International Football

Which FPL players are on international duty and when ahead of Gameweek 30?

The final international break of the season gets underway on Wednesday, with not far off 200 Premier League players in action for their homelands over the next week.

Some national sides are cramming in a triple-header of games over this period and, as was the case in the autumn, a handful of Fantasy assets will be taking part in all three of their respective countries’ matches.

Others won’t be featuring at all. The scheduled World Cup qualifiers in South America have been cancelled due to the tightening of lockdown and quarantine regulations on the continent, which would have made life difficult for Europe-based players.

That means welcome two-week breathers for the likes of Richarlison (£8.0m), Alisson (£5.9m), Ederson (£6.1m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Emiliano Martinez (£5.4m).

The FPL Eye Test - Gameweek 3 2

As for the other nations on the UK government’s red list, most of them are in Africa. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) and Naby Keita (£5.2m) are among the Premier League players whose countries face a fixture against a ‘red list’ opponent over the next fortnight but their respective clubs have prevented them from featuring in such matches, so there should be little concern over a subsequent spell in quarantine – unless anyone comes down with COVID-19, of course.

Aubameyang, for example, will only be available for Gabon’s home fixture against DR Congo on Thursday, due to travel restrictions relating to his country’s opponents next Tuesday, Angola.

Portugal had been on the red list but that is no longer the case – and in any event, their ‘home’ match against Azerbaijan on Wednesday is being held in Italy.

The rest of this article is dedicated to a club-by-club rundown on which assets will be away from their Premier League sides over the next week, also detailing the dates on which these players will be competing for their countries.

Any early moves for the below assets in Fantasy Premier League need to be considered very carefully, given the risk of injury or fatigue that tends to accompany these international breaks.

ARSENAL

Saka, Aubameyang return to Arsenal starting XI but Smith Rowe absent from squad
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon – Mar 25
  • Mohamed Elneny – Egypt – Mar 25 + 29
  • Bernd Leno – Germany – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Eddie Nketiah – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Martin Odegaard – Norway – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Thomas Partey – Ghana – Mar 28
  • Nicolas Pépé – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30
  • Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson – Iceland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Bukayo Saka – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Emile Smith Rowe – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Cedric Soares – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Kieran Tierney – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Granit Xhaka – Switzerland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

ASTON VILLA

Save potential and improved Villa defence underpin Martínez's FPL credentials
  • John McGinn – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Tyrone Mings – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Bertrand Traoré – Burkina Faso – Mar 24 + 29
  • Trezeguet – Egypt – Mar 25 + 29
  • Ollie Watkins – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Salah and blanks again as Brighton defensive assets shine ahead of good run 3
  • Aaron Connolly – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Jakub Moder – Poland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Robert Sanchez – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Percy Tau – South Africa – Mar 25 + 28
  • Leandro Trossard – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Joël Veltman – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Andi Zeqiri – Swizerland under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

BURNLEY

  • Robbie Brady – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Johann Berg Gudmundsson – Iceland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Dwight McNeil – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Bailey Peacock-Farrell  – Northern Ireland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Nick Pope – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Matej Vydra – Czech Republic – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

CHELSEA

  • Ben Chilwell – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Andreas Christensen – Denmark – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Olivier Giroud – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Kai Havertz – Germany – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Reece James – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • N’Golo Kanté – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Mateo Kovačić – Croatia – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Mason Mount – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Emerson Palmieri – Italy – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Christian Pulisic – USA – Mar 25 + 28
  • Antonio Rüdiger – Germany – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Timo Werner – Germany – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Hakim Ziyech – Morocco – Mar 26 + 30
  • Kurt Zouma – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31

CRYSTAL PALACE

  • Jordan Ayew – Ghana – Mar 28
  • Michy Batshuayi – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Christian Benteke – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Wayne Hennessey – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Eberechi Eze – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Cheikhou Kouyaté – Senegal – Mar 26 + 30
  • Patrick van Aanholt – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Wilfried Zaha – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30

EVERTON

  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Seamus Coleman – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Tom Davies – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Lucas Digne – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Ben Godfrey – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Alex Iwobi – Nigeria – Mar 27 + 30
  • Josh King – Norway – Mar 24 + 27 + 31
  • Robin Olsen – Sweden – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • João Virgínia – Portugal under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

