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West Ham v Sunderland team news: Xhaka ruled out

24 January 2026 620 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Before the rumoured bedlam that will erupt with the release of the Manchester City teamsheet, we’ve got a more low-key start to Gameweek 23.

West Ham United v Sunderland gets us underway at 12.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

The team news is fairly straightforward in east London, with West Ham unsurprisingly unchanged from their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

El Hadji Malick Diouf has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but has to settle for a place on the bench. Ollie Scarles keeps his place at left-back.

Lucas Paqueta‘s absence was confirmed by Nuno Espirito Santo on Thursday.

Something that Regis Le Bris didn’t do on the same day was divulge information about Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international, one of just four Fantasy midfielders who were ever-present starters this season, misses out through injury.

Eliezer Mayenda takes his place.

That’s the only change from Gameweek 22.

The Black Cats have two of their own returning AFCON representatives on the bench, namely Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi.

The Gameweek 23 matches are a re-run of the opening weekend of the season. In the reverse fixture of this encounter, Sunderland beat West Ham 3-0 on Wearside.

LINE-UPS

West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Pablo, Summerville, Castellanos.

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Ward-Prowse, Wilson, Diouf, Magassa, Potts, Kante.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Hume, Sadiki, Le Fee, Mundle, Mayenda, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, O’Nien, Geertruida, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Adingra, Isidor, Talbi.

620 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    10 hours, 39 mins ago

    Saka > Palmer this week?

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      10 hours, 38 mins ago

      I would not

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  2. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    10 hours, 38 mins ago

    A guy in one of my league who is pretty good (got top 1k last year) is going full maverick lol. Took a -4 hit with transfers, put Haaland last on the bench and capped Ndiaye.

    Thats the kind of play I can respect and I honestly hope it pays off for him.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      10 hours, 38 mins ago

      4 transfers*

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    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      10 hours, 32 mins ago

      agree with you these kinda players get high on scoreboard, we play too safe in here

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        10 hours, 29 mins ago

        Its definitely how you have to play (especially second half of the season) if you want a real chance to win big money leagues. Go big or go home.

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      2. polroger
        • 14 Years
        10 hours, 26 mins ago

        I just keept C on Haaland. To mutch risk to go agenst him. Prob just sit on the beanch all game if rested so then the vicecap kicks inn : )

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  3. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    10 hours, 38 mins ago

    Bottomed - Which one to sell first GW24?
    A. Virgil > starts Chalobah (WHU) Ekitike (NEW) 343
    B. Ekitike > starts Virgil (NEW) Mbeumo (FUL) 442

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  4. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    10 hours, 37 mins ago

    23/26 people in my work league have capped Haaland. Now they gonna know who the chronic users of fantasy forums are lol

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      10 hours, 36 mins ago

      Hahaha. I fear the same.

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  5. Punned It
      10 hours, 34 mins ago

      Got Haaland capped. Gab VC. This should be fine. I refuse to break sweat.

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        10 hours, 34 mins ago

        Hope he stays on the bench but 0% chance that happens.

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        1. Punned It
            10 hours, 33 mins ago

            Comes on and gets a goal just to show up Pep. It'll be fine.

            Fine, I tell you.

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          • Amartey Partey
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 32 mins ago

            Maybe 0.5%.

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        2. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 hours, 7 mins ago

          Just like Prince Andrew!

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      2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        10 hours, 34 mins ago

        Got 4 FTs. Using 3 gives me this. Ok?

        Raya Dubravka
        Timber VVD Nunes Rodon Mukiele
        Saka BrunoF Mbeumo Rogers LeFee
        Haaland DCL Kroupi

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      3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 hours, 34 mins ago

        I was here for the leak this time but it's an absolute joke for a number of reasons

        Anyone with responsibilities/a life (Kids, jobs) are put at a disadvantage as they are not huddled around their computer/phone always before a deadline.
        Secondly, this is supposed to be a game played worldwide, people on other time zones are at an instant disadvantage with the leaks

