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West Ham v Chelsea team news: Palmer injured in warm-up

22 August 2025 1496 comments
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Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) gets underway on Friday, with West Ham United and Chelsea both looking to secure their first wins of the 2025/26 season.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 20:00 BST.

Chelsea make three changes from their clash with Crystal Palace last Sunday.

Malo Gusto and the fit-again Tosin Adarabioyo come in for Reece James and Josh Acheampong at the back.

Further forward, Liam Delap starts alongside Joao Pedro, with Jamie Gittens dropping to the bench.

West Ham boss Graham Potter makes just one alteration from the side that lost 3-0 at Sunderland, as Tomas Soucek is preferred to Guido Rodriguez in midfield.

The main Fantasy interest is in the visitors.

Joao Pedro is in more than half of FPL squads, while Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella‘s ownership is over 20%.

*UPDATE: Cole Palmer is out of tonight’s match due to an injury suffered in the warm-up. Estevao comes in for the Chelsea midfielder.

LINE-UPS

West Ham United XI: Hermansen, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Diouf, Paqueta, Bowen, Fullkrug

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Scarles, Rodriguez, Potts, Irving, Wilson, Marshall

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Delap

Subs: Jorgensen, Slonina, Acheampong, Fofana, Hato, James, Essugo, Santos, Gittens

1,496 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Palmer Diouf > Mbeumo Cucurella for free ... very tempting

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Out of interest what makes you prefer Mbeumo over Cunha?

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      1. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Mbuemo looked like United’s best player v’s Arsenal, but only one game of course…

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          I rewatched the highlights and thought Cunha looked better… neither will have pens with Bruno about. Don’t think there is much in it.

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          1. thegaffer82
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Disagree, but it’s all subjective I suppose (and certainly not having a pop at Cunha!)

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          2. tsm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Rewatch the full game Mbeumo was way better

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            1. thegaffer82
              • 14 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              He was amazing wasn’t he! I was kinda surprised after a lackluster pre season from him

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              1. _Greg
                • 15 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Was not fit all pre season really.

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              2. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                He played 45 mins all preseason

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                1. thegaffer82
                  • 14 Years
                  4 months, 1 hour ago

                  Not true… he started Everton & Fiorentina

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                  1. x.jim.x
                    • 11 Years
                    4 months, 1 hour ago

                    Sorry, he played 100 mins all preseason

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            2. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              I watched the game in full last weekend and recall Mbeumo
              Looking good… shows the danger of making assessments with highlights. Will def keep a close eye on them both vs Fulham

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        2. pjomara
          • 15 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Any ratings sites I've seen have Cunha as having had a much better game than Mbeumo

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    2. FPLamateur
      • 1 Year
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      After Burnley they play City and Chelsea not sure United assets are a must at the moment

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        I brought in Dorgu but easy enough to bench him for the tough games

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  2. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Would you rather have Porro or Neco Williams coming in for Palmer?

    Thanks

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    1. Khalico
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Porro

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    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Porro, attacking returns, set pieces and a chance of being on pens

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  3. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Who would peoples choices be to replace Bowen & Palmer?

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    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Bruno and Joao Pedro

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      1. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Already got Bruno, so need someone else.. Joao Pedro, or Wood, or Ekitike are my options I think

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Diarra and Mayenda (you'll see tomorrow)

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    3. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      - King + Haaland
      - Evanilson + United player + cash

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  4. Steve Stiffler
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Already lost 0.1 on Bowen, is this too jumpy? Thanks

    A) Bowen, Watkins, Palmer > Andersen, Haaland, J Pedro (-4)
    B) Bowen and Palmer > Wood and Kudos (4.3 ITB)
    C) Anything else

    Cheers all

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    1. TanN
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      A

      But what if Watkins plays well

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      1. Steve Stiffler
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        That would be typical yeah, Villa looked very poor last week.

        Could also Bowen and Mitoma > J Pedro and Kudos for free.

