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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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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Introducing The Eye Test 2
455 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 13 days ago

    Used my 5FT, Took a hit the following GW. And now I want to WC....

    This game

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    1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Same same 🙁

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      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Same same 😮

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    2. MJF
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Does that not tell you that things will probably change again a couple of weeks after WC, you may even wish you had your current squad back!

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      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Same same. Didnt even get 11 players out last GW though.
        WC activated!

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    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      For short term
      O'Reilly & Wirtz >
      Gabriel & Rutter
      Yaaay
      Nope

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      1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        For free? Seems good although I haven't seen much of Rutter tbh

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        1. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Can't get Gabriel without this

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

      Verbruggen Dubravka
      Gabriel VVD O'Reilly Lacroix Thiaw
      Foden Wirtz Rice Wilson King
      Haaland Ekitike Thiago

      3FT's + 0.4m

      Rice > Rogers?

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        And Wirtz > Gordon

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

          Hmm you think? Not thought of that

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    5. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Does this need a WC?

      Verbrug
      Timber O'Reilly Dorgu
      Saka Foden Semenyo Rice Minteh
      Haaland Ekitike

      Dub Chalobah Richards Guiu

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Noo

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      2. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        It’s sensible to resist, you will regret it in March

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      3. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Thanks both, I'll hold!

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    6. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Defence to target on WC except Arsenal?

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      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        I'm going with Roefs, Gab, Timber & Tark as set and forget from next week

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        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Why Tark? No goals this season.

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          1. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Yes because all defenders offer this season is bullet headers...

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      2. The Hunt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Get Matheus Nunes & Joško Gvardiol to play alongside Timber & Gabriel. That's what I'm working towards.

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        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          The fixtures aren't that great for City to double up on their defence, don't you think?

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        2. I have no Wirtz
            3 months, 13 days ago

            How about these 5:

            Gabriel, Timber, Nunes, Gvardial, Tarkowski

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            1. Pep Roulette
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Again. City double up in defence? What am I missing?

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              1. I have no Wirtz
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  They are the in-form defenders. Blame the defcon and bonus points?

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          • Yozzer
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Keller and Verbruggen double up

            Tark , Hall, Colliins, Thiaw, Sunderland

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            1. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Think Sunderland deserves to be more than a 5th defender. If you have Collins surely Roefs instead of Kelleher

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              1. Yozzer
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Fair point mate

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                1. Jet5605
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Cheers bud - good luck

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          • fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Early WC hahahaha

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            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              For context: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/12/27/forest-v-man-city-pep-goes-unchanged-again?hc_page=7&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_27475880

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          • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            City, Everton, Sunderland, Chelsea, Villa, Newcastle

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        3. One for All
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Wildcard draft:

          Vicario
          Nunes, Gabriel, Hall
          Bruno G, Cherki, Saka, Rogers
          Ekitike, Bowen, Haaland

          Dubravka, Garner, Alderete, Gudmundsson

          0.5 ITB

          Nunes>Timber, Garner> Miley?

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          1. Cheeky Reijnders
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Vicario > Roefs, I think. SUN defense looks solid.

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            1. One for All
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              No double arsenal defence?

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              1. Cheeky Reijnders
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                I wouldn't. Prefer double SUN with ARS having many more fixtures.

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                1. One for All
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  Cool thanks will go with Roefs.

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        4. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Any of:

          Watkins, Bowen, DCL, Rogers, Gordon, BrunoG

          worth a hit to play over HWilson or Dorgu?

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Bowen or Rogers maybe…

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        5. ct mariner
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          What happens if Semenyo joins City and I already have 3 City players? Do I have to transfer 1 out?

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          1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            With your next transfer you'll have to

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            1. ct mariner
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              OK - thank you!

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          2. The Hunt
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            No. You can have them for the rest of the season as long as you don't make any transfers.

