Pro Pundits

How formation changes got the best out of Salah and De Bruyne in Gameweek 17

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, takes a closer look at advanced central roles for Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah in his latest Pro Pundits piece.


There are many ways to play Fantasy Premier League.

Some managers will be more aggressive in their approach, whilst others play a more patient game.

On Saturday, as Liverpool’s line-up leaked on social media ten minutes before the Gameweek 17 deadline, I saw an opportunity to make a gain.

The midfield was likely to be a two-man unit, with Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) starting alongside Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.4m), in an expected 4-2-3-1. 

Mohamed Salah’s (£12.2m) best goalscoring form has come when leading the line in a 4-2-3-1, with Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) positioned in the pocket just behind, and this trend continued against Watford, with the Egyptian not only scoring twice but also causing the Hornets defence problems all afternoon.

No player attempted more shots in the box than Salah’s seven this week.

The 2-0 win over Watford means Liverpool have scored two or more goals in 24 of their last 26 league outings. The 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and the 1-0 win at Sheffield United are the only games in which they failed to do that.

A Salah and Sadio Mané (12.2) attacking double-up, from Gameweek 19, is something I’m thinking about.

On Sunday, it was Pep Guardiola’s turn to shake things up. His favoured 4-3-3 surprisingly made way for a 4-2-3-1 (sounds familiar right?!), with two holding midfielders and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.3m) as a no. 10.

Unshackled, De Bruyne was on another level, and the most advanced Manchester City player:

De Bruyne’s 19-point haul, combined with Salah’s brace and a Sheffield United defensive double-up, contributed towards my Gameweek 17 score of 80 points, which has seen my overall rank rise to 50,107.

As I plan to activate my Wildcard soon, my next moves are essentially one or two-week punts, with Jack Grealish (£6.2m) and Adama Traoré (£5.2m) both under consideration.

Whilst there is a bit of worry amongst Aston Villa fans right now after several below-par team performances, Grealish still interests me, and I do think if Villa are going to score, he will be involved.

A slightly cheaper option is Traoré, who’s been playing on the right of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ front three in recent weeks. He’s a player who looks almost impossible to stop when he gets going and is also a bit of a differential, owned by only 5.4% of squads. 

Despite this, it’s worth noting that while an away trip to Norwich City sounds like a fixture to target, only Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have given up fewer big chances than the Canaries over the last five Gameweeks. That suggests it’ll be a tighter game than many think.

Going forward, I’m also keeping Michael Antonio (£6.9m) in mind. Against Southampton, Antonio and Sébastien Haller (£7.0m) made their debut as a strike duo, in a 4-4-2, and thrived. The 1-0 scoreline could have been even better for West Ham United, had Antonio’s goal in the second half stood. It was the second time he’s seen a goal disallowed for handball in three weeks, having also had one ruled out at Chelsea.

Now, the Hammers have a nice break to refine the system before their next match at Crystal Palace in Gameweek 19.

So, here is how I’m currently set up ahead of Gameweek 18, with one free transfer and £1.3m in the bank. 

Grealish, Traoré, Richarlison (£7.9m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) are all on the Watchlist, with one or two likely to come in ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

Re captaincy, I’m currently on De Bruyne, but Grealish is another candidate having returned 25 points over his last three games at Villa Park.

I currently have the vice captaincy on Dele Alli (£8.7m) but that will likely be removed. 

Alli does have more goals against Chelsea than any other club but I do have concerns about Spurs and their ability to control games with their current midfield options. I’m just not sure they’ll get the balance right when selecting two of Eric Dier (£4.9m), Moussa Sissoko (£4.9m), Harry Winks (£5.2m) or Tanguy Ndombele (£5.8m), but captaincy decisions will likely go right to the wire.

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

1,206 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gaddafi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wildcard team... Gtg??

    Ryan
    Rico, Aurier, Lundstram
    De Bruyne, Richarlison(V), Son, Alli
    Ings, Rashford(C), Vardy

    Bench: Button, Kelly, Dendoncker, Van Dijk.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No pool mid?

      1. Gaddafi
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No fixture this week so I sold Salah.

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah but wildcard not for one week

          1. Gaddafi
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            You obviously not seen his fixtures after.

            1. ow00019
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              But I'd rather Salah than VVD

  2. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Abraham to calvert?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A waste of transfer imo.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Do u really think calvert wont score against arsenal?

    2. ow00019
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      With a new manager on horizon I'd be careful around Everton assets. Tammy is fine to hold. If he blanks against Spurs + Southampton then get rid for sure.

  3. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is DSilva going to be fit this week? If not, is KDB a no brainer captain choice?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Because advanced?

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, he is absolutely terrific if he plays in the front 3.

