Chip Strategy

FPL Gameweek 4 Free Hit: Pros, cons + best team

3 September 2025 107 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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This season, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have been given twice as many chips, which includes two Free Hits.

As the first of these must be used before Gameweek 19’s deadline, they’re now about more than simply waiting for one of the final months’ Blank or Double Gameweeks.

For those managers considering a Gameweek 4 Free Hit, we look at the potential pros and cons of using it now and have put together a couple of team drafts to consider.

GAMEWEEK 4 FREE HIT: THE PROS

FPL Gameweek 4 Free Hit: Pros, cons + best team

FPL managers have traditionally favoured using the Free Chip in a Blank or Double. But it seems unlikely we will get either in the first half of 2025/26, unless there is a postponement for bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

As a result, there isn’t really a standout moment to play it, so why not activate now, in Gameweek 4?

It could help you navigate a weekend in which several key players encounter difficult matchups. Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) must visit Manchester City, while Nottingham Forest assets such as Chris Wood (£7.7m), Elliot Anderson (£5.5m), Matz Sels (£5.0m), Murillo (£5.5m) and Nikola Milenkovic (£5.5m) are away at Arsenal.

Combine this with injured or doubtful players like Cole Palmer (£10.4m), Bukayo Saka (£9.9m), Matheus Cunha (£8.1m) and Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m), and it could be a wise time to select a temporary team.

Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m) is also hurt, but Free Hitters can instead turn to other Crystal Palace options versus Sunderland. It’s also a chance to go heavy on Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United names, against Forest, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

GAMEWEEK 4 FREE HIT: THE CONS

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

107 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Rogue Todd
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wibble

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  2. Pep Roulette
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I'm a little bit against the idea of holding Chris Wood until SUN(H)

    - This week he plays ARS(A) which is really not a good game to play him
    - Next week he plays BUR(A), the only game that I like him as an option
    - In GW6 he plays SUN(H) which looks like a good fixture on paper but that game is sandwiched between two European ties and Forest have options to rotate

    Might just sell him this week itself instead of holding him until GW6/7

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Makes sense to sell. Burnley away doesn't necessarily scream a lot of goals.

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    2. theshazly
      1 year, 2 months ago

      They actually might lose to Burnley

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      1. Mother Farke
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Cagey written all over it.

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      2. Bobby Digital
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Yeah I'm planning to play Esteve in that game

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    3. Miguel Sanchez
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I might sell this GW - don’t like this week’s fixtures, is a minutes risk with the new signing and even more so once UEL starts up

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  3. putana
    1 year, 2 months ago

    why has there been no official update on Sarr yet?

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Official by who? The Senegalese Football Federation posted about his grade 2 injury a few days ago.

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      1. putana
        1 year, 2 months ago

        no they didnt. It was a journalist who said that. Why wouldnt Palace post something?

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

          Yes they did

          https://fsfoot.sn/forfait-ismaila-sarr/

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

            My French isn't good, but I didn't need Google translator to understand that. Sarr is no longer an option to buy anytime soon. One month the absolute minimum, could be even 12 weeks out. Form after injury is always a question mark also.

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    2. Rice Krispie
      1 year, 2 months ago

      There's no why to anything. Life just IS.

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      1. Thicksolidtight
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Welcome back

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  4. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
    1 year, 2 months ago

    How likely is Ekitike to start on the left ahead of Gakpo?

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A non-specialist for a specialist? You know the answer.

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      1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        1 year, 2 months ago

        @Dark Side
        The answer is no. Will Slot instead opt for a front two of Ekitike & Isak? Surely he starts.

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        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          1 year, 2 months ago

          All wait and watch. One of the reasons I am not using my WC yet. Might be two up top. Might be rotation between Ekitike and Isak. Lets see how it plays out in the next couple of games. I currently have Salah and Gakpo in my team.

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

            Isak is also able to play left. In case of Gakpo injury for example I can see Liverpool being quite fluid and Isak and Ekitike changing places even inside a game, so that marking them would cause problems to opponents defence.

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

      he only started 4 out of 100+ matches not as a CF, so probably unlikely...maybe it's safe to say wait and see

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      1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Top 5 new EPL forwards signed this summer that will get the most points this year?

        1. Gyokeres
        2. Ekitike
        3. Woltemade
        4. Sesko
        5. Igor Jesus

        Any thoughts?

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    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Ekitike can start in the centre then switch left when Isak comes on

      When Isak starts though, you'd think that Gakpo and Salah are secure ...

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    4. theplayer
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It's not like it's going to be the same lineup every game. Most players will rotate, especially when Champions League starts.

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        On which

        Liverpool play Burnley in 11 days and home to Atlético Madrid in 2 weeks from today.