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    2. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Like A bit does it have to be now? Palmer might be fit and Watkins might score...

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      1. Steve Stiffler
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Yeah worried about the same now that you say that, what about the above transfers? Bit more safe

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  5. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Thinking of FH for next gawk - which teams and players would you target?

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      I might as well. Playing a chip a week atm.

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      1. Khalico
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Same here - planning to FH gwk 3, BB gwk 4 and TC gwk 5 (Watkins) or gwk 6 (Haaland)

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    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Dorgu, Mbuemo/Cuhna, Porro, Wood, Anderson, Murillo, Haaland, Reindeer would be the core of my FH (but haven’t given it a great deal of thought)

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      1. Khalico
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Is it wise to activate the FH chip later on the week? I forgot but does it wipe the free transfer?

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        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Yes, you will end up with the same team as you finished the previous GW

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          1. Khalico
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Yeah I’m aware that part where the team reverts back to previous gwk.

            Do we lose the free transfer we get each week if we was to FH?

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    3. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      I’m on FH and going something like:

      3x United
      3x Chelsea
      3x Forest
      2x City

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      1. Khalico
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        As Chelsea already played tonight - whom out of the three would you choose?

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        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          I don’t think Chelsea have 3 options that’d make my FH team. Pedro is a must but Cucarella/Palmer/Tosin/Estevao are worth considering but probably wouldn’t make my final XI

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        2. Ask Yourself
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Joao Pedro and Cucurella for sure, maybe palmer if he is fit but otherwise could be Sanchez or Neto

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  6. The Hunt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 1 hour ago

    Sometimes we miss the wood for the trees. Why would we not captain the most owned player (by far) in the game playing against a team who were absolutely walloped the previous weekend by a team who will very probably get relegated.

    Casual & Simple

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    1. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      ** forward **

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    2. AAAFootball
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Ollie Watkins differential xD

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    3. Roshen
      • 3 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Best forward to bring in now, despite Haaland?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Joao Pedro

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Then Wood but Nuno news might change things at Forest

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    4. Saka White Rice
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Im annoyed I didnt listen to my gut and TC Joao

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Did you captain?

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    5. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Foots tapping!

      Palmer & Watkins > Haaland & Ndoye or cheap -4

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    6. Fiona B
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 1 hour ago

      Frimpong, Palmer, Fullkrug - wildcard played. Can't be dealing with these price swings with my weak knees.

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        The right call

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      2. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        What you going for team wise?

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        1. Fiona B
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          A Salah and Haaland draft. Currently with Saka, but he is on thin ice. Not idea as have both Reinders and Andersen.

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    7. Mr Turnip 1
        4 months, 1 hour ago

        Had Palmer on a BB2…….

        *sigh

        FPL is back

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        1. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          at least you've got Pedro.

          right?

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      • AAAFootball
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Want to sell ndaiye, maybe palmer or Diouf as well
          Do I sell before the game or after? Ndaiye projected to fall tonight, but site is rather unreliable

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        • NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
          • 14 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Bowen to Pedro too kneejerky? EO killing me.

          2 FTs so can still fix other problems later

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          1. thegaffer82
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            At this point, I don’t think it’s too knee jerky. Wham are trash and JP is fantastic

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            1. Mr. O'Connell
              • 13 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              He wasn't fantastic against Palace tbf

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              1. thegaffer82
                • 14 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                I wouldn’t read too much into 1 game v’s Palace. They are giant killers and have an awesome DF.
                Outside that (at Brighton, WCC and tonight) he has been fantastic

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          2. FPL_trail_runner
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Nah i wouldnt yet, Will be different with Palmer back , today was all about how bad west ham were

            Plus a lovey week 4 potential benching for Pedro awaits after coming back from Brazil

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          3. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Everyone on here wanted rid of Pedro a week ago lol

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        • TanN
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Any update yet on how serious Palmer injury is

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          1. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Maresca said he felt something and it was just “precautionary to avoid taking any unnecessary risks.”