FULHAM

Sharp rescues blunt Blades as Mitrovic suffers nightmare outing
  • Ola Aina – Nigeria – Mar 27 + 30
  • Joachim Andersen – Denmark – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Alphonse Areola – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Michael Hector – Jamaica – Mar 25
  • Mario Lemina – Gabon – Mar 25
  • Aleksandar Mitrović – Serbia – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Tim Ream – USA – Mar 25 + 28
  • Antonee Robinson – USA – Mar 25 + 28
  • Kenny Tete – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa – Cameroon – Mar 30

LEEDS UNITED

Meslier missing for Leeds as Alioski starts at left-back again
  • Ezgjan Alioski – North Macedonia – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Stuart Dallas – Northern Ireland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Mateusz Klich – Poland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Diego Llorente – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Illan Meslier – France under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Kalvin Phillips – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Tyler Roberts – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

LEICESTER CITY

  • Timothy Castagne – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Jonny Evans – Northern Ireland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Wesley Fofana – France under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Kelechi Iheanacho – Nigeria – Mar 27 + 30
  • Nampalys Mendy – Senegal – Mar 26 + 30
  • Wilfred Ndidi – Nigeria – Mar 27 + 30
  • Dennis Praet – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Kasper Schmeichel – Denmark – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Youri Tielemans – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Caglar Soyuncu – Turkey – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Danny Ward – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

LIVERPOOL

  • Thiago Alcantara – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Curtis Jones – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Diogo Jota – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Ozan Kabak – Turkey – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Naby Keïta – Guinea – Mar 24
  • Sadio Mane – Senegal – Mar 26 + 30
  • Andrew Robertson – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Mohamed Salah – Egypt – Mar 25 + 29
  • Xherdan Shaqiri – Switzerland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Kostas Tsimikas – Greece – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Georginio Wijnaldum – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Neco Williams – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

MANCHESTER CITY

Gundogan's goals, Foden's starts and Pep on penalties: FPL notes on Liverpool v City
  • Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • João Cancelo – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Rúben Dias – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Phil Foden – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Eric Garcia – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Ilkay Gundogan – Germany – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Riyad Mahrez – Algeria – Mar 29
  • Rodri – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Bernardo Silva – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Zach Steffen – USA – Mar 25 + 28
  • Raheem Sterling – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • John Stones – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Ferran Torres – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Kyle Walker – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Oleksandr Zinchenko – Ukraine – Mar 24 + 28 + 31

MANCHESTER UNITED

Third straight league start for Bale as fit-again Zaha returns on Palace bench 3
  • Eric Bailly – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30
  • David De Gea – Spain – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Amid Diallo – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30
  • Dean Henderson – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Bruno Fernandes – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Daniel James – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Victor Lindelöf – Sweden – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Harry Maguire – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Anthony Martial – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Scott McTominay – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Paul Pogba – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Marcus Rashford – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Luke Shaw – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Donny van de Beek – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • Ciaran Clark – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Martin Dubravka – Slovakia – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Ryan Fraser – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Jeff Hendrick – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Emil Krafth – Sweden – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Jamal Lewis – Northern Ireland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

SHEFFIELD UNITED

  • Ethan Ampadu – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Sander Berge – Norway – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Rhian Brewster – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • John Fleck – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Oliver McBurnie – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Aaron Ramsdale – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Enda Stevens – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

SOUTHAMPTON

The Fantasy Forgotten
  • Che Adams – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Stuart Armstrong – Scotland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Jan Bednarek – Poland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Moussa Djenepo – Mali – Mar 24 + 28
  • Takumi Minamino – Japan – Mar 25 + 30
  • Jannik Vestergaard – Denmark – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • James Ward-Prowse – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • Toby Alderweireld – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30
  • Gareth Bale – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Steven Bergwijn – Netherlands – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Eric Dier – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Matt Doherty – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – Denmark – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Harry Kane – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Hugo Lloris – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 3
  • Tanguy Ndombele – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Joe Rodon – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Moussa Sissoko – France – Mar 24 + 28 + 31
  • Japhet Tanganga – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

