Preamble
26 December 2025 396 comments
rainy rainy
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‘Twas the night before deadline, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even Ward-Prowse;
Our teams had been tinkered with the greatest of care,
In hopes that St. Cricket Score soon would be there;
All the lights were switched off at FPL Towers, 
The Dead Zone was quiet, no comments for hours;
Even Sam in her Spurs kit and Az of Blackbox,
Had pressed pause on their banter (this was quite a shock);
When into this idyll there came such a clatter,
I opened an eye to see what was the matter!
My mobile’d gone mad, its screen swarming with notes,
With each one proclaiming the site had new posts!
Who’s up at this hour, why would FFS beckon?
Why, ‘twas arvo in Aus! (In some parts, I reckon?)
The scene became clear: I’d dozed off on the couch,
And under my head there lay something hard, ouch!
Lifting my face from my laptop, I thought, 
I couldn’t have typed in my slumber — or not!
I flew to the website, my fingers frenetic,
’Twas as I feared, I’d been waxing poetic!
Thank goodness most comments felt festive enough,
But dear me, one critic had got rather gruff;
“Your somniloquy, mate, put me round the bend,
Now where is the Scout Squad on which we depend?!”
(As most of the Scouts were still tucked up in bed,
‘Twould post presently, there was nothing to dread;)
Soon Europe had chimed in, and Canada too!
More rapid than Özil, the comments they flew;
And as morning sped west like St. Nick and his sleigh,
A jolly mood reigned, there was football to-day!
Whether it’s Moose Jaw, Wallaroo or Great Busby,
You’re dreaming of points in, or watching the rugby,
It’s past time for verses of cloven-hoofed beasts,
Of bearded old Nick, and Yuletide feasts;
Time to wrap up this ramble, no further ado,
Happy Christmas to all, and green arrows to you!

396 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. SalahFingers
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    On Bench Boost.

    Raya
    Lacroix Tarkowski Chalobah
    Saka Foden BrunoF* Wilson*
    Ekitike Thiago Haaland
    Dubravka Senesi Rodon Anderson

    Should I just do Bruno + Wilson -> Semenyo + Rogers?

    My minileague leader has Semenyo and Rogers. Is there any decent alternatives?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Gordon and one other

      1. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I like the idea of Gordon. Their fixture look pretty decent. Thanks.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Cunha + Rice

      1. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Would you really double up on Saka & Rice when they have Villa and Liverpool in their next 4 games.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          I would if chasing, neither of those D's fill me with coincidence ATM.

    3. Mangekyo sharingan
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B.fernandes got injury he will be back on 17 January

        1. SalahFingers
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Yeah that's why he's got an asterisk and is one of the people I suggested getting rid of.

      • Captain Mal
        • 1 Year
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Plenty to choose from depending on your risk appetite (Rice/Schade/Gordon/Wirtz/Cherki/Palmer etc.)

        1. SalahFingers
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Oh palmer is actually a really good choice. It's a pity he's against villa this week.

          1. Haa-lala-land
            • 5 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Villa defence not exactly water tight now a days. They just conceded three to Brighton

          2. Captain Mal
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            I wouldn't worry about Villa's defence, their defensive stats are below average. The main concern with Palmer is the minutes management through the upcoming busy schedule.

    4. gaus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Bench DCL or Semenyo?

    5. Alli
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      I'm planning on using BB but Esteve is flagged. Should I transfer?

      0 ITB - 3 FT

      Sanchez - Dúbravka
      Chalobah - Guéhi - Andersen - Cash - Esteve*
      Saka - Rice - Rogers - Foden - Bruno G.
      Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

      1. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I wouldn't worry about it in his case. I don't think it's worth a transfer.

      2. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Yes - Rodon, or Heaven

    6. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      233k transfers in for Keane
      83k transfers in for Tarkowski

      Interesting that most seem to value the saved money over the saved transfer.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Tark on 4 yellows

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Yes, two games left until the threshold increases, could be a factor if someone has a thin bench.

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Most probably have an Afcon transfer or two stashed for a rainy day.

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Could be true for some, but definitely not for "most". People have been taking hits already...

          1. Studs Up
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Oh

      3. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Keane is cheaper, is defcon legend and has far superior goal threat than Tark

        That counts for more than 1 transfer that we will have to make 4-5 GW's down the line

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          The goal threat is a valid reason.

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

        Wait what's wrong with Keane?

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Nothing, just a booked transfer long-term (could be a month for all we know).

    7. Weasel51
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Any news on Cody Gakpo today?

    8. Weasel51
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Best 1 week punt:

      A) Grealish away to Burnley
      B) Trossard at home to Brighton

      1. Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        A

      2. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        A

      3. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B

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

        B

    9. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Any chance of Ekitike hitting pens for Liverpool with Salah/Gakpo/Szobo out?

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Think record is bad, MacA on them

    10. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Start who please…

      A. Hincapie
      B. Guehi

      1. H.Wilson
      2. Stach

      Cheers

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

        B1

    11. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Really want to cap Hugo would you or play safe with Haaland, 60k

      1. Captain Mal
        • 1 Year
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I think it's way too early to make decisions based on whether you are chasing or leading. We're not even halfway there yet, 20 more GWs left after this one concludes.

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          This

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

        I’m playing safe.

        Done the “ooh look, non Haaland player has a great fixture, I’ll cap him instead!” move and it’s always backfired for me.

