Pro Pundits - Lateriser

The key underlying statistics I consider when picking my new FPL squad

4 September 2020 715 comments
Lateriser 12 Lateriser 12
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I think I’ve written about enough subjective theories and opinion until now. What I’m doing with this article is I spent some time in the Premium Members Area and I thought I’d give you some relevant handpicked stats that are simple yet relevant.  

As this article uses Opta data so extensively, only those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription can access it in full.

Without wasting any more time, let’s dive in.

Who are the best and worst defences?

All of this data is but a snippet of the notes I take whenever I spend time in the Premium Members Area. Hopefully you found this information helpful as you prepare your team for the new season.

Best players by position:

The Complete Guide to FPL Pre-Season 2020/21
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  1. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    good stuff lateriser
    i'm going Ryan over McCarthy. Ben White should improve their defence and for project restart, they were pretty much safe from relegation so switched off early. Don't underestimate the loss of Hojberg on the saints defence either

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    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I'm debating Ryan too.

      Means I can have kwp who could be one of the best nailed long term 4.5m defenders.

      Don't want to double up on Mccarthy and kwp

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      1. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        KWP won't get attacking returns.

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        1. Ole.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I remember one spurs game he got 3 assists? Was TAA esque. He got a few assists with limited minutes for Spurs for sure. 6 assists in his last 1400 odd mins. That's an assist every 2.5 full games.

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          1. Steinburg FC
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            a fluke

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          2. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            I remember that one too. Depends on the system they play, but he can assist if allowed (system allows). And if they are chasing, he should be allowed to attack at some point at least.

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    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      So you're trusting hypothetical Ben White and Veltman improvements and Hojbjerg losses over lockdown stats?

      That's a hard no from me and couple with the fact that Southampton have better fixtures, and I think it's a mistake.

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      1. MJF
          5 years, 7 months ago

          On the other hand is McCarthy fully nailed? Forster knocking around, Gunn as well unless he goes on loan.

          They actually rotate nicely McCarthy and Ryan if that’s your bag.

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        • FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          lockdown period was unique for all teams
          saints also had the worst home record which makes it tricky to trust
          Ryan averaging 140 season points

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          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            You don't have to hold your keeper all season. Only until the first WC.

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      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Ryan here too

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      3. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        It’s not a set or forget for me. I’m going McCarthy but happy to switch him out if SOU defence look ropey

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        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          McCarthy has better fixtures, but on the other hand, Ryan has potential to improve. Whether we can trust it is another matter though.

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    3. unlethal
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      First RMT of the season, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

      McCarthy
      Davies | Justin | TAA | Vinagre
      Aubameyang | Salah | Alli | Soucek
      Werner | Adams

      Nyland | Martial | Gordon | Mitchell

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      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Nice

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      2. Alchim1sT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        close to my current team
        just playing 352 with ASM instead of Adams 😉

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        1. unlethal
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          ASM does give you more security of starts

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      3. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Nice! Very close to one of my drafts (top of next page) but I’m going Ings over Adams

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        1. unlethal
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Thank you! Will check yours out

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    4. One Man
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pulisic and Ziyech will prob miss GW1 ?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Pulisic yes, Ziyech should be fine

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    5. davies
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Robbo or VVD?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        What time frame? Robbo I short term but VVD should prove better value long term

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        1. davies
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Probably long term unless LIV defence is somehow a shambles

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            VVD

            TAA>VVD>Robbo>Gomez

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      2. One Man
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        VVD. That extra 0.5 could be useful

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      3. SAY MY NAME
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Robbo for me, generally more attacking potential and looked good post-lockdown

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    6. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      One week punt 5.5 mid?

      A) ASM (whu)
      B) Saka (ful)
      C) Keita (LEE)

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      1. Alchim1sT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Going with A ... flair players are always fun to own

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      2. KGFC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        A - you are more likely to get a full appearance with ASM than the other two.

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      3. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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

        B if all are starters.

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      5. SAY MY NAME
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        a

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      6. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Saka will have the combo of minutes and playing for a decent team

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    7. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Just logging on. Anyone know why everyone is now a midfielder?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Rashford, Greenwood and Auba all played as wing forwards last season so like Salah and Mané they were classified as mids

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      2. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Apparently the young striker Greenwood is a winger now just cuz he played winger at times in his debut season, ridiculous

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        1. Steinburg FC
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          if the only games he played he played on the wing thats where he should be classified lol

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          1. Greenbackbøøg…
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            He also played up front

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        2. Russell
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Completely agree, it looks silly.

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    8. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A. AWB, Son, Mitrovic
      B. Justin/KWP, Saka, Kane

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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    9. danlynch13
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Any help?

