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30 August 2025 572 comments
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Leeds United v Newcastle United rounds off Saturday’s Premier League football.

Kick-off at Elland Road is at 17:30 BST.

Leeds’ line-up shows two changes from Gameweek 2.

Lukas Nmecha and, facing his old club, Sean Longstaff come into the starting XI.

Joel Piroe drops to the bench, while Ao Tanaka is injured.

New signing James Justin is named among the substitutes.

There are some real surprises with the Newcastle line-up.

We knew that Anthony Gordon and Joelinton would miss out through suspension and injury.

But the benching of Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes is an eyebrow-raiser.

Jacob Ramsey is handed his full debut, while William Osula makes his first Premier League start for the Magpies.

The recall of Sven Botman hints at a formation change, too.

Jacob Murphy comes in for Elanga, meanwhile.

LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Gruev, Stach, James, Nmecha, Gnonto

Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Bijol, Harrison, Aaronson, Okafor, Piroe, Calvert-Lewin.

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Lascelles, Thiaw, Krafth, Barnes, Willock, Miley, Elanga.

572 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Early thought on FT, which one?

    Cunha >

    A) Grealish
    B) Semenyo

    Thanks in advance

    1. ignado
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      B

      1. Danstoke82
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Many thanks

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      A but I already have B

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Semenyo with more solid stats and fixtures, but Grealish is cheaper and could serve well + the excess money

    4. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Go with your gut.
      My gut told me Grealish for this GW instead of BJohnson but my brain got involved

      A

    1. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Any thoughts on this ?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        He's injured. Off straight away to not make it worse. You can walk on an injury. Wait for prognosis.

        1. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          I think the point is that even with the slightest hint of a hamstring scare they have to go for crutches, if the med team ruled that out maybe it is not as serious or some other type of injury.

  2. Old Gregg
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Brennan Johnson > what should I do?

    Hold or sell

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Depends on if you like getting surprised by Thomas Frank. Do I? Hell no!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Keep for now and monitor, at least fixtures are good

    3. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Keep

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Too early to say, next GW is ages away
      Not impossible that they sign Rogers or Savinho still

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      You hold on and see how likely it is he start vs. West Ham as that's a good fixture but IMO - one that needs to be shipped very soon.

      I was recommending people don't buy him/should be worried about his starting spot the other day, and to be fair, I didn't even mention the LW signing rumours that were still swirling.

      Had a poor game and goes missing all the time. Sours fans say the same.

  3. TafOnTour1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    7 months, 16 days ago

    A or B?! Currently on A!

    A) Mbeumo, Petrovic, Brennan Johnson, Calafiori.

    B) Semenyo, Raya, Gakpo, Senesi.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Need Isak info.

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      BJ is a minutes risk

  4. Manani
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    best liverpool player to get that is not Salah?

    1. Roshen
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Guehi

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Gakpo

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      It's probably Gakpo. But I'd wait now to see how they look if Isak signs.

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    If Isak joins Liverpool, surely he doesn't start in GW4 or maybe GW5 as well. No match fitness.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      He will gain match fitness/sharpness when he plays for Sweden (2 games) over the IB

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        And then start in GW4 for Liverpool? No chance!

      2. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Rank tonight is 6.5m. Cunha captain

        Think i need to find a new hobby.....season almost over already!

  6. Dank Squid
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Last season, GW 30-38-ish: Premium players not worth the money. Salah dropped off, Saka struggled after the injury, KDB glimpses vs Wolves and Palace, Haaland, Palmer...

    DCs: Cheap defenders and midfielders ticking along. Salah + Haaland teams easily affordable? ("value" is a relative concept)

    New game.

  7. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Caliafori or Timber? I can’t decide. Thanks!

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Raya.

      For 5.5 m you want a player that start every week. After IB, Arsenal RB LB spot become nightmare.

      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Got him. Want to double up on their defence. Was thinking similarly to you, but I think Timber is less secure because of White.

        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Yes. Cala above Timber, if I want to double up, Raya + Gabriel/Saliba. That's it

          1. Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            0.4 short sadly!

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Probably neither. I think Calafiori will probably get more mins than Timber but both will get rotated with MLS and Ben White

    3. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Ok. I’ll take your points on board. Guaranteed starts are so important, which is why I’m not getting City players.

      What Spurs or Chelsea defenders look nailed on? Seems Chalobah and VdV are viable?

  8. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Just saw the penalty decision in ManU on MOTD.

    How is this a penalty when the foul is outside the box?

    1. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Because it continued into the box

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

      https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct

      1. Vazza
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        You really are awesome!

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Nice

      3. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks!

        I really didn't know that rule. Probably because it was never applied when I was in such a situation. Should have been awarded many penalties in hindsight. 😉

        1. Radulfo28773
          • 4 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          It was a joke but not as funny as the ones for Chelsea

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Big 6 bias. Big 6? Big 15 ...

  9. Vazza
    • 5 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    If guehi joins pool, is he likely to be ahead of konate in the pecking order?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Konate hasn't been particularly great so potentially yes but I would rather see him start first

      1. Vazza
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        I might take a risk and transfer out Dorgu for Guehi ahead of pool’s game against Burnley.