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Agree

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t see Man City win big though.. think it’s a 2-1 game...

  4. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any thoughts on what I do here
    0.4m itb and 2 transfers. 1st wildcard still available.

    Pope Button
    Robertson Lundstrom Soyuncu Rico Aurier
    Salah KDB Dele Traore Dendonker
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez..

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah to son ?

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pope 》 Guiata perhaps?

  5. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Robbo, Pulisic > Dunk, Grealish
    B) Robbo, Pulisic > Targett, Richarlison

    Ryan
    Aurier - Lundstram - Kelly
    Son - KDB - Pulisic - Cantwell
    Vardy - Tammy - Ings

    Button - Söyüncü - Mané - Robbo

  6. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pulisic + Grealish (in 3-4-3) or
    Alli + Kelly (in 4-4-2)

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Latter.

  7. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi Guys, is this lot G2G this week? FT already done looking to do a -4, which option is best?

    A) Tomori > Aurier
    B) TAA > Aurier

    Pope (Button)
    Soyoncu, Rico, Lundstrom (TAA, Tomori)
    Cantwell, Son,Grealish, KDB (Mane)
    Tammy, Vardy, Ings

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A if you want to take a hit, but I wont in your case.

      1. tbhogal
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Team's good, no need for a hit.

      1. tbhogal
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Bobby!

  8. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is it DZ already?

  9. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) TAA, Cantwell, Maupay
    B) Targett, Richarlison, Greenwood
    C) Targett, Cantwell, Abraham

  10. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have 1FT and £0.2m. Should I save?

    Pope
    Kelly, Chilwell, Lundstram
    Grealish, Ali, Zaha, KDB(c)
    Vardy, Ings, Jimenez

    VVD, Mane, Pieters

  11. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Abraham to Kane
    TAA -> 4.0 fodder

    Sitting at 109k and while I’ll miss TAA attacking returns, I can’t see too many Liverpool clean sheets.

    Kane also seems to love the festive period and is a bit of a differential captain v Chelsea.

    1. ow00019
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Think looking to sell TAA but without seeing your team is Kane really no. 1 target?

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Usual suspects
        Gazza
        Lund Rico Kelly (soy TAA)
        KDB Son Maddison Cantwell (Mane)
        Vardy Abraham Rashford

        But got 2FTs but 0 itb. Boring option is TAA to say Otamendi then upgrade Cantwell, but see Kane doing well over Christmas

        1. ow00019
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not for me personally but if you like the line then do it. As you say could be a good differential captain.

          1. ow00019
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Other option is ottomendu and madds to Rich. Playing as a striker and ancelotti on horizon!

            1. TomSaints
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I do like Richarlison as an option but got a lot of value tied up in Leicester assets. Arsenal may also have new manager bounce on Saturday

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd rather keep Tammy.

    3. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Also just realised cup opponent perms captains Kane haha

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Fernandez for Newcastle a decent cheap defender option?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep but why NEW..rather kelly rico or some AVL bunch

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’m just considering all options up to 4.8m. Not convinced by Targett it Villa personally. I own Rico and I’m worried that Kelly is a short term option until people are fit again. Dunk is leading the pack at the moment for me.

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Kelly is short term yes but ward is still weeks away

          Dunks a nice shout. Im monitoring bardsley atm

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Newcastle rotates well.with lundstram

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What about Willems ?

  13. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli set to rise tonight?

    1. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How do you see the rise info?

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        fplstatistics.co.uk

  14. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Evening. Any thoughts on best way to spend 3.6m here please? Thanks

    Pope
    Aurier lunds kelly Rico (soy)
    Kdb Alli Madison (mane nakamba)
    Vardy abraham jiminez

    A......madison to son (c)

    B.......mane to son (c)

    C......jiminez to rashford (c)

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A out of those

    2. ow00019
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Certainly not spending by doing B. I like A. Keep an eye on Tammy, Jimi and Rashy

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B no brainer

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. I'm guessing A...

        Seems to he over thinking to the getting rid of my only liverpool attacker surely???

  15. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lascelles to

    A Manquillo
    B Fernandez
    C Targett

    Thank you. A my favourite option just not sure he s nailed

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Also would consider Willems . Thanks

  16. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Major benching headache in GW19... tempted to BB, but should wait for a DGW.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes for me as well but only for a week, will be addressed GW20

  17. HVT
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1?

    A - Cantwell (Wolves)
    B - Kelly (newc)

    Thanks

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cantwell.

