FPL Question Time – The best Man City triple-up for Double Gameweek 32

Manchester City and Chelsea are the two teams on the lips of Fantasy managers ahead of Double Gameweek 32.

Both clubs have very appealing fixtures across the expanded round of action, hence the interest in them.

We’ve taken plenty of questions about them and other Double Gameweek 32 talking points in this latest edition of FPL Question Time.

Who’s on the panel this week?

The General – finished in the top 500 three times in the last five seasons and a regular guest on the Official FPL Show

Tom fromWho Got the Assist? – Popular FPL podcast run by dynamic duo Tom and Nick

David Munday – Editor of Fantasy Football Scout and regular guest on the Official FPL Show

Question 1 – General

B91JH: Should I look at Manchester City defence, with options such as Ederson or Laporte or a third attacker like Bernardo or David Silva?

General: “The closer we get to the weekend, the more I’m leaning towards a Manchester City defensive asset rather than the likes of Bernardo Silva and David Silva.

“Ederson is the only Citizens player we can be confident of getting two 90-minute outings in Double Gameweek 32 so that’s where I’ll probably end up.

“A key for me in my Free Hit this week is to get players who have a high chance of playing twice and the Brazilian certainly ticks that box.

“Triple City attack does tempt me but there is so much competition in midfield and with players returning to fitness, we can’t predict who will get significant minutes.

“The Silva’s have zero goals between them since Gameweek 20 while I fancy City to keep two clean sheets.”

Question 2 – Tom

Muke108uk: With wolves and Watford playing in the FA Cup cup are you avoiding their players?

Tom: “Undeniably there are great, kindly priced options at both clubs who could do a job for you in a Double Gameweek.

“However, what both teams do have in common is a worrying depth of squad in many key spots, meaning you could well see rotation bite.

“The only one who may escape this could be Raúl Jimenez at Wolves. He’s their talisman and doesn’t seem to have a backup in the same way that, say, Andre Gray could come in for Troy Deeney.

“The Mexican is also highly owned, so having him could be an effective ‘shield’ pick against those who are not currently using their Free Hit chip.”

Question 3 – David

Guest: Who are the best defenders and goalkeeper options for Double Gameweek 32?

David: “There are a number of decent options in both of those positions that offer clean sheet potential and much more.

“As we recently discovered in our analysis of the goalkeepers, Ederson looks like the best player in his position if you’re not looking elsewhere for Manchester City cover.

“The Citizens have both defensive form and favourable fixtures this week so going with either their goalkeeper or someone who can offer more goal threat like Laporte or Otamendi could work out for you.

“Although Chelsea are hard to trust, we can see that Kepa Arrizabalaga has a number of avenues for points.

“The Blues fixtures are favourable and he’s made a healthy number of saves from shots outside the box in the last four matches too – potential for a decent haul. His role in the side could also help David Luiz or Cesar Azpilicueta although on recent form I’m not hugely confident of attacking returns.

“I really like the cheaper options on offer at Crystal Palace.

“Vicente Guaita could be a great budget signing if you’re confident he’ll keep his place against Huddersfield.

“Everybody is a big fan of Aaron Wan-Bissaka for good reason, while Jeffrey Schlupp has recently stepped into the conversation playing in midfield.”

Question 4 – General

Syke63: With the deploying the Free Hit chip looking like it could be the ‘template’ move for this Double Gameweek, where can we find an angle to make progress in our mini-leagues?

General: “There is nothing wrong with having a template Free Hit team.

“For me, it’s the ‘template’ move for a reason: it’s the best players on paper for the Gameweek ahead.

“Focus on maximising your points potential rather than worrying about finding differentials.

“Put simply, pick the XI players you believe will score you the most points.

“It’s easy to feel like you have the same team as everyone else when you see other teams posted on social media and in FPL forums but, there won’t be as many managers Free Hitting this week as you think.

“The ‘template team’ will be a differential in itself if it scores big, look at it that way.

“After all, a large number of managers played their Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 31 so even just playing it on an exciting Double Gameweek should make the difference you need.”

Question 5 – Tom

The Sociologist: With their favourable fixtures, but questionable form, what do you think of a Chelsea defensive double-up for Double Gameweek 32?

Tom: “Chelsea are an odd defence to figure out.

“Over the last six Gameweeks, they are the fourth-best for attempts conceded and for shots in the box conceded.

“However, that’s counterbalanced by them having conceded the fourth-most big chances in that same period.

“It’s a defence that is largely solid but is perhaps prone to mistakes.

“It has shades of Liverpool last week – a sword alternative could be one defender and then Higuain alongside the obvious Hazard buy.

“It’s always a gamble doing a defensive double up, but one that offers a rich reward if it comes off.

“With the duo of fixtures in the Double Gameweek, it could do just that, given how we have to squeeze others into the Free Hit, be the ideal way to represent them.”