      A) Ziyech + Armstrong
      B) Soucek + Ings

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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      2. KGFC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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      3. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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      4. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        B

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    10. hustler7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A) Ings & Traore

      Or

      B) Jimi & Armstrong

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      1. KGFC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Its basically a coin toss right now between Ings & Jimmy.
        For me, Ings edges it.

        Traore & Arms is anyone's guess. Not sure both will start or play for at least 60 minutes. I'd rather wait out a couple of games to see the set up.

        How about ASM + 1.0?

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        1. hustler7
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Yes I have been considering ASM, edging towards Ings at present too. Thanks!

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          1. Ole.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            You heard Traore has covid right? I'm wondering if that could make Jota an option..

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      2. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Can you not do Ings and Armstrong?

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    11. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      What are your thoughts on Diangana at wba for 5.5?

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      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Definitely an option at some point. Feels terrible as a WH fan - huge mistake if they let him go

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    12. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Who is more nailed long term?

      KWP, Justin, Vinagre

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      1. Moxon
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        KWP

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      2. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        KWP definitely but not the best option. I feel like 4.5 def is an trade that you can sideways easily.

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    13. Moxon
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Building my team from the bottom up. Currently on:

      McCarthy, Steer
      TAA, Dier, Vinagre, Justin, Mitchell
      Auba, Salah, Alli, Soucek, xxx
      xxx, xxx, xxx

      Any mainstays in your drafts that I should consider for my remaining spots?

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      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        i think you'll regret the Dier pick. can't see how he's a viable fantasy option. would much prefer Davies or find the 1m for Doherty
        I like Armstrong at 5.5m

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      2. The Train Driver
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I have almost the same team, little lighter in the def with Kane and Werner in attack and Saka as the 4th mid. Dier is a 4.0.

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    14. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      makes so much sense but really struggling to complete a team with Auba + Salah in it
      starting with Werner and I like Ayew. Scored well last season so should prove decent value

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      1. MJF
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Think with Eze’s introduction it could improve Ayew’s output. Perhaps not immediately, though.

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        • Ole.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          You worried about Benteke taking his place at all? Not quite sure what the deal is there.

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          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            if anything they'd play in tandem, don't see him taking his spot

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      2. MJF
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Good article LR. I think with the recruitment Chelsea are carrying out those promising underlying numbers at either end of the pitch will start to translate into better results. Werner looks 1.0 underpriced to me, nuts that he’s the same price as Firmino!

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          1. Red Red Robins
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            I think its more to do with Firmino being overpriced at 9.5 tbh

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          2. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Firmino should have dropped to 8.5m, think Werner is probably right price (for now)

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            1. MJF
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Could be yeah. I think he’s likely to end the season at 10+ but I could well be wrong, I have been before!

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            2. Steinburg FC
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              With Chelsea having changed almost 50% of the starting line up and had hardly any pre-season they might take time to gel. I'm still going with Werner though...

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          3. tisza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Curious how much extra emphasis people are putting on the Project Restart period as compared to the overall season when picking players for the start of this season? The importance of home games etc may be not being as strong as when crowds were in for example.

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            1. Sgt Frank Drebin
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Imho is quite small sampleto draw conclusions about teams and individual players imho. For example some teams had significantly better fixtures than others after the restart.

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          4. The Train Driver
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Anyone going Sterling over KDB?

            I am considering one of them, other City options in attack are a no go for me...

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            1. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Sterlings finishing is jinxed after that awful miss in the cl

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            2. The Senate
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              KDB is definitely the best ticket in Pep Roulette IMO

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            3. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Nope - May go both at some point though

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            4. OverTinker
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Me

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            5. Steinburg FC
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Messi?

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          5. The Senate
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Help.
            Think I need to downgrade someone to get a fourth mid - is Son the one to go?

            Ramsdale
            TAA Davies KWP Vinagre
            Salah Auba Son 4.5
            Ings Mitro
            (Nyland 4.5M 4.0D Martial)

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            1. Phlajo
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Son -> Alli, and 4.5 mid to Armstrong 🙂

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              1. The Senate
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Cheers - something I was considering, just a shame that Alli is much less exciting than Son

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          6. King Kohli
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Best option?

            A. Vardy + Greenwood
            B. Bruno + Barnes

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            1. Gabbiadini
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              B.

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              1. Gabbiadini
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Barnes looks great as a placeholder.

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                1. King Kohli
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  Cheers mate

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          7. Igor-Stimac
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Saka worth a shout for a differential or will he be rotated?

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            1. Society
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Definitely a rotation risk.

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          8. adondek
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Join my H2H FPL 3 CITY (GD-GS-GA).Code : csnrpi.

