Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 20 Scout Picks: Three double-ups

2 January 2026 451 comments
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The first Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline of 2026 is nearing – so it’s also time for the first Scout Picks of the calendar year.

As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions.

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 20 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

FPL notes: Palmer's misses, 'OOP' Neto + Evanilson's first minutes 4

Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) earns a place in the Scout Picks on account of Brighton and Hove Albion’s home meeting with Burnley. Not renowned for their impressive underlying defensive stats, Fabian Hurzeler’s side have nevertheless kept four clean sheets in 10 matches since the start of November. Verbruggen has also been racking up the save points of late, with seven to his name in as many outings, the most of any goalkeeper. Burnley, meanwhile, have scored just three times in their last three road trips.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Gabriel hauls, why Saliba was a sub + Livramento injury 3

Gabriel Magalhaes’ (£6.4m) aerial prowess could prove key at both ends of the pitch for Arsenal’s away encounter at Bournemouth. The Cherries have conceded 12 non-penalty goals from set-pieces this season, the joint-most of any team. They’ve also scored just one goal in their last three home matches. Arsenal are consequently one of the bookies’ favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 20, as below.

FPL Gameweek 20: Best clean sheet odds

James Tarkowski (£5.6m) hosts Brentford on the back of six clean sheets in nine matches. Keith Andrews’ side, who will have had two fewer days of rest, have struggled to find the net on their travels, too, scoring in only two of their last five away games. Additionally, Tarkowski has the edge over every other FPL defender except Marcos Senesi (£4.9m) when it comes to defensive contributions (DefCon), with an average of 10.89 DefCons per 90 minutes.

Suspended for the midweek trip to Arsenal, Matty Cash (£4.8m) looks set to return for Aston Villa’s home showdown with Nottingham Forest. The corner-taking right-back has three goals and one assist in 18 appearances this season. He’s joint-fifth for shots and joint-14th for chances created among all Fantasy defenders, too. As for Forest, only West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have fashioned fewer big chances than the Tricky Trees in 2025/26.

MIDFIELDERS

Buy, keep, sell? Transfer trends ahead of Gameweek 13 1
 

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451 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 hours, 6 mins ago

    My current Def is Thiaw, Keane, O Reilly, Alderete, Esteve. Quite weak atm. Would anyone agree that taking a hit to do Foden, Keane to Cherki, Gabriel is worth it?

    I could roll and hope for the best but if Keane does miss out then im relying on Alderete.

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    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 3 mins ago

      Even if you buy a clean sheet with the hit that's only break even. Sunderland could keep Spurs out. I would say the hit isn't worth it.

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      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 49 mins ago

        Yeah fair point, thanks

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    2. Pompel
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 59 mins ago

      Roll

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    3. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 50 mins ago

      Foden out for a hit seems a bit hasty to me. Is there not another route you could take?

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      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 45 mins ago

        Probably,
        The rest of my team consists of:
        Saka, Foden, Cunha, Wilson, Rogers
        Woltemade, Haaland, Ekitike.

        Im not sure what to do with Wolt. Hes got great fixtures coming up but his minutes are a bit dodgy and hes trolling me as I FH the week he scored twice against Chelsea, blanking every week ive played him.

        Ive also thought about Ekitike to Watkins after watching that abysmal display against Leeds but that also seems a bit hasty

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    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 49 mins ago

      I'd probably roll unless any rumours Foden is benched

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  2. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    5 hours, 6 mins ago

    A) Senesi & Rice -> Gabriel & Gravenberch
    B) Esteve & Rice -> Gabriel & Stach
    C) Senesi & Semenyo -> Gabriel & Wilson/Casemiro
    D) Esteve & Semenyo -> Gabriel & Stach

    Cheers

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    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 9 Years
      5 hours, 3 mins ago

      D

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      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 59 mins ago

        Thanks. Torn between B and D!

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 2 mins ago

      B

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      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 59 mins ago

        Thanks. Thinking it makes sense to keep the fit midfielder despite looming transfer!

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    3. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 1 min ago

      C, but depends a bit who the other defenders are. Having Esteve sat at the end of your bench every week is fine so in D you may end up with your 5th Def being more expensive than you want.

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      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 58 mins ago

        Thanks. Yeah he will always be 5th defender. Wanted to simplify the options a little.

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    4. Pompel
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 57 mins ago

      If Esteve is your 5th defender, I would keep for budget reasons. Keep Rice if you have a decent sub, so C

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    5. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 55 mins ago

      All fairly poor midfield choices - probably C with Wilson

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  3. Kane Train
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 6 mins ago

    Best option??

