Fantasy Football Files - 2025/26 - Gameweek 23 - 'Black Men United'

My good friend Jermaine (JR the Front Room Gooner) was my ‘Justice League’ opponent in gameweek 23. Whilst I was trying to avoid the bottom three, my opponent was in 9th place, within the packed group trying to put a couple of wins together that could break them into the money positions in the top four.

Looking at my team, I wanted a differential. I only planned to use one of what was now 3 free transfers, so I decided to make a change up front. Though, I thought Jarrod Bowen could do something against Sunderland, as he had not returned in the three games I had him back in my team for, I sold him. In came Brian Brobbey (£5.5m) who was owned by less than 1% as after the West Ham game Sunderland were then at home to Burnley. The opposition did not make any changes to his team and unlike in other weeks I was facing someone who had almost a completely different team to mine. Jermaine and I both captained Erling Haaland as Manchester City were at home to Wolves, though there were vicious rumours that he would be on the bench along with Phil Foden.

Saturday’s early game saw me immediately suffer for selling Bowen. As I made my way home from recording the D&D Football Factory’s #FootyOnTop show, I got a notification saying West Ham had taken the lead. I saw that Bowen’s right foot cross was superbly headed in by Crysensio Summerville (£5.5m). It worsened as with Lucas Paqueta seeking a move back to Brazil, Bowen is now back on penalties, and he netted the second from the spot after a foul by Trai Hume. Mateus Fernandes then scored a tremendous goal from long range as it was 3-0 at half-time. I had given up hope with the margin being so wide but to my joy I got something from the match. Though it was mere consolation it was huge for me as Brobbey headed in for the Black Cats. As I took my eye momentarily off the action it was not until the replay that I saw Nordi Mukiele got the assist with a good cross. Brobbey somehow also got a bonus point so after thinking I was going to end up with nothing I got 11 points from this match.

Martin Dubravaka was only on my bench and was in exceptional form as Burnley drew 2-2 with Tottenham. Micky van de Ven gave Spurs the lead with a finish that a striker would have been proud of as I gained more points. Burnley fired back to take the lead before Cristian Romero made it a goal in back-to-back league games. Tottenham’s centre backs are so lethal in the opposition’s box I would not be surprised if some fantasy managers have both. Fulham and Brighton looked set for a 1-1 draw before a dramatic finish. Danny Welbeck had a goal disallowed for offside and then had a header well tipped over by Bernd Leno. Fulham with basically the last kick of the contest got a free-kick and Harry Wilson who I had given up on getting anything from put the ball in the top corner, and I screamed! Bart Verbruggen got a hand on it, but it was too hot to handle as Wilson got 10 points from out of nowhere. Wilson’s form has truly been amazing.

The news that leaked turned out to be correct as Pep Guardiola left Foden and Haaland on the bench. Manchester City still went on to win 2-0 against Wolves with two first half goals. The second was scored by Antoine Semenyo, who for the first time this season was a differential for me in a head-to-head. The Ghanaian almost scored again in the second period, but his powerful left foot shot smacked the crossbar. Marc Guehi was in Jermaine’s team which allowed him to neutralise the Semenyo goal. Haaland and Foden both came on in the second half but to no avail.

In the late match, Hugo Ekitike was only on the bench for Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth. The Reds went 2-0 down at the Vitality Stadium, so clean sheet points from Jeremie Frimpong were dashed. Virgil van Dijk pulled a goal back before half-time and then Dominic Szoboszlai who had earlier assisted the van Dijk header scored a free-kick to level things up. It looked destined for a 2-2 draw when Amine Adli won the game for the Cherries with a scrappy goal right at the death, I was livid! My real-life team dropped even more points, I felt sick. In terms of the head-to-head Eli Kroupi Jnr was booked before being subbed so nothing for Jermaine there. Despite that appalling end to the day in fantasy and reality, I was 40-9 when Saturday ended.

Sunday, as I thought it would, saw me having to rue leaving Martin Dubravka on my bench. Dubravka’s 5 points outweighed Caoimhin Kelleher’s solitary point as Nottingham beat Brentford 2-0. When bringing in Brobbey I did think about buying Igor Thiago again, so at least he blanked. At Selhurst Park I needed Crystal Palace to score as my opponent had Reece James. Chelsea went 3-0 ahead just after an hour and as I was watching Newcastle and Aston Villa, when I heard the Eagles got a late goal I was pleased, only to find out that James had already been substituted. Jermaine and I both had Morgan Rogers who assisted a fine strike by Emiliano Buendia for the opener as Aston Villa won 2-0 at St James’ Park. I left Matty Cash on the bench, so I missed out there, however I was up against Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade, so their blanks were welcomed.

The last match on Sunday would have massive impact on the head-to-head. I led by 23 points, 49-26 but Jermaine had four men in the Arsenal-Manchester United clash. He had the double in defence of David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes, so I desperately needed United to find the net. As well as that he had Leandro Trossard and Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese was the most transferred in player this week. The Gunners took the lead through another own goal before United stormed back to go 2-1 ahead. So at least I did not need to worry about a double clean sheet from the home side. Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a mistake for the equaliser. Patrick Dorgu, who I recommended a while ago got the second with a tremendous shot in off the bar, unfortunately he then came off injured. The goal was assisted by Fernandes, but my team were able to absorb that. Mikel Arteta’s men levelled only for Matheus Cunha to win it for the Red Devils in the 87th minute with a really good finish.

After all the worrying this all allowed me to prevail 49-35. In a low scoring week, Rian also got 49 whereas the only people who got more than us were Josh with 50, and Ravi with 60 as the latter had Szoboszlai. I remain 16th in the ‘Justice League after the win, whereas Jermaine dropped to 10th. I now will have a long look at what to do with my team, Foden and Haaland are both out of form and I have some major decisions to make.

@DubulDee