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23 September 2025 431 comments
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Hugo Ekitike (£8.7m) will be banned in Gameweek 6 after being sent off for two bookable offences in the EFL Cup tie against Southampton on Tuesday.

Punishments for individual yellow cards are competition-specific, as we discuss in our weekly Suspension Tightrope article.

But suspensions for dismissals in cup games cover all competitive domestic matches.

So, Ekitike is handed a one-match ban and must sit out this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace.

The next big question: will Alexander Isak (£10.5m) start at Selhurst Park?

The Swedish striker had been building his fitness up gradually for the Reds after a disrupted pre-season. Indeed, he’s yet to start in the Premier League since his big-money move.

After getting nearly an hour against Atletico Madrid a week ago, he lasted only the first 45 minutes of the win over the Saints.

Arne Slot will hopefully tell us more about Isak’s fitness in his post-match presser. We’ll relay any notable quotes in our EFL Cup Scout Notes.

If Isak isn’t ready for starting duty, we could see Cody Gakpo (£7.7m) or Florian Wirtz (£8.3m) – who featured as a false nine in pre-season – through the middle on Saturday.


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  1. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 12 days ago

    Most stupid red card ever, celebrating a tap in!

    Now, I suppose I’ll have to keep Wirtz for another week. 🙁

  2. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 12 days ago

    Flippin eck Neale, that was quick 😀

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      That's what she said.

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      Ha, I happened to be on a train and had time to bash one out quick!

      Then, after that, straight onto this article.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Too much information Neale 😀

  3. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 12 days ago

    Hot off the press!

    Quite interesting for a league cup round.

    More tomorrow?

    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        2 months, 12 days ago

        We starting Isak this weekend now?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          I am

          I guess

          Or Richie home to Wolves?

          1. AAAFootball
              2 months, 12 days ago

              Both?

      • FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Gotta love a late night emergency article.

        Mark pumped out a few classics in years gone by.

      • Moxon
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Haaland, Isak, Pedro

        That's some frontline on a WC!

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Same here Haaland Isidor Pedro 😛

        2. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Haaland and Pedro injury doubts and Isak not fit. Amazing!

        3. Winging it
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          That's my current frontline on wildcard.

      • Meta12345
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Play:
        A) mitoma away to chelsea
        B) strand larsen away to tottenham

        First to 3 wins it

        1. AAAFootball
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Jsl

        2. Deulofail
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          What do with my 2FTs & £7.4m ITB?

          1. Ekitike > Isak?

          2. Buy Saka? For whom? (could be any mid)

          Petrovic
          Gabriel Cucurella Porro
          Semenyo Xavi Grealish Reijnders
          Ekitike Pedro Mateta

          Dubravka | Senesi, Paqueta, Munoz

          1. _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Ekitike to Haaland seems pretty obvious move

            1. AAAFootball
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Eki to Harland might be the most obvious move

              • Deulofail
                • 9 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Would mean I can't get any of Saka, Isak or Gyokeres. Whereas without Haaland, I can get all three with 3FTs if I want. Think I'll go without Haaland and Salah for the time being

                1. AAAFootball
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    I get what your saying but except maybe 0etrovix, that team plus haaland is exactly what i would get on wc.

              • Warby84
                • 10 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Can you not work it out yourself??

                1. Deulofail
                  • 9 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  I don’t have a calculator

            2. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              Richarlison (WOL lee AVL), no takers?

              1. AAAFootball
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  If i had another ft, maybe. As it is eki on the bench, but funnily enough was likely benching him anyway over a huge headache between him and reindeer

                • JBG
                  • 7 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  Think Solanke or Muani is back in training, so couldn't be a rotation risk.

                • tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  Just a bit concerned about Solanke being back or Muani as an option and Spurs playing champions league on Tuesday.

                  But yes, considering him, need an Ekitikie replacement. Not many other options.

                • DavvaMC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  On WC would you have Richarlison over Pedro?

