Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 17?

19 December 2025 254 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Erling Haaland (£15.0m) notched his seventh double-digit haul of the season against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 16, delighting the 5.6 million+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers that handed him the armband.

This weekend, Manchester City host West Ham, no doubt making the captaincy decision straightforward for many. However, in Captain Sensible, we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t at least wonder 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 17 ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Some technical issues delayed the launch of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll this week!

But unsurprisingly, since its late arrival, Haaland has soared to the top of the standings. Over 69% of site users believe the Norwegian, who was fully rested in midweek, is the best option for Gameweek 17.

The only other players to boast over over 10% of the vote (indeed, over 3%) are the in-form Phil Foden (£8.8m) and Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), who faces Burnley at home this Saturday.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

FFScout Tom <p>Deputy General Manager. Forever chasing the top 10K. Chelsea fan.&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

254 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. fgdu
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 13 hours ago

    play harry wilson or chalobah?

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    1. jacksonbarber125
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 13 hours ago

      Wilson, Newcastle strong at home

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    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Wilson

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    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Wilson

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  2. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 13 hours ago

    Just seen Frank’s presser. He looks like he’s aged 10 years in the last week 😯

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    1. Dank Squid
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      They've been too Frank

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    2. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Managing spurs can do that to you.

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  3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 13 hours ago

    Play 1 of Andersen, Anderson, Woltemade and Enzo

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    1. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Fulham Andersen or Woltemade imo. I lean to Woltemade at home for more upside

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  4. Dank Squid
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 13 hours ago

    Ekitike will punish me. Red arrow. It's fine, still enough GWs to claw back and claim that coveted spot. December is just a rough ride, as always

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    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      He's not that highly owned

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      1. Dank Squid
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Thank you, Gandalf. Reverse psychology, and your wisdom, will break the pattern. My xmas gift to you is a big green arrow

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        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 months, 12 hours ago

          Any time. My xmas gift to you is an Ekitike blank tomorrow, so you can sleep well tonight.

          My xmas gift to myself is a red card for Guehi as finding him verh annoying recently..

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          1. Dank Squid
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 12 hours ago

            Thx. Wish I had Guehi, nice attacking returns (Lacroix is in my team - beyond annoying), red cards are bad

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    2. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I'm actually expecting my first red since GW10, but I think that is OK. No Ekitike and many chips being played. Only had 4 reds so far.

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      1. Dank Squid
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        First red since GW 10, only 4 so far? You're doing good. I've had 6 reds, the usual, looking forward to 2nd half of the season

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        1. mrtapio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 12 hours ago

          Not sure how I ended up there, but I sit at OR2.5k.
          Usually 2nd half is where I do best, maybe this year it's opposite.

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          1. Dank Squid
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 12 hours ago

            Maybe not. "Usually" is the past. Keep going, doing the right things

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  5. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Start DCL or Tavenier?

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Tavernier

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    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Tav

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    3. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Thanks guys! Happy Holidays!

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  6. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Raya Dubravka
    VVD O'Reilly Andersen Hincapie Mukiele
    Saka Bruno Foden Enzo Anderson
    Haaland Thiago Guiu
    4ft 0.6 itb
    A) Rolling to 5ft, team is fine
    B) Enzo to Wilson and Thiago to Ekiteke (excact cash)

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    1. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Can't trade Thiago out before Wolves unless he's confirmed injured

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      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 11 hours ago

        I did can’t buy if lost cash?

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  7. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Jeff Shi has resigned. The worst chairman in the history of the Premier League is finally gone!

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Peter Ridsdale says hi.

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  8. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Working for me. Make sure the drop down menus at the top are set to all games and this season.

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  9. Casual Player
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Igor Thiago “knocks” are ruining my BB plans.

    I think what I’ve learned from this is should’ve used it earlier.

