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Why Raphinha was subbed, Pep’s rotation reasons and ‘gung-ho’ Watford: FPL notes

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Saturday’s Gameweek 25 fixtures.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-expanding website, and our own Premium Members Area.

GOALS, ASSISTS AND BONUS

 1
Why Raphinha was subbed, Pep's rotation reasons and 'gung-ho' Watford: FPL notes

INJURIES AND BANS

Antonio, Benrahma and Son among eye-catching FPL assets as De Bruyne returns 9

Jack Grealish (£7.5m) missed out on Manchester City’s win over Norwich City, with the club website only confirming that he was “unavailable”.

Initial journalist reports suggested Grealish might be out for a month but Guardiola said pre-match that his midfielder could even be back in midweek – although did stress that further assessment would be required on what the City boss said was a recurrence of an issue the player struggled with at Villa in 2020/21.

“He’s injured. A little bit what he had last season at Villa, less of course. Training after Brentford he wasn’t good, we make a test, he wasn’t ready today. Hopefully ready for Tuesday.” – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish

Marcelo Bielsa said he wasn’t sure about the severity of the injury that forced Stuart Dallas (£4.9m) out of Leeds’ defeat to Everton, meanwhile.

Edinson Cavani (£8.4m) wasn’t part of the Manchester United squad to face Southampton because of a groin injury, which may bode well for Cristiano Ronaldo’s (£12.5m) chances of starting on Tuesday, too.

“I decided to start with Cristiano today in the home game. Edi, unfortunately, had to pull out after training last night. It was some groin problems. He had treatment the whole night and the whole morning but, in the end, he just said he’s not available.” – Ralf Rangnick

You may have seen a red flag appear on Conor Gallagher (£6.2m) but that is not injury or ban-related: the Chelsea loanee is ineligible to face his parent club in the first half of Palace’s Double Gameweek 26.

FPL TALKING POINTS

RAPHINHA NOT INJURED… JUST POOR
FPL Gameweek 14 round-up: Tuesday review, injury news and the things we learned

One player not included in the above injury round-up is Raphinha (£6.5m), whose half-time substitution led to concerns about the Brazilian’s fitness.

The good news is that he’s uninjured but for the second game running, the talismanic winger was well short of his usual best and for him to be deemed expendable at the interval showed just how poor he has been since returning from international duty with Brazil.

“I decided that [Daniel] James should take over his role on the right and Tyler [Roberts should take over] James’s role in the centre. No, he’s not injured.” – Marcelo Bielsa on Raphinha’s half-time substitution

There’s a Double Gameweek 26 coming up for Leeds so existing owners are probably unlikely to sell but any new Fantasy suitors may have been put off by Raphinha’s last two displays, not to mention the two fixtures – Manchester United and Liverpool – themselves being far from straightforward.

More eye-catching since the resumption in play has been Rodrigo (£6.2m), who almost followed up two assists in midweek with a goal at Goodison Park, twice hitting the woodwork. He has created six chances and had four shots in the last two Gameweeks.

THE UNITED EXODUS BEGINS

“Smithers, I’m beginning to think that Ralf Rangnick was not the brilliant tactician I thought he was.”

While the results of Manchester United’s Double Gameweek 25 fixtures probably wouldn’t have stopped sales anyway, the FPL exodus will only intensify as a result of the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.

A lively game that saw United impress only in fits and starts, the end result was another set of underwhelming returns for their most-popular players: Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) failed to tap into an empty net as he again flattered to deceive, with he and Bruno Fernandes (£11.7m) now blanking in seven of their nine appearances under Rangnick. That double-digit Gameweek 22 haul for the Portuguese schemer is now beginning to look like an anomaly.

A typically wobbly Harry Maguire (£5.4m) and the United defence conceded yet again, meanwhile, to leave them with just one shut-out in eight games.

Like a cuckolded partner trying to convince themselves that their unreliable, serial cheat lover is deserving of another chance, the Gameweek 26 clash with a leaky Leeds does look attractive on paper – but we also thought that about fixtures against Norwich, Burnley, Newcastle, Wolves and now Southampton, with little return on our outlay.

As for Saints, they’re a team on the up. A total of 16 goals have been scored in their last eight games (and it was a far from straightforward schedule) and their upcoming fixtures are excellent; if we were to get a Double Gameweek against Newcastle thrown in there, that would only add to the appeal of Armando Broja (£5.3m) and co.

