Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 1?

13 August 2021 2001 comments
avfc82 avfc82
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers face a number of selection dilemmas as they put the finishing touches to their squads ahead of tonight’s 18:30 BST deadline, one of which, of course, concerns who to captain.

While one, all-too-familiar name leaps out as the leading candidate for the armband this week, there are other FPL assets whose cases deserve examining.

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 1 captain poll, then analyse the leading candidates and Rate My Team (RMT) ratings ahead of this evening’s curtain-raiser in Brentford.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

As you can see from the current results, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is the runaway leader of the Gameweek 1 captain poll. The Egyptian midfielder has accumulated 61.95% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Only one other player has garnered more than 10% of votes at this stage, with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) currently in second place, backed by 14.68% of users.

There is also a surprise inclusion, as Ivan Toney (£6.5m) occupies third place with 4.62% of votes, with Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Kai Havertz (£8.5m) just behind the Brentford forward.

MOHAMED SALAH 

The Complete Guide to FPL Pre-Season 2021/22
2,001 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Train Driver
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Does it sound like Buendia will start on bench or straight in?

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    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      90% straight in i would say

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Who knows?

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    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be surprised if he doesn't start.

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      1. Karan_G14
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hey Tom, surprised you dint have Ings in your draft. Any reason why?

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        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm tempted, I'd just put Antonio ahead slightly. Both should do well though!

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          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Are you thinking Kane starts?

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            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Doubt it, but could be wrong.

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    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m glad Ings went to Villa as Buendia & Bailey will absolutely stuff him full of chances, id trust him to finish them more than Ollie (while he’s fit) and pens are a huge boon

      Hope we get a 5-10 game uninterrupted run out of Ings to let him stretch his legs a bit & show what he’s capable of

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      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ings on penalties?

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        1. fish&chips
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          You'd think so given villa's trouble putting them away last season

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          1. Winston.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks

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            1. Winston.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Two penalties please

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  2. Junks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    *Repost* Morning all...

    Demarai Gray.... Is he worth a punt? Any insight on him would be greatly appreciated?

    Thanks.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not for me

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    2. Fatboy_Slim
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      With DCL not playing he will be the forward most player...and although I may turn out to be wrong but with Rafa benitezs system and him not being a proper striker I'm not expecting much output

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  3. MESSINHO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pick 2:

    A) Greenwood
    B) Barnes
    C) Raphinha
    D) Buendia

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    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B & D

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    2. altan8797
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      a and b to start, raph's fixtures will turn after gw4

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    3. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m on BC

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    4. Chilli Heatwave
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bd

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    5. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      AC

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    6. MESSINHO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So 4 Barnes, 2 Greenwood, 2 Raphinha, 2 Buendia.

      Thanks guys.

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  4. altan8797
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    bottomed

    for the first 3 gw:
    a) cancelo-raphinha
    b) coufal-greenwood

    already have taa and shaw

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    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A with buendia

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      1. altan8797
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        you think he'll start?

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  5. FF Dirtbag
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Ayling @4.5 being put into teams just due to favourable fixtures after the first couple of games?
    I see no attacking gains...

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    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He was a bit unfortunate not to return last season tho, good option IMO.

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      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Fair, good to see others opinions on the him.

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    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Solid bench fodder

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    3. Pukki Pies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rotates well with a Brighton defender (e.g. Veltman) but attacking returns will probably be minimal.

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    4. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Agree, a couple of harsh decisions I remember..

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    5. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I can see attacking returns…check the xGI stats…unlucky last season

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  6. Robe Wan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Not much love for Sancho? Looks like he’s set to start

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    1. jason_ni
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why do you think he starts?

      He's not played a single minute in preseason as far as Im aware.

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    2. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not gonna start for sure

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  7. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Tsimi Maguire
    Bruno Salah Gundogan Barnes Greenwood
    Antonio Ings

    Fodder

    Too risky??

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    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Shaw over maguire all day.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Trying to be slightly different
        Nee set piece coach may help Maguire

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        1. jason_ni
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Way I look at this, if Maguire scores, theres a 50% chance Shaw is supplying the cross.

