Dugout Discussion
25 August 2025 1843 comments
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Winner takes Alexander Isak?

The Swede will be watching his potential future employers take on his current ones in the final match of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 2 tonight.

Newcastle United v Liverpool gets underway at St James’ Park at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

While the off-the-field events are very chaotic, the Magpies’ team news is routine.

In fact, Eddie Howe has named an unchanged side from the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa nine days ago.

Anthony Gordon will be leading the line for the hosts again.

New signing Jacob Ramsey is in the squad for the first time, joining fellow summer recruits Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale among the substitutes.

Arne Slot is forced into two alterations this evening.

Jeremie Frimpong misses out with a hamstring injury, while Alexis Mac Allister is attending the birth of his child.

Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch, the latter of whom is back from suspension, come into Slot’s starting XI.

With Frimpong sidelined and Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley only fit enough for substitute duty, the Liverpool boss has confirmed that Dominik Szoboszlai will start at right-back tonight.

New boy Giovanni Leoni takes his place among the substitutes.

LINE-UPS

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Ramsey, Miley.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Jones, Gravenberch, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Bradley, Endo, Chiesa, Leoni, Elliott, Robertson, Ngumoha.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE

New to Fantasy Football Scout this week is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


Dango debut

price change predictions
  1. Tripleh123
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Which transfers for next few gameweeks?

    A. Bruno
    B. Cunha

    1. J. Pedro
    2. Ekitike

    1. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      b2

    2. Real Pathetico
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      A2
      But not sure either A or B. I’d go Mbeumo tbh looks more threatening.
      Ekitike just because of the upcoming fixtures after IB. But I’d look to having both.

    3. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      B2 but maybe Mbeumo

    4. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Cunha jp

  2. Real Pathetico
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Best Ait Nouri replacements as I think he’ll price drop soon? I was thinking Kerkez or VVD for their upcoming fixtures after IB.

    Sels Dub
    AitN* Neco Cucu Esteve Gud
    Salah Palmer* PSarr Reijinders KDH
    Pedro Watkins Gyo

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Just get VVD from those 2 even if you bench him this week.

      1. Real Pathetico
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Cheers

    2. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      LIV fan - don't trust our defense atm. We are quite open at the back.

      I would grab Porro instead. Him or Munoz look lively as always.

  3. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Who to bench

    1. Gyokeres v LIV (A)
    2. Eze v LIV (A)
    3. Reinjders v BHA (A)

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

      Eze might do a cameo

    2. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Who would win in a fight over fish n chips ?
      A/ Seagulls
      B/ Reindeers
      2

      1. The Pretender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Seagulls in every month besides December!

        1. The Night Trunker.
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Back on the Chain Gang.

    3. Sam Jammers
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Eze

    4. jamichael
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      No Liverpool coverage so Palmer to

      1.Salah
      2. Gakpo
      3. others

      Thanks

      1. More Tragic
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        2

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

        2

      3. Sam Jammers
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Sala

      4. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Bottom of last page any replies welcome. Thanks
        I have got this WC team right now with a view to GW 4 BB.
        GW4 BB looks nice with mainly good fixtures I might lose Milenkovic before GW 4 for someone else. I would also play Dub against Liverpool and Wood against Ars for BB but the rest have pretty decent fixtures. I would end up benching Virgil Munoz and Semenyo this week.
        Any suggestions on things you would change? I am also at 0.0 in the bank, so for example Wood to Pedro ain’t a GW 4 option
        And no Salah C in GW 4

        Dub Vicario

        Cucurella VVD Milenkovic Munoz Porro

        Gapko Semenyo Caicedo Kudus Reijnders

        Haaland Wood Ekitike

        1. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Milenkovic should be Tarkowski

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Not a bad call. But would you wait til GW4 and hope for no injuries. Wolves ain’t any great shakes but surely the hammers are worse. I suppose I got to check price changes too and Tark has better combined 2 fixtures. Also I has Sel and Milenkovic post WC so just a bit hard to take both out before hammers game.

            1. More Tragic
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Tarkowski basically starts on 4 points.

              West Ham SURELY have to respond

              1. Albrightondknight
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Change made I like your call. Thanks much

              2. Albrightondknight
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Does the midfield look too weak? I can always start distributing funds after bench boost, but it looks a bit weak.

