Fantasy Football Files - 2025/26 - Gameweek 15 - Wedding Reception

Gameweek 15 pitted me against Muji. I had just beaten by his best mate Khurram last week and if I lost to Muji too then I would never hear the end of it. Although it was not even halfway through the season, it seemed like I was already playing for pride with the number of defeats I had accumulated, surely things could not get any worse?

With the next gameweek giving all FPL managers 5 free transfers because of players departing for AFCON, if you did not use your free transfer this week then you lose it. Therefore, I sold Granit Xhaka and brought in Donyell Malen. I placed Malen as my first substitute just in case Mo Salah was not used once again by Arne Slot. Muji opted to use his ‘Free hit’ bonus chip which I should have telegraphed. As you have two of them now it only hit me about 10 minutes before the deadline I thought maybe I should use mine, but it was too late as I was on air doing the radio show and I did not want to rush the team. Muji and I both captained Erling Haaland, yet again he was the most captained in a gameweek.

The action started at Villa Park as Aston Villa welcomed the leaders, Arsenal. Unai Emery’s men started well and could have taken the lead through Ollie Watkins. They were to go in front when Matty Cash slotted in at the back post. The Gunners levelled at the start of the second half and then both sides had chances to go in front. Malen came off the bench and put a shot just wide I should really have had points wating for me as he should have scored. The home side won it at the death thanks to Emi Buendia.

In the 3pm kick-offs; Bournemouth and Chelsea finished goalless. The match was very frustrating for me although I did get clean sheet points from Marcos Senesi who returned from suspension. Antoine Semenyo had a very early goal ruled out for offside. He then had an effort saved and Evanilson put the rebound over denying him of a fantasy assist. Semenyo had another effort saved at the near post in the second half as Enzo Maresca’s men had to thank Robert Sanchez’s heroics for them to escape with something. Things were more positive at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, however.  Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall showed why it was vital I put him back into my team as his shot was deflected in to give Everton the lead against Nottingham Forest. He hit the outside of the box later before finding the net with another shot on his weaker foot as it ended 3-0. Along with his defensive contributions he amassed a whopping 16 points. If I ever get married, I am doing the reception at Dewsbury Hall. The Everton midfielder was the first man on Muji’s bench, and I was hoping that would come back to burn him.

Muji went all in on Manchester City and Newcastle with his free hit and the former paid mass dividends. Pep Guardiola’s men beat Sunderland 3-0 as they also showed why I left my only remaining man from the Black Cats, Nordi Mukiele on the bench. Not acting on getting Foden back into my team duly punished me as his corner provided the second goal for Josko Gvardiol. Foden then scored the third goal with a header in off the bar from a delicious assist by Rayan Cherki. Foden was the most transferred in this week for a reason. With my opponent also having Nico O’Reilly, the Haaland blank did him no damage as I got nothing from this game as Jeremy Doku did nothing. Newcastle beat ten-man Burnley 2-1. At least here none of the opposition’s players did anything as I was up against Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall and Nick Woltemade. Zian Flemming (£5.3m) scored again for the away side from the penalty spot and could be an option as a third forward if you have budget issues. Micky van de Ven returned to Tottenham’s starting XI as they fought off Brentford 2-0. So, there was another clean sheet at the back for me at least. The downside was my keeper was Caoimhin Kelleher, I could not decide who to go with out of him and Martin Dubravka as the latter got a point more. Igor Thiago twice almost took that clean sheet away that would have got me points anyhow as he had a shot saved in the first half and he shot into the side netting in the second period.

The 5.30pm contest saw my beloved Liverpool got 2-0 up away at Leeds. With Mo Salah on the bench again I did not expect him to be brought on unless things were bad, and he did not touch the pitch in the end although the Reds threw away the lead twice as it unbelievably finished 3-3. Hugo Ekitike found the net twice after I sold him last week, but then an obnoxious challenge by Ibrahima Konate gave Daniel Farke’s men a lifeline from the penalty spot. It only took another two minutes for them to level things up. Dominic Szoboszlai (£6.7m) who out of nowhere is somehow the best Liverpool midfielder to own put Arne’s Slot’s men back in front five minutes after Leeds’ equaliser. The drama was not complete as the sixth goal of the second half was scored by Ao Tanaka as late as the 96^th minute. Salah’s non-appearance not only meant I got a solitary point from Malen, but Salah gave a post-match interview that sadly may be the catalyst to him leaving the club. I led 45-27 when Saturday concluded, with the number of players Muji had left I did not feel safe yet.

Muji’s team consisted of players from just four teams, and he had three men from Brighton who were at home to West Ham on Sunday. Jan Paul van Hecke, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck were who he opted for. I was praying all of them blanked and after 73 minutes things looked good as Jarrod Bowen who had been lively all game put the Hammers ahead. In keeping with my unlucky season another injury time goal caused issues. After a melee in the box, van Hecke knocked the ball back to Georginio Rutter and he fired in to salvage a point for the Seagulls. Just when you thought you had got away with things disaster stuck. This took Muji’s points in the game from 7 to 10, cutting over halfway into my lead. The latter Sunday match was a London Derby between Fulham and Crystal Palace. Daniel Munoz was out injured, so now I got the point off the bench from Mukiele after benching him as I did not think he would get something. The Eagles took the lead through a fine team goal rounded off by Eddie Nketiah. The Cottagers levelled though a great team goal of their own and Harry Wilson (£5.3m) who I have constantly mentioned finished with the outside of his foot. Jean-Philippe Mateta was substituted and therefore I conceded defeat although I had an 11-point advantage. Oliver Glasner’s men won it through a late goal by Marc Guehi. The score was now 48-37 in my favour.

It all depended on whether I could get help from a team with just two points all season in Wolves. It was already written what would happen, but I had blind faith. Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo were who I was facing. Wolves attacking-wise showed some promise but defensively they looked shaky. A mistake by Andre eventually saw Fernandes give the Red Devils the lead. I was so disgusted I just stood in disbelief. Fernandes slipped and was still able to score. Rob Edwards’ men got things on level terms before Wolves made another error and were punished as Mbeumo made it 2-1. It is the hope that kills you and it was now over. I messaged Muji to say well done and clearly patronisingly said it is not over yet. Things believe it or ot worsened. Fernandes assisted a third for Mason Mount and then had a brace as he scored from the penalty spot. Just like that I went from leading by 11 to losing by 15 points as Frenandes finished with 18 points. The final score was 63-48.

This season, for use of a better word sucks. This is my second defeat recently when I have had a solid lead with one game remaining. Can we just end the season now please, I have honesty had enough.

@DubulDee