Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 21?

6 January 2026 234 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Over seven million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were left scratching their heads once again as Erling Haaland (£15.1m) blanked for the third consecutive match in Gameweek 20.

However, the Norwegian remains, by some distance, the top-scoring player in Fantasy – and the go-to captain for many.

Once again in ‘Captain Sensible’, we consider whether there is a case to back against Haaland in the latest midweek round of fixtures. Players from Manchester United, Brentford, Arsenal and Aston Villa provide the competition this time, in what looks to be a wide field of alternative options.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT) to determine the best captain for Gameweek 21 ahead of Tuesday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Best captain 21

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over half of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 21, despite six blanks in nine Gameweeks.

The highest-scoring player in Gameweek 20, Igor Thiago (£7.0m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 15% of the vote. After a hat-trick against Everton, the Brazilian is unsurprisingly the most-transferred-in attacking player ahead of today’s deadline.

Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. The England internationals come up against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, respectively.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

234 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Tuesday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 6 days ago

    Morning, folks, here's the full list of press conferences for the day (in GMT, via Sky Sports). No Arteta or Slot till tomorrow.

    9am - Hurzeler (BHA)
    9.30am - Howe (NEW)
    11am - Le Bris (SUN)
    12pm - McFarlane (CHE)
    12.30pm - Iraola (BOU), Guardiola (MCI)
    1pm - Parker (BUR)
    1.15pm - Edwards (WOL)
    1.30pm - Andrews (BRE), Glasner (CRY), Moyes (EVE), Silva (FUL)
    2pm - Emery (AVL)
    5pm - Fletcher (MUN)

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      I think Rough and the Smooth should be changed to the Execrable and the Excelsior!

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  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 6 days ago

    Sanchez or martinez on WC for set and forget GK??

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    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Sanchez.

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    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      50/50 - but probably more chance of you wanting triple Villa than triple Chelsea (too much rotation), so I would go Sanchez.

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  3. The Iceman
    • 3 Years
    5 months, 6 days ago

    Can someone please explain the logic behind Senesi being in the scout picks this week? Bournemouth winless in 11, their star player is leaving and they are conceding a high volume of dangerous chances week in and week out.

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    1. CheesyGonzalez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      They're playing spurs...

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    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Clinging to early season form/returns.

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      The reason is given in the Scouts pick article.

      "Another DefCon magnet, Marcos Senesi (£4.8m) makes a Scout Picks return for Bournemouth’s home match against Tottenham Hotspur. Thomas Frank’s side have scored just one goal in their last three away matches and could be without influential attacker Mohammed Kudus (£6.4m). Bournemouth, meanwhile, have the fifth-best defence on home turf, having conceded only nine times in 10 matches at the Vitality Stadium."

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/01/05/fpl-gameweek-21-scout-picks-three-double-ups

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    4. MJF
        5 months, 6 days ago

        I think they are much harder to beat at home than away.

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    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Folks keeping Minteh this GW and considering starting against a weakened City defence

      Yankuba Minteh ‘still not perfect’ there is a ‘minor’ chance for him
      https://x.com/i/status/2008465495654125614

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      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Kinda sad I sold Mitoma, could be a 4-3

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        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Hurzeler confirmed Mitoma is able to start again...

          https://x.com/i/status/2008465732557042120

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          1. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            5 months, 6 days ago

            Was gonna get priced out of Rice annoyingly

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      2. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Whose available in that price bracket?

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        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Wilson?

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    6. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Who to bench?
      Nunes
      or
      DCL

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      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Don't bench DCL, we are giving away big chances every week.

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Thanks

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        2. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Would you start DCL over Odegaard?

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          1. TheTinman
            • 10 Years
            5 months, 6 days ago

            Probably yes

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      2. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Nunes

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Cheers

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    7. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      start one
      a. VanHecke vs Mci
      b. Andersen vs CHE
      c. Gudmudsson vs New

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      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Probably A, could nick a goal and defcons

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        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          thx

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    8. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Gordon should be ok for another start...

      Anthony Elanga (knee) "won't be long" says Howe but will not make Leeds tomorrow

      Jacob Murphy doubtful after hamstring scan. No serious injury, though

      Dan Burn, Emil Krafth & Will Osula still out.

      https://x.com/i/status/2008472935267459424

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      1. Conners
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Cheers Tony

        Any thoughts on whether Livramento could get a start over Miley this week?

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        1. TheTinman
          • 10 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          I would say Miley isn't getting dropped. He will either play in CM or RB. He has been our best player (along with Bruno and Thiaw) for the last month or so.

          If anyone is rested for Livramento it would probably be Hall, who is not the best fitness wise and hasn't had much of a break due to no cover.

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        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          I think Hall should start LB tomorrow after an early sub in the last game.

