Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 20?

2 January 2026 287 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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In the weekly article that could really be retitled ‘Do you dare bet against Erling Haaland (£15.1m)?”, we consider the best captain for FPL Gameweek 20.

Players from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United provide the competition this time, with matches against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, respectively.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT) to determine the best captain for Gameweek 20 ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over 40% of site users still believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 19.

Morgan Rogers (£7.5m) sits in second place – again, probably helped by being the first option in the poll and receiving accidental clicks – and currently boasts just over 18% of the vote. Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off on Saturday. The England international scored twice in his last home match and is the most transferred-in attacking player ahead of the deadline.

Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka (£10.3m), Ollie Watkins (£8.6m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. All three players picked up attacking returns in Gameweek 19.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

287 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Shmack92
    • 11 Years
    12 hours, 24 mins ago

    Have pulled the trigger on WC. Thoughts on this? Bench in right order?

    Pickford
    Gab - Hall - Tark
    Gordon - Foden - Cherki - Roger’s
    Haaland - Bowen - DCL

    Dubravka - VDV - Lewis Potter - Schade

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    1. Manani
      • 14 Years
      12 hours, 22 mins ago

      don't like Schade

      otherwise looks fine

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      1. Shmack92
        • 11 Years
        12 hours, 17 mins ago

        Thanks. Have made the below:

        Schade - > Rice
        Dubravka -> Darlow

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    2. Raoul Nogues
        12 hours, 21 mins ago

        Very good... too much money on the bench ?

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        1. Shmack92
          • 11 Years
          12 hours, 19 mins ago

          Will definitely cause me some benching headaches! Hoping I can pick the right 11 more often than not.

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    3. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 hours, 23 mins ago

      if doing Calafiori-->Gabriel, would require a -4; would consider O'Reilly--> a 4.5 or so DEF (such as Van de Ven, or Cash at 4.8) or choose significantly less price with A. Heaven (at 3.9) and free up additional budget to use later on?

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      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 hours, 20 mins ago

        Cash (at 4.8) would use exact budget left after the Gabriel move

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      2. Four Letter Wirtz
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 29 mins ago

        It realy depends on how often you plan to olay your new defender... if you need a starter then go with Cash, but you need a bench backup then I'd suggest Alderete at 4.0

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        1. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          11 hours, 9 mins ago

          A Bullfighting defender in FPL!! Olay! Olay!

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    4. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      12 hours, 21 mins ago

      Who would you sell for Gabriel?

      A. Konate
      B. O’reily
      C. Keane

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      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        12 hours, 21 mins ago

        B

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        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          12 hours, 11 mins ago

          Thanks

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      2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        12 hours, 6 mins ago

        A or B

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      3. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        11 hours, 8 mins ago

        A or B

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        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          10 hours, 52 mins ago

          Thanks, sold o’reily

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    5. CYN
      • 7 Years
      12 hours, 21 mins ago

      A. Raya + O'Reilly -> Verbruggen + Gab
      B. O'Reilly + Andersen -> Alderete + Tark

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 58 mins ago

        A but with Roefs not Verbruggen

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    6. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      12 hours, 19 mins ago

      Set on this WC

      Roefs Dubravka
      Gabriel Timber Tarkowski Nunes Alderete
      Saka Rogers Guimaraes Paqueta Stach
      Haaland Ekitike DCL

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      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        12 hours, 14 mins ago

        4-3-3? Not a huge fan of that midfield

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    7. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 hours, 18 mins ago

      Do you think I'm ok to keep both O'Reilly and Keane? Would need one of them to play to field 11

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      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        12 hours, 17 mins ago

        Think it's time to move on O'Reilly.

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    8. HellasLEAF
      • 16 Years
      12 hours, 17 mins ago

      Is KDH injury thought to be long? Reading mixed things here.

      KDH owners hanging on or getting rid.

      Just have other fires to put out and could bench him at 5.0 is cheap to sit until return but if is out extended will look to get rid.

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 52 mins ago

        KDH is due back "mid to late January"

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    9. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 hours, 16 mins ago

      Repost.

      Play
      A. O'Reilly (CHE)
      B. Mukiele (tot)

      Thanks

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      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 hours, 16 mins ago

        A

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      2. derdourily
        • 12 Years
        12 hours, 7 mins ago

        A
        Try to help me just below

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    10. GROBARI
      • 5 Years
      12 hours, 15 mins ago

      What should i prioritize?
      A) Sell Hincapie for Gabriel but have to sell Raul for Obi
      B) sell Minteh
      C) sell Keane

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 46 mins ago

        Keane has a chance to play this GW so he should be your lowest priority. Gabriel is the most transfered in this week so a price rise is possible. Reall depends on team balance and budget.