“We have up front now two strikers who have fantastic quality and can score goals and the rest is working hard for them. We have a good balance, a good goalkeeper, everything is fantastic at the moment.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

GORDON’S ALIVE

Jacob Ramsey (£4.7m) has garnered a lot of attention for his value-for-money performances of late but also quietly impressing in the budget midfielder pool is Anthony Gordon (£4.5m), who now has five attacking returns in as many starts and is performing at a level that the Liverpool Echo say makes him “undroppable”.

His goal against Leeds was massively lucky – a strike from Richarlison (£7.3m) that clipped his heels and went in – but he’s generally in the thick of things attacking-wise, registering 15 shots and 10 chances created in his last six appearances, and is on a share of set-piece duties. His assist on Saturday, indeed, was a corner that Michael Keane (£4.8m) headed in.

 1

Above: Gordon’s total of five shots on Saturday was the joint-most of Gameweek 25 so far (above images from the Premium Members Area)

Everton have been Jekyll-and-Hyde since Lampard took charge, with two emphatic wins in league and cup sandwiched by a poor defeat to Newcastle.

Here Lampard set his troops up in a 4-4-2, with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m) up top and Donny van de Beek (£5.7m)) operating as part of the central midfield two. The on-loan Dutchman almost had an assist when his deflected pass for Calvert-Lewin found its way to goalscorer Seamus Coleman (£4.9m), but zero shots and one key pass suggests he’s not going to be a budget FPL gem from the double-pivot.

STERLING HAT-TRICK AS PEP ROTATES HEAVILY

The expected rotation happened at Carrow Road on Saturday evening as Aymeric Laporte (£5.8m), Joao Cancelo (£7.2m), Kevin De Bruyne (£12.2m), Rodri (£5.5m) and John Stones (£5.2m) were all rested and left unused on the visitors’ bench ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Portugal on Tuesday.

“I have done all my career after playing three days ago and playing three days later, I don’t like to play the same players the same games. The players who pay I have full confidence.” – Pep Guardiola

Looking further ahead to try and anticipate when this mass rotation could happen again, Gameweek 29 might be one to watch as it falls after a Manchester derby and the return leg against Sporting Lisbon. However, the schedulers have been kind in putting the trip to Palace on a Monday night, five days after that second-leg round-of-16 Champions League tie (with thanks to Legomane for the below graphic):

Longer-term, of course, if the title is sewn up well in advance, then we’ll see rotation really ramp up as priorities shift to the cups – as happened last season.

As for the on-field events at Norwich, Raheem Sterling (£10.7m) missed a penalty and got booked but more than compensated with a hat-trick and an 18-point haul.

Sterling has now started 12 of City’s last 14 league matches, with his versatility allowing him to play on either flank or through the middle and giving him more routes into the starting XI.

Norwich have been much improved in 2022 but after a spirited start against the champions-elect, were comfortably swatted aside by City. Phil Foden (£8.0m), again playing through the middle, finally ended a mini-drought with his first attacking return of the calendar year but Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) blanked for the eighth time in nine matches.

WATFORD TOO ‘GUNG HO’…

Watford blanked for the third successive match under Roy Hodgson, which doesn’t bode well for the likes of Emmanuel Dennis (£6.2m) and Joshua King (£5.9m) for the Hornets’ upcoming Double Gameweek.

Surely the former Palace boss, who again started with four central midfielders across the middle of the park on Saturday, will turn to a more attacking shape in a bid to eke some goals out? Maybe not: the veteran head coach thought that he and his side were too “gung ho” in their attempts to peg Brighton back, with Ismaila Sarr (£5.7m) and Joao Pedro (£5.4m) also thrown on.

“We had the [Dennis] shot that smashed off the crossbar, it didn’t produce the save from the goalkeeper, but that was very, very close to going in the goal. And secondly, if anything I would expect you to criticise us for being too gung ho by putting four out and out attackers on the field and playing with only two central midfielders. I would have thought that’s more of a valid criticism than saying we were too conservative.” – Roy Hodgson

Opponents Brighton, playing the first of two Double Gameweek 25 matches, were typically solid, with Robert Sanchez (£4.6m) only having to make one save. Neal Maupay (£6.5m) made it seven attacking returns in eight starts with a goal teed up by Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) but Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) didn’t get on the field, with perhaps his and Alexis Mac Allister’s (£5.3m) recent battle with Covid-19 in Graham Potter’s thoughts when naming the pair as substitutes.

