Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 2?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are offered an early chance to go against the grain for the captaincy, with Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) boasting the best fixture of the second round as Liverpool hosts Bournemouth.

Here we examine the credentials of Liverpool’s Egyptian, captaincy heavyweight Erling Haaland (£14.0m), and alternative candidates from Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

First, we will assess the fallout of the captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Friday’s 18:15 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Salah tops a tight-knit captain poll ahead of Gameweek 2, backed by a mite over 45% of the total votes cast by users at the time of writing.

Haaland sits in second place and provides the Egyptian’s main armband competition, backed by just under one in three of our users.

Bukayo Saka (£8.6m) occupies third place with 5% of the vote, followed closely by Ollie Watkins (£8.0m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£6.0m).

THE PLAYER STATISTICS

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Thursday's Press Conference Times
Skonto Rigga
8 months, 15 days ago
A mere three press conferences for you today, one of which has already happened (times in BST):

8.30am - Arteta
1pm - ten Hag
1.30pm - Hodgson

We also had two yesterday (Cooper/Heckingbottom), with the other 13 to follow on Friday.
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1. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Did Pep do one last night, or is the big non-reveal planned for Friday lunchtime?
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  1. AC/DC AFC
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Oh ... the other 13 to follow.
    
    Got ya.
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    1. Skonto Rigga
      8 months, 15 days ago
      Yeah, he was straight up out of his chair last night, so no embargoed bits - meaning a stand-alone one for GW2.
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2. FPL Virgin
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Everyone is desperate for Gabriel quotes.
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  1. Arteta
    8 months, 15 days ago
    I've got nothing for you, my friend.
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    1. FPL Virgin
      8 months, 15 days ago
      Embargo not till 10:30pm on Saturday night. Dang it. We need Neale to get this massive call right now in the team news.
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      1. Hairy Potter
        8 months, 15 days ago
        No pressure!
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3. Skonto Rigga
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Update: I think the ten Hag presser did take place at the above time but it is apparently embargoed till Friday lunchtime.
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  1. Merlin the Wraith
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Ok thanks, was wondering why BBC didn't cover it
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    1. Skonto Rigga
      8 months, 15 days ago
      Bit of an odd one. Might be something to do with the Greenwood thing, maybe every question/answer is being carefully vetted.
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FootballRookie
8 months, 15 days ago
Any burning fires? Or roll transfer?
Thinking to get rid of Onana but not critical....

Turner
Saliba, Estu, Baldock
Martinelli, Rashford, Salah, Eze
Haaland, Pedro, Watkins

Bench: Onana, Tarkowski, Botman, Nakamba
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1. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Goalkeeper transfers are usually best done on a wildcard.
  
  You look fine.
  
  If Rashford shows signs, then Watkins to Isak in gw3 could be tempting?
  
  I'd consider Tarkoswki ahead of Baldock tho for goal threat alone.
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AC/DC AFC
8 months, 15 days ago
Salah captain baby...

Who's on for Saturday afternoon, a traditional 3pm kick-off too.
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1. Bavarian
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Yeah great differential
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Roshen
8 months, 15 days ago
Can Mings go down in price while he is red marked?
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1. Epic Fail
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Yes. The price is locked when the flag comes off.
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  1. Roshen
    8 months, 15 days ago
    thanks
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2. Skonto Rigga
  8 months, 15 days ago
  He can indeed - and he may do so before GW2, looking at FPL Statistics.
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  1. Roshen
    8 months, 15 days ago
    that's bad..sideways or -4 dilemma
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Botman and Robben
8 months, 15 days ago
Salah
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OLA
8 months, 15 days ago
Rashford will be my captain. Live fast and die young
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1. Miguel Sanchez
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Live fast? Sure. Live too bloody fast sometimes.
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  1. x.jim.x
    8 months, 15 days ago
    "Yes I've enjoyed the odd doobie, but will you p*ss off and leave me alone! I'm walking to John O'Groats for some..."
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  2. Here's Tom with the We…
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Live fast die old…I don’t live by “the rules”
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Darragh82
8 months, 15 days ago
Wondering what to do with Gabriel, what arsenal defender would you buy as an alternative 5.0 budget?
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1. Atimis
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I would probably punt on Chelsea or Spurs def from next week and skip Arsenal def.
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2. Roshen
  8 months, 15 days ago
  hold or go for some 4.5 guy
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3. Puntillimon
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Why are u shipping? Timber out would mean more likelihood of start for Gab?
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4. Arteta
  8 months, 15 days ago
  You may as well keep him.
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5. LangerznMash
  8 months, 15 days ago
  He will start against Palace
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6. Darragh82
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Thanks, I think it was his benching last week and this transfer rumour that had me a bit concerned. I’ll stick this week and see what happens.
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Malinwa
8 months, 15 days ago
Save FT?

