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. GGGIULY
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Kelleher
    VDV RAN Rodon
    Reijnders Salah Mbuemo Kudus
    Thiago Gyokeres JP

    Dubravka,Wan-Biss,frimpong, Wirtz

    Was thinking Frimpong to Cuc and then Wirtz to Sarr for a -4

    see how the window ends and then look to use the funds for thiago to ekiteke?

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

    I see a lot holding on to Watkins (I have him as well) but his stats are horrible and Villa haven't created close to anything in the first two games.

    I'm contemplating a hit to do Watkins > Richarlison (regardless of his previous troll status) due to Spurs good fixtures and the momentum they are currently having under the guidance of Frank. But the many WC teams with Watkins baffles me...

    Am I missing something?

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

      Also on Watkins and will hold - Palace will field a first XI on Thursday so he at least gets GW3. Ideally we hold for the fixtures but agreed that stats and Villa looking poor is a concern.

      1. dmohres
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Good point about the Conference League game - forgot about that one

        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Efl not conference league
          Still I think Glasner already notice the fatigue on his team and tend to field a weaker team. Lets see

          1. chocolove
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Err im wrong, its uecl
            The second point still stand tho, about a weaker team

            1. dmohres
              • 2 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Yeah - It will for sure be a good idea to keep an eye on that starting XI Thursday. As always the could be hit be injuries as well 🙂

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Watkins for me is just a placeholder for Gyokeres tbh

    3. Mr.K
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Probably just different mentalities.

      Watkins has scored 15 or more goals in the past three seasons. He's had a poor start but he's had drops in form in the past as well.

      Richarlison was useless last season, and - price-tags aside - has been even more inconsistent than Watkins in the past. But yeah, he's had a good start of the season now.

      Two games is only two games. I think Villa will most likely get better and Spurs will most likely get worse over the course of the season. And it's not like Villa's fixtures are that difficult either.

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Eventho Watkin is better.
        The price gap is big. 2.5 m.
        Better team at the moment, Spurs > Villa

        1. Mr.K
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I'm not sure what you're suggesting, really. I don't think any of what I said disagreed with your points. I'm not even suggesting anyone SHOULD pick Watkins over Rich (or vice versa), I simply attempted to explain why people might prefer Watkins over Rich despite how the first two gws went.

          I mean, I don't think they pick Watkins because he's more expensive and plays for the atm worse team, at least.

          1. chocolove
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Based on your opinion, youre stating that villa/watkins will rise and spur/richa will drop

            Im just saying what im thinking right now, only the fact. The price and the team condition
            Im not predicting the future

            1. Mr.K
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Yeah, ok. And I think this is perhaps another difference in mentality of how people play this game. Some try to predict the future, some play more or less based on current performance.

              I will point out the obvious though and say that regarding this specific question, it doesn't need much of a mentalist to predict that things will change. Villa will definitely not go goalless throughout the season and Spurs will definitely not win all of their games. It's just a matter of when things will change and how drastically.

              Whether it's a good idea to chase the points Rich has scored by getting him in now, for example, or if it's a better idea to own Watkins right away when he hauls is anyone's guess, and kind of requires predicting the future too but in a different way.

              I guess I myself kind of try to do something between the two.

  3. Ødegaarsson
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 11 days ago

    how's this? i'am so bored and created this...

    vicario/dubravka
    livramento/murillo/porro/tarkowski/reinildo
    salah/enzo/kudus/semenyo/reijnders
    gyökeres/ekitike/j.pedro

  4. dshv
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Johnson over Kudus ??

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

    Morning all , this my be deleted by hey ho.

    I wanted to use my case as a cautionery tail and also as a note to myself for future seasons (this season is done) but always learning even after nearly 20 years. I think it will be relevant to many others

    I got 73 week 1, and then went with pen and paper over a number of trends i felt were relevant based on the last 6 months and having watched alot of preseason games and needed to be acted on for a WC week 2 ( Palmer overpriced, Salah wont be worth it due to Gakpo etc, i posted those thoughts here last weekend and then said i was going early for this WC (its linked in my comments)

    This was my team for my initial WC, which got over 76 points in week 2, which i think would have be currently top 10k already

    Petrovic
    Gab Cucu Ait -Nouri
    Cunha Sem Reindeer Gakpo
    Gyokeres (c) Haaland Ekitike

    I messed it up - and changed a few hours before deadline and lost 40 points removing The liverpool guys + Gyokeres (c) for Salah and cheap crap

    what do i learn?