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            1. ct mariner
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              I think that is unlikely

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        6. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          A)Semenyo to Rogers
          B) Thiago to Watkins
          C) Sensei to Gabriel

          1FT

          TIA

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

            C

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          2. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            C

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

          Verbruggen

          O’Reilly Gabriel Tarkowski

          Saka Foden Cunha Roger’s Wilson

          Haaland Ekitika

          Dubravka Alderete Guehi

          I really don’t know what to do but O’Reilly is useless and Wilson against Liverpool then Chelsea

          What to do

          ???

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            O’Reilly to someone for now? Nunes or riskier Gvardiol?

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        8. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Play 2 alongside Gab:
          1) O’Reilly
          2) VdV
          3) Keane
          4) Mukiele

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          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            2 and 3

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

            2 &3

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          3. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Thanks both, agrees with what I was on.

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        9. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Who else is considering a side ways move of Timber to Gabriel, and how you feeling about it?

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

            It's not necessarily but could be okay

            Do what suits you best

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          2. Lifeariley
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Thinking maybe I should've instead of keeping Timber and taking a hot for Chalo and Wilson to Gabi and Garner

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          3. Lifeariley
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            *hit

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

            Thanks both….

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        10. ShaunGoater123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Evening all,

          Would you roll here or make a transfer? I’m debating Andersen > hall / cash as I think o’Reilly will be benched at weekend.

          Dubravka
          O’Reilly / Virgil / Gabriel
          Saka / foden / Anderson / cunha
          Haaland / Ekitike / Bowen

          Sanchez / mukiele / Andersen / Potts

          1ft , 0.6 itb

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          1. Yozzer
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            O'Reilly is an issue this gw

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        11. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Who can get more pts for short term ?
          A- Cherki
          B - Bruno G
          C- Szoboszlai

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            B

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        12. MGD
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Raya
          Timber - Andersen - Oreilly
          Saka - Gordon - Cunha - Wilson
          Haaland - Ekitike

          Dubravka - Guiu* - Esteve** - Rodon**

          0ITB, 1ft

          Need to upgrade my bench. Looking at a possible stupid move of Saka + Rodon -> Rogers + Gabriel -4

          Would mean triple Arsenal, no Saka but Andersen on the bench and better cover.

          Thoughts?

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Wait a week and do for free?

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

              Thanks. Yeah but I have no bench cover at all atm..

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        13. Yozzer
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Guys does anyone know how many doubles are expected and what gw?

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Not yet, won’t become clearer for a fair few weeks yet…

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          2. Cheeky Reijnders
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Early guide here:

            https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/12/31/second-set-of-fpl-chips-now-available

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            1. Yozzer
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Thanks mate. Appreciated

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        14. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Konsa any good as an option? Most expensive defender I can afford as a fourth defender without doubling up on Sunderland (have Roefs) and Villa are in pretty good form with good fixtures

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          1. Yozzer
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            No DEFCON really

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            1. The Big Fella
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              I know and no goals or assists but possible clean sheets on the horizon. Could double up on Sunderland defence such as Mukiele. Won’t be playing him every week anyway.

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        15. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Sanchez - Dubravka
          Timber - Guehi - VdB - Dorgu - Esteve*
          Foden - Cunha - Rogers - Rice* - Xhaka
          Haaland - Ekitike - Thiago

          1 x FT, 0.9m ITB

          All suggestions welcome - thinking Timber > Gabriel for free?

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          1. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Can’t do Guehi to Gabriel?

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            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              0.4m out….

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              1. Jafooli
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                But could add Thiago > DCL for a hit?

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              2. The Big Fella
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                I’d wait a week and then do that move with 2FTs and downgrade somebody else like Thiago to fund it

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                1. Jafooli
                  • 14 Years
                  3 months, 13 days ago

                  See above, yeah may wait a week and do for free instead…cheers Big Fella

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                  1. The Big Fella
                    • 9 Years
                    3 months, 13 days ago

                    Great minds think alike (or small minds seldom differ)

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                    1. Jafooli
                      • 14 Years
                      3 months, 13 days ago

                      Certainly the latter in my case, lol…

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        16. Drizzle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          My team after using up my only ft. 0.9itb.

