Captain Sensible
15 August 2025 736 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Once again, as we begin a new Fantasy Premier League season, the question for FPL managers is whether or not to back Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) as captain in Gameweek 1.

The Egyptian faces Bournemouth at Anfield on the opening night, while the most-selected player in the game, Cole Palmer (£10.5m), hosts Community Shield victors Crystal Palace. There are other potentially tempting assets with decent fixtures, too

To do this, we assess the on-site captain poll, the player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT)  ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 1 captain best

It will come as little surprise that a certain Mohamed Salah tops the captaincy poll. What is perhaps surprising is that his lead is a whopping 1,500 votes, or 44%. At the time of writing, 55% of voters intend to captain last season’s top Fantasy points-scorer.

Salah’s Gameweek 1 record in a Liverpool shirt is nothing short of incredible. He has never blanked on the opening day. In eight appearances, Salah has notched 99 points, including six double-figure hauls.

Despite Manchester City’s truncated pre-season, Erling Haaland (£14.0m) sits in second place in the standings with just over 11% of the vote. The Golden Boot favourite is away at Wolves, a team many pundits are tipping to be involved in a relegation battle.

Florian Wirtz (£8.5m), Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are all backed by more than 5% of responders, with all three players impressing in pre-season. Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m) are the only other players to pick up more than 2% backing among Fantasy Football Scout users. 

Player Stats (2024/25)

 

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

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FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

736 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. jon.terry.tfh
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Sanchez
    Van der van, milikovic, diouf
    Salah palmer gakpo ndiaye
    Bowen pedro watkins
    Sub: 4.0gk, Cuyper, 4.5mf, 4.0 def

    Thoughts? Reijnder is an interesting bargain mf pick but i dont want the rotation headache so early on. Can downgrade bowen to guiu and upgrade 4.5mf to any mf bargain that show up. Gakpo can be upgraded to witz or bruno later on.

    1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I have Reijnder, but am benching week 1. I also like to live a little.

    2. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nice team, GTG.

    3. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I like the 5.5's and 5.0's more than Ndiaye now that Grealish has signed. I think Ndiaye is nailed, but with Grealish and KDH, he's way less talismanic and his xMins wouldve dropped by around 10 per game.

  2. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I read a few times on here that I. Sarr might be a rotation risk due to...European qualifying of some sort? Is this more fear or a possibility?

    Currently have him, but on the fence with Kudus.

    Cheers.

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Both are nailed, IMO.

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

        Thought Spurs want Eze for #10

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

          Oh Palace Sarr. Never mind

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

      Sarr is nailed, just Palace have midweeks between gw's 1-2, and 2-3. I think a lot of people are hoping to wait and see on Palace for the first 3 weeks with a view to grabbing them for the Sunderland game. Nothing wrong with starting with one though, imo.

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Cheers

  3. DennisTheMenace
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Gabriel VVD RAN Neco Richards
    Salah Bruno Wirtz Reijnders King
    Watkins Bowen Guiu

    1. Moon Dog
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Nice 442. Solid picks.

        I'd be uncomfortable without Palmer though. And personally I'd prefer more defcon players. Tarkowski for example would have gotten 44pts from them last season, that the equivalent of over 14 assists.

        1. DennisTheMenace
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I understand your point but i think this year people are too obsessed with defcon over having players from good teams who can actually keep clean sheets. An example of this is people picking andersen from fulham, when they only kept 4 clean sheets last season (the lowest for teams that stayed up). I think 3/4 of my defenders are decent for defcon nonetheless.

      • The Iceman
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A little too much in defence so early in the season IMO, but a nice team nonetheless.

        1. DennisTheMenace
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I get your point just not a big fan of mid priced forwards and midfielders so decided to spend in defence. Only players i maybe would've liked to have are rogers and palmer. However i prefer bruno + wirtz for now. Could easily change

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Anderson or Reijnders?

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        if you're boring, Anderson, if you want to live a little, Reijnders.

      2. The Iceman
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Reijnders.

    3. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A.
      Sels
      Cucu porro diouf
      Saka palmer gakpo rutter pmsarr
      Watkins haaland(c)

      B.
      Sels
      Diouf cucu porro
      Saka palmer wirtz mitoma
      Gyokeres bowen watkins(c)

      A or B??

      1. The Iceman
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

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

        A, I dont like ARS or WHU fixtures past gw2. Feel like having double ARS attack is too much, and Haaland is a C option each week.

