Pro Pundits

How Double Gameweek 19 fixture changes have affected my FPL chip and transfer strategies

Like most Fantasy Premier League managers, I am finding it very hard to plan for Double Gameweek 19.

In light of Thursday’s updated fixture list, here is my latest plan for transfers and chip strategies ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

But, you could not have caught me in worse spirits about the way this season is going. Oh, Raz, what have you done to me. 

I know it really shouldn’t matter with everything going on, but Raheem Sterling’s (£11.4m) penalty miss has to go up there with one of my worst ever moments in FPL. 

My Free Hit team was built around him being my key differential, and not content with a spot on the bench until the 82nd minute, Sterling had to go and make things even worse.

Using the brilliant “what if” machine over at LiveFPL.net, I worked out that if Sterling had scored, I would have been catapulted into the top million ahead of my Arsenal contingent facing Crystal Palace.

Even if Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) had shaken off his fatigue and scored, I’d have still gone up a few hundred thousand places. If ever a moment summed up my season, it happened last night.

With the pain of the miss still fresh in my mind, I now have to turn my attention to planning for the upcoming Gameweeks. We have never known anything like it. Double Gameweeks have dropped off the table, with both Leeds and Southampton now only having one game. There go four players that I had in place ready for Double Gameweek 19.

Aston Villa v Everton is off now too. So, there goes Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.7m). Dean Smith’s men have earned a fixture back though, hosting Newcastle at the back-end of the Gameweek, although we still don’t know which of their plays have been dealing with coronavirus (COVID-19). And let’s not forget that top target Jack Grealish (£7.7m) is on four yellow cards. Another one against Manchester City and he would miss the second Double Gameweek 19 fixture.

Let’s add to that problem. Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) is also one booking away from a ban and faces what is likely to be a fiery encounter against Liverpool to come, before playing Fulham. Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is off form. Manchester City are proving rock solid in defence but a bit of a lottery in trying to work out how many goals they will score, even against so-called ‘inferior’ opposition. Are they back, or were good performances against Newcastle and Chelsea just the result of playing teams in poor form?

I am finding it very hard this season and I know I’m not the only one. It feels almost impossible to plan for things when so much is in flux. But, we must try. I’m not going to give up hope, but I am looking at this season through the lens of what it is. No matter what rank I end up with, I will know what went on. I am allowing myself this season as a freebie, whatever happens.

I think I want to have a bit of fun at this stage. I want to give my squad a bit of a freshening up once Double Gameweek 19 is out of the way. I am interested in Percy Tau (£5.5m), mostly due to my Brighton bias, but also because he presents an intriguing cheap option as a potentially out-of-position option. 

Let’s face it, with competition such as Neal Maupay (£6.1m) it’s hard to imagine Tau won’t feature – and his most natural position is as an attacking midfielder. I expect to see him cementing a regular spot in the team going forward, given our lack of real goal threat over the last few months.

Barring any drastic news from the West Ham camp, I am going to finally make a move for Michael Antonio (£6.2m). West Ham have the best Double Gameweek schedule of the lot, hosting Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. 

The reason why I am so keen is because the Hammers have sold Sebastien Haller (£, his only direct competition, to Ajax. While I don’t expect a full 180-minute outing in Double Gameweek 19 for Antonio, it looks like he has returned from injury at a good time, and got minutes in the FA Cup. With Sterling’s penalty miss making one of my low points of FPL, Antonio’s four goals against Norwich was certainly my high point. If he can get close to replicating this then I’ll be a happy man again.

Speaking of West Ham, this seems a great time to invest in their defence. I know a lot of people have got Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) and he seems a great option for the double – but a double up with Aaron Creswell (£5.4m) could be gold. I’d back West Ham for at least one clean sheet and Creswell has already registered 6 assists in the league.  No defender has got more. Historically, defenders are often great picks in Double Gameweeks with the likes of Branislav Ivanovic, Aymeric Laporte and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) all registering huge returns in seasons gone by. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a West Ham defender as the top-scoring player for the Gameweek.

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

Another strong consideration for me is to double-up with Manchester City defenders. John Stones (£5.0) has finally come into my reckoning due to the consistency of strong performances from himself and the rest of the backline. 

At this point, I don’t think the extra £0.8m is worth it for fellow centre back Ruben Dias (£5.8m) and I think not only does Stones keep his place, but he matches the Portuguese internationals points from now until the end of the season. 

