Rate My Team

FPL Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

21 August 2026 353 comments
avfc82 avfc82
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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 your team, specific players, 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 Chief Scout Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece.

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

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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 ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

353 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
    avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 50 mins ago

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  2. In Carrick we trust
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 49 mins ago

    How's this BenchBoost looking ready to go !!!!

    Donnaruma
    Van dijk, white, Muharemović
    Bruno Fernandes, mbeumo, tzolis, semenyo
    Isak, DCL, Pedro

    Bench, verbruggan, ajer, schade, ballard

    Would you change anything

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      52 mins ago

      Nope, tis a nice BB team with points-a-plenty!

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      1. In Carrick we trust
        • 9 Years
        just now

        Thank you Mr template hope you have a good season

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  3. bruik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 49 mins ago

    Osula or Wissa

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Neither for me. I would wait.

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 31 mins ago

      Neither is the correct answer for GW1

      Wissa if you have to

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  4. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 48 mins ago

    Have mbeumo

    So would you go
    A DCL and Bruno
    B isak and semanyo

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    1. One for All
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 44 mins ago

      A

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    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 42 mins ago

      What will you do with the extra 0.5 if you go B?

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      1. Zizou
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 34 mins ago

        Prob upgrade defender

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        1. Zizou
          • 16 Years
          1 hour, 33 mins ago

          More than likely shaw to maguire

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  5. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 46 mins ago

    Best defender for the first three gameweeks?

    A) White (already have Calafiori)
    B) Maguire (already have Lammens) + 0.5 itb
    C) Kerkez/Frimpong

    I will “downgrade” the one I pick to Konsa when we have seen him play a full game for Arsenal.

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    1. One for All
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 40 mins ago

      B less risk with Man Utd based on opening fixtures

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    2. In Carrick we trust
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 39 mins ago

      A, united will concede

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    3. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 15 Years
      1 hour, 31 mins ago

      I like B but I might not double with Lam

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  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 46 mins ago

    Is this good to go?

    Kinsky
    Califiori Shaw Kadioglu
    Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Wirtz Gross
    Haaland Pedro

    Dubravka Egeli Diop Thomas

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 44 mins ago

      I dont like the Kinsky pick for gw 1-3.

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 10 Years
        1 hour, 38 mins ago

        The choice is between:

        A) Verbruggen + Aina
        B) Kinsky + Kadioglu

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        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          1 hour, 30 mins ago

          It’s deffo B. Kinsky best 4.5 in the game

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    2. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 38 mins ago

      Am I the only one going with Robertson ?

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 10 Years
        1 hour, 37 mins ago

        I have considered him. Does he play regularly though?

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        1. buzzkill
          • 11 Years
          1 hour, 32 mins ago

          Think he should be alright to start with then switch to Konsa when he becomes nailed.

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    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 30 mins ago

      Gtg

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  7. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 44 mins ago

    Are there any 4.5-5.0 mids to rival Gomez as worth having for BB GW1?

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 44 mins ago

      Not really imo.

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  8. TONEY HONEY
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 44 mins ago

    The world football is under domination of Spaniards, De la Fuente, Luis Enrique are simple examples of it. I believe the situation wont be different in PL this season. That is why I will trust heavily on Arteta, Xabi and Iraola. I will have at least 7/8 players from their clubs and avoid especially City assets. Currently I have Calafiori, Tzolis, Palestra, J Pedro, Palmer, Wirtz, Isak from those teams.

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 34 mins ago

      Did you repost this?

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    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 26 mins ago

      Triple up on Villa and Fulham too obv?

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  9. TafOnTour1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 hour, 42 mins ago

    A or B here?!

    A) Semenyo, Le Fee, Rodon

    B) Rogers, KDH, Muharemovic.

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      50 mins ago

      The answer to these questions is always B!

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      46 mins ago

      Probably B tbh

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  10. gergin
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 42 mins ago

    Do we have any 4,5 midfielder with any chances to start?

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      57 mins ago

      Look at Hull.

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    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      49 mins ago

      Slater

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  11. LeytonOrient
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 41 mins ago

    A) Brobbey + 4.5m MID (Slater atm)
    B) 4.5m FWD + Le Fee
    C) 4.5m FWD + Sangare (BRE) + 0.5m to upgrade 4.0 DEF

    Not planning a BB right now, so as a result it is fairly limp.

