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Weds team news: Haaland + Rice start, no Wilson or O’Reilly

4 March 2026 1399 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Five more Premier League matches take place on Wednesday night, with the top four and Chelsea among the teams in action:

(times in GMT)

TEAM NEWS

There was plenty of uncertainty with the Gameweek 29 starting XIs, with several key names flagged as doubts.

The teamsheets provide mixed news for Fantasy managers, no more so than at the Etihad, where Erling Haaland is fit to start. Nico O’Reilly, however, misses out.

Haaland takes the place of Omar Marmoush, while Phil Foden comes in for O’Reilly.

Nottingham Forest also make two alterations as they change formation, with Nico Dominguez and Jair Cunha replacing Omari Hutchinson and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

At the Amex, Declan Rice shrugs off an injury to start for Arsenal, who are without William Saliba. He has an ankle knock.

Cristhian Mosquera replaces the Frenchman, while Gabriel Martinelli is in for Leandro Trossard.

As expected, Brighton hand rests to veterans James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

Carlos Baleba and Georginio Rutter come in for those two, while Olivier Boscagli replaces the absent Lewis Dunk.

Harry Wilson is missing for Fulham this evening, while Joachim Andersen has to make do with a place on the bench.

Marco Silva makes four changes in all: Antonee Robinson, Samuel Chukwueze, Tom Cairney and Josh King are recalled, while Emile Smith Rowe, Ryan Sessegnon and Oscar Bobb drop to the bench.

West Ham United bring in Jean Todibo and Callum Wilson for Konstantinos Mavropanos and Soungoutou Magassa.

Over at Villa Park, Unai Emery responds to the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers by swapping Jadon Sancho, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres for Leon Bailey, Ian Maatsen and Tyrone Mings.

Ollie Watkins starts again up top.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior drops goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, with Filip Jorgensen replacing him.

Wesley Fofana, Alejandro Garnacho and Malo Gusto come in for Mamadou Sarr, Andrey Santos and the suspended Pedro Neto.

Marc Cucurella is back from injury and on the bench.

Finally, in the later kick-off, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe makes two changes.

Aaron Ramsdale and Harvey Barnes are in for the benched Nick Pope and the ill Nick Woltemade.

Manchester United’s only alteration sees Noussair Mazrouai come in for Diogo Dalot, who is on substitute duty.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are fit to start.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Bailey, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Digne, Torres, Bogarde, Barkley, Sancho, Abraham, Alysson.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Caicedo, James, Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Sanchez, Badiashile, Sarr, Tosin, Cucurella, Santos, Lavia, Delap, Guiu.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Boscagli, Van Hecke, Kadioglu, Gross, Baleba, Gómez, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Rutter.

Subs: Steele, Minteh, Welbeck, Milner, Ayari, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Veltman, Howell.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Subs: Kepa, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Cairney, Chukwueze, King, Iwobi, Jimenez.

Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Andersen, Sessegnon, Reed, Lukic, Bobb, Smith Rowe, Muniz.

West Ham United XI: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Todibo, Diouf, Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Wilson, Castellanos.

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Adama, Lamadrid, Magassa, Scarles, Kante.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva, Foden, Semenyo, Cherki, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Doku, Nico, Savinho, Khusanov.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Cunha, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Jesus.

Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Netz.

Newcastle United XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Subs: Pope, Botman, Murphy, Shahar, Willock, Wissa, Osula, Murphy, Neave.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.

Subs: Bayındır, Dalot, Malacia, Heaven, Kukonki, Ugarte, Fletcher, Zirkzee, Diallo.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

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

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

Weds team news: Haaland + Rice start, no Wilson or O'Reilly 1
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1,399 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. RalphieFPL
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Am I stoned or have they taken away my Rice defcon

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    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Both

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    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Possibly something to do with Mark not owning him

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        This

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    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Yes

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  2. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Mbuemo has been stinkikg it up this match

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  3. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    GeTting a 70% rank drop in gw 29 should be almost impossible..yet here we are. FPL the game that keeps on giving

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    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Feel your pain. I’ve just dropped 350k rank in the last 2 hours.

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  4. Udogie-style
    • 2 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    64 points and if Semenyo gets 2nd goal it could go up higher! I've given my two ML rivals a total battering three weeks running, made a comeback against a deficit of around 80 points, and all I need is his second goal to take first place in the league! Come on FPL what are you waiting for?!

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    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Pundit that you?

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      1. Udogie-style
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Lol no. I'm in a ML against colleagues.

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  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    What's with this Semenyo ghost goal?

    I thought Rodri scored the second?

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    1. Scoring freely
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      It 100% came off Semenyo's back and went in, he should definitely be awarded the goal.

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      1. brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        That would be awesome

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      2. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        so why haven't given it to him?

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        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Maybe intern busy doing other coursework

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      3. wowo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Sometimes, depends on if Semenyo tried to vlaim it in the celebration. If he didn't, i wonder if that goal will be reviewed as his. vdv scored the cornered which i thought as own goal. But no one tried to argue and hence no reviews.

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        1. wowo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          VVd virgil, i mean

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  6. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    I so wish i hadnt sold Timber for Van Dyk. proper sheep. did nothing for ages then has 2 great weeks

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    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      your not alone

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

      Depends when you did it

      2 games earlier and you're laughing

      It was tempting

      The narrative is hard for engaged managers

      Switch off might be the best way?