Onana
Chilwell Estu Gabriel
Salah Eze Mbeumo Rash Saka
Haaland Pedro
Bench: Areola Colwill Kabore Mubama
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1. Roshen
  8 months, 15 days ago
  surely
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2. Bavarian
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Easy save
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giroudsgirlfriend
8 months, 15 days ago
Turner
Chilwell-Estu-Gabriel
Saka-Odegaard-Rashford-Eze-Mbeumo
Watkins-Haaland

Bench: Onana, Wissa, Botman, Baldock

Now tell me who I could put to the bench instead of Wissa. Really want to play him, do I dare to bench Odegaard or Eze perhaps
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1. dunas_dog
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Eze albeit reluctantly
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We Go Again
8 months, 15 days ago
Salah for sure. IMO A 12.5M player shouldn't be in your team if you're not gonna captain him for such a fixture. You'd get more points from spreading the funds if you're on perma cap Haaland
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1. Qaiss
  8 months, 15 days ago
  There are people who have Salah considering not captaining?
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focaccia
8 months, 15 days ago
Best mid for under £6?
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1. We Go Again
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I think try and make funds for a 6.5M. The dropoff at 6M and below is steep
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2. Miguel Sanchez
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Enzo or Cole Palmer 5m and try and use the 1m elsewhere
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3. marcos11
  8 months, 15 days ago
  MGW or Johnson
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Froes
8 months, 15 days ago
A) Diaz or B) Mitoma
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1. Kiwivillan
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I'm definitely playing Diaz as traded him in but have to bench 1 from Rashford Bruno Mitoma Pedro Jackson. Thinking one of Brighton maybe Pedro
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Atimis
8 months, 15 days ago
So I don't have Salah and have Jota&Gabriel but really not keen on using a FT. GTG?

Turner
Chilwell/Gabirel/Estu
Rash/Bruno/Saka/Mart/Jota
Haaland(c)/Pedro

Onana/Udogie/Osula/Baldock
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1. Miguel Sanchez
  8 months, 15 days ago
  GTG
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Arteta
8 months, 15 days ago
Balogun is one of Fulham’s key targets to replace Mitrovic if he joins Al-Hilal in the coming weeks. West Ham and AS Monaco are reportedly also in the race to sign him, so we may get a bidding war.
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1. LangerznMash
  8 months, 15 days ago
  This would enable 4-5-1
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  1. Arteta
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Yep. I have a feeling that Fulham will offer the most, and he'll stay in London for now.
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Kiwivillan
8 months, 15 days ago
Traded in Diaz for Liverpool cover. Do I be bold and C instead of Haaland or risk he doesn't start?
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1. The Knights Template
  8 months, 15 days ago
  No, stick with Haaland.
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_Gunner
8 months, 15 days ago
Morning All,

Bruno > Diaz for a FT

Have Rashford but no LIV cover
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1. Arteta
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Was Rashford any better than Fernandes versus Wolves, or why would you rather keep him?
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2. dunas_dog
  8 months, 15 days ago
  No
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Roshen
8 months, 15 days ago
a. Foden, Mings -> Mbeumo, James (-4)
b. Mings -> Pau
c. Mings -> Udogie
d. your option

I have no problems with starting XI even with Mings, but don't wanna take this -0.1 so early
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1. Epic Fail
  8 months, 15 days ago
  How much in the bank?
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  1. Roshen
    8 months, 15 days ago
    0.0m
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2. Tonyawesome69
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Wait next GW and do option A for free with 2FTs.
  
  Seems a waste of transfer to do option B and C and doesn't affect your main 11
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  1. Roshen
    8 months, 15 days ago
    but it won't be possible to do same moves next GW, since Mings will almost surely drop and good players rise
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JBG
8 months, 15 days ago
Which one?

A) Foden to Diaz
B) Foden to Gibbs White
C) Save ft.
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1. The Knights Template
  8 months, 15 days ago
  C
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2. Tonyawesome69
  8 months, 15 days ago
  C
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Steavn8k
8 months, 15 days ago
Worth going Grealish to Diaz or save FT?
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1. Tonyawesome69
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I think I would be tempted to lose Grealish. Don't see him as a great FPL option
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  1. Here's Tom with the We…
    8 months, 15 days ago
    I’d do it
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2. x.jim.x
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Absolutely.
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3. Boz
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I would
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4. Steavn8k
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Great thanks, I'll go for it
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The Knights Template
8 months, 15 days ago
Solanke the clear captain of choice this gw.
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1. Bavarian
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Yes he will score
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Tonyawesome69
8 months, 15 days ago
Looking ahead to GW3 and a defender transfer, who would you transfer out?