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  5. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wildcard for me this week.

    Who would be your 1 'essential' Def, Mid & Fwd?

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    1. Pep Roulette
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Munoz, Salah, Haaland

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      1. Feanor
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Salah has been in poor form for months

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    2. F4L
      1 year, 2 months ago

      lacroix
      mbeumo
      gyokeres

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      1. F4L
        1 year, 2 months ago

        *actually probably bruno still over mbeumo

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    3. Cold Palms
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Salah TC v Burnley for me

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    4. Bobby Crush
      1 year, 2 months ago

      VVD, Semenyo, Haaland

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    5. Amartey Partey
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Munoz, Grealish, J Pedro

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  6. adstomko
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Calafiori nailed?
    Is there a possibility Lewis-Skelly just plays in the UCL?

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    1. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Seems nailed for now, would be shocked if he was dropped as he's been our best player this season so far.

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    2. GreennRed
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No.

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    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Only Gabriel and Saliba are nailed.

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      1. adstomko
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I don't even think Gabriel is nailed due to Hincapie arriving.

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        1. Pep Roulette
          1 year, 2 months ago

          He's the captain

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    4. Bobby Crush
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I think only Raya, Saliba and Gabriel are truly nailed.

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  7. Pep Roulette
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Play King vs LEE(H) & BRE(H) over Reijnders vs MUN(H) & ARS(A)

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    1. ITS AMAD WORLD
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yeah

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      1 year, 2 months ago

      100%

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

    Any word on Wan-Bissaka? Horrible season so far and did not play in last match. Not a high player but still highly known. Or, not worth the trade / WC out at a later point?

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    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I would leave him on the bench till WC, unless there were no other pressing matters to attend to.

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  9. FDMS All Starz
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Which option is better?

    A) Watkins & Sarr —> Haaland & KDH (-4)
    B) Sarr & Guiu —> Mateta & Semenyo (-4)
    C) Guiu —> Mateta (free)

    1FTs, 4.0itb
    Sanchez
    Muñoz Andersen Rodon
    Salah Bruno Reijnders Kudus Sarr*
    Watkins Wood

    Dubravka Guiu Dorgu Williams

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

      B

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  10. ITS AMAD WORLD
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I need help.

    Say I wildcard in GW4, then I save a transfer in GW5 and then free hit in GW6 will I then have 2 free transfers in GW7 or just the 1 transfer?

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      1 year, 2 months ago

      You will have two

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  11. F4L
    1 year, 2 months ago

    rumours now cunha could be fit for gw4? good news i guess

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    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It is if you still own him

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  12. Bobby Digital
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Play King(LEE) over

    A. Reijnders(MUN)
    B. KDH(AVL)
    C. Don't

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    1. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      C for me.

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

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  13. TafOnTour1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A or B? Tempted to wildcard, currently on A.

    A) Calafiori, Salah, Ekitike, Gyokeres

    B) Munoz, Gakpo, Isak, Haaland.

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    1. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

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    2. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B with Grealish or something over Gakpo

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    3. F4L
      1 year, 2 months ago

      think theres too much uncertainty in both options to consider for a WC team imo

      b if necessary

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  14. Round Ball In Net
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A) Eze and Isak
    B) Gakpo and Mateta

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    1. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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    3. FDMS All Starz
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It will eventually be A but for now B

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  15. _Greg
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Gakpo and Ekitike owners, are you just sitting tight for now? My plan is to give them Burnley and Everton then reassess.

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

      If I had them, I would reassess after every game. Surely they can't be sold before Burnley.

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    2. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Just waiting. No reason to panic twice. I will wait with that to after Burnley.

      On another note. Feels refreshing to schedule a fpl panic to later instead of being in the middle of one...

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    3. Warby84
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I’m going from Ekitike straight to Isak after Burnley, but yes holding this GW

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    4. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Good plan. I will probably drop Wirtz after the Everton game.

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    5. FDMS All Starz
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Don’t see Isak walking into the team for the next 2 considering he’s not had pre season or adapted to Liverpool training, ekitike also inform, expect the same lineup against Burnley and if Gakpo Ekitike impress again they will stay. Isak will slowly be introduced

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  16. Warby84
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Team gtg??

    Sanchez
    Tarkowski Munoz Romero (Cash Gudmundsson)
    Salah(c) Grealish Reijnders Kudus Semenyo
    Ekitike Pedro (Wood)

    1 transfer made Bruno to Grealish leaves 2.4m itb for Isak In GW5

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    1. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Definitely good. Good to go

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  17. Pedersen
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Ekitike is 1 percentage from raising on livefpl... Someone please buy him so I can panic sell with the +0.1m when he doesn't play

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  18. Dynamic Duos
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A,B or C?

