When we finally make it over the line in just over a fortnight’s time, it’s likely that many of us will look back on the decisions made this week as the deciding factors in the final outcome.
Very rarely are we handed such an opportunity to “make or break” and while, on paper, such an opportunity should be greeted with open arms, so many of us will approach the double Gameweek with an uneasy feeling that we’ve gone too far or perhaps, just not far enough.
While we will count the cost of every transfer and ponder each move with care, on a balmy Friday evening, my thoughts turned to those tussling for the Fantasy Premier League crown. In many ways, for these guys, this double Gameweek is an unwanted gift.
It’s difficult to put ourselves in their shoes at this stage. When I consider the deliberation I’m put myself through from my humble position, it’s almost unfathomable to consider how a late double Gameweek scenario would play with my head if I was ever ranked amongst them.
Analysing the squads of the Scout League and overall top four, it becomes clear that the next few days looks set to make the difference. The FPL leader, Kelvin Travers, appears to have the edge. With seven double Gameweek players already settled in his lineup, he’s also invested three transfers, spending four more points which will surely take his tally to ten. With a current front three of Robin Van Persie, Rickie Lambert and Dimitar Berbatov, there will be no surprise if Carlos Tevez is one of those three drafted in.
The acquisition of Tevez would give Kelvin crucial coverage of a player who is already in all three of his nearest challengers. Julian Zipparo approaches the Gameweek with the Argentine and just three other double Gameweek players, a total likely to be extended to six after his two transfers. Like Kelvin, Julian has also taken a points hit.
With Matt Martyniak and “Evs” set to go into the weekend with six and seven double Gameweek assets each (as of Friday evening), it’s clear that Kelvin has a distinct advantage that we’d expect to translate into a decent gap going into Gameweek 37. However, he will also be pondering whether this position of strength will be exploited to the full or leave his squad options too narrow and vulnerable for the remaining two Gameweeks that follow.
There is another delicious ingredient tossed into the mix that give the chasing pack some hope, albeit a hugely risky one.
Gareth Bale is the overwhelmingly obvious captain candidate this week: turning your back on the Welshman and considering lesser alternatives looks to be a gamble that surpasses any number of points hits. I just wonder if any of those on Kelvin’s coattails will dare look beyond Bale in an attempt to cancel out the leader’s obvious double Gameweek advantage.
It’s a scenario we can surely apply to our own situations. There will be those, like myself, who are content with their lot and will baulk at the thought of any major risks. However, for those with little to lose and unlikely glory in sight, points hits and even a Bale alternative for the captaincy, presents a huge opportunity to make a difference. There’s little doubt that your mini-league leader will want you to captain Bale. Only the very brave will fail to comply. However, with just two Gameweeks to follow, this could be the last chance to throw the dice.
Kelvin and the legions of leaders will be looking down and hoping that nobody below dares take a risk. Those looking up will be pondering the benefits of doing so, whilst furiously attempting to calculate whether this really is their last opportunity to bridge the gap. Perhaps one or two differentials will be enough. Perhaps not.
Gameweek 36 presents a scenario that’s not for the faint of heart. A double Gameweek can squash the meek and punish the reckless. This one also looks determined to rip up the status quo.