  • Semi Ajayi – Nigeria – Mar 27 + 30
  • Mbaye Diagne – Senegal – Mar 26 + 30
  • Conor Gallagher – England under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Kamil Grosicki – Poland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Sam Johnstone – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Dara O’Shea – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Callum Robinson – Republic of Ireland – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Hal Robson-Kanu – Wales – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Okay Yokuslu – Turkey – Mar 24 + 27 + 30

WEST HAM UNITED

  • Said Benrahma – Algeria – Mar 29
  • Vladimír Coufal – Czech Republic – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Lukasz Fabianski – Poland – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Jesse Lingard – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Declan Rice – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Tomáš Souček – Czech Republic – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Andriy Yarmolenko – Ukraine – Mar 24 + 28 + 31

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

  • Willy Boly – Ivory Coast – Mar 26 + 30
  • Conor Coady – England – Mar 25 + 28 + 31
  • Leander Dendoncker – Belgium – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • João Moutinho – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Pedro Neto – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Rúben Neves – Portugal – Mar 24 + 27 + 30
  • Owen Otasowie – USA – Mar 25 + 28
  • Romain Saïss – Morocco – Mar 26 + 30
  • Vitinha – Portugal under-21s – Mar 25 + 28 + 31

WITHDRAWN THROUGH INJURY

Auto Draft 1
  • Ben Davies – Spurs/Wales
  • Son Heung-min – Spurs/South Korea
  • Caoimhin Kelleher – Liverpool/Republic of Ireland
  • Mason Greenwood – Manchester United/England under-21s
  • Rui Patrício – Wolves/Portugal
  • Kevin Long – Burnley/Republic of Ireland

187 Comments Post a Comment
  1. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Wow!.. GW32 showing up with only 12 teams playing and GW33 16 teams..

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Yeah just noticed that, don’t think anyone saw that coming on here? There’s an article saying it won’t be a BGW but the FPL site shows plenty of gaps in GW32

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Consensus seems to be that it won't be a BGW and that the free midweek afterwards will simply absorb the four postponed matches, although that's certainly not official yet. I think the delay in announcing new dates is probably TV-related.

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/03/22/four-fixtures-postponed-in-gw32-but-no-blank-gameweek-expected/

    2. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      still fixtures to be added to the mid week of the GW

  2. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Best defence for the run in something like this?

    Mendy
    Rudiger Shaw Dias

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      I'm tempted to get Robbo or Trent. I'll also have Ederson over Mendy

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Prefer Coady over Rudiger

    3. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      I'm thinking of bringing in TAA and Semedo.

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Looking at those but for Rudiger. Don't really want to double up on defence.

    5. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Money no issue...

      Mendy
      TAA - Azpi - Cresswell

      Value picks are Coufal, Phillips, Coady and Rudiger.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah Coady on radar, fixtures looking decent.

        Martinez Pope(haven’t been able to shift)
        Azpilicueta Shaw Dias Dunk Coady

        By blank 32

    6. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Looks good. Liverpool/Wolves players are the alternatives. The question within that is Semedo or Coady, which Liverpool defender, and would you prefer a Ederson/Dias double up or Mendy/Azpi. Both defenders are all but nailed and both keepers keep CS but don't gather many save points

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Morning all, hope Everyone is doing well

    Thought I’d pop on whilst it’s quiet and ask if anyone has an opinion what to do with this lot, 1FT 2m itb

    I really want to try something a bit different the last 8 gw’s and my team just feels stale, thinking souceck or bale to raph (c) for 30?

    Mendy
    Maguire cancelo konsa
    Bale son gundo Bruno
    Dcl bam Kane

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Make sure you have cover for 32/33 blanks, I’m trying to get rid of bale.. I would get Raphinha

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks mate, should have mentioned I have my fh left but no wc

        Yeah souceck just feels like a bit of a dead pick now so shopping for Raph looks good who I also think is one of the best captain pics next week

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Thinking about doubling up on United defence here and not Chelsea.

      It’s a slight gamble of course but if you look at actual returns there’s almost nothing between what will be generic Azpi and Shaw and AWB despite the Chelsea cs run since Tuchel

      United defence is 100% nailed and have a great record in red fixtures.

      Also worth noting all United defence better Chelsea on the season and equal City. I can see them tightening up further in run in to consolidate top 2/3

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Not an immediate play that of course

        On a similar set up I’m likely moving Bale on to Mount. Loads of set pieces including possible pens and will be central to any uptick in Chelsea attack probs.

