Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 16?

12 December 2025 410 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Erling Haaland (£15.0m) blanked for the third time in four Gameweeks against Sunderland in Gameweek 15, disappointing the 7.2 million+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who backed him with the armband.

This weekend, Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace in a tricky-looking away fixture, while the likes of Arsenal (WOL), Brentford (LEE) and Manchester United (BOU) enjoy appealing home fixtures.

As usual in Captain Sensible, we consider whether there is a case to look beyond the Norwegian.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings to determine the best captain for Gameweek 16 ahead of Saturday’s 1.30pm GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Hold the front page! We have a new leader in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) sits top of the pile with over 39% of site users believing the Englishman, who was rested against Club Brugge midweek, is the best option for Gameweek 16.

No doubt currently looking inwards and not blaming the electorate, is Haaland. The Golden Boot leader has picked up just over 19% backing, despite a 14-point return on his last Premier League away day.

Elsewhere, the only other players to boast over 5% of the vote are Declan Rice (£7.1m) and Igor Thiago (£7.0m).

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

410 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Bukayooo

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  2. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    In your opinion who would you play out of

    DCL (3-4-3)
    Anderson (3-5-2)

    Any ideas would be appreciated

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    1. sunzip14
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Anderson

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    2. Udogie-style
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      DCL

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  3. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Stupid to consider Szobo? Somehow got tempted now…
    There’s also HWilson but as much as I like their fixtures, it really feels like a trap, than Rice who always strikes me as boring, and Eze who is totally hit or miss…

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    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Had the same dilemma and went for Szob. Wilson's XGi is really low. What also swayed it for me was hat 2/3 games away from home where Fulham are not great.

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  4. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    What's by boy Thiago the penalty merchant doing there in the captaincy poll lol

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Dango is still available to win them this week

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  5. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Is there news about the availability of Mbuemo?

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  6. sunzip14
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Which one to bench?

    A) J Pedro
    B) Woltemade
    C) Doku

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    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Wolte

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    2. Udogie-style
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      A

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    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      probably wolte, but have a feeling doku could be benched this gw. left on longest again madrid, yeah he was playing well and arguably cities' best attacker but yeah. pep might want him vs brentford midweek, sort of match hes needed

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  7. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Best Mateta replacement? Really can't decide between Raul, Bowen or Ekitike

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    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Raul

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    2. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Raul

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    3. FPLamateur
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Bowen

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    4. Udogie-style
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Not sure about any of those but probably Raul

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    5. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      ekitike

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    6. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Back to 5 mids or 4 defence. Haaland, Thiago and thats it.

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    7. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Ekiteke

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    8. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Of those? Bowen

      Maybe not for this week, but in a couple of weeks time, when Raul has huffed and puffed and not done very much at all, as is his way, Bowen will have a lovely fixture run all the way to Feb.

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  8. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    All 5 transfers blown. G2G? Targeting O'Reilly next week and then Wolte & Semenyo > Guiu & Bruno F in 18/19

    Raya
    Timber - Chalobah - Andersen
    Foden - BrunoG - Semenyo - Rice - Szob
    Haaland - Thiago

    Dubravka - Wolte - Senesi - Gudmund

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  9. AzzaroMax99
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    G2G? Used all 5 FT

    Dubravka
    Cucu Timber* Thiaw
    Saka(C) Bruno Foden Minteh Dewsbury-Hall
    Haaland Thiago

    Verbruggen Kroupi Reinildo Calafiori**

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    1. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Minteh mintmeh.

      With DH 2 possible fires to put out.

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      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Minteh would probably become Harry Wilson next week. Can't have them all

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    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Looks good to me. The GK's rotate nicely until Verb great fixtures. You could downgrade Kroupi to save £ if you wanted cos he wont play much barring Evanilson injury

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  10. Udogie-style
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Which two to bench from...
    Andersen, Guehi, O'Reilly, VDV, Cash?

    Currently have Guehi and O'Reilly sitting it out.

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  11. Little Frank
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Who to play between:
    a. O'Reilly
    b. KDH

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      A

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      A (KDH away record is abysmal)

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  12. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Start one:
    A) Clyne (MCI)
    B) Miley (sun)

    Leaning towards A because of def-con. Clyne got 9 in 70 mins last week

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Id go B tbh due to opposition

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  13. Jullepuu
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Get Andersen, Gvardiol or O'Reilly?