That said, I am very glad to have moved for João Cancelo (£5.8m). I am completely and utterly convinced that this man is going to hit a double-digit return soon. Could it be this week? Is he actually an outside captaincy option with other big-hitting players flattering to deceive?

One player who I think I will be keeping is Son Heung-min (£9.8m). His 62.5% ownership means that I’m not getting much benefit from his returns, but it feels amiss to be selling him before a run of games that includes Brighton, West Brom and Sheffield United. 

I had earmarked a swap for him to De Bruyne, but with Pep Guardiola citing fatigue as the reason he didn’t take Manchester City’s penalty – combined with the fact that his side are still playing without a recognised striker AND that he only has one goal from open play this season, decimating my team and taking out the number one point scorer in the game just feels a bit of a luxury transfer when there are other moves I could be making to try and climb the rankings.

So, with fixture rescheduling putting any plans I had for a Bench Boost on hold, I am considering which chip I should use if any. With Fernandes on four yellow cards, I don’t feel confident enough captaining him this week – which makes Salah the obvious choice. 

The trouble is, I’m just not sure how the Manchester United game is going to pan out. I think it might be a very cagey affair. While I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have the firepower to put a dent in Liverpool’s title charge, a point would suit them. 

Do I really think Liverpool’s incredible home record of 53 wins and 11 draws in the last 64 games will come to an end against United? I’m just not convinced. At this point, I am strongly considering not using a chip at all and saving them for a bit later in the season. There is the guarantee of further Double gameweeks, and maybe a player will emerge as a stronger Triple Captain option on paper then.

Whatever you decide to do this week, good luck! Double Gameweeks are always something to get excited about. My advice is don’t be afraid to chuck a few hits to bring in some more players and make the most of it. 

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

4,296 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start DDG or Martinez?

    Team ain't strong enough to bench boost.

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Flip a coin, Martinez maybe for save points

    2. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG always. Save points vs Liverpool also.

      I think both teams will be a bit cautious I see a low scoring draw 0-0 or 1-1

  2. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Kane & Grealish --> Antonio & Salah
    or
    B) Son & Robertson --> Salah & Stones

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ohh tough I think the best combo of players is Salah & Stones but Antonio has big upside

      But Robbo has a decent Double, he will be attacking against UTD and could cleanie vs Fulham.

      Vote; A (keep Robbo)

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Keep Robno

      2. Kaptenen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you! Yes sounds good, leaning towards A aswell as I got Son for 9.0mil and Kane for 11.0mil so will have spare money itb after A.

  3. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son & Kane --> KDB & Vardy (-4)
    B) Fabianski, Son, Adams --> Johnstone, KDB, Antonio (-8)
    C) Mitchell, Son, Adams --> Stones, KDB, Davis (-8)
    D) Son --> Sterling (FT)

    P.s - KDB or Sterling would be captain

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thats hard, probably D if you fancy Sterling. B looks also good but think D might be better as it is for free.

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think B is the one is Fab is a doubt or injured

  4. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Vardy + Soucek - 4

    B) Salah + Bamford - 4

    C) Vardy + Bamford

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A as both DGW

      B if you plan to (C) Salah

      1. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, either way I will captain KDB I guess

  5. Pether
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Son -> KDB worth -4?

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup imo

    2. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    3. karathb
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no way

    4. karathb
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you are basically saying that kdb will have at least an assist on his extra match, and son against sheffield is not going to outscore kdb on any of his matches. Even if this happens, you are breaking even and you traded down on money. To gain points from this you need basically kdb to have at least 2 assists on his extra match. And you will want to bring back son against brighton right away I guess. Also Son can just haul against sheffield...

  6. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford or Son , if you had to pick 1 ?

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Clearly Rashford, good away form and a DGW.

    2. karathb
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son all day long. Rashy is not going to score on both matches while Son is killing you rank if you do not have him and he is facing sheffield. Having both is a good idea, but this year I am not dropping Son for anyone

  7. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got a feeling Mane will be the one to TC to make up for last year, brave call though

  8. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boost or Triple captain?

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

      need to see team.

      neither might be the answer

      1. BoomXhakaLaca1
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Martinez /steele
        Targett, KWP, zouma, Chillwell, dallas

        Salah, son, rashford, soucek, saka

        DCL/ Kane/ Bamford

        DCL and Steele to be changed if bench boosting

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

          for hits? to who?

