Pro Pundits

How to use upside-chasing to make up ground fast in FPL

In a season so far characterised by frustration and disappointment, I have been thinking about many of the different factors at play in Fantasy Premier League.

There is just so much I want to talk about when it comes to this game. Group Think, Fear, Ownership, Eye Test, Captaincy and Upside-chasing. The list is endless.

I’ve played Fantasy Football of some sort for the best part of 15 years, like many of you, I’ve been obsessed with it since the days of BBC Fantasy Football (read Stelios Giannakopoulos, Tim Cahill and Morten Gamst Pedersen).

I’ve been a part of the Fantasy Football Scout community for a long time

The game has evolved drastically since those days. Somewhere in the middle of the 2011/12 season, I discovered Fantasy Football Scout and was blown away by what I witnessed.

The community here was amazing. People were equally infatuated with this game as I was and we were all working together as essentially a ‘study-group’ to beat the ‘casuals’ (read: my rival) with the text-books handed out to us by Mark.

It took half a season at FFS to rise from mid-table in my mini-league to winning it by the end of the season. I haven’t lost my main mini-league since.

The likes of Doosra, Christina, Epic Fail and Champ from the FFS Community took me under their wings and very soon it became fairly easy to beat my ‘casual rival’, leading me to my own FFS adversary in Triggerlips.

I’ll admit, the urge to beat him might have led to a couple of strong finishes I’ve had. Strong rivalry can actually be a great driver of good FPL decisions.

Having a rival in this game can be a greater driver of FPL decisions

Your game tightens up as you have seemingly more to lose. I’ll quote Criss Jami here – “Together, we form a necessary paradox; not a senseless contradiction.”

Today, Triggerlips and I are very cordial with each other and he even made a couple of really good recommendations for my honeymoon in New Zealand last year. Community for the win!

It takes little time to discover some basic principles of playing FPL but after that, you’re on your own.

Once you know the importance of budget distribution, captaincy picks (never captain a defender), assessing form and fixture, how you fare in FPL essentially comes down to your individual style.

There are many ways to skin a cat and, in my opinion, none of them is wrong.

You need to find your identity as an FPL player. If you are going to get sleepless nights going without Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), don’t do it. It doesn’t suit your personality. It’s not good for your blood pressure and you don’t end up having fun. You’re better off playing the odds and percentages game because that is where your comfort zone lies.

Whether or not to own Salah has been a polarising concept in FPL over recent years

Personally for me though, there is no greater rush than a bold, against-the-grain, differential FPL call coming through. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the greener side of these calls more often than not.

Having that differential come through makes you feel like you’re Stone Cold Steve Austin having just stunned Vince McMahon and you’re pouring beer into your mouth with both hands. Such a rush!

I landed a similar stunner on my rival last year. I was on the verge of losing my mini-league last year for the first time in six years. He was leading by 50 points in January (I keep telling him it’s because I was getting married and was busy with prep) and I needed to rely on some classic ‘upside-chasing’ to close this gap.

What is upside-chasing you ask? Upside-chasing is all about finding high impact players that have the potential to gain you a lot of ground in a very short time.

It’s about finding those 20 to 40 point swings that shoot you up the rankings very quickly.

Also, it doesn’t always mean targeting a player with very low ownership. While differentials can always help you gain some massive ground very quickly, there are many ways to look at upside-chasing.

I am confident on owning Mané for Liverpool’s upcoming strong fixture run

For example, I’ve been contemplating which Liverpool three to go with for their upcoming run (Gameweek 13 to 21) and I think I’m fairly set on Sadio Mane (£11.8m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) in my team. For the third spot, I’m debating the merits of Salah versus Andrew Robertson (£6.9m).

While Robertson offers you more ‘value’, Salah is offering you way more upside with his points potential. And when it comes to the big boys, there is no room for compromise in my opinion. We are talking about 40 to 50 points swings here over very few weeks and you need to place your bets very carefully when a team like Liverpool shows up with a great fixture run. Are any other attackers offering the same potential as Salah over these few weeks? That is what the decision will come down to. 

Coming back to the rivalry I was talking about and the 50 point chase. He had used up his Manchester City quota before the Double Gameweeks and he did not have Sergio Aguero (£12.2m).

Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) was fit during the time and the title race with Liverpool was a nail biter. Aguero was close to 25% ownership and, while some were thinking about captaining him, very few were thinking of using the Triple Captain chip on him.