    4. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Sels (Dubravka)
      Tarkowski N Williams Diouf (Rodon Esteve)
      Salah Palmer Rogers P. Sarr KDH
      Haaland J. Pedro (Guiu)

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

        Looks and feels like a threemium. I think its fine for what you are trying to achieve, not a fan of the actual structure myself but I understand there are sacrifices to be made to have both Haaland and Salah.

        1. Runnerboy31
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Im shocked threemium isn’t more popular. I feel the value in being able to reach any player in the game in one move is being significantly overlooked.

          I’m very open to selling any one of the three early on if needed but with the window still open and so much change this summer, all of us are going to have quite different squads by Gw5/6 so why not start with maximum flexibility?

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Watkins is too good. I was so set on threemium until a few days ago. Haaland is great, but is he really going to outscore Watkins enough to justify it? I don't think so.

            1. Runnerboy31
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              That’s sort of my entire point. I agree Watkins is great - and I’d say feels the biggest sacrifice to me atm.

              But if Haaland does look like he’s worth it it’s going to be much harder to bring him in than it is for me to get rid of he’s not.

              So rather than (educated) guess now I’d rather opt for max flexibility to be able to adjust to events.

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 6 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                I get your logic, it was the same I had, and maybe its the right call. But I just can't ignore Watkins form. Haaland is not owned enough to cause major damage, or he isn't owned enough by the right people to cause major damage. If Haaland goes on a run, which he probably will, the vast majority of us will be in the same boat.

                Without Haaland, I have made 3 upgrades, obviously not Watkins in that. But its basically the difference between having players like Stand or Bowen or Pedro. Wolves have been garbage too and I think they are probably relegation candidates, its put me off Strand. Welbeck a no go also.

                1. Runnerboy31
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  That’s the thing I’m just not sold on how I’d spend the extra cash.

                  Haaland would absolutely be Watkins if I went without but I couldn’t convince myself of a way to spend that £5m extra in a way that felt efficient and worthy of locking myself out of Haaland.

                  I’d say there’s a very reasonable chance that by GW3-5 Haaland IS Watkins for me once the alternatives present themselves.

                  I’d just much rather be doing the transfers that way round.

                  Had Solanke been fit pre season or we knew exactly how Wirtz fits in (from a goal involvement view) etc I’d been more open to no Haaland

                  1. have you seen cyan
                    • 6 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    I basically upgraded a 6 mil mid to Bruno. Switched from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3, and got in Bowen and Pedro.

                    Rogers played a part in this, I'm not risking him unless I know he is fit to start. If he is fit, I probably ditch Pedro and move back to 3-5-2 with an extra 0.5 to spend, which would probably be upgrading Tosin to Aina.

                    I considered Saka instead of Bruno, but forces me back to a 3-5-2 and I don't like the mids at the 6.0 / 6.5 price. Already got Minteh, and don't want Kudus.

                    1. have you seen cyan
                      • 6 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Probably should have said my team:

                      Sels - Dubravka
                      Tosin - Dorgu - Esteve - De Cuyper - Diouf
                      Salah - Palmer - Minteh - Bruno
                      Watkins - Pedro - Bowen

                    2. Runnerboy31
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Yeah so I think you mention most of the key players that are relevant:

                      1. Bruno - probably playing deep and has some set piece competition now and assisting an all new front line, with Arsenal GW1.

                      2. Saka - possibly off pens and a pretty rubbish fixture list.

                      3. Wirtz - would love to have (LFC fans) but want to see that he’s not the David Silva assister to the assist before I get him. Also not perfect first few. And on FHGW4 anyway.

                      Bowen - Fixtures not perfect and will Fulkrug take some of the returns away.

                      Just none of them blow me away yet.

                      Could absolutely see me doing Haaland + Sarr to Watkins + Wirtz with money to spare down the line when fixtures swing slightly

                      1. have you seen cyan
                        • 6 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Yea, its personal preference.

                        I like Bowen. I think he is wasted as a forward, but I'll go with him for now.

                        I don't like new players to the league in general. I have De Cuyper and Esteve, but well, everyone has them. Wirtz just is not my kind of player.

                        I also love Saka, he is maybe my favourite player in the PL, and I'm a Spurs fan.

                        Anyway, gl with what you decide.

                        1. Runnerboy31
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 4 Years
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          GL as well

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

            I respect it completely, I just feel like you can turn Haaland and Sarr into say Watkins and Bruno/Wirtz and still have the same quality captaincy rotation. I think it depends on how likely you are to WC early, or roll transfers. If you don't roll your transfers, and you dont want to WC, then threemium is lovely.

