Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 5?

19 September 2025 1111 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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In Gameweek 4, FPL managers who targeted the fixture and captained Mohamed Salah (ยฃ14.5m) were rewarded in stoppage time. All three of the Egyptian’s attacking returns have come after the 90th minute!

Erling Haaland (ยฃ14.2m) bagged his fourth and fifth goals of the season to continue his stellar record in the Manchester derby, while Cole Palmer (ยฃ10.4m) returned from injury against Brentford to remind us of his enduring quality.

Attention now turns to Gameweek 5 and whether there is a case to look beyond Salah, who hosts Everton in the early kick-off, in favour of a differential option.

Captain Sensible is here to help!

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics,ย Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturdayโ€™s 11am BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 5 captain best

Among Fantasy Football Scout site users, Salah is the runaway leader in the captaincy poll, currently sitting on just over 50% of the vote. A goal and assist in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday has only increased his appeal.ย 

Haaland sits in second place once again with a little under 10% backing ahead of Man Cityโ€™s heavyweight clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. The Norwegian scored in both league fixtures against the Gunners last season.ย 

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo (ยฃ7.5m) and Joao Pedro (ยฃ7.8m) are the only other players with over 5% of the vote.

Player Stats

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

1,111 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. toneyboney6759
    • 4 Years
    1 day, 38 mins ago

    Is this a bench boost

    Raya,
    MinoZ, VDV, Porro, Senesei
    Saleh, Grealish, Semenyo,
    Mateta, Pedro, Gykores

    Dubravka, Livramento, Reijnders, King

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      23 hours, 23 mins ago

      Do you see 20pts there?

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      1. McGurn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        23 hours, 8 mins ago

        Sire. The fact that you have 20 points for a bench boost as your benchmark proves how much better you are than me. If i ever got 20 points from a bench boost I would be happier than a racist with a flag! Cheers pal.

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        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          18 hours, 24 mins ago

          I once got -1 for a bench boost! Tis a true story!

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      2. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        18 hours, 18 mins ago

        20pts in a dgw in the second half of the season might be a target, but this first half season SGW BB I'd be happy with 14 (managed 19).

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    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      23 hours, 18 mins ago

      Not for me mate

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    3. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      23 hours, 14 mins ago

      Yes, looks good.

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    4. Four Letter Wirtz
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 12 mins ago

      Not in the traditional sense, as those bench players (especially Livramiento and Reijnders) have tough fixtures. However, this gameweek is an absolute headache for choosing who to bench in the first place, so maybe BB is not a bad idea after all

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    5. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      21 hours, 22 mins ago

      Yes

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  2. F4L
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 11 mins ago

    if you had to, like had to, would you rather Wirtz or Foden for the mid to long term? 8-12 GWs at least sort of thing

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    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      23 hours, 14 mins ago

      Foden.

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  3. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 11 mins ago

    Rolling FT and £2.1m … but still a few final decisions!

    A) Dubravka (NFO) or Raya (MCI)? Currently on the former…
    B) Start one from Senesi (NEW), VdV (bha), Leeds (Gudmunsson crikey hi))

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    1. F4L
      • 10 Years
      23 hours, 13 mins ago

      raya
      senesi

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    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      23 hours, 13 mins ago

      Raya

      Senesi

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  4. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 10 mins ago

    Sanchez
    Andersen, Porro, Richards, Neco Williams
    Salah (c), Wirtz, Fernandes, Semenyo
    Mateta, Watkins

    Dubravka, KDH, Rodon, JSL

    1ft 0.1M ITB

    Would you BB with this?

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    1. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      22 hours, 51 mins ago

      no

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  5. LFC
    • 3 Years
    23 hours, 52 mins ago

    Evanilson to who?

    Got 10mil in the bank and currently have Watkins and ekiteke aswell. One week punt as playing wc next week

    A) mateta
    B) Pedro
    C) wood
    D) any one else

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    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      21 hours, 25 mins ago

      Roll

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  6. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 50 mins ago

    Murillo doesn't start ๐Ÿ™

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news/

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    1. sageypoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      17 hours, 18 mins ago

      But will he be subbed on?

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      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        15 hours, 28 mins ago

        I'm not sure.

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  7. Stevie_V
    • 3 Years
    23 hours, 49 mins ago

    Semenyo, Palmer or Haaland as captain?

    I tend to go for Semenyo but my gut says Palmer.

