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23 September 2025 431 comments
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Hugo Ekitike (£8.7m) will be banned in Gameweek 6 after being sent off for two bookable offences in the EFL Cup tie against Southampton on Tuesday.

Punishments for individual yellow cards are competition-specific, as we discuss in our weekly Suspension Tightrope article.

But suspensions for dismissals in cup games cover all competitive domestic matches.

So, Ekitike is handed a one-match ban and must sit out this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace.

The next big question: will Alexander Isak (£10.5m) start at Selhurst Park?

The Swedish striker had been building his fitness up gradually for the Reds after a disrupted pre-season. Indeed, he’s yet to start in the Premier League since his big-money move.

After getting nearly an hour against Atletico Madrid a week ago, he lasted only the first 45 minutes of the win over the Saints.

Arne Slot will hopefully tell us more about Isak’s fitness in his post-match presser. We’ll relay any notable quotes in our EFL Cup Scout Notes.

If Isak isn’t ready for starting duty, we could see Cody Gakpo (£7.7m) or Florian Wirtz (£8.3m) – who featured as a false nine in pre-season – through the middle on Saturday.


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431 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nomar
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Most stupid red card ever, celebrating a tap in!

    Now, I suppose I’ll have to keep Wirtz for another week. 🙁

  2. Gazwaz80
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Flippin eck Neale, that was quick 😀

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      That's what she said.

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ha, I happened to be on a train and had time to bash one out quick!

      Then, after that, straight onto this article.

      1. Gazwaz80
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Too much information Neale 😀

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

    Hot off the press!

    Quite interesting for a league cup round.

    More tomorrow?

    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      1 year, 1 month ago

      We starting Isak this weekend now?

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

        I am

        I guess

        Or Richie home to Wolves?

        1. AAAFootball
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Both?

  4. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Gotta love a late night emergency article.

    Mark pumped out a few classics in years gone by.

  5. Moxon
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Haaland, Isak, Pedro

    That's some frontline on a WC!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Same here Haaland Isidor Pedro 😛

    2. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Haaland and Pedro injury doubts and Isak not fit. Amazing!

    3. Winging it
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      That's my current frontline on wildcard.

  6. Meta12345
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Play:
    A) mitoma away to chelsea
    B) strand larsen away to tottenham

    First to 3 wins it

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Jsl

  7. Deulofail
    1 year, 1 month ago

    What do with my 2FTs & £7.4m ITB?

    1. Ekitike > Isak?

    2. Buy Saka? For whom? (could be any mid)

    Petrovic
    Gabriel Cucurella Porro
    Semenyo Xavi Grealish Reijnders
    Ekitike Pedro Mateta

    Dubravka | Senesi, Paqueta, Munoz

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ekitike to Haaland seems pretty obvious move

      1. AAAFootball
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Eki to Harland might be the most obvious move

      2. Deulofail
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Would mean I can't get any of Saka, Isak or Gyokeres. Whereas without Haaland, I can get all three with 3FTs if I want. Think I'll go without Haaland and Salah for the time being

        1. AAAFootball
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I get what your saying but except maybe 0etrovix, that team plus haaland is exactly what i would get on wc.

    2. Warby84
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Can you not work it out yourself??

      1. Deulofail
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I don’t have a calculator

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Richarlison (WOL lee AVL), no takers?

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      If i had another ft, maybe. As it is eki on the bench, but funnily enough was likely benching him anyway over a huge headache between him and reindeer

    2. JBG
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Think Solanke or Muani is back in training, so couldn't be a rotation risk.

    3. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Just a bit concerned about Solanke being back or Muani as an option and Spurs playing champions league on Tuesday.

      But yes, considering him, need an Ekitikie replacement. Not many other options.

    4. DavvaMC
      1 year, 1 month ago

      On WC would you have Richarlison over Pedro?

      Been on Pedro but debating on Richarlosn.