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      I like C

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  12. Evasivo
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 41 mins ago

    Don’t see many Arsenal triple ups, not even many double ups! They’re playing newly promoted Coventry right? 😉

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      56 mins ago

      Aston villa away followed by Chelsea at home. Calafiori and Raya seem to be the only secure picks.

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      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        50 mins ago

        What’s left of Aston Villa…

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        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          48 mins ago

          Aston Roman Villa!

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      2. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        45 mins ago

        Gabriel is secure. Calafiori is not

        Odegaard will start most games

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      3. TafOnTour1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        17 mins ago

        A decimated Aston Villa away who narrowly beat us last season with all of their players still there last season, and a Chelsea at home, who haven't beaten us since 2021 in the Premier League, okay...

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    2. Diles Mavis
      • 1 Year
      49 mins ago

      I've got 4
      Raya | Gabriel | Konsa | Tzolis

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  13. hannibalos
    • 17 Years
    1 hour, 41 mins ago

    Do we have any fantasy challenge League code?

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  14. Elijah's Wood
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 41 mins ago

    G2G?

    Raya
    Nico Konsa Calafiori
    Bruno Anderson Mbeumo Gros Odegaard
    Haaland Pedro

    Dubrav Walle Kadioglu Mitchell

    Should I BB? I don't have a playing second keeper

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    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 39 mins ago

      No

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      1. Elijah's Wood
        • 11 Years
        1 hour, 34 mins ago

        Assuming this was in response to BB?

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    2. mr_jones
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 39 mins ago

      doubt that Konsa will play at GW1

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      1. Elijah's Wood
        • 11 Years
        1 hour, 35 mins ago

        Don't think he goes straight in to Arsenal team? Hoping for the glitch of having 4 Arsenal players until I make a transfer

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        1. mr_jones
          • 7 Years
          1 hour, 29 mins ago

          they didnt even confirmed his transfer yet. so he wont play today. maybe GW2, more realistic GW3

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    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 26 mins ago

      Konsa won’t start because he’s not actually signed yet and the match is in 7 hours. So probably no BB if you want Konsa.

      You could switch to Ajer and BB

      I don’t know if I trust Anderson’s DefCon at City

      I don’t love Forest’s early fixtures so wouldn’t get Nico Williams

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  15. BR510
    1 hour, 40 mins ago

    Team locked in, final thoughts? BB1, FH3

    Lammens Verburggen
    Cala Palestra Muharemovic Vuskovic Hume
    Bruno Semenyo Tzolis Mbeumo Schade
    Isak Pedro Havertz

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 24 mins ago

      Havertz super risky. I’d find 0.5 for Thiago, probably Hume to Diop or Schade to Sangaré

      I like the team generally though

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  16. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 39 mins ago

    How secure for a start/minutes is Gross? He's 36 and just played 90 minutes yesterday

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    1. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 25 mins ago

      He starts - even though he played 90mins on Thurs. Maybe he comes off at 70mins or 45mins depending if Brighton are 2-0 up

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    2. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 15 Years
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      Need to know this too, had him in since early draft but now got some doubts

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      1. Apollo Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 hour, 18 mins ago

        It's set pieces and more proven known quantity vs Sangare likely consistent defcon for me

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  17. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 39 mins ago

    Ballard or Van Hecke?

    Trying to find the best 5mil defender

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 28 mins ago

      Muharemovic Vuskovic Maguire

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      1. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 26 mins ago

        I have Muharemovicb and Maguire already.

        Will look into Vuskovic.

        Thanks

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    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 26 mins ago

      Ballard

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  18. One for All
    • 8 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    Kinsky
    Shaw, Calafiori, Gvardial
    B. Fermamdes, Mbeumo, Wirtz, Tzolis

    J.Pedro, Haaland, DCL

    Dubravka, Aina, Huges, Diop

    Gtg?

    Happy with my team

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    1. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 31 mins ago

      Template

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      Gtg

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      1. One for All
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 21 mins ago

        Thanks you Mr Turnip 1.

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  19. Scotty Dog
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    Do we think Vuskovic will start for Brighton?

