FPL

Who were the cheapest starting players in FPL Gameweek 1?

19 August 2025 242 comments
Rocky7 Rocky7
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Most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads will contain at least one budget enabler.

Here we look through the cheapest starting players in FPL Gameweek 1, as well as those making an appearance off the bench.

We’ll be going through all four Fantasy positions: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.

GOALKEEPERS

Following his summer move to Burnley, Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) was a popular choice for FPL managers as a reserve goalkeeper. Indeed, with a 34.6% ownership, the Slovak is the most popular keeper in the game.

In Gameweek 1, Dubravka played the full 90 minutes for the Clarets against Tottenham Hotspur but did little wrong in the 3-0 reverse. He saved 50% of the six shots he faced and half of the two big chances with which he was confronted.

DEFENDERS

 

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242 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Crazy RedDevil
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Palmer to Saka or Watkins to Gyokeres? I'll captain Saka /Gyokeres. Please suggest.

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    1. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka all day long

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    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka but neither worth doing

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    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Considering both myself but swaying to taking another week to asses further

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    4. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka rumored to be off pens.

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    5. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I’d roll and captain Watkins. Brentford were ripped apart and Wood took advantage

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    6. MJF
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Think West Ham are worse than Leeds tbh, its marginal as to whether Saka outscores Palmer and then he faces Anfield in GW3 while Palmer is home to Fulham.

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    7. Full Kit Wonkas
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Transferring a non-injured asset after one GW is desperate

      Roll your transfer, get more data

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  2. TKC07
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Which season was it when Spurs lost GW1 without scoring Vs some weak team and Son and Kane went ballistic second GW?

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    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      20/21!

      Lost 1-0 to Everton in Gameweek 1, then went to Southampton and thrashed them 5-1.

      Son scored four, Kane got one goal and four assists 🙂

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      1. TKC07
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks. Unfortunately I was one to rage transfer Kane out..

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        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          I didn't have either of them, it was painful.

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      2. MJF
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Pretty sure I sold Kane that week!

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      3. Esraj
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Mourinho was the manager.

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      4. brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        And I had Son captain and Kane so remember that well

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      5. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        When did Son have a hat trick off the bench? That was crazy

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        1. Dubem_FC
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          Against Leicester City. Should be 2022/23.

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  3. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Best GW for Frimpong + Palmer + Wirtz > 4.0 + Salah + M.Cunha?

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    1. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      No way. For -8, absolutely no way.

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    2. SINGH
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Do it man

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  4. Eddie Nketamine
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Ignoring long term and purely just for GW2
    What combo scores more?

    Reijndeers + Haaland
    Or
    Palmer + Gyokores

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    1. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      R+H by far.

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      1. Eddie Nketamine
        • 3 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Any reason to go for the other one?

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        1. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          Bro you asked and he answered. Why are you asking about the other option?

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        2. Tomerick
          • 12 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          If you are happy with getting less points?

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    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      City boys

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    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      top one by a mile

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  5. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Wirtz to Semenyo with a plan to do JPedro to Etiquette next GW? Yay or nay?

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Give Wirtz another week imo

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    2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I think Wirtz will come good

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    3. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I did it on Sunday to catch the price rise

      have 2m in the bank now to upgrade Fullkrug

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  6. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Hey guys, can I afford to roll? Or would you swap anything.
    Kelleher
    AWB Dorgu N.Williams
    Palmer Mbuemo Gakpo Wirtz Rogers
    Watkins Haaland
    (Van de Ven-Rodon-Guiu)

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    1. FPL Laurenzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      roll

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    2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Yes I had him in an early draft but not safe enough I don’t think, especially with the shadow of Donarumma hanging over him

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    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Excellent team- no need to change

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  7. FPL Laurenzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Appreciate opinions on whether Trafford is a safe starter yet to get into the city defense

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Hard to tell. Will Ederson be back next week, will they sign Donnarumma?

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      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        He’s in my WC atm, but not confident

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    2. D6er
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      He supposedly only played because Ederson was ill, so defo not a safe starter as yet.

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      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        If you believe Pep. I don’t

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        1. FPL Laurenzo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          Thanks, all. Tough one.

