Metrics

How the top 10k FPL managers set their teams up for Gameweek 31

A significant chunk of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers played their Wildcards in Gameweek 31.

26.4% of them pulled the trigger on a new squad ahead of Friday’s deadline, the largest to do so all in one Gameweek since the second Wildcard became available.

As a result, the template of players at this level of the world rankings took a sizeable shift as we prepare for the final Gameweeks of 2020/21.

As you can see, the Wildcard was by far the most-used chip among the top 10k in Gameweek 31.

Just 0.06% went for the Bench Boost, 0.05% Free Hitted and 0.01% played the Triple Captain.

Crucially, the second Wildcard has now been deployed by 87.1% of the top 10k, meaning just 12.9% of them have it left to play between Double Gameweek 32 and Gameweek 38.

It also means that 46.6% of the top 10k have exhausted their chip supply with seven Gameweeks left to go this season.

41.0% have played three of theirs while only 11.2% still have two left to deploy.

Anyone marginally outside the top 10k with a healthy number of chips still intact will certainly fancy their chances of breaking into the upper echelon over the season run-in.

Unsurprisingly, 81.7% of the top 10k’s Wildcarding managers went with budget goalkeeper Fraser Forster (£4.0m) while roughly two-thirds were content with Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) as a set-and-forget option.

With two fixtures to look forward to in Double Gameweek 32, Harry Kane (£11.7m) was the most fashionable player in any position in such squads, selected by 99.5%.

Diogo Jota (£6.9m) was not far behind the Spurs man, convincing 93.9% of the top 10k’s Wildcarding managers to make use of his services between now and Gameweek 38.

84.4% have retained faith in Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) while 79.7% have gone for Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), which means 36.6% of the entire top 10k are doubled-up on the Egyptian and Jota.

Despite a tough fixture against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, Son Heung-min (£9.4m) sits in 60.2% of top-10k Wildcard squads while 70.8% of such managers are convinced Jesse Lingard (£6.3m) can still offer value even without Michail Antonio (£6.7m) in the team.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.8m) has done enough to convince 88.5% of the top 10k’s Wildcarding managers that he can hold his place in Leicester’s attack and continue his scoring form, currently with five goals across his last three matches.

Antonio Rüdiger (£4.7m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Rob Holding (£4.2m) are the three-most popular defenders among top 10k Wildcarders.

It is also interesting to see what impact the Wildcarding managers have had on the overall template among the top 10k, and where they have not.

For example, Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) has clung to 46.9% backing at this level while Iheanacho’s ownership in the entire top 10k is 37.7%.

Likewise, Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) remains the most fashionable defender among the top 10k with the support of 42.7%.

Meanwhile, Jota has managed to become the second-most-popular midfielder at this level.

Salah is the key captain this week having convinced 46.8% of the top 10k to hand him the armband for a home meeting with Aston Villa.

Despite facing a Manchester United side that have become 0-0 specialists in the big games, Kane has earned 13.8% support for the Gameweek 31 captaincy.

The Manchester City options are less popular, even against Leeds, largely due to the uncertainty about who Pep Guardiola will start at the Etihad Stadium.

Just 9.2% have gone for a De Bruyne captaincy while 6.1% selected Raheem Sterling (£11.3m).

Kane and Salah are the two players with more than 100% effective ownership in the top 10k for Gameweek 31.

However, neither one is miles clear, the Spurs forward boasting 111.3% and Salah on 106.1%.

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533 Comments Post a Comment
  1. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I captained Jota.

    Why did I do that?

    I don't know why.

    Thanks.

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry!! 🙂

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        All wrapped up, sorted thread!
        I think you might come out if it all right, as well.

  2. HNI
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    You did because you want to prove that 780 finish was a blip

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

    Who to sell first to get Nacho?

    A) Bamford (also have Raphina)
    B) Watkins

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't be rushing to get Nacho. Easily dropped when Barnes is back. Even now he has competition from Ayoze.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Barnes is a way off no?

        I'm also mindful that Maddison took a good while to get up to speed when he last came back from a longish lay off. If he does get the full 90 tomorrow and looks good then he might be my priority over Nacho but a close call.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tricky - in same spot

      Think I might lose Watkins just to play Bamford against Liverpool despite mismatch in 33 where I'd be left with Bamford in 33 against United as opposed to Watkins against WBA.