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    1. Dank Squid
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I had a zero on my bench last season (Estupinan), still beat the average BB score. That's why I still like the chip, it can bring additional points even if a single player fails (TC is different)

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      1. Casual Player
        • 5 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Yeah good point and I’m leaning toward risking it anyway

        Don’t want to transfer him out

        Don’t want to make more transfers to try and make it work in 18/19

        I’ve had so many double digit bench weeks without using it that the incoming 5 pt BB is well deserved

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        1. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 12 hours ago

          You deserve more than 5 points

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  10. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Subs right?

    Sanchez
    Timber-Chalobah-Guéhi
    Saka(VC)-Foden-BrunoF-Rogers-Rice
    Haaland(C)-Thiago
    Dubravka-Cash-Guiu-Gudmundson

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Yes

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  11. theguy69
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Which is the best time to play TC before christmas

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Now

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    2. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Haaland v WHU

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    3. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Tough one there’s a whopping 30 games to consider

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    4. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I will play it now.

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  12. Radulfo28773
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Play one (the other two will be on the bench):

    a) Alderete
    b) Chalobah
    C) Van de Ven

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    1. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Chalobah because everytime I’ve benched him he’s found a way to go big anyway.

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    2. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      A. Other two have horrible match ups

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  13. no idea about foobtball
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    This will sound odd to you lot.
    Im not a football fan. I know zero! But im in a FPL group at work for fun. And currently winning somehow.

    Current line up for this week
    Sanchez

    Chalobah. Van hecke. O'Reilly. Guehi

    B Guimaraes. Gravenberch. H Wilson. Foden(v cpt).

    Haaland(cpt) . Ekitike.

    Bench
    Pickford. Timber. Thiago. Eze

    Would you guys change anything around starter wise? ( I used my transfer for ekitike as I kicked him out 3 weeks ago after having him.frimmday one lol)

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Play Timber over Chalobah

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    2. jacksonbarber125
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Start Thiago and Timber, Bench either Van Hecke and Guehi.. for me at least

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      1. jacksonbarber125
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Or bench Chalobah

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    3. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I would start Timber, Thiago and Eze. Maybe Guimaraes, Van heche and Guehi on the bench.

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  14. Weasel51
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Who is the best pick?

    A) Richards (CPL)
    B) Senesi
    C) Truffert

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Senesi

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    2. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Long term - Richards

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  15. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Bench 1:

    A. Richards
    B. Chalobah

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      B

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    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I'm playing Chalobah with Richards first sub
      Could go either way though tbh

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  16. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Is Thiago and Szoboslai worth going to Ekitike and Wieffer? Otherwise bench is Thiaw, kroupi

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    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Not sure I'd do those moves

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      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Neither? Wieffer is the only downgrade that gets me Ekitike. Unless I wait next week and have 3 FTs.

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    2. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Don't transfer out Thiago before Wolves unless he's confirmed out

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      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 11 hours ago

        Don't think there's going to be any confirmation before the deadline

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  17. thewhitepele
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Got 5 ft and 0.3 itb.
    Eze —> Semenyo YAY or NAY?

    Would welcome Ekitike for Thiago but would need to find 1.2m from somewhere..

    Verbruggen
    Hincapie Oreilly Andersen
    Saka Bruno Foden Wilson EZE
    Haaland(TC) Thiago

    Dubravka, Guiu, Alderete, Esteve

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Ditching Hincapie seems like the only way to get that cash, but it doesn't seem smart.

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  18. Forcella Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Chasing in my ML thinking of getting rid of Eze & Thiago. Would you go for a -4

    A. Tavernier & Ekitike
    B. Wilson & Mateta
    C. Schade & Mateta
    D. Any suggestions ?

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    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Leave Thiago and get rid of Eze for Wilson

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      1. Forcella Boys
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Thank you mate

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        1. Ray85
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 12 hours ago

          No prob. Any view on mine? Is Thiago and Szoboslai worth going to Ekitike and Wieffer? Otherwise my bench is Thiaw, Kroupi Jr

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          1. Forcella Boys
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            8 months, 12 hours ago

            I think if you are chasing it’s worth it tbh.

