Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 23?

23 January 2026 479 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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It’s four blanks in five Gameweeks for Erling Haaland (£15.1m) – so is it time to back against him with the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy?

That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’, despite Manchester City’s favourable home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford, Liverpool, Arsenal or perhaps even alternative Man City players are other options ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

In this piece, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll, analyse myriad player and team statistics, consult the Rate My Team (RMT) points projections and settle on a top three for the armband.

Captaincy Poll

Unsurprisingly, Haaland is the runaway leader at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over 60% of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 23, despite him scoring just one goal in five Gameweeks.

Another Man City player, Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 12% of the vote. The January signing, who already has two goals for his new club, was ineligible to feature in the Champions League in midweek.

Elsewhere, Igor Thiago (£7.2m) is the only other player to garner more than 5% support ahead of Brentford’s clash with Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian sits second in the Golden Boot race and bagged a brace in his last home match.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

479 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Play Bruno G or DCL?

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      DCL

      BrunoG likely no feature anyhow

      Cameo v unlikely

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    2. COYR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      DCL but like above Bruno G is very unlikely to feature

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    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      I'd play Bruno. Cameo seems 0% and there's a decent chance he starts.

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  2. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Um Haaland is not predicted to start by the majority of predictors. How is he the best captain?

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      He will though

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Actually I hope you’re right and he doesn’t

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    2. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      How numerous are these predictors? I’ve not heard anyone say he won’t only there is a risk.

      He’s not smashing 12-15k a game plus he needs goals to get form not a benching. They need to win and a false 9 or Marmoush is not the answer. 95% chance he starts.

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  3. Here is Cash, give McGinn
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Play
    A) Cash (new)
    B) Mukiele (whu)

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Similar decision to make with thy Cash and Alderete. Thinking the Sunderland man because I sold Gordon and it will be typical of that troll to score so I’m not giving him the pleasure of ruining a cs also

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    2. COYR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      B

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    3. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      B

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  4. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Would you move Foden or Cherki to Semenyo ?

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    1. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      For free yes

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    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Foden

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  5. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Worth doing either Foden or Cherki to Semenyo ? Or too sideways?

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Nah

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    2. COYR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Depends on FTs and WC plans? But if you have 1FT then I wouldn't

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  6. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Already use FT would u do any hits ?
    Sanchez (Dúbravka)
    Gabriel Hall Andersen (Gud Alderete)
    Bruno F Saka Cherki Rogers
    Watkins Haaland © Thiago

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    1. COYR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      No but I would put Alderete first on your bench. Cherki a risk of not starting but he will probs get some minutes

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  7. rjcv177
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Verbruggen
    (dubravka)

    Timber, jo andersen, thiaw
    (Rodon, cash)

    1ft to get Collins for a one week punt?
    Or save another FT to use later after WC24?

    Thkx in adv

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    1. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Save

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      One week punt on a defender? Collins ticks boxes but you'll need huge amounts of luck, or Matrix-like instinct.

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  8. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Palmer or Fernandes ?

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Fernandes

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    2. SashOK2025
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Enzo

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      • COYR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Bruno F for sure

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      • Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        cheers all

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    3. COYR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Keeper headache...

      A) Play Verbruggen
      B) Play Dubravka
      C) Verbruggen > Sanchez

      1 FT, No Chelsea Defence

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I wouldn’t waste a transfer on that

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    4. Sir Burtenshaw
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Mukiele or alderete? Is it worth going with alderete to save 0.3?

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      1. COYR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I'd save the 0.3 unless you are planning on starting each week

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    5. ABCDEFC
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Szoboszlai > Bruno Fernandes
      A) This week
      B) Next week

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      1. Hutchiniho
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        B

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      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        B

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    6. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Raya
      Gabriel - Tarkowski - O’Reilly
      Semenyo - Saka - Cunha - Foden
      Haaland - DCL - Ekitike
      Subs: Dubravka - Miley - Alderete - Esteve

      3 FTs…
      O’Reilly/Cunha/Foden
      > Chalobah/Bruno F/Enzo (or Wilson)

      Yay or nay?