            I like to try roll my first 3 transfers, meaning that by gw4 I can pick up any fixture swings and I have the flexibility to make 3 transfers in one week which eliminates the need for a threemium. Also remember that if you do sell Haaland/Salah, say down to Saka or Watkins, you are going to want to spend that extra 4.5-5.0 asap, costing more transfers anyway.

            1. Runnerboy31
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              I’m planning to roll also and not early WC. I’ve built this team with WC7/8 and FH4 in mind and hoping not to use many FTs.

              But plans don’t always work out. And to counter your point about the extra 4-5m (which I don’t HAVE to spend immediately. Let’s say someone decides they need to get Haaland in. Without selling Salah it is realistically 3 transfers.

              So I’d actually argue the multiple transfer risk argument works in favour of a threemium not against.

      2. The Iceman
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Lose one of Haaland or Salah and the team would look much better IMO.

        1. Runnerboy31
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          So reply above

    5. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Final spots to fill lads - which is better please?

      A) Richards, VDV, Rutter
      B) Estève, Porro, Reijnders

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

        B, assuming Esteve is your only 4.0 Def.

    6. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Sels or Sanchez? Already have Williams

      1. The Iceman
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Sels.

      2. Moon Dog
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Sels out of those 2. I'm a sucker for save points.

      3. Kane Train
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Thoughts on this team?

        Sanchez
        VdV, Milenkovic, Wan-Bissaka
        Salah, Palmer, Rogers, Kudus
        Bowen, Pedro, Watkins

        Bench: Dubruvka, Konsa, KDH, Esteve

        1. Moon Dog
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Solid picks.

            But a little light at the back, VdV, AWB and Konsa aren't strong for defcons or clean sheets. Also it's a little cumbersome to move to a Bruno, Wirtz, Mbeumo, Cunha if they pop off. I'd want at least 3 premiums in midfield.

        2. Letsgo!
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Sels
          Diouf neco porro
          Salah(c)saka palmer rutter reijnders
          Watkins pedro

          Subs dub konsa guiu hoever
          Is this draft with salah looks okay?

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

            I like it.

        3. Moon Dog
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Ooh just saw Brentford have signed Dango Ouattara. Terrific replacement for Mbeumo. Dango's unchained!

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

              He averaged 0.49 attack returns per 90 mins last season, which would equate to around 18-19 goal contributions over a full season. This was actually an underperformances as his xG=A/90 was 0.62 which would be about 23-24 goal contributions over a full season.
              Average CBITR per 90 was 10.02 so he could get DefCon points occasionally.
              I wouldn't be surprised if Outtara scored 180-190 points in total.

              1. Moon Dog
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  I like the way you think. Why do you think I was so excited by the move 😉

                  Once he's settled in, 6.0m looks very nice. Might have to amend my plans so I'm more flexible to him.

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

              think this is it for me:

              Sanchez (Dubravka)
              Murillo, Williams, Van de Ven (Lacroix, Rodon)
              Salah, Palmer, Saka, Ndiaye, Anderson
              Watkins, JSL (Guiu)

              would love to do Ndiaye -> Gakpo but can't find a downgrade I like.

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

                I like it. Lacroix on the bench feels like a little bit of a waste but he is playing Chelsea so I get it.

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

                  for sure, plan is to play him more than VdV, just a fixture thing for GW1 only

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

                    GTG in that case!

            3. Bleh
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              Thoughts on this team?

              Sanchez
              Cucu, Murillo, Milenkovic, Munoz
              Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, Reijnders
              Watkins, Mateta

              (Dubravka, Guiu, Rodon, King)

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

                probably as good of a 4-4-2 draft as you can make. obvious risk with Reijnders given the light bench but i'm guessing you know that well!

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

                  Yep would probably need to downgrade one of the NFO boys to a 4.5 and upgrade Reijnders to a Sarr/Mitoma if need be!

            4. RICICLE
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              Hi guys! Hope everyone is well and buzzing for tomorrow!

              Didn’t think I’d make this many changes to my team but right now I’m at:

              Sanchez
              Munoz - Milenkovic - Porro
              Tielemans - Wirtz - Palmer - Salah - Anderson
              Solanke - Watkins
              ______________________________________
              Dubravka: Diouf: Esteve: Marc Guiu

              A little deflated losing Bruno but Wirtz could become him?

