Opinion
11 April 2016 1044 comments
Paul Paul
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Andy Carroll and Alex Iwobi look to have cemented their starting roles for West Ham and Arsenal ahead of their upcoming doubles. Liverpool and City’s team sheets remain a risk whilst both are still in Europe, whilst Leicester and Spurs punish those who parted company ahead of Gameweek 34.

Carroll could be the Hammers differential….
Handed a first start since Gameweek 21, the West Ham frontman looks to have leapt to the front of the queue for the lone striker role ahead of double Gameweek 34. Slaven Bilic may have a numerous options available up top but Carroll’s hat-trick, and subsequent 16-point haul at home to Arsenal, puts him in the driving seat ahead of clashes with Leicester and Watford. Whilst most of Fantasy managers’ focus has been on the Hammers’ midfield, the big Geordie has emphatically staked a claim for our consideration.

Iwobi looks undroppable….
After netting in back-to-back clashes against Everton and Watford, the Arsenal wide man continued his fine form with a pair of assists at Upton Park. Tellingly, Iwobi was afforded the full 90 minutes by Arsene Wenger on Saturday, somewhat allaying fears over his pitch time ahead of the double Gameweek. In this sort of form, it’d be something of a surprise if Wenger chooses to bench the 4.6-priced winger for the upcoming home clashes against Palace and West Brom as the Gunners look to cement a top-four finish again.

Leicester and Tottenham have the form to punish the sellers….
Many who opted to wildcard this week ahead of bench-boosting in Gameweek 34 were made to regret that decision over the weekend. Whilst the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley, Aaron Lennon and Yannick Bolasie drew blanks in the first of their two fixtures, highly-owned options such as Jamie Vardy (50% ownership, 13 points), Toby Alderweireld (42% ownership, 15 points) and Dele Alli (30% ownership, seven points) punished those who chose to drop them for double Gameweek players instead. With Leicester set for three home matches in four and Spurs up against Stoke and West Brom next, big displays from Riyad Mahrez (66% ownership) and Harry Kane (44%) could have us ruing that decision further.

We need City and Liverpool to crash out of Europe….
With one eye on the midweek home clashes against PSG and Dortmund, Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp made a statement of intent by naming five and seven changes respectively last weekend. Despite the absence of David Silva, Pellegrini decided not to hand the in-form Kevin de Bruyne a third straight start and utilised the Belgian as a second-half sub instead, whilst Philippe Coutinho warmed the Reds’ bench from start to finish against Stoke. Should either side progress to the last four in their respective competitions, there’s a real concern that both managers’ team sheets could continue to disappoint us over the run-in.

Milner could be an under the radar option….
Whilst owners of Coutinho and Roberto Firmino (who was subbed off just after the hour-mark) were left frustrated at the weekend, James Milner produced the goods yet again for Klopp’s side. A pair of assists against Stoke took his tally to three goals, five assists and five bonus points in his last eight league outings for the Merseysiders. The former City man, who sets you back just 6.5 and is owned by only 3% of FPL managers, may well be one to consider, particularly if Liverpool are knocked out by Dortmund on Thursday evening.

Townsend offers Rafa a crumb of hope….
It’s a goal and assist in the last two Gameweeks now for the Newcastle wide man after he fired a late consolation in the 3-1 loss to Southampton. Given that the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum failed to produce a single attempt on goal at St Mary’s, Townsend is shaping up to be the go-to man for those looking to invest in the Magpies’ attack ahead of back-to-back home encounters against Swansea and Man City.

European dream keeps Saints ticking over….
A 3-1 triumph over Newcastle made it three wins in four for the Saints as they ramp up their pursuit of a European spot for next season. Ronald Koeman’s side may not have a double Gameweek to follow but their weekend showing served a reminder that investing in teams with everything still to play for can prove a canny tactic. Sitting just three points behind fifth-placed United and with Everton and Palace’s dodgy defences up next, the likes of Graziano Pelle clearly has the form to outperform many a double Gameweek option, having racked up three double-figure hauls in four.

Gylfi may be difficult to ditch….
It’s nine goals in 14 league appearances now for the Swansea playmaker after he ended Guus Hiddink’s unbeaten run as Chelsea boss with a 1-0 win at the Liberty. Whilst the victory took Swansea onto the magical 40-point mark, and has surely done enough to seal their safety, Sigurdsson’s relentless form is making him difficult to ditch in spite of the lack of a double. Having picked up points in six straight league matches, those owners intent on wildcarding this week may well have second thoughts as he makes his way to Newcastle.