      Actually not opposed to playing both Leeds attackers against Liverpool in 32 - especially if it goes tits up against Real. WBA aren't conceding much at all right now and see Palace in 33 as the really must have fixture for Leicester not 32

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

      Thanks A lot, have the team below and unfortunately no WC to adapt to the fixture swing, only TC and FH left.

      1.4 in the bank

      DDG,
      Stones, Dias, Cresswell
      Son, Bruno, Jota (c), Raphina, Lingard
      Bamford, Kane

      (Bench Martinez, Watkins, Targett, Dallas)

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bar TAA and Shaw in defence for Dallas and Dias we're twins. You're comfortably ahead on set up with FH for 33.

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

          Cheers, GL!

  4. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WEEB KAKASHI1 hour, 12 mins ago
    On WC

    A Son TAA
    B Bruno Philips

    Wont cap Bruno till GW36/37
    Plan to get him in GW36 via Vardy

    Thoughts?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      *copypaste facepalm.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hard one

      Burnley are strangely enough one of teams to target for goals right now - since 20 they have conceded as much as any apart from Southampton. They have been most unBurnley in their approach to away fixtures - really going for it. Think that on current trends the 32 fixture at Old Trafford is almost must have for Bruno.

      I'd tend to B with the idea of getting Son in 34 for SHU. Have TAA but regard him as a luxury pick right now.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The Burnley game is the one i am scared of not owning Bruno. Will have to rethink it. Thanks.

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

        Good point

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

      A

  5. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I desperately need KDB to start and haul today. I captained him (know the risk) as my ML leader is 50 points clear and doesn’t own him. Pray for me! Lol

    1. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would, but I can't. Others have him.
      I love the guy (United fan) but hoping and think he's due a rest

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Noooooooo! Lol

        1. Bennerman
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It's even worse for me, I went for a wild haymaker on Aguero

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No and no, sorry but no. All the big stars benched and a 0-0 result with them making a desperate 1 point cameo late on please?

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Quiet!

  6. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    After taking all my city players out on wildcard glad I haven't got long to wait for the pain to be over can see them giving Leeds a tonking

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is it the tonking or the cs you fear most?

      My personal hopes ride on Stones getting the winner from a seat piece.

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I thought I'd go City-free too, made a lot of logical sense - even as a KDB always-owner.
        Yet somehow find myself with Aguero, on a wildcard. Probably only get 60 mins but I can imagine a goal deluge (0-0 then)

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Most of my rivals have Cancelo, Stones and Gundog. I'm hoping they all get benched and I clean up with Dias and Mahrez. Prob be the opposite of course.

          1. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Total nightmare, isn't it? I always try to have De Bruyne because he's the most influential player in the league in my opinion. But you just don't know what is in Pep's head, and it's the worst possible scenario because he had everyone in a massive squad fit, is playing for four trophies, and had the league wrapped up!
            I was on Sterling earlier in the week but backed out, just can't guess who'll be blanked

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              utter lottery!

    2. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I had Cancelo Stones and gundo lost gundo to Bruno last week and Cancelo and stones out this week in wildcard I can see city fielding a strong team and resting players in the next one also can't believe I went without Chelsea as well haha

  7. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Newcastle win against Burnley is perfectly plausible and makes Fulham odds on to go down surely.

    That'll make next season close to as you were with Norwich and Watford all but guaranteed promotion. I can't recall a recent season when two demoted teams got automatic promotion to replace two other teams making the same trip in reverse. It's always the popular pick at season start but very rarely happens in practice.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bournemouth are in with a good shot too now I look more closely.

