Selection

The Watchlist – Rashford Arrives

Our Gameweek 34 preview continues with the updated Watchlist rankings in midfield and attack, influenced by the upcoming double Gameweeks and, in particular, the recent demise of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Thursday night saw the Manchester United striker – the overwhelming leader in this week’s captaincy poll – hyperextend his knee during the Europa League clash with Anderlecht to send shockwaves through the Fantasy communities.

Reports have since have suggested that the striker will now face up to nine months of the sidelines; while that remains unconfirmed, our plans now exclude Ibrahimovic from our thinking.

As a consequence, Thursday’s match-winner and natural successor in the United attack, Marcus Rashford, soars up our Watchlist rankings.

It remains to be seen if Jose Mourinho risks the 19-year-old at Turf Moor on Sunday with Thursday’s derby clash in mind – a 120-minute run-out against Anderlecht will have surely taken its toll. However, Rashford clearly now has the opportunity to make the United striker’s role his own and, given his price point, he is destined to be a prime target in any Wildcard refresh to come.

Elsewhere, the abasence of Ibrahimovic ensures that Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke’s stock receives a boost.

While his fixtures with Liverpool and Spurs remain daunting, the Merseyside trip now looks more favourable following news of defensive concerns in Jurgen Klopp’s camp. It’s also Benteke’s first match back at Anfield since departing last summer, ensuring that he’ll be determined to make his mark. Future Selhurst Park clashes with Burnley and Hull City also work in the Belgian’s favour.

Those forthcoming fixtures also retain Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend in the frame as midfield candidates in our Watchlist.

Zaha now boasts a 15.3% ownership, but it’s Townsend who should perhaps receive the plaudits for the Eagles’ recent turnaround. His latest three Gameweeks have delivered a goal, three assists and maximum bonus points on two occasions.

Despite the promise on show at Palace, it’s Spurs who continue to dominate the top spots in both our midfield and forward rankings.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in irresistible form and present a cast of compelling attacking options following 4-0 wins over Watford and Bournemouth.

Harry Kane’s 12-point return against the Cherries means he’s now provided six goals and two assists in his last three starts; with a double Gameweek to come, his status as the most coveted striker option looks assured.

Meanwhile, Dele Alli has produced attacking returns in seven successive matches, giving him 59 points over that spell.

That keeps him just ahead of Christian Eriksen in our midfield reckoning, atlthough the Dane remains a profitable source of points. He continues to suggest he can provide a goal threat to accompany his undoubted creative talents: topping the charts with 16 assists, Eriksen has also fired more shots than any other player this season (119).

Son Heung-min is unfortunate to be forced into a backseat role and sit lower down our ranks. He keeps providing significant returns but could yet be sacrificed in the Spurs line-up should we see a shift to a three-man defence. The clamour for Kane also forces us to consider Alli and Eriksen as the priority for the remaining two Spurs slots.

Elsewhere in midfield, we’ve seen Alexis Sanchez’s value drop by 0.4 in recent weeks, although he remains a factor in our rankings, despite troubling form. His sublime strike at Middlesbrough was his first for four weeks but, with his additional fixtures, he surely remains a Wildcard target for the run-in.

With little movement immediately below Sanchez, we have to look at Manchester City’s Leroy Sane before we hit a name who could genuinely threaten to shake-up our squads over the remaining weeks.

The winger appears immune to Pep Guardiola’s rotation, retaining his start while David Silva, Raheem Sterling and even Kevin De Bruyne fall victim. Owned by just 5.4%, Sane looks to be an assured Wildcard target to cover City’s pair of Gameweek 37 fixtures, with Leicester City and West Brom the visitors to the Etihad – particularly with striker Sergio Aguero now under threat from the fit-again Gabriel Jesus.

Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard is another figure who could be promoted in our thinking ahead of Gameweek 37. Claiming just a 0.8% current ownership, Lingard can provide cheap coverage and a midfield alternative to Rashford.

Elsewhere, the potential of Marko Arnautovic as a differential gamble prior to the second Wildcard has the Austrian figure in our ranks. Stoke City will face West Ham and Bournemouth to follow their Gameweek 34 trip to Swansea City.

Josh King may not be able dangle a double Gameweek but, with exceptional fixtures and a prolific recent record, he will likely be identified as a key element of Wildcard squads.

As for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – his convincing form keeps him bubbling, with Diego Costa’s alarming decline also playing its part in ensuring that the Belgian remains our weapon of choice in Antonio Conte’s ranks.

Costa’s demise is recognised in the Watchlist, with the likes of Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo and Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini now elevated above the Blues striker for the campaign run-in.

Negredo’s generous double-header provides a temporary boost and he’ll need to deliver on his Gameweek 34 promise to retain his current placing.