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      22 hours ago

      Deliberating same 3. On Plmer at the minute but gut says Haaland

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  8. FPL Sanky
    • 1 Year
    23 hours, 41 mins ago

    Should I change anything here? On a WC

    Raya
    Senesi Virgil Richards Andersen
    Kudus Semenyo Palmer(c)
    Haaland Gyokeres J.Pedro

    Dubravka Reijndeers KDH VdV

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    1. tbos83
      • 4 Years
      22 hours, 24 mins ago

      You should include both Salah and Haaland

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      1. FPL Sanky
        • 1 Year
        22 hours, 12 mins ago

        I had Salah and Haaland before WC.....The reason I wildcarded was because the rest of my team was rubbish.....Apart from GW5, I don't see anytime when I'll captain him over Haaland and Palmer....so don't see any point in having him on my WC

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        1. tbos83
          • 4 Years
          22 hours, 4 mins ago

          I'm sorry to say but if you had Salah and Haaland before, I'm really questioning your decision to wc

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          1. FPL Sanky
            • 1 Year
            21 hours, 55 mins ago

            That is because I also had Wirtz, Watkins and DeCuyper who were disrupting my team value...if not this week, I would have WC next week but 3-4 players which I had were going down in price

            Plus I was glad to catch the price rise of J.Pedro, Semenyo and VDV

            Team value will be very important going forwards and hence I decided to go in a week early

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    2. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      22 hours, 17 mins ago

      Salah is the only missing piece.

      As a no-Salah team it’s not bad, but Virgil is way overpriced considering the defenders regularly getting Defcon. Would much rather have Chalobah tbh. Also not sure about Reijnders as a bench option

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      1. FPL Sanky
        • 1 Year
        22 hours, 9 mins ago

        Virgil is a defon beast and plays for a much better team than any of the 4.5 defenders.....think he'll be fine

        Agree Salah is missing but having him and Haaland will involve a lot of compromises

        Plus apart from GW5, I am not going to captain him over Haaland and Palmer...so don't see the point of having him on a WC

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        1. C0YS
          • 9 Years
          20 hours, 14 mins ago

          I guess it comes down to whether you expect Palmer/Kudus/VvD to outscore a trio more like Salah/Caicedo/VdV

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  9. Letsgo!
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 28 mins ago

    Capt palmer or watkins?
    Start kudus or damsgaard?

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 28 mins ago

      Palmer Kudus

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  10. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    23 hours, 25 mins ago

    Right, before I pull the trigger on the move (catch potential price rise) just want to re-ask...
    Thoughts on possible moves over next few GWs?

    GW5 - RAN to Senesi then BB with Dubravka, KDH, Senesi, Porro
    GW6 - Watkins to Gyokeres
    GW7 - Porro to Gabriel (or move in GW6 for a hit)

    Current team:

    Sanchez
    Munoz, Andersen, Cucurella,
    Wirtz, Reijnders, Kudus, Semenyo,
    Haaland, J Pedro, Watkins,

    Dubravka, KDH, Porro, RAN.
    0.0 ITB 1FT

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    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      22 hours, 22 mins ago

      Looks great - RAN to Senesi is a fantastic move

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      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        22 hours, 19 mins ago

        Cheers ๐Ÿ™‚

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        1. C0YS
          • 9 Years
          22 hours, 16 mins ago

          Anytime - did that exact move last GW

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  11. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 20 mins ago

    Good enough? I keep being tempted by a WC before I fall too far back with this team.

    Sels
    Gudmundsson | Milenkovic | VdV
    (S)alah | Bruno | Semenyo | Reijnders
    Watkins | Ekitike | JP

    Dubravka, Grealish, Tosin, Esteve

    0.1 itb, 0FT

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    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      21 hours, 46 mins ago

      Very similar team to mine further down.

      I think I'm comfortable not WC'ing yet. I have 3 FT though, so that does help that decision.

      I think you're okay for now - see how this week plays out and re-assess.

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  12. C0YS
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 19 mins ago

    Whom would you rather have playing this week?

    A) Alderete (AVL)
    B) Ekdal (NFO)
    C) Rodon (wol)

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    1. Slurpy
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 32 mins ago

      Coin toss Between B and C. Probably just C

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  13. Sideways Backwards
    • 10 Years
    23 hours, 11 mins ago

    Who should I prioritise moving on?
    A) Elanga
    B) Ekitiki

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    1. Pep Roulette
      • 7 Years
      23 hours, 5 mins ago

      B 100%

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    2. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 1 min ago

      Would hold Ekitike for this GW, so Elanga

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    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 54 mins ago

      Elanga

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    4. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      22 hours, 12 mins ago

      Elanga

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  14. The Mastermind
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 8 mins ago

    Thinking about rolling my FT - anything obvious I’m missing?

