Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 20 Scout Picks: Three double-ups

2 January 2026 455 comments
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The first Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline of 2026 is nearing – so it’s also time for the first Scout Picks of the calendar year.

As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions.

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 20 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

FPL notes: Palmer's misses, 'OOP' Neto + Evanilson's first minutes 4

Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) earns a place in the Scout Picks on account of Brighton and Hove Albion’s home meeting with Burnley. Not renowned for their impressive underlying defensive stats, Fabian Hurzeler’s side have nevertheless kept four clean sheets in 10 matches since the start of November. Verbruggen has also been racking up the save points of late, with seven to his name in as many outings, the most of any goalkeeper. Burnley, meanwhile, have scored just three times in their last three road trips.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Gabriel hauls, why Saliba was a sub + Livramento injury 3

Gabriel Magalhaes’ (£6.4m) aerial prowess could prove key at both ends of the pitch for Arsenal’s away encounter at Bournemouth. The Cherries have conceded 12 non-penalty goals from set-pieces this season, the joint-most of any team. They’ve also scored just one goal in their last three home matches. Arsenal are consequently one of the bookies’ favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 20, as below.

FPL Gameweek 20: Best clean sheet odds

James Tarkowski (£5.6m) hosts Brentford on the back of six clean sheets in nine matches. Keith Andrews’ side, who will have had two fewer days of rest, have struggled to find the net on their travels, too, scoring in only two of their last five away games. Additionally, Tarkowski has the edge over every other FPL defender except Marcos Senesi (£4.9m) when it comes to defensive contributions (DefCon), with an average of 10.89 DefCons per 90 minutes.

Suspended for the midweek trip to Arsenal, Matty Cash (£4.8m) looks set to return for Aston Villa’s home showdown with Nottingham Forest. The corner-taking right-back has three goals and one assist in 18 appearances this season. He’s joint-fifth for shots and joint-14th for chances created among all Fantasy defenders, too. As for Forest, only West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have fashioned fewer big chances than the Tricky Trees in 2025/26.

MIDFIELDERS

Buy, keep, sell? Transfer trends ahead of Gameweek 13 1
 

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455 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 13 days ago

    My current Def is Thiaw, Keane, O Reilly, Alderete, Esteve. Quite weak atm. Would anyone agree that taking a hit to do Foden, Keane to Cherki, Gabriel is worth it?

    I could roll and hope for the best but if Keane does miss out then im relying on Alderete.

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    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Even if you buy a clean sheet with the hit that's only break even. Sunderland could keep Spurs out. I would say the hit isn't worth it.

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      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Yeah fair point, thanks

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    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Roll

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    3. MJF
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Foden out for a hit seems a bit hasty to me. Is there not another route you could take?

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        1. Wolfman180
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Probably,
          The rest of my team consists of:
          Saka, Foden, Cunha, Wilson, Rogers
          Woltemade, Haaland, Ekitike.

          Im not sure what to do with Wolt. Hes got great fixtures coming up but his minutes are a bit dodgy and hes trolling me as I FH the week he scored twice against Chelsea, blanking every week ive played him.

          Ive also thought about Ekitike to Watkins after watching that abysmal display against Leeds but that also seems a bit hasty

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      • Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        I'd probably roll unless any rumours Foden is benched

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    4. Catastrophe
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      A) Senesi & Rice -> Gabriel & Gravenberch
      B) Esteve & Rice -> Gabriel & Stach
      C) Senesi & Semenyo -> Gabriel & Wilson/Casemiro
      D) Esteve & Semenyo -> Gabriel & Stach

      Cheers

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      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        D

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        1. Catastrophe
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Thanks. Torn between B and D!

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      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        B

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        1. Catastrophe
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Thanks. Thinking it makes sense to keep the fit midfielder despite looming transfer!

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      3. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        C, but depends a bit who the other defenders are. Having Esteve sat at the end of your bench every week is fine so in D you may end up with your 5th Def being more expensive than you want.

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        1. Catastrophe
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Thanks. Yeah he will always be 5th defender. Wanted to simplify the options a little.

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      4. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        If Esteve is your 5th defender, I would keep for budget reasons. Keep Rice if you have a decent sub, so C

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      5. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        All fairly poor midfield choices - probably C with Wilson

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    5. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Best option??

      A) Rice > Bruno G
      B) Rice & H.Wilson > Rogers & Garner for -4

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        A or roll

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      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        A

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    6. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      I've got BrunoG

      Foden to

      1. Rogers
      2. Gordon

      .
      Or Semenyo to

      A. Enzo

      To find O'Reilly to Gabriel?

      Or

      B roll the 2 FT's and ride out price changes?

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      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        1 over 2
        I'd downgrade Semenyo to afford Gabriel, but not 100% on Enzo being the choice

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Cheers

          That's my quandary

          Which is why I'm chopping Foden

          Only because I missed his points and got his blanks

          So he'll be back in business no doubt

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    7. Mr Turnip 1
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Start Dubs vs Brighton or Sanchez vs City?

