Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 9 Scout Picks: Villa triple-up

30 October 2026 171 comments
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After Neale, Tom and Marc submitted their Scout Squad selections, it’s time to nail down our Scout Picks for Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

This is a Free Hit in all but name, with the focus solely on the upcoming Gameweek.

As ever, we are limited by certain restrictions:

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 9 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Replacing Pedro, Gameweek 9 Free Hit + Wildcard drafts: FPL Q&A

Zion Suzuki (£5.0m) gets his first Scout Picks appearance ahead of Saturday night’s home encounter with Fulham.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s men are the division’s joint-lowest scorers on the road, having found the net only twice in four away matches.

Meanwhile, pass master Suzuki has kept two clean sheets over the last six Gameweeks, and has also racked up the saves: he’s banked six save points in that period, the joint-most of any goalkeeper.

DEFENDERS

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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171 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    3 hours, 4 mins ago

    question: is anyone playing the FH? considering it, and appreciate input; 3 FT, 0.9 ITB

    current squad is
    Kinsky, Palmer
    Calafiori, Konsa, De Cuyper, Thomas, Shaw
    Palmer, Saka, Cherki, Groß, Manzambi
    Haaland, JP, Wissa

    obviously JP and Saka are injured

    and first!

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    1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      3 hours, 2 mins ago

      Shaw, Saka, Wissa out with your 3FT and that's a fairly easy fix

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      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        2 hours, 51 mins ago

        what do you think are some other possible GWs that might be good for FH? many thanks

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        1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
          2 hours, 48 mins ago

          GW12 when Arsenal play City would give you a nice option to stock up on differentials.

          Alternatively just hold it until closer to the Christmas fixture pile up in expectation of injuries/rotation

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    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 6 mins ago

      Yep. 3x villa and 3x spurs. Jesus take the wheel!

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  2. arcticjunkie1
    3 hours, 3 mins ago

    On my FH, who would you rather have this gameweek?

    Evanilson or Thiago?

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    1. Mr bump
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      Evanilson

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    2. People in Preston
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      Evan. He's firing whilst Thiago is not.

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    3. antis0cial
      2 hours, 21 mins ago

      Evan

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    4. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 hours, 2 mins ago

      Thiago starts the season tomorrow!

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    5. banskt
      1 hour, 42 mins ago

      Why not both?

      If I was on FH, I would go with Haaland, Evanilson, Thiago for this gameweek. Barry and Jackson are the alternatives, but I don't like the numbers of either.

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  3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    3 hours, 1 min ago

    Tzolakis
    Muhamorovic Gvardiol Calafiori
    MGW Gross Rogers Mbuemo Schade
    Haaland Jackson

    Subs Vuskovic Thomas Thomas-Asante

    A Roll FT - play Vuskovic
    B Thomas to Van Hecke
    C Schade to Tavernier
    D TA to Evanilson
    E Mbuemo to Tavernier

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    1. Brosstan
      2 hours, 49 mins ago

      Easy roll for me

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    2. theshazly
      2 hours, 18 mins ago

      D

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  4. theshazly
    2 hours, 50 mins ago

    Start 4 from :

    A ) DeCuyper
    B ) Cala
    C ) Thomas
    D ) Davis
    E ) Cherki
    F ) Konsa

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    1. Utopsis
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      Bench 2 is shorter. CD for me

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  5. Dubem_FC
    2 hours, 50 mins ago

    Ajer??
    Have you seen the state of Brentford's defence?

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    1. Brosstan
      2 hours, 48 mins ago

      Agreed. This game week is all set for Forest to finally deliver on underlying numbers

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    2. Azool
      2 hours, 25 mins ago

      What’s happened to it?

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  6. ABCDEFC
    2 hours, 48 mins ago

    Tavernier or Evanilson?

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    1. banskt
      1 hour, 41 mins ago

      Both. Bournemeouth are one of the top 3 attacking teams in the league.