        Also just holding Son Kane is likely differential provided you can find a way to bench in 33.

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      I’m not finding different to be a particularly effective strategy and with limited GWs left it would be a shame to break up a good team but I’m still holding onto the likes of Pereira (Lei), Digne, Reguilon, Werner, Neto, Richarlison and will be hoping some of them come good.

      If rumours are true about Bale I would be ditching him for Raph (c) - Soucek has served me well in the past and still has some goals in him. It’d be good to see your bench; Cancelo will need cover - personally I’d go Chelsea (Azpi).

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Shipping bale could be shroud and also release funds

        Bench is areola, coufal, souceck and veltman

        1. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          That looks like a good bench, both nailed - Velt good BGW33 and Coufal’s going to get a few of these chances in one day and get a big score.

          I’m looking at a fifth defender (eg Jota) in the next few weeks but think Bale to Raph and you’re good to go

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            The trouble with the Raph play is he already holds Bamford - good in 30 but awkward for the next run of fixtures

            Short term v long term planning.

            1. The Ilfordian
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              Yes you’re right. There’s going to be some prime fixtures coming up, particularly the ones against SHU. I guess there’s a question of whether to keep rotating players (and deal with injuries/ benchings etc) or stick with a team. Raph could become Jota, Mount, Neto or Saka (for SHU) the week after?

  4. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Not that it matters in fpl terms but Mateusz Klich have been tested positive for covid-19 after his arrival to Poland.

    Can other Leeds player be affected ?
    Still probably enough time to get all.clear before league resumes.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Not sure what the protocol is but it’s 10 days from now till their next game..

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      In itself probably not a worry unless he caught it from someone at the club.
      Bamo looked a bit under the weather last weekend.

  5. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Any interest in Pedro Neto for their fixtures? Tempted by Bale/Son to Salah/Neto for GW31, planning ahead for the blanks in 32/33

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Was looking at him the other day, wolves just seem so short of goals don’t you think? Looking back they’ve hardly scored at all

      On the other hand like you said, the fixtures could not be better

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        I agree not sure who else I like for 32, wolves have Sheff U and Burnley 33...

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Neto the clear choice for a Wolves attacker and good fixtures to boot, but they are pretty uninspiring and don't have much to play for.

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      He's sitting on my bench waiting to spring into action for these good fixtures. Wolves haven't been great, but these nice fixtures should return points - say's he hopefully 😉

  6. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Assuming all start who would you fancy to score higher next GW:

    A) Alonso (WBA)
    B) Bamford/Raphinha (LEE)

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B

      The post Wilder Sheff Utd world is not a pleasant one

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Cool - and who would say has a higher ceiling in that game between Raphinha and Bamford?

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Raph has the higher ceiling with CS point and extra point for a goal. Looks electric too though I would prefer Bamford as the focal point and main striker in the offense.

          Are you targeting a massive differential captaincy?

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            Guess I should just be targeting points but a differential captain option wouldn't hurt right now.

            Alonso (C) Raphinha (VC)

            Could go Azpi over Alonso for certainty of starts but can't see that sort of conservative move helping me right now. Maybe having Alonso should be enough and I should leave the captaincy on one of the Leeds boys.

            Cheers

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      B)

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      One of the Leeds two surely has a higher ceiling than Azpi. Raph more exciting of those two - he is on fire even if not always getting the points for it. Bambam maybe the safer call though.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        It's Alonso over Azpi who I will probably go with given I have a full playing squad at the minute and need to make up some ground.

        But Sheffield United look more primed for a heavy defeat than WBA right now.

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Sorry, getting selectively dyslexic as I get older. Alonso a bit more exciting than Dave isn't he?

          SHU definitely worse than WBA and if it were at Bramall Lane rather than the potato patch at Elland Road I'd definitely go Leeds.

          Raph highest ceiling of the 3 I'd guess.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Having watched Sheffield Utd vs. Leicester, you would expect Leeds to get 3 or 4 - maybe 5 or 6...

      However Leeds pitch is just such a disgrace the last few weeks that it looks genuinely difficult to play football on so not sure does that dampen things a bit...