      3. Robcar24
        • 2 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Got to go with who you think scores the most points

      4. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Yes, wouldn’t take the risk against the ownership/% captaincy as the upside doesn’t look as good as the downside if Haaland gets a hattie and Etikite blanks

      5. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        This is the week for Eki captain

      6. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I'm in the same dilemma, I finished top 2k last season by punting on different captains to Salah in the second half of the season

        The problem is Haaland could still haul and is on pens

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          But Salah was off & on, Haaland destroys you in minutes after doing nothing.

          But Wolves are away & useless

      7. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Cheers guys, the pens is huge & Hugo record is terrible.

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

      Raya
      Andersen, Guehi, Mukiele
      Saka, Semenyo, Wilson*, Foden
      Thiago, Haaland (c), Ekitike (vc)

      Dubravka, Chalobah, Senesi, Stach

      £0 ITB, 1FT. Playing BB chip.

      A) Trust Wilson and roll transfer
      B) Get replacement

      1. Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Looks an easy roll to me. Great bench this week.

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

          Thanks, that was my gut instinct.

    13. Jstap94
      • 2 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Rice or Gordon on WC with BB in 19?

    14. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Captain?

      A - Ekitike
      B - Haaland

      Been on Ekitike all week but starting to have last minute nerves…

      1. Babit1967
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Just seems a big risk not captaining Haaland - if you’re chasing then go for it, if not play safe.

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          What we expecting EO of the two to be?

          I just struggle to see Haaland going massive against away to Dyche’s Forest. Dyche will have them set up with 11 behind the ball.

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Haaland has penalties in his locker Hugo don’t

            1. boroie
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              That’s the only doubt I have. I think if it weren’t for pens I would 100% be going for Ekitike. Pens is putting doubt in my mind.

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B

      3. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        If only there was a highly detailed article comparing these 2 captain options in a sensible way.

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          I don’t have access to it as it is for Restricted Members… what does it suggest?

    15. Paul W.
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Start:

      A) Vicario (CPL A)

      B) Dubravka (EVE H)

      1. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B - one of the only few games you can play Dub

      2. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I have Petrovic & going Dubs.

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B

      4. Paul W.
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Thanx everyone

    16. Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Play 1
      a) Minteh (ars)
      b) Wilson (whu)
      c) Guehi (TOT) - already playing Richards

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        C (Richards very likely to be out?)

      2. Paul W.
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        B (also have Wilson, hope he will play)

      3. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Yes, prefer Wilson but hate to see 15 min sub cameo

    17. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Play one
      A) Rodon (sun)
      B) Andersen (whu)

      Raya
      Vvd O'Reilly Rodon/Andersen (Richards*)
      Saka Foden Semenyo Cunha Stach
      Haaland Ekitike (Guiu)

      1. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Anderson

    18. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Used up all my FTs and still have a barebone defence..would you take a hit here with 0.5 ITB?

      Starting- VVD Keane Senesi

      Bench- Richards Esteve

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        No… unless you have someone else in your team who is a doubt.

    19. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Bruno F. to Cunha or Palmer?

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Cunha

        1. Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Cunha until Palmer starts smashing

    20. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Starting Wilson with a bench of…

      Richards Esteve King

      A - Wilson to ELF and start ELF
      B - Richards to Dalot, start Wilson and have Dalot first sub
      C - Roll FT

    21. Nightf0x
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      alison (dub)
      Oriley cala mukiele (richards clyne)
      Saka rice foden neto (king)
      Haland tiago ekitke

      Which, 3fts? (Alison to pope is for budget + anyway was going to do this transfer in gw20, gw19 FH)

      a) neto to gordon
      b) tiago neto alison to bowen gordon pope
      c) tiago neto to bowen/wolte rogers
      d) neto clyne alison to gordon keane pope

    22. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      This week would you rather have :
      A. Trossard
      or
      B. Gordon

      ?

    23. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Wrexham v Sheff U is a great game, 2-3 after 27 minutes. Could see Bamford back in the Prem in Jan on this form.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Find it bizarre he was dismissed by current Leeds manager, especially after how good he was last time in the prem!

    24. Tanishq2095
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Guys quick help pls, on WC

      Bowen
      Thiago
      Woltemade
      Or DCL (saves 1.9m)

      Best 3rd striker option with Ekitike n Haaland? FH on 19

      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Bowen mate

      2. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        DCL

    25. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Play one:

      A) Andersen
      B) Van Den Berg
      C) Senesi

    26. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Start one:

      Richards (TOT)
      Andersen (whm)

      Thanks!

      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Andersen

    27. Dilzy
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Starting Hincapie with a bench of:
      Richards, Guiu, KDH

      A) Hincapie to Keane (-4)
      B) Hope Hincapie starts

    28. fgdu
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      This may be a standard question but guehi or senesi

      1. fgdu
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Start 1

    29. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Am I right in playing Anderson O’Reilly and benching Chalobah Mukiele

    30. Joyce1998
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      G2g?

      Raya
      Gvardiol, Andersen, Alderete
      Saka, Foden, Cunha, Semenyo, Rice
      Ekitike(C), Haaland

      Dubravka, Thiaw, Esteve, Guiu

    31. tabby98
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      On a WC any changes?

      Sanchez
      Saliba, VVD, O’Reilly
      Cunha, Rice, Gordon, Foden
      Haaland, Ekitike, DCL

      Dubravka | Mukiele, gudmundsson, Miley

      £0.1m ITB

      1. Jstap94
        • 2 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Everton defence?

        Maybe Sanchez to Raya and Saliba to Keane or something.

        Otherwise strong

    32. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Start

      A) Wilson

      or

      B) DCL

      ????????????

      1. Jstap94
        • 2 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        DCL if Wilson has a knock

      2. mattyb09
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        DCL