                  Been on Pedro but debating on Richarlosn.

              2. corderz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Haaland in for:

                A) Bowen
                B) Watkins

                Reijenders in for:

                1) Wirtz
                2) Gakpo

                1. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  B1

              3. Jam0sh
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Hello guys. Would you wildcard here?

                Dubravka
                Munoz, Murillo, Porro
                Reijnders, Bruno, Semenyo, Salah
                Mateta, Watkins, Joao Pedro

                subs: Sanchez, KDH, Agbadou, Esteve --- 1 FT, 0.2 ITB

                A) Salah & Watkins -> Ndiaye & Haaland (-4)
                B) Wildcard

                1. AF90
                  • 13 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  A

              4. AF90
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Seems crazy to be asking this but DEFCON.

                Who would you play this week?

                A) Munoz
                B) Andersen

                1. Stimps
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  B

              5. Gandalf
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Already taken 2FT and will likely need to do Palmer to Bruno for my remaining FT

                A. Play Sarr (WOL)
                B. Take a hit to remove Ekitiké, to either Isak, Richarlison or Gyokeres
                C. Wildcard to get the FT's back

                1. AAAFootball
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    A or c
                    Is sarr fit? If yes, then a. If no then c

                2. corderz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  A) Bowen + Wirtz > Haaland + King
                  B) Watkins +Wirtz > Haaland + Reijnders

                  1. AAAFootball
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      A if you bench king

                      1. AAAFootball
                          2 months, 12 days ago

                          In fact, just a. Bench king or even play if you want

                      2. JBG
                        • 7 Years
                        2 months, 12 days ago

                        B

                      3. AAAFootball
                          2 months, 12 days ago

                          More because I think bowen is terrible, I like reindeer as much as anyone

                          1. corderz
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 11 Years
                            2 months, 12 days ago

                            Bowen has been miles better than Watkins

                            1. AAAFootball
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                Yeah but he plays for west ham

                          2. chocolove
                            • 15 Years
                            2 months, 12 days ago

                            Omg.
                            Bowen Watkins Wirtz, the team value destroyers

                        • Tonyawesome69
                          • 6 Years
                          2 months, 12 days ago

                          Slot on Isak:

                          “I think we will see the best of Alexander Isak after the October international break.”

                          1. AC/DC AFC
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            2 months, 12 days ago

                            He might be even better in January, March and May.

                            1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 4 Years
                              2 months, 12 days ago

                              Or injured

                        • Radulfo28773
                          • 4 Years
                          2 months, 12 days ago

                          Thanks Ekitike, you’ve just resolved my benching conundrum

                          1. AAAFootball
                              2 months, 12 days ago

                              Haha he was already on bench, but i feel a lot better about it now

                          2. LFC
                            • 3 Years
                            2 months, 12 days ago

                            On a WC would you go for

                            A) kudus and woltamade
                            B) ndiaye and richarlison

                            1. AAAFootball
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                A is very tempting. Currently have both mids and neither forward

                              • ZimZalabim
                                • 9 Years
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                B

                              • Pariße
                                • 10 Years
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                I think these average priced fpl picks are quite a gamble. For the same price I’d rather have:
                                Wilson Isidor and Bruno.
                                Gyokeres and Xhaka/Antony.
                                And a stronger defence. The two pairs include penalty takers, on form dominant attackers within lower-ranked teams, and DefCons.

                            2. Slitherene
                              • 7 Years
                              2 months, 12 days ago

                              Feel so good after selling both Wirtz and Gakpo, phew!

                            3. Bleh
                              • 8 Years
                              2 months, 12 days ago

                              King coming in for Hugo as had already made my transfers. GTG?