Aguero and I have a strong FPL relationship

The thing about Aguero is that we have a very strong relationship (just like Olivier Giroud). Having Triple Captained him successfully in the past; I didn’t trust anyone else more.

A hat-trick against Arsenal later, that 50 point gap got closed in one Gameweek. Stunner executed perfectly (I ended up beating him in the last Gameweek of the season). Bragging rights withheld.  

Aguero and I have been steady for the best part of six years. In the past two of those though, things have been heating up.

Last season and this combined, I have captained him 13 times and he’s returned a staggering 259 points at an average of 20 points per captaincy.

He’s pretty much responsible for me being inside the top 40k already this season. But there’s a little Brazillian that’s proving to be a bit of a thorn in our relationship. And he’s one I can’t ignore.

While I definitely don’t intend on losing Aguero for the next two weeks, I am thinking twice about giving him the armband in a week that would normally be a no brainer.

I am looking to get de Bruyne back in my team this week funded by a Son downgrade

He’s scored six goals in three home games against Aston Villa. Aguero has started every Premier League game at home that he’s been fit for since January 15th this year. Ideally, he should start.

He looked sharp against Atalanta but Raheem Sterling’s (£12.2m) display on Tuesday night and his statistics while playing alongside Mendy are incredibly encouraging.

With three goals and two assists against Atalanta, his haul last night would have equated to 26 FPL points.

Kevin de Bruyne (£10.1m) had a good game himself. He’s destroyed Sterling statistically at home this season but I think things will average out as Mendy playing allows Sterling to play more central (I strongly believe that Sané was responsible for a lot of Sterling hauls last season).

All three key Manchester City assets have some form on their side. Watching them on Tuesday, you realise the chance of one of them hauling comes down which opposition defender decides to mark which attacker leaving the other one open for their trademark ‘tap-in’.

As much as I want to captain Aguero, it just seems almost reckless to hand the armband to him over Sterling or De Bruyne.

At present, I’m on Sterling because Pep Guardiola did mention his physicality and ability to play two games in a short space of time because of his ability to ‘regenerate’.

But this decision is going to come down to my instinct on Friday night. There is a thin line between genius and reckless. At the end of the day, this game is about fun, isn’t it? 

FFScout user Lateriser12 has a very impressive Fantasy CV. He has registered two finishes in the top 200 (one of them equating to number one in India) and four in the top 10,000 in the last six seasons. The secret to his success has been playing non-conventionally and fearlessly, swearing by ‘upside chasing’ and not giving ownership much of a look.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 9

414 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Guys any advise? Current team:

    Gunn
    Otamendi / Digne / Willems
    Sterling / De Bruyne / Mount / Hudson-Odoi
    Aubameyang / Vardy / Abraham

    Button / Lundstram / Hanley / Cantwell

    I know I don't have any Liverpool players but with a fame against Spurs I prefer City players. This is the potential move in the next few weeks if Salah is back at his sharpest.

    --> Salah / Connoly / Rui Patricio

    1. WWF
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good mate

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Dilva and which of the following

    KDB or Sterling?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Personally I'd ignore Silva, and get De Bruyne and Sterling for next two at least.

      If I had to choose, Sterling just.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Which combo would you go long term though?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I had Silva and Sterling up until last week, it's now De Bruyne and Sterling, so thats what I'd opt for.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Going to be very interesting to see what Pep goes with.

            Do you think Jesus starts GW10?

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Don't think so, but I'm really not sure.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KdB I don't consider optional at that price. So him.

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What happened to no city?!

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Got in Dilva for Blankwell lol.

        1. Party time
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Same, considering him with the armband. What do you think?

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Nah. Salah captain.

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Good luck, Dilva for me 🙂

                  1. FOO FIGHTER
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Yeah same 😉

        2. Rhodes your boat
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thought you said no City was better?

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Never said anything about no City being better.

            You can go check my history 🙂

            I just did not want to go through what many others did with 3 City ending up on their bench 😮

            Starting slowly, brought in Dilva to see how things transpire with Pep GW10.

            Dilva was a safe bet and a pretty damn fine replacement for Cantwell.

