Opinion
4 April 2016 3108 comments
Paul Paul
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We cast an eye over some of the main lessons learned from Gameweek 32 this evening, with particular attention paid to those sides with upcoming doubles. There’s no shortage of Fantasy options amongst Arsenal and West Ham’s midfields, City’s big-hitting Belgian is back, Rafa Benitez can’t afford to tinker with his Newcastle strikers, whilst United’s summer signing from Monaco loves his home comforts.

Alexis is finally back in form…
The Arsenal winger has timed his upturn in output to perfection as Fantasy managers reassemble their squads ahead of double Gameweek 34. Whilst Mesut Ozil has failed to produce any points over the last four, Sanchez has earned points on each occasion, with a goal, assist and maximum bonus earning him a 14-point haul at home to Watford. Already subject to a price hike this weekend, the Chilean is poised for a major bandwagon over the run-in, with clashes against Sunderland, Norwich and Villa following also factored in over the final four Gameweeks.

It’s Iwobi’s place to lose…
It’s back-to-back goals for the Arsenal youngster after he followed up his strike at Goodison by finding the net in the home romp over Watford. Iwobi’s immediate impact has surely ensured he remains ahead of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell for the role out wide and with Ozil toiling, Iwobi, at a mere 4.5, may well be worth the gamble for that pair of home clashes with Palace and West Brom in Gameweek 34.

De Bruyne has hit the ground running…
Handed a central support role behind Sergio Aguero as Manuel Pellegrini rolled out a 4-2-3-1 at Bournemouth, the Belgian wasted no time in serving a reminder of his Fantasy potential. Afforded just 56 minutes on his return from injury, De Bruyne still managed to grab a goal and fire four attempts at Dean Court. Now up to 5.5 points per appearance – equal with Sergio Aguero and fourth amongst midfielders – De Bruyne looks a deadly differential for the doubles, with a mere 5% ownership right now.

Rafa can’t afford to bench Mitrovic…
After grabbing a late leveler against Sunderland in the previous Gameweek, the Serbian was surprisingly dropped to the bench for Newcastle’s trip to Norwich as Rafa Benitez opted for Papiss Cisse up front instead. Whilst his team-mates continued to toil, Mitrovic needed less than half an hour as a second-half sub at Carrow Road to find the net twice, firing six attempts inside the box in the 3-2 loss. Having scored all three of his side’s goals since the new manager’s arrival, the former Anderlecht frontman looks far too vital to his side’s survival bid to be warming the bench again.

Old Trafford suits Martial…
A 1-0 win over Everton keeps United very much in the last for a top-four finish and strengthened Anthony Martial’s claim for consideration. The Frenchman’s winning strike – which also helped secure maximum bonus – means he has now scored or assisted in five of his last seven appearances at Old Trafford. Martial has bagged four goals, three assists and ten bonus points over that period (compared to one away strike since Gameweek 6) and with back-to-back home encounters against Villa and Palace in double Gameweek 34, looks another one to consider for our wildcard plans.

Kane’s consistency may well force a wildcard re-think…
An equaliser at Anfield took the Spurs striker’s tally to six goals and an assist over the last four Gameweeks. Impressively, Kane has therefore played a part in seven of his side’s last eight strikes over that period as he almost single-handedly keeps Tottenham’s title tilt alive. Whereas the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are struggling for points as Leicester grind out the results, Kane’s deadly eye for goal could persuade plenty to hold firm despite the lack of a double on his upcoming agenda.

Lanzini could be the pick of the budget bunch…
The West Ham midfielder took his tally to 19 points in the last two Gameweeks courtesy of a goal and maximum bonus in the 2-2 draw with Palace. Despite the availability of James Tomkins, Slaven Bilic’s decision to employ Michail Antonio at right-back dented the former Forest flier’s appeal as we assess our wildcard options At a price of just 4.9, Lanzini – currently owned by less than 1% of FPL managers – looks to have barged his way past Antonio and, as evidenced by Saturday’s showing, could even rival Dimitri Payet as the best route into Bilic’s attack ahead of doubles in Gameweek 34 and 37.

