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Aston Villa v Palace team news: No Martinez, Malen + Guessand start

31 August 2025 714 comments
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The final match of Gameweek 3 – and the last Premier League fixture before the October international break – sees Aston Villa and Crystal Palace square off at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side are yet to score this season and have a poor recent record against Palace, having failed to win any of their last five encounters.

Kick-off is at 19:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Unai Emery makes five changes from the team that lost at Brentford last weekend.

Marco Bizot comes in for Emiliano Martinez in goal, with the Argentine linked with a move away before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Ezri Konsa, Ian Maatsen, Donyell Malen and Evann Guessand also start.

Out go the benched Pau Torres and Lucas Digne, as well as the injured Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner makes two alterations from Thursday, as Tyrick Mitchell and Will Hughes replace Jefferson Lerma and Borna Sosa.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn, Tielemans, Malen, Rogers, Guessand, Watkins

Subs: Proctor, Digne, Buendia, Pau, Bogarde, Rowe, Jimoh-Aloba, Burrowes, Patterson

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Sarr, Kamada, Mateta

Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Pino, Clyne, Esse, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Cardines

714 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 25 days ago

    Is Cunha & Wood > Sarr & Ekitike too much of a risk with the Isak transfer? I have Gakpo already.. will likely do the Sarr move anyway.

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  2. Ribus
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 25 days ago

    Sarr or Grealish?

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    1. Kodap
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      I'm also trying to decide this, Sarr edges it i think for me.. next two fixtures are lovely too.

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    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Both great options. Sarr maybe better fixtures?

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      1. Ribus
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Over the next 5-6 its prett even fixture wise

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    3. Pornchef
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Both I think although Grealish looks like he could be an absolute steal this season and will keep rising in price and keep returning

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    4. NoOneCares
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Ndiaye is the one to have from Everton and is on pens. Grealish helps him.

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        1. wowo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          I d Save 1.5 from both getting KDH, playing 10

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      • Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Grealish but nothing wrong with having both

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    5. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Don't know what to do with Watkins. I have the feeling selling could en up the same way than for people who ditched Bowen this gw.

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      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        9m - 6 points over 3 games.
        Do you expect him to start scoring all of the sudden?

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Why not ? 🙂

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          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 25 days ago

            Because he’s shite.
            Bowen is a good player in a shite team.
            Watkins is a shite player in a shite team.

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            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 25 days ago

              Shite players often get 84 goals and assists over their last 3 seasons, after all

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              1. el polako
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 25 days ago

                Clearly, as we can see from Watkins’s example.

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                1. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 25 days ago

                  Please name another

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                  1. el polako
                    • 8 Years
                    3 months, 25 days ago

                    Dominic Solanke.

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                    1. x.jim.x
                      • 11 Years
                      3 months, 25 days ago

                      I'd love to see how you turn 14 + 21 + 16 into 84

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                      1. el polako
                        • 8 Years
                        3 months, 25 days ago

                        Use your imagination.
                        Same type of player just slightly different shade of shiteness.

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                        1. x.jim.x
                          • 11 Years
                          3 months, 25 days ago

                          Open the schools

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                        2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                          • 1 Year
                          3 months, 24 days ago

                          Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

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              2. wowo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 25 days ago

                Watkins got good stats even not scoring over 3 seasons, but these 3 games he got nothing nor his team, worrying!

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                1. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 25 days ago

                  Been living off scraps these last few games tbf to him, but yeah he's been a poor asset to own.

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        2. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Well yeah, that’s kind of how form works, it can unpredictably start, if it wasn’t this game would be easy

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          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 25 days ago

            So you’d advise people to hold him?
            Pay 9m and wait, however long it takes for young Ollie to start licking the ball in the right direction.

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            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 25 days ago

              I wanted to sell dorgu for Munoz maybe so selling Watkins would be for a hit .

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            2. Gubby-Allen
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 25 days ago

              He has been that way for the last ten years. Scores 6 in 10 then goes five games without scoring

              If you catch it right it works out but you could do without him.

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      2. MBK 42
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        I’m afraid this is the way as a Watkins owner

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    6. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      I sold Munoz for Lacroix on my WC, and then benched Lacroix this week..

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Oof 🙁

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    7. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Lacroix + £0.5m or Muñoz, I’ll inevitably ask myself countless times over the next two weeks

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        I reckon Lacroix will score higher. The extra .5m is a bonus

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    8. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Lacroix 11pts was totally unexpected, and nearly as enjoyable as Remy’s videos. (nsfw) 🙂

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      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Very well done.

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    9. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Any reason why I should keep Rogers, Writz and Watkins? Might be time to WC. Have stayed patient but the eye test just ain’t doing it for them.

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      1. Drizzle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        I have similar issues with these 3 (Tielemans instead of Rogers).

        My thinking is a hit sorts the Villa boys out and Wirtz gets the Burnley and Everton games. If they are your only big issues it's not enough to wildcard imo.

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        1. ball c
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Yeah it’s going to take a hit to sort this out.. one of the Vila guys is going.. they’ve been so poor.. but they have the fixtures still.

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    10. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Stick with my gw1 Diakite pick who had a great goalscoring record before joining Bournemouth or change to Senesi?

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      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Stick if not on WC, switch on WC

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        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Yeah going to pull the trigger on WC I think

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    11. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Sels Dubravka
      Ait Nouri Porro Murillo Andersen Rodon
      Salah Wirtz Kudus Reijnders Rutter
      Watkins Wood Mateta

      Is this actually WC worthy or am I just being a raging knee jerker?

