Dugout Discussion

Man City v Chelsea team news: O’Reilly starts, no Sanchez or Cucurella

4 January 2026 775 comments
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The final match of Gameweek 20 sees Manchester City and Chelsea square off at the Etihad Stadium.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola makes three changes from Thursday’s goalless draw at Sunderland.

Josko Gvardiol, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders come into the starting XI.

Nathan Ake drops to the bench, while Nico Gonzalez and Savinho are injured.

Nico O’Reilly starts for the hosts at left-back.

Calum McFarlane will be in the dugout for Chelsea today after Enzo Maresca’s sudden departure.

He makes five alterations to the side that drew with Bournemouth.

In come Filip Jorgensen, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro.

Robert Sanchez (muscle), Wesley Fofana (illness) and Moises Caicedo (suspension) miss out, while Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap are named among the substitutes.

Marc Cucurella remains absent.

LINE-UPS

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Ake, Doku, Khusanov, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, Heskey

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, James, Enzo, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, J Pedro

Subs: Slonina, Merrick, Tosin, Hato, Santos, Garnacho, Gittens, Delap, Guiu

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

Introducing The Eye Test 2
775 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Minteh and Anderson > Enzo and Alderete (-4)?

    Would solve a few long term problems

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    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Would be a yes but not for a -4

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

        I could wait and just do the Alderete transfer for now, however seems a good fixture missed for Enzo

        I will lose 0.1 in Minteh tonight as well

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  2. BUZZBOMB ♡
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    GW from hell.

    That Enzo goal just cost me 8 pts. Tf Rice out. FFS.

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  3. Ze_Austin
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Were both Dias and Gvardiol injured when subbed off?

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    1. LOS BLANCOS
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Yes

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      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Thanks

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  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    how is that enzo shot at the end not a shot on target?

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    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      *oh ok added now

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  5. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Enzo you beauty! Finally a week to write home about.

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Swooped the 3 bonus as well!

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  6. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Haaland not worth the price, out for Watkins anyone?

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Absolutely.

      2,2,2 in last 3 GWs absolutely rubbish at 15m, horrendous value.

      Has to go, same with Saka etc.

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      thinking sell to fund salah. bench salah for now and be ready to go when he returns 😉

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  7. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Foden and Cherki both shocking. Very poor service for Haaland.

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    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Cherki got defon, thought he was decent, others not so

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      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Agreed, Cherki played well just needs to make the killer final decision quicker

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  8. Underdogs11
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    5 FT was something of a curse. I got rid of Thiago, VDV, Enzo. 😉

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

      Thiago understandable, the others not so much

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

        enzo had to be sold imo

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

          Why?

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      2. Underdogs11
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        20 pts for Enzo last 2 and 24 for vdv last 3.

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  9. thegame983
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Happy with my Bowen captain.

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  10. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    My 2 keepers and 5 defenders this week:

    1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0

    All played 90 mins (except Sels #justiceforsels)

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    1. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 10 days ago

      lol. Gw from hell

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

      Blimey, that's rough

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    3. DeSelby
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      You should have Verbruggen, Gabriel and van de Ven. Then you'd have more points.

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    4. Wengers Apprentice
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Finally sold Sels myself this week…. for an extra 2 points!

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        You'll regret that I'm telling you

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  11. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    bernardo silva crying

    now thats what we love to see

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  12. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    ARS 6 pts. clear

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Only one team can stop them now

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      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        And that’s Arsenal football club

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        1. Zalk
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 10 days ago

          haha true

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        2. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 10 days ago

          Think that was the point :))

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      2. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        And one manager

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        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 10 days ago

          I want to see a team that is connected with eachother and that shines

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

        ....themselves...go the gunners!

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      wolves are coming for them

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  13. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Stop taking away Donnarumma's saves! 🙁

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

    wc now just seems like a mistake. no one is performing week in week out. nothing a couple of hits can solve imo and enjoy the fun when dgws time arrives 🙂

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      I'm almost certainly going to roll, no idea where the points will come from

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  15. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    What was Enzo yellow card for? Must’ve missed it

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    1. Kno
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      His celebration

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    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Doing a Cantona…

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    3. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Hugging the fans? Bit harsh

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      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        It’s been a rule for donkeys

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  16. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Well Virgil and O'Reilly out for Gabriel and Thiaw worked a treat. Quite a fortunate swing really.

    And Thiago what an FPL legend!