    A) Rice > Bruno G
    B) Rice & H.Wilson > Rogers & Garner for -4

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 2 mins ago

      A or roll

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    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 49 mins ago

      A

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  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 6 mins ago

    I've got BrunoG

    Foden to

    1. Rogers
    2. Gordon

    .
    Or Semenyo to

    A. Enzo

    To find O'Reilly to Gabriel?

    Or

    B roll the 2 FT's and ride out price changes?

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    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 48 mins ago

      1 over 2
      I'd downgrade Semenyo to afford Gabriel, but not 100% on Enzo being the choice

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 hours, 6 mins ago

        Cheers

        That's my quandary

        Which is why I'm chopping Foden

        Only because I missed his points and got his blanks

        So he'll be back in business no doubt

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  5. Mr Turnip 1
      5 hours, 5 mins ago

      Start Dubs vs Brighton or Sanchez vs City?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 hours, 3 mins ago

        Sanchez for the saves

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      2. RealMadrid4Ever
        • 2 Years
        5 hours, 2 mins ago

        Dubravka

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    • Jstap94
      • 2 Years
      5 hours, 2 mins ago

      O'Reilly, Wirtz to Cherki, Gabriel? Y or N

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 hours, 2 mins ago

        Yes

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      2. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        4 hours, 59 mins ago

        yeah

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      3. yakirh
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 36 mins ago

        Good moves. Keep in mind that Cherki needs close attention in the next GWs.

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    • AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 1 min ago

      I've got BrunoG

      Foden to

      1. Rogers
      2. Gordon

      .
      Or Semenyo to

      A. Enzo

      To fund O'Reilly to Gabriel?

      Or

      B roll the 2 FT's and ride out price changes?

      Cheers

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 hours, 1 min ago

        My bad!

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      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 47 mins ago

        Boo duplicate. Ban.

        J/K

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      3. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 hours, 47 mins ago

        I'd try and get Gab if you can. Don't particularly like Enzo, though. Maybe a Brighton Mid?

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      4. The Road to Turfdom
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 46 mins ago

        I'd roll the FTs personally

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      5. Mr Turnip 1
          2 hours, 58 mins ago

          Semenyo to Enzo

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      6. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        5 hours, 1 min ago

        How's she loking?

        Martinez
        Timber Gabriel VDV Thiaw
        Saka Minteh Foden Bruno G
        Haaland (c) Bowen

        Dubravka Thiago Andersen King

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      7. Manani
        • 14 Years
        5 hours ago

        Pope
        Timber VVD ORielly
        Anderson Saka Foden Wilson
        DCL Ekiteke Haaland
        (Dub Chalobah Rice Mukiele)

        Gtg?

        Feels very weak this week, but mostly due to Rice and Wilson, not sure if using FT for 1 week transfer is worth it

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      8. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        4 hours, 58 mins ago

        Saka In the scout picks??

        I think he gets benched this week

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 56 mins ago

          Not based on Arteta's comments

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          1. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            4 hours, 52 mins ago

            What did he say??

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            1. Ha.
              • 10 Years
              4 hours, 50 mins ago

              At the end, I think we have to talk about performance, not rotation. We want performance, the highest performance, every three days or throughout the game and that’s what we have to look at and in order to achieve that, who are the best players, in the best condition, with the best relationship to fulfil that.

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      9. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        4 hours, 57 mins ago

        1FT 0.1m ITB

        Raya
        O'Reilly Chalobah Alderete (Andersen Senesi)
        Saka Foden Cunha Semenyo Bruno G
        Haaland Ekitike (Guiu)

        Take a hit for Gabriel, just sell Semenyo or roll?

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        1. TBL
          • 4 Years
          4 hours, 47 mins ago

          same debate for me... if only I was sure Gabriel would start

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          1. Il Capitano
            • 5 Years
            4 hours, 44 mins ago

            Gab should start

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      10. Gazzpfc
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 54 mins ago

        I know it’s sideways but Nunez is outscoring O’Reilly every game so surely worth a -4 for mins risk now???

        City 4 clean sheets in 5???

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        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 47 mins ago

          Definitely not worth -4

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        2. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 hours, 45 mins ago

          This week is the first time O'Reilly has been pulled early recently. Not worth a hit.

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      11. SomeoneKnows
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 53 mins ago

        Got 1FT + only 0.1itb...