                              Raya
                              Timber, Livramento, Senesi
                              Bruno, Gakpo, Semenyo, Grealish, King
                              Haaland, Pedro

                              (Dubravka, Lacroix, Gudmundsson, Ekitike*)

                              1. ZimZalabim
                                • 9 Years
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                if u dont want to take a hit for ekitike to rich or someone then id say GTG

                                Can just wait and move for Gykores next week I guess

                              2. AAAFootball
                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                  Play lacroix for dcs

                              3. ZimZalabim
                                • 9 Years
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                Thoughts on this wc

                                Pope (Dubravka)
                                Gab, Senesi, Vdv (Anderson, Rodon)
                                Foden, Semenyo, Ndaiye, Reijnders (King)
                                Haaland(C), JP, Gyko

                                Leaving over 3m itb to move for a Salah,Palmer,Isak etc

                                not sure on Foden could be Bruno or kudus maybe

                                1. ZimZalabim
                                  • 9 Years
                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                  considering gykores or richarlison also.
                                  Could go for Rich and maybe Saka in Foden position

                                2. Bleh
                                  • 8 Years
                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                  Yeah I’d go Bruno over Foden. Haaland + Reji is enough City.

                              4. PartyTime
                                • 4 Years
                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                Which gw to activate Triple captain?
                                1. Haaland TC vs Burnley current gw
                                2. Salah TC vs Sunderland gw 14
                                3. Haaland TC vs Leeds gw 13
                                4. Haaland TC vs Sunderland gw 15
                                5. Salah TC vs Manchester utd gw 8
                                6. Salah TC vs Leeds gw 19

                                Thanks!

                                1. ZimZalabim
                                  • 9 Years
                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                  I like the look of 3

                                  1. PartyTime
                                    • 4 Years
                                    2 months, 12 days ago

                                    Cheers! I like the look of everything 🙂

                                2. AAAFootball
                                    2 months, 12 days ago

                                    I love that mun are being targeted on tc

                                    1. PartyTime
                                      • 4 Years
                                      2 months, 12 days ago

                                      Turd club

                                      1. AAAFootball
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          Haha are you a city fan?

                                    2. Pariße
                                      • 10 Years
                                      2 months, 12 days ago

                                      Targeting fresh sides while West Ham, Aston Villa and Wolves have been the absolute worst so far.

                                      1. Casual Player
                                        • 5 Years
                                        2 months, 12 days ago

                                        Was going to say this.

                                        I’d rather TC against West Ham or Wolves than Leeds or Sunderland

                                      2. PartyTime
                                        • 4 Years
                                        2 months, 12 days ago

                                        Good teams to target, fortunately, everyone can't have the same TC

                                    3. g40steve
                                      • 7 Years
                                      2 months, 12 days ago

                                      Cardiff put two past Burnley tonight

                                      1. Warby84
                                        • 10 Years
                                        2 months, 12 days ago

                                        2nd string Burnley

                                  • Pep Roulette
                                    • 8 Years
                                    2 months, 12 days ago

                                    Gyokeres or Saka?

                                    1. AAAFootball
                                        2 months, 12 days ago

                                        Hook is fitter plus pens

                                    2. Slitherene
                                      • 7 Years
                                      2 months, 12 days ago

                                      Start one?

                                      A. Verbruggen (che)
                                      B. Dubravka (mci)

                                      1. AAAFootball
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          Verb

                                        • Casual Player
                                          • 5 Years
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          Got the same 2, which I hate, but going Verbruggen

                                      2. adstomko
                                        • 9 Years
                                        2 months, 12 days ago

                                        Ekitike > Watkins for a -4?
                                        Wondering if Villa will wake up after sacking Monchi - presuming they fell out with him when selling Jacob Ramsey.

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

                                          Does anybody remember the Hall of Shame league code?

                                          1. adstomko
                                            • 9 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            I deleted it after getting into the top 100k, sorry

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

                                              Something tells me you’re going to be there very long! Huzzah!

                                          2. AAAFootball
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Vc3h7y or something like that
                                              I know it started with vc

                                          3. The Iceman
                                            • 3 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Absolutely not!

                                          4. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 4 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            I would wait.