      2. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        1FT 3.7itb Current team is

        Pope
        Taa tomori lundstram rico
        Salah sterling (c) kdb CHO
        Abraham jimi

        Button soyuncu cantwell greenwood

        Do I do

        A) cantwell to d.silva
        B) greenwood to Wilson
        C) jimi to vardy

        A and B mean I bench tomori

      3. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Has anyone tripled up on Pool and City?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I had up until last week with Trent, Robertson, Salah, Otamendi, Silva and Sterling.

          Removed Robertson and Silva last week tho, for Rico and De Bruyne.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Silva 4 digit haul so far?

            Any reason why you took him out?

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              *double digit hauls*

            2. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I found him quite frustrating to own. A couple of late 1 pointers, hauled off against Norwich and Wolves when City were chasing the game.

              1. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Tough decision to make. Silva has featured every GW so far albeit with his minutes being managed.

                Will see what happens this weekend and reassess from there.

      4. HaffNanner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Bench two of these -

        A. Lundstram (WHU A)
        B. Tomori (BUR A)
        C. Soyuncu (SOU A)
        D. Rico (WAT A)

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'd be tempted to bench Tomori and Soyuncu.

        2. Rhodes your boat
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I’m looking to bench BC

      5. TaiwanHC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        GTG for GW10?

        Pope
        TAA - VVD - Otamendi - Lundstram
        Sterling - KDB - Mount
        Wilson - Abraham - Pukki

        McGovern, McGinn, Cantwell, Zouma

        I was considering Pukki to Jimenez, but comparing their scoring odds I will wait.

        Thanks guys!

      6. CelticBhoy1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Jimenez or Rashford?

        1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Jimi

      7. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Son + Pukki to Connolly + Mane?
        (Connolly on bench, also own Salah)

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yep, defo.

      8. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Do we expect Trent to play on Sunday?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I think he has been ruled out with a virus today so probably cleared up by Sunday?

          1. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Great

      9. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thoughts on Mahrez, Son, Firmino, Pukki -> Sterling (C), KDB, Vardy Connolly -8?

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          -8 is always never recommended, however in this instance I would probably say yes

        2. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          That does look good. Is there a way to get in kdb and sterling without -8, maybe hold of on Vardy for another week?

        3. Al-Chemy
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Personally -8 does seem a lot. But I like your new team.
          Do you have Salah/Mane there if you took out Firmino?

      10. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Salah and Pukki to Mané and Jimenez for free?

        1. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Nah

      11. The Armband Conundrum - Upside Chasing or Safe Play?
        Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Just in congruence with the Article, where are you at with the captaincy this week and why?

        KdB despite his massive home hauls seems like the safe bet (ironic i know).
        Raheem and Aguero the upside options.

        Or do you fancy Mane/ Salah vs. Spurs?

        I'll add some stats here for the sake of debate.

        Sterling vs KdB last week (with Mendy playing).

        Sterling - 4 SiB, 2 Big Chances, 3 CC, 2 Big Chances Created
        KdB - 1 SiB, 1Big Chance, 2 CC, 0 Big Chances Created

        Sterling vs KdB vs Aguero home Games this season (Sterling didn't play vs Watford).

        Raz - 1 G, 0 A, 9 Shots, 8 Sib, 2 BC, 4 CC, 1 BCC
        KdB - 2 G, 5 A, 12 Shots, 7 SiB, 2 BC, 19 CC, 6 BCC
        Aguero - 4G, 2A, 17 Shots, 15 SiB, 5BC, 6 CC, 3 BCC

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I think Raz for explosiveness, or KDB for safety net. Can't see beyond those 2 this week tbh.

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I'm likely to bring in kun this week. But with a palty 1.5m not sure I could bear giving him the armband only for him to be benched.

            So kdb captain for now - unless I just go for it.....

            1. Flynny
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              1.5m rank that is...

          2. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Salah

        2. Squeakybum99
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Sterling (C) Kdb (VC)

        3. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB hopefully getting the shackles off this weekend with stones and Ota fit meaning ferna gets his midfield role back. Has to be him I think but I’d be all over sterling looking the best player in Europe right now despite what I’m seeing on here.

          1. Baines on Toast...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Is there any evidence Otamendi hasn't just been dropped?

        4. Futbol Heritage
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB C

        5. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Still on Kun myself and will most likely have to log off until Saturday so that I'm not talked out of it. Have Kdb.

          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Good luck with that. I hope it comes off.

        6. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Currently on Kun (C), KDB (v) but definitely not confident!