    A) Kudus and Reijnders
    B) Grealish and Elliott
    C) Xavi and KDH

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    1. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Kursus and Grealish option?
      I rate them in Grealish > Kudus > Reijnders > Xavi > Elliott > KDH

      Might change but I tried to take minutes over next few gws, and uncertainty by joining a tougher league (Xavi) into account

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  19. Bobby Crush
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Gakpo the best option in that price range?
    Already have Semenyo.

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    1. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Rotation risk with Isak joining.
      They have paid big money for Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak, so they would want them to play to recoup money (even if they are worse). That is capitalism.
      Salah is last one which makes their entire front. This leaves Gakpo as the unknown

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      1. Feanor
        1 year, 2 months ago

        That is not capitalism lol

        Slot will play the players he thinks gets him the best results

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      2. Ghost Ship
        1 year, 2 months ago

        This isn’t logical.

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        1. Ghost Ship
          1 year, 2 months ago

          But Gakpo is now a risk, as is Etikete. Doubt even Slot knows 100 percent his long term line up but my guess is etikete will be spending a lot of time leading the line for the cup team.

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      3. Seanigula
        1 year, 2 months ago

        That is capitulism

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    2. Khalico
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Short term yes

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      1. Bobby Crush
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thx!

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  20. FDMS All Starz
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What’s a better combination going forward?

    A) Paqueta & Gyokores
    Or
    B) Semenyo & Mateta

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    1. Amartey Partey
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

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  21. Mother Farke
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Isak starting and scoring in both games for Sweden would set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.

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    1. Khalico
      1 year, 2 months ago

      For sure

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    2. Feanor
      1 year, 2 months ago

      So would him limping off with a groin strain

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  22. Feanor
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Do we know what % of FPL have played the first WC so far this season? Like 15%

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    1. Captain Mal
      1 year, 2 months ago

      https://plan.livefpl.net/chips

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      1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        1 year, 2 months ago

        This hurts my head

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  23. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    #LFC have named a 22-man squad for the Champions League opening stage. Federico Chiesa is not included

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    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Serves him right for not passing to Salah

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  24. FDMS All Starz
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is this worth a BB in gw5?

    Sanchez (mun A)*
    Dubravka (nfo H)

    Dorgu (che H)*
    Williams (bur A)
    Rodon (wol A)
    Munoz (whu A)
    Andersen (bre H)

    Salah (eve H)
    Bruno (che H)
    Kudus (bha A)
    Rejinders (ars A)*
    Semenyo (new H)

    Watkins (sun A)
    Mateta (whu A)
    Wood (bur A)

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    1. Mother Farke
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No. GW5 looks a nightmare on paper. There will be better weeks.

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        1 year, 2 months ago

        It really does - can’t even tell who I would want to captain. Thinking Mateta (whu) currently

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        1. Mother Farke
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Joao Pedro for me, but I'm very hesitant.

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yeah I did consider that but Chelsea haven’t won at OT since 2013 in the PL, not that it necessarily matters

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      2. FDMS All Starz
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Cheers

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  25. Khalico
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best Sarr replacement? Already have Grealish. Maybe Kudus?

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    1. g40steve
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I have Kudus but no Grealish.

      I’m either punting on Elliott/Pino or going cheap to upgrade fwd

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  26. Meta12345
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A) caicedo for saka, palmer to salah, captain salah, for -4
    B) caicedo for saka, keep palmer, captain haaland, and bring isak for gw5 and captain, no hit

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  27. Feanor
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Salah has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 12 PL games

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    1. Seanigula
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Then don’t own him and don’t Captain him vs Burnley

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      1. Feanor
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I don't and I won't

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  28. BerryMaze
    1 year, 2 months ago

    How is this WC team?

    Raya (Dubravka)
    VvD LaCrois Senesi (Tosin, Rodon)
    Salah Semenyo Grealish Paqueta Elliot
    Haaland JP (Foster)

    Better cheap options instead of Foster for 5.0 million? Other suggestions?

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  29. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Isak on the bench?

    The big question will be to what extent new record signing Alexander Isak will be involved having not featured at all for Newcastle this season.

    If deemed fit enough to start, Isak would be down the centre of the attack in plaec of Ekitike with Slot unlikely to alter his usual 4-2-3-1 approach immediately, although pairing Isak and Ekitike could become an option at a later date.

    https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arne-slot-faces-difficult-alexis-32399975

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    1. Pedersen
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Likely gets a cameo to get his debut
      Ekitike could be moved to wing instead of Gakpo. But as I think Isak gets cameo I think Ekitike will get around 80min

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  30. Mr.K
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What are some of the PL starting lineup decisions that happened and were crazier than it would be for Slot to start Isak already against Burnley?

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