    1. All my best seasons were not spent on here (every top 5k or 10k) i ran myself and occasionly checked in to see the treads but didnt try to argue why these were wrong, I went away last weekend and found the team which i felt was functional on paper based on trends i felt the field was ignoring, i should have left that alone.
    2. Too much fpl info and intake , no more following fpl content here, all my decisions from now ,good or bad should be mine- i got Salah back after seeing the content creators all saying stay patient on Friday and changed - despite having a list of reasons why i didnt want him anymore. p.s. There is no way he will justify that price in this setup in my opinion which I had decided - going against my own idea. (all linked in my previous comments during the week)
    3. I made the final changes without working through WHY - just gut instinct, previous changes were all based on some reason,

    Anyway guys im officially done with Fpl content online after nearly 20 years, going forward im playing my own game and not taking anymore content. One fun upside is my 10 year old is now interested so we will make a team this week together. - i deleted my old team as a permanent reminder of following the above rules for myself or not playing.

    Good luck all.

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

      Not even the first international break yet and we're already getting meltdowns like this, what a season

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Hej

        No meltdown here, just felt was a relevant post that the FPL content market is oversaturated and can lead to my situation. Pretty happy going forward and looking forward to having some fun with the 10 year old playing the game.

        Ps.
        Check back in 6 weeks , id be fairly confident that draft is the template bar Ait-Nouri.

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

          Was only joking mate, I get what you mean. It's why I don't bother with anything other than the comment section here, and even then it's mostly just to talk about football itself.

          So many grifters and snake oil salesmen trying to sell "the magic formula" to a game that revolves heavily around luck, and I can't imagine anything more boring than spending my free time listening to some nerd talk about defensive contributions for half an hour on a podcast.

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I'm confident it will not be. We don't know enough information yet.

          There's a reason I don't wildcard before GW6 for any season unless I absolutely have to because of injuries. It's far too reactionary. I left this comment before GW1: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/08/14/fpl-generals-gameweek-1-team-no-salah-or-haaland-triple-forest-defence?hc_page=3&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_27254915

          It's basically that from week to week we're going to feel very differently about players as their good fixtures run out and others start to improve. Should have added Semenyo to that list of players. Once that Liverpool game is out the way, suddenly the fixtures look good and the perception of him changes.

          1. FPL_trail_runner
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Im very confident on this that there is no way Salah is viable this year with that attacking structure, and im happy I have the pre game comments on this

            Yes for the vast majority we need more data, however maybe its just a small pool of people who have played this game for so long (+ hell i was a qualified as a football coach before which maybe helps or maybe NOT) that there are trends

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Yeah I think you may be right about Salah. But I think it's hubris to believe you see the trends already. Part of FPL is also being able to be humble enough to accept you don't know how things are and that you may have made mistakes.

              Was it wrong to go Watkins to start the season? Not on paper given the fixtures and Villa's track record. But in hindsight, it definitely looks a mistake. Same with Forest defense. Does that mean the trend will hold all season? No not necessarily. Salah is probably going to hit a vein of form this season. He just does and he will be worth it for those few weeks. Does he look worth the money right now? Absolutely not.

              1. FPL_trail_runner
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                I think if you can consistently get low ranks ( which many on here can) its no hubris.

                Look Salah is amazing and if he was 7mil he is everyones team, it doesnt take a genius to see Liverpool have a different attacking structure and he isnt the one and only out ball now. Liverpool almost never went through Darwin / Jota consistently.

                Ive seen the last 6 games and Liverpool are going wide left and centrally more than to Salah. He is dead as an option when you can have Gakpo and Ekitike for cheaper.

                1. Mr.K
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 11 days ago

                  I don't fully agree with what you're suggesting, though I do think it's possible that Salah is priced too high now.

                  You are right that Liverpool attacks have been structured very differently this season, but I agree with Camzy that it's too early to draw solid conclusions from it. There's been a lot of changes in the team and they simply haven't played very well yet. Ekitike and Gakpo have done well, but it's obvious that Wirtz hasn't been the puzzle piece Slot envisions him to be. Gravenberch just returned and he did it in a game where Szoboszlai played a very weird role. And finally, I think it's obvious that Slot will try to get Salah more involved than what he is right now.