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          1. THE Wild Rover
            • 15 Years
            11 months, 23 days ago

            Hopefully we get more info nearer the time

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  8. SINGH
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Worth doing a -4 which would be Frimpong to AIt Nouri or JPedro to Ekitike? Already done gakpo to wirtz

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    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      If Frimpong is good to go, I wouldn’t change yet. Interesting that you got rid of Gakpo for Wirtz. many are doing the opposite.

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  9. thom830g
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    To hold your transfer must be the most reasonable if no injuries, suspensions etc. or do you have any other suggestions for this team? Maybe start esteve or Vdv over Malen ?

    Sanchez
    Virgil - murillo - dorgu
    Salah - palmer - Rutter - Bruno - malen
    Watkins - Pedro
    (Esteve - Van de ven - Guiu)

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  10. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Haaland and Saka owners, who are you captaining?

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    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I’ve got both and leaning towards Saka for the differential. I’ve also got Watkins though and he’s got me pondering

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      1. Tomerick
        • 12 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Haaland is differential enough.

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    2. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      On Saka currently

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      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        If I get him

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    3. THE Wild Rover
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Unsure - haven’t ruled out a punt on Semenyo

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      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Semenyo is the master of disappointing when U expect him to do well

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        1. Feanor
          • 17 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          Surely he can't disappoint for the next weeks!

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          1. Feanor
            • 17 Years
            11 months, 23 days ago

            * 8 weeks

            WOL
            @ Tot
            BHA
            NEW
            @ Lee
            FUL
            @ Cry
            NFO

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      2. THE Wild Rover
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Probably favouring Saka

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      3. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        My man!

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    4. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka mate.

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    5. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Haaland by a mile

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  11. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Which keeper to start, Verbruggen vs Everton or Dubravka vs Sunderland. After GW1 I’m favouring Verbruggen but as a Sunderland fan myself I know we’re unlikely to string two results together

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    1. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Verbruggen

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    2. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Is Roefs nailed?

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      1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 23 days ago

        I think he’s a fairly safe bet, can’t see Patterson getting the nod ahead of him

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  12. Ronnies
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Play?

    A) Sels
    B) Dubravka

    1) Murillo
    2) Esteve

    Play ne from each team or double up on NFO?
    Cheers.

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    1. Vasshin
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      A1

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      1. Punned It
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Double Forest v Palace?! Playing Dubravka and Milenkovic myself. And also Lacroix. And Wood. How did I get into this mess?

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        1. Ronnies
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          A mixed bag!

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      B1

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  13. Meta12345
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Play two:
    A) reijnders
    B) mitoma
    C) tarkowski
    D) esteve

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    1. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      A & C

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      1. Meta12345
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Even if everton are without branthwaite and mykolenko? Leeds played all over them.

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  14. Meta12345
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Gw3 will you play mitoma home to man city or saka away to liverpool?

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    1. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Play your better players.

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    2. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka of course. Semenyo just scored twice from the wing

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    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka

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    4. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Saka > Mbeumo(c) for me

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  15. MJF
    11 months, 23 days ago

    The members area is ridiculously slow for me.

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  16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Is this too wild?
    Feels very fun right now, but maybe not when we are seeing City's lineup

    Petrovic Dubravka
    Cucurella Calafiori Aina Dorgu Gudmundsson
    Salah Semenyo Rogers Bobb Reijnders
    Haaland Ekitike Guiu

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  17. Punned It
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Bench Rogers or Rutter? I have Watkins. Gut says Rogers is ready again, but Rutter is tempting me.

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Rutter

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  18. Eddie Nketamine
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Evanilson on Pedro on a free hit?

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    1. Eddie Nketamine
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Or*

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  19. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Is Palmer’s drop off in form to do with his motivation, confidence? Is it positional and he does not enjoy playing centrally compared to how good he was on the right? He was so good when Chelsea as a team were awful, now the team has improved but it feels like Palmer isn’t playing with that spark from 1-2 years ago.

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    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      His best form was under a different manager. The plot twist, of course, is Maresca managed him first at City's development squad.

      I do doubt it's a motivational thing, though, because he's carried on in the same manner despite it being a World Cup season.

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      His heat map did lean towards the left against Palace.

