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West Ham v Sunderland team news: Xhaka ruled out

24 January 2026 620 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Before the rumoured bedlam that will erupt with the release of the Manchester City teamsheet, we’ve got a more low-key start to Gameweek 23.

West Ham United v Sunderland gets us underway at 12.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

The team news is fairly straightforward in east London, with West Ham unsurprisingly unchanged from their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

El Hadji Malick Diouf has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but has to settle for a place on the bench. Ollie Scarles keeps his place at left-back.

Lucas Paqueta‘s absence was confirmed by Nuno Espirito Santo on Thursday.

Something that Regis Le Bris didn’t do on the same day was divulge information about Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international, one of just four Fantasy midfielders who were ever-present starters this season, misses out through injury.

Eliezer Mayenda takes his place.

That’s the only change from Gameweek 22.

The Black Cats have two of their own returning AFCON representatives on the bench, namely Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi.

The Gameweek 23 matches are a re-run of the opening weekend of the season. In the reverse fixture of this encounter, Sunderland beat West Ham 3-0 on Wearside.

LINE-UPS

West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Pablo, Summerville, Castellanos.

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Ward-Prowse, Wilson, Diouf, Magassa, Potts, Kante.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Hume, Sadiki, Le Fee, Mundle, Mayenda, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, O’Nien, Geertruida, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Adingra, Isidor, Talbi.

620 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Saka > Palmer this week?

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

      I would not

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  2. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    A guy in one of my league who is pretty good (got top 1k last year) is going full maverick lol. Took a -4 hit with transfers, put Haaland last on the bench and capped Ndiaye.

    Thats the kind of play I can respect and I honestly hope it pays off for him.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      4 transfers*

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    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      agree with you these kinda players get high on scoreboard, we play too safe in here

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Its definitely how you have to play (especially second half of the season) if you want a real chance to win big money leagues. Go big or go home.

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      2. polroger
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        I just keept C on Haaland. To mutch risk to go agenst him. Prob just sit on the beanch all game if rested so then the vicecap kicks inn : )

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

    Bottomed - Which one to sell first GW24?
    A. Virgil > starts Chalobah (WHU) Ekitike (NEW) 343
    B. Ekitike > starts Virgil (NEW) Mbeumo (FUL) 442

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  4. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    23/26 people in my work league have capped Haaland. Now they gonna know who the chronic users of fantasy forums are lol

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Hahaha. I fear the same.

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  5. Punned It
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Got Haaland capped. Gab VC. This should be fine. I refuse to break sweat.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Hope he stays on the bench but 0% chance that happens.

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      1. Punned It
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Comes on and gets a goal just to show up Pep. It'll be fine.

        Fine, I tell you.

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      2. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Maybe 0.5%.

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    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Just like Prince Andrew!

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  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Got 4 FTs. Using 3 gives me this. Ok?

    Raya Dubravka
    Timber VVD Nunes Rodon Mukiele
    Saka BrunoF Mbeumo Rogers LeFee
    Haaland DCL Kroupi

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  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    I was here for the leak this time but it's an absolute joke for a number of reasons

    Anyone with responsibilities/a life (Kids, jobs) are put at a disadvantage as they are not huddled around their computer/phone always before a deadline.
    Secondly, this is supposed to be a game played worldwide, people on other time zones are at an instant disadvantage with the leaks

    I will sound like a right moaner here but years ago there was some element of real courage when making moves, nothing was handed out to you on a plate and you had to think of moves. It would feel good to actually make a move and for it to come off (E.g. the most captained player was benched and you captained someone else as you had a feeling he might be benched). Now it's basically handed to you

    I don't want to hear anyone celebrating their non-haaland captains this week, if you do then you really need to check yourself because being spoonfed news like that and making a change to your team based on that news doesn't make you a genius

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

      Damn this has really affected you

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      You’ve always been a moaner

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    3. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      I've got a solution. Don't have kids and also resign from your job.

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    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      You can't solve this problem though in this day and age with the way information is shared.

      Moving the deadline doesn't help unless it's something unrealistic like a day before. There will always be news that some will have that others won't.

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      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Just move the deadline to kickoff. It is possible, they do it in challenge. Doesnt take that long to check the confirmed lineup out pre kickoff. Make your moves, get on with life. Everyones a winner bar those trying to farm engagement via pre deadline streams so it obvoously wont happen

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        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          It wouldn't help this situation because the City lineup is for the 3pm kickoff. By the start of KO today, we still wouldn't have the official lineups so the leakers would still have an advantage.

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          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            *Kickoff of the early game that is.

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            1. Sir Michael Taker
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 10 days ago

              Sorry you are right, I meant have moveable deadlines like challenge and FUCL

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    5. Traction Engine Foot
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      All true, but then again it is quite a silly game in the first place.

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    6. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      You're absolutely correct.

      You do sound like a right moaner.

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    7. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 10 days ago

      It's alright, mate, chances are it'll only be a matter of a few points.

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      1. Bolivian Seaman
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        yep

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

      is what it is, didnt get the chance to see any leaks either. didnt cap haaland but did play BB 😐 just a shame the City match wasnt tomorrow this gw

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

      Tbh I dont care. I was on this forum about 10am then decided to do a bit of exercise and play for half an hour with my six month old before I head out for the day. Time well spent over endlessly refreshing and scrolling for leaks. People can lol at Haaland cappers all they want later.

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      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Six month old what? Solio membership?

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    10. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      OMG... we live in a digital world.

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    11. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      You are 1000% correct and anyone who disagrees is exactly one of the no lifers sat in private whatsapp groups with leaked info that other people dont have access to.