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      1. COYR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Can you just do O'Reilly to Chalobah and Cunha to Bruno F or Enzo? If so I'd do that then the Foden move next week

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        1. JabbaWookiee
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Could just do Nico and Cunha to Chalobah and Enzo, yes. But could end up priced out of Bruno next week. Really not convinced Foden will start v Wolves and even if he’d does, on current form I can only see a blank incoming. Would rather have Bruno’s 4 point floor and bank the price rise.

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    7. thom830g
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      2 FT
      A) Roll
      B) Foden -> Enzo
      C) foden + Rogers -> Bruno F + Enzo

      Raya
      Gabriel - James - O’Reilly
      Semenyo - Wilson - foden - Rogers
      DCL - haaland - thiago
      (Dub - thiaw - esteve - dewsbury hall)

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      1. Hutchiniho
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Not this week A

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      2. tuturututu
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        A

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    8. tuturututu
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      0 in the bank, 2 FT. Any suggestions? Would you go Nunes to Guehi?

      Raya
      Chalobah, Gabriel, Nunes
      Palmer, Rice, Cherki, Rogers
      Watkins, Haaland, Thiago

      Darlow, Alderete, Miley, Nallo

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      1. Hutchiniho
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I’m considering it for -4

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      2. COYR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Nunes to Guehi seems a good use of 1 of the FTs

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    9. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      1FT 0.3m ITB

      Raya
      Gabriel Chalobah Andersen
      Saka Foden Rogers Bruno G* Enzo
      Haaland Ekitike

      Dub - Alderete Senesi Guiu

      Ditch Bruno G for Ndiaye? Gives me enough ITB to do Foden > Bruno F in 24.

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Good moves

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    10. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Play one:

      A) Rogers (new)
      B) Tarkowski (LEE)

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        A

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      2. Dank Squid
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I would play the attacker. Rogers/Villa done well after earlier midweek games so far this season + higher potential upside, in a single game week, unless Tark gets a CS, goal and max baps.

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    11. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Bruno g to

      a enzo
      b ndiaye
      c keep and hope he plays...my bench is rubbish..

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        B

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          thanks.

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      2. Captain Mal
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 20 days ago

        How rubbish? Both are good picks, I slightly prefer Ndiaye (security of mins and being on pens), but it could be a good week to roll, depending on future transfer plans.

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          dorgu hall and potts lol. cheers. will probably go for ndiaye

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      3. shorey143
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I reckon given the bench and Newcastle prem games and schedule you should move. Something like OR inside 1m go Enzo, 1m+ Ndiaye

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    12. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      A. Stick with current team (1FT available)
      B. Wildcard

      Current team:
      ROEFS (Dubruvka)
      Gabriel THIAW O'REILLY (KEANE, 3.8)
      SAKA Rice FODEN ROGERS WILSON
      Haaland EKITIKE (GUIU)

      WC team:
      SANCHEZ (Dubruvka)
      Gabriel SALIBA SENESI (DORGU, 3.8)
      BRUNO Rice PALMER SEMENYO ENZO
      Haaland THIAHO (MANÉ)

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      1. shorey143
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I don’t think you need that much surgery. Blanks and doubles to navigate without a WC will be more painful. Take one at a time. Some of those in CAPS you won’t think are a problem next week.

        Leave this week and sort O’Reilly and Foden next week if you need to. Or do one this week one the next. The others can wait. Rogers, Wilson, Thiaw, Saka, Ekitke you could easily feel different about by Sunday evening.

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      2. bobicek92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 20 days ago

        I´d just do NOR, Saka, Foden to Chalobah, Bruno, Enzo in next three transfers and you are absolutely fine

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    13. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      With McGinn out,will Rogers play on the right side?Any Villa fans around?

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        He might, but Bailey is back, so he could play there.