PALACE’S POOR AWAY FORM CONTINUES

Crystal Palace have still only won one away match this season after drawing a blank at Brentford, a team who had previously kept only one clean sheet since Gameweek 5.

Scoring at less than a goal a game on their travels, the Eagles are fourth-bottom for minutes-per-xG on the road.

One of their Double Gameweek 26 matches is away (at a more defensively dogged Watford), while their home fixture in that round is against new world champions Chelsea.

Another reason to be wary of the Eagles’ attacking assets is the rotation risk up top, with another two changes made in west London on Saturday. Odsonne Edouard (£6.5m), the most-bought FPL player of Gameweek 24, was brought back into the side and did very little, while the in-form Michael Olise (£5.4m) made way on the right flank. Only Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) looks secure in attack, as a result.

“Do I really have to go into this decision as to why I chose this player over another one?

I don’t want to go into details but I make a decision and I think this is nothing to do with Michael’s performances in the games that he has played – I think he did quite really well.

In the other side, he started two games and I think I just wanted to bring some fresh legs because I knew how hard and difficult it would be and how hard the front players needed to work. With Jordan’s experience, it’s one of the reasons why I made that decision.” – Patrick Vieira on his decision to bench the in-form Michael Olise

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Robertson / Cancelo
    Salah (TC) / Son / Raphinha / Bowen / Ramsey
    Edouard / Weghorst

    Sanchez / Laporte / Maupey / Veltman

    Can get to this with a -4. Good to go?

    1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      My eyes hurt looking at the same RMTs over and over

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        :, (

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This one's better, no DDG or Utd defence for a start.

        Or Bruno and Ronaldo.

        Ramsey in there too.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think you know the answer mate. Good team

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

      gtg

  2. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Hi....any views on better option for 26 and 27 and onwards?

    A....kane and cornet

    B....Son and weghorst

    Thanks

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Close one, but I’d lean towards B

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B the cheaper option, yes?

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

      B

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

    5. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

  3. Davros
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno to
    a) Saka
    b) Son

    Thinking a as will FH in GW27 to avoid Arsenal blank

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I’d go for Son, nice fixtures after the double, plus no blanks to contend with.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        GW30?

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Fair enough, but virtually every team blanks then

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Saka doesn't...

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Might as well save money on Saka imo. It's more fun this week, and then it's just 2 GWs until Son's likely blank in GW30, and they aren't an amazing couple of fixtures. This is if you're certain of FHing in GW27 already.

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Saka

  4. tommo1989
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    De Gea to Ramsdale
    Bowen to Saka
    DCL to Lacazette
    Ronaldo to Kane
    For -12?

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn’t sell Bowen

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Only the first and the fourth

      1. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This. Dont sell Bowen or buy Lacazette. Maybe another mid - Saka

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn’t sell Bowen and rather Pope over Ramsdale unless you have another keeper for 27 or plan to use FH

      1. tommo1989
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I’m going to FH in 27 then wildcard in 28 so may go without Bowen moving forwards anyway as West Ham won’t have many doubles

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Big hits rarely pay off but all the moves make sense imo if that’s your chip strategy

    4. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      -12 is too much

  5. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Injury dependent, I'm looking to go into GW26 with this beastly inevitable disappointment for -8

    POPE
    TRENT REGUILON TIERNEY
    SALAH JOTA SON Bowen
    KING DENNIS WEGHORST

    Sanchez | Cancelo, Ramsey, Digne

    If only I didn't spunk my TC on Dennis.
    I'm 38% on playing my BB. What do you think?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends if you have a WC available imo

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I do

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Think you could get a better bench in a better week with WC available personally then

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Think you're right 🙂

    2. el polako
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      King & Dennis - are you still a believer ? Or just blinded by DGW ?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Gotta get my points back from the last DGW! I had Pedro as well, but sold for Weghorst last night. No point ditching King or Dennis this week, but Dennis will likely go for Laca in GW 29 ish. Luckily they aren't breaking the bank

        1. el polako
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Interesting, I've got King and after last night's performance considering ditching despite DGW.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Who for?

            1. el polako
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Broja with shite Everton and Norwich next.