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            1. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              FPL aside I'm glad the manager and medical team are taking this approach with players. In so many previous seasons players would be forced through it and it ruins them.

              It's the sort of thing that is helping getting Reece back safely.

              Obviously helps we have a stacked squad, but that's also been the case in the past as well.

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              1. Bluetiger1
                • 3 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Agree

                I'm wondering if injured related to lack of preseason
                & tackle against AC Milan

                Great result tonight Hazz - at last a smily face.

                Everyone said last week not a good result - I disagree.

                Crystal Palace starting 11 is good - last season game
                against Man City who were favourites in the FA Cup & won.

                Start of this season against Liverpool in the community shield
                who were favourites & won.

                if we can get a world class keeper we might challenge the top three

                Gialuigi Donnarumma (PSG)
                Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
                Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

                Sanchez is just not good enough for top four we should have kept Petrovic
                or Arrizabalaga both miles better than Sanchez

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        • PartyTime
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Out of the loop. Please what’s the latest on Palmer?

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          1. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Maresca said it was just precautionary

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            1. PartyTime
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Thanks

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        • Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Took Pedro out for Wood!

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          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Well at least Wood has West Ham next too...

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        • Mane Mane Mane
          • 5 Years
          4 months, 1 hour ago

          Who’s the best 5.5m or lower midfield player to get?

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          1. thegaffer82
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Anderson for me. And has West Ham up next (week) as an added bonus

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          2. _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            O'Reily at Brighton is on pens when Welbacks out, him or Anderson maybe

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          3. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Bobb for the flair

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            1. Freshy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Anderson for the solid class

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              1. Flynny
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Stach

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          4. martynteresa
              4 months, 40 mins ago

              Reijnders if youve got the .1 for 5.6
              I'm still thinking Malen is going to have a superb season. Tomorrows line up will decide.

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          5. FPL_trail_runner
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Feeling rather happy with my earlier WC this week

            sitting at 1.9million (thanks Pedro for the 1mil rank drop) with these guys to go. Feel a week ahead of the template with Salah + Haaland already in place.

            Dub
            Cucu Gabriel Ait-Nouri
            Cunha Salah Semenyo Reindeer
            Haaland (C) Thiago JSL

            Would be delighted if Thiago and JSL could get 10-12 points total between them to bridge the Pedro damage.

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            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Please can you remind me real time stats with position

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              1. FPL_trail_runner
                • 5 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Will have minute by minute live coverage through the weekend 😉

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                1. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  4 months, 1 hour ago

                  sorry - what is the site link that gives real time position as saying now 1.9 million

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                  1. FPL_trail_runner
                    • 5 Years
                    4 months, 1 hour ago

                    https://www.livefpl.net/rank

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            2. CereaLKiLLerz
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              My WC team was
              Sanchez
              Richards dorgu RAN
              Semenyo cunha reindjers Salah
              Haaland wood JSL

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              1. FPL_trail_runner
                • 5 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Very similar so.

                You sell Pedro?

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          6. Ribus
            • 12 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Best site for price change predictions?

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            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              https://www.livefpl.net/prices

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              1. Ribus
                • 12 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Thx

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          7. Bluetiger1
            • 3 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Nuno Espirito Santo - Forest called an emergency Board meeting about him as a different
            of direct/style of play between Santo & Arsenal old Sporting Director Edu

            https://talksport.com/football/3495282/nuno-espirito-santo-nottingham-forest-sack-press-conference/

            This sounds bad - Santo to be sacked possible?

            In FPL how would that leave Forest assests?

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            1. thegaffer82
              • 14 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              What the heck?
              He got them into Europe last season!

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              1. FPL_trail_runner
                • 5 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                It makes sense when you hear the background stories from people from Greece who know about the owner ....

