Rate My Team
6 February 2026 177 comments
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Five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on transfers, captaincy, chip strategy or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up.

If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

FOLLOW FRIDAY’S LIVE TEAM NEWS HERE

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article’s subject matter and talk about any other wider Fantasy Premier League (FPL) topics.

Don’t forget that if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a â€˜Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.


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  1. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
  2. ΒAZEΛOS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Hello Tom,

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel Timber Senesi
    Semenyo Enzo BrunoF (c) Mbeumo
    Ekitike Haaland Thiago

    Bench: KDH Gudmundson Alderete

    Brought in Mbeumo for Saka and Timber for VdV

    Any changes here? Captain or transfers.

    Thanks.

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      But you have FTs?

      1. ΒAZEΛOS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        1 FT left

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Good team, could be JP over Thiago but that's it.

  3. Orion
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Mykolenko to Saliba worth a hit?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      As 2nd or 3rd Arsenal def?

      1. ΒAZEΛOS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        1 FT left

      2. Orion
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Second

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Why not, long term move.

          1. Orion
            • 15 Years
            1 month, 21 days ago

            Cheers mate

  4. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Any thoughts welcomed, cheers!

    1) Play HWilson
    2) Move Potts to Rice and bench HWilson
    3) Else?

    Verb
    Gab/Timber/VVD
    BrunoF/Wirtz/Enzo/HWilson
    Haaland/Ekitike/JPedro

    Dub/Potts/Heaven/Dorgu

    1. Orion
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      If it’s for free I would go with 2

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        It's for free but Fulham playing at home and maybe worth reassessing Arsneal mids?

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Maybe play HWilson and see how Madueke performs? Maybe he could be an option over Rice?

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Also, Rice with worse home form than away.

      2. Orion
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        I prefer Rice, cause of set pieces and corners… Arriving late in the box is also great 🙂

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Some arguments that!

    3. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      1 and move to Arsenal mid next week.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Good form at home so maybe sound.

  5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Right playing 11?

    Raya
    Gabriel Timber Rodon
    Fernandes Mbeumo Semenyo Rogers
    Haaland DCL Mane

    Dubravka VVD LeFee Mukiele

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      VVD vs Rodon, you never know, but sound overall.

    2. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      I'd play VVD over Mane in case he gets defensive contributions

  6. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    What to do? Timber not in training yesterday is a concern. 0 FT left.

    Sanchez
    Gabriel Timber Gudmundsson
    Bruno F Rice Wilson Enzo Mbuemo
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubravka Alderete Dorgu* Guiu

    A) Dorgu to any defender - thinking either Aina/Munoz -4pts and bench Gudmundsson
    B) GTG

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Will you want them long term? Not a fan of hits for defs unless it's Arsenal.

    2. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Depends if you're happy playing Alderete if Timber is out?

    3. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Just let Alderete sub on. You'd need a guarantee of a clean sheet to break even on a defender hit

  7. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Hi all

    If you're second in mini league (13 points behind and 11 ahead of 3rd) and they both have Rice, would you get Rice or go for a differential like Trossard or Madueke?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Could wait one week?

      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Need to move Saka on this week tbough as his price is dropping quickly.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Nah too early to care about differentials for that little difference

      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        So Rice?

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 21 days ago

    Is Hill nailed for now?

    1. Raoul Nogues
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Yes, he didn't do anything to let Diakite back in

      • Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        First choice CB

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Bench order, rolling FT etc. ok?

      1 FT, 1.5 in the bank

      Dubravka
      Gabriel (VC), Timber, Chalobah
      Rice, Bruno F c), Rogers, Wilson, Enzo
      Haaland, Etikite

      Pope, Rodon, Senesi, Mane

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Looks good. Pope to Kelleher GW27?

    3. Pablo613
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Play Thiago or Wilson? Thx

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Thiago - penalties

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 21 days ago

      Pep Guardiola on whether ErlingHaaland automatically starts for ManCity against Liverpool: "Erling is the best striker in the world."

      So he plays? "I don't know, we'll decide tomorrow. Always I say, Erling is the best!"

      https://x.com/i/status/2019754022752731645

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 21 days ago

        Benching confirmed.

