Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 8?

23 October 2026 233 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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With the Gameweek 8 deadline of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fast approaching, it’s time to have a good think about who to captain.

In Gameweek 7, Erling Haaland (£15.7m) rewarded the millions of FPL managers who captained him, and left the 600,000+ who played the Triple Captain on the Norwegian with a season’s best 13-point haul at home to Ipswich Town. Those who backed a Chelsea attacker, Bukayo Saka (£9.6m) or the most-transferred-in player, Rayan Cherki (£8.0m), were left disappointed.

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This week, the decision looks less straightforward with Man City playing the improving Aston Villa. Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (£7.9m) and Cole Palmer (£9.8m) come to the forefront of the debate for the Blues’ clash with Spurs. Arsenal and Nottingham Forest also have appealing fixtures on paper.

So, is it worth looking beyond Haaland and Man City’s trip to Villa Park for the captaincy in FPL Gameweek 8? That’s what we’re considering in this week’s ‘Captain Sensible’ article.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll, analyse myriad player and team statistics, consult the Rate My Team (RMT) points projections, and settle on a top three for the armband, ahead of Friday’s 6.30pm BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Once again, Haaland holds a commanding lead in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll, boasting 45% support from site users. The Norwegian has scored in six consecutive Gameweeks and was declared “100% ready” by Enzo Maresca in Thursday’s press conference.

Pedro sits second, with a competitive 17% of the vote ahead of Chelsea’s London derby against Spurs on Saturday. The Brazilian sits in 73% of teams, is the top-scoring Blues asset and is yet to blank at Stamford Bridge this season.

Elsewhere, two other players have managed to garner more than 5% support: Chelsea’s Palmer and the differential Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.9m). The latter has dropped in price this week after missing Gameweek 7 with a knock but has since been declared fit.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

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233 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Saint Tim
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 59 mins ago

    My son can't get into his FPL account. "Guardian approval - you're trying to login against an account which needs a guardian to confirm their approval. If your guardian doesn't seem to have received an email, please ask them to check their spam / trash folders". I haven't got an email to approve (in my inbox or trash/spam). Anyone else experienced this before please...?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 20 mins ago

      You will need to contact FPL

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  2. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 59 mins ago

    I wasn't watching last night, did Tav finish the game okay?

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 58 mins ago

      Or was he fine when subbed off on 62 mins?

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      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        5 hours, 37 mins ago

        Think so yeah, there was a question over Evanilson after a knock (Rose said he was fine) but seemed to just be minute management alongside Adams and Kluivert.

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          4 hours, 1 min ago

          Thanks

          Much appreciated

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    2. Holmes
      5 hours, 56 mins ago

      Not injured as far as I can see. Included in all predicted lineups on Bournemouth fan forum.

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        4 hours ago

        Brilliant

        Just double checking because my colleagues have finally realised that some work deadlines are real!

        😉

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  3. Josh99
    5 hours, 57 mins ago

    Is anyone starting de cuyper? Surely a big haul vs pools 30pace right backs and wingers who dont track back.. feel like he'll have the freedom of anfield

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    1. Holmes
      5 hours, 55 mins ago

      I might be forced to play him with Saka injured

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    2. Bavarian
      5 hours, 55 mins ago

      1pt incoming

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    3. Mighty Duck
      5 hours, 42 mins ago

      Set-and-forget for me. After they smoked Arsenal, he looks like a fixture-proof option. The only caveat is the volume of Brighton rotation isn't clear yet.

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    4. Statulis
      5 hours, 22 mins ago

      Not even thinking of benching him, see no reason.

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  4. Count of Monte Hristo
    5 hours, 56 mins ago

    Start Gvardiol or he is too risky for minutes just now?

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    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 54 mins ago

      I've got rid. Just can't trust the rotation.

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    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 hours, 57 mins ago

      I'm going to keep and start this week. It's a decent fixture, O'Reilly may not be fully fit. Next week likely to move on (maybe for Vuskovich, possibly MDC or Muharemovic).

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  5. Rbyrne95
    5 hours, 55 mins ago

    Palmer or Tav for Bruno?

    Tav about to rise. Would get the other next week.