    2. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Not sure. He likes to play in the same side as VVD and is theoretically being bought as his long term successor. If he is shifted to his less favoured side then maybe. Konate is in poor form but he was very close to DJ so there is a psychological aspect to his form too, so the club is quite understanding. Still, he may benefit from some time out of the side.

      In a nutshell, VVD is your only guaranteed LFC starting defender.

      1. Vazza
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks - this is v useful info

      2. ffs casual
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Leoni is Virgils long term successor. He has a couple of years to learn from the master before stepping up. Konate is in the last year of his contract and so far hasn't shown any signs or extending. I would expect Guehi to compete with Konate, but I guiess we'lll see what happens in the next few weeks / months.

        1. Vote Joke
          • 15 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Leoni may be VVD’s long term successor but he plays predominantly on the right, whereas both VVD and Guehi play in the left. Long term the plan is Guehi & Leoni, with Leoni the VVD clone, but Guehi will take his side.

    3. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Who really wants a Liverpool defender when they keep conceeding two goals each week?

      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Agree with this. Defence doesn’t look great right now!

      2. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Senesi seems like a better pick to out it mildly

  10. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    Watching the Everton highlights and I'm really impressed. That 2nd goal was really well worked. KdH and Grealish combining super well. Grealish looks rejuvenated.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Yeah, looks good alright

  11. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    MOTD quicktnotes - Wolves v Everton:
    - Great build up for Beto's goal
    - good cross to Hwang and good run through the centre of defence for his goal
    - Great press from Everton to win the ball back in the lead up to Ndiaye's goal
    - Wolves probably should have done better with the defending in the lead up to KDH's goal
    - far too easy for Gomes to run in between FB and CB to score the 2ns goal

    - Grealish/Ndiaye/KDH working well together.
    - Everton defence maybe not as solid as last season.
    - Wolves probably ignore their players

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      You are awesome.

    2. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Thanks

  12. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 16 days ago

    First stab at a WC draft - what do we think? Main dilemmas are Senesi vs VdV & Grealish vs Kudus.

    Raya (Dubravka)
    Livramento, Chalobah, Senesi (Rodon, Esteve)
    Salah, Eze, Grealish, Reijnders (King)
    Haaland, Pedro, Wood

    1. MJF
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Yeah it looks pretty decent. I would want more than one Liverpool attacker v Burnley though, that looks the fixture of GW4.

        1. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Thanks, yeah fair point. Isak in would change things I reckon.

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 16 days ago

      Gudmundsson first on bench. Could really use a Watkins benching tomorrow.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 16 days ago

        Can't see that happening surely ?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          No, of course not.

    3. MJF
        7 months, 16 days ago

        I think VAR gets more right than wrong. probably by a big margin, but I still wish it was never introduced. I just think it upsets the flow of matches too much, its a much better experience attending EFL matches without it than watching PL with it IMO.

      • martynteresa
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Hmm, Enzo ahead of Pedro for pens

          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Only until Palmer returns

            1. Abaddon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 months, 16 days ago

              I still think Enzo is ahead of JP after Palmer returns 🙂

        • Meta12345
          • 1 Year
          7 months, 16 days ago

          I hope man city can show man utd tomorrow how to win a game, without penalties

          - man utd fan, haaland captainer

        • Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          No need to wc that team is there? 1ft and 5.5m itb
          Sels(dub)
          Porro de cruyper truffert (Estève dorgu)
          Salah Bruno kudus Sarr kdh
          Watkins Pedro (guiu)

          I can sell dorgu for tarkowski/Munoz and maybe Watkins for Isac for -4?

          Any thoughts? Cheers

        • Assisting the assister
          • 10 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Worth doing Diouf to Cash - exact money so need to do tonight? No other issues and no other 4.5 option

          1. Minion
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Nah. Don’t make unimportant transfers ahead of a two week break filled with transfers and internationals. Log off for now my friend.

          2. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            No, consider Bournemouth defenders instead. Senesi, Diakite and Truffert

          3. Assisting the assister
            • 10 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Thanks great tips

        • Minion
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          If you were FH4, who would be an absolute lock for you outside of Salah?

          Are there many of us FH4 crew here?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            3 Liverpool players plus Isak...

          2. Ak Attack
            • 4 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Can I please see your team before the FH players please Minion

            Also what is your take on a FH during an international break ? in regards to not gaining any prise rises on the FH players (you will bring in) only for the next GW

        • The-Red-1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Is there any reason to go Cucurella over Chalobah?

          1. Feanor
            • 16 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Goal threat I suppose

            1. The-Red-1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 months, 16 days ago

              Isn't Chalobah more attacking though?

              1. Feanor
                • 16 Years
                7 months, 16 days ago

                Cucu had 5 goals last year

        • DeeJazz
          • 5 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Early thoughts, what would you prefer ? 0.9 mln in bank
          1) Anderson -> Dango Outtara, Tavernier, Caicedo or Rejinders
          2) Larsen -> Thiago or Evanilson
          3) Richards -> Lacroix, Mitchell or Livramento

          Can you please advice which option would you prefer ?

