Pro Pundits
21 October 2022 625 comments
zøphar zøphar
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Throughout the 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, our stellar team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors will be sharing their thoughts and own transfer plans.

Only Premium Members are able to read every single one of these pieces, so sign up today to get full access not just to the editorial content but all of the other benefits, from hundreds of Opta stats to a transfer planner.

Here, seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar compares the FPL appeal of two Arsenal midfielders and reveals his team plans for Gameweek 13.


It’s the last Gameweek of a hectic period, following a fairly low-scoring midweek where the two most prolific sides didn’t play. With only four Gameweeks left until the unlimited transfers of a World Cup break, surely the priority for FPL managers is to now get as many players from Manchester City and Arsenal as possible.

READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 13 team news: Live updates

Gabriel Martinelli vs Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka (£7.9m) has outscored Gabriel Martinelli (£6.9m) over the last four rounds, after a slow start to the season. As pointed out by my friend @UnderstandingF8, a lot of this has to do with Ben White (£4.5m) growing into his right-back role, allowing Saka to take up more central positions while Martinelli has to stay wider due to currently having Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.2m) on his side rather than Kieran Tierney (£4.8m) or Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m).

Let’s have a look at the underlying numbers.

Above: Gameweeks 1-7, Saka left + Martinelli right

Over the first seven Gameweeks, Saka (above left) and Martinelli (above right) posted similar numbers, with 1.65 and 1.64 non-penalty expected goals (NPxG) tallies. The expected assists (xA) numbers were fairly similar too – 1.05 vs 1.24, slightly in Martinelli’s favour.

We discussed Arsenal, Man City, Darwin Nunez (£8.8m) and Wildcard picks in this week’s shorter episode of The FPL Wire. Check it out here.

See you next week!

VIDEO LATEST



625 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. No Kane No Gain
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Play Trippier Andersen or Castagne (got ward in net) this week?!

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Andersen, for me.
      Everton are poor going forward and can easily concede from a corner

    2. Nutmeg Ninja
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Trippier

  2. Mozumbus
    4 years, 11 days ago

    WC13
    A. Kepa
    B. Pickford

    1. Nomar
      4 years, 11 days ago

      As a Pickford owner I’d go Kepa.

      But I got rid of Ward just as he started to go on his run of CS’s, so maybe the key is for me to have faith in Pickford, whose fixtures are turning for the better now.

      1. Mozumbus
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks
        Got Ward whom I'm keeping
        Pickford I like because of fixtures, Iversen is out

  3. FPL_trail_runner
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Bench boost may actually be an open this week

    Newcastle could hold spurs away

  4. Skengzema
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Worth taking a hit to do Firmino > Nunez

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      No

    2. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      why?

      1. Skengzema
        4 years, 11 days ago

        I’m edgy

        1. tibollom
          4 years, 11 days ago

          dont do it! Nunez could not play apprently

    3. JIMMY TUGGINS
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Do you mean the other way around?

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Read the tweets- Darwin a doubt and to be assessed

  5. meule
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Who got the best chance to start between these

    1. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      hmmm tough one

    2. Skengzema
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I’d say probably

    3. Il Capitano
      4 years, 11 days ago

      B

    4. Fish up a tree
      4 years, 11 days ago

      A

    5. meule
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Lol half of my question disappeared.
      Between these 3.9/4.0 defender :
      Bueno, Toti and Zanka ?

      1. tibollom
        4 years, 11 days ago

        bueno

      2. Bishopool
        4 years, 11 days ago

        like some cartoon characters

    6. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      None of the above

      1. tibollom
        4 years, 11 days ago

        great input!

  6. mojoindojo
    4 years, 11 days ago

    On WC whom to drop?
    1. Zaha
    2. Bowen
    3. Martinelli

    Have Saka

    1. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      bowen

    2. The Mentaculus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      1

    3. Nomar
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Biwen

  7. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Start 2:

    a) Guehi @ EVE
    b) Andreas @ LEE
    c) Gordon v CRY
    d) Dier v NEW
    e) Emerson v BOU

    1. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ab

    2. Bishopool
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ce

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      BDACE would be my order of preference

  8. Bishopool
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Please bench one:

    a) Tripp
    b) Saliba
    c) Andreas

  9. FOO FIGHTER
    4 years, 11 days ago

    So latest news from Klopp suggests bringing in Darwin will be risky.

    1. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Yes

  10. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Darwin or Jesus is gonna go down to the wire. I'm probably gonna wait until Saturday morning hoping for team news.

    Eaten the Foden price rise now so I might as well wait until the end.

    Anyone else made a decision either way? Who you going for?