Meanwhile, Gabbiadini seems destined to emerge as the end of season hot property in attack.

Southampton have a home meeting with Hull City to act as a springboard into their two Gameweek 36 fixtures; points for Gabbiadini in that one would cement his starting role and surely seal his passage into our squads for the final three sets of fixtures.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,311 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Play Valdes over Grant for the Sunderland match or take the auto if he doesn't?

    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Valdes will only play one game max, so you've got to think who will concede less in one game

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I have Siggy playing so want Grant to concede lol

    2. gorilla
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      yes grant will probably come in with the automatic

  2. Son of Rambo
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    a) Hennessy and A.Smith or
    b) Pickford and PVA?

    1. gorilla
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      hennesshit and shmit

  3. Shaikh91
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Advice needed guys
    A or B

    A: Aoa
    B: -4

    A- Jaku

    Alonso Valencia

    Siggy jwp Son pedro puncheon

    Lukaku aguero rashford

    B - Jaku

    Alonso Valencia Gibson

    Siggy son pedro puncheon

    Lukaku aguero kane

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      What are the actual differences? I'm too dense to work it out.

    3. Son of Rambo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

  4. Junior ⚽
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    For two Gameweeks?
    A) DDG (bur mci SWA) -4
    B) Pickford (mid BOU)
    C) Heaton (MUN cry)

    1. Son of Rambo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Hennessy

  5. Sahil Yadav
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who to start? Davies or Robertson?

    1. Son of Rambo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Davies

  6. Somethodox
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    What an utterly mad GW this is. Little help?

    Pickford (Foster)
    Alonso Maguire Williams (Holebas) (Browning)
    Zaha Ali Sanchez Eriksen (Capoue)
    Kane Negredo Lukaku

    0FT 1.8 ITB

    i.) Is it seriously the smart move to captain Negredo over Kane or Lukaku? I'm struggling to justify it.

    ii.) Is it worth a -4 for Blind? I think he's most nailed as Bailly is due for a rest surely. Partly tempted because my defensive fixtures for GW 35 are shocking.

    Maguire has Southampton Away
    Williams has Chelsea Home
    Holebas has Liverpool Home

    iii.) If I don't do ii do you reckon Holebas or Williams this GW?

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      i) I have the exac front three and i giving the band to Kane

      ii) I'll probably go for PVA or Gibson

    2. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      My logic says Kane and Lukaku both being in there somewhat mitigates captaining Negrado and that bombing

  7. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    a) Jaku (Watford)

    b) Boruc (Boro)

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Jaku

  8. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Would anyone play Sigurdsson ahead of Eriksen/Son?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Kinda wish one of them was rested against Palace..

    2. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Not I.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No

    4. Ligdon
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I am

    5. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      100% Yes. Ahead of Son if you have 3 Spurs in total.

    6. Springbank
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah I'm playing both but I think I would play Siggy over Eriksen assuming you have other Spurs assets

    7. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks fellas!

  9. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one of:

    A) Walker
    B) Maguire
    C) Sterling

    Currently on A, partly due to worries about game time.

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I agree with A.

  10. Snoop
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Thinking about putting blind in.. will he start both games

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Only DDG is nailed.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Not even DDG is nailed.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          I guess not 100%, but the safest from that back line.

  11. Vamonos
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Really stuck right now;

    Got a front 8 of

    Eriksen Firmino Sanchez Zaha Townsend
    Lukaku Kane Rashford

    No aoa left and don't want to use BB until 37 due to still having WC.

    Who to bench? Currently on Eriksen but struggling big time with this decision!

    Thanks

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen for me too....if that helps. 🙂

      1. Vamonos
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        It does thanks, even the slightest bit of reassurance haha. Not had any decisions to make like this for a while!!

    2. Springbank
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Not trying to be mean but you really only have yourself to blame mate! Maybe the Rashford move wasnt necessary... Anyway I would bench Eriksen (at your peril)

      1. Vamonos
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I know, I completely agree and got greedy, just when I saw Ibra was out I wanted to get rid of Gab for Rashford without properly thinking.

  12. Oven Glover
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Play two out of four. On AOA.

    1. Baines
    2. Toby
    3. Robbo
    4. Mee

    Cheers!

  13. Creedey
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Aguero -> Kane for a hit?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No

  14. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is Barragan nailed?

    A) play Barragan bou SUN
    B) play Baines whu
    C) play Olsson STO

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Not at all nailed!

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      he isnt. go Chambers or Friend
      B out of those

  15. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Play Siggy or -4 for Townsend/ Zaha?

    Cheers and GL.

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Siggy 100%

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Siggy this week

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers, as I thought.

      Just going in with Negredo and GIbson for the DGW then.