Hiddink will chop and change now…
After hinting at rest and rotation for the trip to Villa, the Chelsea interim manager was as good as his word on Saturday lunchtime. Hiddink named Matt Miazga, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy in his first XI and also introduced Alexandre Pato and Jake Clarke-Salter off the bench for their Blues debuts in the 4-0 rout. With the champions having little more than pride left to play for, further teamsheet alterations can be expected and may well steer most away from the Stamford Bridge side over the run-in.

Coutinho’s star is on the rise…
With Roberto Firmino still stuck in the treatment room and Daniel Sturridge looking far from fully fit, the former Inter man has emerged as the choice route into Liverpool’s attack. Coutinho’s opener at home to Spurs on Saturday evening took his tally to two goals and three assists in his last four league outings and has earned him over 35,000 new owners so far second only to Ross Barkley in our midfield shake-ups. With five home fixtures allied with trips to Bournemouth, Swansea and West Brom in the final six Gameweeks, that bandwagon looks set to escalate.

Lennon may be immune from Martinez’ tinkering…
The Toffees manager’s decision to reinstall Gerard Deulofeu to the right wing resulted in a surprise new role for the former Leeds man. With Tom Cleverley stationed on the left, Lennon tucked in centrally behind Romelu Lukaku for the first hour or so before moving to the right after Deulofeu was subbed off. With question marks continuing to hover over the Everton rearguard and with Ross Barkley looking out of sorts, Lennon’s appeal is on the rise ahead of those consecutive doubles.

Hughes needs to find a place for Bojan…
With Jon Walters joining Xherdan Shaqiri on the sidelines, the little Spaniard was afforded a rare start for the visit of Swansea. Stationed in “the hole” behind Joselu, Bojan was instrumental throughout and bagged a goal and maximum bonus in the 2-2 stalemate, taking his tally to six strikes and two assists in just 19 league starts. Impressively, Bojan has converted 19.4% of his scoring opportunities this season – that’s the same as Jamie Vardy – and with the Potters desperate to clinch a Europa League slot, his contribution could be key.

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  1. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What do we think here:

    A) Otamendi (che/new, STO)
    B) Fuchs (WHM, SWA)

    Surely Otamendi, right? Obviously Leicester's defence is mad good right now, but West Ham are banging in goals for fun and I fancy them getting one or two. Fuchs v Swansea is almost a guaranteed clean sheet tho, and Stoke have been pretty good going forward as of late.

    Also, are Byram or Collins nailed now that they're back from injury? Currently on Reid but his hamstring is a real worry.

  2. Liastro ⭐️
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A or B?

    A. DDG, Jagielka, Bellerin, Mahrez

    B. Robles, Darmian, Steven Taylor, KDB

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. le flem
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      a

    3. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Effe
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC?

    Robles / Darlow
    Otamendi / Bellarin / Sakho / Darmian / Simpson
    KDB / Sanchez / Coutinho / Payet / Iwobi
    Kun / Lukaku / Martial

    Darmian / Iwobi to Risky?

  4. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Would love it if Firmino becomes the differential mid instead of Coutinho, and at a cheaper price, too.

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I plan to get both so either way it's ok with me

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Very nice.

        No room for me, I am yoked to Silva and Wijnaldum.

  5. Viper
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If playing a WC this week, is it mad to only go with Robles & Lukaku for gwk 33?

    Not sure if Palace players are worth it with awful fixtures in gwk 34 & no fixture in 35

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      So far it's the only 2 i have on WC.

    2. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      They seem like very obvious choices

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Palace players or the 2 Everton players I mentioned?

    3. tm245
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I am leaning towards Delaney and Hennessey as cheap defensive options, but not convinced about their attack.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        They've gone 12 games without a clean sheet and you're doubling up?

  6. Richd
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I've gone for a crazy WC having seen Doosra's with Sturridge.

    What do you guys honestly think? It's surprisingly different and tempting IMO!