          Just go 11 imo if for hits
          Martinez
          Chillwell, Zouma, Dallas/Targett
          Salah, Rashford, Soucek, Son
          Kane, Bamford (Transfer out DCL with FT, maybe Antonio?)

          TC is your call... I'd want KDB for that or better fixtures for Salah

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t TC. There will be better opps later

    3. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm gonna bench boost MAYBE... I did have 13 dgw plus Kane and a non-playing keeper, but 3 of mine are leeds.

      Even so, Dallas, Raphina and Bamford home to Brighton on Bench boost along with a second keeper for a -4... I'm happy to bench boost now.... then slowly put the cash back into the team. Meaning second wildcard I can max out the first 11 value.

      But it is a very tight call. I can field 9 DGW plus Kane and McCarthy and just Bench Bamford, Raphina and Dallas......

  9. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to sell for Salah?

    A) Son
    B) Rashford

    Also selling Kane in a -4 to fund Salah.

    Have Bruno, kdb and saka

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

    2. karathb
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you are a brave man selling both Kane and Son before a Sheffield game. I would not sell any of those

  10. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more points this week Coufal or Soucek?

    1. unclesbasement
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      coufal

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek

    3. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      coufal

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

      Flip a coin

    5. karathb
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      just have both, there is no better value this gw

  11. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This forum tends to favour Dias over Cancelo. Looking at the last few games Cancelo seems to be a lot more attacking with a couple of missed goal chances.

    Is it because Dias has more bonus potential?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        At first it was because Dias is more nailed, through injury covid to other team members and cancelos good performance and versatility he's made himself a starter (for now)

        We all agree that if both were nailed for same minutes cancelo outscores Dias easily. Dias does have goalt threat feel like he is due a goal or two before the season ends

      • klopp4kop
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        nah...its because dias is nailed on...cancelo is great but can be rested anytime..and with walker returning, zinchenko and mendy available at LBs, one rest in on the cards for cancelo

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 2 months ago

            More than one, he's not nailed when everyone is fit simple as that but he gets healthy minutes due to his versatility and unreliability of Mendy fitness

        2. Nedvěd11
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Tbh I think Cancelo is nailed and is a part of City build up as he roam into a support central midfielder...

          WHEN Walker is playing he tends to play as LB ahead of Mendy and Zinchenko...

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

        I think Salah is the best captain this week. Unless we get injury news otherwise, I'm gonna cap him. Maybe even TC him.

        Liverpool are at home for both games. They have not lost there since like 2017. Mo especially performs great. They've also had extended rest and time to reflect on some poor results.

        I fully expect them to come out guns blazing. Since when has MUN been a fortress? They have had poor results against all their top 6 rivals this season. Losing to Spurs 6-1, losing to even Arsenal and grinding out some bore draws against City and Chelsea.

        Even if he blanks vs MUN, he has BUR next. This is a fixture in years past where you might TC even for a SGW. Mo is also more nailed on to play 180 than KdB. KdB has better fixtures on paper, but are they really? Villa have been very good this season and CPL have just kept 2 clean sheets in a row. Since dropping PvA they kept Arsenal to 0.06 xG last game.

        The more I do analysis and look into the pros and cons, I can't see KdB being a superior option to Mo this week and I've been one of KdB's biggest supporters this year holding him through difficult periods.

        1. klopp4kop
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Okay i'm a liverpool fan and hence this is my view:
          the home games might look very appealing but salah is not in great form...He always finds it difficult against united..only last year he scored that solo goal at 92nd min.
          And burnley you know are defensively resolutute...dyche will ste up to get 1 point...
          If you feel strong about salah then captain him but dont TC him...You would want ur captain to give you 20pts atleast when you TC him and i know anyway how that happens

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Agree that he now is looking like the best captain option (kdb being "exhausted" and also giving penalties away like candy) but don't enough confidence to triple cap because there might be a better option in a double layer

          • Thomas Jerome Newton
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I was on KDB, but you may have just opened my eyes!

          • Alberto Tomba
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Feels like Salah and co have a point to prove against United. I hope they'll be more motivated than they have all season so far.

          • karathb
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Salah's bad run is not going to last forever... I will like he will smash the second game if they lose to utd. If they win, you are probably already fine

        3. JaydenLFC87
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Straight shoot out here who to captain out of the below ??