    Dubravka
    Esteve Diouf Konsa
    Salah Semenyo Grealish Mitoma Reinders
    Joao Haaland

    Verbruggen Porro Guiu Murillo

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    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      21 hours, 48 mins ago

      Think that's the right decision. We have a similar team actually if you don't mind looking further below.

      Are you sure about benching P. Porro though?

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      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        21 hours, 14 mins ago

        Had the same thought - surely start him over one of that bunch

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  15. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 6 mins ago

    Would you bench

    a). Ekitike
    b). Bruno
    c). Grealish

    ?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      22 hours, 9 mins ago

      No

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    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      22 hours, 2 mins ago

      Feel like there must be somebody else?

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      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 13 Years
        22 hours, 2 mins ago

        Reijnders, Watkins, JP

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        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 13 Years
          21 hours, 48 mins ago

          I'd personally start Bruno over Reijnders but it's a fair call either way.

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          1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 13 Years
            21 hours, 46 mins ago

            Yeah, I benched Reijnders. Can't wait for that to bite me in the arse.

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    3. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      21 hours, 14 mins ago

      C

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  16. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    23 hours, 6 mins ago

    What do you think about Maresca’s reply to the question about the mental well-being of Sterling and Disasti? Seem pretty clear to me that he no grasp of mental health at all, preferring to compare it to his dads hard life as a fisherman. Quite bizarre really.

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    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 13 Years
      22 hours, 5 mins ago

      He isn't wrong (to have a go at a millionaire for "having it tough").

      He is wrong (to disparage mental health concerns with his relativism).

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      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 13 Years
        21 hours, 51 mins ago

        Well said.

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      2. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        21 hours, 50 mins ago

        Did he actually say that though? No amount of money can spare you depression. Not that I’ll ever get a chance to test the theory ๐Ÿ˜†

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  17. Pep Roulette
    • 7 Years
    23 hours, 6 mins ago

    Hey fam! Save FT & GTG?

    Dubravka
    Cucurella Munoz VDV Gudmundsson
    Salah(C) Rogers Kudus
    Haaland Ekitike Wood

    John Reijnders King Hartman

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    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      22 hours, 59 mins ago

      Risking another Wood 1 pointer? I'd change him to Reijnders. Otherwise, Go get 'em! Good luck!

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      1. Pep Roulette
        • 7 Years
        22 hours, 58 mins ago

        Do you think he starts or no?

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        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          21 hours, 22 mins ago

          Wood? Who knows, team is in transition. What to do?

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      2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 13 Years
        22 hours, 57 mins ago

        NFO are playing the worst team in the league. If Wood doesn't haul then, he's cooked.

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        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 13 Years
          21 hours, 51 mins ago

          I subscribe to this logic too.

          Rest looks good to save.

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  18. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    23 hours, 4 mins ago

    Best option here? 1ft,1.9m itb. Thanks

    a. johnson > simons
    b. johnson watkins > palmer evanilson -4
    c. save ft
    d. something else?

    sanchez
    milenkovic munoz vdv
    semenyo gakpo johnson anderson
    haaland watkins pedro

    dubravka gabriel reijnders gudmundsson

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    1. number9
      • 16 Years
      21 hours, 58 mins ago

      Your subs sim to mine, reckon vdv over gudmundson.? Feels like if your not gonna play him against wolves what's the point.

      God knows what spurs staring 11 will be. Watkins -> gyokeres?

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      1. SpaceCadet
        • 11 Years
        21 hours, 31 mins ago

        Not the best fixture for gyokeres. Think I should sell Johnson for Simons?

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  19. number9
    • 16 Years
    23 hours, 4 mins ago

    Can't decide who to play

    Becker, Dubravka
    Gabriel, Virgil, Rodon, Van de Ven, Guehi
    Palmer, Gapko, Reijnders, paqueto, grealiish
    Haaland, mateta, jao Pedro

    Thinking of benching
    Dubravka (NFO), Reijnders (Ars),vdv (BHA), Gabriel (MCi)
    But really can't decide all could do well but fixtures tough to justify bench boost. Gabriel stressing me the most from those.

