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20 December 2025 803 comments
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A chain of events involving Crystal Palace’s progression in the EFL Cup and ongoing participation in the UEFA Conference League means we’ve got two Premier League games kicking off at 20:00 GMT this evening.

Everton entertain Arsenal, while Palace are away at Leeds United.

TEAM NEWS

It’s three line-up changes apiece at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

All of Everton’s are enforced as Idrissa Gueye and Illiman Ndiaye are away on international duty and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is injured.

In come Dwight McNeil, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam.

Only one of Mikel Arteta’s alterations is made out of necessity: Riccardo Calafiori returns from suspension to replace the injured Ben White.

Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard are preferred over Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze, meanwhile.

At Elland Road, Brenden Aaronson ousts Ao Tanaka in Leeds’ one and only tweak.

No surprises in the Palace XI – Oliver Glasner told us it yesterday!

Ismaila Sarr has left the Eagles to head for the Africa Cup of Nations.

LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, McNeil, Barry, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Grealish, Alcaraz, Garner, Iroegbunam

Subs: Aznou, Dibling, Beto, King, Patterson, Rohl, Travers, Welsh, Campbell.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Saliba, Hancapie, Saka, Odegaard, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice

Subs: Kepa, Eze, Lewis-Skelly, Madueke, Martinelli, Merino, Nwaneri, Norgaard, Jesus.


Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Okafor. 

Subs: Darlow, Piroe, Harrison, Tanaka, Bornauw, Justin, Byram, Gnonto, Gruev.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Guehi, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Clyne, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Uche, Esse, Canvot, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Drakes-Thomas.

price change predictions
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  1. Meta12345
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Hi folks, who to bring in? Alderete or mukiele?

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Ekitike got 3 bonus now, rather than 2 earlier?

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Ohhh yeaaaah

    2. Utopsis
      10 months, 7 days ago

      That gets me to 100!

  3. adstomko
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Is Frimpong worth a punt?

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Slot took a punt with his today and than and regretted it

      1. adstomko
        10 months, 7 days ago

        I think that was more down to avoiding a red card.
        He's potentially their only right back available next week

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Very very bold punt considering he came on late and didn't last the whole of what was left when he came on...

      1. adstomko
        10 months, 7 days ago

        He might be the only RB available for Liverpool next week.

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 months, 7 days ago

          I didn't see the game. But he was subbed in and then subbed out. That doesn't suggest he has a good chance of being available for the next round

          1. FourLokoLeipzig
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            10 months, 6 days ago

            Was just a cut lip. Physio looked pretty nonchalant about it when giving him treatment

        2. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 months, 7 days ago

          And Liverpool do not scream clean sheets. Would fancy Wolves to grab at least one even if they are awful

          1. adstomko
            10 months, 7 days ago

            His positioning equates to Muñoz.
            He got took off due to losing his head, due to being elbowed in the face apparently.

  4. OldSchool
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Yep maybe Saka out now he is not in pens
    Saka -> Rice
    Thiago -> Ekiteke

    Thiago xG 0.00 two last games lol

    1. adstomko
      10 months, 7 days ago

      I honestly think Saka is still on pens.
      It was just because Pickford (national teammate) was in goal.

      1. MikeS
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Saka not worth it though and rice mopping up defcon

      2. Utopsis
        10 months, 7 days ago

        This

  5. windowview
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Best Liverpool mid for Wolves next week?

    1. adstomko
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Wirtz by a mile

    2. MikeS
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Salah

    3. Royal5
      10 months, 7 days ago

      There is none

      1. MikeS
        10 months, 7 days ago

        There is, Salah as he won't play

        1. Royal5
          10 months, 7 days ago

          Then, Salah at least he is on pens

          1. MikeS
            10 months, 7 days ago

            Lol

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Wirtz if any

    5. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Wirtz

  6. MikeS
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Saka to rice?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Depends what you're doing with the cash

      1. MikeS
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Probably doing kroupi to ekitike

        1. Ambrosiana Inter
          10 months, 7 days ago

          Yes

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          10 months, 7 days ago

          it will be a popular move. I do like saka so much though. plus he s an easy swap for palmer later on ...

        3. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 months, 7 days ago

          Yes probably then

          1. Flynny
            10 months, 6 days ago

            Im looking at saka to rice

            So i can do thiago to ekitike

  7. Bobbyg1
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Bottomed

    Semenyo, Thiago and Guiu to

    Stach, DCL and Ekitike for free?

    Playing BB

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      No. Two Leeds attackers is backing yourself into a corner that will cost you transfers to get out of.

      1. Bobbyg1
        10 months, 7 days ago

        Yeah good point. What about Miley instead of Stach?

