Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 22

Sergio Aguero has made Fantasy Football exciting again.

I’ve chosen a path that guarantees I’m going to run the Gameweek gauntlet with every passing deadline.

I feel like a kid again, hiding behind the sofa in every Man City live game, like an eight-year-old cowing at the sight of the shambling Cybermen.

Aguero will punish me. It could be this week, it could be next. A spanking is coming but, equally, there’s just a chance that my masterplan could reap rewards and help me keep pace, at the very least.

I’m backing Harry Kane and the likes of Romelu Lukaku and even Mesut Ozil and Kevin De Bruyne to sport the armband and match Aguero’s week-to-week output.

Alongside that I’ve adopted Dimiti Payet early and hope that he can help me make up some ground before his bandwagon gets too crowded.

Crucially, I’m going to keep cash in my defence, using transfers to ship in worthy differentials with clean sheet potential and the prospect of attacking points and bonus.

Christian Fuchs is being recruited this week. The Austrian’s crafty left-foot is being trusted with earning me an advantage over those hamstrung by sinking all their funds into City’s barrel-chested goal-getter.

If Fuchs fails, I’ll have him for next week’s King Power meeting with Stoke and then he’ll be shipped out following that for the next candidate to help mitigate my Aguero gamble.

And so it goes on.

More than likely, I’ll be found out and in less than a month I’ll have to deal my Wildcard and tuck into humble pie, shelling out a million more for Aguero.

However, there’s just a chance that Aguero’s re-introduction has created a split in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) population and that I can exploit it in an unexpected way.

I’m hoping that Kane delivers, and that Lukaku will follow suit in his two Goodison meetings after that. Even if Aguero also comes good, I have to hope that the funds invested in my weekly differential will earn me profit and a slight advantage.

I almost want Aguero to score but score modestly, just to divide things further.

I’ll be banking on Palace to frustrate him somewhat – for Alan Pardew, like a silver-haired Timelord, to concoct a plan to foil Aguero’s plot to take over the FPL rankings and help me to emerge from my hiding place.

Back when I was eight, Doctor Who gave me Saturday nightmares. I’m now 44 and, instead, I’m now dreading the night terror that is the aftermath of an Aguero hat-trick.

I’m telling myself that this is all part of growing up.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,006 Comments Post a Comment
  1. McQueen
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Who's gonna do better today? Kolarov or Sagna? 😉

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Why the winky? I'm creeped out

      Kola

      1. McQueen
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Wanna buy Kola for Kosc with the FT 'cause he's far more dangerous and has a better fixture today but I'm sceptical about it becase of his rotation risk and price dropping. I have a feeling he's gonna do well today.

    2. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kolarov

    3. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      probably kolarov. set piece threat. city might have a lot of looks at goal today.

  2. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    KDB to Payet for free?

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      yes! i have

  3. GK
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku > Aguero for free?

    Other strikers Kabe and Ighalo

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Champione
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, keep Lukaku - good fixtures coming up after this game

    3. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      im in the same boat, i reallly want aguero but i have to sacrifice lukaku or kane for him. gun to my head, i'd probs ship out lukaku but its not necessary yet. let aguero hit form thenmake a decision

  4. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Someone posted about kdb not in squad??

    1. chrisdale98
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Not again

      1. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Super ridiculous once again these rumours sprouting up. Maybe I'm not helping

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Sup Sherlock?

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Happy Bday to my girl. Love you!! pic.twitter.com/6IJdSY0xdn
      10:11am - 8 Dec 14

      1. Raddy
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Whoa!

  5. Whitetiger14
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one
    A: myhill (away to Soton)
    B: Elliot (home to West Ham)

    1. McQueen
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

  6. Demí
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Are people looking to sell/selling Arsenal defenders now/soon?

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not planning on doing so, should I?

      1. Demí
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        No, i wouldn't. Their fixtures in general look great for the rest of the season for me. Eyeing up an Ozil, Sanchez, Bellerin treble up after Chelsea

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I still have a triple up of Monreal, Özil and Ramsey.

        2. Fitzy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Why the question then Demi?

          1. Demí
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            I'm wondering if people here are. They may have differing views

    2. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No three home games in the next four.

    3. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYinehZWkAAi-F7.png
      XGA is expected goals against. The left one is before Coquelin and Cazorla got injured and vice versa.
      However, I'm probably going to keep Mertesacker for the time being.

  7. antongus1
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bellerin or Alli? (By using all out attack chip)

  8. chrisdale98
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Oscar to Payet?