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    1. Sgt. Schultz
      5 hours, 54 mins ago

      Palmer

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    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 53 mins ago

      I went for Palmer bc it's Spurs

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    3. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 51 mins ago

      I personally think that spurs will turn up and fight.

      I'm usually wrong.

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      1. Rbyrne95
        5 hours, 49 mins ago

        Exactly what I was thinking, but I too, am normally wrong. Or often forget it’s the attack & mid that fight, and the def are consistently horrendous

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        1. Tommyg
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          5 hours, 45 mins ago

          The 'right' pick is Palmer. But I think you've got an equally good chance of points with tav.

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    4. Count of Monte Hristo
      5 hours, 51 mins ago

      I ditched Palmer for Rogers. 11.0 just for some assists are not worth it.

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      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        5 hours, 49 mins ago

        Fair. Perhaps I'm being idealistic but I still reckon Palmer has big hauls in him

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        1. Rbyrne95
          5 hours, 48 mins ago

          I think with Palmer it’s always that 2x Hattrick games a season folk hope to hit.

          As I’ve swapped Bruno for him, Bruno 2x returns and Chelsea 1-2 spurs now. I can see it.

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      2. Brosstan
        5 hours, 43 mins ago

        Yea palmer is massively overhyped

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    5. Atimis
      5 hours, 47 mins ago

      Cant decide myself, the fixtures seem good for Chelsea although triple attack sounds a lot, tempted by Tav, and could (c) Pedro over having Palmer

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  6. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 55 mins ago

    At a cross roads:

    A) Tavernier
    B) Gibbs-White

    Can't decide between the two. Think tav just pips it due to fixtures.

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    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 54 mins ago

      A

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    2. Holmes
      5 hours, 54 mins ago

      Bournemouth are likely to score more goals, so them.

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      5 hours, 48 mins ago

      Early subs, Europa League and Kroupi back reduces his FPL appeal

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    4. Gizzachance
      5 hours, 36 mins ago

      Mgw had few blanks including cov and palace, forest struggling for goals, assists harder to come by,has the fixture this gw though

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  7. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 54 mins ago

    Team set up right chaps?

    Raya
    Cala DeCuy Hall
    Palmer Rogers Shade Gross
    Haaland JP DCL

    / Gvard / King / Davis

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    1. Holmes
      5 hours, 53 mins ago

      King 1st sub

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    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 53 mins ago

      Marginal but I'd swap king for gvard on your bench.

      Apart from that looks great.

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      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        5 hours, 52 mins ago

        Ta lads. Good luck

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      2. Radulfo28773
        5 hours, 46 mins ago

        I'd personally play him ahead of Gross

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      5 hours, 50 mins ago

      Tough to pick 2 from DeC/Hall/Gvard

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  8. WVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 46 mins ago

    Of course Kinsky didn’t drop last night

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    1. JBG
      5 hours, 45 mins ago

      Good

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  9. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 42 mins ago

    Play one:

    King (cov)
    Gross (liv)

    Thanks

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    1. Holmes
      5 hours, 40 mins ago

      King, one last time

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      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        5 hours, 38 mins ago

        I strugglign with King or Garcia, other will be 1st bench. Obviously sods law says whichever one I pick, both having done nothign in last 2GW's I bought them in on WC for, the other will do well on my bench.

        They are both gone next GW.

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  10. Gizzachance
    5 hours, 40 mins ago

    Saka to?

    A tav
    B mgw
    C schade
    D mbuemo

    ((Have palmer rogers)

    Cheers

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 37 mins ago

      Tav or Mbuemo

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      1. Gizzachance
        5 hours, 35 mins ago

        Cheers

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  11. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 39 mins ago

    Safe to roll a FT? I've got 2FT and if I get to 3 I can switch out Gvardiol, see how Odegaard is without Saka and probably move Garcia > Isak after Coventry game this week.
    Keeper rotation hasn't worked out this week, but not worth a FT.

    Verbruggen
    Cala, Konsa, Hall
    Tav, Palmer, Rogers, Ode, King
    Pedro, Garcia, Haaland

    Kinsky, King, DeCuyper, Gvardiol

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      5 hours, 37 mins ago

      Roll

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  12. ididnt
    5 hours, 38 mins ago

    Play Manzambi or Gross?