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I think Darwin will score alot more

      Soton is tough

      Forest and Leeds are perfect games

      I reckon he will start, however the extra cash from Jesus is useful

    2. Shteve
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Neither on a WC

    3. The Iceman
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I have Darwin but now he’s been flagged I’m considering moving him to Haaland instead of Solanke…

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I did Trossard to Foden this morning. Waiting for Saka news otherwise getting in Martinelli

    5. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I think Scamacca and Mount to Darwin and Saka but given it's a hit and risk around Darwin, may just chicken out and do Saka.
      Don't fancy Jesus as think a defender + Martinelli & Saka is the way to go with Arsenal

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        4 years, 11 days ago

        No way I sell Scamacca now if I had him.

    6. Bishopool
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Pep roulette can bench Foden

      1. Nomar
        4 years, 11 days ago

        This is very true.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        4 years, 11 days ago

        I really, really doubt it considering they lost the last game.

        Pep's unpredictability is vastly overstated.

    7. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      WC13
      Ditched Nunez already after having him for one week for Jesus
      Brought in Mitrovic
      Did Maddison and Zaha to Foden and Saka

    8. Arteta
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I sold Maddison for Foden yesterday and Trossard to Martinelli will most likely be my next transfer.

    9. DannyDrinkVodka
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Out of curiosity why isn’t Firmino in the running?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Because he's played 3 games in a week already and he's never really been a consistent FPL asset.

  11. suddenorgan
    4 years, 11 days ago

    nobody on WC like Bowen? three favourable home fixtures in next four, no need for him to play in Europa

    1. how now brown cow
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I have him at present. I dont rate zaha so much away from home (palace 3 out of 4 away)

      1. suddenorgan
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Yeah I'm not sure I fancy Zaha away at Everton either but he is quite a streaky player, currently have both in a Salahless 3-5-2

    2. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Wanted him
      But MF overflowing with Salah Foden Saka Martinelli Andreas

      1. suddenorgan
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Yeah, Andreas is such a good 5th mid that it makes you want to go 3-4-3 by default

        1. Mozumbus
          4 years, 11 days ago

          Exactly

  12. Skengzema
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Ward (Leno)
    KT Botman Dier Cancelo (Emerson)
    Salah Zaha Martinelli (Andreas, Bailey)
    Mitro Firmino Kane

    1FT. 4.3m itb. I’m considering Bailey to Foden but then I’d have to bench Dier rather than get rid for a cheap defender

    1. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ballsy to go without haaland

      1. Skengzema
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Oh ffs I knew I was forgetting someone. Took him out for last week

        1. tibollom
          4 years, 11 days ago

          lol get him back in mate, will hurt otherwise...

    2. Sandy Ravage
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Kane + Bailey > Haaland + Foden

      1. Skengzema
        4 years, 11 days ago

        0.2 short unfortunately for Foden. Can take a further hit and bring in Neco for Dier to save funds, or just scrap Foden and get Saka

  13. tibollom
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Zaha or Saka on WC? tempted to do Zaha then switch to Saka next week..

    Kepa Ward
    Guehi Trippier Neco White Cancelo
    X salah martinelli Andreas foden
    Mitro haaland toney

    1. Bob.
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Saka

    2. Jonesy5
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Our WC teams are nearly identical (I’ve got Gomez instead of White). I ended up taking out Zaha for Saka

  14. Sandy Ravage
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Lots of penalties this gameweek please

    1. Nomar
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Probably all get saved too…

      1. Nomar
        4 years, 11 days ago

        …..except against Everton, as I have Pickford and my keepers never ever save pens.

        1. Sandy Ravage
          4 years, 11 days ago

          Pickford is likely to get an assist than save a pen

      2. Sandy Ravage
        4 years, 11 days ago

        Hopefully not against Zaha, Saka, Haaland, Kane or Wilson.

  15. The Iceman
    4 years, 11 days ago

    That Darwin flag is really annoying, I don’t think he’ll be risked now as Klopp is very cautious with these things.

    Darwin > Haaland
    Trossard > Foden for a -4?

    Original plan was to move Solanke to Haaland with my FT.

    1. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Haaland

    2. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      There is no flag!

  16. gooner_112233445566
    4 years, 11 days ago

    saka or nunez on wildcard

    already got trent, martinelli and salah

    1. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      saka

    2. NotsoSpursy
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Saka if not injured

  17. Bubbles1985
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Is Darwin a no go on WC this weekend then?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I think Andreas is a great option if Darwin doesn't play so not necessarily a no go

      1. Bubbles1985
        4 years, 11 days ago

        True. I have a good bench.

  18. Jrot94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    4 years, 11 days ago

    sorry to repost, no love on first print!!