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    11. hazza44
      • 13 Years
      12 hours, 14 mins ago

      Which one on WC?
      A) Gordon/ BrunoG & Rice
      B) Palmer & Garner

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    12. Manani
      • 14 Years
      12 hours, 13 mins ago

      A. Rice + VVD > Rogers + Gab
      B. Saka + ORilley > Rogers + Gab

      b will leave me enough to upgrade Anderson > Gordon/BrunoG

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    13. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      12 hours, 12 mins ago

      Foden's price is dropping tonight, and Cherki's is going up.

      Would I regret it if I sold Foden (8.5 sp) for Cherki?

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      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 hours ago

        No but probably regret on Sunday if Foden scores and Cherki blanks.

        That's how my luck usually goes.

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    14. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      12 hours, 11 mins ago

      Chances of starting this gw?

      A. Keane
      B. O’reily

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      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        12 hours, 5 mins ago

        I think and hope that Keane will start.

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        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          12 hours, 2 mins ago

          Cheers. Just did o’reily > Gabriel and starting keane

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          1. Stevie B
            • 15 Years
            12 hours, 1 min ago

            Good luck. I hope that it will help.

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          2. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            10 hours, 43 mins ago

            What bench cover do you have for Keane?

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    15. derdourily
      • 12 Years
      12 hours, 11 mins ago

      Repost (Excuse me)

      What would you do for this team to get Gabriel ?
      Have 3FT and 0.1ITB

      Dubravka
      Timber Keane Thiaw
      Saka Semenyo Foden Paqueta
      Ekitike Haaland Thiago

      Petrovic Le Fée Mukiele Andersen

      Thanks.

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      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        12 hours, 5 mins ago

        Maybe Timber and Foden -> Gabriel and Wilson. Sadly Foden is often a troll. I have Saka, but I am not happy with him. He brings points, but he is also very expensive.

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      2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        12 hours, 2 mins ago

        Downgrade Semenyo or Thiago, then Thiaw>Gabriel

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      3. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 54 mins ago

        Thaw, Saka, Thiago to Gabriel Bowen & someone

        Thanks for your help

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      4. derdourily
        • 12 Years
        11 hours, 44 mins ago

        Thanks guys for your help

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      5. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 34 mins ago

        Thiaw and Tiago > Gabriel and Isidor

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    16. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      12 hours, 9 mins ago

      What is better?

      A) Rondon and Rice -> Mukiele and Cherki (I already have Alderete)
      B) Rondon and Rice -> Gabriel and Miley

      Thank you and Happy Easter!

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 28 mins ago

        B) to get Gabriel, but Miley may lose his place soon with Botman, Livramento and Trippier close to returning.

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    17. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 hours, 6 mins ago

      if looking to do Calafiori-->Gabriel--should the other move (to fund this) be O'Reilly--> Cash (exact funds); VDV (in the middle and with decent fixtures for Spurs); or Heaven (frees up the most budget)

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 24 mins ago

        Heaven isn't nailed and fixtures toughen up soon, Spurs are awful, so Cash wins the prize.

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    18. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 hours, 6 mins ago

      Which one would you bench?

      A) Keane (BRE)
      B) Alderete (tot)
      C) Wilson (LIV)

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      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        12 hours, 5 mins ago

        B

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      2. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        12 hours, 3 mins ago

        B

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      3. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 59 mins ago

        Cheers

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      4. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 53 mins ago

        B like they said

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    19. Keane There Dunne That
      • 13 Years
      12 hours, 5 mins ago

      Either of these worth -4?
      A) VVD -> Gabriel
      B) OReilly -> Tarkowski

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      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 13 Years
        12 hours, 4 mins ago

        Or would you start Alderete over either?

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      2. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        12 hours, 3 mins ago

        No

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      3. Manani
        • 14 Years
        11 hours, 56 mins ago

        just play vvd

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    20. Manani
      • 14 Years
      12 hours, 2 mins ago

      play Anderson (avl) or Wilson (LIV)

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 20 mins ago

        Wilson

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      2. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 23 mins ago

        I'm playing Wilson.

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    21. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      12 hours ago

      Anything worth a hit here? 4-4-2 the right way to go? 0.6m itb.

      Sanchez
      Gabriel konate vdv keane
      Saka Cunha Foden BrunoG
      Haaland dcl

      Dubravka Thiago Anderson diouf

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      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 18 mins ago

        GTG but consider Anderson for 1st sub. Everton defence can be hard to breach, especially at home. Anderson at least has Defcon points up his sleeve.

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    22. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      12 hours ago

      What is the problem with this team?

      Pope
      Gabriel, van Dijk, Keane
      Saka, Foden, Rogers, Bruno G.
      Haaland (C), Ekitike, Calvert-Lewin

      Dubravka, Miley, Alderete, Guehi

      Thank you and good luck!