    Mignolet, Robles,
    Jags, Monreal, Gabriel, Fuchs, Reid
    KDB, Sanchez, Payet, Lanzini, Lingard,
    Aguero, Sturridge, Lukaku

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tension between Klopp and Sturridge. I ain't going there

    2. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth getting Sturridge for a DGW. I wouldn't expect him to play 180 minutes, that's for sure.

  7. Darth_Newdar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    de Gea, Darlow
    Bellerin, Jagielka, Sakho, Gabriel, Simpson
    Sanchez, Payet, Coutinho, Bolasie, Lennon
    Aguero, Lukaku, Martial

    GW34: Bolasie --> Lallana (1FT)
    GW35: two players with blanks out (1FT + a hit)

    Thoughts?

    1. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sure you wouldn't rather downgrade Lennon or Bolasie and have Coleman in Jags stead?

      1. Darth_Newdar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely a possibility, but I think the 0.7 saving is probably worth it.

    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on this exactly; only difference is Bolasie --> Milner instead (mostly down to lack of cash!). Still tinkering though 😀

      1. Darth_Newdar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, I'm not brave enough to actually sell Mahrez yet, but I'm going to do the rest 🙂

  8. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If you keep Kane how many more times are you captaining him this season? Once in GW35?

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nail on the head Andy!

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      35 looks like an Aguero week to me

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly!

        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          it's fear

          if Kane scores, so be it, Martial gets 4 points just for turning up, so that's only 2 points to make back, that's just an assist in 1 game.

    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      and there are other options

      Kun (STO)

      Firmino/Sturridge (if you have them) NEW

      Pelle (AVL) if you want to punt

    4. CunkOnFPL
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      none?

      I can © ARS/LIV attacker in GW35

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        yeah even Sanchez is an option

  9. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I've avoiding Leicester to focus on DGWers (either in 34 or 37)

    a) Kirchoff, (LEI, nor, ARS, sto, DGW) and keep a floating transfer
    b) Delaney (DGW, crap, blank) and have to sell in 34/35 meaning a hit in 35 to get to 11

  10. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth doubling up in defence with De Gea and Smalling?

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Probably too expensive, but Man United's fixtures are very good in GW34.

    2. Fergietime
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No brainer, not many options out there , also double arsenal

    3. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      blank 35 an issue

  11. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Another draft, not bad?

    Darlow De Gea
    Simpson Gabriel Bellerin Darmian Sakho
    Coutinho Mahrez Firmino Payet Sanchez
    Lukaku Matial Aguero

    1. Darth_Newdar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Only one DGW player in GW33. Darmian a rotation risk? Firmino may be not be fit? Otherwise good.

  12. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    OMG!!! I just found out want we call Bellerin means. I view never to use that again 🙁

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      *vow

  13. fiveyears
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Can someone convince me Coutinho is going to play in these DGW games? With the Dortmund games too I'm starting to think he and certainly Firmino will be rested.

    Milner to yield the most points in DGW34?!

    1. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I mean amongst LIV mids for the last statement by the way...

  14. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I need your help on this one

    A) Ozil --> KDB (No returns over his last 4, good fixtures, opens up an extra slot for a defender to replace Rojo with in gw 34/35)

    B) Payet --> KDB (in form but Arsenal next and also no game in gw 35, could swap Lennon for Lanzini in gw 34 to have some WHU cover)

    C) Keep both Ozil and Payet and leave KDB

  15. Aston-villain
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which Everton defender would you have for this 1 week only

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Coleman

  16. Pringle
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Darmian or Jagielka?

    1. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Darmian. I worry Jags may be rested 1 game and EVE leaky. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't have gotten Robles

  17. Swan - Villa Proud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Title of this article could have been "This much we know......nothing is known" 🙂

  18. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Mahrez & Payet

    B) De Bruyne & Lanzini

    1. Aston-villain
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I like B especially if you want to be a bit more aggressive as most will have A

  19. Taribo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on WC:

    Robles Darlow
    Bellerin Darmian Sakho Gabriel Simpson
    DeBruyne Payet Coutinho Sanchez Lanzini
    Martial Augero Lukaku

    a) Robles and Martial, or
    b) DDG and Mitrovic

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Almost identical to mine...I went robles and martial....but tough call ..