          I think Miley mins at RB will be reduced with Livramento/Trippier back from injury. Livramento got 30 mins in the last game. If Livramento is fit to start, I think Howe will start him over Miley at RB.

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        3. Conners
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Thanks both

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      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Maybe...

        On Jacob Murphy, who was replaced late on due to a hamstring issue.

        'Yeah, he's had a scan. There's good news... no major injury there, so I think it was probably fatigue - his physical numbers in the game were outstanding. So, I think he will be available at the moment - it'll be a late decision, but fingers crossed.'

        https://x.com/i/status/2008474049236652249

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      3. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        thx Tony

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    9. Viper
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Would you start E.Andersen or Miley?

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    10. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Matheus nunes over oreilly on wc yes or no?

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      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        I did, no competition and defcons at times

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      2. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        I've had Nunes for a while and pretty happy with him.

        No real competition even when players are fit and he gets a decent amount of goal involvements.

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    11. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Have I benched the right players?

      Raya
      Gabriel Tarkowski Dorgu
      Saka Cunha Rogers Gordon Paqueta
      Haaland Watkins

      Dubravka Chalobah Guehi Guiu

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      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        What are your thoughts on Gordon? Looking to get rid?

        I'd play Chalobah over Tarkowksi.

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        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          I have him & really want rid. Is it worth a hit this GW to move him to Guimaraes though?

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    12. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Bench one

      a. anderson (whu) a
      b. dcl (new) a

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      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Ando

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    13. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Would you trade Timber to Gabriel?
      I have both Rice and Saka as well

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      1. joeynse99
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Hold off imo

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    14. joeynse99
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Will Paqueta start v Forest?

      Bench is Mitchell, Szob, Mukiele

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      1. Jebiga
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        He should for sure

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      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        https://whufc.com/en/news/training-gallery-or-hammers-prepare-for-forest-visit

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        1. joeynse99
          • 10 Years
          5 months, 6 days ago

          Cheers pal

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    15. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Should I play DCL or Wirtz?
      Looks like Wirtz is no brainer, but most people's will not agree here...

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      1. joeynse99
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Wirtz

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    16. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 6 days ago

      Just bench Ekitike VVD and play Heaven? Probably no CS or DC for VVD...

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      1. MJF
          5 months, 6 days ago

          I'd have thought Arsenal away was a nailed on DC game for VVD but yeah I would select Heaven at Burnley over him.

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      2. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 6 days ago

        Thoughts on Palmer as a differential? Too expensive?

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        1. MJF
            5 months, 6 days ago

            If I had no other issues I'd happily sell Saka to Palmer and have Rice instead of the former.

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            1. TheTinman
              • 10 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              Chelsea have some great fixtures coming and he might be hard for others to get in - that's my thoughts.

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              1. MJF
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Yeah I agree. With a new manager coming in they'll be looking to make him the centrepiece of what they do you'd think. Any sort of form before GW24 and he will go up in price loads I feel. I definitely want to get him by then.

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            2. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              What mjf said. Saka > palmer and get rice.

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            3. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              I'm waiting until 24 for more info e.g setup under Rosenior

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            4. Biggsy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              Palmer, like Saka, just isn't justifying his price.

              He will get returns, he will score well. But will he outscore a £7-8m midfielder noting that the surplus funds can mean more points elsewhere? I don't think so. Yet (noting the managerial chatter happening)

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              1. Do I Not Like Orange
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                I guess the argument is whether he's the best option for that run of good fixtures coming up (full disclosure, I don't think Palmer has been a good FPL option for the past year & thought the CCs were mad for all putting him in their teams for GW1).

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                1. MJF
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    How much of that was down to Maresca's incompetence? We know what Palmer's capable of, like scoring four goals in a match etc, I think with the upcoming run its worth a punt given Saka is not really doing enough to justify 10.1 either.

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                2. Ruinenlust
                  • 8 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Palmer is the most explosive player in the game bar none. What 7m mid has the potential to score 4 goals in a game?

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            5. balint84
              • 10 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              A) Wirtz to Rogers
              B) Eketike to Watkins

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              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                A

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              2. Jebiga
                • 14 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                But why Wirtz out?
                Any explanation please?
                I fancy pool win

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            6. DagheMunegu
              • 5 Years
              5 months, 6 days ago

              What to do with this mess guys and 1ft 0itb ?

              Raya
              Gabriel O'Reilly Van Hecke
              Saka Foden Cunha Szobo Minteh
              Haaland Ekitike

              Dub Gudmunsson Rodon Guiu

              A Minteh Van Hecke to Le Fée Thiaw -4
              B Minteh Rodon to Le Fée Alderete -4
              C Etikite Minteh to Bowen Bruno Guimaraes -4
              D Minteh Ekitike to Watkins Wilson -4
              E Raya Minteh to Verbruggen Rice -4

              I quite like E

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              1. TheTinman
                • 10 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                I'd roll transfer

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                1. DagheMunegu
                  • 5 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  With Minteh and Ekitike a doubt ?

