FPL
28 March 2023 218 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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League leaders Arsenal will appear just once in Double Gameweek 29 but it’s at home to relegation-threatened Leeds United.

This creates a difficult decision for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who want to maximise the potential of having a dozen teams play twice, many of whom intend to use their Bench Boost chip.

With the help of Hot Topics and some Pro Pundit opinion, let’s delve deeper into the debate.

FPL review: Goals for Martinelli, Salah, Saka + Odegaard 4

IN-FORM GUNNERS

With the more experienced Manchester City chasing them down, it would’ve been easy for Arsenal’s season to derail after a run of loss, draw, loss over Gameweeks 22 and 23.

Instead, it’s been six successive wins, with 19 goals and a renewed confidence that they’ll actually win this title. Mikel Arteta deserves great credit for that.

Conceding 15 goals since the World Cup has been bettered by seven teams and could become a concern when studying the number of shots on target they’ve allowed.

Just three home clean sheets have been kept this season, with nine on the road. In fact, they’ve conceded almost twice as often at the Emirates (17 v 9), which doesn’t bode well for the visit of Leeds.

INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS

Attacking assets continue to excel. This six-game winning streak has brought 12 goals and three assists from Bukayo Saka (£8.6m), Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) and Martin Odegaard (£6.9m).

They are three of this FPL season’s five top-scoring midfielders and, as shown in their sole 3-0 outing during Double Gameweek 27, some one-match players will still excel and outperform the doublers, so they can’t be completely discarded.

FIXTURES

It can even be argued that Arsenal’s one fixture is more appealing than several teams’ doubles. It’d certainly take a brave manager to bet against Saka after an 18-point haul or Martinelli’s run of six goals in six games.

However, those planning to Free Hit in Gameweek 32 may choose to downgrade their triple-up as part of a calculated risk, considering the trips to Liverpool and Man City.

FPL Gameweek 21: How many Arsenal attackers?

PRO PUNDIT OPINION

 

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FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

218 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Mitoma wasn't subbed off for Japan because of an injury, right?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Hopefully a short term injury

  2. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Bench boost

    Degea (martinez)
    Mings Dawson tripp mee estu
    Ode saka salah mitoma rashford.
    Toney Watkins gnonto

    Any opinions - appreciated

    Very torn on who to take out ie players like onto Dawson or ode
    Def options seem lacklustre

  3. Flying Assassins
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Maddison or Bruno?

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Safety Bruno

      For thrills and diff maddison
      His yellow card count is a issue

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      If it helps, I'm going Maddy for 29 & 30 (CRY/AVL/BOU) then switching to Bruno in 31.

  4. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Bench boost activated

    Raya
    Trippier Mee Chillwell Zinchenko
    Martinelli Saka Rashford Mitoma
    Watkins Kane

    DDG Maddison Toney Estup

    Stick with the 3 Arsenal assets or a hit to remove them?

    1. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      hold

  5. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    This article has thrown me a bit! I'm on BB with 3 Arsenal (Saka/Ode/Zinc)

    I could replace Ode but already have 3 Brighton players (Mac/Steele/Estu) - not ideal missing out on Mitoma/March

    Should I just stick with Ode or replace with someone else on DGW & affordable, i.e. Barnes / Billing...

    BB team:
    Raya / Steele
    Trip / Chilwell / Pinnock / Estu / Zinc
    Salah / Rash / MacAllister / Saka / Ode
    Kane / Toney / Watkins

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      You could go Ode to Benhrama or Harrison. However, i expect injuries are going to result in enforced changes for most FPL squads by the time Saturday comes.

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Oh yes they were the other 2 options, not exactly exciting moves but could be some sort of differential

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I would consider doing Odegaard to Barnes. It could bite you but Leicester have a great run ahead so you'd possibly be happy to keep him in the team for weeks.

  6. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Ward to Steele, Kepa or DDG?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Ignoring funds DDG.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Cheers!

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Raya the other GK? If its just for BB29 (then as backup keeper for the rest of the season) I'd say Steele will probably be the top scorer among them. Only downside being he blocks a BHA spot for later DGWs if he loses his place. DDG could be useful in DGWs 34 & 37, although he'd also block one of Shaw/Bruno. Kepa is a solid option & can cover a couple of Raya's trickier fixtures

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Nice! Many, many thanks, sir. As always!