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    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      21 hours, 52 mins ago

      I would be close to BB'ing that but can understand why you'd want to play it safe.

      I'd play VdV over Gabriel personally as Gabriel could come on off the bench later on in the game.

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  20. Manani
    • 13 Years
    22 hours, 51 mins ago

    Start 2:

    1. Reijn
    2. Rodon
    3. Diouf
    4. Konsa

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    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      21 hours, 49 mins ago

      I'd say 2 4/1 3 in that order.

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  21. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    22 hours, 51 mins ago

    On WC, who is the best Goalkeeper under 5m ? Already have Dubravka

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    1. Slurpy
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 30 mins ago

      Depends on what other defenders you've got. Best are probably Sanchez , Leno, Petrovic atm

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      1. FantasyClub
        • 4 Years
        21 hours, 13 mins ago

        Sanchez is 5.0

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      2. FantasyClub
        • 4 Years
        21 hours, 13 mins ago

        So is Leno

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    2. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      20 hours, 51 mins ago

      Petrovic

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  22. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 13 Years
    22 hours, 50 mins ago

    Had to take some weeks off and left with 3FT...

    Sarr --> Semenyo and save FT for Haaland next week?

    -- --

    Sánchez
    P.Porro -- Milenkovic -- Konsa
    Salah (c) -- B.Fernandes -- Kudus -- Sarr ** -- Reijnders
    J.Pedro -- Watkins

    Dubravka -- Esteve -- Diouf -- Guiu -- [3 FT + 3.8m ITB]

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    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      21 hours, 44 mins ago

      Would you do Diouf --> Senesi also, or just hold that FT and look for a bigger overhaul next GW?

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  23. NoName
    • 10 Years
    22 hours, 35 mins ago

    Most points this gw?

    A) Salah Kudus Muniz
    B) Semenyo Palmer Watkins

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    1. Slurpy
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 30 mins ago

      B

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  24. Bruno Commando
    • 11 Years
    22 hours, 30 mins ago

    Anyone thinking of moving WC7 forward to WC6? I know Arsenal plays Newcastle in GW6 so that's not the best but other than that, it looks fine to WC 1 week earlier. Team isn't doing the best and I really want Haaland in GW6...

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    1. Slurpy
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 28 mins ago

      Can't get to Haaland in 2 transfers?

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      1. Bruno Commando
        • 11 Years
        21 hours, 14 mins ago

        I can. But there are many players I want to get rid of in WC7, which I could also do so in WC6 - Konsa, Salah, Bruno, Sarr, Watkins, Wood, Esteve...

        Ideally I want to keep Sels and Milenkovic in GW6 vs Sunderland but Forest hasn't been performing so I am fine with ditching Milenkovic in WC6 as well.

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  25. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    22 hours, 30 mins ago

    X. Simons or Kudus?

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    1. Slurpy
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 29 mins ago

      Xavi feels more exciting

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    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      21 hours, 25 mins ago

      Xavi

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    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      21 hours, 25 mins ago

      Xavi

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    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      21 hours, 20 mins ago

      One more for Xavi

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  26. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    22 hours, 22 mins ago

    Start one this gw

    A. Reijnders
    B. Johnson
    C. Gudmundsson 4-3-3
    D. Johnson > simons ft

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      21 hours, 25 mins ago

      D

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    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      21 hours, 20 mins ago

      C Has chances at both ends.

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  27. Pep Roulette
    • 7 Years
    22 hours, 11 mins ago

    Do you think King starts tomorrow?

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  28. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    22 hours, 8 mins ago

    Pedro porro > Virgil (VVD)
    For Free
    YAAAY
    Noooo
    Already have VDV

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  29. tabby98
    • 10 Years
    22 hours, 5 mins ago

    What to do here guys?

    Sanchez
    Porro, Munoz, Neco
    Kudus, Salah, Wirtz, Reijnders
    Pedro, Watkins, Wood

    Dubravka | Rogers, VDV, Esteve

    1FT
    £0.1m ITB

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  30. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    22 hours, 5 mins ago

    Enzo rising in price tonight. Worth it to go Johnson > Enzo before the rise? Or prefer Simons?

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

      Xavi

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    2. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      20 hours, 53 mins ago

      Enzo rising is odd. I have him so I’ll take it, - his 2nd price rise for me.
      Of the 2, I’d probably have Simons though.

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