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21 December 2022 272 comments
Az Az
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With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) resuming on Boxing Day, we’ll be welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits and Hall of Famers for the restart.

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, Az talks us through his current draft for Gameweek 17 – and discusses why he’s going without Mohamed Salah.

Gameweek 7 Pro Pundit Article

FPL is back! The World Cup has been an enjoyable watch but like so many of you reading this, I have to say I’m happy that we can get back to focusing on building our teams for Boxing Day and beyond.

Just like we saw in pre-season, a strong template is emerging. The likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.5m) and even Diogo Dalot (£4.8m) are attracting substantial interest, as we look to shake up our squads and target some very promising fixtures for some of the league’s top teams.

Just like I did in my (failed) Gameweek 1 draft, I’m trying to target the areas of the template where I think there are weaknesses. While this went pretty disastrously for me before, I’m hopeful that this time I can get it right. I think there are some excellent differentials for us to consider this time around and I’m hoping we see some real variety in people’s teams as the festive schedule begins.

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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Az One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS  Follow them on Twitter

272 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Tinkerman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can’t see myself going to far away from this, Kulu is a bit of a risk:

    Kepa, Ward
    Cancelo, James, Trippier, White, Bueno
    KDB, Kulu, Martinelli, Rashford, Andreas
    Haaland, Nunez, Mitro

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Too far*

    2. GS456
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice. The same as my current draft.

      Just deciding on the below.

    3. Athletico Underachieving
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Was just about to post my team…then realised it’s identical other than Wilson over Mitro (just due to yellow cards) but even that I might yet change!

    4. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same here! Thoughts on KDB vs Salah?

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I prefer Darwin to Salah, both seem nailed at for the foreseeable. Don’t think Liverpool are good enough to warrant spending >20m of our budget on two attackers. Nunez has high xG on the same pitch as Salah, Salah numbers drop when Nunez plays.

        Man City have multiple additional fixtures, so was a fairly easy decision for me. Could be very wrong obviously.

  2. GS456
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kulu or Almiron?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I still struggle to get over how bad a player almiron looked for his first 2-3 seasons. Can’t bring myself to pick him despite the hot patch he has been in.

      1. GS456
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know. I keep thinking it's got to end soon, but he's hurting me every week.

        Probably a decision i'll take to the deadline.

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Was similar for me with Lingard at West Ham, just didn’t think he would keep doing it

          1. Float
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            The difference is Lingard was very clearly overperforming his xG. Almiron, on the other hand, has very good underlyings and Newcastle look great overall

      2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        The thing for me with this is that you need to look at Newcastle's xG per game this season and how consistent they've been. According to fbref, in their last 10 games of this season City accumulated 19.4 xG, Newcastle accumulated 18.3 xG (in the overall xG table this season Newcastle sit third, only behind Arsenal and City. They're going to continue to score goals and he's been so involved in their attacks this season

  3. tom66
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno or Rashford? Leaning towards Bruno due to pens.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That 3.1m price difference will improve the rest of your team significantly so you can’t just compare Bruno v Rashford in isolation

    2. Tarby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That's a huge price to pay for penalties isn't it?

    3. JIMMY TUGGINS
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It'll be interesting to see if Martial is on pens, he took the last when Bruno was on the pitch iirc.

    4. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      We’ve had 2 pens in all competitions this year and Bruno took neither of them.

    5. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Fernandes is the most overrated player since sliced bread.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Still managed 10G 6A without pens in the worst United season of my lifetime.

        1. Mirror Man
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I'm not impressed. Very average player.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Not see him at the World Cup then?

            1. Mirror Man
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Looking good against Korea and Uruguay is not a noteworthy achievement.

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                He didn’t play against Korea mate

                1. Mirror Man
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Whatever. They didn't play any good teams so not impressed.

                2. FPL Brains
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Lol nice.

                  1. Mirror Man
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Employee of the month locked in! (Also upvoted)

                    1. FPL Brains
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 14 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      If only this was a paid gig.

