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Technical Area – Budget Midfield Options

One key to a successful Fantasy season has always been the early discovery of a midfield gem.

The 2015/16 season saw Riyad Mahrez rise from relative obscurity to the heights of a 240-point season, while last campaign, Josh King’s 16 goals powered many Fantasy line-ups to the top of their respective mini-leagues.

After seven Gameweeks, we are beginning to accumulate sufficient data to begin making more confident assertions regarding a player’s underlying performance metrics.

This international break is, therefore, an ideal time to evaluate the potential candidates for the title of must-have budget midfielder this time around.

It also gives us the chance to roll out – for the first time in Technical Area – data on expected goals (xG) and assists (xA), a new source of information which will soon be available to our members.

1,891 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ghost Gooner
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Senegal game over, Mane subbed on 88 minutes, thigh heavily strapped and walked off gingerly and grimacing

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      *Subbed off

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Very close to qualified for World Cup.

      1. Ghost Gooner
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Just gutted we (South Africa) have to replay our game against them as we had won it already, we now have to win twice to go to Russia 😡

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          You have your destiny in your hands at least.
          What happened in the other game?

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Read something about the ref now being banned for life. Not sure what happened in the game - maybe gave some questionable pens?

            1. Ghost Gooner
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Fifa found betting syndicate activity, the ref gave a handball off a ball hitting a thigh 😀

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Oh boy if Fifa found it must have been bad 😉

                1. Ghost Gooner
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  It was bad, I was laughing when the pen was given but not anymore. We won't beat Senegal back to back 🙁

                  1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Do Senegal need anything from the games? If not they might take it easy? 🙂

                    1. TorresMagic™
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 15 Years
                      6 years, 8 months ago

                      Senegal 8 points, SA on 4
                      Other 2 on 6 play each other before so a draw pretty much qualifies Senegal.

                    2. Ghost Gooner
                      • 10 Years
                      6 years, 8 months ago

                      Just a win in 2 games. Should be easy

              1. Ghost Gooner
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Don't think its fair on us as we didn't do anything wrong imo.

                At least FIFA is putting up the money required to host the game

    3. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      So mane looking bad for weekend? Liverpool going to be decimated at this rate with couts and firmino getting back late . Sickening

      1. Ghost Gooner
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I think he will be fine. Mane is a tough dude

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Hope so. Im no pool fan but hoping they are kind of at full strength . Fingers crossed

  2. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Cesc looking tasty

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Meh

  3. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Kante injured , there goes my gw8 Chelsea cover and captain...

  4. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hello guys. Which one of the following wildcard structures looks better for you. First one is a flexible 3-4-3/4-3-3 and the second one is a clear 4-3-3.

    Pope
    Davies, Jones, Azpilicueta, Mee
    Eriksen, Silva, Richarlison
    Jesus, Kane, Vard
    subs: Elliott --- Choupo-Moting, Wimmer, Cork --- 0.0 ITB

    Pope
    Davies, Kolasinac, Azpilicueta, Ward
    Eriksen, Silva, Choupo-Moting
    Jesus, Kane, Vardy
    subs: Elliott --- Duffy, RLC, Cork --- 0.5 ITB

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer the first 🙂 Not much in it though tbf. Would get a different bench fodder mid to Cork - you've already got double Burnley! 🙂

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Ah yes there could be just 4.5 written in the place of Cork 🙂 I think in both cases I can get a good defence. First one has both, Richarlison and Choupo-Moting which I'll also play both in 3-4-3 when good fixtures start for both. In the second one Richarlison is sacrificed for Kolasinac

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Do tell. When do the good fixtures start for them? 😉

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Let's see those numbers then 😉

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              WAT : ARS -274 che -691 STK 35 eve -432 WHM -36 new -250 MUN -308 TOT -464 bur -194 cpl -30 HUD 59 bri -241 LEI 84 SWA 92 mci -543
              STK : mci -481 BOU 107 wat -35 LEI 150 bri -178 cpl 33 LIV -214 SWA 159 tot -614 bur -131 WHM 31 WBA 44 hud -53 che -628 NEW -44

              1. Pierce34
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Surely the numbers need adjusting if Huddersfield at home for Watford is only a 59?

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  It's not the numbers that need adjusting, mate. 😉

                  1. Pierce34
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Ooh, burn! 😀

                    Still, I'm very happy with Richarlison - he normally looks their most dangerous in attack and it's not like they'll blank in every difficult fixture.