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Looking at this for the BB

    Ward, Tark, Andreas -> Iversen/Steele, Martinez, Mitoma (-8)

    Team and bench will be:

    Iversen/Steele
    Martinez Mings Chillwell Trippier Mee
    Rashford Mitoma Maddison
    Kane Toney

    Ramsdale Haaland Odegaard Martinelli

    Yay or nay?

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I think you'd make up the 8 point hit overall this week but not keen on Martinez. I'm guessing you can't afford Shaw & March instead of Martinez and Mitoma?

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Yeah, 0.1 short

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Saka to Bruno?

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Many on here will say no because of Saka's fixture, but I'm confident it's a good long term move.

      I.e. 12 mostly good fixtures for Bruno versus 10 for Saka (which include Pool, City & Chelsea).

      1. notlob legin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        I'm slowly coming round to Connors point too

      2. The Mentaculus
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        My only counter to this would be that you can also break it up into blocks of GWs 29-33, then 34-8. If you don't FH32, then its the same number of fixtures for each in the first block. And personally, I think I might back Saka over Bruno even with 4 games v 5. In GW34 I might sell though, we'll see.

  9. Fit_to_drop
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    As the week goes on, my proposed FPL Bench Boost team is lighting up like a Christmas Tree

  10. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    I'm pretty convinced Brentford won't keep a clean sheet in the double so I'm looking at options to move Henry out. I like Chilwell but not that confident he plays both matches in 29 given Chelsea's schedule. Which do you think?

    A. Henry & Saka to Chilwell & Fernandes (-4)
    B. Henry & Martinelli to Dunk & Fernandes (-4)
    C. Henry & Martinelli to Chilwell & March (-4)
    D. Martinelli to Fernandes
    E. Martinelli to March
    F. Other?

    Keeping money aside to do Toney to Haaland in week 30.

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Chilwell will play both I think.

      5 day rest since England game for the Villa fixture and no way Potter will trust Cucurella against Salah.

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Yeah, I think you're right and it might be the Wolves game in 30 he sits out. For me, there will be doubts about his minutes in 30/31 which means taking a hit for him probably isn't worth it in 29.

    2. gart888
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Probably D of those options.

      I think Saka is probably a hold in his current form, and moving on from Henry for a hit seems silly when he plays twice this week.

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks. My feeling on Henry is that he’ll get 2 or 3 points max and I’m going to want to sell him anyway later.

  11. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    What's the thoughts on Chilwell's minutes in upcoming weeks? I fear they might manage him given his recent injury history and prioritise the Champions League matches with Real.

    1st April: Aston Villa (h) - WEEK 29
    4th April: Liverpool (h) - WEEK 29

    8th April: Wolves (a) - WEEK 30

    12th April: Real Madrid (a)

    15th April: Brighton (h) - WEEK 31

    18th April Real Madrid (h)

    My guess would be that he might play both matches in 29 then get rested / reduced minutes in 30/31.

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I'd agree

      Hopefully he gets 60+ in each though!

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Rest risk v Wolves & Brighton primarily?

  12. Roshen
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Keep Mee or Zinchenko?

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I kept Zinch as couldn't see a CS in either of Mee's games.

  13. Invincibles
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Who to sell for Estupinan?

    A) Zinchenko
    B) Botman

  14. rnrd
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    is there a suspension tightrope rester before the end of the season or next player to reach 10 YC automatically gets a 2 games ban?

      1. rnrd
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        thanks !

  15. CrouchDown
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Martinelli to Bruno or MacAllister?

    MacAllister would make it possible to do Toney > Haaland next week

    1. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Because of Haaland I feel it has to be Mac Allister

      1. gart888
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Definitely. I don't think Bruno is an urgent add anyway with Casemiro out short term.

        He should be key for their later doubles tho.

  16. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Hey.
    I need a defender for 4.3 or less. Ideally someone who has a double in 34 too. Who would you pick?

    1. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Might be an idea to do some research first then put forward your options?

      I'm sure then many on here will help

      1. Giovanni Giorgio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Yeah. Currently looking at Pereira (LEI), Bournemouth players (Senesi, Zemura),

        1. notlob legin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 26 days ago

          Of those I'd probably choose Pereira but could you push to Castagne at 4.4?