          Sanchez
          VVD Keane* Thiaw
          Saka Cunha Bruno G Foden Anderson
          Haaland Ekitike
          (Dub Andersen Kroupi Richards*)

          Glaring issue is no Gabriel or indeed any arsenal defence. And a thin bench given injuries.

          A) Is VVD to Gabriel worth a hit?
          B) anything else worth a hit?

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        17. BobbyDoesNotLook
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          2ft.

          A) Semenyo, O'Reilly > Rogers, Alderete
          B) Semenyo, O'Reilly > Cherki, Gabriel
          C) Foden, O'Reilly> Cherki, Gabriel
          D) O'Reilly > Alderete (Gab after Pool game)

          Raya
          Vvd O'Reilly Dorgu
          Saka Foden Semenyo Cunha Stach
          Haaland Ekitike

          B. Andersen, Richards*, Guiu

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          1. OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            B with Szoboszlai ?
            Better than Cherki ?

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            1. BobbyDoesNotLook
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Don't fancy Szobo anymore. Fulham away not the easiest, then it's Arsenal. After that Mo is back so no pens. His playing position is always slightly unsure. And Pool is currently unreliable in general so I am not adding anyone after two of the tastiest fixtures are behind.

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              1. OptimusBlack
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 13 days ago

                Okay B then

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        18. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Any reason for Foden fire sale?

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          1. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            People feel his minutes are at risk with Semenyo incoming I suppose plus he has not been playing centrally recently so returns have not been all that and a bag of chips

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          2. Lifeariley
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            3 blanks on the spin

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

            Ta!

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        19. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Play Sanchez (mci) or Dubravka (bha)?

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          1. OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Dubravka

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          2. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Defo Dub for me - Chelsea have no manager and Haaland will be hungry!

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          3. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Cheers both, Dubravka it is….

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            1. C0YS
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 13 days ago

              Have the same keepers and doing the same. Good luck!

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

          Repost as i cannot afford to do Raul, Senesi -> DCL, Gabriel

          Which one would you lose to fund Gabriel?

          A: Thiago (for DCL)
          B: Minteh (for a 5.4m or cheaper mid)
          C: Sanchez (for Areola)
          D: Timber -> Gabriel straight swap
          E: Don't get Gabriel

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            C

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        21. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Konsa or Mukiele (I have Roefs)?

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Konsa

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          2. Punned It
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Mukiele. Getting him soon myself for Ballard.

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        22. BobbyDoesNotLook
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          If Gabriel's wouldn't have scored (it was ok goal but slightly lucky) and played 90 mins (=lost CS) would everyone buy him before Bournemouth away and Liverpool home?

          Kind of a "if my grandma had wheels" type of argument but anyway. Just trying to keep in mind that my original plan was to wait after Liverpool game.

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

            I know

            It's annoying whichever way you look at it

            Punished for not moving early, albeit it would have been for a hit for me, probably punished for rolling in behind it.

            My midfield starts scoring points and my defence blanks.

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        23. speardrops
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Made a wildcard audio/video guide for anyone that's clicked the button!:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8ylWSgZiwc

          Have a great 2026. I need to take Calafiori out for someone. Not enough for van Dinkle.

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        24. C0YS
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          How would you rank these defenders? Looking to play 1 and decide on bench order for the other 2:

          A. Mukiele (tot)
          B. Guehi (new)
          C. O'Reilly (CHE)

          Cheers!

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        25. joeynse99
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Stuck on who to bench this week, current squad is;

          Donnaruma,
          Timber, Mitchell, Cash
          Saka, Paqueta, Cunha, Foden, Szoboszlai
          Haaland (c), Calvert-Lewin

          Subs: Dubravka, Thiago, Mukiele, Andersen

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        26. dimitros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          How much nailed is David Brooks?

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        27. vaspv
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Who should I start between Keane (v BRE) and Alderete (v tot) ?
          Is Keane likely to play? I'm currently starting Keane thinking that he either comes on fully or not at all?
          Should I instead play it safe, and start Alderete in case Keane makes a one pointer cameo?

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