                    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      6 years, 8 months ago

                      Hmmm. OK. But you will forgive me if I don't bet on that?

                      1. Pierce34
                        • 8 Years
                        6 years, 8 months ago

                        Of course - let's return to this conversation later in the season. So far I've been very happy with Richarlison since buying in my GW6 wildcard - even if he blanks vs. Arsenal and Chelsea it'll still be more than 5 ppg for me.

                        The only thing I doubt is how long he can keep performing given that he's been playing non-stop for ages since he came from Brazil. That's a worry for another time though.

              2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Oof that is a lot of -ves. Funny that LEI more favourable than cpl
                That said Leicester have hardly set the Prem alight

              3. Jam0sh
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                I don't think it's always the best to only look these numbers. For example if we look at the next Watford home fixture against Arsenal, I'd be quite happy to play Richarlison. Arsenal have had some clean sheets but I think that they haven't looked as solid as one might think. I have a feeling Watford could cause some trouble for them.

                1. Pierce34
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Same.

          2. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Well, could be any fixtures tbh as I kind of fancy both 😀 but if I go for the plan 1 above, I think I'll bench Choupo for Mee this week and Richarlison for Wimmer next week. Thoughts about potential teams above Doos?

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I don't like either. Sorry. I can't take any team seriously that has RLC, and the top one is like the curate's egg.

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Nice turn of phrase 🙂

                Guess there's always going to be compromise though? For example, my defence is Davies + budget basement

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  I hope you got something good, for that?

                  Mine is like so:

                  Ryan/Elliot
                  Davies, Otamendi, Monreal/Duffy, Lascelles

                  1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                    • 6 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Haha to be honest mine's a bit of a dog's dinner. But can limp on until the next IB I feel

                    Begovic/Elliot (honestly expected Begovic to improve Bou defence)
                    Davies (Mee, Naughton, Lowe) / TAA - what a waste of a slot he has turned out to be!

                    Price I paid for a big front 3, with Eriksen Salah and Willian(!) at the start in midfield

              2. Jam0sh
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Fair enough 🙂 tbf I kind of agree as I somehow never feel quite ok with two 4.5 mids in my team. However I think I that both those teams could do well 🙂

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  2? Cork and Stephens. 🙂

                  1. Jam0sh
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Ok so RLC comment had nothing to do with team structure of two 4.5 mids but only RLC himself. 😀 I maybe thought more about getting comments generally about the price structure of potential teams. 🙂 I also have to say that I appreciate very much your work with numbers! If I think about my playing style and myself as a FPL manager I just always don't want to go too strictly by numbers but also want to give some space to think about game itself and how I see the potential with fixtures 🙂

              3. FFSbet.com
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Doos i will give you 1.2M advantage,RLC vs your Gros from GW9 till end(if both healthy) ?

                1. Yozzer
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Grob is a trap.

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          To be fair it's Kola to Jones who is still a good pick. I like the flexibility of the first

  5. Stat Sloth
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    For those who do not watch the France game;

    Kante's injury looked very similar to the Morata injury. Kante was bending over for a couple of minutes before deciding he needed to sub. Bending over is a way of stretching your hamstring to see if there are any tears/sprains. He walked off on his own feet with not much reaction to pain or any severe limps.

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      R u even a doctor bro?

      Just kidding superb Work mate 😀

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Nah, not even close. Just a medic + first aid instructor.

  6. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    how will kante's injury affect Pedro and willian

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      They will be sad for him

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        😛

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          JK? 😯

          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Never imitated, always bettered

            1. Optimus.
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Haha, how are things mate good to see ya

              1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Horrible mate, having an awful season. And you?

                1. Optimus.
                  • 13 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  You are in good company then, 1.5m here 😎

                  1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    1.3m

                    1. Optimus.
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 8 months ago

                      Eat my dust then 😉

                      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        6 years, 8 months ago

                        Can't you use your influence and sort us out an extra wc?

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

              Hi, JK. 🙂

              1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                *waves*

  7. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Now that I think about it, the Kante injury isn't very good news fantasy-wise - it means all those players ahead of us in the top 1k will be forced to replace him, and might get a good fantasy option this time.

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly he's had his John Jenson purple patch

  8. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Just one goal Bulgaria, one god damn goal.

