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Zophar’s FPL Gameweek 1 team reveal: Salah + Wirtz but no Bruno

14 August 2025 697 comments
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With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 1 deadline just a day away, our pundits are sharing their teams with us.

Here, eight-time top 10k finisher Zophar talks us through three-way defensive rotation and reasons for overlooking Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m).

Make sure you sign up for the new season to get all the Member-only articles, tools and features to make 2025/26 your best FPL campaign yet!

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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
697 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Dutchy
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Would love to have all these premiums in. Is this too weak elsewhere?

    Verbruggen
    Porro / Neco / Diouf
    Salah / Palmer / Bruno / Wirtz / Reijnders
    Watkins / Strand Larsen

    Dubravka / Andersen / Esteve / Guiu

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    1. JerseyD
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Great team, I’m not on the stand Larsen band wagon though, I actually think wovles will go down this season

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

        I would agree with this.

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

          I’d punt Fullkrug instead

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  2. TanN
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Sels
    Porro Neco O'Brien
    Palmer Saka Wirtz Rutter
    Bowen Watkins Ekitike

    Dubravka Reijnders De Cuyper Diouf

    Please share your thoughts on this final draft (still open to changes).

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

      Decent. I like it. Apart from the obvious...

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

        What's the obvious 😉

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

      The defence looks a bit light for a no Salah team

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      1. TanN
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        for me the 6.0 def dont seem to be worth the extra .5, 1 or 1.5 over the cheaper defenders.

        Liverpool defence is shaky so I wouldn't want VVD or Frimpong and Kerkez is a rotation risk.

        Palace will likely score so Cucurella not a must have for me this week

        I would consider RAN tbf

        Can you talk some sense into me

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        1. Boberella
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Agree with Liv def.
          I’m only considering RAN at 6m, but would try get to Murillo over Williams.
          Porro could be a great pick

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  3. JerseyD
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Anyone else thinking McAtee might be worth a punt?

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  4. bv57
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Do we think Reijnders definitely starts?

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

      He’s in my team with the hope that he does, but no idea with Pep. Someone on here mentioned most of the predicted lineups they’d seen had Cherki starting, but can’t confirm the source.

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  5. Sideways Backwards
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    No Salah no Haaland, who's your captain?

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

      Gapko or Palmer for me

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    2. Yav
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Palmer

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    3. el polako
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Watkins

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    4. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Palmer

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    5. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Palmer

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  6. Yav
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Gakpo + Reijnders?
    B) Mitoma + I Sarr?

    Thanks in advance.

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

      Mitoma + Reijnders and use the spare cash somewhere else?

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      1. Yav
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Happy with the rest of the team. Just these 2 positions.

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        1. Boberella
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Tough one then. Probably A due to fixtures, and hope Gakpo starts most weeks.

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    2. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

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  7. ABCDEFC
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Better combo?
    A) N. Williams and Tielemans
    B) Murillo and Anderson

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    1. Yav
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

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

      B

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  8. Vasshin
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which is better:
    1. Wirtz, Tielemans and 4.5 m defender
    2. Gakpo, Sarr or 6.5 mid and neco williams

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

      2. Would prefer Wirtz over Gakpo but do like Sarr and not sold on Tielemans

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

    Ok, so down to picking one of these for 5th mid at 5m

    A) KDH
    B) PM Sarr
    C) Carvalho

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    1. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

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  10. Ray85
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Who is the better pick, Reijnders (bargain but rotational risk) or Adingra who might be a good differential with a few decent fixtures?

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

      You're already trying to talk us into it..

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Lol what do you reckon?

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    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Reijnders has to worth the punt.

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  11. Tazah
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    FIRST COMMENT OF THE SEASON BY ME AND I JUST WANT TO COME ON HERE AND SAY HOW BAD THE NEW FPL LAYOUT IS...

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    1. Sideways Backwards
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Probably B

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    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A2

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    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Big rotation risk

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    4. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Add the re-design of this site

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      1. Tazah
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        This too, it's like they don't even have eyes

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        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Realise real eyes

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  12. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    I feel like I' may have too much £££ in def?