          Outside of Maguire getting the odd goal, Shaw much higher capacity to assist others.

          Shaw wins for me.

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    2. o_ERF123
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why is that risky?

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    3. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not risky. Close to template.

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  8. JerseyD
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bachman
    TAA/Diane/Shaw
    Salah/Fernandes/Barnes/Smith Roe
    Antonio/Ings/Toney

    Sanchez/White/Tsimikas/Bissouma

    Bench boost activated

    See any issues?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Waste of a chip

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      1. JerseyD
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It’s the one chip I never use by the end of the season

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        1. FantasyClub
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Don’t listen to him. Definitely not a waste. It’s a gift atm having 4.0 defenders playing. You essentially have a free wildcard right now instead wasting transfers later on

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    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bissoma isn't really worth bench boosting for.

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      1. JerseyD
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I tend to lose focus mid season, life has got too busy with kids etc, I just don’t see another time in the season I’ll have all 15 starting

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Fair reasons, then it get played early. Good luck

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          1. JerseyD
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Team ok then

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          2. JerseyD
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks

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  9. Chilli Heatwave
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone TC Salah week one?

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    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No chance!

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No form and away, so no

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    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      😆

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  10. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Benrahma over Raph?
    Better fixtures for sure, just the ownership of Raph is scary and he was good last season.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ben for first 3 then switch

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    2. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got them both and can't decide who to play.

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    3. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ben for first few. Don't rate Raph''s fixtures and didn't find him to be an incredible fantasy option last year.

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  11. jason_ni
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anti template - thoughts?

    Martinez
    TAA - Shaw - Digne - Tsi (White)
    Mane(C) - Mahrez - Havertz - Greenwood (Gilmour)
    Auba - Wilson (fodder)

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    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fine other than Auba. Too much uncertainty because he is fighting with Lacazette and Saka to start.

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  12. abaalan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will Alan Armstrong be first choice at Saints? Worth a punt instead of Toney?

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    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Adam * only just joined so will have to get used to thier strengths, style and weakness worth a go when he gets a run of games but not just yet

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  13. FantasyFooty01
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA- Dias- Digne
    Fernandes- Salah- Barnes- Raphinha
    Wilson- Toney- Antonio
    Subs- Foster- White- Gilmour- Amartey
    Final Draft.
    Suggestions on my team? Comment below
    ITB 0.0m..

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    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good enough

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  14. Fatboy_Slim
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please rate my team, and any suggestions would be more than welcome!

    Sanchez
    TAA, Tsimikas, Shaw, Coufal
    Barnes, Bruno, Salah (c)
    Ings, Antonio, Toney

    Subs: Foster, Gundogan, brownhill, 4.0

    Thanks in advance!!

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Template so fine - GUndogan could burn you on the bench, would play him over Coufal

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      1. Fatboy_Slim
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I was planning more on saving gw 2 transfer and using two transfers in gw3 to downgrade TAA to a 5.5/6 def and upgrade brownhill to Raphinha or Harrison depending on funds...but yea as you said, I'm worried about gundo possibly having a big haul... point is coufal as a wingback with 9 assists last season from 25 games and 9 clean sheets, I don't know who to bench!!!!

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  15. Slurpy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez (Foster)
    TAA Shaw Amartey ( White, Ayling)
    Salah Mane Greenwood Barnes (Brownhill)
    Antonio Wood Wilson

    Have toyed with the idea of going trentless but I think 99% of teams have him.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      33.4% only

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    2. schlupptheweek
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you prefer no TAA go for it - there's Cancelo who plays for a better defence and has good attacking threat, although not at TAA levels. Think this team is good, Amartey is up against a very attacking Wolves so I'd swap to Hoever as he might start over Semedo and is very attacking, then have White or Ayling to come on GW1.

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  16. Q
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A. Salah Bruno Son Barnes Gilmour/Brownhill.

    Or risky

    B. Salah Son Greenwood Jota Barnes.

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    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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    2. Q
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C. Salah Bruno jota greenwood Barnes

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  17. Kaptenen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Illan Meslier to be this seasons "Martinez" in FPL?

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    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Leeds are leaky

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    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think so yes - will WC him in GW4

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    3. Mr_Barbs
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like that call.