  9. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Haaland in for:

    A) Bowen
    B) Watkins

    Reijenders in for:

    1) Wirtz
    2) Gakpo

    1. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B1

  10. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Hello guys. Would you wildcard here?

    Dubravka
    Munoz, Murillo, Porro
    Reijnders, Bruno, Semenyo, Salah
    Mateta, Watkins, Joao Pedro

    subs: Sanchez, KDH, Agbadou, Esteve --- 1 FT, 0.2 ITB

    A) Salah & Watkins -> Ndiaye & Haaland (-4)
    B) Wildcard

    1. AF90
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A

  11. AF90
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Seems crazy to be asking this but DEFCON.

    Who would you play this week?

    A) Munoz
    B) Andersen

    1. Stimps
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

  12. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Already taken 2FT and will likely need to do Palmer to Bruno for my remaining FT

    A. Play Sarr (WOL)
    B. Take a hit to remove Ekitiké, to either Isak, Richarlison or Gyokeres
    C. Wildcard to get the FT's back

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A or c
      Is sarr fit? If yes, then a. If no then c

  13. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) Bowen + Wirtz > Haaland + King
    B) Watkins +Wirtz > Haaland + Reijnders

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A if you bench king

      1. AAAFootball
        1 year, 1 month ago

        In fact, just a. Bench king or even play if you want

    2. JBG
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    3. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      More because I think bowen is terrible, I like reindeer as much as anyone

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Bowen has been miles better than Watkins

        1. AAAFootball
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yeah but he plays for west ham

    4. chocolove
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Omg.
      Bowen Watkins Wirtz, the team value destroyers

  14. Tonyawesome69
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Slot on Isak:

    “I think we will see the best of Alexander Isak after the October international break.”

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

      He might be even better in January, March and May.

      1. Three Pints of Schlager
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Or injured

  15. Radulfo28773
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Thanks Ekitike, you’ve just resolved my benching conundrum

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Haha he was already on bench, but i feel a lot better about it now

  16. LFC
    1 year, 1 month ago

    On a WC would you go for

    A) kudus and woltamade
    B) ndiaye and richarlison

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A is very tempting. Currently have both mids and neither forward

    2. ZimZalabim
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Pariße
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I think these average priced fpl picks are quite a gamble. For the same price I’d rather have:
      Wilson Isidor and Bruno.
      Gyokeres and Xhaka/Antony.
      And a stronger defence. The two pairs include penalty takers, on form dominant attackers within lower-ranked teams, and DefCons.

  17. Slitherene
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Feel so good after selling both Wirtz and Gakpo, phew!

  18. Bleh
    1 year, 1 month ago

    King coming in for Hugo as had already made my transfers. GTG?

    Raya
    Timber, Livramento, Senesi
    Bruno, Gakpo, Semenyo, Grealish, King
    Haaland, Pedro

    (Dubravka, Lacroix, Gudmundsson, Ekitike*)

    1. ZimZalabim
      1 year, 1 month ago

      if u dont want to take a hit for ekitike to rich or someone then id say GTG

      Can just wait and move for Gykores next week I guess

    2. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Play lacroix for dcs

  19. ZimZalabim
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this wc

    Pope (Dubravka)
    Gab, Senesi, Vdv (Anderson, Rodon)
    Foden, Semenyo, Ndaiye, Reijnders (King)
    Haaland(C), JP, Gyko

    Leaving over 3m itb to move for a Salah,Palmer,Isak etc

    not sure on Foden could be Bruno or kudus maybe

    1. ZimZalabim
      1 year, 1 month ago

      considering gykores or richarlison also.
      Could go for Rich and maybe Saka in Foden position

    2. Bleh
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yeah I’d go Bruno over Foden. Haaland + Reji is enough City.

  20. PartyTime
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Which gw to activate Triple captain?
    1. Haaland TC vs Burnley current gw
    2. Salah TC vs Sunderland gw 14
    3. Haaland TC vs Leeds gw 13
    4. Haaland TC vs Sunderland gw 15
    5. Salah TC vs Manchester utd gw 8
    6. Salah TC vs Leeds gw 19

    Thanks!