        1. Raoul Nogues
            1 month, 21 days ago

            It confirms he didn't give us any piece of information

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Does that tell us anything? Not to me

        3. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Clip of the quote

          https://x.com/i/status/2019754326026080278

        4. theplayer
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          What's the point of this? He was asked if he plays so he's not going to come out and say yes he starts.

        5. _Greg
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 21 days ago

          He did this with Foden once. Massive praise then benched him.

      2. ENGLAND1966
          1 month, 21 days ago

          Start 2?
          Semenyo
          Rogers
          Thiago

          1. Raoul Nogues
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Semenyo/Thiago

            • antis0cial
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Semenyo Rogers

          2. Mr.K
            • 12 Years
            1 month, 21 days ago

            Rate and/or Roast my WC team!

            Raya / Dubravka
            Chalobah - Gabriel - Senesi - O'Reilly - Hill
            Mbeumo - Bruno - Wirtz - Rice - Anderson
            Thiago - Pedro - Calvert-Lewin

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              For a team without any +10m picks, its not particularly great

              1. Mr.K
                • 12 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Thank you!

            2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Wouldn't have NOR and DCL

              1. Brosstan
                • 11 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Yeah oreilly is a strange pick on wc

                1. Mr.K
                  • 12 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  This I do agree with, I think. But it doesn't seem to me that there are any defensively solid teams right now, which makes defender picks kind of a nightmare.

            3. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Typical of a non Haaland team. All I think is where did the funds go? I can get the same team with Haaaland no issue. Do you have 5m+ in the bank?

              1. Mr.K
                • 12 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Yes I do! I think I'd rather have it in the bank than sitting on my bench really and I'm not even kidding!

                1. Brosstan
                  • 11 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  Then whats the point? You dont really believe Pedro is a better striker pick than Haaland in isolation?

            4. Kingy109
              • 4 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              As I'm assuming you have spare cash I'd want Ekitike over DCL on WC.
              I'd probably want to take a punt on Munoz in case he gets a goal or 2.
              And I wouldn't have double Bournemouth defence - maybe Brentford or Andersen for upcoming fixtures?

              1. Mr.K
                • 12 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                These are good points, thanks! I think I might actually go Munoz instead of O'Reilly.

                Earlier in the season I liked being defence-heavy and often doubled on CP defence, for example. Lately it seems that all teams, very much including CP, have started leaking goals so it's not quite as attractive anymore. This all has been a long way of reasoning why I have Hill in the team. He's the cheapest "active" option and actually a player I might even end up playing. Andersen is like 0.7M more expensive already and although I can definitely afford that, I don't know how often I'll be playing a defence line of five now anyway AND I'm not loving Andersen (I had him earlier but never at the right time so I'm a bit against him). Brentford I might consider after GW 26.

                Ekitike over DCL is something I'm considering and makes sense for sure. The main reason against it I have is superstition!

          3. antis0cial
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 21 days ago

            G2g, benching ok? Feels wrong benching Wilson but not sure who else I would bench.

            Dubravka
            Gabriel Chalobah Senesi
            BrunoF Semenyo Rice Enzo
            Haaland Ekiteke JPedro

            Vicario Wilson Rodon O'Reilly

            1. Bobkat
              • 3 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              I’ve got the exact same front 8 and am also benching Wilson but agree it doesn’t feel right but like you don’t know who else to bench so think it will be him

              1. antis0cial
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Thanks!

            2. Cruyff's Eleven
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              I'm benching Haaland. Same 8.

              1. antis0cial
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Oh wow thanks, I had the cpt on Haaland...!

            3. Punned It
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Similar to yours. I'm benching Haaland and playing Wilson. Although I'm not necessarily recommending anyone else to do so.

                1. antis0cial
                  • 9 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  Not sure I'm brave enough for that but thanks.

            4. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Very strong and rigid template forming at the moment... everyone has the same 15 players

              1. Dubem_FC
                • 10 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                I don't.

              2. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Nope. I don't.

              3. Salarrivederci
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Raya - Sá
                Gabriel - Chalobah - Guéhi - Maguire - Mosquera
                Bruno - Mbeumo - Semenyo - Rice - Enzo
                Haaland - Pedro - Mané

                ?