              Or Lacazette, got 1.3m in the bank & 2FT's to get me there.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Broja gets less than 4 points per game on average, which is pretty much the minimum you'd expect from King this GW. Same story for laca (3.1 PPG), which means the same logic applies unless you're using FH next week or you somehow have enough cover to bench him. I would have thought you can find more points from FTs elsewhere, but I don't know your team. You can always get Broja next week, but if you are sure to FH next week, then I would be fully behind the Laca transfer. I would like him too tbh, but need to spread my transfers out.

                1. el polako
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 8 months ago

                  Broja looks good though and really fancy him against next two.

                  Still got 2 FH's so going Laca is an realistic option.

          2. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            4 points are nothing to be sneezed at. 😉

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      People have upvoted my team. This is not a good sign... 😐

  6. el polako
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I wouldn't

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Good advice

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Go on, why not?

    3. el polako
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do in FPL.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This is true.

        Unless it means getting Salah in!

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would

  7. it lies in the proles
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Taking some hits for the DGW..

    Best for next weeks: Edouard or Weghorst?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Weghorst imo

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Weghorst for me.

      Has two doubles
      Will be the focal point of almost every Burnley attack.
      Palace goals/points tend to be spread around the team (Zaha, Olise, Gallagher, Edouard).

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

      Weg

  8. JBG
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Even with 2fts and possible -4/-8 transfers planned for next GW. Antonio will survive to disappoint yet again.

  9. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I wish Sky would move their Monday night game to a midday Sunday slot.

    KO's could be 12:00,14:15 and 16:30. Just go all-in on a *super* Sunday. Neville and Carragher could still do an analysis show on a Monday night and instead of having to stop for Everton v Burnley they could make it a two-hour affair.

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      That wouldn't leave much time for Sunday lunch.

  10. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Still not sure how I decided Tarko’s upside over Mee was worth Cathcart’s downside over Webster! Happy with the rest of my WC so far, but jeez, 14 pts and counting…

  11. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Better pair:

    A) Kane + Saka
    B) Son + Laca

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B but only cause of Son is a better FPL asset imo.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Kane and Saka.

    5. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

  12. JBG
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Not that I wish or hope that this happens. But what will you guys who already have Salah and activated TC do if he gets injured midweek or today?

    I'm just bored on the road here so just want to start a conversation.

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Just deactivate it, no?

      1. JBG
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oh yeah you can... Thought it wasn't possible. Guess that ends the conversation there haha.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Click on cancel the TC

      3. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah you can switch off the TC

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If you leave it on & Salah doesnt play, do you get 0 or VC steps up as TC?

      1. JBG
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yup.

        1. JBG
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          VC*

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Would you get Tarkowski (DGW26 DGW27) or Tierney (DGW26 BGW27)?

    Opting for Tierney means to spend a FT for BGW27 to field in 11 ...

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Tierney

    2. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Tierney easy clean sheets

    3. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm Going for Tark as 2 x doubles before any need to swap out.

  14. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ive made some poor decisions this season but having ended up with 2 Watford keepers, has to be up there as the worst.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Money saved to spend elsewhere 🙂

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      8.3M on keepers meant you had a lot to spend on outfield players.

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

      I mean, you say that, but you still have that Sunderland logo flying...

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Ha, i know! That's staying.... things can only get better(apparently).

        1. onceuponatyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Good luck Mate (Toon fan in peace).
          Can't help but think getting rid of Johnson was a massive own goal (pre-end of season anyway)

          1. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers. Suffering big losses away from home was his downfall. I didn't mind him too much tbf, hopefully A.Neil can get us going again.

            1. onceuponatyne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              1. onceuponatyne
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Reply fail.

                "Good luck Pal"

  15. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Regarding Spurs players, I read a lot that they have nice fixs... but do they?
    Man City Man United and Wham all around the corner. Burnley at home probably wont be a walk in the park. Lampard will probably also have a refreshing effect on Everton. In 27 I will FH so having Spurs players vs Leeds is a good shout. Otherwise I think they have better fixs after GW30 (If they dont arrange the blanks before 30)

    Thoughts?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not rushing to get him for the double, but after that... Man Utd dont worry me & I think Everton are still a defence to target

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Don't know why am not interested in Spurs at all this season and could not remember when the last time I had Son or Kane. Got Lloris as my GK alongside Ramsdale btw but that I regret painfully ...