        7. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB.
          After several captain failures in a row all I want is some sort of return and altough second guessing Pep is pointless I do feel like Belgian is more likely to start against Villa - cue minimun assist.

        8. Big Ronnie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Kun, bringing him in for Kane and sticking the armband on him. High risk high reward (hopefully)

        9. Ostrich Baby
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Aguero (c), KDB (vc)

        10. Hungry Singh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Tammy (C)

          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Damn son. That's Maverick.

        11. TiAgoFPL
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB C Mane VC

        12. Jakedmat01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Just had a look Villa's underlying stats are horrendous (good news for MCI options) they've: conceded the most attempts from open play and set plays, 2nd for shots in the box conceded and have a -2.37 xG Delta and finally they've the joint 4th worst away defence, you'd be a brave person to stay away. KDB for me 11, 13 and 17 in home games compared with Sterling's 6, 3 and 2

        13. Sam FPLFamily
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB’s home game returns this season are just

        14. Mince n Tatties
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KEVIN

          Highest scorer in FPL so far
          Delivered every home game so far
          HE DA MAN

      12. Al-Chemy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A) Aurier to Tomori
        B) Sterling and Son to KDB and Mane (-4)

        Pope (Heaton)
        TAA Ota Lundy Soy (Aurier)
        Sterling Mount Son Cantwell (Hayden)
        Aguero Tammy Wilson

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          A

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I would keep Aurier. Attacking threat from defence at 4.9 is hard to come by.

          Benching him vs Pool and then rotating him.

          1. Al-Chemy
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            That makes sense yeah. Any changes you reckon worth doing, or just roll the transfer this week?

      13. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Guys, don't sleep on the importance of the Captain Poll. I've been keeping a tally of the top 3 choices each week and the results are telling.

        GW | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place
        1 | Salah 12 | Kane 13 | Sterling 20
        2 | Salah 3 | Auba 6 | Sterling 6
        3 | Kane 2 | Sterling 8 | Salah 15
        4 | Sterling 3 | Aguero 16 | Salah 6
        5 | Salah 9 | Sterling 2 | Aguero 6
        6 | Sterling 0 | Aguero 9 | Auba 5
        7 | Salah 3 | Abraham 2 | Sterling 7
        8 | Sterling 2 | Auba 2 | Aguero 2
        9 | Abraham 2 | CWilson 2 | Sterling 5
        10 | KDB ? | Sterling ? | Aguero ?

        1st choice has blanked every week except GW1 and GW5, and in GW1 still managed to get a lower score than the other 2 choices. 3rd choice has blanked only once in GW8, the week where everyone blanked.

        I'll be captaining Aguero this week.

        1. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          What are the results telling of?

          Just looks to me like there's a small sample of a population with about the same probability of hauling, and one or two do most weeks

          1. Hanked
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Agreed.

            I have been curious if the 'Wisdom of the crowd' theory played out in captaincy polls in the past. Turns out, it doesn't.

        2. Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          And also - 'our' faith in Sterling is unerring - with a podium place every single GW, even though he hasn't had a DG haul since GW1.

      14. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Hi all. Had a bad start this year but 2Fts so would appreciate some advice on this team change up:

        A. Salah, otamendi, Greenwood to Mane, Rico, King (-4)
        B. Otamendi, Yarmolenko to Rico, Maddison
        C. Otamendi, Yarmolenko, Greenwood to Rico, dendonca and Jiminez (-4)

        Current team below

        Pope
        Taa, otamendi, soyunco, lundstrum, Gilbert
        Salah, sterling, kdb, Mount, Yarmolenko
        Tammy, pukki, Greenwood

      15. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is Ota 3rd choice now behind Stones and Dinho?

        1. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          God knows. All I know is he’s coming out my team this week!

      16. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Auba to kun for a - 4 is crazy right?

        1. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Risks too high. Don’t do it unless you don’t have any other city attacking coverage

      17. leonickroberts
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Really enjoyed this. I'm definitely a gambling, big-hit-taking manager (which is probably why I've never done particularly well), but I enjoy the pay-off of making a move and it working more than the patience of sticking with a player.

        Thoughts on the following?

        Pope (Heaton)
        Tomori VVD Diop (Soy, Kelly)
        KDB Yarmolenko Sterling Mount (McGinn)
        Tammy Kun Connolly

        No FT, 2.7 TBB. Plan is to see how Kun gets on over the next few weeks, and probably do Heaton>4.0 GK, Kun>Vardy and McGinn>Mané for Liverpool's coming run...