  20. Hargo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Triple Captain: Who and when?

    1. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez 34, maybe Aguero. 37 too far away to judge form.

    2. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez GW34

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Payet37?

  21. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I remember there being a big thing about this earlier in the season....

    Payet has gone up to 8.4m since I've owned him. bought at 8.3

    I also want KDB in my WC team who might potentially rise. As Payet is almost definitely going to rise at some point this week do I wait it out and hope that he beats KDB, or just make the move now?

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      if it helps Payet is closer to a rise than KDB and they are being shipped in at broadly similar rates

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Makes sense to wait then....I think.

        I remember there being a big hoo-ha about whether it was best to get the 0.1m rise, or get in before a player rose 0.1 earlier in the season.

        Lots of maths!

    2. Iain Dowies Love Child
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      When do we think KDB will rise?

    3. fickle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I would hold onto Payet. KDBs price might mean a lot of his transfers are wildcards, more so than Payet. Either way you wont lose any cash as Payet will rise anyway.

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      hold on to any player you may want who you have cash stored in.

  22. Iain Dowies Love Child
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A or B:
    A) Bellerin & Payet
    B) Gabriel & KDB
    (I have Lanzini as 5th midfielder)

    1. fickle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A but Firmino/Coutinho instead of Payet

      1. Iain Dowies Love Child
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Current WC front 8 is:
        Sanchez - Coutinho - Payet - Lanzini - Mahrez
        Kane - Lukaku - Kun

        Downgrading Bellerin to Gabriel would mean I could get kdb

        1. fickle
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Tough call. personally Id just have Firmino over Payet and keep Bellerin. Firmino is equally as good as KDB, if not better.

    2. Effe
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  23. fickle
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero being heavily transfered out. Hopefully he smashes it over the next 3 gameweeks.

    1. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't understand it. I guess for Lukaku? Or casuals who don't realize Kun also has a DGW in 34?

      Either way, good for us.

      1. fiveyears
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I understand Kane et al. but Aguero baffles me. On form (well, last game anyway...), nice fixtures 33 and 35, DGW34.

        It must be for value. Even players not realising wouldn't make sense, as he has a nice fixture in 33.

      2. fickle
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Strange. He will probably drop soon, on -88%

    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero -> Lukaku I presume?

    3. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Going for KdB instead?

  24. Trae44
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Smalling, Gabriel, Lanzini or
    B) Iwobi, Colemen, Clichy

    1. La vida FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A ease

    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A. It's a non contest really

    3. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I agree with both of you A looks standout, but then I just checked what it would look like with A in my team and would mean double Arsenal defense v Lanzini this week and also gives me 2 less players for gw35

  25. Viper
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A. Coutinho this week. Have a FT down the line.

    B. Bolasie this week. Bolasie -> Coutinho in 34. Hit required in 35

    1. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A, think Cout will do well this week. Only worry is will he play both games in 34?

  26. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Siggy -> Barkley

    Or

    B) Williams -> Jagielka

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  27. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    KdB only just back from injury, why are people so keen, especially with CL games too

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Can't beat an explosive differential

  28. CunkOnFPL
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    who takes PKs in ARS when Gru/Wally not on field? *Rambo, Caz injured

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I have a feeling Ozil would

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        he missed his last 1

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil or Sanchez I guess

  29. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I'm confused, seeing so many WCs with 13/14/15 DGW players - how are you navigating mainly 35 and 37??

    I must be missing something

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      2 FTs in 35 to give 11 starters.

      Haven't even thought as far as 37 🙂

    2. fickle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Will have 11 but no Kane. Its a risk, but its doable with a bit of luck in GW35

  30. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    currently sitting with Rangel in my team

    trying to get KDB in temporarily and the only spots I have free are Otamendi's and Siggy's, KDB in leaves 4.1 in the Otamendi spot

    good job I can go back and change it later if KDB double rises