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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. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Just got with this and take no hit?

    Petrovic
    Senesi Andersen Tosin
    Salah Semenyo Xavi Reijnders
    Haaland Pedro Woltemade

    Dubravka KDH Munoz Gudmundsson

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Play KDH over Woltemade.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Yeah that will be the general consensus, but i don't think Everton batter West Ham, i fancy a gamble against the high EO Arsenal def

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Voldemort 15/8 G or A
        Strawberry-Foyer 13/8 G or A

        Might risk it

  2. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Who do you get?

    (1) Gyokeres and Bruno
    (2) Richarlison and Bruno
    (3) Isak and some 6.0 (the MC Kid Reijnders or even Graverbech)

    Hate to be an Early Owner of Isak, so much unknown

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Isak and Reijnders

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      1 will be most popular

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Potentially one of the best forwards in the lead is what's hoped. 3 but not convinced by Reijnders.

    4. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      3. Reijnders / Szobo / Ndiaye imo

  3. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    I can afford Wood to Isak with 0.3m left, but it seems too soon

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Utd will be the entry point for me, but i can't wait to get him

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Prob is too soon but no Ekitike and a punt ahead of the pack before Isak's price rises. His form looks like an upgrade on Wood's lack of form.

  4. aarrgghh
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    With Ekitike out I'm down to one choice to be made.
    Bench Lacroix or Anderson?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      The Lorax , Pool score and Villa Disney

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Lacroix.

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Hello, been searching high & low for you lately.

        Portugal
        Armenia
        Hungary
        *Ireland*

        Seems no Guinness in the States next year.

    3. aarrgghh
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Or I could take -4 to get Doku for Anderson.That would leave enough money for next week to get Gyokeres or Gabriel

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        No.

        1. aarrgghh
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Thanx

    4. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Easy. Lacroix.

  5. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Do tough fixtures increase DC chances for say Palace defenders who have tough games ahead?

    Wondering if I should sell Lacroix to Gvardiol or Tarky for free

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

      Mighty Palace fear no team

  6. iFash@FPL
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Mateta or Guehi vs. LIV at home?

    The other will be first on the bench.

    1. Punned It
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Currently playing Mateta over Lacroix myself.

      • dhamphiir
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Mateta

    2. nicecat
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      I decided to play without Salah and Haaland this season to make it more fun. Still no fun. Anyways - would you bring in Saka for one of these guys: Gakpo, Bruno, Xavi? Not keen on selling Semenyo and Reijnders.

      1. Salahlulijah
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Languishing outside the top 7m must’ve been your idea of fun.m

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          "Still no fun"

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Assuming Haaland is fit I am planning the Salah and haaland swap. Will sell mateta for haaland and keep faith with Watkins for the nest 2. Who shall I sell Salah for ?

      A semennyo
      B Saka?

      Cheers

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        You’re selling Salah and keeping Watkins?

        Watch any matches this year?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Can't sell Watkins with next 2. I need to sell Salah to get haaland.

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Just sold Morgan

            Not getting Haaland

    4. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Which combo?

      A. Petrovic I Andersen
      B. Pope I Rodon (any 4m defender)

      Thanks

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Well that depends on the rest of the defence, but in isolation A

        1. DavvaMC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          This is my current WC.

          Petrovic
          Andersen / Calafiori / Richards / Senesi / Rodon
          Saka / Rejinders / Semenyo / Xavi / King
          Haaland / Isak / Gyokkeres

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Would want Raya on WC

            1. DavvaMC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Was going to, but would mean losing the ability to double up on attack.

              1. The Suspended One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Gyorkes doesn’t pass the eye test for me

                1. DavvaMC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Same, I was thinking more of two mids.

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            I like it , not sure on Calafiori , prefer Gabriel or Gvardiol, anything itb? I have 0.5m itb with this team

            1. DavvaMC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Zero ITB.

            2. DavvaMC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Is it because Calafori might be a minutes risk?

              1. Dynamic Duos
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Yeah

              2. NZREDS
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Yeah minutes with Skelley

                1. NZREDS
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Minutes risk*

    5. henrysquire
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Watkins to Isak for -4? I've been holding Watkins but he's just a disaster this season.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Not worth a hit

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        I think disaster in an understatement.
        Stating him you basically playing 10 players game +2 points and to pay for it £9m is a disgrace.

      3. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Get rid.

    6. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Who would you bench this gw?