                1. More Tragic
                  • 10 Years
                  3 months, 11 days ago

                  If Palmer is confirmed out for 4/5 weeks then Caicedo could be sneaky good. Otherwise not so.

                  That's the sacrifice for such a strong D and FWD's

      5. Joyce1998
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Would you do

        Palmer, Guiu>> Wood + Johnson now? or wait closer till gw

        1. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          It's gonna cost you 0.2 extra closer to deadline.

          If you don't mind that, then wait.

      6. FantasyClub
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Quick lads! Which one!?

        A) BJohnson
        B) Ndoye
        C) NEW mid

        1. Ziyech on the Bench
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          A

      7. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        WC - 1.1 ITB any improvements?

        Sels

        Cucurella, pedro porro, munoz

        Cunha, Salah, Gakpo, Kudus

        Wood, Richarlison, JP

        Petrovic, Reijnders, Dorgu, Reinildo

        1. Runnerboy31
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Not sure Richarlison is a long term option

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Who know but I tend to agree with he could be medium term an issue and possibly short term

            1. Ziyech on the Bench
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              With Franks comments its his spot to lose and great fixtures/form. Easy to move if doesn’t work

              1. Albrightondknight
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Fair enough. I just have found him extremely annoying to own whenever I have had him so probably a bit of personal bias here.

      8. Vasshin
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Current team
        Sels
        Milenkovic Munoz Porro
        Rutter Palmer bruno gapko Reijnders
        Haaland Gyokores

        Dubravka Dorgu Esteve Guiu

        Which transfer is better with 2ft
        1. Palmer to Semenyo/Kudus/cunha/mbuemo
        2. Palmer and Rutter to Semenyo/Kudus/cunha/mbuemo
        3. Palmer to Semenyo/Kudus/cunha/mbuemo And Guiu to Joao Pedro

        1. DeSelby
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Seems like you're determined to 86 Palmer. He's a wait and see for me. I'd be more inclined to move Rutter. (I have both as well)

      9. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Price changes 26th August

        Rises:
        Wood 7.7
        João Pedro 7.6
        Richarlison 6.7

        Falls:
        Wirtz 8.4
        Trossard 6.9
        Raúl 6.4
        Doku 6.4
        Minteh 5.9
        Hee Chan 5.9
        Kiwior 5.4
        Mosquera 5.4
        Khusanov 5.4
        Edwards 4.9
        Tsimikas 4.9
        Mainoo 4.9
        Cornet 4.9
        Veltman 4.4
        B.Badiashile 4.4
        Aznou 4.4
        Nyoni 4.4

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Thanks. WC saved me .2 so far

        2. DeSelby
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Tanks.

          I thought Wirtz looked pretty good in the Community Shield. I haven't seen Liverpool's first two games but I keep hearing how terrible he looks. Looks like I'm going to lose a lot of value on him. Got bigger problems so can't dump him yet. Irritating.

          1. Rosey Palmer
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I picked Wirtz too, mostly based on his highlight reel in the Bundesliga. Looks like a brilliant technician and creator. Today against Newcastle I can see why he might not be such an asset in the Premier League...he got bullied off the ball quite often, before he could do anything fancy Newcastle would put a shoulder on him and he became quite ineffective. Not sure if he has the strength or tenacity for the English game. If any other teams so what happened to him today, the rough treatment will continue.

            1. Rosey Palmer
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              *saw

        3. The Night Trunker.
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I'm getting rich.

          1. The Night Trunker.
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Already got Rich.

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

          +2

        5. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Where’s Brosstan? They’re manipulating Watkins’ price!

          1. rainy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            #olliegate

          2. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            In Mark or Ben Crellins team?

        6. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Cheers Rainy!

        7. Sam Jammers
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Wood rising again

          • Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Any chance Wood gets to 7.8 before Pedro gets to 7.7 and this would need to be after GW3 for a GW4 transfer
            Wood at 7.8 is pretty decent I suppose 🙂

          • Mozumbus
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Cheers rainy

          • Timanfaya
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Cheers Rainy.