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      5 hours, 37 mins ago

      Gross

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  13. Radulfo28773
    5 hours, 34 mins ago

    GTG? Fear of leavng Gross points on the bench

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Konsa Gvardiol
    Odegaard King Palmer MGW
    Haaland(C) JoaoP DCL

    Kinsky Gross Guehi OSheq

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    1. Warby84
      5 hours, 26 mins ago

      I would stick but play Guehi over Gvardiol

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    2. Lost for Wirtz
      5 hours, 2 mins ago

      Bench King, Gvardiol play Groß, Guehi

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  14. Conners
    5 hours, 34 mins ago

    Morning

    Which one of these to start this week please?

    A) De Cuyper (LIV - A)
    B) Odegaard (EVE - H)
    C) Manzambi (MCI - H)

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    1. Warby84
      5 hours, 34 mins ago

      C

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    2. Warby84
      5 hours, 27 mins ago

      Odegaard actually..

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      1. Conners
        5 hours, 25 mins ago

        Thanks

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    3. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 21 mins ago

      C but a close A

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      1. Conners
        5 hours, 16 mins ago

        Thanks.

        I think it might be a case of pick two and flip a coin.

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  15. Warby84
    5 hours, 34 mins ago

    Trafford (Leno)
    Konsa Muharemovic Califiori (Gvardiol De Cuyper)
    Manzambi Palmer Barcola Gros Schade
    Pedro Haaland (c) (Walle)

    Good to go?

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    1. Conners
      5 hours, 30 mins ago

      Yeah, looks good. Like the Barcola pick - he's on my radar as a potential Odegaard replacement.

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    2. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 21 mins ago

      7/10 g2g this gw

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  16. marcus2704
    5 hours, 28 mins ago

    I took a knee-jerky -8 hit to bring Isak, Mbeumo and Konsa in for Saka, Barry and Gvardiol.

    Given Saka then got injured and doubts about Gvardiols minutes, and Barry away at Arsenal, I am feeling quietly optimistic that it was worth the hit.

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    1. Warby84
      5 hours, 27 mins ago

      Nice, think it’ll be worth it in the long run

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    2. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 22 mins ago

      not the best start to the gw

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      1. Warby84
        5 hours, 12 mins ago

        It’s only a game

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    3. x.jim.x
      4 hours, 54 mins ago

      Should have just done the Saka one, bad time to bring in Konsa and Isak

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  17. Otto8
    5 hours, 27 mins ago

    Why no city presser today?

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    1. Holmes
      5 hours, 25 mins ago

      It happened yesterday

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    2. Tonyawesome69
      5 hours, 25 mins ago

      Presser was yesterday

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/10/22/fpl-gameweek-8-team-news-thursdays-live-injury-updates#mancity

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  18. Jässi
    5 hours, 26 mins ago

    1 FT and need to get rid of Saka, other midfielders are Palmer, Gross, Tavernier, Gomez.

    A) Saka to Rogers
    B) Saka to Barcola
    C) Saka to Mbuemo
    D) Something else?

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    1. Sgt. Schultz
      5 hours, 25 mins ago

      A

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    2. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 22 mins ago

      B

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    3. Warby84
      5 hours, 12 mins ago

      I have fine B -4

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      1. Warby84
        5 hours, 11 mins ago

        Done

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  19. Gorky
    5 hours, 25 mins ago

    Anyone captaining Palmer over Haaland? Tempting

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    1. Holmes
      5 hours, 24 mins ago

      I'm on Pedro cap.

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    2. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 22 mins ago

      Yes or Rogers

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  20. Steve Stiffler
    5 hours, 24 mins ago

    Bench one out of:

    A) Gross
    B) Tavernier
    C) DCL
    D) Mbeumo

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 23 mins ago

      A but a close D

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  21. ididnt
    5 hours, 23 mins ago

    Double Brighton with de Cuyper and Groß or bench Groß for Manzambi?

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  22. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    5 hours, 22 mins ago

    Greetings all!!

    Who to start here??

    A- Justin(Sunderland away)
    Or
    B- MDC(Pool away)

    Cheers everyone!!

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 21 mins ago

      B

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      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        5 hours, 20 mins ago

        Thankyou mate!!