      A. Gakpo cpl (a)
      B. Anderson shu (h)

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Gakpo

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          And out of these? Still Gakpo I assume?

          gakpo semenyo enzo reijnders anderson
          haaland watkins pedo

          1. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Watkins I think

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              I'm so tempted to play him, he has to score sometime and this might be the fixture. Palace away would be tough for pool.

          2. Rico123
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            I think if you stick with Watkins you have to play him vs Fulham at home. Wouldn’t bench Gakpo given Ekitike suspension, so one of Anderson or Enzo for me

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Cheers. Gakpo has the toughest fixture away at palace. Tempted to play enzo and anderson for the home games.

              1. Warby84
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Always play the attacker if in doubt

    7. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Anyone else worried about their TV. I'm really struggling to justify to pull the WC trigger as I look pretty well set but I have players like Watkins and Sanchez due to drop whilst all the players I will want are going up . It's going to kill my season isn't it?

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        nah, loads of cheaper options available due to defcons. I doubt you would want all premiums at one time anyway, should be alright.

        1. Yozzer
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Cheers I guess the issue is if I ever wanna double up on the big guns . Prices seem to be flying this season.

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        You can literally play 3x 4.0m defenders and be moping up defcons each week.

        Money is not an issue this season especially when there are only 2 premium players worth considering- Haaland and Salah.

    8. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Good to be on WC, can solve the Ekitike issue...

    9. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Current WC draft, is there a cheaper but safe way into Liverpool defence to free up funds for midfield, or can you see another opportunity to save?

        Raya/Dub
        Gabriel/VVD/Guehi/VDV/Senesi
        Semenyo/Kudus/Caicedo/Reijnders/KDH
        Haaland/Gyok/Isak

        1. Rico123
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          A lot of money in defence - would downgrade at least one to a 4m pick and then use that to upgrade eg Caicedo

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          I would downgrade Gabriel to someone like Rodon. The main route to points for Gab so far has been CS and you have Raya. I can see a whole lot of benching headaches with the way the team is structured. I'd also be wary of KDH, he's on thin ice with 4 YC. Someone like Tyler Adams can sit on the bench and he's playable if you need him.

          1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Cheers all

        3. Kaneyonero
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Haaland yellow flag anything to be concerned was pulling the trigger on TC this gw

          1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Better wait...

            Pep mentioned a fatigue when asked about Haalands sub and we all know his favorite game is Roulette.

        4. Rico123
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Wildcard final slots. Any thoughts on:

          A. Truffert + Mateta (+ King on bench) - 343
          B. Senesi + Ndiaye (+ Lyle Foster on bench, 0.2m ITB) - 352

          1. Rico123
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Foster could be a cheaper 4.5 forward fodder pick to save money but would prefer someone with semi guaranteed minutes as 8th attacker

          2. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Tricky fixtures ahead for Palace, so B for me.

          3. Jet5605
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            B

        5. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          2 FT and 3.4m ITB. Planning to do Grealish > Stach in GW7

          A - Gakpo & Lacroix > Ndiaye & Tarky
          B - Paqueta > Ndiaye & roll 1 FT
          C - Gakpo & Paqueta > Bruno & Ndiaye

          Raya
          Senesi - Andersen - Gudmund
          Gakpo - Semenyo - Grealish - Reijnders
          Haaland - Gyok - Mateta

          Dubrav - Paqueta - Livramento - Lacroix

          1. Rico123
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            I’d be tempted to just do the Lacroix > Tark move, play Tark over Gud and roll 1. Grealish and Ndiaye both good picks but Everton double up in midfield feels a bit much

            1. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Cheers. I actually like the Everton double up at home to West Ham. As mentioned Grealish becomes Stach next week to free up funds and as his fixtures turn bad (plus he can't play in GW8 v City).

              I also like the idea of rolling one so that I have 2FT after the IB.

          2. Punned It
              3 months, 1 day ago

              I'd keep Lacroix over Tark, plenty of good fixtures for Palace ahead. B for me. Good move getting Stach as well.

          3. dhamphiir
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            Does this team need WC? Currently on -4 hit and I had 3FT before.
            A. No. Haaland TC
            B. WC

            Raya
            Andersen - Senesi - Richards
            Salah - B. Fernandes - Semenyo - Reijnders - Anderson
            Haaland - J. Pedro
            Dubravka - Agbadou - Esteve - Guiu
            0FT 0.2 ITB

            1. Ausman
              • 2 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              A

          4. Connor's Calling
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 1 day ago

            With Ait-Nouri still out, would you take a -4 to get Gvardiol (esp with Khusanov out for a while).
            Or just play Rodon (BOU)?