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                1. Yes Ndidi
                  • 6 Years
                  4 months, 1 hour ago

                  That little difference of opinion - the Forest PR machine called it 'fake news' - from the Leicester game last season was telling.

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          8. TanN
            • 4 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Thoughts on this slightly rash -8 move?

            Watkins Bowen Bruno Palmer

            ->

            Haaland Wood Kudus Semenyo

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            1. Flynny
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              No

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            2. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Pause until after weekend to decide this many would it not be better to
              play Wild card -remember you have a second chip of this after xmas

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            3. Twisted Saltergater
              • 16 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Stop over managing and let good players earn you points. Only Bowen needs moving on there, to Joao Pedro perhaps.

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            4. _Ninja_
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              I do prefer the 2nd bunch but Bruno home to burnley...Palmer home to Fulham, Watkins home to Palace...it could backfire and for -8!

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          9. Kodap
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Anyone else for a WC?

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            1. Yes Ndidi
              • 6 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Just been, thank you for asking

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          10. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            It’s all because he didn’t want Fabianski, f you Potter very much lol

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            1. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              In fairness Fabianski is 40 years old now.

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          11. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            4 months, 1 hour ago

            Perfect storm for Joao Pedro owners. If Palmer is out for any length of time, then Pedro looks essential at 7.5m.

            But a complete rotation/mins risk when Palmer is available.

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            1. FPL_trail_runner
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              As a non owner i dont think Pedro owners have to worry about much rotation.

              He is viable if Chelsea play this system and him at the 10, much more productive.

              I still think he wont be the future template. Palmer may be back on the menu soon however in this sytem if he plays from the right.

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            2. Sun Jihai
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              Not really the latter imo
              You saw his competition in Delap tonight, wasn't exactly convincing

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              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 16 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Delap will get minutes.

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          12. Tore Andre Flo
              4 months, 1 hour ago

              All you Joao Pedro sellers can eat my dirty old socks! Just like the time you transferred in Hasselbaink for me!

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              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 1 hour ago

                Hey, you once scored 4 goals at White Hart Lane

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                1. Tore Andre Flo
                    4 months, 1 hour ago

                    I triple captained myself that game! Zola could never catch me in fpl after that! Good on ya!

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              2. zakz500
                  4 months, 1 hour ago

                  Does subs work before my subs play their game in that game week, do subs counts after deadline week, since i had palmer i subbed him off cause he did not play?

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                  1. Yes Ndidi
                    • 6 Years
                    4 months, 1 hour ago

                    Sorry, you lost me there. Any players on your bench who have played minutes will replace any players in your starting 11 who didn't play any minutes, once all the games have been played. That's as much as I know

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                    1. zakz500
                        4 months, 19 mins ago

                        when you say replace any players in my starting 11 that have not played any minutes, do you mean they will be active for points for the following game week, so game week 3, therefore points that my subs have gotten for this week will not count for this week, or is it that points for players that have played for this week will count and they will just be in my starting 11 for next week. Sorry this is my first FPL.

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                        1. zakz500
                            4 months, 18 mins ago

                            i meant points for players in my subs that have played for this week

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                    2. Twisted Saltergater
                      • 16 Years
                      4 months, 1 hour ago

                      Paqueta is such a petulant player. Held onto the ball in ridiculous situations because of his ego. Massively talented, yes, but is a liability to the team when things aren’t going well.

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                    3. Sun Jihai
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      4 months, 1 hour ago

                      Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer over the last five days was not 100% and so they decided not to take the risk after his groin did not feel right in the warm-up. Adds: "We will see in the next hours if it is something important or not."

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                    4. Sting
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      4 months, 1 hour ago

                      Wirtz falling tomorrow, Kudus rising tonight.

                      Palmer + Guiu >> Kudus + Pedro or wait?

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                    5. Roshen
                      • 3 Years
                      4 months, 1 hour ago

                      Selling Welbeck.

                      A. Watkins
                      B. JP

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