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  7. RedLightning
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    New Community Article:
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/10/30/are-we-playing-fpl-or-just-managing-out-of-fear

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  8. iFash@FPL
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    Who’s more likely to start: Foden or Cherki?
    And their xMins?

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    1. tuturututu
      2 hours, 41 mins ago

      Foden, Maresca likes him more

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    2. Azool
      2 hours, 29 mins ago

      Cherki 80 mins

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    3. Utopsis
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      Flip a coin

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    4. banskt
      1 hour, 40 mins ago

      Nobody knows. I think Foden, maybe.

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  9. tuturututu
    2 hours, 40 mins ago

    What would you change for FH?

    Suzuki,
    Silva, Gabriel, Van Hecke
    Palmer, Rogers, Tavernier, Manzambi
    Jackson, Evanilson, Haaland

    Tzolakis, Belloumi, Hall, Ajer

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    1. Brosstan
      2 hours, 39 mins ago

      Ditch Palmer for literally anyone

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      1. tuturututu
        2 hours, 37 mins ago

        Will give him one more chance, Utd look rubbish

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        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          2 hours, 32 mins ago

          Palmer also looks rubbish.

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    2. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      2 hours, 38 mins ago

      Suzuki > Kinsky
      Silva > Muha
      Manzambi > Kudus
      Tavernier > MGW
      Evanilson > DCL

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      1. tuturututu
        2 hours, 34 mins ago

        Thanks for suggestions, but I disagree for all. Not trusting Leeds vs Bou, I think Bou will win that match with a couple of goals in Leeds net. Also not trusting Kinsky or Kudus, I barely even got Van Hecke because Spurs are also terrible, one win vs Chelsea does not mean their assets are essential now.

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        1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
          2 hours, 30 mins ago

          Spurs assets aren't essential - it's a FH and they have an easy fixture, that's the point of a FH

          Leeds will comfortably beat Bournemouth - BOU beat a leggy Sunderland side & the worst coached side in Europe and people are jumping the gun before good fixtures start again next week. Leeds are a better side. Bookmark this and return here on Saturday evening.

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          1. tuturututu
            2 hours, 28 mins ago

            ok buddy, chill

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          2. tuturututu
            2 hours, 26 mins ago

            Also Spurs will concede vs Palace, not an easy fixture no matter Palace form, bookmark this as well

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            1. Utopsis
              2 hours, 22 mins ago

              You ask for advice, then tell the person giving the advice to chill.

              Don't ask next time.

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    3. banskt
      1 hour, 37 mins ago

      Jackson > Thiago
      Palmer > Mbeumo

      Check the defensive numbers of Fulham and attacking numbers of Villa over the last 3/4 gameweeks.

      Mbeumo is a punt with Caicedo and Lacroix doubts.

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  10. Pep Roulette
    2 hours, 36 mins ago

    Hey fam! FH team, final call! GTG?

    Suzuki (Kelleher)
    VanHecke Muhamerovic Silva (Gvardiol Ajer)
    Palmer Rogers Manzambi Kudus (Belloumi)
    Haaland© Thiago Jackson

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    1. tuturututu
      2 hours, 32 mins ago

      Interesting and very similar to mine, except you trust in Leeds and Spurs while I go all out on Bou

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  11. People in Preston
    2 hours, 33 mins ago

    The 'Watchlist' was last updated 23Oct.

    The 'Predicted Line-ups' has only updated two of the 14 teams playing tomorrow.

    (I've even seen the blank line-ups after a GW deadline on a Friday).

    I can't understand why people pay money for this.

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    1. Azool
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      It does seem a bit naff but it’s a game of opinions at the end of the day.

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      1. People in Preston
        2 hours, 13 mins ago

        Absolutely. But it's faster and cheaper elsewhere. For a fact.

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        1. Feanor
          1 hour, 51 mins ago

          So go elsewhere

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          1. People in Preston
            1 hour, 36 mins ago

            I have.