      Fairly unprecedented for 3 demoted teams to be right up there in the season after. At least one normally bombs.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        They all learned to be sensible with their money, taking relegation on the chin and not making wasteful transfers. WBA are doing the same - not so sure Sheff United will bounce back up after daft purchases like Brewster. Fulham should bounce back though.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I wonder if COVID is a leading factor here

          There's been so much less money spent that teams aren't going through nearly so much churn. Bournemouth back up would be a triumph given they lost their complete attack.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I don't think it's a factor. It's lessons learned from clubs like Bolton.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              The covid effect will be seen in the summer. Will any promoted club splurge 100M like Fulham did back then? I can't see it - they'll go with what they've got out of necessity. Should benefit Norwich who hung on to enough of their strong assets from last year, as MBP shows (with Cantwell 2 years more mature too).

              1. Bennerman
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Clubs are skint because of Covid, except for a very select few with a high proportion of money coming in via commercial means as opposed to fans coming in, I can tell you that for sure, being party to some inside figures

            2. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Perhaps

              Maybe though it works in this way. The Championship clubs all operate on very thin margins at the best of times and typically there are a few who get very close to the edge in terms of FFP rules in a gamble to make the PL. Given they will all be making humungous losses thanks to COVID this hasn't happened and that has given the teams with parachute payments a greater edge than normal.

              I'm sort of expecting a fair few clubs in lower tiers to go close to insolvency when COVID related finances unravel.

              1. Bennerman
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                It will be carnage. Many clubs operating on an expenses bill (wages) far more than can be papered over by a year without major income.

                1. Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  That might make the pact with the devil the only viable option. I mean the one proposed by the Glazers and Henry, giving all power to the strongest in return for 25% of revenue to be shared out amongst the lower league clubs.

                  1. Bennerman
                    • 5 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    They didn't actually propose that, that's how it was presented in the media and is now taken as a given

                2. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Hmmm yes

                  This is perhaps ignorant bu the ones I really fear for are those in the bottom two tiers. Championship clubs may have greater exposure to higher wage bills but they typically have billionaire backing and the prospect at least of sizeable gate receipts. I'm just not sure how smaller clubs can hope to recoup COVID losses.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm expecting Bournemouth to come up via the play-offs too.

      Fulham have gone utterly flaccid just at the wrong time. I just can't see them scoring. That GW38 billion-dollar slug-fest between Newcastle and Fulham will be a turgid 0-0 with Toon surviving, I reckon.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Reckon Callum Wilson might fill his boots GW37 & GW38 - end of season goal blitz (hamstring permitting)

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pukki - 25G 3A
      Buendia - 12G 15A
      Sarr - 12G 3A

      Norwich defence - 17 clean sheets/28 conceded in 40 games
      Watford defence - 20 clean sheets/27 conceded in 41 games

      Ooof

      Need to start getting spun up on those two ahead of next season!

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How has Cantwell done?

        Can't see him coming in at 4.5 again

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Think he missed nearly half season with injury

          But 6G 5A in last 20 games since about Christmas

          Bit of a hot streak the last 5 or 6 games too

    4. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would love to see a newcastle win this weekend! Take advantage of Fulham bad form. Burnley game is huuuge

  8. New Article
  9. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What’s with all these ad’s appearing at the bottom of my phone now using this site? Anyone know how to remove or block them, thanks

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, been raised a few times ... very annoying ... I think it has been raised to the powers for clarification ... not sure if you can block them.

      Pizza ovens and energy suppliers attacking me at the moment.

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've got Avon. Wtf? Man least likely

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          LOL ... it’s nice to keep yourself nice.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No idea but if I ever want to buy crotchless underwear I now know where to go

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Want to meet hot girls in your neighbourhood .... FFS, the new Tinder.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Targeted ads are basically a mirror to your minds (or secret browsing). Me, I can never have enough cardigans apparently 😉

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Well this is humiliating ... I keep getting West Ham popping up trying to flog me a season ticket .... am I a closet Hammer?

            1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Everyone is a closet Hammer ....

              1. G-Whizz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                😆

          2. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            They're not, their algorithm just thinks they are. They're not that smart at all. So far I have Avon (absolutely zero chance of getting a click) and Sun Racing (probably blanket-bought because it's Grand National day, I wouldn't wipe my bloodied balls with that rag)

  10. Mambino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I have a green arrow this morning in fantasy scout league and England league and red arrow overall. Im confused how I have any kind of green arrow having scored no points yet this GW

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Transfer hits

      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Doh - how thick of me - I'm hung over - cheers