              I’m happy with it. Thoughts overall gents?

              Many thanks 🙂

            5. Letsgo!
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              No love for damsgaard?

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 6 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Not a bad pick by any means.

            6. Pep Roulette
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              Does PM Sarr start GW1?

              1. Moon Dog
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Yeah, not enough time for Eze to arrive shirley.

              2. Letsgo!
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Are ppl starting with salah or haaland and why?

                1. Moon Dog
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Salah. Because he scored 344 points last season.

                2. have you seen cyan
                  • 6 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Has there been any news on Rogers? I'd prefer him over Pedro..

                  1. Moon Dog
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Spotted in training!
                      https://x.com/FPLVillan/status/1955661709894668795

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

                    Pick one? other player is fodder

                    Ekitike
                    Wirtz
                    Bruno

                    1. Moon Dog
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Bruno

                        What do you mean by 'other player is fodder'?

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

                          Bench player

                          1. Moon Dog
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              So because I pick Bruno, so Ekitike and Wirtz go to the bench?

                              Sorry my adhd is going 200mph right now.

                              Presumably there's an unmentioned player going to the bench, but that would be irrelevant to the question, so it must Ekitike and Wirtz, but that makes no sense (loop continues infinitely)

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

                                Well they are different positions and different prices

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

                                Ie Wirtz (Guiu bench)

                                1. Moon Dog
                                    3 months, 22 days ago

                                    Oh I see. Yeah definitely Bruno then. We're in a really weird situation where a 4.5m forward actually has more chance of minutes than the 4.5m midfielders. Might be a first...

                                    Guiu apparently has a clause in his loan deal that assures minutes.

                        2. Moon Dog
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Fulham weighing up a move for Rasmus Hojlund 😯
                            https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/1956034923250217205

                          • gfcc20
                            • 2 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Which one?
                            A) Sels + De Cuypher + Diouf
                            B) Verbruggen + Porro + Rodon

                            Other defenders are Milenkovic Andersen Esteve

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

                              A

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

                              A

                          • hazza44
                            • 13 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            A) Rejinders or B) Anderson
                            &
                            1) Sels or 2) Sanchez

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

                              I’ve gone A2.

                            2. the dom 1
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              A1

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

                              A1

                          • Bleh
                            • 8 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            How nailed is Fullkrug?

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

                              Wish I knew the answer to this too mate!

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

                                Thinking to start with him, milk the early home fixtures and then shift if/when Calum Wilson comes in. Risky of course!

                            2. b91jh
                              • 8 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Based on his pre-season performance I would say he is nailed at least until the second intl break.

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

                                Cheers, might be good enough for me as I’ll probably WC around then.

                          • Little Frank
                            • 14 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Which GK/FWD combo out of:
                            a. Sanchez and Strand Larsen; or
                            b. Verbruggen and Evanilson

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

                              B

                          • Freshy
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 15 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Who ya like butter

                            A - Gyökeres + 6.5 mid
                            or
                            B - BrunoF + 6.5 striker

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

                              A

                              1. Freshy
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 15 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Thats who Im on and have been on for a while.
                                I need to step away from my computer for the night

                          • Clintymints
                            • 16 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            First post of the new season hiyo

                            Best 4.5 mid?

                            1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 15 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              N/A

                              1. Clintymints
                                • 16 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Dewsbury hall it is!

                          • bso
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Where can I see players Def Con points for last year? Nico Williams any good for these? Don't have the extra for Murillo unfortunately.
                            Thanks!

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

                              He is yes

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

                                Thanks DD!

                          • OptimusBlack
                            • 12 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Which Darft is better ?
                            1- BB Plan not sure when to WC
                            Sanchez
                            Van de ven Porro Firmporg
                            Salah © Wirtz Reijnders Rutter
                            Watkins Fülkurg Gyökeryes
                            BB : Verbruggen Diuof Neco Ndiaye

                            2- Staple Team
                            Perri ( Petrovic) Rotate with them
                            Van De ven Porro Neco ( Diuof Konsa)
                            Salah Wirtz Reijnders KDH ( Miley)
                            Watkins Haaland Fülkurg

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

                              Ndiaye or Kudus in first one

                              1. RICICLE
                                • 3 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                1

                          • b91jh
                            • 8 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Dorgu or Diouf?

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

                              Diouf

                          • Crazy RedDevil
                            • 13 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Milenkovic or Murilo? Please suggest

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

                              Murillo Def Con beast