Dugout Discussion

Man United and Villa audition for Blanks and Doubles at Old Trafford

Fantasy Premier League managers will have eagle eyes on Old Trafford in Gameweek 17 as Manchester United and Aston Villa go under the microscope.

The two teams were recently confirmed as having three matches across Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 – increasing interest in their key assets.

A large majority of the community are currently in possession of talismanic figures Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) and Jack Grealish (£7.7m) but this is an opportunity to look beyond the obvious.

Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) features in what looks like a two-man strike-force in front of a midfield diamond, having scored more goals in the last four matches than Fernandes (four to three).

Anthony Martial (£8.7m) holds onto his centre-forward berth as Edinson Cavani (£7.8m) embarks on his three-game ban, although the Uruguayan will only miss one Premier League outing.

Eric Bailly (£4.9m) sits next to Harry Maguire (£5.4m) in defence once again, in light of Victor Lindelöf‘s (£4.8m) most recent injury while Luke Shaw (£4.8m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) are on the left and right of the back-four.

Fantasy managers are not short on alternative options at Villa either, not least because Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) has outscored Grealish by 42 points to 19 over the last four matches.

He features on the left-hand side of Dean Smith’s attacking midfield trio at Old Trafford, joined there by Grealish and Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m), who has three attacking returns since Gameweek 14.

There is still no Ross Barkley (£5.9m) in the matchday squad but the defence has reset to normal, with Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) coming straight back into the team following his Gameweek 16 suspension.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay; Pogba, Fred; B Fernandes; Rashford, Martial.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi, Grealish, B Traoré; Watkins.

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1,932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anybody else play Adams ahead of Soucek?

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep 🙁

    2. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, adams 2 pointer locked

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yup, here o/

    4. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Went the other way myself

    5. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.
      But attacker seems sensible, livpool not that watertight.

  2. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Team for next gw

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Dias, Robbo, Coufal, Dallas, Lewis
    Kdb, son, Bruno, salah, Soucek
    DCL, bamford, Brewster

    0.1m itb

    A. Lewis to holding

    B. Son & Brewster to El Ghazi & Watkins (-4)

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A is not possible as you'd have to do now since Holding is gonna rise.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes I’d do it now

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What a start! Let's go!

  4. TH14 - INVINCIBLE
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best to wait to play FH chip? I just know once I hit confirm COVID will sweep the league

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

      Definitely wait

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      im waiting, plan for the worst

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wait

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not doing anything on the FPL site until a day before the deadline at the earliest. I can plan using a spreadsheet or piece of paper. Don't need to press Free Hit now.

  5. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bruno’s movement is elite

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      As is most of his game

  6. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez fist save. Keep em going

    1. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think it was a Cross

  7. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    FH18 managers: ye going with Son & Kane or just 1 of them?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Both

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

  8. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would love a Rashford goal and Fernandes assist.
    That's 8 points + bonuses right there..

  9. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cheering for Bruno and Martines at the same time feels weird

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Penalty save....no wait ..

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        If Bruno had already secured his brace then sure why not 😉

      2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        two Martinez penalty saves and a Bruno hattrick should do the trick.

  10. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'd be okay with 0-0 here

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Likewise, Bruno & Targett owner

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Same here

  11. Adds04
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is there any news on fabianski injury? I got him in for a bench boost in 19

  12. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    0-0 please

  13. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio will be ready for the double I think...

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      thinking same. they need him... DCL to him

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully. Fpl gold when fit

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't think he'll play both the games

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why not? Haller soooo bad. If Antonio builds his fitness during the next 10 days he will be ready

      2. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why not? A weeks break now and then FA Cup matches.

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He'll get 80 and 40 but that's enough for him

    5. HaveYassineChikhaoui
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Best DGW GK to partner Martinez? Got 5.5m available. Thinking either Fab/Randolph, Meslier or City's backup assuming Ederson maybe out?

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Pope?

        1. HaveYassineChikhaoui
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Did think about it, but whu and liv as the the DGW fixtures put me off, then again do I trust WHU to keep cleanies I'm not so sure.

    6. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hold Martinez hold!

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This, only 81 minutes to go !!

    7. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek’s EO over 100% for the DGW?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's a lot of BB

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No

      3. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No way

    8. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish getting frisky when a ManU player falls over at the slightest touch is comedy gold...

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

      Time to start working on a freehit template

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Don’t activate yet, just in case...

      2. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        11 days away...

      3. ZAMUNDA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You never know what games can be added to GW18 yet.

    10. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you have 4 players for next week, and know you're FHing... A) Is there any advantage to using a transfer prior B) Is there any advantage to holding off using the chip (re-price rises or potential game changes?) Very noob question, but wanted to ask before clicking the button..

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I will FH. Not clicking till I know what’s going on, we may get a halt again

        1. onceuponatyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers. That's my gut too.

      2. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I mean your transfers before FH don't count if you then go and FH. The only advantage would be catching use of any price rises like normal

    11. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Currently have 2FTs (0.3itb). Might as well use those instead of the FH, right?

      As it stands, my team for gw18:
      Kilman, Targett
      Bruno, KDB, Grealish
      Wilson, DCL

      Blanks: McCarthy, Forster / Chilwell, KWP, Coufal / Soucek, Salah / Bamford

    12. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So Creswell has been worth extra investment over his Czech fella Coufal

    13. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Impossible..
      But Grealish goal and 1-0 would be great...
      And a pen save by EMI..

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Impossible for Emi as Bruno would be allowed retake it till he scores.

    14. neilmurphy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Can I make my transfer next week and confirm it and then at some time later within that week and before the deadline, do a free hit ????

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

        no

      2. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You can but you'll lose the transfer you made.

      3. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes

      4. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Really? I thought you could do that.

        1. neilmurphy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I can’t seem
          To get a definitive answer!! I will see what happens next week when I try it!

          1. onceuponatyne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I think the concensus is, you can - but it will not stick if you do a FH as well. It'll revert back to your previous gameweek squad.

    15. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think I'll get Wilson instead of Dcl for my gw18 wildcard team

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane & Aguero for me

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Would do the same if free hitting

    16. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Last game I have to watch of United where I don't own Bruno.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How can u not own him?

        1. F_Ivanovic
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Because I was building towards the blank 18 and planning on FH in 19. I decided to get rid for Salah 2 weeks back (big fail that turned out to be) and keep KDB. Obviously I'd prefer Salah and Bruno long term but with Man city playing in 18 and the fixtures after I thought it made more sense to keep him

    17. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      any more info about Lindelof?
      He’s in my team for the DGW but he might require a hit to swap for sb else

    18. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bruno better not bloody haul

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why

    19. Old Man
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I expect Grealish to do well tonight. Or he ought to. This is his probationary interview for his next job.

    20. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      United could actually put Liverpool home form to an end.

    21. fridge
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Well I think the decision whether to bench boost is easy enough for me...

      Lowton
      Son. Bruno
      Wood. Kane

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Free Hit might be better than BB 😉

        1. fridge
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Haha

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Free hit?

        1. fridge
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Lol, imagine hitting bench boost in mistake of free hit. Think I would delete my team...