  9. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pardew sounds positive about Hennessey 🙂

    1. Gravless wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      What did he say

  10. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Part time Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy closes in on Aston Villa loan deal. Debuchy is set to move to Villa Park for the remainder of the season.[L’Equipe]

  11. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Can someone help me out?

    Myhill Hennessey
    Moreno Walker Wollscheid Simpson Bellerin
    Ozil KDB Mahrez Alli Willian
    Kane Ighalo Vardy

    1FT £4.2 ITB

    Any suggestions?

  12. Numb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Are people using their WC for the DGW if that is GW25 (Liverpool and Everton)?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Follow on question. If you use WC before that GW, will you use Bench Boost or Triple Captain for the GW itself? Most have earmarked those chips for a DGW.

      1. Champione
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Depends which teams who are playing two games and how many good FPL players they have. If there are many good players, use BB. If there is a stand out player TC

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think so.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Bit of a letdown after all the saving of chips!

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I mean I wouldn't play my wildcard for a 25 dgw with a potential blank two weeks after I don't see the point we all have some piece of a decent dgw teams as it stands I could probably get 6 or 7 out with ease any more you don't have a gw27 team.

          Maybe use the triple captain, depends on who has the dgw and their fixtures.

    3. Artorias
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      For the big DGW around GW34

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Will there definitely be one?

        1. Artorias
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Should be, with premier league teams playing in the latter stages of the FA Cup

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Depends on the likelihood of other DGWs.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        We might get one more I think?

    5. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, I think 34 and 37 will be more WC worthy. Might use AOA or something though, as I've got all of the chips left.

  13. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsey to Payet?

    Already got Ozil

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      do it before the price rises even more

    2. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      For free, yeah.

  14. NeymarJR11
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Starting with Payet, Wijnaldum, Mahrez and Ozil. With my front 3 as Lukaku, Kane (C) and Ighalo.

    Currently have Arnie on the bench 🙁 he always performs against the big sides.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Bench wij/ozil over arnie

  15. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Start Williams or Koscielny?

    First to 2

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Koscielny

      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, are you an arsenal fan ha?

  16. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Just dont feel so confident having (C) band on Kane. Anyone else feeling the sameway ?

    1. FPL_Liger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I'm on Alli but I'm also unsure.. Arghhh lol

  17. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Those Palace defence stats are bit misleading when considering what teams they have played against.

    Chelsea only proper attacking side in 6 gws and they conceded 3.

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Palace now have a nearly full strength team back which they never at chelsea

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      fewest away goals conceded this season

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        and only spurs have conceded fewer goals in total

  18. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    BREAKING NEWS

    Southampton are on the verge of signing Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers, according to Sky sources.

    We understand the player has had his medical and agreed personal terms, and will join for a fee believed to be in the region of £4million.

    Austin’s contract at Loftus Road is due to run out in the summer.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Is "on the verge" more definite than "set to"

  19. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud goals per start:

    12/13: 17 in 33 (0.52)
    13/14: 22 in 46 (0.48)
    14/15: 19 in 26 (0.73)
    15/16: 18 in 22 (0.82)

    1. El Patron
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      pffft lamppost 😉

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Mr reliable

    2. Raddy
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I am sick of all these facts. I will stick to my unfounded preconception he is a "donkey" thank you very much.

  20. Donblaster
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Any support for this move...

    2FT...Arnie + Moreno >> Antonio + Baines

    Baines starting to look like his old marauding self again, on set plays and plays SWA and NEW next two. Could be a good differential...?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No

  21. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    How crucial is Shaqiri for Stoke's attack?

    1. England's Number 1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Not as crucial as Arnie.

  22. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    BREAKING | Sky Sources: QPR's Charlie Austin agrees personal terms & passes medical at SaintsFC

  23. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Would love Charlie Austin at st marys!

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Looks a done deal. Can't see both him and Peller starting though

  24. FPL_Liger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    So much potential this game week- it's exciting and difficult!

  25. El Patron
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    4 blanks in a row for Mahrez, I think it´s time again for a double digit score. Do I go safe with Kane or Kun or shall I be a gambler?

  26. Alittude
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play arny and nyom over bellerin and ozil?

  27. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Will Matt Targett start for Southampton?
    Thanks:)

    1. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Don't know but I'd start him.

    2. supperspout
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      no

  28. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Breaking News: Charlie Austin, (you can make up the rest)

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      where ? 🙂

  29. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea where KDB is taking his daughter for her birthday?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A circus I hear so Villa park.

    2. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Its today apparebtly at the town hall