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Sanchez for the saves

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        2. RealMadrid4Ever
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Dubravka

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      • Jstap94
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        O'Reilly, Wirtz to Cherki, Gabriel? Y or N

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Yes

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        2. Il Capitano
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          yeah

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        3. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Good moves. Keep in mind that Cherki needs close attention in the next GWs.

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      • AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        I've got BrunoG

        Foden to

        1. Rogers
        2. Gordon

        .
        Or Semenyo to

        A. Enzo

        To fund O'Reilly to Gabriel?

        Or

        B roll the 2 FT's and ride out price changes?

        Cheers

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          My bad!

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        2. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Boo duplicate. Ban.

          J/K

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        3. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          I'd try and get Gab if you can. Don't particularly like Enzo, though. Maybe a Brighton Mid?

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        4. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          I'd roll the FTs personally

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        5. Mr Turnip 1
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Semenyo to Enzo

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        6. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          How's she loking?

          Martinez
          Timber Gabriel VDV Thiaw
          Saka Minteh Foden Bruno G
          Haaland (c) Bowen

          Dubravka Thiago Andersen King

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        7. Manani
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Pope
          Timber VVD ORielly
          Anderson Saka Foden Wilson
          DCL Ekiteke Haaland
          (Dub Chalobah Rice Mukiele)

          Gtg?

          Feels very weak this week, but mostly due to Rice and Wilson, not sure if using FT for 1 week transfer is worth it

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        8. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Saka In the scout picks??

          I think he gets benched this week

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          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Not based on Arteta's comments

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            1. Nightcrawler
              • 6 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              What did he say??

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              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                At the end, I think we have to talk about performance, not rotation. We want performance, the highest performance, every three days or throughout the game and that’s what we have to look at and in order to achieve that, who are the best players, in the best condition, with the best relationship to fulfil that.

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        9. Il Capitano
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          1FT 0.1m ITB

          Raya
          O'Reilly Chalobah Alderete (Andersen Senesi)
          Saka Foden Cunha Semenyo Bruno G
          Haaland Ekitike (Guiu)

          Take a hit for Gabriel, just sell Semenyo or roll?

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          1. TBL
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            same debate for me... if only I was sure Gabriel would start

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            1. Il Capitano
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Gab should start

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        10. Gazzpfc
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          I know it’s sideways but Nunez is outscoring O’Reilly every game so surely worth a -4 for mins risk now???

          City 4 clean sheets in 5???

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          1. The Road to Turfdom
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Definitely not worth -4

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          2. Better off with a pin and a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            This week is the first time O'Reilly has been pulled early recently. Not worth a hit.

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        11. SomeoneKnows
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Got 1FT + only 0.1itb...

          A) Roll
          B) Minteh > Garner
          C) Keane > ?

          Raya
          Timber, Lacroix, Keane*
          Saka, Foden, Cunha, BrunoG, Minteh*
          Haaland, Eketike

          (Dubravka, Gudmundsson, Andersen, Guiu)

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          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Lacroix to Van de Ven

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        12. terranullius
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 13 days ago

          ​I can't stop tinkering with my team. I'm losing my mind...

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          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Haha it's all part of the fun 🙂

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        13. GC123
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Hi guys. Cunha owners. Are you getting rid? Is the pivot to Rogers a no-brainer or do I hold for two more weeks and hope he discovers some form?

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          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Absolutely wish I could spare the transfer. But got about six other fires first. In isolation and if you can spare the transfer, it seems ok. But I'd possibly hold a week

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            1. GC123
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Thanks Biggsy. If I wait a week, it’s probably two because he has Burnley after. As a United fan, it’s currently a double whammy every time he has a stinker

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              1. Biggsy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                I know the feels

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                1. GC123
                  • 4 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Painful, isn’t it?

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          2. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Considering the same. United looks poor without Mbuemo and Bruno

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            1. GC123
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Look poor period tbh

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          3. MJF
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Keeping for Burnley away.

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              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Two more weeks of pain then lol

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            • The Road to Turfdom
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              I'm keeping this week

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              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Thanks Turfdom

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            • Cold Palms
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 13 days ago

              United no good without Fruno playing and Mbuemo it seems

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            • yakirh
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Keeping for 2 more and then he becomes Enzo or Szobo

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              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Thanks Yakirh. I was looking at Brighton due to their fixtures but Minteh burned me badly earlier in the season

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                1. yakirh
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Minteh is a doubt

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                  1. GC123
                    • 4 Years
                    3 months, 13 days ago

                    I meant in a couple of weeks time

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          4. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Will do Gabriel to VVd to give this, but would you take a hit anywhere with that bench (and some poor first XI picks). Minteh to Garner?

            Raya
            Andersen, Gabriel, Dorgu, VdV
            Foden, Cunha, Bruno G
            Thaigo, Haaland, Ekitike

            Dub, *Rice, *Minteh, *Rodon

            (Will likely start Rice over Dorgu just in case)

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            1. Ha.
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              I would play Minteh over Dorgu

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              1. Biggsy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Yeah probably will start bother Rice and Minteh with Dorgu first bench. But the above is what I'll probably have at the end of the game week

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          5. TBL
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Is Gabriel going to be rested against Bournemouth as just back from injury and Liverpool next?