    I plan on BB GW1. Then Downgrade bench where I can (recoup about 2.5m)

    Sels , Vert
    Cucu, RAN, Porro, Diouf, Konsa
    Bruno, Gapko, Palmer, Writz, Reijnders
    Watkins, JP, Fullkurg

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    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I don’t mind it. One of the better no Salah teams I’ve seen

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  13. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Tweaks? Too weak at the back?

    Kelleher
    Diouf - Van de Ven - Willaims
    Salah - Palmer - Wirtz - Bruno - Reijnders
    Pedro - Watkins

    Dubravka - Dorgu - Esteve - Guiu

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    1. BerryMaze
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Bruno to Cunha
      Williams to Murillo
      Diouf to De Cuyper

      Then our teams are identical.

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      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Is that a good thing?

        Also, not getting rid of Bruno. Think he can get pen points, assist points, goals and Defcon points. Good pick.

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        1. BerryMaze
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I was set on Bruno but with Sesko Man Utd got their striker so Bruno will play more deep in the 3-4-2-1 from Amorim. So you then only rely on pens and defcon. Cunha plays as a forward and has a lot of goal threat.

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  14. BerryMaze
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Changed my draft for the 10000th time. Love pre-season tinkering. Currently on this:

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Murillo VdV De Cuyper (Dorgu Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Cunha Reijnders
    Watkins JP (Guiu)

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    1. theshazly
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Try again

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  15. Coys96
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    1) Sarr & Ekitike
    2) A/B & Mateta

    A) Gordon (on pens + CF)
    B) Gakpo

    Cheers

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

    Which is better as a punt
    A-KDH
    B- Ndiaye

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    1. Coys96
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B.m

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Sarr ?

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        1. Coys96
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Typo. B

          Although I do think Sarr is probably the best sub 7 mil midfielder

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    2. Maresca–Ball
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Ndiaye

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  17. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Hey fam! Thoughts on my plan?

    GW1 BB - I am much more confident of my players starting in GW1 rather than in GW2.

    GW4 WC - In 3 weeks time, we'll get a better idea of how the new changes are affecting the points. We'll also have clearer idea of the team sheets.

    Sanchez Verbruggen
    VDV Konsa Reinildo Gudmundsson Esteve
    Palmer Bruno Wirtz Georginio Reijnders
    Haaland Ekitike JP

    I know three 4.0 defenders is very risky, but all the three promoted teams have good defensive potential and rotate nicely in the first three weeks.

    Given Salah's high ownership and high ceiling, it's too risky to get against him. But I'm trying to "cover" the Liverpool attack with Wirtz & Ekitike for the first 3 weeks. I can get Salah on my WC in GW4.

    What do you think?

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    1. TanN
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      *very risky going for 3x 4.0 def!!

      JP to Fulkrug would allow you to have
      - 1x 5.0 def
      - 1x 4.5 def
      - 1x 4.0 def

      Or even 3x 4.5

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    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Agree with your plan.

      I prefer Salah over Haaland, but I understand the upside of going against that.

      Prefer Sels to Sanchez S set and forget season GK

      Defence looks really light, but ok rotation of one of the 4’s each week.

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  18. ricpenno
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Think I’m on this:

    Sels
    Porro Cucarella Frimpong Gabriel
    Wirtz Enzo Mbeumo Ndiaye
    Watkins Haaland (c)

    Kelleher Reijnders Konsa Guiu

    Thoughts?

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    1. Coys96
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Wouldn’t have Frimpong & Gabriel, pick one and upgrade the midfield. Mbuemo to Palmer is possible

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  19. Maresca–Ball
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Sanchez. Dubravka.
    Ait Nouri. Aina. N Williams. Mykolenko. Hume.
    Salah. Fernandes. Ndiaye. Dewsbury-Hall. King.
    Haaland. Joao Pedro. Guiu.

    What do you think guys?

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    1. TanN
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Literally pointless having Haaland and Salah imho.

      You can only captain one each week :/

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    2. Besaid_Auroch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      For a NF defensive double-up I'd prefer Sels and Nico personally, then downgrade Aina to a 4.5 (tons of good options) to then upgrade KDH. Like it otherwise.

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  20. Besaid_Auroch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    1) Bruno + Strand Larsen
    2) Gakpo + Bowen

    Vote and your reason would be v. helpful as for me this is a coin toss.