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      City isn't great but Spurs actually have a decent record against them in the last few years. Man Utd are poor and West Ham are very leaky, the only teams they've kept clean sheets against since GW10 are Norwich, Burnley and Watford

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I agree and with the West Ham rivalry it's a proper London derby so that raises the stakes for big game players such as Son.

        He could perform well against Man City too.

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like they've got 5 decent fixtures and 3 more challenging ones in the next 8.

    5. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I cant believe you mentioned Man United in tough fixture

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Because United didnt beat them the last times they played and because Spurs are flying currently?
        It still wont be an easy match

  16. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale or Pope??

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I was just asking Tierney v Tarkowski above ... people still think ARS guys are the better options

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Burnley have 4 games vs Arsenal’s 2

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          My exact question, see above

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe people have another playing option, so total fixtures in your team is a comparison of 4 (Pope) vs 3 (Ramsdale + Other). And then Ramsdale is guaranteed a fixture in 30 (as guaranteed as you can be). Pope is supposedly 50/50 for GW30. And Ramsdale has 1.5 more PPM than Pope. And is cheaper. On balance, I think Ramsdale's the better option, but I'm going for Pope!

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going Pope. Up to GW30 he has the same or one more fixture. Also, I probably want to triple on Arsenal outfield players. I would swap any of them for a Burnley player, or any other player.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry that 1 or 2 more fixtures, not 0 or 1.

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

      Pope in this instance, cause I wouldn't use a FT on a GK for one GW. But if I'm going for Tierney, I can easily transfer him out.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ramsdale

  17. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Good afternoon all. No idea what to do with this mess. All chips in hand, will probably use wildcard gw28. Definitely ditching CR7! 2ft 0itb

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo Laporte White
    Salah Jota Bowen Foden
    Dennis CR7
    DDG Broja Gallagher Livra

    Maybe CR7 & Gallagher to Maupay and Coutinho? Or Son?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nope, Maupay will be Weghorst

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Son probably makes most sense.

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Oh Sonny boy's a sonny boy's a sonny boys

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        imo

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        90% Weghorst & Son. Cheers Deulo

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yes yes yes gurl

    4. Il Capitano
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Son and Weggy

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yep. Thanks

  18. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Something, ANYTHING from Kane today please

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I agree, specially if he does like Dennis did that DGW

  19. TopBinFC
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Let's go Salah, hatty today to punish the United cappers

    1. Simon69
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Hope he comes off the bench for one milisecond

      1. JBG
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Think I would run around my apartment building naked if this happens haha.

        1. TopBinFC
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Lol

  20. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Reguilion, please start

  21. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who do you fancy to play next GW:

    A. Ramsey (WAT)
    B. Cancelo (TOT)

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think both will play

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Tough 1. A just...

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

      Hard to pick tbh. Ramsey in form and better fixture. But if Cancelo gets a CS+ it will damage your rank heavily.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Do you think plenty will bench him also though in favour of DGW players?

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I currently have Cancelo 1st sub, Ramsey 2nd, Digne 3rd. But I am not convinced. RMT puts Ramsey way below the other two.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Surprised by that. Thanks

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ramsey.

    6. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  22. Mozumbus
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A. Bruno + Antonio > Salah + Broja
    B. Bruno + Raphinha > Salah + Ramsey
    C. Bruno + Cancelo > Salah + Reguilon
    2 FT, 0 ITB

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks

  23. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just a thought around potential strategy for next season. It seems that patience has certainly not been a virtue this season and many of us have held onto players for far too long. It seems I have been waiting forever to get returns from some players.

    There have been a string of mid to premium priced players who have gone on excessively long streaks of games with very limited returns despite in some cases having good fixtures.

    Kane, Ronaldo and Antonio come to mind as the main culprits and there are probably others too.

    There still needs to be a degree of patience but maybe there does need to be a cut off point which could be tweaked depending on the players price.

    I think for me next season, any premium players that have 3-4 blanks from 3-4 starts in a row cant be held on to. Perhaps this can extend to 5 games for cheaper players. Thoughts?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You can't make 'must follow' rules in FPL. It all depends. Could be they had tough fixtures or their performances have been good but no returns etc. I've kept Kane because his stats and performances have seemed to improve over Ronaldo even though the actual points returns haven't really been much better.

