Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 1 Scout Picks: Four double-ups

14 August 2025 469 comments
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With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2025/26 getting underway tomorrow, it’s time to finalise our Gameweek 1 Scout Picks.

As usual, our Scout Picks selection is influenced by the Scout Squad submissions made by Neale (Editor), Tom (Deputy Editor), Sam (General Manager) and Marc (Staff Writer).

There are certain restrictions for our picks, however:

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

GAMEWEEK 1 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Robert Sanchez (£5.0m) gets the nod in goal after being chosen by two of our Scout Squad pundits. The FIFA Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, are set to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Oliver Glasner’s troops have plenty of firepower, but the Blues enjoyed the third-best home record in the Premier League last season, conceding just 18 goals. The Club World Cup was a clear mark of progression, too, with Paris-Saint Germain among four clubs shut out.

With Marc Guehi (£4.5m) and Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) both linked with moves away from Selhurst Park this week, we’re hoping Palace are sufficiently disrupted to allow Sanchez to bag us a clean sheet as well as save points.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Why Porro was benched, in-form Chelsea, Martin sacked

 

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  1. theshazly
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    I feel I have finally convinced my brain with this draft

    Sels (Dub)
    RAN Porro Diouf ( DeCuyper / Gudmnssn )
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders KDH
    Watkins Gyokeres ( Guiu )

    0 ITB

    Thoughts ?

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Very nice!

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  2. cassanata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    What 2 out of Frimpong, Ait Nouri and Cucurella would you go with?

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    1. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Ait Nouri and Cucurella for me

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Yeah, I'd go with this. Don't love Liverpool's first few for CS potential. But a few weeks later it becomes great. Hopefully by then you'll be able to ship one to the Liverpool defender of your preference?

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    2. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Cucurella and Gabriel

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    3. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Frim-Nouri or Cucupong

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    4. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Cucu easy then choose your poison

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  3. HollywoodXI
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    GTG?

    Sanchez
    Murillo Porro Williams
    Palmer Wirtz Gakpo Bruno Saka
    Watkins Pedro

    Dubravka Guiu Anderson Esteve

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    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      The brave no Sal or Haal lineup. Looks good, a lot of fire power in there. Fancy Diouf and Milenkovic for Murillo and Williams to give you another match to watch?

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  4. VRP
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Who to bench for GW1 out of:

    A. N. Williams v BRE (h)
    B. Diouf v SUN (a)
    C. Van de Ven v BUR (h)
    D. Tarkowski v LEE (a)

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    1. CoracAld2831
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B or D.

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      It should probably be B, because even if Everton concede, Tarkowski is a DefCon monster. But I do have a suspicion Leeds score. Branthwaite injury hurts the CS chances, of course.

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  5. CoracAld2831
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Good to go or does it need more tinkering?

    Sels (Dubravka)
    Cucurella-VVD-De Cuyper (WBK, Esteve)
    Salah-Palmer-Wirtz-I. Sarr-Reijnders
    Watkins-Wood (Mayenda)

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    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      RE: Mayenda - Do you ever plan to start him? That would be only concern on the ££ spent there. I'm also not sure about De Cuyper either yet. Your bench will play so that's good - just reading & listening around it sounds like there's maybe a bit if getting used to things the manager expect of him. Concerned when Hinselwood etc back, may take off mins.

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  6. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Where can I view the captaincy matrix? Members only?

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  7. Lanares
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    I think this is balanced, not sure about RAN - Thoughts?

    Sels (Pope)
    Konsa RAN Aina AWB (Guehi)
    Saka Rogers Palmer Wirtz (Xhaka)
    Watkins Pedro (Wood)

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    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I do think you need one of Salah or Haaland

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      1. Lanares
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Yeah, that has been a concern - Will impact a lot on rest of team, difficulty in balancing expecting points 😉

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  8. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Esteve or Rodon better for the 4.0 DEF spot (or someone else)? have Dubravka as 2nd GK

    as to the DEFs, Burnley kept massive number of clean sheets in Championship last year, but seem to have really tough opening schedule; so what do you think?

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    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I’ve gone Rodon

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I'm on Esteve currently, but more as a sheep. I don't really see many opportunities I'd want Rodon to be playing vs. rest of my squad... so I can't really say who's better for now.

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  9. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Is this team finally G2G

    Verbruggen Sa
    Tarkowski Williams Rodon Andersen Williams
    Salah Palmer Saka Xhaka Carvalho
    Bowen Mateta Evanlison

    No BB GW1
    FH GW4

    Any ideas would be appreciated

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Crazy squad for non bb

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I really don't see the love for Verbruggen or Sels as GKs. Is the rotation at least good?

      Xhaka & Carvalho feel like odd inclusions. There seem to be better options from better teams available.

      2x Williams in defence? Tarkowski is fine (even if I removed him). Anderson I'm not sure on. I feel your rotation needs to be good, which I can't tell.

      Not going to criticise the front line as it's different but completely fine. Just feel your 4th midfielder a bit weak.