                                            Pumpkins time is typically end of October.

                                            Lots of smashing to come in.

                                          5. Casual Player
                                            • 5 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Everyone is going to tell you know because he’s done nothing for 5 weeks

                                            Doesn’t mean they are right.

                                            Class temporary, form permanent and all that.

                                            You can take a risk, live a little, sometimes.

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

                                              I’d be looking at Richarlison against Wolves (and Leeds next GW).

                                        2. Kay317
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 6 Years
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          Some advice on this wild card draft would be appreciated...
                                          Petrovic
                                          Calafiori, Senesi, VDV
                                          Saka, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Reindeer
                                          Pedro, Haaland, Isak
                                          (Dubrav, Stach, Rodon, Alderete)

                                          Would rather have Bruno in midfield over Mbeumo but can't stretch to him and have Isak and Saka. Any advice?

                                          1. The Iceman
                                            • 3 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Nice team. I would leave as is - Mbeumo is getting into good positions.

                                            1. Kay317
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 6 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Yea he's looked good to me and hoping he'll start to come good. Could always start with Foden I guess but not sure he's much more of a dead cert yet either.
                                              You think it's worth getting in on Isak and Saka early?

                                              1. The Iceman
                                                • 3 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                With the injury to Madueke and the suspension to Ekitike - yes I do.

                                              2. DavvaMC
                                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                                • 4 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                Considering Eze over Saka,q

                                          2. DavvaMC
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 4 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Nice, similar to my WC.

                                        3. The Iceman
                                          • 3 Years
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          Evening gents. Are the below moves worth a -4?

                                          Salah > Reijnders
                                          Mateta > Haaland
                                          Ekitike > Isak (-4)

                                          1. OverTinker
                                            • 7 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Yes I guess

                                          2. tutankamun
                                            • 16 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Who would be play instead of Ekitikie? Not sure about Isak yet in a difficult fixture. Certainly not for a hit.
                                            Like the first 2 though.

                                            1. The Iceman
                                              • 3 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Paqueta would be the one to play. Not sold on him at all.

                                              1. tutankamun
                                                • 16 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                I agree, but he’s a decent player and at home, could get something on a Monday night under the lights. Is he on pens?
                                                Not sure he’s worth the -4.

                                          3. C0YS
                                            • 9 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            So Salah Mateta Ekitike vs Haaland Reijnders Isak.

                                            Depending on whom you would have playing instead of Ekitike this GW, that looks pretty sideways. Also not so sure it’s time to board the Isak train yet

                                            1. C0YS
                                              • 9 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Actually the first 2 moves aren’t bad if you’re sure you just want 1 of Haaland/Salah. No point in the 3rd move. Paqueta vs Everton isn’t so bad, though I agree you’d want to move him on shortly afterwards

                                              1. The Iceman
                                                • 3 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                Cheers bud. Pretty set on the first two moves but yes will mull over the third one before deadline.

                                            2. tutankamun
                                              • 16 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              I don’t think getting rid of Salah for Haaland is sideways at all.

                                              I think it’s a must.

                                              1. C0YS
                                                • 9 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                Agree that Haaland is a must, but whether Salah is the best one to sacrifice for him is up for debate

                                        4. Wolfman180
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 11 Years
                                          2 months, 12 days ago

                                          On WC, which combo would you go for?
                                          A) Tarkowski, Gvardiol, Porro, Caicedo, Kudus, Gyokeres
                                          Or
                                          B) Tosin, VDV, Andersen, Saka, King, Isak

                                          1. tutankamun
                                            • 16 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            A

                                          2. The Iceman
                                            • 3 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            I like B.

                                            1. tutankamun
                                              • 16 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Saka and Isak not fully fit yet. King may lose out to ESR.
                                              Would like to see the rest of his team though.

                                          3. AAAFootball
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              A

                                            • FPL Scoop
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 8 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Has to be A at the moment

                                            • DavvaMC
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 4 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              B.