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  19. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Hi folks, is this lineup correct?

    Petrovic
    O’Reilly, Chalobah, Senesi
    Saka, Foden, Cunha, Wilson
    Haaland, Ekitike, Mateta

    Vicario, Minteh, Dalot, Mukiele 0ft .5itb

    Unsure about Chalobah/Wilson over Minteh/Dalot

    Thank you

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Good as is. Think I'd have Dalot last on bench

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  20. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Evening. Good to go?

    Petrovic
    Chalobah O'Reilly Hincapie
    Saka Bruno Foden Semenyo Wilson
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubravka Richards Keane Guiu
    0FT 2.1ITB

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Yes gtg

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  21. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Which one to bench.... going 433 this gw?
    A. Vvd
    B. Guehi
    C. Senesi
    D. O'Reilly
    E. Hincapie

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    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      B

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    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Hmmmm, A

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    3. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      A

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  22. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Wilson for Xhaka? Have to bench Thiago to play him though..

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  23. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Is this good to go and the correct bench?

    Pope
    Guehi, van Dijk, Rondon
    Foden, B. Fernandes, Saka, Rice, Bruno G.
    Haaland (TC), Thiago

    Dubravka, Calvert-Lewin, Keane, Alderete

    Thank you and good luck to all!

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    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I'd be sorely tempted to start DCL.

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  24. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Which one would you play?

    A) Hincapie (eve)
    B) Van Dijk (tot)

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    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Close. Probably VVD as per attacking threat

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      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Cheers

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  25. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Have we had any update on Thiago?

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Also wondering about this. What is the injury?

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      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Not sure it's been confirmed. Think it was suggested as a knock

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        1. Bennerman
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 11 hours ago

          There are exact quotes (not that they are exact as such from the manager) on this very site on this very internet – let's not be lazy people.

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  26. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Raya and Guiu vs Verbruggen and DCL - DCL I thought would be a good fall back if Thiago doesn't start. He is on fire.
    Otherwise Collins will come in for Thiago?
    Which is best option?
    Happy Holidays everyone!

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    1. Count Olaf
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I think I'd keep Raya, don't trust Brighton's defence. And Collins is a fine 1st sub this week.

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      1. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        Thank your Lordship!

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  27. Count Olaf
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Woltemade to
    A) Ekitike
    B) Bowen (now or next week)
    C) Someone else
    D) Keep

    I have Haaland and Thiago. Can't be Guiu because of BB18.

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    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      Might as well be Bowen, otherwise you will be looking at another TRSF. Unless you have transfers to spare, then get Ekitike.

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      1. Count Olaf
        • 2 Years
        8 months, 12 hours ago

        I have 4 FT (3 after I do the move). I could keep Ekitike for 2-3 games and then jump on to Bowen if Ekitike's minutes don't look great.

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        1. bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 11 hours ago

          Go for it!

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  28. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    G2G to roll here?

    1FT 0.1 bank

    Dubravka
    VVD Hincapie OReilly
    Foden Bruno G Saka Rice Wilson
    Thiago Haaland

    Sels Welbeck Van Hecke Gud

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    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I think good to go. Good luck!

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  29. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Which one you would bench from this front line?

    Foden, B. Fernandes, Saka, Rice, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Thiago, Calvert-Lewin

    Thanks!

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    1. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 11 hours ago

      That's brutal. Maybe DCL? But it feels really wrong with his form. Rice maybe?

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  30. EWH2020
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 12 hours ago

    Would you BB this sh*te

    Dub, Kroupi, Cash, Thiaw

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    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I would not.

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    2. Dangles
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 hours ago

      I mean fixtures aren't great this week, but this is somehow the best week for those 4 players out of GW17,18,19, so it's a low confidence yes unless you have transfers spare for your bench next week

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