    6. Ranger3
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Martial is the best United option, at least for the first 3 games

  4. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Cracked it:

    Kepa - Ward
    Gabriel - Walker - Trippier - Shaw - Fofana (if fit)
    Salah - Rashford - Martinelli - Almiron - Pereira
    Darwin - Kane - Haaland

    1. Mid budget coach
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice,see you have Salah and Kane as differentials not bad at all

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is cancelo to Walker your sacrifice to squeeze in the 3 premiums?

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pretty much. Can get Cancelo back by changing Darwin to Mitrovic, which might be better with their DGW actually.

  5. Mirror Man
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Cracked it:

    https://youtu.be/qwvUvx9W8mA

  6. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) White, KDB, Martial
    B) James, Rashford, Darwin + 2.7 ITB
    C) James, Kulu, Darwin + 1.4 ITB
    D) James, Rashford, Kane

    1. Mid budget coach
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D. But depends on the Liverpool you have in your squad.

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Salah

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B will probably be best if you spend the 2.7m wisely on the rest of your team

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure where to spend it though 🙂 Any thoughts?

        Kepa Ward
        Cancelo Trippier Castagne Bueno XX
        Salah Martinelli Almiron Andreas XX
        Haaland Mitro XX

        Maybe Kulu for Almiron?

  7. Dammit_182
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning folks, it’s definitely tinker time.

    RE arsenal defence with a selling price of 4.9 for saliba and no intention to play the player each week (I.e. 4th defender slot) which would you pick;

    A) Saliba (4.9)
    B) White (4.7)
    C) Gabriel (5.2)

    I’ve got just enough for either just now.

    Thanks

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      White for me

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saliba. The 0.2m isn't going to do anything for you. Tomiyasu had a good world cup, he might start to see some minutes as the schedule gets busier.

      1. Dammit_182
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. I guess he’s at least 0.2 better. Appreciate it

      2. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Tomiyasu started 1 game at the WC

    3. Tanaka'd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saliba

  8. Mid budget coach
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. James and Rashford
    B. Robertson and Almiron

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Mid budget coach
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I am guessing you have no faith in Almiron

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not no faith… just don’t think he will keep up the same rate of scoring as he did pre-WC

    2. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As a low budget coach I'm not qualified to answer this. However Robertson Almiron would be a pleasing name. Sounds like a Brazilian drug baron who's masquerading as a timeshare agent.

      1. Mid budget coach
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It does have a nice ring to it

    3. Front 442
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  9. 2OLEgend
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you guys think? To top-heavy?

    Ward (Iversen)
    Cancelo, Trippier, White (Patterson, Bueno)
    Martinelli, Rashford, KDB, Almiron (Andreas)
    Darwin, Haaland, Kane

    Also - KDB or Salah?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve got the same front 8 with Salah at the min. Just think he’s worth another captaincy option, as you’ll never give KDB the armband.

      1. 2OLEgend
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good point. Can't see me giving the armband to anyone other than Haaland though.

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Dunno, GW19 when they have Chelsea away while Liverpool have Brentford? Suppose you have Kane who plays Palace then though.

          I’m as undecided as you tbf

          1. TheTinman
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            And he has Darwin

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I just don’t rate Darwin despite having him in my team. Proper donkey.

              1. 2OLEgend
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Same! I might downgrade to Mitro and upgrade defence and bench

                1. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Thinking the same, means I could get Cancelo or James too.

            2. 2OLEgend
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              You recon Darwin will share minutes with Firmino?

  10. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Howdy all, been a while since I popped around here. Haven't really given any significant time to thinking about FPL yet, I really enjoyed watching a tournament with none of that in the background. But I'm sitting in hospital at the minute after a few days of endless fevers (after having them on and off for weeks) and an inability to breathe properly so no better time to look. Looks like it's a little bit different to what I'm mostly seeing but I've been doing rubbish so might as well go with my own head.

    Ward (Raya)
    Trippier White Robbo (Patterson Dalot)
    Maddison Saka Almiron KDB (MGW)
    Haaland Nunez Martial

    Spots I'm unsure of are Raya, Maddison/Kulusevski and Martial/Mitrovic/fodder (to leave funds available to possibly get Kane for the double or another City attacker. MGW is a punt, I know Pereira is the safer call but MGW's new position as a 10 (or something similar) as well as being on setpieces makes me think he's worth a shot.