Rashford’s pitch time looks in question ….
Pinpointed by many Fantasy managers as a decent enabler ahead of United’s pair of home matches against Villa and Palace, the youngster was replaced by Ashley Young at the break in yesterday’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham. Rashford may have started the last six for Louis van Gaal’s side but with Wayne Rooney set to return for the reserves tonight, there has to be concerns over his security of minutes going forward. Given that their defat at the Lane means that United are just one point ahead of West Ham in fifth, there’d be no real surprise if the under-fire Dutchman turned to experience to get his side over the finishing line.

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  1. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Is Chelsea midfield no go zone for rest of the season. Any safe option besides Fabregas?

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Just don't go there.

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea in entirety is a no go imo.

    3. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No.

    4. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      The only one I'd consider a punt on is Loftus Cheek - but only if I was chasing and extremely desperate.

    5. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all

    6. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If you have a WC there are some Chelsea players worth a look in GW37. RLC is one of them. Pedro and Fabs too.

      I wouldn't steer clear of them altogether if you have a WC and 15 DGW places to fill.

    7. Prithvi2911
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Fabregas is useless from an FPL point of view, plays too deep!

  2. hobocopter
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Right, GW34 bench boost planning.

    Currently (with 2 FTs):

    Robles Migs
    Smalling Bellerin Gabriel Sakho Ward
    Ozil Payet Bolasie Lennon Mahrez
    Aguero Lukaku Kane

    My plan back in GW32 was Ward to van Aanholt and Bolasie to Milner. Still leaning towards this but could also look at taking a points hit to sort out ...

    ...issues: Gabriel? Sakho? Lennon? Kane? not really sure if sorting them out is as important as making sure i've got as full a team as possible for GW35. Any bright ideas?

  3. timPgoodwin
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Below is my team at present, I have 1FT and willing to take a -4

    What changes would you make? All advice welcome.

    Forster Schmeic.
    Dier Gabriel Monreal Simpson Daniels
    Barley Mahrez Payet Ozil Alli
    Lukaku Aguero Kane

    I am thinking OUT: Daniels, Barkley and Kane for possibly Moreno, De Bruyne and Carroll.

    1. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'd keep Barkley for the doubles in 34 and 37, despite recent form. I think I'd rather lose Mahrez, or bring in a DGW keeper (Forster > Mignolet?).

      1. timPgoodwin
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, just worried with the niggle Barkley seems to have caught. Who would you swap Mahrez out for? it's difficult as his price being low doesn't leave much room to bring in a 'hitter' eg. KdB. Already have Payet so wouldn't want to go Antonio/Lanzini - Milner maybe? Hmmm, Mahrez for Milner sounds madness lol.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I'm considering Mahrez to Milner for the DGW actually.

          I think Leicester defence and GK are their best assets for the rest of the season now. Mahrez's big haul days appear to be over for this season. I can't see him burning you if you sell him like I can Kane, Alli or Vardy.

  4. Mr Alex
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anybody with players who didn't play over the weekend thinking of triple captaining instead of bench boosting?

    The thought of triple captaining Sanchez with those two fixture is quite enticing, far more enticing than triple captaining Payet in gw37 IMO.

    Yesterday Coutinho and Clichy missed out for me, Gabriel is arguably in doubt, and whether they will start or not in the DGW, I don't know. My thinking is that bench boost (for those with missing players) may well not be as lucrative as we had hoped and it could be perhaps better to triple C now with such a good option in Alexis.

    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Had the thought. Just more structured towards the 34 bb

    2. hobocopter
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      what would your bench boost gw37 look like?

      1. Mr Alex
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure but the way it's looking, as I have 2 sgw players, and Coutinho and Clichy (who will probs start only one game) I may not have any double bench players in that sense.

    3. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I may tc now and try and sort my subs out for bb 37 don't know what to do to be honest

    4. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yes thinking about it, mostly because the GW37 TC options are so naff

      1. Mr Alex
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, my thoughts exactly.

  5. The Raging Bull
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What would people choose at the start of the season. You achieving your highest FPL rank ever and winning your Mini Leagues, or the Football club you support having a successful season?

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Reality > Fantasy every time

    2. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Replied last page btw. Tl;dr certainly not nailed

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

      Achieved my highest FPL last season. All about club really

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Won my ML last two seasons, very unlikely to this season ..... but my team might win the Premier League for the first time and for that reason this season is the best ever.

    5. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Fantasy > Reality every time

      *I support Partick Thistle and couldn't really care if they went into receivership.