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          9. Society
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Best 7.5 mid as a placeholder for GW1 ?
            (Can stretch to 8.0 with a juggle)

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            1. Mighty Banana
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              The only 7.5 for GW1 would be Bergwijn, so it's either 0.5 less or 0.5 more.

              At 7 I likes Barnes, and 8 I go Alli.

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              1. Steinburg FC
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Lucas will start first game

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                1. Mighty Banana
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  Why?

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            2. Karan_G14
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Alli or Ziyech

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              1. Society
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Been eyeing off Mount ..... comparable ?

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          10. Captain Vantastic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            What is xGI? Seen a lot mentioned on here so can anyone explain?

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            1. Society
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              expected goal involvement

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            2. The Legend Squad
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Expected goal involvement... goals and assists

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            3. Piggs Boson
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              I think it's just xG + xA. Which is a bit crap tbh. A better solution would be:

              Defs: 6xG + 3xA
              Mids: 5xG + 3xA
              Fids: 4xG + 3xA

              This is why I just ignore xGI whenever it's mentioned. It assumes goals and assists have equal weighting, which they don't...

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              1. The Legend Squad
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                This is the problem with any “X’ stat, hard to use it to compare between different positions

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                1. Mighty Banana
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  Search by the position you're looking for.

                  The above is more of an xPoints.

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                  1. Piggs Boson
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 7 months ago

                    Yeah, I mean xGI does what it says on the tin. It tells you how much goal involvement they were expected to get. But in terms of FPL, I think it's more worthwhile to weight it.

                    You're not always comparing players within the same position, we have flexibility with our formation, so we may want to compare between positions. That's where xGI falls flat.

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                2. Piggs Boson
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  Use my method then. I call it xAttPts.

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          11. Forlorn Hope
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Best option: Foden + 4.5 Def or Doherty and 4.5 midfielder. I’ve changed it 100 times and still not decided. And yes I know Foden can’t play week 1!

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            1. Society
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Upside or assurity ..... which turns you on the most ?

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            2. fpork
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              For me, Foden is a bit of "wait and see". I will not own any City players the first 2 GWs anyway.

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          12. The Legend Squad
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            I’m really liking Podence as the 5.5m mid option. Any Wolves fans about? Will he be a regular starter?

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            1. Alchim1sT
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              one of many interesting 5,5 options ... looking forward to some insight regarding Podence 😉

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            2. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Hard to imagine him being a starter

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            3. Mighty Banana
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              That profile pictures brings back memories...

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              1. The Legend Squad
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                Good ones I hope!

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                1. Mighty Banana
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  For sure, good times indeed.

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

              In project restart, Podence appeared 6 or 7 times for 1 goal, 1 assist from memory.
              Been researching him myself.
              My 5.5 mid choice.

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            5. The Pesci challenge
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Not a wolves fan but moutinho and neves take 2 mid spaces. With wolves playing 5 at the back and jota, jimi and traore as the front 3 he’s looking at coming on rather than starting. On the watchlist I think

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            6. Fpl Richie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Tbh I'm more tempted to buy in the 5.5 mid because of this potential route. Someone at that price has to come good....don't they?

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          13. FPL Bond @ Twitter
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.goal.com/en-in/amp/news/arsenal-centre-back-dilemma-gabriel-and-saliba-in-who-does/zgtuhd15xhtm112xniqxs991v

            8 CB's for Arsenal now...

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            1. Amey
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Bunch of clowns some of them

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          14. Igor-Stimac
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Who are going to be Arsenal's wingbacks this season?

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            1. Gabbiadini
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              AMN and Tierney?

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            2. Society
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              If Arteta is smart (and he is), he'll use the quality of Tierney left of 3 at the back with AMN plus 1 as wing backs.

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              1. Society
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 7 months ago

                (as he recently did)

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          15. The-Red-1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            TAA Robbo and a 4.5 mid (who would have to play)

            VVD Robbo and a 5.5 mid?

            Or TAA VVD and a 5m mid (soucek)?

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            1. BIG TONES
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Probably the last one - actually quite rate Soucek

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            2. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              How about no Liverpool double up?

              I did that last season and by GW3 I did VvD > Soyuncu to fund some bandwagons.

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          16. Warby84
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Tierney or Dier..

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            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Dier

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            2. Society
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 7 months ago

              Totally 50/50
              Spurs have a lot of defensive assets & reason to rotate them.
              ..... and Tierney is stuck with Arsenal

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          17. BIG TONES
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            How about this one?

            Ramsdale
            Robbo - Doherty - Egan - KWP
            Auba - Salah - Alli - Ziyech
            Werner - Mitrovic

            Subs: Nyland - Stephens - Douglas - K.Davis

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          18. One Man
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Notice few are going with Moura ? Mourinho seemed to favour him since he arrived.

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