  16. joinho
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Should i triple captain negredo? pretty tempted

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    3. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bold. I would pick Sanchez 36 if I still had TC but a prior is to WC in 36 so thats why it could be a good idea. WC in 35 is a bit risky.

  17. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Literally no idea what to do

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Log off.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Nice. Cheers.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      🙁

      Valdes
      Alonso - Davies - Maguire
      Sanchez - Coutinho - King - Siggy
      Gestede (c) - Kane - Lukaku

      Jaku - Alli - Olsson - Brunt

      1 FT.
      £0.4m ITB.

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        AOA

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Gone.

      2. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Gestede (C). Well, I guess it's a first time for everything.

      3. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Nothing. Save FT IMO and Lukaku(c)

      4. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Gestede (c)? Wow 😮
        Team looks ok and bench is strong in case you need it. Could easily save unless you want a DGWer.

      5. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Wouldn't fancy your captain much.

    3. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      becnh siggy, lukaku C

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Siggy going nowhere this week.

  18. Alan_T
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Ward (liv, TOT)
    B) Azpilicueta (SOT)
    C) Valencia (bur, cty)

  19. Shaikh91
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is George friend likely to play as I already have him on my subs bench

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Fabio is back. Less likely.

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        is he?

  20. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is this 'correct', given Jaku in goal:

    Alonso, Valencia, Davies

    Bench: Robertson, Holgate

  21. Sarnab
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Negredo (C) unite.

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      o/

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      \0/

    3. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      O/

    4. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

    5. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Me but can see it changing to Lukaku or Kane before 2pm!

    6. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      O/

  22. Sting in the Tail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    I've dropped Siggy to the bench. Now in the situation where I don't know if I want him to do well or not. Much prefer having my first sub play last so I know whether he counts or not. I might be praying for a red card in the FA Cup semi finals if I've made the wrong call.

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Cool story bro

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      As Long as you have Hazard and the red card is for him. I will grant you your wish.

      COYS.

  23. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Am chasing in my ML, who to captain?

    A) Kane
    B) Rashford

    Have 4 DGWers and have taken a -8 in total due to Ibra's injury

  24. Darth_Newdar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Stick or twist? I think I'm going to stick, I can't quite convince myself to get a United defender or a Crystal Palace attacker at the moment.

    Heaton
    Alonso, Baines, Britos
    Sánchez, Alli, Eriksen, Sané
    Kane, Lukaku, Negredo

    Pickford, T. Carroll, Amat, McAuley

  25. Ellam9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is snodgrass > hazard worth a -8?? Scared of putting him in and him getting injured in the FA cup

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  26. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who to captain (leading ML):

    A) Benteke
    B) Zaha
    C) Lukaku
    D) Kane

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Vamonos
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Zaha

  27. Snoop
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    So I've wildcarded this week..
    my team

    De gea
    Blind, Gibson, alonso,
    Sanchez, Zaha, king, alli,
    Negredo, rashford, Kane,

    Bench Cech, redmond, Gabriel, yoshida.

    Can you see anything wrong with this? I was thinking of changing shanchez to ozil..
    I've left 6.8 in bank to change negredo to aguro next week.
    I've got triple cap and bench boost left..

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      will you be wanting hazard?

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Need Hazard in a WC

      Make room for Jesus and City but maybe not Aguero

      Wouldn't double with United Gk / defence

      1. Snoop
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Well the reason for double defence is because I'm trying to max my 36 dgw players.. could maybe change Redmond for Man U mid but it means loosing a 36 dgw player

    3. Fantasyamateur
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Quite similar to my WC team which looks like this:

      DDG
      Gibson - Alonso - Koscielny
      Alexis - Alli - Zaha - Hazard
      Negredo - Benteke - Kane
      Bench: Pickford, Prowse, Stephens, Jones (Sunderland).

      Planning to do:
      Negredo --> Benteke
      Zaha --> Sané
      Gibson/Benteke --> DGW player for 37.

      Quite the same thoughts as you. If I had to pick on something on your team it is Gabriel which is not a sure starter once Mustafa is fit, as well as Blind if Jones/Smalling come back earlier than expected. Maybe a bit overkill with both Cech and DDG..

  28. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench Bench

    Davies
    Gibson
    Baines
    Alonso

    Son - play 433

  29. foreverton
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Can anyone convince me to get Zaha or am I good getting in Townsend?

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Townsend a good differential in my opinion

    2. Sarnab
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Get Townsend

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      both good for this week , 50/50

    4. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I got Townsend over Zaha. Assist potential from set plays

  30. jamie1972
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Play Rannochia or take a hit for Blind/Baily/Chambers etc etc

    1. Unsuccessful
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      United defence not nailed. I have chambers but just returning from long lay off