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  10. WVA
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Starting with this team and 1.5 ITB for the inevitable early transfers, what do you think?

    Sels
    VdV Konsa Diouf
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders
    Watkins Bowen Pedro
    Dub King Rodon Reinildo

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    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Looks good imo.

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thank you, should be able to move on/off anyone this way.

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Honestly, expected worse with 1.5m ITB. Front 7 is good.

      Only argument about leaving 1.5m free is - where do you actually think you may use it?
      - In FWD, unless it's Pedro > Gyokeres, can see max 1m used
      - In MID, Wirtz > Bruno is only 0.5. Reijnders + 1.5 = 7m, and only Rogers is the option at that price.
      - In DEF, plenty to upgrade, but if you don't need the full 1.5m on bench - why not upgrade a 4.0 > 4.5 / 4.5 > 5.0?

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        So IF everything goes to plan I want to captain Salah in 1, Gyokeres in 2(if he looks good) and Bruno in 3 v Burnley which would require Bowen to Gyokeres then Wirtz to Bruno however I well aware of best laid plans and all that. If that doesn’t work out I am likely to need to upgrade the defence. I don’t play with money on the bench, Rodon and Reinildo both have plenty of good fixtures if they are needed.

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        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Hmm. Honestly, booking in transfer like that seems a risky play. Not because the plan is bad on paper, but one price rise and you're buggered, or taking a hit.

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          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Yep completely understand and they’re not booked in, Bowen and Wirtz could fire for example and will then stay, I’m REALLY doubtful on Salah this season, if he fails v Bournemouth I won’t hesitate to move him to Saka (LEE), he’s not looking good and his last 10 game weeks were awful for 14.5m.

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  11. Alli
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Haaland, Palmer, Wirtz, Gyokeres
    B) Salah, Saka, Pedro, Watkins
    C) Salah, Palmer, Wood, Gyokeres

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  12. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Gakpo & Kudus
    B) Wirtz & Reijnders

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    1. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      have all of Gakpo, Wirtz, and Reijnders in team; don't have Salah

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  13. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Hello folks, time to get serious now!

    Will be back in the comments section a bit more from now on. (Sorry about that...)

    Sanchez
    Milenković Murillo Porro
    Salah (C) Palmer Fernandes Reijnders Anderson
    Watkins Pedro
    Dubravka // Richards Estève Guiu

    Draft hasn't changed massivley this last week except moved Tarkowski out for Porro after the Branthwait injury & some tweaking of defence. Questions I'd appreciate some advice on:

    - Sanchez/Milenković/Anderson OR Sels/Cucurella/KDH?
    - For a 4.5m DEF. Richards or someone else? (Picked him as rotates well...)
    - Esteve vs. Rodon?

    And a final left-field question - I could changed [Pedro/Anderson/Reijnders/Milenković] > [Larsen/Ndiaye/Rutter/Neco] for a potential front 8 of all pens. (Or Thiago & keep Milenković) Like it or no?

    Thanks 🙂

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      It's a good team.

      Prefer Sels/Cucurella/KDH.

      Also Esteve for the Burnley games against Sunderland and Leeds at home.

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks. That combo is one I'll be thinking about 'til the deadline.Probably happy with Estève - even if no idea how their defence will actually be.

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          They looked okay against Lazio who had been playing European qualifiers I think.

          So not a fitness thing.

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    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Good to have people coming back!

      I play to safe for defensive double ups but of the two Sels Cuc KDH, mainly due to how dangerous Cucu looks!
      Konsa was class for me last season and has the fixtures.
      Dub from Burnley defence is enough so Rodon.

      Pedro needed, Reijnders COULD be insane and Milenkovic so dangerous!

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks - the funny thing is the [Sels/Cucurella/KDH] combo scores 6 predicted points fewer than the [Sanchez/Milenković/Anderson] combo, over the first 6 GWs. It's data-backed, which is interesting.

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    3. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I had similar questions and went with.

      Amdersen over Richards, as I might want to bring in Munoz in a few gameweeks.

      Rodon over Esteve as I don't want to double up on Burnely defense.

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  14. jrliester
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A) Dorgu
      B) Diakite

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    • Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      if had 1 out of Sels or a NFO defender, which is best choice? if not Sels at GK, who else to consider?

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      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        I went with Sels only, but considering a double up by downgrading Frimpong

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    • JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I wonder if Villa will keep a CS with Newcastle not playing with a proper CF. Thoughts?

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        They are very good at home, I’m starting Konsa but not expecting a cs

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      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Barnes & Gordon are proven goal-scorers. Their midfield is unchanged & still good. Their defence is unchanged too. On form, expect a Villa win but feel Newcastle are very capable of scoring.

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    • Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Trying something a bit different and going for a stacked midfield.