    1. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Really sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon.

    2. TanN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sorry to hear you're in hospital, get better soon pal.

      Not sure on Raya as back up, no city defenders?

      Quite nice though just the right mix of templateness and uniqueness eg MGW Robbo Martial

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I've had Raya all season so he's there as default, I said I had to get rid as Brentford concede way too many chances but I just don't know who else in that bracket to trust, will probably go with Pickford. I'm not really sure on City, after the first 2 games they have Chelsea, ManUtd, Spurs x2, Villa and Arsenal in their next 7, I think if there's a point to go without a City def and leave myself room to go all out on attack then this is it.

    3. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get well soon buddy.

      GK - either ward and Iverson to save 0.5m, ward and Kepa to spend little for a Chelsea keeper, or ward and ederson to cover a man city defensive slot.

      Def - cant argue with it.

      Mid - Morgan Gibbs Why? Forest are rubbish and he gets rotated, theyve got so many similar options. For me the fodder has to be Andreas or Bailey. Personally think Bailey at 4.5m is insane value and differential.

      Fwd - can't argue

      Hope you're home for Xmas!

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good point on Kepa, I wasn't keen as I don't trust Chelsea but given I can just play Ward to begin with it gives me an option for them easily if they pick things up defensively. MGW is a risk I know, but he's been playing as a 10 / second striker in the last 2 games and looked like he was involved in everything for Forest. I like their fixtures for the next while, he's only been taken off early in heavy defeats (6-0 v City, 5-0 v Arsenal) so he won't be rotated. I may rethink it as leaving the spare money from going with Pereira would be helpful, I'll have to see

    4. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sorry you’re not well! Hope you start feeling better soon.

      I like the team, especially the MGW punt. The only one I’m not sure about is Martial.

      I’m leaving towards taking a punt on Nketiah

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nketiah definitely has crossed my mind, I'm just not really sure on him, and I don't love Arsenal's fixtures so I think one attacker will be enough. That being said if I went him over Saka it would mean I'd free up a space for another City mid. I might just hold off and see how Arsenal do first

    5. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Aw sorry to hear that Nate. Hope you're ok.

      But its good to see you back here. Maddison & Kulusevski are both in for me currently. Former is a lock, but I'm still not too sure about Spurs overall (could be a bit underprepared & likely missing quite a few players initially) so I'm keeping an eye on their friendly tonight & may switch to Trossard. Prefer Mitro to Martial but awaiting presser since he was missing for Fulham's friendly the other day.

      Ward & Raya both have quite a tough start, although if you're principally looking for a shotstopper then I think Raya/Fabianski/Leno are probably the best options still. Having initially thought I'd swerve City defence, I've surprisingly become an advocate of Ederson for this period given the 2 DGWs, lack of interest in Cancelo & the difficulty of nailing down Pep's regular CB pairing (if any). But I might still rejig this since it doesn't seem like Dalot is going to be fit for 17 and I don't have an obvious replacement lined up, so maybe I'll take a chance on Laporte/Akanji & switch keeper. Trying to ready a few backup plans for presser time

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate, I forgot a bit about Spurs' missing players, Bentancur will definitely be missed. Didn't know about Mitrovic so thanks for that, kind of forgot about his ankle issues towards and during the WC.

        I'm just avoiding City defs, only had 1 clean sheet in 5 before the break and have a lot of games coming up that will be difficult (if I was pushed I'd probably even say I'd fancy Leeds to score against them). I'm OK with leaving Dalot on the bench for a week or two, his form before the break and then in the WC means I know I'll want him so I'd rather save the transfer and just have him

    6. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I hope you get well soon.

    7. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hope you're on the mend soon.

    8. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get well soon soon Nate. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    9. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for the comments all

    10. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get well soon bro.

  11. KeanosMagic
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is this too much of a risk with 2 cheap subs?

    Ward (Iversen)
    Cancelo James Trippier (White Bueno)
    KDB Salah Almiron Odegard Andreas
    Haaland Nunez (Greenwood)

    1. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, I don’t think so. My draft (below) is very very similar. Can you stretch to Patterson for the second cheap sun option? He’s only .1m more and should be a starter

  12. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Happy Holidays everyone, Christmas is in the air....
    Thoughts please...