    1. ZimZalabim
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I like the look of 3

      1. PartyTime
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Cheers! I like the look of everything 🙂

    2. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I love that mun are being targeted on tc

      1. PartyTime
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Turd club

        1. AAAFootball
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Haha are you a city fan?

    3. Pariße
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Targeting fresh sides while West Ham, Aston Villa and Wolves have been the absolute worst so far.

      1. Casual Player
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Was going to say this.

        I’d rather TC against West Ham or Wolves than Leeds or Sunderland

      2. PartyTime
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Good teams to target, fortunately, everyone can't have the same TC

    4. g40steve
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Cardiff put two past Burnley tonight

      1. Warby84
        1 year, 1 month ago

        2nd string Burnley

  21. Pep Roulette
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Gyokeres or Saka?

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Hook is fitter plus pens

  22. Slitherene
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Start one?

    A. Verbruggen (che)
    B. Dubravka (mci)

    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Verb

    2. Casual Player
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Got the same 2, which I hate, but going Verbruggen

  23. adstomko
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Ekitike > Watkins for a -4?
    Wondering if Villa will wake up after sacking Monchi - presuming they fell out with him when selling Jacob Ramsey.

    1. The Knights Template
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Does anybody remember the Hall of Shame league code?

      1. adstomko
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I deleted it after getting into the top 100k, sorry

        1. The Knights Template
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Something tells me you’re going to be there very long! Huzzah!

      2. AAAFootball
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Vc3h7y or something like that
        I know it started with vc

    2. The Iceman
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Absolutely not!

    3. Three Pints of Schlager
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I would wait.

      Pumpkins time is typically end of October.

      Lots of smashing to come in.

    4. Casual Player
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Everyone is going to tell you know because he’s done nothing for 5 weeks

      Doesn’t mean they are right.

      Class temporary, form permanent and all that.

      You can take a risk, live a little, sometimes.

      1. The Knights Template
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I’d be looking at Richarlison against Wolves (and Leeds next GW).

  24. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Some advice on this wild card draft would be appreciated...
    Petrovic
    Calafiori, Senesi, VDV
    Saka, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Reindeer
    Pedro, Haaland, Isak
    (Dubrav, Stach, Rodon, Alderete)

    Would rather have Bruno in midfield over Mbeumo but can't stretch to him and have Isak and Saka. Any advice?

    1. The Iceman
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nice team. I would leave as is - Mbeumo is getting into good positions.

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yea he's looked good to me and hoping he'll start to come good. Could always start with Foden I guess but not sure he's much more of a dead cert yet either.
        You think it's worth getting in on Isak and Saka early?

        1. The Iceman
          1 year, 1 month ago

          With the injury to Madueke and the suspension to Ekitike - yes I do.

        2. DavvaMC
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Considering Eze over Saka,q

    2. DavvaMC
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nice, similar to my WC.

  25. The Iceman
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Evening gents. Are the below moves worth a -4?

    Salah > Reijnders
    Mateta > Haaland
    Ekitike > Isak (-4)

    1. OverTinker
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yes I guess

    2. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Who would be play instead of Ekitikie? Not sure about Isak yet in a difficult fixture. Certainly not for a hit.
      Like the first 2 though.

      1. The Iceman
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Paqueta would be the one to play. Not sold on him at all.

        1. tutankamun
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I agree, but he’s a decent player and at home, could get something on a Monday night under the lights. Is he on pens?
          Not sure he’s worth the -4.

    3. C0YS
      1 year, 1 month ago

      So Salah Mateta Ekitike vs Haaland Reijnders Isak.