      1. The Raging Bull
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        haha

    6. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've asked this loads of time before.

      I'd choose winning FPL over United winning the league for just a single season.

      Otherwise wouldn't be too bothered about just beating my highest ranking. Mini leagues would depend on the money 🙂

      1. The Raging Bull
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I'd choose winning FPL and my Mini Leagues, largely due to the time invested every week on FPL.

      2. Cradders
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Let's ask you again in 5 seasons if United haven't won the PL again by then.

        Think the question relies a lot on who you support. I want us to win the league and I'd sacrifice my ML top spot (and £100) for it easily

    7. A.T
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Fpl all day long. Real football is for the plebs 😀

  6. Oven Glover
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Would you prefer:

    A Sanchez & Milner

    B Özil & Couthino/Firmino

    Cheers!

    1. hobocopter
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Difficult as both have an explosive options (Sanchez / Cout) alongside consistent options (Ozil / Milner).

      Probably B for me. just.

      1. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I agree, leaning towards B. Thanks!

    2. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Can Cpt Sanchez in a few, going forward

    3. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a

      1. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Tricky decision as it could go good or bad x2... Thanks for you input Debauchy and LL

  7. FISSH
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Ddg,
    Bellerin, Gabriel, fuchs, Ward, Lovren
    Bolasie, sanchez, payet, coutinho, kdb
    Lukaku, aguero, mitrovic

    Safe to save? Tempted to do mitrovic to Origi..

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Mitrovic to Origi!

  8. Kr15
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So, what are people's thoughts now on Coutinho/Firmino?

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Both still remain good options.

      However Origi might have slightly muddied the waters.

  9. Jack Burton
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Really need help I got sakho Gabriel kdb and coutinio should I still bench boost just a bit worried about minutes

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      See who & how they run out this week.

      I think you'll be fine with all bar perhaps Gabriel, who is probably in the most danger to miss a game next GW.

      1. Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Hopefully just having them all not starting gave me a bit of a scare starting to doubt my team

  10. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Aguero injury tomorrow night and I'll be taking a hit the week after WC'ing 😎

    And then probably the week after to field Xl 😮

    The nightmare is far from over 😛

    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Vomits

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        *vomits hard

      2. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry Jaf, its catchy though

        1. Debauchy
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          * oh noooooo , vomits again

    2. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I may take a hit anyway under the hits can pay off during a double law of old.

      Jagielka has to go. Smalling is doable with a hit.

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yep and hopefully a decent cushion of points next week to absorb it....

  11. Jazz!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Milner (bou, EVE) or Lanzini (lei, WAT)?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Milner if you have Payet

    2. Ziegler1988
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lanzini

    3. Jaffalicious! #SomosCubanos
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Milner! 😀

    4. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Both.

      And Cech.

    5. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lanzini will 100% play both games without a doubt.. but Leicester are the toughest defence around so that probably equates to about 1.5 games.

      Milner could suffer rotation seeing as Klopp seems to hold nothing back when it comes to team changes, especially if they progress over Dortmund.. so he could be seen as having 1.5 games too..

      Lanzini is a better player though, and cheaper. So I'd go with him.

      UNLESS you're struggling for GW35.. then go Milner for an extra game that week.

      1. Jazz!
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks everyone!

      2. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Will Lanzini play both games when West Ham are the midst of a 5 game in 15 day period?

        I doubt it very much.

  12. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Robles (Darlow)
    Bellerin Smalling Clyne (Simpson, Francis)
    Payet Ozil KDB Milner (Mahrez)
    Mitrovic Lukaku Aguero

    WC Active, £0.1 ITB

    Thoughts? What would you improve?
    Only changed 8 players

    1. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Do not go Robles and Darlow in net. Both defences awful, plus Robles unlikely to play in GW38 (Howard last game) so you might have to play Darlow twice... gulp

    2. Japan Boy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'd change your keepers, maybe mannone for one of them? Also Francis for a Spurs defender

    3. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Have you learnt nothing from the weekend ?

  13. Laporte In A Storm
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A) Coutinho / Ozil
    B) Milner / Sanchez

    1. Larry Legend
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      see above

      1. Laporte In A Storm
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Ah yes, thanks!

  14. Jazz!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    NEW POST

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks for the link lazy bones....

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yup. I've got the fencers in, after Hurricane Katie.

  15. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    (C) this week boys and girlos?

