Metrics

How the top 10,000 FPL managers are shaping up ahead of Christmas

Over one in six Fantasy Premier League managers who were in the top 10k at the point of the Gameweek 18 deadline have now used their Free Hit chip.

Blanks for Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, West Ham United in the Gameweek just gone may well have prompted a surge in the chip’s popularity, with just over 500 Fantasy bosses in the top 10,000 deploying their Free Hit in Gameweek 18.

The move may not have been a successful one for many, as the average score for those using their Free Hit was less than it was for the Fantasy bosses who used no chip at all (42.94 versus 45.00 respectively).

Seven of the 15 players in the template 10k Free Hit squad blanked, with not one of the assets below registering a double-digit haul.

A little over 2% of the leading 10,000 managers used their first Wildcard this weekend, with a handful of maverick managers opting to use the Triple Captain or Bench Boost chips.

A sixth of the top 10k (as of Saturday’s deadline) have yet to use their first Wildcard, with Gameweek 20 the final call for that particular chip.

The managers within the top 10,000 who did use their first Wildcard in Gameweek 18 also had a so-so weekend, with the average score being 41.85.

Eleven of the ‘template’ Wildcard squad below blanked or didn’t play, with two of them – Diego Rico (£4.4m) and Son Heung-min (£10.0m) – now suspended for Gameweek 19.

Looking at the most-owned players in the top 10,000 overall, there was no change in the ‘template’ squad from Gameweek 17 – although Sadio Mane‘s (£12.2m) ownership took a tumble from 85.8% to 58.59%.

Kevin De Bruyne‘s (£10.4m) popularity increased dramatically after his 19-point haul against Arsenal, with only Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) and John Lundstram (£5.2m) now owned by more managers than the Belgian within this elite group of FPL bosses.

There were widespread captaincy fails in the top 10k in Gameweek 18, with De Bruyne’s four points looking like a relatively good haul compared to the returns of Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) and especially Son.

The 8.74% who kept the armband on Vardy were rewarded with a goal and maximum bonus points, meanwhile.

For those of us who are chasing down the leading pack and who have kept most of our chips, there may be encouragement in the fact that over one in three of the top 10,000 FPL managers has used at least two of theirs.

Around 880 of these bosses have used at least three of their chips, while around 4.3% – including erstwhile number one Nick Tanner – have already maxed out and now only have the second Wildcard to come after Gameweek 20.

On the flip side, more than half of the top 10k have used just one chip, while around one in ten has reached the dizzying heights of the top 10,000 without the use of any.

All data taken from LIVEFPL.NET.


1,350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions on WC team?

    Ryan — Button
    Lundy TAA Targett — Rico Femenia
    Kdb Alli Salah Maddison Grealish
    Vardy Rashford — Greenwood

    Some options:
    A) Taa + Targett >> Digne + Otamendi/Aurier
    B) Turn Grealish/Greenwood >> Hayden/Ings and play 343
    C) Taa + Maddison + Rashford >> Aurier + Sterling + Ings

    C is very tempting and tough decision

    1. Wrong Captain Again
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It's between your current WC team and C, I've got the exact same dilemma - having Sterling is tempting but too much money on premium mids of which you can only captain 1 worth it instead of spreading the cash and having TAA (likely the highest scoring def)? Very tricky.

    2. Jusagoras
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd strongly argue against C. TAA has Wolves and Sheffield at home in the next three. He has a good chance of clean sheets and attacking returns in those. Maddison has a very decent run of fixtures after Liverpool, and I would be looking at getting him in rather than getting rid. Rashford has two fixtures which will be challenging in the same way as the last two, but he could still score in either, and after that he has fixtures against Arsenal and Norwich which look the perfect kind for him.

      1. Wrong Captain Again
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Interesting.

  2. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane in feels nice.
    This week could be massive. The next 3 fixtures could bring in a big haul.

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kane stats not put you off?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not overly encouraged but he’s one of those players that can just explode out of nowhere. I feel those 3 fixtures should provide him that opportunity.

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

      Check Kane’s Opta. Poor.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’ll delve a little deeper but I’ve got him now.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not so sure myself. Plays so deep with fast players running off him. Looks awful yesterday

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, he drops deep to allow Alli, Son and Moura to overlap. I wonder how Son's absence will affect his role though, he might get to play more advanced now, with a more narrow playmaker on the wing.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          That’d be lovely.

  3. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo scores more this week?