                1. Brosstan
                  • 11 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  Bog standard template midfield. Template strikers. Template GK. Template back 3.

                  The only non template players you have are Maguire and Moscuera.

            5. jthmt
              • 3 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              sanchez
              gabriel, tarkowski, oreilly
              fernandes, enzo, wilson, semenyo, rogers
              joao pedro, haaland,

              dubravka, thiago, esteve, collins

              any ideas?

              1ft, 0,7itb

              1. Steve McCroskey
                • 12 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Looks good enough to hold, then use 2 FTs to bring in Rice and Ars defender for next week. Assume you can't get Timber for O'Reilly

            6. Steve McCroskey
              • 12 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Your wise counsel requested:

              Start one

              A. Thiago (new)
              B. Rogers (bou)

              1. jthmt
                • 3 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                wondering the same, leaning towards rogers

              2. Admiral Benson
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Just A for me (pens swing it).

              3. Funkyav
                • 16 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                similar dilemma here, dont know who to bench out of Thiago, Rogers and Wilson

                Dont think i can bench Thiago as he is on pens so down to Rogers or Wilson

            7. Rbyrne95
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              On WC. Worth risking Calafiori instead of Timber to play catch up as a diff and keep more funds? (2nd Arsenal def).

              Probably going to TC Gabriel or Rice next week instead of BB

              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Funds? For what?

                No 10M players except a bitterly dissapointing Haaland.

            8. _Greg
              • 16 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Uh oh. Pep with the massive praise for Haaland. Cue split strikers Semenyo and Marmoush.

            9. MetallicaJack93
              • 2 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Bench 1

              Gab Timber Chalobah Munoz
              Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Enzo Sarr

            10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Benching Robot. GTG?

              Dubravka
              Gabriel - Chalobah - Tarkowski
              Bruno(C) - Semenyo - Rogers - Rice - Enzo
              Ekitike - Pedro

              Roefs - Haaland - Mukiele - Guehi

              1. Jet5605
                • 11 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Personally I'd bench Rogers otherwise G2G

                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 9 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  I was torn between Rogers and Haaland, but I've decided on Haaland

            11. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              2 FT and 0.3 ITB. Really torn here as having 3FT next week would be good but I'm going to have to sort Dorgu and Szob next week anyway and Wilson and Hill look good long term picks regardless. I could BB later but will I get a better chance than this?

              A - Use 2FT and BB with Dubravka (WHU) - Wilson (EVE) - Gudmund (NFO) - Hill (AVL)
              B - Roll and have 3FT next week

              Pickford
              Gabriel - Timber - Andersen
              BrunoF - Rice - Enzo - Cunha
              Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

              1. Jet5605
                • 11 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                *On reflection, I'm now thinking the possible Haaland praise benching prelude and Timber doubts mean that I should hold off from BB and let Szob & Guddy cover Haaland & Timber from the bench.

                1. Kingy109
                  • 4 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  Haaland will come on if he's benched. I'd put him in play, don't Captain territory.

                  1. Jet5605
                    • 11 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Agree but the risk of him being benched still puts me off BB this week. I'd rather play it when I'm more sure he starts

            12. DagheMunegu
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              Anything worth a hit ?
              Van Hecke to Saliba -4 ?
              0ft 1.7 itb

              Verbruggen
              Gabriel Chalobah Van Hecke
              Bruno Mbeumo Rice Szobo Enzo
              Haaland Ekitike

              Dub Rodon Gudmunsson Guiu

              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Next week for free

            13. Bobby_Baggio
              • 14 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              3FT & 0m ITB. G2G or make some moves like Saka + O'Reilly > Rogers + Timber?