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      1. Tic Tacs
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Being an engaged manager is often a hindrance I find, normally the first and obvious decision is the best one

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    3. Tic Tacs
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      It’ll be three great weeks vs Everton

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  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Semenyo captainers the marginal winners

    As it stands?

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    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Bruno pen incoming

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

        Hopefully

        Except he's not my captaino

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Id say all the people with lots of points are winners and the ones without are losers

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

        Or maybe we're all losers

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

        That would make sense

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

      Only if he gets second goal added

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    4. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      VC. Captained Bruno.

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  8. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Into the top 100k, the steady rise continues

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    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      And ?

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

        Revival

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Tagging you in as I exit

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    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Fairfux2ya

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  9. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Sánchez a coach's decision or hurting

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Dropped

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    2. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      I’d like to know this too. If it’s a rest then may keep.

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  10. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Warra dive Elanga

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  11. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Rice Defcons disappeared 🙁

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    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Oh fantastic

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  12. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Rice has lost his def cons :/

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    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Hip hip hip hooray….

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  13. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 10 days ago

    Anderson is a gem this season, I'm a fool for bringing in attacking mids (Rayan or Dango) instead of him the last few GWs.

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    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      Yep he's been great

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    2. wowo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 10 days ago

      The only two times he came off bench scored me 2 and 1 pointers, got rid last week. No complaints herr.

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    3. Moon Dog
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Yep. Been wanting to buy him for a couple of weeks but trying to hold off Amad -> Anderson until the GW32 WC. Every FT is going to be precious, and Hill/Rodon are playable over Amad...

        Getting harder to wait though

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    4. Moon Dog
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Genius corner by Newcastle. Gordon had to score that...

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      • JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Oh fck off Trippier you diving cnt

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      • Effe
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Bruno been stuck in 11 def con for a while now

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        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Shout when he hits 12

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        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Doesn't really matter, everyone has him. Mbeumo has been absolutely awful.

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          1. Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            Captaincy makes him a factor

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          2. RICICLE
            • 3 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            Everyone not capped him though 🙂

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      • Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Semenyo EO 88% Not having him hurts big time.

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        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Took a hit & capped paid off

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

            Congrats!

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        2. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Captained Semenyo and hit the enter button about 2 seconds after the deadline. Have to learn to type faster.

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      • Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Bruno gets minimum 10 points here

        So a better captain choice then Semenyo

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        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Still 30 mins to go

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        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Higher ceiling recently. Both in good form.

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      • MikeBravo
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        32 points on my bench. Don't think it's ever been that bad. Sickening. Anderson, Senesi, Alderete, Dubravka.

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        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          BB?

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          1. MikeBravo
            • 7 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            I wish.

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        2. Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          This is the way

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        3. MikeBravo
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Should have benched VVD, Haaland, and Mbeumo.

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      • thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Amad imminent (for Mbuemo no doubts)

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

        Yoro sitter denies Bruno huge assist

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      • Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Just watched a super slow motion of the goal and unfortunately it hits Sangare’s elbow not Semenyo

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        1. AIRMILES
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          That's my reading of it, but I'm not 100%. Don't see it being given to Semenyo unless there's a better angle: https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/premier-league/2025-2026/rodri-restores-manchester-city-advantage-against-nottingham-forest-with-huge-goal-in-premier-league-title-race_vid60061288/video.shtml

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        2. Scoring freely
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          You're not watching carefully enough, the ball very clearly hits Semenyo's back. It may clip Sangare's elbow afterwards, but it 100% comes off Semenyo's back and changes the direction of the ball.

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          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            I agree now yes

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      • Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Ramsdale great save

        Stops Bruno A to Yoro

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      • JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Yoro with a horrendous miss, Bruno A

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        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          I think it was just a brilliant save. Yoro headed it down, on target and with power. Not much more he could do… he’s not Shearer after all

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      • Aaa
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Rogers & Miley -> Gordon & Anderson?

        Bench Gordon next GW

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

          Rogers? You sure you wanna do that? Mr Consistent

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        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Not Gordon.

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      • RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        That really should have been a second Bruno assist

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        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          And a third

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      • Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        BrunoF spamming crosses

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        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          Rightfully so, should've been at least 1 goal

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

        Ugarte sitter denies Bruno assist

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      • JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Bruno again denied assist

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      • Steavn8k
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 10 days ago

        Phew, what a night. Can't wait till tomorrow to have Sarr's 2 pointer blocking Senesi coming off my bench. My lord this season has been stressful.

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

          Didn't realise there were more games. Semenyo def gets that goal by the time the game locks then

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          1. Not again Shirley
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            Not according to some other posts on here which say he didn’t touch it and came off Forest defender.

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          2. Steavn8k
            • 2 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            As a captainer I sure hope so, but just read someone say it came off Sangare's elbow.

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            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              1 month, 10 days ago

              It didnt

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              1. Scapegoat Salah
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 10 days ago

                https://x.com/oskarsson82/status/2029312317586825292?s=46&t=9kc3AjHVl1oxDhDgPWy8gA

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                1. Steavn8k
                  • 2 Years
                  1 month, 10 days ago

                  Oh well. There's always next year

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        2. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 10 days ago

          They should maybe have a 'Super Sub' chip. Once a year your highest sub of the year comes on for your lowest player. (Keeping the position rules in mind.)

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          1. Steavn8k
            • 2 Years
            1 month, 10 days ago

            Honestly would love it.

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