i can drop

    KDH incredible value, Ndaiye on pens plus creativity, Tark CBITs out of this world, and Picky top scoring keeper last year

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    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Drop a def/gk
      Team not balanced with one of pms and kdh starting

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  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Why there is no sign of aina anywhere
    Not even in new kits images

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    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Not sure but most seem to be favouring Neco of the 2 which is probably fair although I have played with a draft with both!

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      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Yeah already have neco
        Want another 5.0 def
        Aina seems the best option
        May be forced to pick myko

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        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          I think the Neco Aina double up is valid but I could just be a biased Forest Fan! I think any of our def or Sels is a valid option with the early fixtures and you probably get what you pay for.

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    2. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      I’m on Murillo

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      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 13 days ago

        Why Murillo? Honest question

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        1. Warby84
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          Should rack up extra bonus, figure was 53% of all games last season

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        2. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 13 days ago

          He will likely hover up the new def points.

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  17. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Kudus, Paqueta, Bowen, Diouf, Rice … can I get more ex hammers? Where is Cresswell these days?

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    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      Stoke

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  18. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Tomorrow is the day when almost everything is decided
    Important day coming

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  19. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Kelleher Dubravka
    Virgil Munoz Murillo (Diouf Esteve)
    Salah(c) Wirtz Mbeumo Sarr(Tot) Saka
    Wood Bowen (Guiu)

    Gtg??

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    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      No obvious issues.

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  20. Vazza
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    Sesko’s expected price?

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    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 13 days ago

      8.5 I reckon

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  21. Raiser153
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 13 days ago

    1st draft - what do you think lads?

    Kelleher (Petrovoc)
    Frimpong, De Cuyper, AWB (Konsa, Esteve)
    Salah, Wirtz, Rogers, Kudus (Anderson)
    Isak, Joao Pedro, Wood

    If Isak future isn't decided then will likely bring in Watkins and keep the 1.5m ITB.

    Defense could strengthen but not sure what to sacrifice?

    Thoughts?

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