      Kellerher
      Diouf, De Cuyper, VdV
      Salah(C), Palmer, Saka, Bruno, Reijnders
      Watkins, Fullkrug
      Bench: Dubravka, Andersen, Konsa, Guiu
      0.0 ITB

      My mates tell me I should downgrade Saka to Wirtz and upgrade my defence/second striker.

      What do you think?

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      1. One More Hit
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Does feel like you're stuck playing 4-5-1 / 5-4-1 unless autosubs.

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      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        It's probably good advice to start with.

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      3. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Go Gyokeres over Saka

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        1. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Why?

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          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Better formation, saves him a mil which he can use to upgrade elsewhere, Gyokeres will score more goals and may have pens.

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      4. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Bit light at the back and not sold on Fulkrug

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    • One More Hit
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Should I be spending more money? 1.5 ITB. I'm really struggling for enthusiasm for the start, anyone in the same boat?

      Sanchez - Dubravka

      RAN - Porro - Milenkovic - Andersen

      Salah - Wirtz - RM Sarr

      Gyokeres- Bowen - Pedro

      (Dubravka - Rice - King - Guehi)

      --

      Pedro to Watkins my only real temptation at this point?

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      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Or don’t enter a team if you CBA 😉

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        1. One More Hit
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          I did that one year and left it alone all season, convinced that FPL is a mug's game and tinkering with your team makes it worse.

          That was the year I captained Auba (went on strike) and V/C'd De Bruyne (injured).

          It didn't end well

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    • Efe Ambrose
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A) Saka & AWB
      vs
      B) Bruno & Milenkovic (or any other 5.5 def, feel free to suggest)

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        B.

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        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          B

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    • AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I'm sort of settled on this squad, half a plan for wildcard gw4 after the transfer window closes in the international break.

      What's my biggest mistake here?

      Sels
      Muñoz Milenković Diouf
      Palmer Bruno Wirtz Sarr Reijnders
      Haaland Ekitiké

      Dúbravka. Guiu Dorgu Estève

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      1. One More Hit
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Esteve is a 0.1m price drop waiting to happen.

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        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          This get a low owned 4m

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          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            I'm planning on playing him against Sunderland and Leeds.

            Probably won't transfer him with an early wildcard.

            I'd like to get to the Leeds player, Bogle if I had £4.5m.

            Just think he'll do better than Rodon.

            But he is almost 19% owned as you say.

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    • Meta12345
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Isnt spence more secure to start gw1 than van de ven given udogie’s injury? Frank might protect van de ven given his injury history and the short turnaround between yesterday game and saturday. Looking to bbgw1 so it will be just that game. Wcgw2. What are your thoughts people??

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    • The Frenchie
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Sanchez*
      Pedro Porro* - N. Williams* - De Cuyper
      Salah - Wirtz - Bruno Fernandes - Georgino
      Watkins - Gyokeres - Joao Pedro

      Any suggestions guys ? Not sure of *

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    • OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Which is better ?
      A- Wirtz & Gyogekryes
      B- Saka & João Pedro

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        :/

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      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        A I think

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    • royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Is this team finally G2G

      Verbruggen Sa
      Tarkowski Williams Rodon Andersen Konsa
      Salah Palmer Saka Xhaka Carvalho
      Bowen Mateta Evanlison

      No BB GW1
      FH GW4

      Any ideas would be appreciated

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      1. One More Hit
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Presumably you're planning on rotating your keepers? Otherwise I'd be tempted to go to a 5m and 4m pairing.

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    • Conners
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Anyone have any idea how long Tosin is likely to keep his place?

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    • Zoostation
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Does this work for a big 3…

      Kelleher (Valdimarrson)

      Porro N Williams Tarkowski (Andersen, Esteve)

      Salah Palmer I Sarr Anderson Reijnders

      Haaland Fullkrug (Guiu)

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      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Porro to vdv. Fullkrug to Bowen.

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    • JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1956043072275419464

      "Alexander Isak plans remain clear: no intention to be part of the squad against Aston Villa, same against Liverpool next week.

      Isak keeps rejecting new deal approaches as his clear desire remains to join Liverpool asap. "

      Such a silly boy, him and his agent, doing this after Pool bought a CF for like 85m or whatever it was.

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      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        He'll get his move, just won't be til after GW2

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Yeah

          Likely Newcastle couldn't stomach him rocking up in a red shirt in gw2 at St James' Park.

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    • Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Spence or VdV?

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      1. dabber7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        FWIW I've gone Spence starting with Porro

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    • MarcusAurelius
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Thoughts on this draft - pretty settled on this after a week of tinkering!

      Plan is to BB GW2 if Dubravka is passed fit.
      Also plan to do Wood > Gykores GW2

      2mil itb
      Kelleher
      VDV Murillo Frimpong
      Salah Reijnders Palmer KDH
      Watkins Bowen Wood

      Dubravka Xhaka Dorgu Esteve

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    • Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Wood over J.pedro anyone?

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      1. royals forever
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        I’m going with Mateta as my 7.5 ST of choice

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        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Long term yes. Early fixtures are better for thise two

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