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    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Nice. Sold Rice myself as no bench at least Bruno did well for me but saved transfer would have been more beneficial.

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  17. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    How bad it sounds? Keeping FT, benching Ekitike and VVD, playing Dorgu and Heaven. I know Pool been bad but would just keep both until Burnley at home.

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

      I dont know if etikite will be fit though...

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Thought it's just minor and the game is in 2 weeks?

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  18. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Which one of these should I NOT to with in my WC team?

    A) Watkins
    B) Rogers
    C) Rice
    D) Bruno G
    E) Cherki

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Pick one between Rogers and Watkins imo

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      1. GoonerByron
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Double up not a nice differential for someone lagging back around 600k?

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        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 10 days ago

          Depending on who you will leave out from defensive and forward as Watkins is pricey

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      think cherki, pep will be pissed with cherki (and foden) for losing the ball and not having control to see that game out. but foden has more credit in the bank

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    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Too tough to tell really

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    4. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Not many forwards so would maybe punt on Watkins he is quite a streaky player. Probably E. Tougher fixtures

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  19. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Start:

    1. Wilson (CHE)
    2. O’Reilly (BHA)

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    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Easy 1, 2 won't even start

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      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Looking like he will but only because of injuries. Poor defending for the goal

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        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 10 days ago

          Ake could play there, Khu in the middle?

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          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 10 days ago

            Yeah that's true. Khusanov played well too

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

      Harry

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    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Doesn't matter, O'Reilly couldn't run full speed at the end and was almost subbed off, but bigger injury to Ruben changed that.

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  20. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Foden out for Cherki?
    Reijnders? Or is he a trap after owning early on

    Foden 4 blanks in a row

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      The story could be the same to Thiago today

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      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        Exactly

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    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Reijnders could be a trap again, also not sure how Semenyo will impact Cherki and Foden

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    3. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      No, sideways

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    4. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 10 days ago

      I feel like just Haaland is enough for City coverage. Am I mistaken?

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  21. Bucket Man
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Early I know but any ideas. Can just afford Gabriel in for Timber but now Ekitike injured. Only the 1FT 0.3 ITB. Thanks all

    Sanchez*
    Timber, VVD, Hall
    Cunha, Foden, Rogers, Bruno
    Haaland, Ekitike*, Bowen
    Dubravka, Andersen, Rodon*, King*

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  22. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Guehi got two points out of somewhere.
    Cunha up to 2 bonuses.
    Thankful for small mercies.

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  23. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Does Haaland (c) need to stop for a while?

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    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      No, learn the Thiago lesson

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    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Could try with Cunha but he still plays for United

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    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      yeah

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  24. thom830g
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    A) Ekitike + dewsbury hall -> thiago + Rice (-4)
    B) Ekitike -> 1) Watkins / 2) Thiago

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

      a

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    2. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      A probably worth it unless KDH was a bench player and bringing in Rice gives you benching dilemma.

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    3. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      A looks great

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    4. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      B

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  25. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    When 7 players out scored your captain again…can’t pick a captain for toffee

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  26. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Thiago 94bps today must be the biggest in a while!

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  27. abaalan
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Foden + minteh > bruno g + Rogers

    -4 and exact funds tonight...y/n?

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    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Not for me

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  28. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    What’s owners doing with Ekitike?

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

      not a clue yet....

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

      Benching him probably and giving him BUR at home GW22 before shipping

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        That would be good, hope we will have update shortly how serious is his injury

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    3. N1ceguyEdd1e
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      I've jumped on the Ollie Watkins train so avoid as now likely to dry up

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    4. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      If I sell him he makes wonder recovery and does vs Burnley qhat Thiago did today. If I keep him, he doesn't play vs Burnley

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        100% true

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      2. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 10 days ago

        This

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  29. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    WC incoming…..thoughts?

    Dubs Kelleher
    Tarkowski O’R Gabs Mukiele Guds
    Rogers Rice Cunha Foden Bruno G
    Watkins Halaand Thiago

    Stick with O’R or work some funds to swap out???

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    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Prolly injured. Nunes over him.

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    2. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      Foden to Cherki

      O’R to Nunes?

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  30. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 10 days ago

    Van Dijk to:

    A) Thiaw
    B) Hall
    C) Alderete and do Foden to Palmer for -4

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    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 10 days ago

      A. Got Hall. Thiaw outscored him already and more nailed

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