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 months, 7 days ago

          Perhaps. You're still leaving yourself with two weak attackers. Maybe ok if you can play 4-4-2 some weeks or happy playing DCL a lot. Personally not convinced losing Thiago is the right move

          1. Bobbyg1
            10 months, 7 days ago

            Ive Rice, Saka, Foden and Bruno F in midfield

    2. MikeS
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yes

    3. Ambrosiana Inter
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Crazy

  8. EDEN THE MAN
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Feel as though Saka needs to go.

    What mids to replace?

    Currently have: Bruno - Rice - Semenyo - Foden.

    1. MikeS
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Cuhna

  9. jonnybhoy
    10 months, 7 days ago

    What to do? 2FT 0 ITB B would need to be done tonight.

    Raya
    Cash Timber Richards
    Bruno Saka Bruno G Wilson Foden
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubravka Senesi Gudmundsson Guiu

    A) Cash to Keane
    B) Cash, Saka + Guiu to Keane, Rice + Bowen -4pts (exact cash)
    C) Something else

  10. adstomko
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Thoughts on Saka to both Wirtz & Bowen?
    (I have 2m ITB)

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Crazy

    2. Utopsis
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Don't do it man, Saka will haul soon don't miss it

    3. adstomko
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yeah I'm thinking it's too risky now.

  11. Prison Mike
    10 months, 7 days ago

    2 FT, best option?

    A) Thiago & Anderson -> Ekitike & Potts (play 442, 0.6 ITB)

    B) Saka & Thiago -> Cunha & Ekitike (1.9m ITB)

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Crazy

  12. Ambrosiana Inter
    10 months, 7 days ago

    People really selling Thiago before Bournemouth at home?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      And Spurs...

    2. Utopsis
      10 months, 7 days ago

      It's very odd

      1. HODGE
        10 months, 7 days ago

        His non penalty xg is horrific barely having a shot

        1. Utopsis
          10 months, 7 days ago

          This is a fair point, but fixtures can breed form and he's got great ones coming up

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      4 blanks in a row might have something to do with it

      1. Utopsis
        10 months, 7 days ago

        If he kept scoring he would score something like 40 goals this season.

        He has regressed to the mean which is normal, people should buy him once that's happened not sell.

    4. Royal5
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Woeful form and ather strikers returning

    5. Assisting the assister
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Ekiteke too tempting

    6. Amartey Partey
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Sold him for Ekitike who has Wolves and Leeds at home.

      1. Ignasi M
        10 months, 7 days ago

        easy captain next week

    7. Ignasi M
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yeah. Sold this eve. He barely shoots. Half his goals are pens.

    8. BUZZBOMB ♡
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Just did. Liberating.

  13. THE Wild Rover
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Saka and Thiago to Rice and Ekitike with two ft’s. £1.5m itb. Happy with that

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      10 months, 7 days ago

      debatable I think. thiago could do well v bournemouth. i truly believe saka will take the next pen. obviously ekitike seems a must with these fixtures...gl

      1. Royal5
        10 months, 7 days ago

        What is Thiagos underlying stats in his last 4, if you beliieve he will do well?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          10 months, 7 days ago

          not very good but still a good fixt at home and on pens. I said he could do well, different from believe he will, innit?

          1. Royal5
            10 months, 7 days ago

            Fair enough, just feel it does makes sense to move him with Ekiteke and DCL in better form - Especially Etikete with wolves, and maybe even pens. Isak gone as well.

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Not the worst trades if you use the spare well. Saka and Thiago can easily outscore the latter duo tho

  14. Atimis
    10 months, 7 days ago

    BB next week, I know Hartman may not play but probably not worth wasting FT?

    Verb/Rodon/Potts/Hartman

  15. Emp
    10 months, 7 days ago

    potts or miley for bb next week

    1. Assisting the assister
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Miley

  16. Hazardous1221
    10 months, 7 days ago

    2 FT, 0.2 ITB. This feels like a roll to me? Or would you get Ekitike in by downgrading somewhere?

    Dubravka
    Timber, Hincapie, Andersen
    Palmer, Bruno F, Foden, Rice, Anderson
    Haaland, Thiago

    Verbruggen, O’Reilly, Kroupi, Acheampong

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yep save

  17. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Raya
    Virgil, Andersen, Timber
    Bruno, Wilson, Foden, Anderson Saka
    Thiago, Haaland

    Dubravka, Richards, Rodon, Guiu

    5ft 1.9itb

    Got the exact money to do Thiago to Ekitike. Do it tonight?

    A Yes
    B No

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      I probably would yes

    2. Assisting the assister
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yes

  18. Gudjohnsen
    10 months, 7 days ago

    90 points with my FH team vs. 69 with my regular team.