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    1. Saka White Rice
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) More secure minutes and less injury prone. Larsen is better value than Bowen also. Dont like Boqens fixtures other than Sunderland and even then its away

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    2. Coys96
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      2

      Don’t like Bruno, didn’t own once last season and he’s a worse option now. Expect wolves to be worse than last season & Strand Larsen will suffer because of it

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    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      2) Both reall strong picks. Bruno's a great pick too, but JSL not so much.

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  21. hogree
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    1. Ait Nouri and VDV
    2. Porro and N Williams

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    1. Besaid_Auroch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      2

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  22. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which combo do you prefer?
    A) Dewsbury Hall+N Williams
    B) Andersen+ 4.5m defender
    C) Reijnders+4.5m defender

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

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  23. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Love this 4mium draft

    Petrovic
    Williams - VdV - Diouf
    Salah - Palmer - Reijnders - KDH
    Haaland - Watkins - Fullkrug

    Dubravka - Dorgu - King - Esteve

    Thoughts? 🙂

    Super tempted to go with this team over my BB idea.

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Daaaaaamn o_o
      I am also on BB idea but this team is awesome

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    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Petrovic plus Perri is great rotation I'm happy to pay 0.5m over Dubravka who will start when who knows. What do you do if King doesn't start?

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    3. Nazz
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I thought you were locked in??

      Or is this just hypothetical

      Still planning a WC gw4?

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  24. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I think I'm set. Looking at BB2 from here:

    Sanchez
    Gabriel RAN Lacroix Collins
    Salah(c) Gakpo Bruno Malen
    Bowen (v) Evanilson

    Dubravka Mateta Reijnders Andersen

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    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Bit different. Nice. Play mateta not Lacroix though

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      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Yeah, maybe. Implaying the DC game though and in theory that means those big 4 defenders week in week out.

        Although Mateta can score against anyone, I think it very unlikely he'll score big against Chelsea, whereas Lacroix is a triple threat - DCs, CSs and potential attacking returns.

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    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Some interesting differential picks there, quite like it.
      Benching a 7.5m pen taking forward seems weird though!

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      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        The logical DC strategy for me

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        1. Boberella
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          It’s certainly a good looking BB for GW2!
          Gotta assume Chelsea score in that GW1 game though. Which would put Lacroix’s ceiling with DC and possible bonus points a max of 5 points?
          Mateta could get 9 with just 1 goal.

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  25. Nutella
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Good to be back, first comment & draft of the season:

    Sánchez
    Konsa, Pedro Porro, Diouf
    Palmer, Wirtz (VC), Marmoush, Rogers
    Haaland (C), Füllkrug, João Pedro

    Verbruggenk, Anderson, Dorgu, Estève

    RMT pls

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    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nice but not sure if Rogers will play ?

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      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        You can easily find out that he trained the other day

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        1. Nutella
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Yup, looking like he's grand

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          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Good news:)

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Good stuff. Nice Marmoush call.

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      1. Nutella
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        ty

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  26. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which combo?

    A Sarr bowen Watkins
    B wirtz pedro mateta
    C wirtz Watkins fullkrug

    Cheers and gl

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A if it's Ismaila Sarr

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Yep.my current draft . Thank you

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    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      C

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  27. Hits Central
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    How about this for a no Haaland / Salah team?

    Sanchez
    RAN - Frimpong - Porro
    Palmer - Bruno - Rogers - Kudos - Wirtz
    Watkins - Pedro

    Dubravka - Strand Larson - Diouf - Guehi

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Looks great but you'll need a very big sofa to hide behind

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  28. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Preferred duo here folks??

    A- Wirtz and Fullkrug
    Or
    B- Rogers and J-Ped

    Cheers everyone!!

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    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A I reckon

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    3. Maresca–Ball
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

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      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Unanimous!! Thankyou chaps!!

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  29. Maresca–Ball
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Most of the people are going for Esteve and not so much for Ekdal. Both of them are nailed-on starters right or am I missing something here?

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    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Hartman is the one to get if any

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  30. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Haven’t really considered Saka and would prefer him over Bruno.
    Especially with the Leeds fixture.

    So which option:

    A) Cucurella - Rutter - Watkins

    B) Andersen (ful) - Saka - Strand Larsen

    Rest of team is:
    Porro - Milenkovic - Diouf - Gudmanson
    Salah - Writz - Palmer - KDH
    Mateta - Guiu

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