        1. Rhodes your boat
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Moves look good yes

      18. My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thoughts on Otamendi as a pick? Surely he's not nailed at the moment, after injury and he's been awful too, Stones is back, Stones and Fernandinho could easily be the CB pair on the weekend, right? Think I have to sell Ota...

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It's unclear at the moment what Pep views as his best centre back partnership, but I wouldn't sell before Villa at home.

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah I wouldn't either but if it's not clear whether Ota will start then there's no certainty of that "Villa at home" argument either! If he doesn't play, I don't care whether it's 11 goalkeepers on the pitch, he doesn't get any points 🙂

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I'd wait a week, see how it unfolds. Personally I don't see Pep rolling with Stones and Fernandinho against someone as physical as Wesley, but could be wrong.

              More importantly, who would you sell him for?

              1. My Name Is Prince
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Got 2FTs to go Cantwell/Otamendi --> CHO/Lundstram... The only thing I have to decide is whether I'll sell Digne or Otamendi for Lundstram...

                1. FPL Blow-In
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  For free it’s a good move imo.

                  1. My Name Is Prince
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Yeah but which one, Digne or Ota... Think Digne needs to go soon too with the fixtures turning very dire soon, GWs14-18.... Spurs too in GW11... But Digne at least is nailed, and that Brighton game could yield returns for Digne too, someone might say he's due an attacking return 🙂

                    1. FPL_Crisis
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Same dilemma and moving on Ota first priority as it’s just 2 good fixtures and no guarantee he plays

                      1. My Name Is Prince
                        • 11 Years
                        4 years, 5 months ago

                        Currently leaning towards Ota too...

                2. avfc82
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Ahh okay, this makes more sense now with 2 FT's and upgrading Cantwell. Can't argue with those moves.

                  1. My Name Is Prince
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Yeah probably should have told you about that in the first place... 🙂

                    1. avfc82
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      No worries 🙂

      19. Lestat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A - Salah, Sterling, Aguero
        B - KDB, Sterling, Aguero
        C - KDB, Sterling, Aubameyang
        D - KDB, Salah, Sterling

        Which trio works best this wknd?

        1. Al-Chemy
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'd say D personally

      20. Harvey Spector
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Great article.

        I am using my WC in the next intl. break and taking punts before that.

        a) Auba and Yarmolenko/Felipe Anderson
        b) Haller and Pepe

      21. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Absolutely stumped on what to do with this team. I know I'll need to get either Sterling/KDB in for this weekend and possibly get rid of Ota/Mahrez. Any thoughts much appreciated...

        Pope (Button)
        TAA Pereira Ota (Lund Rico)
        Mane Mahrez Mount McGinn (Guendouzi)
        Aguero Vardy Tammy

        0 FT & 0.3 ITB

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'd leave it if you've already used your free transfer.

          1. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Damn typo sorry. I have 1 FT

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Hmm, if you really, really want De Bruyne, then I'd consider downgrading Pereira to a 4.5, and upgrading Mahrez. Can't see how else you could sensibly do it.

              1. BigBillyBass
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Thanks man

      22. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        After reading this article I am still none the wiser about what upside chasing is besides picking players that score lots of points

        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          People who have a higher points potential but might have little risk associated with them. Sometimes it's ownership, sometimes it is because they are not nailed.

          Vardy vs Aguero is a case this week. Aguero is the upside-chase.

          Same with Kdb vs Sterling vs Aguero

          The latter two is the upside chase.

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            So it's just what we used to call high risk high reward?

            Investing 12m in a player who has really any chance at all of unpredictable benching is high risk

            1. Lateriser 12
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Yes. High Risk High Reward.

              1. Christina.
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                who would you label as high risk high reward over say the next 3-5 weeks?

                Martial, DSilva, CHO, Ings...?

                1. Lateriser 12
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  I don't see CHO and Ings as risky. Have CHO down as the potential bargain of the season. Martial CHO Mane Salah are high on my want list.

                  1. Christina.
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Well I suppose Ings is a injury risk and risk in sense he has low ownership vs say Pukki and so does CHO over say Mount.

                    They could be great differentials.

