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Pro Pundits April 7

Why Liverpool and Leicester are key to my FPL Gameweek 31 Wildcard

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FPL BlackBox co-host Az discusses the merits of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Kelechi Iheanacho, James Maddison and others as he spotlights Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers’ sides.

I’ve been waiting for this week for a while, looking forward to the opportunity to rejig my squad and target what look like some favourable fixture swings for a couple of teams.

I won’t present my Wildcard draft here; there’ll be enough of that on my video with Andy, which you can watch below.

Instead, I’ll be giving my views on two key teams and considering some of the players that we should all be looking at, regardless of whether your Wildcard is being played or not.

Liverpool

We’ve been here before. A good performance from Liverpool and suddenly a season of real mediocrity is all but forgotten.

But it’s hard not to get excited, as the Reds were superb against Arsenal. Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) was looking hungry again, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) was whipping in great balls all evening and the introduction of Diogo Jota (£6.9m) saw the opportunities they were creating finally being converted.

During Gameweek 30, Liverpool created a chance every 5.9 minutes. Arsenal may be struggling defensively (they have no clean sheet in their last 13 matches) but they have had some good results against “top” sides this season. They were poor, but Liverpool were in full swashbuckling mode.

My Double Gameweek plans and why the Wildcard/Bench Boost tactic has its downside
The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 31
The FPL squad I’d pick if I was playing my Wildcard in Gameweek 31

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

252 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Goldtop73
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Anyone know when the results and draw for the next round of FFS cup is?

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    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Yep.

      Shiver My Timbers FC are through to the semi finals and will play Crocodile Shoes Rovers in what will be an epic battle.

      Butthole Surfers will be playing Wet Sponge In the other semi.

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  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Slightly changed WC with Laca, thoughts?

    Leno. Forster
    Rudiger. Dawson. Coady. Fofana. Phillips
    Salah. Bruno. Son. Neto. Jota
    Kane. Iheanacho. Laca

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    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Iheanacho, Laca, Rudiger, Phillips and Jota are all a bit suspect for minutes, I think? Maybe replace one or two of them for more nailed prospects?

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      1. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Ineancho is now regular. Both Rudiger and Jota will be too given recent displays without them.

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        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          Maddison back in the squad. I don't doubt that Iheanacho will be a regular, but I do doubt that he will see as many 70+ minute outings as he has in the past. Jota has a similar issue, especially if they manage to progress in the CL (unlikely, but we don't know). They are good options by themselves, but taking all the rotation risks together can result in weeks that you only have 9 players (as happened to me last GW).

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    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Arsenal defence is ropey (no clean sheets in 11 games) and no Tierney makes it even worse. So I wouldn't pick Leno personally even if the fixtures are tasty.

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  3. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Are you putting any Everton or Villa assets in your WC drafts for their doubles? If so, who?

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    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Just DCL and Targett

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  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Pick one:

    A) Iheanacho + Lingard
    B) Maddison + Coady

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    1. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      A

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Will Iheanacho feature regularly? Also, wouldn't Antonio's injury effect Lingard's output?

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  5. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Stil see 50 plus k ppl buying kdb this week, is he gonna start?

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    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Surely not? I have KDB, Gundo, Cancelo along with Bamford, Dallas & Raf and its probably why i'm WC'd this week as doubt the city players start and the leeds players wont get any returns

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        But why? Cancelo and gundo will start this weekend i believe

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        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          I not thinking of wildcard but thinking of a -4 to sell kdb for raheem

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        2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          Dortmund more important then a home banker. I own KDB and Dias and expect both not to play.

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    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Nobody here is Pep obviously, but vast majority expect he'll be protected:

      https://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/leeds-h-pre-match-thread.350212/

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      1. FPL_Motty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Indeed. Im 90% likely to swap KDB out for a -4 and get salah / philips in. Salah is the best captain option, if I don't do anything I can definitely see KDB(c) fail, followed by a Jota(vc) fail !

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  6. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    on wildcard.
    thoughts on Auba as 1-week punt this week? they go against SHU. and the transfer him to Son the next week

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    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Wait for Europa results first. Probably best to avoid Arsenal even though they have great fixtures.

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  7. Cto
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    When is the Everton villa game being replayed? Has it been confirmed?

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  8. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    is it a good idea to belittle all Leeds players?

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    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Yes they are so tiny bahaha

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    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      no despote what the crowd say they still are the 3rd best attack in the league, I'll happily keep Raphinha at only 5.5

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    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Do so at your peril - always a chance they will score a couple of goals against anybody and they have proved it. Would stay from defenders maybe.....

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  9. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    1 FT - 6.6m ITB - Only TC remaining

    Martinez
    Stones Azpi Digne
    Bruno Gundo Lingard ESR Raphinha
    Kane DCL

    Fabri - Cresswell Bamford Targett

    Raph to Jota and leave it at that? Will move Gundo to Son next week most likely.

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  10. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Are there any news on Antonios injury?

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  11. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Who score more?