                  Now, none of this means that Salah will be worth the money, or even that he will be significantly more involved in the game than he is now, but I DO think it's too early to spot a trend indicating that. There are some signs of it and you're making a guess based on those signs.

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

          Market is oversaturated but can still be ignored.

          1. FPL_trail_runner
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I think you do yourself a disservice by thinking this way.

            You have 13 years on here, can you think of much of any content you couldnt got / concluded on your own? Its all a quick google of teams like the old days and watching some football / add in some stats

            1. GreennRed
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I don't do myself a disservice. I've been watching British football more than 50 years. I know where to get infiltration without looking at 'experts' plagiarising each others cluelessness on football and machine learning. Just because the market

              1. GreennRed
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                ...is oversaturated is not a reason that you can't filter out rubbish information from good and form your own opinions.

    2. Mr.K
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Funnily enough I just had a look at my history and also noticed that by far my best seasons were also before I started following FPL content. I'm not and have never been very good at this game, though, so that's a bit different, but it did make me think that maybe I'll start paying less attention to this.

      It did also make me wonder though how much the size of the player base has changed over the years? Like, how does a top 10k rank 10 years ago compare to a top 100k rank now? Surely there are a lot more players now, or am I wrong?

      I don't mean this as a meltdown-y thing now, I've actually had a fairly ok (but not great) start of the season, at least compared to me and myself only!

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        I can only speak from experience, Ive had top 10k ranks in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s, and the trend is i dont follow any content when this happens

        Hell my last top 10k was 22-23 and i was 7million when the queen died and tried for fun to run my own game and follow / read no content, That was some experience going with a midfiled of Saka Salah Marteinlli Rashford with White and Newcastle defenders that the template thought was crazy.

        But ya i would say content for FPL is now dead in the sense in the old days there was so little even knowing a preseason team was valuable, its gone way beyond now and counter productive

        In the longterm this will be good i messed up this year for future.

        1. Mr.K
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I've had two top 10k spots 10+ years ago and actually was close to top 10k also (I think) the second year I started following FPL content more actively. Since then it's been top 100k at best.

          I think it depends a lot on what you follow, though. I have no plans to stop, but I will definitely take fewer direct recommendations on what you should or should not do. But I don't watch all games so if I want to know how players actually seem to be performing outside of their stats, I'd probably ask here. I also sometimes ask people's opinions on my transfers here, not necessarily because I want them to tell me what to do but rather to see if someone makes a point that I agree but haven't thought of.

          But I'm definitely consciously trying to not go with the group-think trends. Though I am already guilty at jumping on the Reijnders bandwagon this season, but even that was more because of the low price and obvious potential, rather than accepting that he's now "an essential".

          1. FPL_trail_runner
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I think the key factor to top 10k ( besides picking a decent template) which anyone in top 100k is doing, is the captain, you have to pick and chose the real viable options when everyman and their dog is Salah/ Haaland. My 22-23 rank rise was going against Haaland 20% of the time with Son, Vardy, Trippier, Wilson.

            I was very heavy on Gyokeres (c) this week until the above silly moves, so basically if you want top 10k you have to be ready to captain against the crowd in SOME weeks. Maybes that why im able to get the higher ranks.

            I think Haaland this week is actually a great triple captain option for the first half of the season.

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

      Im curious, what fpl content online existed on 2005?

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Pretty much nothing, it was checking basic news reports for team sheets of preseason games , i also played a fantasy CL game in 2002 which was mail in to a paper. Everything was basic.
        Thats how i first came across FFS a few years later by googling.

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

      Good post- always go with your own analysis. Content creators are 99% echo chamber sheep and you got dragged into it.

      Personally I still think Salah is the best option for perma cap and I believe slot will find a way to get his most important player more involved than he was yesterday

    5. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      I think FFS is a bit like why the toast always lands butter-side down.

      In that case, it doesn't. It lands the other side down 50% of the time. You just don't remember because it doesn't impact you. Most eat the toast anyway.

      In the last few seasons I feel like I've made more 20+ point bad decisions than ever before. Selling Palmer before his hattrick of assists. Benching

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Whoops..

        ...Benching scorers every week. But the reality is I still consistently finish in top if most of my leagues, and on balance, probably win more than I lose through sharing notes on here.