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      The latter

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      o'reilly

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  14. Brunsvigeren
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Maybe I f**** up my 5 free transfers, We'll see 🙂

    Kelleher
    Dijk, Timber, Hartmann
    Eze, Saka, BrunoF, Foden, Gordon
    Thiago, Ekitike
    Dubravka, Mateta Guehi, Munoz

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      What transfers did you do? Not a bad team by any stretch, id of shifted Munoz on though

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      1. Brunsvigeren
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Yes, Munoz will be O'Reiley next gw

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    2. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      5FTs spunked and no Haaland for West Ham next week.

      Good lord I need to lie down

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      1. Brunsvigeren
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        I have been Haaland less All season, Ive had Salah All season, backfired! Won me ML last year with that tactic.

        Ehm
        Minteh, Gakpo, Raya, Woltemade, Salah to Saka, Foden, Bruno, Ekitike, Kelleher

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  15. Gorky
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Odds on Timber starting?

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    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      75%

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  16. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    On WC- 0 ITB.
    Dubravka (Verbruggen)
    Andersen O'Reilley Timber (Richards) (Rodon)
    Foden Saka Bruno Rice Cunha
    Haaland Thiago
    A. Cunha - Bruno G to upgrade Andersen to Hincapie? (Is this worth it as Hincapie only short term/Cunha could outdo Bruno G
    B. Is considering punting on Merino instead of Rice to upgrade Andersen madness?
    C. Any other suggestions instead please?

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I wouldn't do A on WC. It's a booked transfer.

      Personally I wouldn't double on the United midfield. I presume from your reply to me that Guiu is your third striker?

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      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        I know it's a risky double up isn't it, maybe I'm being a little biased there ha. He is yes sorry missed him off.
        Thanks for looking is there anything else you would recommend at all?

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  17. Udogie-style
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Which two to bench from...
    Andersen, Guehi, O'Reilly, VDV, Cash?

    Cheers.

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Guehi & VDV

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      1. Udogie-style
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Cheers!

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  18. sunzip14
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Saka TC? Yes or no?
    Don't have Haaland in the team, so not sure when is best to use this chip.

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      With no Haaland and that fixture it would be madness not to

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    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      100% Yes especially with no Haaland.

      Ask yourself, when else would you use it before you lose it?

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      1. sunzip14
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Thank you. Probably this is the best chance to use it. For 17, when others might TC Haaland, I plan to FH and bring him in to Captain and limit the damage.

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        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 14 days ago

          Smart plan. Deffo TC this week

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    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Unless you have the intention and the means to get Haaland for WHU, then this is the GW to play it.

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    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I would in your shoes. Good opportunity

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  19. Teddy10
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    A or B?

    A) Play Minteh and bail out on boring arsenal double defence
    B) Rice for Minteh

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      B

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  20. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Really torn.

    Mateta to Guiu gives so much cash - can get a second Arsenal mid, Foden and Bruno in this week.

    But I have a BB so it means Guiu has to play in the next three weeks.

    Screw the chip and focus on the team, right?

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Currently on WC with the same dilemma - I decided to save the cash and get him just gives flexibility elsewhere IMO

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      "Focus on the team" - what is your team? BB is so much more than just Guiu/template midfielders

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      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        The options is either spread cash around by having a more expensive 8th attacker for a BB or have the cheapest 8th attacker and have more cash for the team.

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    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I don't think Maresca is keen on giving Guiu that much opportunity. You might get minutes off the bench, but I can see Pedro getting most minutes up top, with Neto & George ahead of Guiu in the pecking order

      Would Kroupi be an option given Evanilson is playing like a donkey at the mo?

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      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        This also good advice and I agree it just depends how valuable the saving is with regards to other players. As a third fodder I was happy to scrimp at the sacrifice of the BB a little

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      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Agree with this donkey comment tho

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    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      BB isn't worth thinking about. Get Guiu and Dubravka and hope for a 3-4 points. Sets your team up much better going forward.

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      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        I think that's the way I'm leaning

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    5. Atwood
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I wouldn't ignore the BB like that personally

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      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        I'm not totally ignoring it. I'm just conscious that going for, say, Jimimez might score me 5-10 points more than Guiu when I play the chip, but the extra £2m in other positions over a few weeks should significantly exceed that

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  21. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    So many flags, so thinking of using 3FT's and benching Calafiori for a week. Thoughts?

    Munoz/3.9/Mateta > Anderson/Van der Berg/Thiago

    Dubravka
    Timber - Calafiori - Munoz
    Rice - Semenyo - Minteh - Mbuemo
    Haaland - Mateta - Woltemade

    Verbruggen - Anderson - Rodon - 3.9

    Then next week, Mbuemo > Foden when the former leaves for AFCON.

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Seems sensible - obviously ties up that third Arsenal slot but there isn't a clear sideways move from Calafiori with the other injuries.

