Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 18?

26 December 2025 282 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Erling Haaland (£15.1m) notched his eighth double-digit haul of the season against West Ham United in Gameweek 17, delighting the 900,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who played their Triple Captain chip on him.

This weekend, Manchester City travel to Nottingham Forest, no doubt making the captaincy decision straightforward for some.

However, in Captain Sensible, we consider whether there is a case to look beyond the Norwegian. Arsenal and Liverpool, for instance, enjoy favourable home fixtures against Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

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 18 ahead of Friday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Haaland sits at the top of the standings, with 46.5% of site users believing the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 18.

Hugo Ekitike (£9.0m) is the one player pushing him hard in the poll, with over a third of respondents backing the in-form Frenchman.

Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) is a distant third and, even then, this lofty standing might be due to his name appearing first in the poll and him thus garnering a handful of accidental votes!

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

282 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    "David Moyes said Everton are “just about the same” as they were last week in terms of team news, although there was no specific update on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring). Even the Everton website didn’t mention Dewsbury-Hall, only confirming that Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) and Seamus Coleman (hamstring) remain sidelined. Are the Toffees trying to hide something?"

    Is it worth starting KDH just in case?

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    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      He's one of those players that if he's fit he will start
      I don't see him being on the bench if he's available
      It's a good fixture but
      Who's place would he take in your starting 11 ?

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      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        I've got loads of flags so it wouldn't be a problem. What does Moyes mean by "JUST about" here?

        “Just about the same as we were at the weekend, I think – not too much change. So, just about the way we were.” – David Moyes

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Most likely a late fitness test for a couple of players so he's not sure whether or not to start them with the busy period ahead but will know more gameday

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          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Thanks BD. Something really slippery is going on.

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        2. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          To be fair it's probably just a smokescreen to confuse Burnley
          It's hinting at a possible change from the previous game but without revealing it .
          It could be a training ground injury to another player .
          I personally don't expected KDH to be available so soon after a hammy
          But if he does he would most likely get you extra points

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          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            I didn't think that there was any chance of him being available but Moyes and Everton are behaving oddly.

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  2. chilli con kone
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Either of these worth my last FT or save? I’ll be making a goalkeeper transfer next week anyway

    Petrovic >

    A. Sanchez (AVL)
    B. Pickford (bur)

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      more upside making a transfer for an outfield player although for 1 week only pickford

      why will you be changing the gk next week, is it a chip - wc or free hit? if so, try a outfield punt possibly.

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      1. chilli con kone
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        With their away form being so horrible it seems an area to target when Chelsea and Everton have great fixtures over next 10 or so (in general)

        So not chip related just to avoid 1s and 2s in the keeper spot

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        1. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          The only other thing that’s intriguing would be to wait and see if John keeps his spot and then have a 4.0 keeper in a dyche back line

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  3. mookie
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Wolves bus conceded 10 goals(10,9 xGC) in 8 games on the road. Plus 4 own goals.
    Pep vs Dyche: 16W-2D-0L

    Not a huge fan of captaining against Dyche, but I'll do it this week.

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    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      I’m on Haaland too he’s still ahead on all the spread betting

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    2. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Forest aren’t Burnley though and Dyche isn’t actually playing. Haaland could do well but on paper Etikite a better shout by a long shot this weekend.

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  4. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    I think b it's worth it.

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    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Thanks mate

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  5. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    alison (dub)
    Oriley cala mukiele (richards clyne)
    Saka rice foden neto (king)
    Haland tiago ekitke

    Which, 3fts?

    a) neto to gordon/rogers
    b) tiago neto alison to bowen gordon pope
    c) tiago neto to bowen/wolte rogers
    d) neto clyne alison to gordon keane pope

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    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Why do you want to sell Alison before Wolves at home unless I kissed something?

      A. With Rogers

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      1. Nightf0x
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Need the 0.3 budget anayway im going to do this transfer gw20

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    2. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Really don’t understand why Gordon is being mentioned for transfers in. Very odd. They don’t even have a good fixture.