    1. The Raging Bull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez

  16. New Post
  17. vectorman
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So is everyone keeping calm? I'm looking at my frontline of Mitrovic/Lukaku/Aguero and thinking, I wanna change and I wanna change now. Martial for GW34 scares me a little - my rival who's now 20pts ahead thanks to this disaster of a wildcard I fear will get him. Thankfully he just this week bench boosted and he's already used up his wildcard but should I shift Luk for Martial or even Sturridge?. Mitrovic unfortunately I have to stick with

  18. Fantasy123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    WC active, no bench boost unfortunately. Any changes to this? Worried by Gabriel/sakho..

    De gea
    Smalling gab Sakho fuchs azpi
    Ozil payet firmino iwobi milner
    Martial Aguero Pelle

    1. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Decent,I'd have a spurs defender over Azpi.

    2. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe do Smalling to Bell Azpi to Rose and upgrade Gabriel

  19. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Still only absorbing this week. Would have done Kane ----> Lukaku (c) with my FT had I not been using my WC so here's how it would have been for me.

    PRE-WILDCARD

    Fabianski (6)
    Toby (15), Simpson (8), Daniels (1)
    Ozil (7), Mahrez (3), Alli (8), Wijnaldum (2)
    Vardy (13), Lukaku (4*), Aguero (9)

    73 with Lukaku (c) to go

    WILDCARD
    Robles (3*)
    Delaney (6*), Simpson (8), Gabriel (1)
    Ozil (7), Sanchez (7), Mahrez (3), Milner (10), Payet (3)
    Aguero (9), Lukaku (4*)

    60 with Robles, Delaney and Lukaku (c) to go

    A 0-0 would balance that gap out but highly unlikely.

    All about next week though....

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      got off very lightly compared to the majority

      1. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yup, I sold Siggy, Toby, Kosc (for Bell!), Alli....even Francis gave me a surprising 2 fingers. Red arrows all over the shop, FPLscout ranking went up though! Probably cause I didn't do Vardy>Mitrovic. Shocker all round I'm assuming

  20. Laporte In A Storm
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    You sell Bellerin (for Gabriel) to allow Sanchez?

    1. Laporte In A Storm
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Would you... 😉

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        No but much depends on who else you have. The question is decontextualised at the moment.

        If you have Ozil, it mitigates the loss of Sanchez to a degree. If you dont want Ozil for some reason, then Sanchez is a necessity. Gabriel is a gamble though after a less than pristine performance against West Ham.

        1. Laporte In A Storm
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I'm wildcarding this week (no BB), and my team is looking something like this:

          Mignolet / Robles
          Bellerin / Toby / Sakho / Rojo / Simpson
          Ozil / Coutinho / Payet / Mahrez / Barkley
          Kun / Kane / Lukaku

          1.0itb.

          I'm looking at how to draft in KDB, and maybe Sanchez too. I'll probably be going Lukaku > Welbeck, but that doesn't give me enough to get these guys in. I need one more downgrade (probably of Bellerin/Toby/Countinho) to afford Barkley > KDB/Sanchez. I'll need a second downgrade in order to afford both Sanchez AND KDB.

          1. Wetdream
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Get Sanchez downgrade Toby lose Barkley and I wouldnt be against losing lukaku either if he does nothing wed

    2. Pirlø's Pen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      probably, yes.

  21. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Guys any suggestions for this front 8? Have 1 ft and 0.3m itb

    Sanchez ozil coutinho firmino Lennon
    Kun lukaku mitrovic

    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Run with it

  22. Federico
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    No BB for me this week, so I'll have to bench one of my SGW players. Who to bench?

    A) Alli
    B) Mahrez

    Also, would you take a hit to get Iwobi or Milner for one of the above?

  23. borat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    on bb. mids are

    kdb coutinho mahrez payet lenon

    should i keep kdb or replace him with ozil. how much game time kdb will get when compared with ozil in dgw34 and gw35

  24. borat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    def for bb dgw34

    ddg robles

    bellerin kosc simpson sakho ollson

    worried about ollson. and want to replace him.
    also for gw 35 need a goalkeeper
    please need some advice

  25. borat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    ddg robles

    bellerin kosc simpson sakho ollson

    payet coutinho mahrez lenon kdb

    aguero lukaku martial

    1ft 0.7 itb

    a)ollson-> morgan (less risk), for gw35 robles->mignolet lukaku-> pelle (total-4)

    b) kdb->ozil , robles->hart, ollson->morgan (-8). but will get assurance of ozil playing full time and hart CS against Newcastle

    c) ollson-> morgan , robles->mignolet (-4) this week

  26. Buckeye
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Kicking myself for transferring out Toby, and don't have the funds to bring him back.....Walker or Rose?