  6. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Only a subtle brag, because why play the game if not!

    80,000 overall. I usually start well, but so do most people. Thrilled. Can only go downhill!

    Feel like a lot of the engaged community have struggled given the likes of Bruno, Rogers, Salah, Watkins etc. Only a matter of time before the best popular picks hit the ground running.

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

      Vcq49y quickly!

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

    Hi all, currently 1st in my league, want to keep it 🙂

    sanchez
    dorgu - neco - porro
    palmer - wirtz - bfernandes - reijnders - kudus
    ekitike - joao pedro

    dubravka - gyo - bissaka - senesi
    (2M at the bank)

    any ideas for palmer if is really out for 3/4 weeks:
    A - switch for other mid (who?)
    B - switch bissaka and play in 4-4-2 instead

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Playing a West Ham defender is unlikely to be the answer to any question

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

        sorry, wasn't clear...switch bissaka for other def and play it

        1. The Mentaculus
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          I wouldn't mind just playing Gyökeres actually. Pool defence clearly a work in progress & this game might suit him if they can get him 1 on 1 v Konate

  8. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Who are you (c) between Bruno, Palmer and JPedro (if all fit)?

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

      jpedro

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        I was set on Bruno before the last GW but now 50/50 with Chelsea boys

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Bruno.

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        At least the base points is 4/5. Playing it safe
        Whos know jp going for red card like Gordon yesterday. He has it in the past.

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 11 days ago

            tbf so has bruno lol

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Brunooo

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

        jp

    3. balint84
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Sell Salah and get Haaland?

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

        No

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

        yes

      3. AAAFootball
          3 months, 11 days ago

          yes if you have no other problems

      4. balint84
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Gyökeres or Watkins?

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Neither. I don't think either forward is notably better even Ekitike I'm not sure on. Just hold the one you have imo.

        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Gyokeres.

        3. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Watkins for the next 4

        4. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Gyo

      5. balint84
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Wc:
        Sels-Dubravka
        Saliba-Livra-vDV-Mitchell-Dorgu
        Salah-Gakpo-Kudus-Mbeumo-Reijnders
        Watkins-J.Pedro-Mateta

        How about that?

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Surely i would change some of that. Although i can see no specifically bad players, i feel that eki and haaland are musts

          • GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Looks solid. If you took out 1 mid fir a 4.5m mid would you upgrade anywhere else?

        2. AAAFootball
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Do i go watkins to ekitike to catch the rise, or do i wait one more game and sell rogers/palmer/diouf

            Or i could randomly go gyokeres haha

            1. One Man
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Yeah, Ekitike pal. If Palmer is out, I’d definitely sell as well, Semenyo looks good.

          • Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Is ndoye at forest nailed?

            1. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Currently yes, he’s walked into team & smashing it.

              1. Stranger Mings
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Thanks yeh could b great option

          • Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Getting both Kudos & Johnson overkill?

            1. Mr.K
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              I'd say so but I guess it depends on who else you'd get instead. Could work too, especially short term.

              1. Stranger Mings
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Thanks probably going kudus & semenyo now

          • One Man
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Anybody else thinking of bringing in Salah next GW ?

            It will take 3 transfers and a -4. But that’s the plan.

            1. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              After watching Villa wk1 I got in Haaland to go with Salah.

              Villa are currently 17th & look shocking

              1. One Man
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 11 days ago

                Probable turn out a good move. To be fair Watkins seems to always start slow.

                I like having Salah as it allows you to jump on Saka etc very easily later on.

          • OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            Sels (Dúbravka)
            Porro Cucurella Munoz VDV (Diouf)
            Salah Wirtz Reijnders ( Rutter KDH)
            Pedro Watkins Gyökeres
            GTG ?
            Play KDH or VDV ?

          • JayJay96
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 10 days ago

            Please rate my free hit team, I cannot decide on keeper and don’t want forest double defence.

            Pope
            Pedro Porro - Milenkovic - Munoz
            Mbuemo Bruno F Gibbs White - Elanga
            Haaland Watkins Wood/Richarlison (can’t decide)

            Any suggestions would be appreciated

          • have you seen cyan
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 10 days ago

            I really hate getting goal notifications for boring completions I don’t care about

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

            Well let's see if Dorgu and Cunha start to link up more decisively

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

              Sesko too