            But it's only natural to check in on a loved one who meant a lot to me over 16 years.

            And sad to see the decline.

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  12. Count of Monte Hristo
    2 hours, 33 mins ago

    Palmer auto pick, joke.

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    1. People in Preston
      2 hours, 25 mins ago

      He's going (early) bald as well.

      Hence that weird Bobby Charlton strand of hair he wraps around his forehead with max hairspray.

      Which was found out in the rain last GW against Spurs.

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      1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
        2 hours, 22 mins ago

        man tunes into football matches just to analyze the players hairstyles

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        1. People in Preston
          2 hours, 11 mins ago

          Being a baldy myself I confess. Yes.

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  13. Livinginapool
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 28 mins ago

    Bench one:

    A) Konsa
    B) Calafiori
    C) Tarkowski
    D) De Cuyper
    E) Gross

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    1. More Tragic
      2 hours, 20 mins ago

      all of them

      lol

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    2. People in Preston
      2 hours, 19 mins ago

      I do see LIV 0-1 ARS, and multiple goals MCI/BHA (with Groß and De Cuyper involved), so I guess I'd bench Tarkowski?

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    3. banskt
      1 hour, 36 mins ago

      C. Tarkowski.

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  14. Under my Cucurella
    2 hours, 22 mins ago

    Would you FH this? Already did Gonzalo > Jackson with a FT so would have him back next week with 3FT and this team.

    Raya 4.0
    Cala DeC Hall Davis Thomas
    Rogers MGW Mbuemo Tav Gross
    Haaland Jackson JP

    2FT 1ITB

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    1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      2 hours, 21 mins ago

      absolutely not

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      1. Under my Cucurella
        2 hours, 16 mins ago

        Thanks, aside from the obvious 4.0 keeper and JP. Who would you bench this week?

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        1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
          2 hours, 15 mins ago

          Thomas, DeC, JP

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          1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
            2 hours, 13 mins ago

            I'd be tempted by Thomas > Van Hecke and start him over Cala personally

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            1. Under my Cucurella
              2 hours, 9 mins ago

              What about the same with Davis instead? The Thomas injury doesn't look to be long term as far as I'm aware and he's probably the better 4.0 between him and Davis.

              I had considered Davis up to Silva or VH as a potential move to strengthen the defence this week. At the moment I'm torn between Davis/DeC/Cala for which two to start alongside Hall with Thomas on the bench as he seems the least likely to start. If there was more positive news on Thomas it'd be an even tougher choice between the 5 defenders

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              1. #1 Arne Engels Fan
                2 hours, 4 mins ago

                I'd agree, yeah. Davis the better option this GW but Thomas better long term so up to your own judgement. I much prefer VH over Silva this GW

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                1. Under my Cucurella
                  1 hour, 50 mins ago

                  Thanks, I was thinking long term with the defensive move. But I like both Silva and VH. At the moment I'm leaning towards maybe rolling and thinking about it again next week. I will maybe look to gain some funds to do JP to Isak then as well

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  15. Gazzpfc
    2 hours, 21 mins ago

    2 from 3

    1 Konsa
    2 Egan
    3 Davis Ipswich

    ??

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    1. antis0cial
      2 hours, 18 mins ago

      1, 3

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  16. antis0cial
    2 hours, 18 mins ago

    Who to start?
    A) Hall
    B) Calafiori

    1) Barnes
    2) Gross

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    1. More Tragic
      2 hours, 12 mins ago

      A1

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    2. banskt
      1 hour, 35 mins ago

      B2

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  17. FCSB
    2 hours, 10 mins ago

    Start (have Konsa):

    1. Calafiori
    2. Dedic

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  18. TheBear
    2 hours, 5 mins ago

    On WC and currently on:

    Kinsky
    Silva Muha Gabriel
    Kudus Tav Rogers Manzambi
    Jackson Haaland Isak

    Verbruggen, Gross, De Cuyper, Konsa

    0.2 ITB left, GTG?

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    1. banskt
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Konsa is a transfer waiting to happen in the next 3-4 weeks. You have to sell Gabriel to raise money for any upgrade within next 2/3 weeks. De Cuyper starting left back will get less points than Vuskovic.