            1. Punned It
                3 months, 1 day ago

                While Gvardiol is tempting, I think Rodon will get you more points, considering it's for a hit.

              • Holmes
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Play Rodon

              • Sheffield Wednesday
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Now that there's DC plus the promoted teams are doing OK defensively, in general there's a handful of £4M defenders I would rather field than take a -4 hit for another defender.

                1. Connor's Calling
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  THanks all - sensible

              • Ausman
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Rodon

            2. Danstoke82
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Morning all, this move for 1FT yay or nay?

              Palmer > Saka 1FT

              1. keefy59
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Who are your other midfielders ?

                1. Danstoke82
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Xavi Simons, Semenyo, Grealish, (Palmer), King

            3. Tinmen
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              Was all set on taking Wirtz out.
              Should I give him another week now folks?

              1. Boz
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Depends on other fires, but yeah i'd keep for this week now I think

            4. NZREDS
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 1 day ago

              2 FT

              A) Ekitike + Gakpo -> Isak + Caicedo (or KDB / Anderson) and beat the price increase on Isak

              B) Hold and play Reijnders over Ekitike but risk any price increase for Isak but bank a FT - looking to get Isak in anyway

              By the time Eikitike is back he might be a minutes risk with Isak up to scratch?

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                B

              2. Sir Michael Taker
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                B. Isak could pull his hammy against Palace for all we know. Need more time to assess don't overreact. Isak still isnt playing close to 90 yet

                1. NZREDS
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Thanks ladz - I imagine this will be a pretty common question over the next few days

              3. Ausman
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                B

                1. NZREDS
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Cheers, my man.

            5. Mystic_10
                3 months, 1 day ago

                I'm very tempted to get ISAK in this week over JP now.

                1. Sir Michael Taker
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Dreadful entry point. I dont think he'll play more than 60 either.

              • SpaceCadet
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Haven't seen any Forest games so far. Does Anderson have any attacking threat at all or only a defcon magnet?

                1. Sir Michael Taker
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Set pieces mainly. No less than Caicedo and Gravenberch and Zubi anyway but they've had their attacking quote for the season

                  1. SpaceCadet
                    • 12 Years
                    3 months, 1 day ago

                    Thanks, hoping its anderson's turn this gw.

                  2. mookie
                    • 12 Years
                    3 months, 1 day ago

                    Douglas Luiz took all corners until subbed.

                2. Holmes
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Only 5 shots (1 SOT) and 7 CCs till date suggests not much of a threat

              • Ask Yourself
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Haaland yellow flagged, am I missing anything or was it because of the Pep quote saying he didn’t train on Monday ?

                1. Ausman
                  • 2 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Didn't train because he has a sore back. Pep "hopeful" he plays on the weekend.

              • Boz
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Interested in the Stach love. Is it a case of striking while in form and decent fixture? Is he passing the eye-test?

                Is he better than Garner or KDH on a WC for the 5th mid?

                1. Ausman
                  • 2 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  TKT tipped me about Stach in preseason. He's been great to have on my team, cost only 5.0 and has only 1 point less than Salah and Enzo, plays 90 every game and is capable of attracting BAPS and Defcons plus Leeds are running in to some nice fixtures.

                  1. Boz
                    • 13 Years
                    3 months, 1 day ago

                    Cheers for the feedback! Sounds like a great option!

              • Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Had planned on getting haaland but will wait if he is a doubt
                Captain Pedro or Salah ?

                Cheers

                1. Holmes
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Pedro

              • FPL Sanky
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                TC Haaland now or wait?

                1. Ausman
                  • 2 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  Wait and see if we learn anything from Peps presser on Friday.

              • barton fc
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Do we still TC haaland now he's flagged?

                1. Holmes
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  deadline is 3 days away

                  1. el polako
                    • 8 Years
                    3 months, 1 day ago

                    And tomorrow is only a day away.

                  2. barton fc
                    • 7 Years
                    3 months, 1 day ago

                    And price changes happen every night...

                    Will wc if I'm not on TC only read lost 0.3 TV but will lose another 0.2 tonight

                2. Ajax Hamsterdam
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  I wouldnt

              • el polako
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 1 day ago

                Love the chaos created by Haalands early-ish sub vs Arsenal.

                1. mookie
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 1 day ago

                  I love all forms of chaos.