        8. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Last Man Standing GW2 (1413 teams)

          Safety score = 32
          Top score = 86

          73 teams to be removed, 1340 teams through to GW3.
          Entry opens next week.
          Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

          https://plan.livefpl.net//LMS

          1. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I have survived on a week I really didn't deserve to survive. I need to improve quickly!

          2. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Just scraped in! After a solid start this week was brutal!!

        9. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I haven’t seen CP games. How has Mateta played? Those fixtures in 4 and 5 look good.

          1. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Looked great in 1, flatter this week. Is definitely a good option.

            1. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Thanks will try to watch the highlights and check some stats

        10. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Best option?

          A) Palmer -> Gakpo/Sarr/Cunha
          B) A + Esteve -> Virgil/Munoz
          C) Palmer, Gyokeres & Watkins -> Kudus, Pedro & Haaland (-4)

          Sels
          Milenkovic, Porro, Diouf
          Salah, Palmer, Rogers, Reijnders
          Gyokeres, Watkins, Wood

          Dubravka, Rodon, Esteve, King
          Bank 0.0m, 2FT

          1. KEEEEEZ
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            IMO one of Watkins/Rogers have one more chance but regardless double up doesn't seem the way forward.
            Perhaps Watkins & Palmer to JP, Semenyo/Kudus

        11. DavvaMC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Thinking of bringing in Sarr or Johnson as a Palmer replacement.

          How has Sarr looked for palace?

          1. Bunk Moreland
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Sarr looks great, basically playing striker.

        12. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Did Fullkrug & Palmer > Wood & Kudus for free two minutes before price changes. Any hits needed e.g. Wirtz? I do like Semenyo and Sarr but not loving Semenyo's fixture this week. Keep Wirtz one more week then reassess after the IB?

          Sanchez
          Williams Agbadou Porro
          Salah Wirtz Kudus Reijinders Bruno
          Watkins Wood (c)

          Dubravka Andersen Esteve Guiu

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I would say Bruno Wirtz and Watkins are close to the chopping block but you might as well give them one more week at least and avoid the hit and see what you want to do over the break.

        13. james_lebron
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Why is everyone offloading Palmer?

          Also have 2FT
          If you could bring in any 2 mids apart from Salah, who would they be?

          1. Waynoo
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Uncertainty about his injury I suppose

          2. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Gapko and Semenyo

          3. GunnerStorm
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Semenyo, Gakpo, Eze

          4. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            He won't play next game. Uncertainty about the future after that. Wayyy too much money to have chilling on your bench until you are sure he's fully back

        14. jacob1989
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I am considering playing a 5-2-3 formation next week. Has anyone played that formation?

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            If the dc contribution increase the points a lot for defenders then I can’t see why it would not be viable. But on the flip side midfield is where the big scores come from so 343 has always been favoured. I have liked a 352.
            I just think Salah and maybe one other decent mid seems very weak for the mids, but if you can then get Salah and Haaland maybe it could work.
            I was think along these lines at the start of the season and ran with a 451 or 541 and Haaland and two 4.5 forwards. Already wild carded and have Haaland Ekitike and Wood upfront. I still have a mega expensive back 5 but will go 343 this week . So to answer the question I haven’t got a clue still trying to figure this season out. But maybe this season is different where some cheaper mids work out well - my most expensive mid is Gapko so I kinda agree with where you are going with this.

            1. jacob1989
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Don't want to Play it regularly just for 1 week. My midfield now is saka wirtz rutter p sarr none of whom i want to play. Just want to play Reijnders and sell saka now. Need to fix my gk too. As i have verbruggen and areola

        15. jacob1989
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Will pope remain no 1 in Newcastle? Or will it be ramsdale?

          1. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Seems like Pope is one mistake away from being dropped. Avoid.

        16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Gordon -> Bruno -4?
          Would bench Rogers. Have Cunha

          1. jacob1989
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Not for -4..