        A) Roll
        B) Minteh > Garner
        C) Keane > ?

        Raya
        Timber, Lacroix, Keane*
        Saka, Foden, Cunha, BrunoG, Minteh*
        Haaland, Eketike

        (Dubravka, Gudmundsson, Andersen, Guiu)

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 51 mins ago

          Lacroix to Van de Ven

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      12. terranullius
        • 1 Year
        4 hours, 52 mins ago

        ​I can't stop tinkering with my team. I'm losing my mind...

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          4 hours, 45 mins ago

          Haha it's all part of the fun 🙂

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      13. GC123
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 52 mins ago

        Hi guys. Cunha owners. Are you getting rid? Is the pivot to Rogers a no-brainer or do I hold for two more weeks and hope he discovers some form?

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        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 hours, 51 mins ago

          Absolutely wish I could spare the transfer. But got about six other fires first. In isolation and if you can spare the transfer, it seems ok. But I'd possibly hold a week

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          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            4 hours, 49 mins ago

            Thanks Biggsy. If I wait a week, it’s probably two because he has Burnley after. As a United fan, it’s currently a double whammy every time he has a stinker

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            1. Biggsy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 hours, 47 mins ago

              I know the feels

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              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                4 hours, 45 mins ago

                Painful, isn’t it?

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        2. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          4 hours, 50 mins ago

          Considering the same. United looks poor without Mbuemo and Bruno

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          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            4 hours, 48 mins ago

            Look poor period tbh

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        3. MJF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 49 mins ago

          Keeping for Burnley away.

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          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            4 hours, 48 mins ago

            Two more weeks of pain then lol

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        4. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 47 mins ago

          I'm keeping this week

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          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            4 hours, 45 mins ago

            Thanks Turfdom

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        5. Cold Palms
          • 1 Year
          4 hours, 45 mins ago

          United no good without Fruno playing and Mbuemo it seems

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        6. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 34 mins ago

          Keeping for 2 more and then he becomes Enzo or Szobo

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          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            4 hours, 22 mins ago

            Thanks Yakirh. I was looking at Brighton due to their fixtures but Minteh burned me badly earlier in the season

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            1. yakirh
              • 9 Years
              3 hours, 54 mins ago

              Minteh is a doubt

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              1. GC123
                • 4 Years
                3 hours, 52 mins ago

                I meant in a couple of weeks time

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      14. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 51 mins ago

        Will do Gabriel to VVd to give this, but would you take a hit anywhere with that bench (and some poor first XI picks). Minteh to Garner?

        Raya
        Andersen, Gabriel, Dorgu, VdV
        Foden, Cunha, Bruno G
        Thaigo, Haaland, Ekitike

        Dub, *Rice, *Minteh, *Rodon

        (Will likely start Rice over Dorgu just in case)

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 51 mins ago

          I would play Minteh over Dorgu

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          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 hours, 46 mins ago

            Yeah probably will start bother Rice and Minteh with Dorgu first bench. But the above is what I'll probably have at the end of the game week

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      15. TBL
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 50 mins ago

        Is Gabriel going to be rested against Bournemouth as just back from injury and Liverpool next?

        I could really see this... otherwise thinking of WC

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 49 mins ago

          Nah

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        2. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 48 mins ago

          Arteta historically is much less of a rotator of his first choice XI than peers, I don't think so

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      16. KingGinger
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 50 mins ago

        Raya
        VVD Hincapie Keane
        Foden Rice Cunha Semenyo
        Ekitike Haaland Thiago

        Dubravka Anderson Andersen Esteve

        2ft 0itb

        Bit stuck but some possible options

        A) just get Gabi in so Raya/Hincapie to Verbruggen and Gabi and run Rice and Keane risks
        B) Roll and hope for best and with everyone starting and reasses next week
        C) -4 - Raya, Thiago, Esteve to Verbruggen, Gabi, Mane (or other cheap striker) - Play 442
        D) same as above plus Keane to Tark or Rice to Rogers for additional -4

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        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 48 mins ago

          I'm not up with the latest on Keane but given you have 2 FTs I'd consider some surgery

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      17. The Road to Turfdom
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 49 mins ago

        Bench 1 pls?

