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West Ham v Chelsea team news: Palmer injured in warm-up

22 August 2025 1496 comments
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Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) gets underway on Friday, with West Ham United and Chelsea both looking to secure their first wins of the 2025/26 season.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 20:00 BST.

Chelsea make three changes from their clash with Crystal Palace last Sunday.

Malo Gusto and the fit-again Tosin Adarabioyo come in for Reece James and Josh Acheampong at the back.

Further forward, Liam Delap starts alongside Joao Pedro, with Jamie Gittens dropping to the bench.

West Ham boss Graham Potter makes just one alteration from the side that lost 3-0 at Sunderland, as Tomas Soucek is preferred to Guido Rodriguez in midfield.

The main Fantasy interest is in the visitors.

Joao Pedro is in more than half of FPL squads, while Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella‘s ownership is over 20%.

*UPDATE: Cole Palmer is out of tonight’s match due to an injury suffered in the warm-up. Estevao comes in for the Chelsea midfielder.

LINE-UPS

West Ham United XI: Hermansen, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Diouf, Paqueta, Bowen, Fullkrug

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Scarles, Rodriguez, Potts, Irving, Wilson, Marshall

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Delap

Subs: Jorgensen, Slonina, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, James, Essugo, Santos, Gittens

1,496 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Palmer Diouf > Mbeumo Cucurella for free ... very tempting

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Out of interest what makes you prefer Mbeumo over Cunha?

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      1. thegaffer82
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Mbuemo looked like United’s best player v’s Arsenal, but only one game of course…

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I rewatched the highlights and thought Cunha looked better… neither will have pens with Bruno about. Don’t think there is much in it.

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          1. thegaffer82
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Disagree, but it’s all subjective I suppose (and certainly not having a pop at Cunha!)

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          2. tsm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Rewatch the full game Mbeumo was way better

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            1. thegaffer82
              1 year, 2 months ago

              He was amazing wasn’t he! I was kinda surprised after a lackluster pre season from him

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              1. _Greg
                1 year, 2 months ago

                Was not fit all pre season really.

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              2. x.jim.x
                1 year, 2 months ago

                He played 45 mins all preseason

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                1. thegaffer82
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  Not true… he started Everton & Fiorentina

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                  1. x.jim.x
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    Sorry, he played 100 mins all preseason

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            2. Miguel Sanchez
              1 year, 2 months ago

              I watched the game in full last weekend and recall Mbeumo
              Looking good… shows the danger of making assessments with highlights. Will def keep a close eye on them both vs Fulham

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        2. pjomara
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Any ratings sites I've seen have Cunha as having had a much better game than Mbeumo

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    2. FPLamateur
      1 year, 2 months ago

      After Burnley they play City and Chelsea not sure United assets are a must at the moment

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I brought in Dorgu but easy enough to bench him for the tough games

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  2. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you rather have Porro or Neco Williams coming in for Palmer?

    Thanks

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    1. Khalico
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Porro

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    2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Porro, attacking returns, set pieces and a chance of being on pens

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  3. Kodap
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Who would peoples choices be to replace Bowen & Palmer?

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    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Bruno and Joao Pedro

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      1. Kodap
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Already got Bruno, so need someone else.. Joao Pedro, or Wood, or Ekitike are my options I think

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Diarra and Mayenda (you'll see tomorrow)

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    3. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      - King + Haaland
      - Evanilson + United player + cash

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  4. Steve Stiffler
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Already lost 0.1 on Bowen, is this too jumpy? Thanks

    A) Bowen, Watkins, Palmer > Andersen, Haaland, J Pedro (-4)
    B) Bowen and Palmer > Wood and Kudos (4.3 ITB)
    C) Anything else

    Cheers all

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    1. TanN
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      But what if Watkins plays well

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      1. Steve Stiffler
        1 year, 2 months ago

        That would be typical yeah, Villa looked very poor last week.

        Could also Bowen and Mitoma > J Pedro and Kudos for free.

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    2. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Like A bit does it have to be now? Palmer might be fit and Watkins might score...

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      1. Steve Stiffler
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Yeah worried about the same now that you say that, what about the above transfers? Bit more safe

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  5. Khalico
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Thinking of FH for next gawk - which teams and players would you target?

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I might as well. Playing a chip a week atm.

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      1. Khalico
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Same here - planning to FH gwk 3, BB gwk 4 and TC gwk 5 (Watkins) or gwk 6 (Haaland)

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    2. thegaffer82
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Dorgu, Mbuemo/Cuhna, Porro, Wood, Anderson, Murillo, Haaland, Reindeer would be the core of my FH (but haven’t given it a great deal of thought)

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      1. Khalico
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Is it wise to activate the FH chip later on the week? I forgot but does it wipe the free transfer?

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        1. thegaffer82
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yes, you will end up with the same team as you finished the previous GW

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          1. Khalico
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yeah I’m aware that part where the team reverts back to previous gwk.

            Do we lose the free transfer we get each week if we was to FH?