    I'll take the betting loss with a smile.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What's with the love for the Bulgars? 😀

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        So us Swedes can pass France in the group and win it 🙂

    2. Dr Ennet
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      There you go! 🙂

      1. Dr Ennet
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry mate. Read that as Belarus 🙁 As a fellow Swede I want the same. Seems like the Bulgars started the second half better than the first though. And are you as impressed as I am with the result in the Luxemburg game? Berg four goals!

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ronaldo subbed on at halftime. Portugal need to win or else they are in a playoff.

  10. Ghost Gooner
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Dubious refereeing by a ref involved with betting syndicates, we got a dodgy pen but won 2 nil. The ref had previous incidents giving suspect performances so I don't know how he was trusted with a big game like this.

    Hopefully we can grind a 1-0 away and do the business at home 🙂

  11. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    French bullying the ref.

  12. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A) Use 0.3mil to upgrade Azpi to Alonso if Cedric drops
    B) Use 0.3mil in GW12 to do Cedric to Jones

    Which one?

  13. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Is it likely Chicharito will start v Burnley?

  14. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Belarus goal, the Dutch are shockingly bad.

  15. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Belarus 1 Nederland 1

  16. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Belarus 1-1 Netherlands 😆

  17. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What happened to Kante? Taken off at 34 mins?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Hammy gone

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        🙁

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Hammy

  18. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ronaldo ooooooooooo

  19. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ronaldo goal 🙂

  20. KAPO KANE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Is it next weekend yet?

  21. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    wow. hollland at this pt out. sad.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      2 wins weren't enough due to GD.

  22. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    advoccaat said no way sweden scores 8 goals. guess what happened.

  23. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    depay in. come on holland

  24. Albert_Luque
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Fellaini injury such a frustrating one, would have been a great differential. Feel sorry for him as well as he was getting into a bit of form.

    1. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      From an FPL perspective it's a frustrating one for those of us that didn't own him as it was a fantastic opportunity to jump ahead of those joining a very silly bandwagon. Do sympathise with him on a more personal level though - from being booed by his own fans to an apparent resurgence only to be cut short by injury.

  25. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone play this game full on maverick style?

    Think my WC with double Chelsea wing backs, triple City attack, bavies & kane plus Kaku would be maverick?

    1. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds template.

      1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Constructive

        1. Nascimento
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Not a bad thing. There's a reason it's template. Anything but maverick though.

          1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I've seen no teams like it whatsoever and I live on this page....what's your angle?

            1. Nascimento
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Are you serious? Which of those players is standing out for you as being particularly 'out there'? Bavies, Kane and Kaku have outscored everyone. Everyone knows Chelsea and City have great fixtures. You've made good picks, I'm just confused as to how you've convinced yourself they're different to anyone else's.

              1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Moses 1% 50k
                Sterling 6% 300k
                Sane 6.5% 300k

                1. Nascimento
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  This os horrific. Ask mods to delete.

                  1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Your crack is shit. Mixed messages

    2. Aston-villain
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not maverick. Quite alot of eggs in one basket too....thats not to say its bad, though.

      1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed about the basket! Slightly concerning but

  26. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Does this mean rip Chelsea defence

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Weak opponents upcoming so no IMO

    2. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I don't mean to tempt fate but I don't think they need Kante in order to stop the Crystal Palace attack 😀

  27. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    HOLLAND 4-1-1-4
    Wijnaldum centra; midfield defensive
    , Pröpper creating
    , and 4 forwards (Robben, Dost, Janssen ande Babel

  28. CFC96
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Log onto fpl, to find lukaku, fellaini and jones all with knocks in my active wc... time to make some changes i guess. Price rises are frustrating though

    1. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Jones' knocks are eternal. Probably the softest bloke in the league.

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Fellaini sounds bad

      Kaku and Jones is just Jose being Jose. I'd keep both

  29. Optic1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    So stuck with these 2 ft's! Any helpful opinions appreciated.

    A) Mhiki + Mounie >> Ritchie + Vardy

    B) Mhiki + Salah + Mounie >> Silva + Ritchie + Vardy -4 (0.7itb)

    C) Mhiki > Silva only. Roll over 1ft.

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. Optic1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        What the hell do I do with Mounie? Lol

  30. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    El Choupo for gw9, who's with me?

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He's a beast

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yep

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't know yet, already have Gross and Richarlison is there as well

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I'd probably rank them: Richarlison, Choupo, Gross for now but new info could change that