        I will sound like a right moaner here but years ago there was some element of real courage when making moves, nothing was handed out to you on a plate and you had to think of moves. It would feel good to actually make a move and for it to come off (E.g. the most captained player was benched and you captained someone else as you had a feeling he might be benched). Now it's basically handed to you

        I don't want to hear anyone celebrating their non-haaland captains this week, if you do then you really need to check yourself because being spoonfed news like that and making a change to your team based on that news doesn't make you a genius

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        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          10 hours, 33 mins ago

          Damn this has really affected you

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        2. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          10 hours, 32 mins ago

          You’ve always been a moaner

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        3. Philosopher's Stones
          • 5 Years
          10 hours, 32 mins ago

          I've got a solution. Don't have kids and also resign from your job.

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        4. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 hours, 32 mins ago

          You can't solve this problem though in this day and age with the way information is shared.

          Moving the deadline doesn't help unless it's something unrealistic like a day before. There will always be news that some will have that others won't.

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          1. Sir Michael Taker
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 27 mins ago

            Just move the deadline to kickoff. It is possible, they do it in challenge. Doesnt take that long to check the confirmed lineup out pre kickoff. Make your moves, get on with life. Everyones a winner bar those trying to farm engagement via pre deadline streams so it obvoously wont happen

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            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 hours, 22 mins ago

              It wouldn't help this situation because the City lineup is for the 3pm kickoff. By the start of KO today, we still wouldn't have the official lineups so the leakers would still have an advantage.

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              1. Camzy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                10 hours, 22 mins ago

                *Kickoff of the early game that is.

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                1. Sir Michael Taker
                  • 11 Years
                  10 hours, 18 mins ago

                  Sorry you are right, I meant have moveable deadlines like challenge and FUCL

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        5. Traction Engine Foot
          • 7 Years
          10 hours, 31 mins ago

          All true, but then again it is quite a silly game in the first place.

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        6. JBG
          • 7 Years
          10 hours, 31 mins ago

          You're absolutely correct.

          You do sound like a right moaner.

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        7. Punned It
            10 hours, 30 mins ago

            It's alright, mate, chances are it'll only be a matter of a few points.

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            1. Bolivian Seaman
              • 15 Years
              10 hours, 28 mins ago

              yep

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          • F4L
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 30 mins ago

            is what it is, didnt get the chance to see any leaks either. didnt cap haaland but did play BB 😐 just a shame the City match wasnt tomorrow this gw

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          • Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            10 hours, 28 mins ago

            Tbh I dont care. I was on this forum about 10am then decided to do a bit of exercise and play for half an hour with my six month old before I head out for the day. Time well spent over endlessly refreshing and scrolling for leaks. People can lol at Haaland cappers all they want later.

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            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              10 hours, 21 mins ago

              Six month old what? Solio membership?

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          • Studs Up
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            10 hours, 28 mins ago

            OMG... we live in a digital world.

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          • Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 27 mins ago

            You are 1000% correct and anyone who disagrees is exactly one of the no lifers sat in private whatsapp groups with leaked info that other people dont have access to.

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          • x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 26 mins ago

            How have you been posting here for 15 years and not realised yet that there's never an even playing field in any competition. There will always be people who have more time to watch full games, pore over stats, look for leaks, etc - that's without even mentioning the ones that actually work in the industry who get team news early.

            The fact that you have time to post frequently on this website is an advantage over somebody who doesn't. You all need to get a grip and face the reality that you will never win this game.

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          • riot
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 hours, 24 mins ago

            or just don't captain haaland and miss the leak too

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          • Jet5605
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 21 mins ago

            Bringing your life choices into it is pretty desperate. You still have a big advantage over players who live half way across the world.

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          • boc610
            • 14 Years
            10 hours, 20 mins ago

            Dafuq you talking about ?all "busy" people do with a life , kids etc is look at their phones . Have the page on latest comments at 1045, wait until you see a link, click link, make a decision. That cam be done in 10 mins . Plus its a Saturday you make it sound like this is happening at 945 am on a Monday

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          • Faxof
            • 10 Years
            10 hours, 12 mins ago

            What leak??