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    12. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      How have you been posting here for 15 years and not realised yet that there's never an even playing field in any competition. There will always be people who have more time to watch full games, pore over stats, look for leaks, etc - that's without even mentioning the ones that actually work in the industry who get team news early.

      The fact that you have time to post frequently on this website is an advantage over somebody who doesn't. You all need to get a grip and face the reality that you will never win this game.

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    13. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      or just don't captain haaland and miss the leak too

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    14. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Bringing your life choices into it is pretty desperate. You still have a big advantage over players who live half way across the world.

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    15. boc610
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Dafuq you talking about ?all "busy" people do with a life , kids etc is look at their phones . Have the page on latest comments at 1045, wait until you see a link, click link, make a decision. That cam be done in 10 mins . Plus its a Saturday you make it sound like this is happening at 945 am on a Monday

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    16. Faxof
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      What leak??

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    17. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      It’s quite simple, they just need to make the deadline the night before the first game.

      It’s rubbish but it’s the only fair solutions to all players, there will always be leakers, only way to stop it is to ban social media.

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  8. Sir Michael Taker
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    How many points was Haaland on prior to the last few minutes of the Burnley game? As I recall most of that TC haul was achieved very late and it looked like a failed chip for a while.

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

      This is one week where I'm pretty relaxed to cap the Robot, bench or not.

      There just weren't enough standout options to make the switch, and I would rather 30mins of a pissed-off Haaland than 80+ minutes of anyone else this particular GW

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      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Same, most of my other options were just not captainable. If I had Thiago probably a different matter but nobody else stands out this week

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

          I have Thiago but again not convinced - NFO just held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw and Dyche is the king of frustrating the opposition.

          Let's see how it all plays out, but the emotional explosion on here from so many is quite fascinating to observe.

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  9. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Tarkowski + Rogers > Dorgu + B.Fernandes

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

    lets go ballard!

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

      Reinildo here!

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    2. Jullepuu
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Alderete for me

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        He was in my BB team, but had to abandon it and bench him last minute.

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    3. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Mukiele and Roefs!

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    4. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Same

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  11. Jullepuu
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Play it risky and do Foden to Bruno F today for price change reasons?

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    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      I'd do it but also because I still think most teams should be WC'ing in 24.

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      1. Jullepuu
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers. Altough I disagree on wildcarding at 24. Doubt it is what most people should do

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        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          When will you wildcard?

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          1. Jullepuu
            • 6 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Probably later on when there is more information about doubles and blanks

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

          Agree with you re WC

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          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Think it’s possible to build a good bench for the dgw, and most have 3 aes already and the chance to bring in a Wol player or two by then

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

              Yeah completely. But in the same vein, there are some who only need to make 2 or 3 transfers to get to desired team, so no need to WC yet.

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  12. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    A guy in my league triple captained Haaland

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    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Triple amounts of pain.

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  13. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    I couldn't go on and become a rockstar because I didn't have time to practice the drums due to kids and work, while Gavin Harrison is out there being a rockstar. Life is so unfair, man.

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  14. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Are both teams playing 4-4-2 here?

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  15. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Sidike with a cracking shot.

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    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Quite impressive to be able to take a shot like that while on crack.

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  16. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Need a Sels Matzerclass to hodor against these Thiago cappers.

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  17. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    This is a huge FH from FPL_Spaceman (Solio Analytics)
    Big upside if it works, I have only one of those players, Thiago
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1000002/event/23

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  18. Sir Michael Taker
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    To be honest if it happens (the benching), and the leak could just be wrong, probably better for the game overall. Far too many getting comfortable on captaincy. If we arent 100% sure hes a starter or his minutes are reduced if he gets the odd early sub it at least makes us think about it again.

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

      Yeah Haaland perma cap is so uninspiring. I went against him for their away game vs CRY and he responded with a brace 😀

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    2. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      exactly

      an unconfirmed link shouldn't overshadow the fact he was viable not to captain even before the Bodo game

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

      couple it with a salah brace later and fpl just got very interesting.

      although by the sounds of it salah could still be benched as well this gw 😆

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  19. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Worth doing Eki & Szob > Rogers & Kroupi for -4?

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    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Also allows me to do Dorgu > Chalobah the week after

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

      Szob is playing in a new position behind the forward 2 it looks like, give him todays game

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      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        I also have Cunha who will need selling but am thinking he could start v Fulham if Dorgu doesn't repeat what he did last week. Think a -4 is inevitable in order to get Chalobah the week after and to battle through all the WC price changes.

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  20. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Really need Bowen’s defcon to make up for the Haaland cap benching.

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

      Haha

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    2. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Hopefully

      If haaland and Bruno g don’t play I need him and Calvert to do wonders from the bench

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    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      really need Bowen to make those gazzilion points i sold thiago for him few gws ago haha

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  21. z13
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Wow the one time i wasn't online to see the benching

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      1. z13
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Not going to complain, Gabriel VC

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          1. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Hes coming on 100% in 75 min+..

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        • Sun God Nika
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          We won’t know till we see it on paper (or our digital screen)

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      2. martynteresa
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Why is everyone so ??? if Haaland does not play.
          Subs and Vice Captains take over so no great loss

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

            cameo

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          2. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Because he will get mnutes in second half. Worst case scenario at 80min +

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        • RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Summerville, Sun CS gone

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          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Bowen assist

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

            Nice

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        • Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Season over

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        • F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          summerville g
          bowern a

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

            *bowen

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        • Free Hat
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Summerville having a great winter period!

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        • Cojones of Destiny
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Finally Bowen you sonofa)

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        • Paganoi
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          What a jump that was.

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        • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          OMG Summerville.

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        • fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Let’s go Bowen!!

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