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      1. andymck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        *Kelleher not Sels, not sure what happened there lol

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      2. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Watkins to JP and ur good

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        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          This, or Wirtz to Gakbo or a hit for both

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    12. One for All
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Who's site is more accurate for price changes?

      A) livefpl
      B) fantasy football hub

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        A

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        1. One for All
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Thanks

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      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        https://whatthef.pl/

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        1. One for All
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Nice one

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    13. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      What would you do with 1 ft?

      A) Bruno to Salah

      B) Guiu to Pedro/Sesko/Gyokeres/Etikite/Isak or other forward

      C) Watkins to other fwd

      5.8 mill in cash

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      1. One for All
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        C

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      2. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Watkins to Pedro

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    14. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Triple Forest & triple Spurs what a waste of a freehit! Only plus side is that only one of my regular picks burnt me that being KDH. Welcome back!

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    15. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      This has to be my worst ever start to a season. Red arrows from the beginning and now seven million in the world after three weeks.

      I’m wildcarding. I cannot be patient with this lot.

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      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        What site are we trusting for price changes?

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        1. Sgt. Schultz
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          LiveFPL

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          1. Cilly Bonnolly
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 25 days ago

            Cheers

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    16. AF90
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Sels, Dubravka
      Cucurella, Milenkovic, Konsa, Richards, Reinildo
      Bruno, Palmer, Kudus, Reijnders, Gakpo
      Pedro, Watkins, Kroupi Jr.

      This needs a WC right? Got 6.5m itb to bring in Haaland/Salah next GW but think whole team needs an overhaul.

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      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Watkins > Haaland (C), irrespective of WC or not

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        1. Pompel
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          I think you can get away with Watkins -> Haaland and maybe a hit for Palmer to Sarr (if fit) or Grealish or something,

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      2. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        I don't look at that team and think there is anyone glaringly missing who should be there. Grealish maybe, definitely someone Arsenal at the back but that's it.

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    17. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Mbuemo looking like rising tonight. Will he get a second rise before gw4 do you think?

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      1. wowo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Their fixture says no

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    18. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Villa may inevitably come good over the international break, but I’ve had enough - wildcard active, triple Villa (the usual suspects) all gone.

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    19. Pompel
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Team scrambled together in a hurry for GW2 start , and already in need for major overhaul after two dismal GW's

      Sanchez Dubravka
      Gabriel Tosin Ait-Nouri Gudmundson Ballard
      Gakpo Reindeer Semenyo BJohnson King
      Haaland Watkins Wood

      Thinking Watkins toJP for now, and then reassess after IB whether to take additional hit, play FH or WC.
      Your thoughts?

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      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Just that one transfer. Who else improves it outside of for one GW?

        King will come good, not sure about Gakpo with so many good attackers but could be fine.

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        1. Pompel
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Thinking of Reindeer or BJohnson to Grealish or Sarr, or Wood to Eiktike (depending on Isak situation). Will keep Gakpo if not WC'ing.
          Also like to swap Ait-Nouri and Ballard for the likes of Porro , VdV , Lacroix or Semesi, but not for a hit so that will have to wait.

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    20. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      What has changed with Haaland from last season?

      I kept him far too long and as captain. From about GW5 on here people were telling me to ditch him. By about GW 18, he stood out a mile as the reason for a 2 million rank with so much money tied up in him and I couldn't post a team without ridicule that i had not sold him.

      Then I did and rocketed up.

      Man City don't look any better, new players bedding in, so is it that Salah isn't as prolific?

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    21. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      FT Rogers>
      a) Grealish
      b) Mbuemo (already got Bruno)

      Means sticking with Watkins or taking a hit to bring i Ekitike

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      1. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        A

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      2. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        c) Sarr

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        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 25 days ago

          Did he pick up an injury tonight or was I seeing BS on Twitter?

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    22. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Grealish v Ndiaye going to be a real conundrum on WC.

      Anyone going KDH for the savings? Not watched any Everton so far this season, may need to have a trawl through highlights and stats!

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    23. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Just did
      Dogru-Cunha-Gyokeres
      to
      Chalobah-Grealish-JP
      for a -8.
      It feels so great!

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    24. TiAgoFPL
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      WC active
      FH kind of sucess , 15 net pts but a red with the failed captain , if I had captained Haaland would be on a green and 500k
      We move

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    25. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Any news on Sarr?

      Hamstring injury?

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      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/27303353

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      2. Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Should be fine.

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      3. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Cheers both

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    26. Ginola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      I’ve been in exactly these kinds of situations with Watkins before, where I subbed him out and he punished me hard for it.

      Can anyone remember that match against Brighton at the start of the season? Also once on Boxing Day against Crystal Palace.

      I have to keep him with the upcoming fixtures.

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      1. Pompel
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        GW4 against Everton is not a good fixture, I think. Rather ditch him now and get him back on WC if he (and his team mates) find some form

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    27. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Guys I have a question. Got 3 LFC players at the moment and thinking of replacing Watkins with Isak now. So if they finalise the transfer by tomorrow, how will this work with my team? I mean he’s technically a Newcastle player right now.

      Thank you!

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      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        The first transfer you do after he moves will have to be to remove one of your four Liverpool players

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    28. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 25 days ago

      Wirtz or Gakpo on FH?

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 25 days ago

        Gakbo

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