      It would be FPL in it's purest form were BamBam / Raph to blank/underperform vs. Sheffield, get sold en masse due to the red fixtures, then promptly score in 2 of the 3 following fixtures vs. the top 6 sides, before going quiet again for the good fixture run after that lol

      But you can't really plan for that type of thing either

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        I forgot about the abysmal state of the Elland Road pitch. But equally Sheffield United have to try and defend on it too.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Yeah but I think a shite pitch will generally tip things in favour of the defensive team as a rule of thumb though - but it still can't be overstated how bad Sheffield's second half in particular was against Leciester - Vardy had 3 big chances, and created 4 big chances - if BamBam/Raph get even half of that type of involvement they should fill their boots

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            The Wimbledon 80/90s effect.

            I’m all in on Leeds at the minute with Dallas/Raph/Bamford so capping one of them does feel a bridge too far with something as abitrary as a shoddy pitch getting in the way of a good haul.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              There’s also the derby effect to take into account.

              If SHU are up for any match it will be this one. Comments after the match suggested to me it was that spirit was missing as much as anything

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Forgot about the pitch... really wanted to cap Bamford after that disgrace of a performance but Newcastle are almost as horrific and Kane is such a reliable captain against the worst sides

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Kane or Bruno are fair captains this GW if you are in a healthy OR/Mini League position.

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            Still fair captains even if one isn't, next GW is probably better to differentiate with KDB and Auba having outstanding fixtures.

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Keep an eye on the Poland match & how many minutes Kane gets there - if he's taken off early he's probably a great captain choice, maybe the standout

          Bruno home to Brighton should be involved also - hopefully Portugal don't even start him versus Luxembourg on the Tuesday before Brighton Sunday!

          Just wonder how disrupted the gameweek will be overall though - with large parts of the top teams not really having been able to prepare for the GW30 fixtures - will it be a bit of a damp squib

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        In two minds

        I’m now wondering whether that game was the direct result of the manager being ditched immediately before it. SHU have been poor all season of course but not outrageously so in defence. Their attack is what puts them plum last - there are a few other teams with defences almost as dodgy

  7. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    planning a GW30 BB doesnt give much hope, fully expecting a few covid cases to happen, hopefully we get plenty notice before the deadline!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Hold off on your transfers until the Friday pressers next week. Best of luck on the BB.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      The fixtures in the abstract are good for those who built a team for GW29, but international break during pandemic has made me decide to forgo it.

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    With a fh in 33, arsenal have a glorious run of fixtures from 31

    Who would be the most desirable attacking asset from them?

    Laca?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Tricky if they keep progressing in the Europa. They already seem to be prioritising the midweek European games a little.

      Lacazette, Odegaard and Tierney look the best options but I will be avoiding them most probably.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Probably, but nobody is safe. 2 or all 3 of Saka, Odegaard, ESR to cover all the bases?

  9. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Play Martinez (FUL) or Meslier (SHU)?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      I'm playing Meslier

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Martinez, especially if Grealish fit

  10. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Did anyone watch the Chelsea SHU qf?

    I had been anticipating SHU to fall off a cliff here on in. Just reading text updates they seemed to hold Chelsea reasonably well.

    Unsure now whether to make transfers to target them in 30 and possibly 31. Are they intrinsically worse than WBA or even Palace?

    Also wonder about Southampton reaching semi. There’s good history in teams reaching the semi and bombing in the league. Palace definitely did and Watford too iirc

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      They were okay but Chelsea are so conservative in possession and lack direct threat so I'm not sure who was more to blame there.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Ty for the confirmation

        Tricky to imagine to teams more dissimilar in outlook than Chelsea and Leeds so I suppose that match doesn’t mean that much

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Didn't watch cup game, but they had something to play for in that. That first league game after Wilder they definitely seemed to have downed tools though.

      You are right about Soton. They could be in big big trouble.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        From memory they are in almost the exact same position Palace were in when they reached the semi. Avoiding relegation that season was a narrow squeak. Ironically from memory it was probably the closest call Palace had despite being almost certain relegation candidates in Xmas in previous seasons.

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 27 days ago

          Despite their recent horrible form, I had though Soton were still reasonably safe, but looked at the table and think it might be only Newcastle's own direness that will save the Saints.

          Also just had a google of Palce in the cup, Dancing Alan was already nearly 5 years ago and Geoff Thomas, Andy Thorn etc. was over 30. Where did the time go?