              Verbruggen
              Gabriel - Andersen - Richards
              Saka - Wilson - Bruno.F - Rice
              Thiago - Haaland - Ekitike

              (Roefs) - Ndiaye - O'Reilly - Alderete

              1. Boz
                • 13 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Make the moves. Would go Mbuemo over Rogers if you can get there,

                1. Bobby_Baggio
                  • 14 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  Yep he did cross my mind but feel like i want to split the midfield across teams. Enzo also an option but prefer Rogers

            14. Ignasi M
              • 8 Years
              1 month, 21 days ago

              I was called an idiot yesterday for saying Haaland won't start this gameweek. My reason was because of his trash form and Marmoush looking very good and scoring. This BBC report heavily suggests Haaland won't start for these reasons: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgxk1lz0l2t

              (just search 'haaland')

              I'm benching Haaland this gameweek, captaining Ekitike who will absoltiuely destroy that high line and makeshift/inexperienced City defence.

              1. lilmessipran
                • 13 Years
                1 month, 21 days ago

                Best striker in the world = benched?

                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 9 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  He's saying that to keep his confidence up

                  1. Ignasi M
                    • 8 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Exactly! We've got to understand how Pep's mind works! At the end of the day, Marmoush's form has been WAY better than Haaland's since xmas.

                    1. Ignasi M
                      • 8 Years
                      1 month, 21 days ago

                      Pep is punishing Haaland. he will start Marmoush and imply: "if you want to start, you need to start scoring". The more realistic scenario is that Marmoush starts, Haaland comes on as a sub in 70th minute and will score to try and prove Pep wrong and prove that he is the best. So, I think Haaland will probably score vs Liverpool, but he'll do it off the bench.

                      1. Raoul Nogues
                          1 month, 21 days ago

                          Haaland and Marmoush can start together

                          1. Ignasi M
                            • 8 Years
                            1 month, 21 days ago

                            Good point, but I fancy Marmoush and Haaland off the bench.

                          2. Ignasi M
                            • 8 Years
                            1 month, 21 days ago

                            Marmoush better as the number 9 though. recently

                2. Cruyff's Eleven
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  I'm with you. Benching. Then selling to fund a killer BB

                3. Subzero (-4)
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  1 month, 21 days ago

                  This article doesn’t say at all he is going to be benched!

                  It’s just the live press conference

                  1. Ignasi M
                    • 8 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    It is open to interpretation. I personally read it as Pep favouring Marmoush for the game on the weekend, but saying that Haaland is still Pep's number 1 by giving him som praise as 'the best striker in the world'. For me, that means Marmoush starts. (it's like a psychological tactic, keeping Haaland on side).

                    1. Raoul Nogues
                        1 month, 21 days ago

                        Both can start

                      • Rog rob
                        • 15 Years
                        1 month, 21 days ago

                        Pep sounded like he's been on the juice

                  2. Tonyawesome69
                    • 7 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    "This BBC report heavily suggests Haaland won't start for these reasons"

                    It doesn't....

                  3. Punned It
                      1 month, 21 days ago

                      I'm not in the business of calling anyone an idiot, but I went against your advice once, costing me ten points. I've started keeping my ears (eyes?) piqued since.

                      1. Ignasi M
                        • 8 Years
                        1 month, 21 days ago

                        I captained Ekitike last gameweek, annoyed that most people captained Bruno and he hauled! I would have soared up the rankings!

                  4. lilmessipran
                    • 13 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Bench one here:

                    A Chalobah
                    B Rogers
                    C Thiago

                    1. Boz
                      • 13 Years
                      1 month, 21 days ago

                      A

                  5. Caligula's third favou…
                    • 3 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Considering bringing in Munoz for the next 3. Low owned and great fixtures. Need a vdv replacement anyway and got 4 fts so worth a punt, I reckon.

                    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                      • 9 Years
                      1 month, 21 days ago

                      Go for it!

                  6. Rog rob
                    • 15 Years
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Anyone considered Gibbs-White for this gameweek as a differential?

                  7. magnusbiele
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    1 month, 21 days ago

                    Hi Tom

                    Thoughts on 3FT: Keane, Hall, Giui → Hill, Andersen, JP? Review prefers Keane/Semenyo/Ekitike → Andersen/Palmer/Thiago. Remember to like the stream!

                    Raya
                    Gabriel - Hall - Virgil
                    Rice - B.Fernandes - Enzo - Semenyo - Andersson
                    Haaland - Ekitike

                    Dubravka - Mukiele - Keane - Giui