            I could really see this... otherwise thinking of WC

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            1. Ha.
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Nah

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            2. The Road to Turfdom
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Arteta historically is much less of a rotator of his first choice XI than peers, I don't think so

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          6. KingGinger
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Raya
            VVD Hincapie Keane
            Foden Rice Cunha Semenyo
            Ekitike Haaland Thiago

            Dubravka Anderson Andersen Esteve

            2ft 0itb

            Bit stuck but some possible options

            A) just get Gabi in so Raya/Hincapie to Verbruggen and Gabi and run Rice and Keane risks
            B) Roll and hope for best and with everyone starting and reasses next week
            C) -4 - Raya, Thiago, Esteve to Verbruggen, Gabi, Mane (or other cheap striker) - Play 442
            D) same as above plus Keane to Tark or Rice to Rogers for additional -4

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            1. The Road to Turfdom
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              I'm not up with the latest on Keane but given you have 2 FTs I'd consider some surgery

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          7. The Road to Turfdom
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Bench 1 pls?

            A) Konate (ful)
            B) Hincapie (bou) - playing Raya, [last week double-up was a horror watch, not sure I can do it again]
            C) Dorgu (lee)

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          8. tbos83
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Would you WC this? No ft (already done Rice > Rogers)

            Roefs
            Virgil Dorgu Chalobah
            Foden Saka Rogers Cunha
            Haaland Thiago Raul

            Pope E.Le Fee Calafiori* Rodon*

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            1. The Road to Turfdom
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              No

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            2. MJF
                3 months, 13 days ago

                No way.

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              • tbos83
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Thank both. Guess I'll hold (mainly concerned about lack of Gabriel)

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            3. Maddamotha
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Planning to do these transfers for the next 2 weeks. Which one would you do first? I own Timber.

              A) Semenyo -> Rogers
              B) VVD -> Gabriel

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              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                B

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              2. CYN
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                A

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            4. TBL
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              would you get James on WC?

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              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                No - too much uncertainty for now

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              2. CYN
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                No. Sanchez if any Chels defence

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            5. Silecro
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Does anyone know which sub 5.3 defenders from specifically Newcastle and Everton are nailed? Looking at Thiaw but not sure how nailed he is with a bunch of newc defenders nearing a return

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              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Thiaw and hall should be fairly nailed

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            6. CoracAld2831
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Who would you lose out of these to fund Gabriel?

              A: Raul (for DCL)
              B: Thiago;(for DCL)
              C: Minteh (for a MID 5,4m or less)

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              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                A

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              2. CYN
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                A

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              3. Von Lipwig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                A

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              4. CoracAld2831
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Just noticed i have been priced out out of A.

                So that's a no go.

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            7. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Was going to do Szobo to Rogers but missed price change last night so am now tempted by Thiago to Bowen. Good move ?

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              1. CYN
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Yeah, prefer it. I'd probably keep Szob until after Burnley.

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

                  Purely because he's sexy, not for FPL points I'm assuming?

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              2. Maddamotha
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Yes, I like the move and would do it myself if I didnt have other fires and 1FT.

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              3. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Cheers all much appreciated:)

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            8. CYN
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Raya and O'Reilly to Pope/Vicario and Tarkowski? To open an Arsenal slot for Gabriel down the line.

              Or go cheaper with the GK? Roefs? Verbrugen?

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              1. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                I'd be tempted by Vicario inthe shortterm but Roefs probably the more sensible option for the longterm

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                1. CYN
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Could go Pickford and Thiaw as sell. A lot of potentially good combinations to consider, I'm bound to pick the wrong one.

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            9. MJF
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Already done O'Reilly -> Gabriel. Anything worth a hit, or just wait 'til next week? Only got 0.5 so probably be taking a -4 to get rid of Thiago / Tavernier.

                Roefs
                Gabriel Timber Thiaw Mukiele
                Saka Foden Cunha
                Haaland (c) Ekitike Thiago

                Dub | Dorgu Tavernier KDH

                Happy new year.

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              • Von Lipwig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Benching headache help!
                Start one of:
                A) Guehi (NEW a)
                B) Senesi (ARS h)
                C) Gudmundsson (MUN h)

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                1. Ha.
                  • 10 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  B for the defcon

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                2. MJF
                    3 months, 13 days ago

                    C for me, based on opponent.

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                3. Junks
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Thoughts...

                  2FTs 0.0ITB
                  Kelleher
                  Cash LewisPotter OReilly
                  Rogers Rice Wirtz Foden
                  Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

                  Dubravka / Wilson / Alderete / Keane

                  A. Rice & Woltemade to Saka & Guiu - 352
                  B. Rice & Oreilly to Garner/LPaqueta & Gabriel - 343
                  C. Roll

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                  1. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 13 days ago

                    B, Garner

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                4. Manani
                  • 14 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  DCL or Bowen?
                  Or neither?
                  Will be replacement for Thiago?

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                  1. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 13 days ago

                    Bowen

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