    A) Kane & Grealish

    B) Rashford & Richarlison

    C) Jimenez & Richarlison +4pts

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

      A

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

      B

    3. Tomkins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    New article repost, stuck here as I bet many are.

    A. Son >> Pogba / other??
    B. Son+TAA >> Salah+Kelly (-4)
    C. Play Greenwood and bench Son

    Pope
    Lundy • Aurier • TAA
    Mané • Son* • KDB • Alli • Grealish
    Vardy • Tammy
    (McGov. Greeny. Soy. Rico*)

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

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

      A

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hmm, most think drop TAA for a hit then. Interesting

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

        It's a bold move - I like to keep one expensive defender, it will mess your structure too much imo.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Agree. Don’t want a hit either as got a big head to head in mini league

  5. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    reposting looking for replies

    pope
    TAA kelly lundstram
    mane kdb alli grealish cantwell
    vardy abraham

    ryan mousset soyuncu rico

    0 FT 4.3 itb

    A) GTG
    B) mousset -> ings or jesusu (-4)
    C) abraham -> aguero or auba or kane (-4)
    D) cantwell -> pogba (-4)

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

      Think A but don't know if I would want to play Cantwell

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

        Who to play then?
        mousset?

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

          Yeah and hope he starts

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

            if not might hit me again for the fourth consecutive gameweek

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

      a

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

        play cantwell or mousset ?

        1. KUNingas
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          cantwell

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

            thanks mate

  6. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Did take a punt on Vardy (c) this week and worked out very well. Next punt will be Son to Pogba or Richarlison. Who should it be?

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pogba but not sure I would want any tbh

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

        Son to Grealish than?

        1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Agreed

  7. sneif4
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2fts
    Son, Jiminez to Grealish, Rashford
    Seem sensible?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just Son > Grealish

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

        This

        1. sneif4
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Hmm. Not think Rashford will outscore Jimi over the next few? Jimi has MNC and LIV

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

            Actually no. Rashford and weak teams not really great and Jimi incredible value. Anyway I'm keeping jimenez and only ditching Son

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

        Agreee!

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimi as returned in last 8 of 9 GWs.

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

      U still dare to take rash after ytd game?

    4. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Oof, it's unanimous! Just Son to Grealish then. Thanks for the input

      1. CC22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, I did Jiminez to Rashford two weeks ago, despite having had decent returns from Jiminez, due to 'hardening fixtures'. Not paid off at all and I'm actually considering swapping back!

  8. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Targett/Rico + Son -> TAA + Alli
    B) Son -> Salah

    Ryan, Button
    Soyuncu, Lund, Targett, Kelly, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Son, Maddison, Cantwell
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez

  9. FPL Panda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who's the better budget striker ?
    Q
    A Pukki (6.6)

    Or

    B Maupay (5.8)

    Cheers

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

      A? Don't really like both

      1. Wrong Captain Again
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Why not? Pukki excellent, almost 100 points and not even halfway through the season, Maypay on penalties and focal point, what's there not to like?

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

          Not consistent enough for me. Too many blanks and how many pens did Brighton all ready have? Just not for me.

  10. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    OR 50k
    What do we think of this WC team?

    Pope, Norris
    Kelly, Gomez, Soy, Mariappa, Lord
    Salah, Mane, Grealish, KDB, Cantwell
    Vardy, Jimi, Tammy

    0.3 ITB

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why Pope?
      Not sure about Gomez

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Fair point on Pope.
        Gomez - Matip and Lovren out so his place to lose, could be rotated but think above squad can handle it

    2. Wrong Captain Again
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer Sterling over Mane, Liverpool got a touch stretch whilst Man City have a sea of blue coming up, think Sterling outscores Mane over the next month or so

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain this week?

    A) Tammy

    B) Alli

    C) Zaha

    D) Rashford

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

      A for me and surely not C

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

      Kdb

    3. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A out of those, I just transferred Zaha out to accommodate Son>Salah.....

    5. Tomkins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A or B

  12. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best Watford defender on wildcard?

    1. Wrong Captain Again
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kiko

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

      No one

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

    Those with wildcard, are you keeping TAA or doing some massive upgrade by downgrading him?

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

      Keeping

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Im not sure yet, could have him in my wc team for gw20 tbf

    3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gone to upgrade Son to Salah

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

      keeping

  14. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison, Pogba and Kane are dodgy punts. Maybe one of them works out, Kane probably. The other two I would just watch for now no?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All horrible picks imo

  15. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Interesting article. Thanks. I think we are just getting to the point in the season where I think there are a lot of valid things to say about the decisions of the top 10k. Up until now there was too much of a luck factor.