      Depending on whom you would have playing instead of Ekitike this GW, that looks pretty sideways. Also not so sure it’s time to board the Isak train yet

      1. C0YS
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Actually the first 2 moves aren’t bad if you’re sure you just want 1 of Haaland/Salah. No point in the 3rd move. Paqueta vs Everton isn’t so bad, though I agree you’d want to move him on shortly afterwards

        1. The Iceman
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Cheers bud. Pretty set on the first two moves but yes will mull over the third one before deadline.

      2. tutankamun
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I don’t think getting rid of Salah for Haaland is sideways at all.

        I think it’s a must.

        1. C0YS
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Agree that Haaland is a must, but whether Salah is the best one to sacrifice for him is up for debate

  26. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    On WC, which combo would you go for?
    A) Tarkowski, Gvardiol, Porro, Caicedo, Kudus, Gyokeres
    Or
    B) Tosin, VDV, Andersen, Saka, King, Isak

    1. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A

    2. The Iceman
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I like B.

      1. tutankamun
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Saka and Isak not fully fit yet. King may lose out to ESR.
        Would like to see the rest of his team though.

    3. AAAFootball
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A

    4. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Has to be A at the moment

    5. DavvaMC
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B.

  27. OverTinker
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I guess now I no longer need to do Gakpo to Reijnider for a hit

    1. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yeah, I was initially annoyed at Ekitikie, but he’s probably made decisions somewhat easier for me.
      And like you, I can also keep Gakpo.

  28. Letsgo!
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Will u have isak or salah on wc?

    1. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I played my WC in GW4 to get rid of Salah.

      And Isak not fit yet.

      1. Letsgo!
        1 year, 1 month ago

        But salah seems getting better though

        1. Casual Player
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Some people will do Salah and Haaland, some just Haaland. Follow your heart

        2. tutankamun
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Is he? I’ve not seen it. And I won’t be captaining him over Haaland anytime soon so not worth it IMO.

          1. C0YS
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Not sure I understand the “he’s too expensive if not being considered for captaincy” argument - least of all this season.

            With the amount of high-performing enablers outscoring mid-priced options, it’s much better to just place your bets on whom you expect to score more points overall - Salah + 5.0/5.5 or Bruno + Gyokeres or any other combo of mid-priced players

    2. Casual Player
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Isak is way early IMO

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

      Neither now
      Isak will likely be the one to own longer term, but not yet

    4. C0YS
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Depending on how Isak looks when he starts to hit his stride and get consistent 60+ minutes, I’d been planning to own Haaland/Salah/Isak. Though Isak could just as easily be Palmer

      1. tutankamun
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Palmer surely a no-go at the moment with the injury issues?

        1. C0YS
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Of course, no point getting either of them yet. All I’m implying is it’s unclear which of the 2 will be the better pick in a few (game)weeks’ time

  29. tuturututu
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Would you start:

    1) A - Porro or B - VdV
    2) A - Gakpo or B - Enzo

    Thanks

    1. C0YS
      1 year, 1 month ago

      AA

      1. tuturututu
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks! Gakpo or Enzo giving me hard time, Gakpo obvious option but not in much form, vs Palace away and getting subbed early if he does nothing. Enzo has Brighton at home and with Cole in questionable state could play a more offensive role and have impact upfront, he is second PK taker and on corners. Having Salah I'm leaning towards Enzo currently.

        1. C0YS
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Sure, there’s not much between them.

          Enzo could do well, especially if Palmer is confirmed out. With Ekitike out, Gakpo is unlikely to get subbed early.

          I guess it would depend on whether Palmer is expected to play or not.

          Also if this is a WC dilemma, I’m not sure I’d pay the premium for Porro. Though that obviously depends on your team and funds situation

          1. tuturututu
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Thanks for your thoughts!

            Not a WC team but if you can check out my potential WC in near/medium future and give me your opinion it would be great, it's on next page

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      ^

    3. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A
      B (if Palmer out)

  30. Casual Player
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I know it’s a mammoth task but we ever getting H2H leagues.

    I’m 3 for 3 in promotions in my quest to win the entire pyramid in 9 years