    A) Sterling (C) -4
    B) Jota (Captain Salah)

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  12. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Which duo ?
    A. Iheancheo and Trent
    B. Phillips and Vardy

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    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      A

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    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Out of these options, A.

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    3. Nay08
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      if both will play regularly, then definitely A.

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    4. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      A all day.

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  13. Best GK to finish the season
    Moxon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Who is your GK for the rest of the season and why?

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    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Mendy. Chels defence innit

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      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        The same defence that shipped 5 to the team in the league with the lowest number of shots on target.

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        1. Malkmus
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          I think that was a one off. We will see. Tuchel won't let it happen again.

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        2. Studs Up
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          The same defence that kept how many cs on the bounce?...wba game not an anomaly?

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    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Very tough call. I would say Patricio has the best chances of clean sheets but they have been very unreliable lately. Martinez fixtures are horrific. Mendy looked like the best option until they shipped 5 to WBA and looked ordinary once more. Ederson may be a sly shout. So much rotation in the City team stops me going for Dias and Stones on a WC so may just do set and forget with Ederson.

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      1. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Patricio has been the worst keeper in the league this year

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    3. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Ederson - had him for a while now

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    4. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Martinez - will hoover up save points anyway

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      1. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        and double gameweek

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    5. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Sticking with Martinez. He's the best keeper this season and can get save points in any game.

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    6. HNI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Right now on Johnstone + Forster for dgw...Need the funds for TAa+Bruno+ Salah + Kane + Son

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    7. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Leno is in my thinking - I think I want a bit of exposure to Arsenal defence given the fixtures, so Leno looks a decent choice for the price - want to cover Chelsea too but also have the freedom to bench if I lose confidence, so might avoid Mendy and opt for Rudiger in defence to cover that

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    8. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Guaita. Under the radar.

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    9. Dynamomi
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Allison. Proper ‘tache.

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      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        I got Mendy in last week for the run in (oops) but kept Marty for his DGW. But actually Alisson is prolly the best option, what with being all-but out of the CL and only the PL to gun for, with strikers rather lesser than Madrid have to get past him.

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        1. PaperTroopers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 18 days ago

          I think Martinez is still the best option.

          Villa's fixtures take a turn for the worse for sure, but specifically for keeper, I dont look too hard at fixtures. A bad fixture for an outfield player is not necessarily bad for a keeper, especially for save point machines like Martinez.
          Az said it well on the FPL Blackbox last night. Mendy, Leno, Ederson all rely exclusively on clean sheets to get points so you are looking at 2 or 6 points from them. Martinez can go anywhere between 2 and 11-12 points depending on clean sheets and saves and bonus. He has the higher ceiling and there's good reason to think he'll get some points even if clean sheet is lost.
          And he gets a DGW.

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          1. PaperTroopers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 18 days ago

            Oops, reply fail. Should have been reply to OP! My bad.....

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  14. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    A'noon all. On WC. So...

    A - Mount, or
    B - Lingard + 0.8

    Ta

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    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      B

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    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      B all day long.

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      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Cheers both

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    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      b

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      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Ta

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  15. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Which is the most possible gw that Villa-Everton could be rescheduled?

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  16. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    G2G this GW? Stones + Lewis + KDB to TAA + Coady + Maddison for -4. Leaves me with 2.0 ITB.

    Forster
    TAA Coady Rudiger
    Salah Bruno Maddison Gundo Raph
    Kane DCL

    Martinez Bamford Konsa Struijk

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  17. ASOUSA12
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Do we think that Masuaku is now nailed, and will play majority of games as LWB, specially with Rice injured to provide greater defensive solidity?

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  18. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    I think I'm going without any City on WC. City's upcoming schedule:

    Leeds
    Dortmund (UCL QF)
    Chelsea (FA Cup SF)
    Villa
    Spurs (EFL Cup Final)
    ? Bayern/PSG (UCL SF) ?
    Palace
    ? Bayern/PSG (UCL SF) ?
    Chelsea

    What do you think?

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    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      I think it's ok - I just have stones on wc. Some players will haul but no way of guessing who with pep roulette.

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        The guys who played last night will have least league minutes whilst Champions League continues.

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    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Fixtures suggest a heavy rotation. I have Dias who will likely also be sacrificed to upgrade my fodder.

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  19. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Thoughts please gents

    A. Ayling >> Robbo (free)
    B. Ayling, Gundo >> TAA, Neto (4pt hit)
    C. Veltman, Watkins/Antonio >> TAA, Nacho (4pt hit)
    D. Stones, Ayling >> TAA, Saiss
    E. Something else

    Current team

    ——————Areola——————
    ———Veltman Dias Stones———
    —Bruno Salah Gundo Son Jota—
    ————-Antonio* Kane————-

    Bench: Forster, Watkins, Ayling, Struijk

    FH available for GW33

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    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Just transfer Stones out.