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          • Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            10 hours, 9 mins ago

            It’s quite simple, they just need to make the deadline the night before the first game.

            It’s rubbish but it’s the only fair solutions to all players, there will always be leakers, only way to stop it is to ban social media.

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        8. Sir Michael Taker
          • 11 Years
          10 hours, 33 mins ago

          How many points was Haaland on prior to the last few minutes of the Burnley game? As I recall most of that TC haul was achieved very late and it looked like a failed chip for a while.

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          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 30 mins ago

            This is one week where I'm pretty relaxed to cap the Robot, bench or not.

            There just weren't enough standout options to make the switch, and I would rather 30mins of a pissed-off Haaland than 80+ minutes of anyone else this particular GW

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            1. Sir Michael Taker
              • 11 Years
              10 hours, 29 mins ago

              Same, most of my other options were just not captainable. If I had Thiago probably a different matter but nobody else stands out this week

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              1. Utopsis
                • 6 Years
                10 hours, 26 mins ago

                I have Thiago but again not convinced - NFO just held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw and Dyche is the king of frustrating the opposition.

                Let's see how it all plays out, but the emotional explosion on here from so many is quite fascinating to observe.

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        9. Sandy Ravage
          • 9 Years
          10 hours, 32 mins ago

          Tarkowski + Rogers > Dorgu + B.Fernandes

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        10. F4L
          • 11 Years
          10 hours, 31 mins ago

          lets go ballard!

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          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 30 mins ago

            Reinildo here!

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          2. Jullepuu
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 29 mins ago

            Alderete for me

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            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              10 hours, 28 mins ago

              He was in my BB team, but had to abandon it and bench him last minute.

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          3. Punned It
              10 hours, 28 mins ago

              Mukiele and Roefs!

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            • Thanos
              • 4 Years
              10 hours, 23 mins ago

              Same

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          4. Jullepuu
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 29 mins ago

            Play it risky and do Foden to Bruno F today for price change reasons?

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            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 hours, 28 mins ago

              I'd do it but also because I still think most teams should be WC'ing in 24.

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              1. Jullepuu
                • 6 Years
                10 hours, 27 mins ago

                Cheers. Altough I disagree on wildcarding at 24. Doubt it is what most people should do

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                1. RamaJama
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  10 hours, 25 mins ago

                  When will you wildcard?

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                  1. Jullepuu
                    • 6 Years
                    10 hours, 23 mins ago

                    Probably later on when there is more information about doubles and blanks

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                2. Utopsis
                  • 6 Years
                  10 hours, 22 mins ago

                  Agree with you re WC

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                  1. RamaJama
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    10 hours, 20 mins ago

                    Think it’s possible to build a good bench for the dgw, and most have 3 aes already and the chance to bring in a Wol player or two by then

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                    1. Utopsis
                      • 6 Years
                      10 hours, 16 mins ago

                      Yeah completely. But in the same vein, there are some who only need to make 2 or 3 transfers to get to desired team, so no need to WC yet.

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          5. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            10 hours, 26 mins ago

            A guy in my league triple captained Haaland

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            1. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              10 hours, 24 mins ago

              Triple amounts of pain.

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          6. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            10 hours, 26 mins ago

            I couldn't go on and become a rockstar because I didn't have time to practice the drums due to kids and work, while Gavin Harrison is out there being a rockstar. Life is so unfair, man.

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          7. Amartey Partey
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 26 mins ago

            Are both teams playing 4-4-2 here?

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          8. Amartey Partey
            • 6 Years
            10 hours, 24 mins ago

            Sidike with a cracking shot.

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            1. Philosopher's Stones
              • 5 Years
              10 hours, 23 mins ago

              Quite impressive to be able to take a shot like that while on crack.

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          9. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 24 mins ago

            Need a Sels Matzerclass to hodor against these Thiago cappers.