                                          4. OverTinker
                                            • 7 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            I guess now I no longer need to do Gakpo to Reijnider for a hit

                                            1. tutankamun
                                              • 16 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Yeah, I was initially annoyed at Ekitikie, but he’s probably made decisions somewhat easier for me.
                                              And like you, I can also keep Gakpo.

                                          5. Letsgo!
                                            • 9 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Will u have isak or salah on wc?

                                            1. tutankamun
                                              • 16 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              I played my WC in GW4 to get rid of Salah.

                                              And Isak not fit yet.

                                              1. Letsgo!
                                                • 9 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                But salah seems getting better though

                                                1. Casual Player
                                                  • 5 Years
                                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                                  Some people will do Salah and Haaland, some just Haaland. Follow your heart

                                                2. tutankamun
                                                  • 16 Years
                                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                                  Is he? I’ve not seen it. And I won’t be captaining him over Haaland anytime soon so not worth it IMO.

                                                  1. C0YS
                                                    • 9 Years
                                                    2 months, 12 days ago

                                                    Not sure I understand the “he’s too expensive if not being considered for captaincy” argument - least of all this season.

                                                    With the amount of high-performing enablers outscoring mid-priced options, it’s much better to just place your bets on whom you expect to score more points overall - Salah + 5.0/5.5 or Bruno + Gyokeres or any other combo of mid-priced players

                                            2. Casual Player
                                              • 5 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Isak is way early IMO

                                            3. Sun Jihai
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 13 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Neither now
                                              Isak will likely be the one to own longer term, but not yet

                                            4. C0YS
                                              • 9 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              Depending on how Isak looks when he starts to hit his stride and get consistent 60+ minutes, I’d been planning to own Haaland/Salah/Isak. Though Isak could just as easily be Palmer

                                              1. tutankamun
                                                • 16 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                Palmer surely a no-go at the moment with the injury issues?

                                                1. C0YS
                                                  • 9 Years
                                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                                  Of course, no point getting either of them yet. All I’m implying is it’s unclear which of the 2 will be the better pick in a few (game)weeks’ time

                                          6. tuturututu
                                            • 4 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            Would you start:

                                            1) A - Porro or B - VdV
                                            2) A - Gakpo or B - Enzo

                                            Thanks

                                            1. C0YS
                                              • 9 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              AA

                                              1. tuturututu
                                                • 4 Years
                                                2 months, 12 days ago

                                                Thanks! Gakpo or Enzo giving me hard time, Gakpo obvious option but not in much form, vs Palace away and getting subbed early if he does nothing. Enzo has Brighton at home and with Cole in questionable state could play a more offensive role and have impact upfront, he is second PK taker and on corners. Having Salah I'm leaning towards Enzo currently.

                                                1. C0YS
                                                  • 9 Years
                                                  2 months, 12 days ago

                                                  Sure, there’s not much between them.

                                                  Enzo could do well, especially if Palmer is confirmed out. With Ekitike out, Gakpo is unlikely to get subbed early.

                                                  I guess it would depend on whether Palmer is expected to play or not.

                                                  Also if this is a WC dilemma, I’m not sure I’d pay the premium for Porro. Though that obviously depends on your team and funds situation

                                                  1. tuturututu
                                                    • 4 Years
                                                    2 months, 12 days ago

                                                    Thanks for your thoughts!

                                                    Not a WC team but if you can check out my potential WC in near/medium future and give me your opinion it would be great, it's on next page

                                            2. FPL Scoop
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 8 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              ^

                                            3. tutankamun
                                              • 16 Years
                                              2 months, 12 days ago

                                              A
                                              B (if Palmer out)

                                          7. Casual Player
                                            • 5 Years
                                            2 months, 12 days ago

                                            I know it’s a mammoth task but we ever getting H2H leagues.

                                            I’m 3 for 3 in promotions in my quest to win the entire pyramid in 9 years