          1. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            I'd wait 2 weeks till the IB is over then decide. Injuries etc.

            1. DeeJazz
              • 5 Years
              7 months, 16 days ago

              Yes, I will wait, but any idea what would you prefer from this option ? Let's think that everyone from this list is healthy 😉

              1. _Ninja_
                • 15 Years
                7 months, 16 days ago

                Not sure any of those moves are worth using a FT on at this stage. Larsen could end up at Newcastle. Anderson and Richards have good fixtures coming up

                1. DeeJazz
                  • 5 Years
                  7 months, 16 days ago

                  What about upgrade Esteve to Konsa/Cash or Truffert/Senesi ?

                  1. _Ninja_
                    • 15 Years
                    7 months, 16 days ago

                    Yeah Esteve to Sensei is a good move.

                    1. 3 A
                      • 10 Years
                      7 months, 16 days ago

                      Sensei? U truly a ninja. Lol

        • g40steve
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Guiu dropping are there any playing 5.5 or less fwds?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Mayenda, Foster, Muniz...take the price drop

          2. tutankamun
            • 16 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Beto, Muniz, Sunderland strikers…

          3. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Thx

        • lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Noob question can you make money off double risers if you are on a Free hit?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Nope

          2. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Yes, but only for that Free Hit week. Squad and anything ITB goes back to normal after FH is over.

          3. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Your team will revert back to before any transfers were made during the FH so not really, unless its players you already had.

        • lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          Anyone worried about the Porro sub? I mean Spence was even on a yellow card. I am afraid with Udogie back he might prefer Spence ahead of Porro.

          1. Minion
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Nah I think he was just getting rinsed by Semenyo.

          2. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            No at the moment, Semenyo was very good

          3. mixology
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Not worried but I don’t understand the hype with him. Saw him in the scout picks and was surprised. I own him but I find myself questioning whether yo start him over some of my other defenders to be honest.

            Spurs defenders are highly owned and fixtures are still good so it’s an easy keep for the time being

          4. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            I guess there's a chance but would just ignore it for now. Porro has been the starter at RB so far.

            Bowen probably needs to be managed, which following your Spence hypothesis would mean he'd probably stay on the left.

          5. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Just noticed he got 12 DCs, nice extra 2 pts. I think he'll keep his place, just one of those games v Semenyo.

          6. lilmessipran
            • 13 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Cheers folks, hope it was just the Semenyo factor

        • NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          No Pedro is killing me in my league - basically everyone captained him. Tempted to rage transfer Watkins out straight away for Pedro! Need Wood (c) to save me this week

          1. mixology
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            As long as Palmer is out, Pedro becomes central to their attacking returns. Obviously he could keep it up when Cole returns. Doesn’t make sense not to back him. Chelsea are still annoyingly good and can beat decent teams 2 nil like they did today

          2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 14 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            W(o)od could easily outscore JP this week.

        • The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          I can’t wait for the transfer window to close on Monday and I will then have 3 weeks of data to get players in. I intend to bring in another Liverpool attacker (wanted to see what happens with Isak first), will bring in JP, will downgrade Cucurella to Chalobah for the extra million and higher DC and correct the mistake I had made of bringing in BJ and sell him for Grealish. Problem with the latter is that I already have Ndieye and double Everton seems too much (although he has scored twice in two matches and Grealish has four assists) despite the alright fixtures

          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 2 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Grealish feels like a great fit at Everton and I wasn't even close to considering him after their first pathetic g/w1 showing.
            Fair play if you went to that left field but can't argue the quality and freshness he has bought to the team.
            I was targeting the Toffees, guess I hold my hands up and admit I was wrong.

        • Feanor
          • 16 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          On 69 from 3 players in Challenge where DCs are worth 10 this week. Tarkowski, Senesi and Bruno captain.

          I had forgot about it till now

        • Skout
          • 6 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          WC this?

          Verb
          Porro Milenkovic Diouf
          Salah Bruno Wirtz Cunha Reijnders
          Pedro Watkins

          Dubravka Rodon Guiu Esteve

          1. Feanor
            • 16 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Not totally necessary but not a bad time

          2. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            Personally I’d wait until after GW4 so you can see how the end of the transfer window will affect how teams set up

            1. Feanor
              • 16 Years
              7 months, 16 days ago

              Could be a fire sale on Guiu, Diouf, Wirtz, Watkins and Cunha

        • Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          7 months, 16 days ago

          As a Semenyo and Evanilson owner, probably should have got another 1-2 attacking returns from them.

          I really like Bournemouth defence - Petrovic and Senesi/Diakite/Truffert are my preferred options in the 4.5m bracket

          1. DeeJazz
            • 5 Years
            7 months, 16 days ago

            I/m consider upgrade Esteve to Konsa/Cash or Bournemouth defender like Senesi/Truffert.

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              7 months, 16 days ago

              Easy decision.. Also Bournemouth don't have midweek European fixtures