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo-Trippier-James
    Salah-Martinelli-Almiron-Kulusevski
    Haaland-Darwin-Mitrovic

    Ward-White-Andreas-Patterson

    0.1 itb

    1. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it a lot. Only one I’m not sure about it Ramsdale. Personally I’d go Ward/Iversen or ward and a 4.5 one

      1. Bavarian
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate, thank you

  13. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The key question for me, which nobody else seems interested in at all, is

    A) Get Salah and use him to captain away from Haaland to try to make gains
    B) Go with only Haaland and balance the squad as you will only ever captain him anyway

    Leaning towards B due to the plethora of great mid priced options. Mathematically it makes sense too.

    1. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        One-mium! I haven't seen a single team set up like this, so I'm surprised the 1st response was B

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Given the decent budget options you can still have a really good team and 2 premiums?

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Agree with the theory of B - I have no interest in experimenting with a 'fourmium' & have spread the money across a really deep squad. But I still have 2 premiums (even though I'll hardly ever captain KDB unless Haaland is out), largely just because the money is still there for KDB since cheap defenders can easily surpass their premium counterparts at the moment, and likewise with Almiron & Martinelli vs the likes of Bruno/Mount.

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to pick?
    A. James
    B. Gabriel

    1. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A feast or famine

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I like feasting always 🙂

  15. mrelpea
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning all,

    Any advice here is appreciated:

    Ward Iversen
    Gabriel Trips Akanji Dalot Patterson
    KDB Salah Odegaard Almiron
    Haaland Darwin

    A) Rashford / Greenwood
    B) Summerville or Andreas / Nketiah

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. KeanosMagic
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A I think

    4. Pomodoro
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like the Summerville pick. I'm surprised I'm not seeing more people talking about him as an option. Precent points and performances have been unreal. £4.4M!

  16. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Good morning guys. Thoughts on this?

    Ward Iversen
    White James Walker Trippier N.Williams
    Martinelli Salah Rashford Almiron Andreas
    Kane Haaland Nunez

    0.0 ITB.

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good team. Would consider Neco -> Patterson

      1. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, that's done!

    2. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't like Rashford. I think he's the most overrated player since Bruno Fernandes.

      1. 2OLEgend
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        The same Bruno that racked up 18G and 14A in his first full season for United?

        1. Mirror Man
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Typical United fan. Living in the past.

  17. Mayor of Flair
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Simple one for ye: KDB or Salah?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think I've decided to go with Salah

      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who did you have earlier this season?

        1. MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mainly Salah. KDB last two GWs. Made the switch right before Salah's 15 pointer 😀

          1. Mayor of Flair
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Oof

    2. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      De Bruyne

      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think I agree

    3. mrelpea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KDB provided you have Darwin

      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Darwin is getting nowhere near my team, guy's a loon.

        1. Mirror Man
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Haha. I love this kind of thing. Upvote locked in.

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gone KDB as I have Darwin.

  18. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rashford or Almiron?

    Only choosing 1.

    1. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Almiron

    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rash

    3. 2OLEgend
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Almiron

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Almiron

  19. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ward
    Cancelo | Trippier | Dalot
    KDB | Maddison | Kulusevski | Martinelli
    Haaland | Darwin | Martial
    ----------------------
    Iversen | Perraud | Patterson | Andreas

    With 0.3M left over. Should I do Mitrovic over Martial?

  20. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Well here's my take, for what it's worth (tuppence ha'penny)...

    Having moved up from 6m after GW1to 430k I'm loathe to mess with my team. So I've only made three moves, I may well do a fourth as a pure punt.

    Ward
    Trippier Saliba Cancelo
    Salah Zaha RASHFORD Martinelli
    Haaland(c) Martial MITRO

    Iverson Andreas PATTERSON Williams

    4.4m ITB

    My thoughts;

    Jesus>Mitrovic ready for the DGW yellow card permiting

    Foden>Rashford reversing the move I made four weeks ago which was a disaster, I can't watch Utd games willing Rash not to score and having started with him he's coming back. Foden was a massive headache and prevented me getting Darwin in too for Mitro just to rub salt in!