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 27 days ago

            The Geoff Thomas lot of course made the final on the back of a season with a 9-0 defeat (when they were a tad less common) - precedents 🙂

            1. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 27 days ago

              Perry Suckling, bloody hell

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 27 days ago

                Nigel Martyn was such an underrated keeper. I'd have him right up there among the best English goalies of the last 30 years or so.

                1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 27 days ago

                  I remember talking to a mate who played keeper at reasonable level himself at the time about Seaman vs Martyn. His view was that Seaman's positioning was so good that he didn't have to "look" as good as Martyn.
                  Having said that Seaman started to decline before Nigel did and he was probably deserving of England No. 1 spot by the turn of the millenium.

                  1. pingissimus
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 27 days ago

                    No claims to keeper expertise here and I'm naturally biased.

                    I'd just add that Seaman started with the advantage of playing for George Graham's Gunner defence. Easier to look good there?

                    Wouldn't put Martyn ahead of Seaman necessarily but just part of the same conversation.

                    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 27 days ago

                      Absolutely. Look at what the two of them did to one time "England keeper for the next 10 years" Richard Wright.

  11. Magic Hamster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Going to w/c in 31 & can get this bench for -4...worth it to BB and get it out the way?

    Mendy, mee, dunk, B.Traore.

    Thanks.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Mendy - probably makes it worth a go
      Mee and Traore - reasonable BB picks
      Dunk - might score at OT I suppose

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Good spot. Yes, you'd think so.

  12. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 27 days ago

    Twitter appears to be filled with talk of the need for ‘differential’ captain picks and that you are ‘never going to win’ and ‘dull’ if you go with highly favoured high EO captain picks.

    Some thoughts

    1. Most people making these statements appear to be ranked 500k+. It’s easy to go ‘maverick’ when you don’t have a good rank... perhaps the differential captain picks have something to do with it....
    2. Obviously.... obviously... the quickest way to get a huge rank gain is to captain a very low EO player, them get a mega haul AND the high EO template captain picks blank. No one can dispute this but if you get it wrong and the reverse happens the downside is significant
    3. The high EO captain picks are there for a reason - it’s because they have the highest expected points for the gameweek
    4. In my opinion, going differential captain pick every week is going to guarantee you a bad overall rank by the end of the season. It’s like tossing a coin weighted 60:40 head:tails 38 times and you being forced to pick tails each time. Statistically you won’t come out ahead.
    5. Also I’ve seen people say it’s better to use captaincy differentials to gain rank as doesn’t mean you have to get transfers right.... but transfers are a huge part of the game and equally good area to gain an edge.
    6. HOWEVER... I do believe that there are certain weeks in a season (5 to 10 of them) where there are clear big opportunities to go differential captain and make big ground. These need to be very carefully selected and requires skill. In my opinion Lateriser has historically been excellent at this.

    TLDR... differential captains carefully selected occasionally = awesome. Differential captains every week = disaster

    Have at it

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Quick answer - you are completely right. "Boring" captain choice every week best way to get points.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Don’t buy into differential captains as the way ahead

      My experience over the last 2 seasons is that I’ve clawed my way up into top 100k and 50k from way off at this point by going mainstream and leaving other teams to implode

      Also most weeks there’ll be 2/3 good mainstream choices you just need to land on the right one.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Should add here that going rogue in the past 6/7 weeks has cost me around 60 points already.

        (One of those was accidental non save of captain in my defence)

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 27 days ago

      It's not even necessary to go for wacky differentials. Going for top class assets who are underlooked for captaincy due to whatever reason can be a valuable differential in itself. For example Bruno in GW13 when Kane was widely backed, Bruno in GW22 when Salah was hugely backed (both blanked), or Salah himself in GW1 when there was a split between him and Auba.

  13. Party time
      3 years, 27 days ago

      Start 3
      1) Stones
      2) Cresswell
      3) Digne
      4) Targett
      5) Dallas

      Thanks

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 27 days ago

        Dallas Stones and Digne for me

        Rather think City will do a number on Leicester but truthfully it feels like pot luck. The only sure fire pick is Dallas imo. Palace are quite capable of scoring at Everton (poor record at home) and Fulham have loads to play for and WH defence seems a bit in and out.

        1. Party time
            3 years, 27 days ago

            Really appreciate. Thanks buddy