    2. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think the main issue this season has been, who do you go for when these players continuesly blank. Specially strikers. It's been hard to guess this season, imo.

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think patience is not a good trait. Nor is impatience. It's not relevant to predicting points.

      The 'cut off point' should be different for every player, based on the events of the games. Plus it depends on the priorities in your team.

      Carry on as normal I say

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not convinced people can predict points down even to specific matches.

        So there's a solid argument that a run of 6 to 8 games is required to generate typical points returns.

        I agree with the above too that pragmatic play is best, no hard rules.

        Other than own Salah this season. So we'll see if that holds true!

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      This is where watching games for me beats any stats, is the player getting chances? Has he been unlucky etc

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He's disillusioned and doesn't like watching, so only Liverpool are getting the eye test.

        But let's not go stats v grass fc!

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends. Keane finally scored for me since that supposedly DGW (benched him when he scored the OG).

      I still got Antonio because I don't believe in alternatives like Edouard or Weghorst (yet). Think he's kinda differential for active managers nowadays.

      I got Wood since GW15. Waiting for same result as Keane.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Every week i think Antonio's number is up. But there's always a more pressing issue and West Ham's fixtures and prospects remain positive.

    6. Arteta
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      The best strategy is to stay flexible and adaptable throughout the season as we're talking about a very complex game. You can't predict whether patience or transfer will pay off, you just hope for the best in each seperate case.

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

    My 2 toughest decisions for gw 26:

    A) Jota or Robbo?

    B) Kane or Son?

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      J & S

  25. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Better transfer for -4:
    a) Fernandes to Son
    b) Raph to Saka

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on your strat. Raph has a fixture in GW30, which might be useful to you. Son doesn't blank in 27 like Saka. My blind preference would probably be Son, given that you get to keep Raph as well, but I've suggested Saka over Son also on this page 😀

  26. AARON-1
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at my squad, I'm tempted to bench boost GW26 rather than Triple Captain Salah. I think my bench can make up for Salah's score. Looking forward, I can't really see a better bench boost opportunity with the way the fixtures fall. Also, I'd have 8 double game week players. Doublers in CAPITALS. I doubt I'll be keeping 15 playing players for long so I am very tempted to BB.
    Anyone think TC Salah is better? Imagine he scores 2 in both matches and Liverpool don't concede. That would mean 16pts in both games and a captain score of 64. Triple captaincy would therefore yield 80. I would need my bench to get about 16 pts to match that. Achievable, I reckon. Then, I could triple captain Salah later (they have the Arsenal game to rearrange). I simply don't foresee having such a bench again. Thoughts?

    RAMSEY
    COADY TAA Digne
    Bruno SALAH (c) JOTA Ramsey Bowen
    DENNIS WEGHORST

    POPE Cancelo Broja Shaw

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No, you have to compare what Tc can give you now vs later and likewise bb vs later.

      But if you think that this is is the best time to use bb then do it. If you think it is best to use tc later then do that.

    2. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If you think your bench scores 20 points then maybe

    3. AARON-1
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      oh actually TC in that scenario would yield 96, not 80. Hmm

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I've seen people on Twitter argue this.

      If it's not said in jest. How can anyone know what a TC points score may be in a dgw, compared to 4 subs bench boosted?

      It's not possible. You can paint scenarios but it's pure guess work.

      1. AARON-1
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Sure, that's correct. I have 15 playing players because of Covid issues and the desire to be flexible. Fixture postponements seem less likely now (he says, confidently), so I don't envisage keeping so many decent players. I'm torn. I'll think about it. I know Salah could run riot and these are plum home fixtures.

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      But if you want bb out because you want to shape your squad differently then it is altering it a bit, as you will have as a strategy to play wc more for a styring eleven. Your bb looks fine tbf. Not sure i would bb Shaw with one game when Telles is there.

      1. AARON-1
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Shaw may go for Tierney with my FT which would add another doubler to the mix making it even more appealing

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Looks like a good bb then. But you will never get a tc like that ever again. So you will not maximizing your use of chip, but you can still do better nonetheless.

  27. Sillet Bang
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson Gunn
    Laporte Cancelo Tierney Trent Robbo
    Raph Gray Saka Jota Bowen
    Dcl Antonio Kane

    How have I ended up like this! Not sure which way to turn now