          A) Salah

          B) KDB

          1. Carlton_Goal
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A

          2. Alberto Tomba
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A - I feel Lfc won't go quietly against ManU

        4. jimbo90
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Martinez
          TAA Stones Coufal (Taylor Struijk)
          Salah KDB (c) Son Soucek Fernandes
          Antonio Bamford (Brewster)

          G2G?

          1. Carlton_Goal
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Looking good

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

          Very exciting question here, which keeper for the bench boost?

          A) Johnstone (wol whu)
          B) Areola (CHE MUN)

          Johnstone has the better fixtures but both away, Areola has the better form and 2 home games

          1. Sterling Malory
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Johnstone probably

        6. fpork
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Would you do KWP->Coufal/Cresswell for a -4 (BB)?

          1. Carlton_Goal
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, would go Cresswell if you don't need the extra cash

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

          Cup opponent trolled big time

          Was leading me by 5 points + tierney vs my Mitchell lol

        8. Going To Win This Year
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Triple leeds owners what we doing?

          I'm tempted to do Dallas to Stones for -4.

          Stones has a double and solid fixtures after the DGW.

          Already have Dias city looking too good at the back.

          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            interesting option
            own dallas but looking at taylor to stones this week if he's out
            Leeds fixtures are good

            1. Going To Win This Year
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Alternatively could finally lose Justin for Stones.

              Next 5 fixtures for city should bag a few cleanies

              1. Going To Win This Year
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                screw it dallas for cancelo

          2. Migs1906
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Own dallas, has risen in value and gets some attacking returns so keen to keep but no DGW. I'm going for a City double up too as they have great fixtures.

            I would get rid of Justin for Stones given there are question marks about whether he will start all games going forward.

        9. Migs1906
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          a) Holding > Coufal
          b) AWB > Coufal
          c) Dallas > Coufal
          d) Hold FT

        10. Gunner1290
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Who scores more points:

          A) Robertson and Son
          B) Salah and Soucek -4

          1. Alberto Tomba
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            B is a gamble, so I'll say A

        11. HaffNanner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Which pair is best for the double and beyond?

          A. Robertson and Antonio

          B. Cancelo and Grealish

          Martinez
          Dias Coufal
          Salah Fernandes KDB Soucek
          Vardy Bamford

          1. Sterling Malory
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A

        12. Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Anything worth another hit here? 0.0itb

          Martinez
          Chilwell Cresswell Dallas
          Salah KDB Son Rashford Soucek
          Vardy Bamford

          P-F KWP Mitchell Davis

          Was originally BB but have since reshuffled the deck.

          1. Nedvěd11
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Almost the same situation and plan to take a -4 Taylor to Cresswell and bench Dallas...

            You prob. have the same option by KWP to Coufal and bench Dallas 😉

            1. Sterling Malory
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I brought KDB in for -4, do you think a -8 is worth it for double WHU defence?

          2. Alberto Tomba
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            No, great team, no hits needed really.

        13. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cup opponents are out.

          Narrowly lost vs. mine this week. Checked their next opponents, and they're up against someone down at OR 7.3 mil 🙁

          1. Nedvěd11
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I won last set up against a player that got 4 points......

          2. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I won my game by a point, now playing someone at 2m. But it's such a lottery god knows what way theyll play the DGW

        14. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Heung Min Son scores this year when hes had net transfers out;

          GW2: 24
          GW4: 18
          GW9: 10
          GW11: 13
          GW13: 9
          GW15: 3
          GW17: 13

          Hope people keep selling

        15. Alberto Tomba
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Shall I Bench Boost or save +1FT?

          Meslier (BHA),
          Dier (shu),
          Bissouma / 4.8 Mid using FT (Anguissa or Smith Rowe),
          Bamford (BHA)

          +11DGW players

        16. Dichio24
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don't like the idea of going without Spurs, but this arguably look quite good:

          Son, Kane, Lacazette to Salah, Vardy, Antonio (-8)

          Yes or No?

        17. RichRover
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Would you play Wilson or Targett this week?
          My concern is that Targett is on 4 yellows?

        18. JAYPEE
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Would you BB this team or save for later?

          Martinez
          Dias Dallas Justin
          KDB Son Salah Fernandes Soucek
          Antonio Bamford

          Forster, Watkins, Phillips, KWP

          Unsure if Forster or Phillips will play so I don’t want to waste it if they arent