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  19. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 3 mins ago

    Would you bench any of these to play Jackson?

    Rodgers, Tavanier, Schade, Gibbs White, Manzambi, DCL

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    1. Bobby Digital
      2 hours, 1 min ago

      DCL

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      1. TheBear
        1 hour, 54 mins ago

        Agreed with DCL out of them.

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  20. Óró Sé…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    2 hours, 3 mins ago

    Benching headache!

    Which 3: konsa, cali, hall, de cypper, alayi

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  21. ABCDEFC
    2 hours, 3 mins ago

    Which move?
    A) King to Tavernier
    B) Gonzalo to Evanilson

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    1. Bobby Digital
      2 hours, 2 mins ago

      Are you benching King?

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    2. banskt
      1 hour, 27 mins ago

      Play King. Villa is among the bottom 5 defense over the last 4 gameweeks.

      Do Gonzalo to Evanilson, as the former has been poor individually.

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  22. Bobby Digital
    2 hours, 2 mins ago

    Barcola a risk too far? Should I just go MGW or Mbeumo?

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    1. banskt
      1 hour, 24 mins ago

      Barcola is good. So, is Gibbs-White and Mbeumo. There's little difference separating the 3, in my opinion. I would just keep Mbeumo slightly ahead -- because of minutes certainty (compared to Barcola) and point conversion (compared to MGW who has been dodging points despite the numbers).

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  23. Planet Jo
    2 hours, 1 min ago

    Who would you bench?

    A. Manzambi - FUL (also have Jackson)
    B. Mbeumo - che
    C. Barcola - ARS
    D. DCL - bou

    Currently on DCL

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      1 hour, 57 mins ago

      Get Manzambi off that list

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    2. JBG
      1 hour, 51 mins ago

      I'd bench the manager.

      (Barcola)

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    3. banskt
      1 hour, 24 mins ago

      Barcola.

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  24. Dr Funk
    1 hour, 58 mins ago

    Is starting Cherki just too much of a risk?

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    1. Bobby Digital
      1 hour, 56 mins ago

      You shouldn't own him if you're not going to start him

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      1. Dr Funk
        1 hour, 51 mins ago

        Yeah, alternative is to replace him. Just thought this could be a high scoring game. 1 last chance to get a haul before punting.

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    2. JBG
      1 hour, 54 mins ago

      He will probably get 45mins either way..

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  25. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 hour, 51 mins ago

    Bench one:

    Konsa (liv)
    Calafiori (liv)
    Muha (bou)
    Davis (hul)

    Thanks

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    1. JBG
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      Davis I guess.. can't see any CSs either way.

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  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 hour, 49 mins ago

    Those still with wildcard - when are you targeting?

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  27. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 hour, 48 mins ago

    Best Spurs mid to buy?

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    1. JBG
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      Son or Eriksen

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    2. Bobby Digital
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Kudus, or Maddison if you're feeling frisky

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    3. banskt
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      Maddison.. but, I wouldn't.

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  28. JBG
    1 hour, 46 mins ago

    "Haaland, Ndiaye , Doku and Gvardiol start"

    https://x.com/FPL_Hub/status/2116226161646903684

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    1. JBG
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Jerky owners have to wait until tomorrow for more info

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  29. oi no professionals
    1 hour, 45 mins ago

    Calafouri > Gabriel worth it?

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    1. JBG
      1 hour, 43 mins ago

      Sideways move, unless we get info about Calafiori not starting

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  30. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 hour, 44 mins ago

    Play de Cuyper or Hall?

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    1. Bobby Digital
      1 hour, 43 mins ago

      Hall

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