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    14. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      O’Reilly driving me insane, opted against Guéhi before price moves. He’s got Ake and RAN against his old club for company.

      But can’t bench him at home to Wolves as you know that will hurt. No-one decent for the longer run that has a decent game this week. Chelsea have a load of games and CBs so is Chalobah even nailed for Prem games.

      Made peace with waiting til next week where nailed options with a decent w31 game open up but now I’m deliberating benching him for E-f’ing-Steve

      HELP!!!!!!

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    15. GC123
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Hi guys. Start 2

      A. Dorgu
      B. Van de Ven
      C. Miley
      D. DCL

      Need to start at least one of Dorgu or VdV

      Thanks in advance

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      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        bd

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        1. GC123
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Thanks F4L. That was my gut but every time I bench Dorgu he hauls!

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    16. Zambian FPL Addict
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      I wouldn’t sell Foden

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Not this week anyway.

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        1. Zambian FPL Addict
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          He’s getting a 15+ pointer

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          1. NoOneCares
              2 months, 20 days ago

              He will get 15 mins.

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      2. zon
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Play Tarkowski or Andersen?

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I’d want to play both, but Tark if I had to pick.

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        2. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          tark

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        3. Il Capitano
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Tark

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      3. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Wildcard team. Yay or nay

        Kelleher, Dubravka
        Gabriel, Timber, Guehi, Muriel’s, Dorgu
        Bruno, Rice, Semenyo, Enzo, Wilson
        Haaland, Thiago, Watkins

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        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I got Watkins and am ready to ship
          Hes a pisser

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      4. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Bench right?

        Sanchez
        Gabriel-Chalobah-Guéhi
        Saka(VC)-BrunoF-Rice-Cherki
        Haaland(C)-Watkins-Thaigo

        Dubravka-Rogers-Cash-Gudmundson

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      5. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        i could do Saka and bruno g to Salah and Ndiaye for a -4 this gw. he might have not had his shooting boots on vs marseille but really like salah's positioning, he keeps playing that role hauls are inevitable imo. just abit spooked not seeing him in the predicted line ups, thought they would just go unchanged given how good they played midweek

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        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Poor timing in my opinion. Saka has Leeds, Sunderland and a potential double coming up. Maybe monitor Salah for next 3 (2 tricky fixtures after Bournemouth) and reconsider afterwards.
          Salah had a massively disappointing AFCON by the way.

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          1. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            cheers

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      6. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Raya
        Virgil, Gabriel, Chalobah
        Enzo, Wilson, Foden, Saka, Anderson
        Ekitike, Haaland (c)

        Dubravka, Andersen, Rodon, Guiu

        4ft 2.2 itb

        Will Foden and Ekitike start?

        Is it worth doing Foden to Bruno now? Ekitike to Thiago?

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      7. gomez123
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Best Villa asset to keep A) Watkins or B) Rogers?

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        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          rogers with abraham incoming

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      8. Dank Squid
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        The old formula doesn't work anymore. Attackers, wingers, premiums? No. Central mids, Fruno, Gruno, Caicedo, Cullen, Rice, Garner? Yes. xG 0.02.

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        1. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Let’s write a letter to FPL towers and get them to remove defcons

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          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            This, too much points to defs defending bad teams

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        2. Tripswich
            2 months, 20 days ago

            It's truly been a brutal season.

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          • F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            the more options the better the game is imo, they just need to do better pricing next season

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          • Zalk
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            That's nice. I'm glad we have another Bilva Dilva situation now.

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        3. fgdu
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          play 7 out of

          Rice Semenyo Wilson Wirtz
          Thiago Haaland Ekitike

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          1. -GK22-
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            That is 7

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          2. fgdu
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            nevermind

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          3. fgdu
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Who to start?

            Timber, Guehi, Tarkowski, Chalobah
            Wirtz, Rice, Semenyo, Wilson
            Ekitike, Haaland, Thiago

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