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      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 11 mins ago

        Don't see a problem
        G2G

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

        Van Dijk stands out

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      3. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        11 hours, 1 min ago

        Looks pretty solid

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    23. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 57 mins ago

      https://x.com/i/status/2007216192214446158

      Rice has travelled with the squad

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        11 hours, 5 mins ago

        Yep

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      2. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        9 hours, 51 mins ago

        That's his job, innit.

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      3. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        9 hours, 50 mins ago

        Odd, people getting kudos for showing up for work now.....

        Woke nonsense

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    24. Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 49 mins ago

      1FT
      A. Thiago to Bowen
      B. Save FT

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      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 47 mins ago

        For free sure

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      2. boroie
        • 7 Years
        11 hours, 46 mins ago

        B

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    25. boroie
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 48 mins ago

      Currently have 3FTs. Is this worth a -4?

      Foden, Wilson, King, Thiago
      ->
      Cherki, Gordon, Rogers, Mane

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 hours, 57 mins ago

        Over the next 3 probably. Maybe not this week alone

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    26. GROBARI
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 45 mins ago

      Start 1
      A) Alderete
      B) Stach
      C) Senesi

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      1. Four Letter Wirtz
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 23 mins ago

        BAC for me... Stach should do well versus ManU

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    27. Better Call Raul
      • 6 Years
      11 hours, 45 mins ago

      Anyone considering a punt on Richarlison?

      6.4m and fixtures are SUN, bou, WHU, bur, MCI

      He's been finishing confidently just he's usually offside at the time. Thinking of selling Thiago to get him

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 hours, 56 mins ago

        Spurs look shocking atm. Not a single shot on goal against Brentford.

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        1. Better Call Raul
          • 6 Years
          10 hours, 13 mins ago

          They still generated more xG than Brentford though and he's cheaper than Thiago

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      2. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        9 hours, 49 mins ago

        If you have no more pressing issues.

        Can't get any worse than Thiago, innit

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    28. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 44 mins ago

      WC locked and off to sleep. GTG?

      Roefs
      Gabriel Timber Tarkowski
      Saka Rogers Guimaraes Paqueta
      Haaland(C) Ekitike DCL

      Dubravka Nunes Stach Alderete

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      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        11 hours, 33 mins ago

        I think it is good to go and a fantastic team.

        Maybe an early wildcard can hurt with the double game weeks at the end of the season.

        Good night and good luck!

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        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          11 hours, 30 mins ago

          Cheers fam

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      2. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        11 hours, 21 mins ago

        You've got 3 excellent starting defenders there + Alderete who will be viable most weeks. Nunez feels like wasted money and will just give you benching headaches, so just pick Gudmunsson or other 3.8 instead and bank the cash.

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    29. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 hours, 36 mins ago

      What is better?

      A) Rondon -> Mukiele
      B) van Dijk -> Nunez

      Thanks!

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      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        11 hours, 35 mins ago

        Sorry ... Nunes

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    30. trafalgarlaw
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 26 mins ago

      Captain Rogers anyone? Or just safe with Haaland

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      1. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        11 hours, 24 mins ago

        I don't think Forest is such an easy fixture. Haaland for me.

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        1. trafalgarlaw
          • 7 Years
          11 hours, 22 mins ago

          Yeah tricky Forest, cheers

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      2. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        11 hours, 24 mins ago

        I will go safe with Haaland.

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        1. trafalgarlaw
          • 7 Years
          11 hours, 21 mins ago

          Cheers mate, early kick off captain often give bad return

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    31. Price Changes
      rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      11 hours, 24 mins ago

      Price changes 2nd January

      Rises:
      Bowen 7.7
      Schade 7.1
      Trossard 7.0
      Cherki 6.8
      Gabriel 6.5
      Garner 5.1
      Mukiele 4.3
      Alderete 4.1

      Falls:
      Foden 8.9
      Eze 7.4
      Neto 7.2
      Rice 7.1
      Thiago 6.9
      Isidor 5.3
      Elliott 5.1
      Burn 5.0
      Senesi 4.8
      Ballard 4.6
      Diakité 4.3
      Rodon 3.9

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      1. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 18 mins ago

        Oh dear, 1-4

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        1. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          10 hours, 28 mins ago

          1-5 even. FFS

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          1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            9 hours, 40 mins ago

            0-1 only

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      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 18 mins ago

        Cheers Rainy!

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      3. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 17 mins ago

        This one's brutal

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      4. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 15 mins ago

        Cheers Rainy

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      5. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 hours, 6 mins ago

        Volatile

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      6. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 hours, 48 mins ago

        People panicing

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      7. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        10 hours, 12 mins ago

        1-1 Cheers Rainy! You're a legend!

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      8. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        9 hours, 39 mins ago

        Brutal! 1 up, 3 down

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      9. Sandy Ravage
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 53 mins ago

        good time to WC for TV chasers

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      10. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 40 mins ago

        Bloody New Year Sales I only came in for a dishwasher

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