    With that said, there is still the monkeys/typewriters factor of the fact that there are 7,000,000 managers out there. A subset of those in the top 10k will have go there by making lucky or, on paper, bad decisions that just happened to go well.

    If you are thinking of developing this series, Skonto, I would be very interested in cross referencing what the top 10k are doing against those in the top 10k who have previously finished in the top 10k at least once previously. Keep up the good work anyway! 🙂

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Have you considered how much work that would involve...

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I have considered it and there is, on the gameweek history screen, a list of all previous finishes which could, in theory, be picked up very easily with a modification to script which goes one step further than "is this team in the top 10k?" to ask "are any of these other numbers under 10k as well?" .

          That said, I'm not a coder or web developer so there may be good reasons why not it can't be done (hence the reason for politely suggesting it rather than expecting or demanding it).

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Can you imagine.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      My Christmas shopping list of Pogba, Richalison, Moura, Mahrez and Martial is absolutely DISGUSTING!!!!

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That’s so dodgy I hope you not getting all them on wc

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Looking for a Son replacement and already own Grealish, Alli, KDB. The options are horrendous

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Maddison is a safe pair of hands

          2. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Formation change - 3 up top if you don't have that already?

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Could do. Would be a hit though

              1. Make Arrows Green Again
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I'm considering a hit for the same reasons :S

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Rule out the last 2

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

      Ryan
      TAA Lundstram Kelly
      Son* Mane Kdb Alli
      Jimenez Vardy Abra
      Button Soy Rico* Dendo 0.1itb 1ft

      What the hell do I do here?
      A. Son to a cheaper mid (Grealish/Rich/Pog).
      B. Hit it up. One of the above mids plus Rico/Soy to Digne.
      C. Hit with Jimi out (Son & Jim to Grealish and Kane)

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        A with Jack

    4. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This is my front 7
      Mount alli KDB Richy
      Jimi Vardy Ings
      Is it worth transferring son to someone else and benching one of above. 1.9 ITB?
      Cheers all!!

      1. Jontharon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You have to transfer Son!

        1. Geordie19
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          But then bench who?

          1. Jontharon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Maybe Richy until you get to see how Everton looks.

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

            Cantwell and reasses next week

      2. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Son and Richy out for Salah/Mane and Cantwell

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

      I'm starting the doubt the idea of bringing Alli in on wildcard. If I don't, I can have Ings or someone similar as a third striker, rather than Connolly or Greenwood.

    6. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Henderson Button
      Chilwell Lundstram Targett Kelly Lowton
      Mane KDB Maddison Alli Cantwell
      Vardy Rashford Ings

      1FT / 2.4ITB

      Is it time to do Ings --> Abraham?
      Or should I save FT?

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I would save

    7. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play Dunk or Soy?

    8. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lads, I'll WC this week or the next. I'd have 12.4 mil for a midfielded if a ditch Son for this GW and WC the next. This is my team as of now:

      Pope (eve)
      TAA (lei), Chilwell (LIV), Lundstram (WAT), Rico (x), Kelly (WHU)
      KDB (wol), Son (x), Alli (BHA), Grealish (NOR), Traoré (MCI)
      Vardy (LIV), Abraham (SOU), Jiménez (MCI)

      Make a special ft for this GW only ditching Son? WC already? What do you suggest?

      1. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Salah/Mane

    9. cigan
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How does this look for a WC

      Guaita Ryan
      TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Fernandez Rico
      Salah KDB Alli Maddison Cantwell
      Vardy Jimenez Abraham

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Drop one GK to 4.0

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

      Mane > Salah (c) for free

      Yay or nay?

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yup. I was gonna before the Son went down.

    11. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chances of Greenwood starting? Think I’d rather just play him than the other options below Son. Or it’s a hit to take out Trent which I’m really unsure on too

    12. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Struggling between Tammy and Rashford captain

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

        Tammy

    13. Lucas8406
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Which one
      A) Son to Salah and Rashford to Ings
      B) Son to Salah and Alli to Grealish
      C) Son to Moura

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

        C out of those

    14. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Button Guaita

      Kelly Tomori Rico Lundstrom Soyuncu

      KdB Sterling James Salah Grealish

      Jiminez Ings Vardy

      Have £0.3m in the bank and two free transfers, what would you use one of the FTs on?

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

        James to willian?

        1. For Fuchs Sake
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Can't afford it 🙁

    15. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Setting up my squad for the coming game weeks, a combination choice is:

      a) M Kelly + Maddison
      or
      b) Van Aanholt + Zaha

    16. Mackans
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Is the following move worth a -4?

      Son & Rashford -> Salah & Ings