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  6. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Best way to get Ekitike in this week? (have 4FTs)

    A. Mateta & Semenyo > Ekitike & Wilson
    B. Mateta & Thiago & Semenyo > Ekitike Bowen & Wilson
    C.Mateta, Saka & Minteh > Ekitike Cunha & Gordon/Rice
    D. Mateta & Minteh > Ekitike & Le Fee

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    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Quite like C with Rice

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

      C - jealous you have the transfers to dump Minteh

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      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        You happy to sell him?he’s been poor since I bought him- but after Arsenal he has two good fixs. Who your two preference from Cunha rice and Gordon?

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    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Probsbly C

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  7. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    -8 locked in

    Out Thiago Bruno Anderson
    In Etitka Roger’s Alderete

    Uncomfortable with Guehi Chalobah on bench but hard games

    Anything you would change

    Raya
    Timber Alderete O’Reilly
    Wilson Saka Foden Rogers Semenyo
    Haaland Ekitika

    Dubravka Guehi Chaloba Gulu

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Good moves and team but -8 is pretty rough going after having 5 FTs

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      1. Gazzpfc
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Yea mate had a nightmare with 5 transfers

        Used 2 for Munoz got injured used 2 for Dewsberry Hall got injured a rough few wks. Did -4 last week I only needed to do a -4 this week but did Anderson to Alderete which means next week only need to do 1 Semenyo for Cunha otherwise would have had to take the hit next week

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  8. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Any changes required here?

    Raya
    Timber - Virgil - O’Reilly - Fofana
    Saka - Foden - Wirtz - Cunha
    Haaland - Ekitiké
    (Dubravka - Miley - Clyne - Guiu)

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  9. Rwilliams90
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    I have no idea whether to start Senesi or Andersen. Any ideas?

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Bournemouth been poor on the road, Senesi should be locked for DC though - likely a solid 3 or 4. Andersen is probably 2 or 6.

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      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Bowen scoring so more likely Andersen is 2-4 points.

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      2. chilli con kone
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        I have both and starting Senesi

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    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Bournemouth's away form is awful but I'd still play Senesi, because I don't rate Andersen

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  10. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Really don’t know whether to start Tavernier or Stach this week..

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Tav

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

    Bench of Dubravka, Rodon, VdV and Minteh and BB chip currently activated. Go now with that or hold for next GW with higher rotation risk?

    18: Dubravka (EVE), Rodon (sun), VdV (cry), Minteh (ars)
    19: Dubravka (NEW), Rodon (liv), VdV (bre), Minteh (whu)

    19 much better for Minteh, but with the FT I might well ditch him next week (probably Miley). Think 18 is better for the rest.

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  12. WVA
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    How many games will Bruno miss?

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Didn't Amorim suggests it was the same timeframe as the Afcon players - about 3 weeks - which implies he's back around GW22

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  13. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Which one is better?
    A) Start Wilson and bench Bruno. If Wilson doesn't play then Van Hecke is the sub.
    B) Bruno>Cunha

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      A Fine this week, but likely missing 3 more so depends what your medium term plans are

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    2. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Starting Wilson is good, but is Van Hecke definitely back fit?

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  14. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    For a -4

    A. Bruno / Thiago > Wirtz / Ekiteke
    B. Bruno / Raul > Cunha / Ekiteke

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    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Also cant decide between Wirtz and Cunha

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

      B as I think Thiago is a hold for next two

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  15. WVA
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Is anything worth a hit?

    Dubravka
    Timber VVD Chalobah Senesi
    BrunoF* Foden Rice Wilson*
    Haaland(C) Ekitike
    Verbruggen BrunoG Guehi Guiu

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    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Fruno out yes

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    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Just play BrunoG and reassess next Gw

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  16. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Bruno out (-4) to:

    a) Wirtz
    b) Rice
    c) La Fee (8th attacker after this GW)
    d) no hit, play Senesi/Rodon/Minteh

    Leaning towards A. Have 2 Newcastle. Arsenal attack can wait. Same for Villa. Will see how ManU look

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    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Not considering Cunha?