    What's the consensus on Bench Boosting? Have strong team as fielded 11 last week, had full Man City / Arsenal bench and tansferred in more. Week 14 have good matchups up and down the roster. Better to wait for DGW or just get it out of the way and not overthink it?
    thnx

    1. Sandy Ravage
      4 years, 11 days ago

      What does your bench look like?

      1. Jrot94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        4 years, 11 days ago

        After moves, assuming no injuries...starting line-up will be stacked (like all of us)

        Sa @ BRE
        Guehi vs SOT
        Cucurella @ BRI
        Andreas vs EVE

        1. Sandy Ravage
          4 years, 11 days ago

          Tempting but there might be better fixtures during a DGW

    2. tibollom
      4 years, 11 days ago

      i usually wait for a DGW...

  19. Bishopool
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Still have WC and 1FT. But maybe GTG?

    Raya (Ward)
    VVD Tripp Cresswell Saliba (N.Will)
    Salah Martinelli Zaha (Andreas, Jensen)
    Haaland Kane Mitrovic

    Only one ManC asset...

    1. McSlu
      4 years, 11 days ago

      WC now. Just four GW left for you to use it. Get City and Arsenal players in.

  20. NotsoSpursy
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Neco on a WC?
    Or but risky re minutes

    1. Mozumbus
      4 years, 11 days ago

      I got him for third place on the bench

    2. Deulofail
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Only has to last until GW16, so go Neco or even more fodderish. If you need him to be a good first sub or even play, then I would avoid.

    3. NotsoSpursy
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks

  21. NotsoSpursy
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Saka 75% chance of playing
    Good news

  22. Bobby Digital
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Team this week. Did Trossard to Martinelli with my FT. Good to go?

    Ward
    Cancelo Tripp Guehi
    Salah Zaha Martinelli Andreas
    Haaland(c) Kane Mitro

    Leno Bailey Neco Malacia

    1.1m itb, 0ft

  23. Nomar
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Mount out for Foden but still got one free.

    Roll it or use? Hmmmmmmmm……

  24. barton fc
    4 years, 11 days ago

    is the saka knock a worry or we still safe ti get him in ?

    1. Deulofail
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Not safe. Would you really feel say if someone here said it was safe? What do we know? 😀

  25. Bubbles1985
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Please rate this WC...

    Kepa Ward
    Cresswell Tripp Cancelo Saliba Dalot
    Marti Foden Bowen Eze Maddison
    Haaland Toney Darwin

    0.3m left ITB

    Thanks

    1. FCRS1991
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Darwin pick is questionable.
      Also, maybe downgrade Eze to Andreas...he's a cheap but effective MID.

    2. No Kane No Gain
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Maddison out, saka in. Then good to go.

    3. Deulofail
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Perfect opportunity to at least double on Arsenal attack missed. I'd want Trent as well. I normally like goofy behaviour but I don't see the point here...?Perhaps you're a 'spreading the risk' kind of thinker? Go all in mate, it's more logically sound!

    4. luk46
      4 years, 11 days ago

      5.8/10, too many benching issues

  26. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Which one to start?

    A) Tripper (TOT) (A)
    B) Dalot (CHE) (A)

    1. Sandy Ravage
      4 years, 11 days ago

      A all day

    2. luk46
      4 years, 11 days ago

      Trippier

  27. Sandy Ravage
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Thinking KDB > Foden to fund Darwin + Liverpool DEF before the WC break

    1. Sandy Ravage
      4 years, 10 days ago

      Maybe not...

      1. Sandy Ravage
        4 years, 10 days ago

        Definitely not

  28. BusbySwede
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts with my one FT made with Trossard to Foden?

    Ward
    Trippier, Cancelo, Guehi
    Salah, Foden, Martinelli, Zaha, Sinisterra
    Haaland, Mitro

    Pope, Justin, Solanke, Webster

    A) Pope to Raya/Guaita for a hit and in that way i can do Sinisterra to Saka next gw?

    B) Downgrading Solanke to a benchfodder for the same reason as A, but instead of Pope?

    C) Sell Salah next gw and get Saka and alot of extra funds for other positions, like upgrading both of Solanke and Sinisterra?

  29. The Philosopher
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Start one:

    A: Trippier
    B: Mings(lol)

    Asking because still gotta be asked cause of Trippy's tough fixture I guess.

    1. luk46
      4 years, 11 days ago

      ye thats not really a question 😀

  30. Catastrophe
    4 years, 11 days ago

    Advice appreciated - 1 FT, 0.3 ITB.

    Pope
    Cancelo, Gabriel, Cucurella, Dier
    Salah, Andreas, Gordon
    Haaland, Kane, Solanke

    (Ward, Trippier, Trossard, Dasilva)

    A) Trossard -> Martinelli.
    B) Kane & Dasilva -> Toney & Foden (-4)
    C) Something else

    Thinking A is most sensible?

    Cheers