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  20. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    some thought on these?
    1. Put Leno as a set and forget. with Forster as a backup. I kinda don't really trust ARS def but the fixtures are great.
    2. Triple up on LIV? Salah, Jota, TAA/Philips.
    3. Have Vardy and Kane up front. any suggestion for the third?
    4. is it too big of a risk not choosing Bruno?

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    1. Nay08
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      I'm on wildcard btw

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    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      1. No. Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in more than 10 games. Something like 13 I believe. Stay well clear.
      2. Yes.
      3. Nacho. Or just downgrade Vardy and have third as fodder.
      4. Yes.

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    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      I don't mind Leno as a pick when you look at Arsenal's fixtures and where they got previous clean sheets.

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    4. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      1. Nah, just keep it simple and go Mendy imo
      2. Yes
      3. Nacho with 343 or Vydra with 352
      4. Not at all

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  21. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    What are the chances that Laporte makes the most defensive minutes in the PL from now until the end of season? Looking at him for a WC.

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    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      For that price, you have to go for Dias surely.

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    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Far too much of a worry/stress...

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  22. Fpl_elstatto
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Leicester are an odd one, playing well and 3rd in table yet their players are so under owned

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  23. Silicon Vialli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    I'd only go Ederson, or Dias, from City def.

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  24. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Best captaincy punt this week:

    a) Sterling
    b) Jesus
    c) Lacazette

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    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      A

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  25. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Is Konsa nailed?

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    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Guess.

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      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        I'll take that as a no...

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        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          He's nailed, check his minutes, he's had a good season.

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    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      yup

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    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Not sure but his fixtures stink to high heaven.

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    4. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      100%

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  26. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    - Please suggest if any changes required on the WC
    - G2g with (C), bench, and the bench order for the GW??

    Mendy
    Rudiger TAA Castagne
    Maddison Salah Jota Neto
    Kane Nacho Ings (c)

    Forster Son Shaw Coady

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  27. focaccia
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    30 points clear at the top of my mini league. 1 free transfer and £2.6itb. Need some help clinging on...

    Martinez
    Rudiger - Coufal - AWB
    Salah - Gundogan - KDB - Jota
    Bamford - Kane - DCL

    Forster - Raphina - Dallas - Veltman

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  28. Premium vs Budget dilemmas
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    It seems quite a few are looking at some premium vs budget dilemmas right now, similar to Az (above article) when considering Liverpool and Leicester.

    Salah v Jota
    Vardy v Iheanacho
    TAA v Phillips

    What are your thoughts on the above players?

    Generally, I think, the more expensive player is better in those comparisons but when taking value into account it's more difficult.

    What's your plan for Liverpool and Leicester players? What's pushing you one direction or the other? What makes you think that the premium or the budget option is a better pick?

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      I am going Salah TAA Maddison. All three most likely to get 90 every game unlike Phillips, Iheanacho and Jota.

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      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Interesting you say that about Phillips - I agree with Iheanacho, he won't be 90 or nailed to start and Jota will see rest time. But can Klopp really afford to rotate his CB pairing? I think Phillips might get every game

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        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 19 days ago

          Hmm. True about Phillips. But I have the funds to get TAA. Hence the bias maybe!

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          1. Geoff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 19 days ago

            Haha yeah I feel the same on TAA, even though he's almost double the price.

            It's maybe not the most sound logic but I think if it was earlier in the season I'd consider Phillips more. As we're nearing the end I want the attacking upside off TAA. If I have the money now I'll spend it and not worry too much about team balance

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            1. Tommy Smith
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 19 days ago

              I am thinking of going with Trent, with Phillips on the bench, for inevitable rests elsewhere in my team

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    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      With no WC in hand, this is doing my head in. Can't shift around funds as easily, so looking at a hit this GW to swap Gundo and Dias/Stones for either:

      Salah + Phillips
      or
      Jota + TAA

      Any of the City guys might ofc start and haul, but can't have the pep rotation now for the run-in. That's why I'm also a bit wary on Jota and Nacho minutes

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      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 19 days ago

        Yeah I've sold my City players, now it's time to get the Liverpool thing figured out. I'm leaning Jota + TAA

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    3. HNI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      I think attacking upside is high now that they look likely to be knocked out by Madrid.
      I am on Salah Jota Taa Ibeanacho as sacrificing Kdb to fund it. I will need strong 7-8th attacker to swap every gw and cover for Jota. Really in a fix between Dcl+Perreria(wba) and Lingard + Antonio

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    4. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 19 days ago

      Salah Jota Trent all in my WC team, easy downgrade from Trent to improve elsewhere if required. Kane ihenacho up top, I wouldnt captain Vardy so reckon he's not worth the outlay

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  29. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    If Antonio out, who to get in:

    Ings
    DCL
    Watkins
    Vydra - will he play gw32 as I’m planning to bb

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  30. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 19 days ago

    Which combo on WC
    A) Vardy+Phillips+Coufal
    B) Iheanacho+TAA+Fofana/Castagne

    Other defenders would be Rudiger,Shaw and Holding and I'll play 3 at the back most weeks

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