    Got Rogers, Wilson vs. Bruno, Wilson left

    Is it a FH sucess or not?

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yes

    2. Utopsis
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Massive success. Anything between 10 and 20 is good, over 20 is heaven.

      Assuming you can hold

    3. Bushwhacker
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Count the jam. Lick it up. Save some for breakfast on toast.

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      10 months, 7 days ago

      is this a trick question?

    5. Captain Mal
      10 months, 7 days ago

      It depends on whether the first Wilson outscores the second.

    6. CoracAld2831
      10 months, 7 days ago

      It is.

    7. wiseguy
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Nope sorry. The threshold for a good FH is > 22 points over your regular team. You may as well delete your team at this point.

  19. Ignasi M
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Time for Thiago to go, mandem.

    1. Qaiss
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Before they play Bournemouth? Lol, crazy

    2. Amartey Partey
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Yeah. If he can’t score against Wolves.

    3. CoracAld2831
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Keep.over the festivem period, then maybe get rid.

      At least he is regular starter.

      1. CoracAld2831
        10 months, 6 days ago

        *Keep over the festive

  20. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Want Bowen in for Thiago but requires a hit and removing minteh for midfielder up to 5.5m.

    Who would you say is best in that bracket with KDH injured? Anderson?

  21. mrtapio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 7 days ago

    7 consecutive green arrows locked in!
    Right now I'm leading my 50-person cash league. Thoughts on this plan:

    GW18: Raúl, Thiago > Ekitike, Guiu
    GW19: Semenyo > Cunha

    Got 2 FT, 0.4m ITB.

    This is my team now:
    Verbruggen
    O'Reilly l Timber l Hincapie
    Foden l Semenyo l Saka l Bruno.F
    Haaland l Thiago l Raúl
    Dubravka, Wilson, Rodon, Mukiele

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 months, 7 days ago

      I like it. Gabriel could be back soon so I'd try to be ready for it

      1. mrtapio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 months, 7 days ago

        I have that in the back of my head. My plan is to stick with Hicapie until Gabriel starts his firsts game.

  22. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Think it's either
    Saka & Guiu to Ekitike & Sub-£6m mid
    Minteh & Thiago to Ekitike & Miley

    Playing BB not that it's going to earn me much

    Raya, Dub
    VVD, Senesi, Andersen, Rodon, VdV
    Rice, Foden, Bruno F, Minteh, Saka
    Guiu, Haaland, Thaigo

    1. Karan_G14
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Just did the 2nd one. Minteh & Thiago look useless.

  23. AzzaroMax99
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Paqueta worth of shot with those fixtures or not?

    1. thepancakeman123
      10 months, 7 days ago

      I had Paqueta for 6 weeks this season and it was miserable. I wouldn’t go there lol

      1. AzzaroMax99
        10 months, 7 days ago

        What about Bowen?

  24. thepancakeman123
    10 months, 7 days ago

    If you had 2fts, would you do Timber and Thiago > Keane and Ekitike?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Keep Timber

    2. Amartey Partey
      10 months, 7 days ago

      Timber was unlucky not to haul today.

  25. Karan_G14
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Sell Anderson or Richards for Keane?

    1. Bleh
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Andersen

  26. Sterling Archer
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Going back to 343 looks tempting
    Thiago guiu saka
    To
    Bowen etitike and cheap mid

    1. Bleh
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Yeah I sold Saka too. Not worth his price currently.

  27. Bleh
    10 months, 7 days ago

    Evening all, is this bus team starting XI correct?

    Raya
    Timber, O’Reilly, Mukiele
    Bruno F, Foden, Semenyo, Wilson
    Haaland, Ekitike, Thiago

    (Dubravka, Senesi, Lacroix, Bruno G)
    1 FT, 0.4 ITB

  28. Emiliano Sala
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Dubravka
    Hincapie Konate Orielly
    Saka Fernandez Semenyo Cunha Foden
    Haaland Thiago

    Verb, Esteve, Rodon, Guiu

    2 FT 0.9 itb
    Got exact cash for thiago to bowen
    Do it Or find a way to get ekitike?

    1. Bleh
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Like the Bowen move but Thiago could very well get something this week too.

  29. rozzo
    10 months, 6 days ago

    Saka in a 352 to Ekitike in a 343 for a hit is silly isnt it?

    1. Bleh
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Far from silly. Eki has a dream fixture this week.

  30. The Knights Template
    10 months, 6 days ago

    110pts all out, Ekitike extra bap the cherry on top! This will be the last score update (unless of course Pundit of Punts turns up!).

    1. Emiliano Sala
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Joking?

      1. The Knights Template
        10 months, 6 days ago

        I never joke!

    2. Bleh
      10 months, 6 days ago

      Wowza, well done!