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  23. Il Capitano
    5 hours, 20 mins ago

    2FT 4m ITB

    Trafford
    Calafiori Hall Konsa
    Palmer Rogers Odegaard Gross
    Haaland JP Gonzalo

    Dub - De Cuyper Egan Slater

    Roll here?

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  24. LFC
    5 hours, 20 mins ago

    Semenyo to who

    A) barcola
    B) doku
    C) foden
    D) anyone else

    Already have rogers and schade (8.4mil in the bank)

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 19 mins ago

      B but a close C

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    2. Sgt. Schultz
      5 hours, 19 mins ago

      Cola

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    3. PogChamp
      5 hours, 18 mins ago

      I like the Barcola punt. I’m going Isak.

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      1. x.jim.x
        5 hours, 10 mins ago

        Don't get the Liverpool hype - they (and their fixtures) are rubbish

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        1. Warby84
          5 hours, 7 mins ago

          Your opinion

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          1. x.jim.x
            5 hours, 5 mins ago

            Be a bit weird if I was typing up someone else’s opinion wouldn’t it mate

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        2. PogChamp
          5 hours, 4 mins ago

          I wouldn’t call it hype. Their form is decent, they’ve won 3 times away already. Isak is super consistent when fit and Barcola has been unlucky to not get any returns.

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          1. x.jim.x
            4 hours, 59 mins ago

            Results are good yeah but the performances are not

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      2. LFC
        1 hour, 8 mins ago

        Would you get barcola even if you have Isak already?

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    4. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 hours, 15 mins ago

      Predicted lineups updated here yesterday… and it says Semenyo will start haha... Well, in any case, try Tavernier, Mbeumo, Manzambi (if fit) or punt Cherki?

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  25. FCSB
    5 hours, 19 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Konsa DeCuyper
    Palmer Rogers Gross Szoboszlai
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Dubravka Gvardiol Dedic Sangare

    2FT

    1. Szoboszlai >> Mbeumo (save 1FT)
    2. Vergruggen Szoboszlai >> Raya Schade

    Thanks

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 17 mins ago

      2. Dont like Mbuemo fixtures

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      1. FCSB
        5 hours, 15 mins ago

        Schade or Tavernier mate?

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    2. estheblessed
      5 hours, 12 mins ago

      Just do Szoboszlai to Schade

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    3. Warby84
      5 hours, 11 mins ago

      Man United getting relegated

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  26. AMP
    5 hours, 16 mins ago

    Hi

    whom to play instead of De Cuyper

    A. Davis NFO (H)
    B. Egan BRE (H)
    C Play De Cuyper may be ?

    much appreciate for your advice ... please

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 15 mins ago

      C but a close B

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    2. estheblessed
      5 hours, 12 mins ago

      C) Cuyper plays as an attacking winger way more threat.

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  27. estheblessed
    5 hours, 14 mins ago

    A bit of help if possible please chaps...

    1FT - £1.4m ITB

    Verbruggen
    Calaflori, Gvardiol, De Cuyper
    Bruno, Manzambi, Gross, Rogers, Schade
    Haaland, JP

    Kinsky, Thomas, Wright, O'nien

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  28. Stap
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 hours, 13 mins ago

    2FT.
    1) Saka + Gonzalo > Manzambi + Isak (already have gross, tav, schade, rogers)
    2) Saka + Gonzalo > Palmer + Solanke
    3) Save FT, play Gonzalo, bench Saka
    4) ?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 7 mins ago

      3 for me

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    2. Warby84
      5 hours, 6 mins ago

      1

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  29. SpaceCadet
    5 hours, 12 mins ago

    Best option here? 1ft, 0 itb.

    a. saka > tavernier
    b. saka > mbeumo
    c. gvardiol > muhramovic
    d. save ft

    tzolakis
    calafiori konsa de cuyper
    mgw rogers gross king
    haaland pedro dcl

    kinsky gvardiol davis saka

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      5 hours, 7 mins ago

      D for next week

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    2. Warby84
      5 hours, 6 mins ago

      A

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  30. FCSB
    5 hours, 6 mins ago

    1. Schade
    2. Tavernier

    Best pick for the next few ?

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