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  18. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How is this for a BENCH BOOOST

    Sanchez Schmiecel

    White Taylor Tsimikas Shaw Rudiger

    Salah Bruno Greenwood Barnes ESR

    Toney Antonio Ings

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A bit flat at the back but that's cause you have Bruno

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    2. schlupptheweek
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      On a bench boost I don't really understand Rudiger and White who have a low ceiling. Schmeichel to Bachmann allows White to Tierney and you may as well go Alonso given you could cover him GW2 when Chilwell comes in.

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      1. FantasyClub
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        How does Schmiechel to Bach make more sense lol

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  19. FF Dirtbag
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A or B

    A) Coufal and Raphinha
    B) Amartey and Gundogan

    Other 4 defenders are:
    TAA, Shaw, Tsimikas, Ayling

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    1. altan8797
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      any other city assets in midfield currently?

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      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No city's at all.

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  20. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Better option?

    A. Sanchez gundo
    B. Schmeichel Barnes

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  21. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson or Antonio?

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    1. Under my Cucurella
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Antonio

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    2. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ant

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    3. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson - pens

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    4. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've had Wilson in all preseason and I could kick myself if I swap to Antonio and it backfires

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  22. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Shaw Tsimi White XXX
    Salah Bruno Barnes XXX 4.5
    Ings Antonio 4.5

    A: Son Amartey
    B: Mahrez Coufal

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    1. altan8797
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b for me

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    2. Haffie17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B. Amartey will be borderline useless after this week

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      1. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I could start White and bench Amartey, plus I thought Evans was not back until around GW4?

        Not worried about Mahrez being rotated as well?

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        1. Haffie17
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Vestergaard and Soyuncu will be the partnership. I've punted on Hoever at Wolves, I think he gets minutes.

          Think Mahrez is nailed first couple of weeks...

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  23. Eleven Hag
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Son + Tsimikas
    B) Rafinha + TAA

    Which one ?

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    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  24. gunner1994
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Buendia and Antonio

    or

    Benrahma and Watkins

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    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Buendia and Antonio

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  25. Critical Observer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Mahrez & Maupay
    B) Grealish & Wilson

    Had A penciled in since a few weeks, now leaning towards B.

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    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  26. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jota, Greenwood, Torres,

    Similar price, similar role, similar rotation risk, similar goal threat.

    I literally can't choose

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    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      None nailed. Jota has fixtures

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    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve got Greenwood, and feeling nervous not owning Jota…this Tsimikas mania spoiled my GW1&2 bet.

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  27. Haffie17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would love a Raphinha (352) or Toney (343) poll. I'm stuck

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    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Toney

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    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      THIS! Buendia fit also now

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  28. More Cowbell
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any opinions on Omobamidele at 4.0? Good option or too risky alongside Tsi?

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Apparently he was only playing because Hanley etc wasnt back but they are all back now

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    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Too risky unless you are happy to have him as third on your bench all the time

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  29. unholysmoke
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Barnes or Maddison? Show your working.

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    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Barnes. More explosive and also Maddison transfer speculation.

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    2. Monklane
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      fine margins

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  30. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If you believe in playing the fixtures then you are looking at selecting:

    Liverpool: Tsimikas, TAA, Salah (captain option GW1, GW5, GW6)
    Man Utd: Shaw, Greenwood, Fernandes (captain option GW2, GW3, GW4)
    Aston Villa: Targett, Buendia, Ings (probably want to switch these to Ayling, Raphinha, Bamford in GW5)
    West Ham: Coufal, Antonio
    Brighton: Sanchez, Steele (bench GK)

    The other two spots are bench players (MF and FW)

    Link to Hot Topic on the 'whipping boys', which is what the above is based on:

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/08/12/fpl-gameweek-1-scout-picks-west-ham-liverpool-villa-and-united-double-ups/?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_23960998

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Who would you bench GW1? Makes a very strong team!

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      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Steele, the two bench players (cheapies like Obafemi and Gilmour) and Tsimikas

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        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I wouldnt want to bench an attacking liverpool defender on set pieces v Norwich!

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