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      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Nah (see OP 😛 )
        If I got LeFee, he'd be an option next week. Depending how they looked

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    2. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      B

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    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Wirtz 0 goals and 2 assists in 17 matches, even with WOL attacking returns are unlikely

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  17. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    A) Bowen & Guimaraes
    B) Cunha & DCL
    C) Wirtz & DCL
    D) Woltemade & Wilson

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      A

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    2. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      A

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    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      B

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  18. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Bench one:

    A) Alderete (LEE)
    B) Guehi (TOT)
    C) H.Wislon (whu)

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    1. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      C

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    2. Catastrophe
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Close. A

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    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      A

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    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Going Alderete on bench, Leeds been pretty decent scoring form recently

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      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Right call imo

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  19. aleksios
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    2ft 0.1itb so Hincapie+Petrovic to Keane+Sanchez for free?

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Good moves

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  20. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Morning wise ones. Activated TC this week. FH next week although seeing your thoughts on whether I should switch TC to FH this week. 3FT and 0.1m ITB.

    Raya
    Andersen - Hinchape - O'Reilly
    Cunha - Tavernier - Saka - Wilson - Foden
    Haaland - Ekitike(TC)

    (Verbruggen) - Thiago - Cash - Richards

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Looks good. Bold punt on Ekitike TC but go big or go home and all that. Thaigo ahead of Tavernier for me

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      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers mate.

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  21. gomez123
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    2FT used GTG?
    Rays
    VVD Chalobah O”Reilly
    Saka Rice Foden Gordon
    Haaland(c) Bowen Thiago

    Dubravka Anderson Dalot Diouf

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    1. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Raya not Rays

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  22. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Alderete or Mukiele??

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    1. BR510
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Alderete beter DEFCON

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    2. BR510
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Long term combo?
        1. Bowen and Miley
        2. Obi and Rogers

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          1 - Miles will get a lot more minutes than Obi

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          1. BR510
              2 months, 10 days ago

              Miley wont play much. Its more a rogers vs bowe thing. Agree though cheers! Thoughts on this?

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              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                2 months, 10 days ago

                Rogers a much better option than Bowen yes

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        2. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Will Wilson play??

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            SOUNDS likely from Silvia’s last comments

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        3. BR510
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Yes with all Fulhams AFCON departures

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          • BR510
              2 months, 10 days ago

              reply fail ruinen

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            • The FPL Units
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              2 months, 10 days ago

              G2G?

              Kelleher
              Timber O'Reilly Guehi
              Saka Rice Foden Cunha Anderson
              (H)aaland Ekitike

              Dubs Andersen Senesi Kroupi

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              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                2 months, 10 days ago

                I would play Andersen over Anderson

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              2. BR510
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  Bowen vs Rogers long term? Cheers guys

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              3. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                2 months, 10 days ago

                Locking in with Alderete on the bench.

                Raya
                Tarkowski Chalobah Guehi
                Saka Foden Cunha Semenyo Wilson
                Haaland(c) Ekitike

                Dubravka Alderete Guiu *Burn

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                1. Punned It
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    Good luck. Playing Ballard in a similar back 4 myself (did Lacroix > Keane).

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                  • The FPL Units
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 15 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    Looks good

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                2. Fuddled FC
                  • 14 Years
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  I think it makes sense to hold Minteh for his following 2 fixtures (Wham, Burnley)

                  a) Agree
                  b) just get rid now

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                  1. The FPL Units
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 15 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    B

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                  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    A

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                3. Ajax Hamsterdam
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  First on bench ?

                  A truffert
                  B potts

                  Cheers

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                  1. The FPL Units
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 15 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    A

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                    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 11 Years
                      2 months, 10 days ago

                      Cheers

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