          2. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            When the "upside" player is at a completely different price point, I don't see the point of the comparison. It's not Vardy vs Aguero. It's Vardy + 3m vs Aguero. It's not Robbo vs Salah. It's Robbo + 5.5m vs Salah. It comes down to how well you can spend the spare funds if you go with the cheaper, less upside one. Your team is entirely different depending on who you pick.

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              You're speaking about team balance which is an entirely different concept to that which Lateriser12 is speaking about.

              1. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                He's saying he's debating whether to pick Robbo or Salah as the third Pool pick. I've got TAA, Mane, and Robbo. If I picked Salah in Robbo's place, sure I've got more upside, but I have to weaken the rest of my team to gather up a whopping 5.5m which can cancel out Salah's upside. It's the same for him.

                1. George Sillett
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  And with such a choice he quantifies the decision as a choice between the value of Robertson v the upside of Salah. He is not speaking about the impact of price difference on the rest of his team. Most teams will include a few big hitters . Which ones is determined by the individuals perception of their relative upsides at any moment in time. So no you do not necessarily have to weaken your team just pick between players at similar price points.

                2. Lateriser 12
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Correct. That is where you are placed with your team not me. I'm currently playing with only Trent so the example used was of my own team.

                  1. Cok3y5murf
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    But you're planning the same thing with your team. You said you're set on TAA and Mane and that the third spot was between Salah and Robbo.

                    1. Lateriser 12
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Yes but you already have Robbo. So more moving pieces for you?

                      1. Cok3y5murf
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 5 months ago

                        My point is that with Salah as your third pick, your team is going to look different. With Robbo as your third pick, your team is going to look different with an extra 5.5 to spend. Salah's upside is irrelevant due to that 5.5. What it comes down to is which overall team scores more.

                        If you rather make a comparison of Salah vs Mane or Salah vs Sterling, it makes sense because the rest of your team in both cases would be very similar.

                        1. Lateriser 12
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          4 years, 5 months ago

                          Fair. Or a more relevant 2 player comparison. I'll keep that in mind next time. Thanks.

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You must be a Salah owner then.

        3. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah! The title made it sound like it was going to be interesting but then it was just Pooh and Friends fantasy story.

          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I'll try digging deeper next time mate. 😀

      23. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        2FT this week. Otamendi is the enabler to funds these moves

        Would you rather move King to Jiménez or Pukki to Jiménez plus 0.6itb
        Ota to one of Soyuncu or Lundstram
        Cheers!

      24. Ronnies
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ryan
        TAA - Otamendi - Lundstram - Tomori
        Salah - Sterling - KDB
        Tammy - Pukki - King

        Button - McGinn - Cantwell - Kelly

        1FT & 1.7M ITB

        Best transfer:
        A) King >> Jimenez
        B) King >> Wilson
        C) Pukki >> Rashford

        Thanks guys.

        1. Al-Chemy
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          A

      25. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Zinchenko have to go, would you do:

        A) Zinchenko to Otamendi for free
        B) Zinchenko and Cantwell to Rico and CHO for a -4p.

        Rico would be on bench and change a formation from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 If B.

        1. Strchld
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          And then have CHO, Mount and Abraham from Chelsea. Is that too much?

      26. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        So basically the article above can be summarise as an Aguero (C) when he gets a hat-trick can help you make up ground. 😀

      27. FPLMarc
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Current team:
        Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell
        Aguero, Wilson, Abraham

        What do you think of this plan?
        GW10 - De Bruyne for Salah
        GW11 - none
        GW12 - Vardy & Ings for Aguero & Wilson
        GW13 - Salah for Cantwell

        I'm not a huge Ings fan but they have a good run of 5. I feel like it's only missing Jimenez, Mane and the eternal fear of being Aguero-less.

        Does it get the thumbs-up?

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I wouldnt want to have to keep and play Cantwell for another 3 weeks

          1. FPLMarc
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah it's not ideal but it's needed. Plus he gets WAT (H).

            1. FPL_Crisis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              That didn’t work for spurs...

      28. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Need to get rid of Cantwell. To fund it:

        A) AWB -> Rico
        B) Ota -> Rico

        I guess Cantwell -> CHO although more sure how I feel about triple Chelsea attack

      29. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A measley 22 points, way down the rankings (2.4m) and afraid not owning Sterling this GW.. 1.1m itb with 1FT, what to do??

        Pope
        TAA Otamendi Montoya
        Mane KDB Son Cantwell
        Auba Tammy Pukki

        4.0 Lund Soy Donkers