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      1. Atwood
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Been royally screwed by injuries etc, so I'm gonna have to miss out on the big hitters this week (Bruno, Foden, Saka) that I would have liked to target.

        Need to use BB so those moves plus Foden next week means I have a half decent fixture list next game week

        Ok now I'm rambling

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    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Yes I would. Not worth shipping Cala for a week especially with value tied in. Consider Clyne also

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  22. AnyoneButLiverpool
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Raya
    Timber ORiley Thiaw
    Mbuemo Rice Szoboszlai BrunoG Foden
    Haaland Thiago
    Dubravka Woltemade Munoz Rodon

    4 FTs and 1.5m in the bank.
    If Rice, Timber and Mbuemo don’t play then I am in trouble. Would you free hit if you had this team? Help please!

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I wouldn't, nice team mate. I have 2 of them and I'm sure a lot of players have 2/3 of them too

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    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      No I wouldn't FH that at all. Rice will play. Mbeumo too.

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  23. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Mbeumo > Saka or hold and do it next GW?

    Midfield

    Bruno F, Bruno G, Foden, Mbeumo (King)

    King will be KDH soon.

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    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Saka in

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    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I think Saka goes big and you've got to lose Mbeumo next week so yes for me

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    3. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Saka in

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  24. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Evening all. WC activated. Where can i improve? I will be BB in GW17. Thanks

    Raya
    Andersen - Hinchape - O'Reilly
    Bruno - Saka - Wilson - Foden - Bruno.G
    Thiago - Haaland

    (Verbruggen) - Raul - Cash - Richards

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Triple Fulham... (I've been there and then questioned how I got there). Jimimez and Wilson also expensive to rotate as 7th attacker/bench player.

      Downgrade Verbruggen. Hinchcape is a booked transfer which isn't ideal.

      Just being critical, some good picks

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      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        True with Hincapie but you could get a month out of him

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      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Cheers appreciate it. Not sold on triple Fulham - have 5FT and FH still to use too so I can change it after the next two GWs

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        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 14 days ago

          To be fair, with 5FT I'd probably be less concerned about the things I said - it's not so bad booking in transfers on a WC when you have a mini-WC in hand

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          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 15 Years
            5 months, 14 days ago

            Yep I probably should have mentioned that. Cheers

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    2. Tinmen
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Would start Raul over BrunoG

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    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Great team. Do you need Verb with a premium like Raya id possibly downgrade. Other than that fantastic team

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      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Cheers - Raya is best keeper in game and when I BB in GW17 Verb has Sunderland - my thinking anyway

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  25. NoName
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Which one to bench out of Hincapie, Virgil, O'Reilly, Chalobah, Rice?

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    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      I think Chelsea concede so Chalobah

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      OReilly

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    3. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Van Dijk

      Do you actually think Liverpool can keep Brighton out ?

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      1. NoName
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        Possibly not but I can also see an attacking return.

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    4. NoName
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Cheers all

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  26. Tinmen
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Hi folks,

    Are these changes ok ?
    Or should I keep Mbuemo and not risk the likes of Szobo and Doku
    Would need to make the moves tonight as have exact funds

    Livra Eze Mbuemo Semenyo Woltemade
    To
    O’Reilly Saka Szobo Doku Thiago

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  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    How many games do we think Ben White gets?

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    1. tuturututu
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      At least 4-5 for the holiday season

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 14 days ago

        I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

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    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      Think he starts tomorrow, after that not sure. I do prefer him to Timber but Timber seems to be the favoured choice now

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  28. it lies in the proles
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    On BB, last players:

    A) Mount, Reijnders and Ekitiké
    B) Mbeumo, Cunha and Guiu

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      B, but one from each is a nailed on 1 pointer tops.

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  29. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    Raya

    Virgil O'Reilly Timber Van den Berg
    Foden Gordon Anderson Saka (C)
    Haaland Thiago

    Dub Wolt KDH Van Hecke

    GTG?
    Right starting line-up?
    Right bench order?
    3FTs, 0.3ITB

    Only consideration is to start either Wolt or VDB. I don't think Leeds score, which means Wolt has to in order to match VDB.

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  30. thom830g
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 14 days ago

    A) Donna+mateta+gakpo+reijnders -> Raya + DCL + Bruno + Wilson (ful) and save 1 fy

    And BB this:
    Dub - Raya
    James - VVD - thiaw - Vdv - esteve
    Semenyo - saka - Bruno - DBH - Wilson
    DCL - haaland - thiago

    Then do: semenyo+ James -> andersen + foden next gw

    B) FH

    C) other?

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      A

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    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 14 days ago

      A

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