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          10. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 hours, 23 mins ago

            This is a huge FH from FPL_Spaceman (Solio Analytics)
            Big upside if it works, I have only one of those players, Thiago
            https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1000002/event/23

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          11. Sir Michael Taker
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 22 mins ago

            To be honest if it happens (the benching), and the leak could just be wrong, probably better for the game overall. Far too many getting comfortable on captaincy. If we arent 100% sure hes a starter or his minutes are reduced if he gets the odd early sub it at least makes us think about it again.

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            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              10 hours, 20 mins ago

              Yeah Haaland perma cap is so uninspiring. I went against him for their away game vs CRY and he responded with a brace 😀

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            2. riot
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 hours, 20 mins ago

              exactly

              an unconfirmed link shouldn't overshadow the fact he was viable not to captain even before the Bodo game

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            3. F4L
              • 11 Years
              10 hours, 19 mins ago

              couple it with a salah brace later and fpl just got very interesting.

              although by the sounds of it salah could still be benched as well this gw 😆

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          12. Jet5605
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 20 mins ago

            Worth doing Eki & Szob > Rogers & Kroupi for -4?

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            1. Jet5605
              • 11 Years
              10 hours, 19 mins ago

              Also allows me to do Dorgu > Chalobah the week after

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            2. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              10 hours, 19 mins ago

              Szob is playing in a new position behind the forward 2 it looks like, give him todays game

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              1. Jet5605
                • 11 Years
                10 hours, 18 mins ago

                I also have Cunha who will need selling but am thinking he could start v Fulham if Dorgu doesn't repeat what he did last week. Think a -4 is inevitable in order to get Chalobah the week after and to battle through all the WC price changes.

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          13. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            10 hours, 18 mins ago

            Really need Bowen’s defcon to make up for the Haaland cap benching.

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            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              10 hours, 18 mins ago

              Haha

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            2. Sun God Nika
              • 5 Years
              10 hours, 17 mins ago

              Hopefully

              If haaland and Bruno g don’t play I need him and Calvert to do wonders from the bench

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            3. Cojones of Destiny
              • 7 Years
              10 hours, 11 mins ago

              really need Bowen to make those gazzilion points i sold thiago for him few gws ago haha

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          14. z13
              10 hours, 17 mins ago

              Wow the one time i wasn't online to see the benching

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              1. z13
                  10 hours, 16 mins ago

                  Not going to complain, Gabriel VC

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                  1. Brosstan
                    • 11 Years
                    10 hours, 15 mins ago

                    Hes coming on 100% in 75 min+..

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                • Sun God Nika
                  • 5 Years
                  10 hours, 15 mins ago

                  We won’t know till we see it on paper (or our digital screen)

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              2. martynteresa
                  10 hours, 15 mins ago

                  Why is everyone so ??? if Haaland does not play.
                  Subs and Vice Captains take over so no great loss

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                  1. Magic Zico
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    10 hours, 14 mins ago

                    cameo

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                  2. Brosstan
                    • 11 Years
                    10 hours, 14 mins ago

                    Because he will get mnutes in second half. Worst case scenario at 80min +

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                • RamaJama
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  10 hours, 13 mins ago

                  Summerville, Sun CS gone

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                  1. RamaJama
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    10 hours, 13 mins ago

                    Bowen assist

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                  2. Magic Zico
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    10 hours, 13 mins ago

                    Nice

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                • Pep Roulette
                  • 8 Years
                  10 hours, 13 mins ago

                  Season over

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                • F4L
                  • 11 Years
                  10 hours, 13 mins ago

                  summerville g
                  bowern a

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                  1. F4L
                    • 11 Years
                    10 hours, 12 mins ago

                    *bowen

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                • Free Hat
                  • 6 Years
                  10 hours, 12 mins ago

                  Summerville having a great winter period!

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                • Cojones of Destiny
                  • 7 Years
                  10 hours, 12 mins ago

                  Finally Bowen you sonofa)

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                • Paganoi
                  • 11 Years
                  10 hours, 12 mins ago

                  What a jump that was.

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                • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                  • 15 Years
                  10 hours, 12 mins ago

                  OMG Summerville.

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                • fedolefan
                  • 11 Years
                  10 hours, 11 mins ago

                  Let’s go Bowen!!

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