A. Estupinan/Saliba and stick with 2*4.0m def on the bench.
B. Baldock/ Kabore and better 1st bench option

2FT 1.0ITB
Pickford
Chilwell Saliba Estupinan
Saka Mbeumo Bruno Rashford Martinelli
Haaland Watkins
(Turner Archer Baldock Kabore)
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1. Here's Tom with the We…
  8 months, 15 days ago
  A Saliba
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Maddamotha
8 months, 15 days ago
No Liverpool players, and they're at home against Bournemouth....SCARY!

Should I do Bruno > Diaz?
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1. dunas_dog
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Hold, having made decision to go with no Liverpool from game 1 stick with that. More value in 2 transfers next week to look at getting in Spurs or Chelsea players
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2. The Knights Template
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Billing?
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artvandelay316
8 months, 15 days ago
Current midfield:
Foden, Bruno, Rashford, Saka, Odegaard

Got a feeling Foden gets rested or a partial bench appearance.

Have Udogie and Botman on bench.

Do I:
A) Foden to Diaz FT
B) play Udogie instead, roll FT
C) play Norman instead, roll FT
D) risk it and play Foden, roll FT

Cheers.
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1. artvandelay316
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Norman is Botman lol
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  1. Here's Tom with the We…
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Do D and reassess next week.
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Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
8 months, 15 days ago
There were 9 games that KDB did not start last season and Haaland did. The quality of opposition was poor (all lower half of table, except Spurs). Haaland did not get any assists during these games (7 of his 8 assists for the season were against top 7 teams, showing how his role/ouptut changes in games against the better teams).

NFO - 3G
Spurs - 1G
Spurs - Blank
Bournemouth - 1G
Palace - 1G
Fulham - 1G
West Ham - 1G
Leeds - Blank
Everton - 1G

Forest aside, he is a 1 goal merchant without KDB. I absolutely cannot fathom how anyone with Salah would opt to still captain Haaland. I don't have Liverpool and I still won't captain Haaland this week. Newcastle are title rivals with a strong defence against a tired City, albeit at home, but with a midfield that looks like a shadow of what it was just 4 months ago. Or at least undergoing a period of serious transition.
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1. Boz
  8 months, 15 days ago
  It'll be a tough game for sure but I still wouldn't bet against him
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2. The Mentaculus
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Yeah I'm really glad I have Salah. Just not all that impressed by the current state of City's midfield especially if Bernardo is out too & I agree Haaland 1G looks most likely outcome. I actually quite fancy Newcastle to get something from the game, maybe 1-1 / 1-2
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Derbz87
8 months, 15 days ago
Bit of a strange presser from Arteta this morning I felt. Mainly this bit about Arsenal always being open in the transfer market both ways. Surely that isn't a sweeping statement that applies to the entire squad? Coupled with the nature of the Raya move, it does leave you questioning Arsenal regards FFP if they somehow missed out on the top 4 this season.
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1. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  They are looking to shift some players out.
  
  If that happens they can afford some new ones in at higher prices, otherwise open to better value buys.
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2. Arteta
  8 months, 15 days ago
  The ins and outs aren't done yet. Arsenal have to sell or loan a lot of players before the deadline. Pepe, Cedric, Tavares, Runarsson, and one of Okonkwo or Hein need to find a new club. Holding, Tierney, Lokonga, and Balogun could potentially all stay, but they are still on the market.
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Boz
8 months, 15 days ago
Short term upside?

Bruno + Rash > Salah + Maddison (-4)?

A) Yay
B) Lol no
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1. Tonyawesome69
  8 months, 15 days ago
  B
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2. Now I'm Panicking
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I'd want that Man U double up for GW3, notwithstanding they are more than capable of doing some damage against Spurs
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Here's Tom with the We…
8 months, 15 days ago
B
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1. Here's Tom with the We…
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Reply fail to Boz
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  1. Boz
    8 months, 15 days ago
    Ta
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Shark Team
8 months, 15 days ago
Between Haaland and Rashford for captaincy
Wish I owned Salah he was going to be captain for sure
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1. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Captain Rashford at Spurs...
  
  It could pay back big?
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Bavarian
8 months, 15 days ago
Salah TC anyone?
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Tonyawesome69
8 months, 15 days ago
GW2 anytime scorer %

Haaland: 52%
Salah: 51%
Watkins: 42%
Darwin: 42%
Jota: 38%
Diaz: 37%
Jackson: 35%
Ferguson: 35%
Gakpo: 34%
Rashford: 34%
Pedro: 33%
Saka: 32%
Havertz: 32%
Nketiah: 32%
Awoniyi: 32%
Diaby: 31%
Alvarez: 31%
Welbeck: 31%
Mbeumo: 30%
Sterling: 29%
Richarlison: 29%
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1. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Cheers
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2. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Awoniyi is a decent option too.
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3. AC/DC AFC
  8 months, 15 days ago
  I'm going to get 1 in and have 6 of the above, including the top 2.
  
  Reasons to feel positive.
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4. LangerznMash
  8 months, 15 days ago
  Sterling 29% LOL
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