        A) Konate (ful)
        B) Hincapie (bou) - playing Raya, [last week double-up was a horror watch, not sure I can do it again]
        C) Dorgu (lee)

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      18. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        4 hours, 49 mins ago

        Would you WC this? No ft (already done Rice > Rogers)

        Roefs
        Virgil Dorgu Chalobah
        Foden Saka Rogers Cunha
        Haaland Thiago Raul

        Pope E.Le Fee Calafiori* Rodon*

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        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 48 mins ago

          No

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        2. MJF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 47 mins ago

          No way.

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        3. tbos83
          • 5 Years
          4 hours, 26 mins ago

          Thank both. Guess I'll hold (mainly concerned about lack of Gabriel)

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      19. Maddamotha
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 48 mins ago

        Planning to do these transfers for the next 2 weeks. Which one would you do first? I own Timber.

        A) Semenyo -> Rogers
        B) VVD -> Gabriel

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 48 mins ago

          B

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        2. CYN
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 39 mins ago

          A

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      20. TBL
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 46 mins ago

        would you get James on WC?

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 45 mins ago

          No - too much uncertainty for now

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        2. CYN
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 39 mins ago

          No. Sanchez if any Chels defence

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      21. Silecro
        • 8 Years
        4 hours, 46 mins ago

        Does anyone know which sub 5.3 defenders from specifically Newcastle and Everton are nailed? Looking at Thiaw but not sure how nailed he is with a bunch of newc defenders nearing a return

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          4 hours, 44 mins ago

          Thiaw and hall should be fairly nailed

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      22. CoracAld2831
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 43 mins ago

        Who would you lose out of these to fund Gabriel?

        A: Raul (for DCL)
        B: Thiago;(for DCL)
        C: Minteh (for a MID 5,4m or less)

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 42 mins ago

          A

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        2. CYN
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 40 mins ago

          A

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        3. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 38 mins ago

          A

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        4. CoracAld2831
          • 4 Years
          4 hours, 33 mins ago

          Just noticed i have been priced out out of A.

          So that's a no go.

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      23. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 42 mins ago

        Was going to do Szobo to Rogers but missed price change last night so am now tempted by Thiago to Bowen. Good move ?

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        1. CYN
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 40 mins ago

          Yeah, prefer it. I'd probably keep Szob until after Burnley.

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          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            4 hours, 38 mins ago

            Purely because he's sexy, not for FPL points I'm assuming?

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        2. Maddamotha
          • 9 Years
          4 hours, 40 mins ago

          Yes, I like the move and would do it myself if I didnt have other fires and 1FT.

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        3. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          4 hours, 33 mins ago

          Cheers all much appreciated:)

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      24. CYN
        • 7 Years
        4 hours, 41 mins ago

        Raya and O'Reilly to Pope/Vicario and Tarkowski? To open an Arsenal slot for Gabriel down the line.

        Or go cheaper with the GK? Roefs? Verbrugen?

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 40 mins ago

          I'd be tempted by Vicario inthe shortterm but Roefs probably the more sensible option for the longterm

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          1. CYN
            • 7 Years
            4 hours, 37 mins ago

            Could go Pickford and Thiaw as sell. A lot of potentially good combinations to consider, I'm bound to pick the wrong one.

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      25. MJF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 hours, 40 mins ago

        Already done O'Reilly -> Gabriel. Anything worth a hit, or just wait 'til next week? Only got 0.5 so probably be taking a -4 to get rid of Thiago / Tavernier.

        Roefs
        Gabriel Timber Thiaw Mukiele
        Saka Foden Cunha
        Haaland (c) Ekitike Thiago

        Dub | Dorgu Tavernier KDH

        Happy new year.

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      26. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 hours, 39 mins ago

        Benching headache help!
        Start one of:
        A) Guehi (NEW a)
        B) Senesi (ARS h)
        C) Gudmundsson (MUN h)

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 38 mins ago

          B for the defcon

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        2. MJF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 36 mins ago

          C for me, based on opponent.

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      27. Junks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 hours, 35 mins ago

        Thoughts...

        2FTs 0.0ITB
        Kelleher
        Cash LewisPotter OReilly
        Rogers Rice Wirtz Foden
        Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

        Dubravka / Wilson / Alderete / Keane

        A. Rice & Woltemade to Saka & Guiu - 352
        B. Rice & Oreilly to Garner/LPaqueta & Gabriel - 343
        C. Roll

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 34 mins ago

          B, Garner

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      28. Manani
        • 14 Years
        4 hours, 30 mins ago

        DCL or Bowen?
        Or neither?
        Will be replacement for Thiago?

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        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 29 mins ago

          Bowen

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