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    3. Ask Yourself
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I’m on FH and going something like:

      3x United
      3x Chelsea
      3x Forest
      2x City

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      1. Khalico
        1 year, 2 months ago

        As Chelsea already played tonight - whom out of the three would you choose?

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        1. thegaffer82
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I don’t think Chelsea have 3 options that’d make my FH team. Pedro is a must but Cucarella/Palmer/Tosin/Estevao are worth considering but probably wouldn’t make my final XI

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        2. Ask Yourself
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Joao Pedro and Cucurella for sure, maybe palmer if he is fit but otherwise could be Sanchez or Neto

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  6. The Hunt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sometimes we miss the wood for the trees. Why would we not captain the most owned player (by far) in the game playing against a team who were absolutely walloped the previous weekend by a team who will very probably get relegated.

    Casual & Simple

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    1. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      ** forward **

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    2. AAAFootball
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Ollie Watkins differential xD

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  7. Roshen
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best forward to bring in now, despite Haaland?

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Joao Pedro

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Then Wood but Nuno news might change things at Forest

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  8. Saka White Rice
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Im annoyed I didnt listen to my gut and TC Joao

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Did you captain?

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  9. g40steve
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Foots tapping!

    Palmer & Watkins > Haaland & Ndoye or cheap -4

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  10. Fiona B
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Frimpong, Palmer, Fullkrug - wildcard played. Can't be dealing with these price swings with my weak knees.

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      1 year, 2 months ago

      The right call

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    2. Kodap
      1 year, 2 months ago

      What you going for team wise?

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      1. Fiona B
        1 year, 2 months ago

        A Salah and Haaland draft. Currently with Saka, but he is on thin ice. Not idea as have both Reinders and Andersen.

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  11. Mr Turnip 1
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Had Palmer on a BB2…….

    *sigh

    FPL is back

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    1. More Tragic
      1 year, 2 months ago

      at least you've got Pedro.

      right?

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  12. AAAFootball
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Want to sell ndaiye, maybe palmer or Diouf as well
    Do I sell before the game or after? Ndaiye projected to fall tonight, but site is rather unreliable

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  13. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Bowen to Pedro too kneejerky? EO killing me.

    2 FTs so can still fix other problems later

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    1. thegaffer82
      1 year, 2 months ago

      At this point, I don’t think it’s too knee jerky. Wham are trash and JP is fantastic

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        1 year, 2 months ago

        He wasn't fantastic against Palace tbf

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        1. thegaffer82
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I wouldn’t read too much into 1 game v’s Palace. They are giant killers and have an awesome DF.
          Outside that (at Brighton, WCC and tonight) he has been fantastic

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    2. FPL_trail_runner
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nah i wouldnt yet, Will be different with Palmer back , today was all about how bad west ham were

      Plus a lovey week 4 potential benching for Pedro awaits after coming back from Brazil

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    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Everyone on here wanted rid of Pedro a week ago lol

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  14. TanN
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Any update yet on how serious Palmer injury is

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    1. _Ninja_
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Maresca said he felt something and it was just “precautionary to avoid taking any unnecessary risks.”

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        FPL aside I'm glad the manager and medical team are taking this approach with players. In so many previous seasons players would be forced through it and it ruins them.

        It's the sort of thing that is helping getting Reece back safely.

        Obviously helps we have a stacked squad, but that's also been the case in the past as well.

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        1. Bluetiger1
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Agree

          I'm wondering if injured related to lack of preseason
          & tackle against AC Milan

          Great result tonight Hazz - at last a smily face.

          Everyone said last week not a good result - I disagree.

          Crystal Palace starting 11 is good - last season game
          against Man City who were favourites in the FA Cup & won.

          Start of this season against Liverpool in the community shield
          who were favourites & won.

          if we can get a world class keeper we might challenge the top three

          Gialuigi Donnarumma (PSG)
          Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
          Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

          Sanchez is just not good enough for top four we should have kept Petrovic
          or Arrizabalaga both miles better than Sanchez

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  15. PartyTime
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Out of the loop. Please what’s the latest on Palmer?

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    1. _Ninja_
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Maresca said it was just precautionary

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      1. PartyTime
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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  16. Bluetiger1
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Took Pedro out for Wood!

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    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Well at least Wood has West Ham next too...

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  17. Mane Mane Mane
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Who’s the best 5.5m or lower midfield player to get?

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    1. thegaffer82
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Anderson for me. And has West Ham up next (week) as an added bonus

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    2. _Ninja_
      1 year, 2 months ago

      O'Reily at Brighton is on pens when Welbacks out, him or Anderson maybe

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    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Bobb for the flair

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      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Anderson for the solid class

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        1. Flynny
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Stach

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    4. martynteresa
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Reijnders if youve got the .1 for 5.6
      I'm still thinking Malen is going to have a superb season. Tomorrows line up will decide.

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  18. FPL_trail_runner
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Feeling rather happy with my earlier WC this week

    sitting at 1.9million (thanks Pedro for the 1mil rank drop) with these guys to go. Feel a week ahead of the template with Salah + Haaland already in place.