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    1. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 35 mins ago

      Maybe

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      Likely yes

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  20. spiritof82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 38 mins ago

    Hi Tom, I've currently got a 3-5-2 formation with Le Fee instead of a third striker. Am I missing a trick by playing the Sunderland midfielder over a third striker, namely DCL? Are there any viable 4.5m midfielders? Thanks!

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  21. theshazly
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 37 mins ago

    Am I the only one going with Robertson ?

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      53 mins ago

      Good candidate for yellow card, wont be easy to deal with dango

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      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        40 mins ago

        You know where to go!

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    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      52 mins ago

      Seen others going for it. Dont mind it, but Kinsky enough Spurs for now

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      1. theshazly
        • 3 Years
        24 mins ago

        I have Raya & Cala & Hume

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        1. Elijah's Wood
          • 11 Years
          22 mins ago

          Could be good short term - I considered him. He was great for Liverpool but he's way past his prime, and likely will play consistently until Udogie etc are back to rotate

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        2. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          19 mins ago

          Could go for it then. Dont know how Udogie’s doing fitness wise but if he’s nailed Robbo could be great

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  22. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 37 mins ago

    BB GW1 team. Thoughts?

    Kinsky Verbruggen
    Califiori White Maguire Rodon Davis
    Fernandes Tzolis Mbuemo Ndiaye Gomez
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Not wild on Gomez but not sure there's anyone I want to downgrade to fund Groß/Sangare

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    1. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 31 mins ago

      No one
      Im like you lol

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 22 mins ago

      Good team. Gomez is fine

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  23. -GK22-
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 37 mins ago

    RMBBT?

    Kindly/vebruggen
    Gvardiol, Calafiori, roden, shaw, davis
    Bruno, Mbuemo, tzolis, Ndiaye, gross
    Haaland, DCL, Pedro

    Do I downgrade Gvardiol and up shaw?
    Don’t really like Ndiaye/gross combo

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    1. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 30 mins ago

      You could go someone more exciting over Ndiaye for BB - lots of choice but its a roulette wheel on who will do well at that price point. No need to upgrade Shaw

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    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 21 mins ago

      Yes upgrade shaw. Lots of good 5.0s to make it possible. Ballard, Vuskovic, Muharemovic, Maguire all great picks

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  24. Dwickham
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 36 mins ago

    Ballard or Rodan & 0.5itb

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    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Ballard but I like Rodon

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  25. RogueBlood
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 36 mins ago

    Got 1.0ITB thinking of dropping 2 city players and see how they perform who would you replace and with who?

    Verbruggen
    Shaw, Gvardiol, Calafiori
    Wirtz, Mbuemo, Tzolis, Semenyo
    Haaland, Pedro, DCL

    Kinsky, Gross, N.Williams, Rodon

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 21 mins ago

      Semenyo to Sarr/Wilson and Gvardiol to Gabriel seems ok to me

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  26. mr_jones
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 35 mins ago

    Szobo or Gakpo?

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  27. LangerznMash
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 34 mins ago

    it's okay to tell people to avoid rusty players like Porro and Watkins due to them not having a pre-season, but if you apply the same logic to rusty Haaland people get upset and say "but Haaland started the Community Shield and always hauls in August".

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 20 mins ago

      This

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  28. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 34 mins ago

    A. Semenyo - Rodon - Shaw
    B. Wirtz - Ballard - Maguire

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 20 mins ago

      B

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  29. FFLNeanderthal
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins ago

    G2G

    Raya
    Gabriel Calafiori Shaw
    Szob Bruno Rogers Mbuemo LeFee
    Thiago Pedro

    Kinsky, Diop, Hume, DCL

    £1.0ITB

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 18 mins ago

      Great team.

      I like Le Fee to a 6.5. Sarr, Wilson, KDH, Dango, take your pick

      Hume to Ballard or Shaw to Maguire also worth a look if you don’t mind starting without money in the bank

      Otherwise GTG, I really like this one

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      1. FFLNeanderthal
        • 7 Years
        1 hour, 9 mins ago

        Thanks I like Le Fee on the first two games but Sarr or KDH both in my thoughts too.
        Shaw or Maguire is a tough one!
        Good luck

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  30. el polako
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 32 mins ago

    I think I’m going to take my first -4 before the deadline.

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