    Guehi>Patterson makes sense to save the 0.3m

    Zaha may well make way to bring Foden back for the double, but I'm not keen on selling now as Fulham is a very Zaha-ey fixture and he will be nailed over Xmas. He could equally become any other DGW player as could Martial. I'll run with Martial for a couple of weeks and see about getting Jesus straight back for the double.

    I'm thinking on putting Leno on the bench to give the option, cards permitting, of playing bench boost in GW19. Mitro(c). Leno and Andreas could well get into the 12-15 point range over the two games between, so maybe worth a look. If Mitro gets booked though I'll just start Leno and Andreas and shelf the bench boost.

    If you've read this far, happy Christmas if you celebrate it. It's good to be back!

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's a nice team but could you use the 4.4m to upgrade your team? Personally I'd forget what's happened previous gws and just try and optimise the team as much as you can. Few DGWs to consider as well - not fancy some Chelsea and triple city would set you up nicely into 20 and 23

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Well I'm thinking as mentioned I could possibly get BB out of the way GW19, then Zaha can become Foden if he looks back in favour, or Kulu..? Martial can become whoever maybe a punt on Havertz or something? Can get to Kane if I go cheap from Zaha.. .

        I keep seeing all these optimum team posts and threads then lo and behold two weeks later there's wildcards being thrown about everywhere!

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I like the look of Kulu for the next 4 - Foden is just too much of a risk. I timed it nicely with him before but with just coming back from WC I reckon he'll get eased back in. Not sure on BB given you have Patterson and Williams who would be easily benchable

          1. shirtless
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Agreed, hence keeping Zaha! Hopefully can roll the 1st FT then I'll be in a strong position to move for whoever looks the man to have.

  21. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who’s more important for the Christmas run?

    Darwin
    Cancelo

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends if you have Salah

    2. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Darwin looks electric tbf. Even with Salah imo

  22. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) cancelo trossard martial
    B) Walker/akanji foden martial (+1itb)
    C) cancelo rashford mitro (+0.5itb)

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

  23. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Foden or kulu?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one. Easily Foden if he'd guaranteed minutes, but he's not, so Kulu

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm not sure how much Foden plays - I'd start with Kulu

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  24. Fuddled FC
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you have

    a) Cancelo, Greenwood
    b) Dalot, Mitro

    Greenwood would be benched if a with Saliba, Andreas, Patterson rotated

  25. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Might start Zaha (ful) and then shift to Almiron for GW18.

    Yay or nay?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m thinking the same, but for the first 3 with Rashford.

      I think in your case just go Almiron.

  26. FF Dirtbag
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Got 0.5m in the bank. Anywhere it could be used?

    Kepa ward
    Trippier Dalot White Walker Patterson
    Salah KDB Saka Almiron Andreas
    Haaland Martial Mitrovic

    Maybe Patterson -> Fofana?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      White to Gabriel I like as Gabriel can pop up with the odd goal

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers pat!

  27. THE VAPING DAD
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ederson
    Trippier James Robertson
    Kdb almiron rashford mount
    (C)Haaland Darwin mitrovic

    Ward white andreas bueno
    Zero money in bank left
    Thoughts?
    Can Ederson cover cancelo with he’s lack of attacking returns this season and Ederson rotation proof

  28. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My first publicaly announced draft:

    Ederson, Ward
    Cancelo, Saliba, Robertson, Trippier, Bueno (Is he a better pick than Neco?)
    Salah, Martinelli, Almiron, Odegaard, A. Pereira
    Haaland, Kane, Greenwood +0.5m ITB

    1. Mirror Man
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rockstar released this lineup an hour ago.

      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ah

        thats what i thought it’s gonna be too basic. Gabriel for Saliba and Neco for Beuno then

  29. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) James + Darwin + Andreas bench + 2.2m ITB
    B) White + KDB + Greenwood bench

  30. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why kepa over Mendy?