    Dub
    Cucu Gabriel Ait-Nouri
    Cunha Salah Semenyo Reindeer
    Haaland (C) Thiago JSL

    Would be delighted if Thiago and JSL could get 10-12 points total between them to bridge the Pedro damage.

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    1. Bluetiger1
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Please can you remind me real time stats with position

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      1. FPL_trail_runner
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Will have minute by minute live coverage through the weekend 😉

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        1. Bluetiger1
          1 year, 2 months ago

          sorry - what is the site link that gives real time position as saying now 1.9 million

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          1. FPL_trail_runner
            1 year, 2 months ago

            https://www.livefpl.net/rank

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    2. CereaLKiLLerz
      1 year, 2 months ago

      My WC team was
      Sanchez
      Richards dorgu RAN
      Semenyo cunha reindjers Salah
      Haaland wood JSL

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      1. FPL_trail_runner
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Very similar so.

        You sell Pedro?

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  19. Ribus
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best site for price change predictions?

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    1. Bluetiger1
      1 year, 2 months ago

      https://www.livefpl.net/prices

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      1. Ribus
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thx

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  20. Bluetiger1
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Nuno Espirito Santo - Forest called an emergency Board meeting about him as a different
    of direct/style of play between Santo & Arsenal old Sporting Director Edu

    https://talksport.com/football/3495282/nuno-espirito-santo-nottingham-forest-sack-press-conference/

    This sounds bad - Santo to be sacked possible?

    In FPL how would that leave Forest assests?

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    1. thegaffer82
      1 year, 2 months ago

      What the heck?
      He got them into Europe last season!

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      1. FPL_trail_runner
        1 year, 2 months ago

        It makes sense when you hear the background stories from people from Greece who know about the owner ....

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        1. Yes Ndidi
          1 year, 2 months ago

          That little difference of opinion - the Forest PR machine called it 'fake news' - from the Leicester game last season was telling.

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  21. TanN
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this slightly rash -8 move?

    Watkins Bowen Bruno Palmer

    ->

    Haaland Wood Kudus Semenyo

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    1. Flynny
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No

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    2. Bluetiger1
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Pause until after weekend to decide this many would it not be better to
      play Wild card -remember you have a second chip of this after xmas

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    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Stop over managing and let good players earn you points. Only Bowen needs moving on there, to Joao Pedro perhaps.

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    4. _Ninja_
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I do prefer the 2nd bunch but Bruno home to burnley...Palmer home to Fulham, Watkins home to Palace...it could backfire and for -8!

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  22. Kodap
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Anyone else for a WC?

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Just been, thank you for asking

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  23. Atimis
    1 year, 2 months ago

    It’s all because he didn’t want Fabianski, f you Potter very much lol

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    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      In fairness Fabianski is 40 years old now.

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  24. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Perfect storm for Joao Pedro owners. If Palmer is out for any length of time, then Pedro looks essential at 7.5m.

    But a complete rotation/mins risk when Palmer is available.

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    1. FPL_trail_runner
      1 year, 2 months ago

      As a non owner i dont think Pedro owners have to worry about much rotation.

      He is viable if Chelsea play this system and him at the 10, much more productive.

      I still think he wont be the future template. Palmer may be back on the menu soon however in this sytem if he plays from the right.

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    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Not really the latter imo
      You saw his competition in Delap tonight, wasn't exactly convincing

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      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Delap will get minutes.

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  25. Tore Andre Flo
    1 year, 2 months ago

    All you Joao Pedro sellers can eat my dirty old socks! Just like the time you transferred in Hasselbaink for me!

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Hey, you once scored 4 goals at White Hart Lane

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      1. Tore Andre Flo
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I triple captained myself that game! Zola could never catch me in fpl after that! Good on ya!

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  26. zakz500
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Does subs work before my subs play their game in that game week, do subs counts after deadline week, since i had palmer i subbed him off cause he did not play?

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Sorry, you lost me there. Any players on your bench who have played minutes will replace any players in your starting 11 who didn't play any minutes, once all the games have been played. That's as much as I know

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      1. zakz500
        1 year, 2 months ago

        when you say replace any players in my starting 11 that have not played any minutes, do you mean they will be active for points for the following game week, so game week 3, therefore points that my subs have gotten for this week will not count for this week, or is it that points for players that have played for this week will count and they will just be in my starting 11 for next week. Sorry this is my first FPL.

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        1. zakz500
          1 year, 2 months ago

          i meant points for players in my subs that have played for this week

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  27. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Paqueta is such a petulant player. Held onto the ball in ridiculous situations because of his ego. Massively talented, yes, but is a liability to the team when things aren’t going well.

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  28. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer over the last five days was not 100% and so they decided not to take the risk after his groin did not feel right in the warm-up. Adds: "We will see in the next hours if it is something important or not."

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  29. Sting
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wirtz falling tomorrow, Kudus rising tonight.

    Palmer + Guiu >> Kudus + Pedro or wait?

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  30. Roshen
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Selling Welbeck.

    A. Watkins
    B. JP

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