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              2. Biggsy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                C or E are probably the one ones that feel worth a hit, but I would probably hold Ekitike so leaning towards E.

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            7. MJF
                5 months, 6 days ago

                I can't figure out whether Watkins is worth bringing in, or whether his minutes are too much of an issue and it'd be better to go to a 3-5-2/4-5-1.

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                1. RamaJama
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  … and also how long his streak will last this time

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              • RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                How likely do we think Ekitike is to start this GW?

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                1. TheTinman
                  • 10 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Considering how blunt they have been in attack they will be desperate to get him on the pitch

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                2. Jebiga
                  • 14 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  If it's a mind game he will start 100%

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                3. Tonyawesome69
                  • 7 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Probably leaning towards a start/available for the Arsenal game

                  https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/01/05/fpl-notes-ekitike-injury-latest-another-wilson-return

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                  1. RamaJama
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    Cheers!

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              • 50pipsDaily
                • 12 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                Start :

                A- DCL (new)
                B- Dalot (bur)

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                1. Biggsy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  A

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                2. Cojones of Destiny
                  • 8 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  A

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                3. 50pipsDaily
                  • 12 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Cheers

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              • Biggsy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                Think I'll keep Ekitike for Burnley. With him, Rodon and Minteh out, it means playing Andersen Vs Chelsea and no subs.

                1 Free Transfer and little in the bank to move on Rodon.

                A. Just play Andersen
                B. Andersen to Keane
                C. Minteh to Garner (and bench Andersen)

                C frees up some cash and Garner would be 8th attacker.

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                1. ball c
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  A
                  Then carry transfer over and reassess next gw.

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                2. Cojones of Destiny
                  • 8 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  C

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

                  C

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              • Cojones of Destiny
                • 8 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                play
                a. Eki
                b. Stach

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                1. Biggsy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Ekitike is surely all or nothing so A

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                  1. Cojones of Destiny
                    • 8 Years
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    agree ty

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              • FFLNeanderthal
                • 7 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                Current line up - better to play Wharton or Chalobah?

                Kelleher
                O'Reilly Gabriel Guehi
                Wharton Semenyo Foden Rice Cunha
                Haaland Thiago

                Subs: Verbruggen, Van der Ven, Chalobah, DCL

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                1. ball c
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Chalobah

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                2. Biggsy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  Chalobah

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              • ball c
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                Which one to start:

                A) Van Dijk
                B) Van Den Berg
                C) Andersen

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                1. Cojones of Destiny
                  • 8 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  A

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                2. Biggsy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  B lost his place?

                  I'd play A over C. Likely neither get a CS but VVD surely better chance of a cheeky goal or Defcon

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              • Letsgo!
                • 9 Years
                5 months, 6 days ago

                Capt foden or saka?
                Dont really wanna capt haaland

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                1. Cojones of Destiny
                  • 8 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  time for Foden to shine !

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                2. Biggsy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 months, 6 days ago

                  You think Arsenal steamroller Liverpool? Because unless you think they're likely to score 3 (meaning good chance Saka gets a couple of returns) then I'd go for a City player.

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                3. MJF
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    I wouldn't captain Saka against Carlisle reserves.

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                    1. Bale11
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      5 months, 6 days ago

                      The robot will bounce back

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                4. MJF
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    I had a treble on Thiaw, DCL and Richarlison to score anytime at the weekend, can't believe the former scored and the latter pair let me down. Still fuming.

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                  • Bale11
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    Any ideas how to improve team? 2FT or G2G?

                    Thinking:
                    A)Eikitike and xhaka Rutter out for Cherki and Wissa
                    B) Timber and Etikike out for Cherki and Thiaw

                    Keheller

                    Gab, Timber, Van de Ven

                    Saka, Xhaka, Foden, Rogers

                    Erling Ekitike Thiago

                    B: Dubruka, Mukiele, Rutter, Van Hecke

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                    1. OptimusBlack
                      • 13 Years
                      5 months, 6 days ago

                      Why Wissa ?
                      I think Woltmade would start

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                      1. Bale11
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 5 Years
                        5 months, 6 days ago

                        They both start don’t they? I’m trying to climb ranks but may be worth holding

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                  • Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    What do?

                    1. Minteh > HWilson
                    2. Minteh > Garner
                    3. Save FT with a view to Minteh > Enzo next week

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                    1. Tonyawesome69
                      • 7 Years
                      5 months, 6 days ago

                      Probably depends if you need a starter this GW

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                      1. Ha.
                        • 10 Years
                        5 months, 6 days ago

                        Have VdV who would play if I went with 3

                        Not great, but nailed at least

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                  • Diles Mavis
                    • 1 Year
                    5 months, 6 days ago

                    Bench Ekitike or B. Fernandes?

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