      Maybe he's just a massively streaky player?

      He's not had many full seasons, is this just the start of the second season in fact? Or is it 3?

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      1. MBK 42
        • 12 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Third season now

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  20. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    How long are you holding Palmer if he doesn’t return?

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      GW4

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      The next 3 fixtures look good and arguably West Ham is the better one.

      It's tricky though because with one free transfer the Saka switch is tempting...

      Antoine Semenyo also has Wolves at home next!

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    3. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      If he blanks again and Haaland braces again, I'm gonna have to take a hit and make a double swap, such as:

      Palmer -> Eze
      Gyokores -> Haaland

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    4. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      This main question for me.

      Probably GW4. May pivot without WC from Salah + Palmer to Salah + Haaland if Palmer continues to blank or fall short of the other two.

      There's at least two firing 5.5 mids out there to enable this now.

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      1. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 23 days ago

        (Sorry, one 5.5 now 5.6 but already had him)

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  21. Stimps
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Who's on Watkins (c)?

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    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Very very tempted, I have him, Saka and Haaland so bouncing about who to go with

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    2. theodosios
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      After Newcastle game I don't even know what to do with him.

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    3. Capocannonieri
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Not me, not Watkins.

      My timing on Watkins returns is awful. I just own him and expect good returns for the year, but week-by-week, that's a different story.

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Watkins is a pretty streaky player.

        I started last season with him but he came good later on, this year he said he was flying with a proper pre-season tbf.

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    4. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Yep

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  22. Eddie Nketamine
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Evanilson or J.Pedro on a free hit

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    1. MJF
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I’d go Evanilson of the two.

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    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      definitely evanilson

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  23. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Wirtz in mid or Etikite in fwd? Already have Gakpo

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      As a transfer?

      Etikite, I wouldn't let Isak put you off either.

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  24. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Eze closer to Spurs move this is getting interesting?

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  25. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Last week, my whole team was the Bus team. Had a terrible result. This week, I am Bus Free!

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Choo choo ...

      All aboard the band-free wagon?

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    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      We had friendlies & this week we got to see the shiny new objects.

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  26. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    All those choices into gw1 squads and suddenly gw2 choices of roll or 1 FT seems quite limited.

    And Sels or Dubravka.

    Would you start Dorgu instead of Diouf too? Away at Fulham or home to Chelsea.

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    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      If I had double or triple Forest defo Dubs to spread the odds.

      Eze going or gone by weekend who knows?

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    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Dorgu - more chance of a clean sheet and he is n less attacking than Diouf. Dubravka if you are playing a NF defender to spread risk

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      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        *no less attacking

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 23 days ago

          Cheers

          I agree

          Currently on Dubravka and Dorgu, with Milenko and Munoz.

          Diouf might assist but Dorgu probably more likely to.

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  27. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Which keeper to start--Sanchez or Dubravka?

    In theory, West Ham should be the more likely to score of the two opponents...but after last week, I'm not so sure.

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Sanchez

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  28. Bambi
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Start Porro (mci) or Esteve (SUN)?

    Was impressed by Spurs defensive setup vs PSG so maybe Porro is a differential this week?

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    1. Leo14CFC
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Esteve, city will destroy spurs

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    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Go for Porro - think both concede but he offers some attacking threat

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    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      I would always plan ahead to avoid this kind of scenario. It's only GW2...

      I think if you pick a dirt cheap bench, you keep them on the bench, right? This season DCs might mitigate some of the impact of tougher fixtures.

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      1. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Did ok with Leeds starter GW1. Granted, probably only time he'll start for me first few weeks but would be happy to give Esteve a go against Sunderland.

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    4. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Esteve

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  29. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Eze or Gordon ?

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Gakpo?

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    2. Leo14CFC
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Gordon , Eze is going to, Gordon on pens

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      1. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        11 months, 23 days ago

        Missed his last one in the PL, though. October 5 vs Everton

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  30. Leo14CFC
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 23 days ago

    Dubravka or Sells please ?

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Sels

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    2. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Dubravka cause it's a home match.

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    3. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 23 days ago

      Palace play in Europe on Thursday. Forest could have an easier game...

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      1. Leo14CFC
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 23 days ago

        True , cheers

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