      1. Goujon82
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Play A) Cantwell
        B) Ings

  18. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Indeed. However suspension or rotation could work our ways

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rf to bobby

  19. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which? Taa to Def. For next 2 gw then Gw20 WC will get back taa (my def. Ryan taa soy lund aurier kely)

    A) wilems
    B) baldock
    C) tarko/pieters
    D) targett
    E) dann
    F) baines
    G) roll ft, play 2 of soy aurier dendo

  20. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is there anyone benching Vardy this week? I may have to bench him GW19 vs LIV 🙁

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No way

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I know

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wow

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish (NOR) Alli (BRI) Pulisic (SOU) Martial (NEW) KDB (wol) Abraham (SOU) Rashford (NEW) ... next week. Either Vardy or Pulisic to be benched. GW20 transfer Salah and Dendonker in and no bench headache anymore ... of course plan = no injuries etc.

        1. ow00019
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Double Chelsea and Man utd. No Liverpool. Think you're team balance is all wrong. I'd bench one of Grealish or pulisic and look to sell the one you bench.

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Easy tiger ... Martial and Pulisic will go GW20 for Salah and bencher ...

            1. ow00019
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Interesting line. Hope it works out for you!

              1. Magic Zico
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers buddy

    3. ow00019
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Liverpool..... Who have kept 3 clean sheets this season?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Does not mean Vardy will score lots does it?

        1. ow00019
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Could say that for every player in every game ever.

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Let's see who wins the gamble here

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy can rip any team to bits?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe

      2. Jafoole_88
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Vardy will rip man city a new Jap's Eye

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Planning mane to Salah for their home tie against wolves . Mistake ?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think you should pick one and stick... otherwise you will spend all season chasing points. I stook with Salah since GW1 even if I was tempted to switch.

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *stuck

  22. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Capt.
    A) rash
    B) vardy
    C) son
    D) grealish
    E) kdb
    F) lund

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son just ahead of KDB

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I usually go with the poll...

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg and bench order correct? Sterling short term placeholder and enough in bank for Salah/Mané. (Richarlison* still tempting me over Sterling particularly with Big Dunc still in charge for weekend)

    Guaita
    Aurier Lundstram Rico
    Son (c) KDB Alli Sterling* Grealish
    Vardy Rashford

    Button Kelly Greenwood Söyüncü

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks v good

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good to me, which it should considering we have almost the same team! I’ve just got Ryan in goal and Ings rather than Grealish

  24. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    The cheap 5th mid role still looks the same decision it was at the start of the season - Hayden / Stephens / Donkey. Am I missing anyone, and who do you think’s the best option? Probably not Donkey now he’s playing in defence. Stephens slightly more attaching than Hayden?..

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore in a 343
      Mousset in a 352

      I wouldn’t go any cheaper.

      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry, should have said 4.5m max. Will usually be 2nd or 3rd on my bench

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I’d budget more and have them first sub. We’re coming up to rotation season.

          1. FourLokoLeipzig
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Hmm, I take your point, but I think that rotation is less of a worry this year with the way the Palace and Bournemouth fixtures have fallen - I’m quite looking forwards to having Rico and Kelly 1st and 2nd on my bench rather than the usual headaches

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TAA, Mount, Connolly to:

    A) Aurier, Martial, Jota
    B) Aurier, Grealish, Jimenez
    C) Manquillo, Traore/ElGhazi, Rash

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Between A & B for me, leaning to A as Jota looks to have hot some form and would prefer Martial over Grealish.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *hit

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B for me

  26. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Maguire a good option over the festive period?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes - some good fixtures

  27. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I’m going on the assumption KDB plays a no.10 role and therefore i’m Captaining him. Anyone else going with this line of thinking?

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Leicester are the top defence and in form. Really tough game to call and I’m nervous about any returns, let alone (c) ones!

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        But flip side it is at home and city capable of destroying anyone. Gut feel is 2-1 or 2-2 and a KDB getting 6-9 points max

      2. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who do you reckon out of these assets. I’m tempted by grealish as I think this is the week to take a punt.

        Lund,grealish,KDB,Son,Alli,rash,vardy

    2. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have a feeling that he will score a screamer

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

      Yes. He's also well rested.

      Leicester meanwhile played basically their first team vs Everton. I think City will hit a few past them.

    4. KINGS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe cap him in another game. Not Leicester

      1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He only needs the winning goal in a 1-0 win and 20 points...it could happen. Lol

  28. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which? Taa to Def. For next 2 gw then Gw20 WC will get back taa
    (my def. Ryan taa soy lund aurier kely)

    A) wilems
    B) baldock
    C) tarko/pieters
    D) targett
    E) dann
    F) baines
    G) roll ft, play 2 of soy aurier dendo

  29. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Dunk or Willems?

    First to 2.

  30. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Soyun to baines for a one week try?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah could be fun.