          2. FantasyClub
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Nah

        17. Mozumbus
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Got no Spurs, 2 FTs
          Which one to prioritise
          A. VDV
          B. Kudus
          C. Richardson
          D. Spurs not worth, roll
          E. Combo of 2?
          Thanks

          1. jacob1989
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I am looking at brennan johnson actually

            1. Mozumbus
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Thanks a bunch, this is helpful
              I'm flexible

            2. Mozumbus
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Whom shall I ditch for Johnson
              A. Palmer (no Pedro, can get him with the 2nd FT?)
              B. Writz
              C. Rogers
              D. Think something better

        18. klopp it guys
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          How's this looking for a wildcard? Any suggestions

          Sels
          Porro, livermento, Munoz
          Sarr, gakpo, semenyo, anderson
          Ekiteke, Pedro, haaland

          Bench, dubravka, eze, Gabriel, esteve

          1. Sandy Ravage
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Nice

        19. dansmith1985
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Anyone selling both Saka and Palmer? And to who?

          1. A Trout
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I don't want to sell Palmer but if he is injured then Sarr, Johnson, Kudus are the contenders. Hoped for Palmer captain vs Fulham but not looking good.

            • Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Kudus and Cunha - would also consider Semenyo too

          2. Distinctly Average
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Am I the only one still holding my transfers? Lots of talk of wildcards and hits etc but I can't help thinking we haven't had enough info to really hang our hats on a solid bunch of picks yet

            1. jacob1989
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              No need to wc but definitely time to do 1-2 transfers

            2. Veni Vidi Vialli
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Agree. I likely need to move Palmer and Füllkrug but I really don’t see any obvious buys.

            3. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Am on a hit right now and would be tempted to WC if Palmer is ruled out but there is only a handfuls more changes I’d like to make and think you are right we don’t have enough information yet. How the Isak situation settles out will determine whether or not Ekitike becomes a no brainer at his price.

            4. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Team dependent

            5. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              The right time is when your team needs it

          3. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Play one:

            A) KDH (wol)
            B) VDV (BOU) - double up with Porro

          4. jacob1989
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            If money no issue who is best gk to have? Pickford?

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Probably is Pickford given that with Raya you are more likely to want three outfield Arsenal players from GW 7 onwards

            2. Mother Farke
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Everton look like we (yes, I'm fan for my sins) will concede every game. Such a lucky CS v Brighton. Wait until Branthwaite is back.

            3. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Did you watch the highlights?
              If not watch it and you will realise how lucky they even are not to concede 3 let alone a clean sheet

          5. SpaceCadet
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Best saka replacement here?

            a. kudus
            b. johnson
            c. mbeumo
            d. cunha
            e. grealish

            saka palmer semenyo reijnders anderson
            haaland watkins guiu

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              A

            2. Pompel
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I went with B

            3. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I’m on B. More of a goal threat

            4. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Kudus is good vomit he’s more of an assistant with some razzle dazzle

              1. FantasyClub
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Auto correct is crazy lol. Not vomit. But*

                1. SpaceCadet
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 11 days ago

                  Lol I thought I had learnt a new phrase

            5. KunDogan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              D

          6. Old Wulfrunian
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Morning all.Best captain if Palmer is out except Haaland?

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Salah

            2. Sandy Ravage
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Wood

          7. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Grealish makes Tark an even better pick. They will press teams back more and have more possession

            1. mookie
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              He can't get DC if they have possession.

          8. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Current team. 1 FT 0.0 ITB

            Sanchez (Dub)

            Richards VDV Milenkovic (Frimpong* Esteve)

            Palmer* Saka* Gakpo Rogers Reminders

            Haaland Pedro (Guiu)

            A) Use WC

            B) Use Free HIt chip

            C) Take -4 to get rid of two of Palmer/Saka/Frimpong

            1. Khalico
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I’d move Frimpong + Saka to Cucu + Cunha/Mbeumo

            2. KunDogan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              C

          9. tristanabc
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Morning all, thoughts on:
            Palmer, Wirtz, Watkins -> Salah, Barnes, Richarlison (-4)

            Perri
            Murillo Neco Tarkowski
            (Palmer) (Wirtz) Gakpo Xhaka
            (Watkins) Haaland Pedro

            Dubravka VDV KDH Rodon

            1. JT11fc
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Not sure on Barnes personally, prefer Sarr