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I don't think there's anyone that cheap with DGW34 except West Ham & maybe Fulham defenders, and 3/4 of their (combined) fixtures are pretty horrible for defence. But as Nigel says, price checking is a bit of a chore so you can do that yourself 🙂

      1. notlob legin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        I felt obliged to answer as thought my comment might be deemed as a bit direct and rude LOL

        1. The Mentaculus
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 26 days ago

          The smiley defuses all

    3. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Tough for those choices
      Bournemouth for hopeful cs against Fulham without motto?

      1. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Mitro

  17. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Odergaard/gnonto to Madison/isak minus 4?

    1. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      can you do only isak?

  18. Dave2008
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Team

    G Raya (Sanchez)
    D Trippier Mee James Estupiñán Botman
    M Rashford March Maddison Martinelli Saka
    F Kane Watkins Toney

    3,9 ITB and 1 FT on a bench boost

    A Saka and Sanchez for Bruno and DeGea -4
    B Martinelli and SAnchez for McAllister and DeGea -4
    C Saka and Sanchez for Bruno, McAllister, and DeGea -8

    B leaves money for Toney to Haaland in gw 30 without a hit.
    C would need a -4 to get Haaland

    Question is for myself and many is it worth a -8 on a BB? Sanchez owners what do you think?

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Wouldn't get rid of saka or Martinelli

      1. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Just Sanchez to dgwer

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I'm not that keen on the -8 or selling Saka options, so B for me. As mentioned above, I think Martinelli out for a hit isn't really necessary (although for Mac I think its fine) - you could BB with just the Sanchez move

  19. gart888
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Martinelli to Mac Allister worth a -4 for those bench boosting this week and free hitting in 32?

    1. sirmorbach
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Not for me.

  20. Netters2018
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Salah or Bruno (have rash) long term? FHitting in 32

  21. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Anything worth a hit here for a BB team?

    Raya, Steele
    Chilwell, Trippier, Gabriel, Mee, Burn
    Saka, Ødegaard, Maddison, Rashford, Mitoma
    Haaland, Kane, Toney

  22. Debauchy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    @ Mentaculus , Will you be playing IPL fantasy ? do you have a leagues to join ?
    Cheers

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      *any Leagues

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Yeah I'm playing. I asked earlier in the IB if anyone else was interested & didn't get a reply, but maybe it was too quiet. I'll set up a league now and maybe if we give it a few days promotion we can get a few more to join

      1. Debauchy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Cool , will wait for the code . Yeah sure there will be a couple of late "arrivals" . I will keep an eye out also for anybody interested, thanks

  23. The Mentaculus
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Anyone playing fantasy IPL? All welcome to join our mini-league through the link below. Starts on Friday 31st.

    https://fantasy.iplt20.com/season/contest/join/384NPB0106@1

    * may require VPN to access from UK & Norway

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Cheers , will join in the morning , having a login issue now.

  24. battlecat
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Don’t want to burn a transfer but I have this bench boost team for this week, 2FT and 7.6 ITB so can do pretty much any transfer. Any suggestions?

    Kepa
    Mee, Tripper, Shaw, Estupinan
    Rashford, March, Mitoma
    Kane, Watkins, Toney

    Raya, Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel

    Martinelli to Bruno?
    Mee/Gabriel to Chilwell?

    1. AARON-1
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Mee is highly unlikely to keep a clean sheet so moving him to Chilwell for free would be interesting.

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Agree Mee to Chilwell is the move to make

      1. battlecat
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks fellas.

    3. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Move Mee or Toney

      Could get a striker like Isak, or Havertz/Felix if you need a differential. Or Barnes for an arsenal player?

      1. battlecat
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Yep, they’d definitely be differentials. Not sure I’m that adventurous but food for thought. Cheers.

  25. conanthebarbarian
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    I have been chopping and changing strategies ever since deciding not to WC26
    2m itb 1FT
    Kepa*
    Henry* trippier* badisheile*
    Saka salah* maddison* rashford*
    Haaland toney* Ferguson*

    Bench: ward, tark, white, martinelli

    Strat1: ward & tark out for -4 BB29 WC30 FH32
    Strat2: FH29 dead end team to WC33 BB34
    Strat3: 1FT WC30 FH32 BB34

    What is the best strategy for my current squad and hits available?

    69 points off top in mini league

  26. Stavrosplay
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Have a dilemma

    Sanchez and Zinchenko out

    A) Steele and Shaw in

    B) De Gea and Estupinan/ other Bri def, in

    For a -8

    Any help much appreciated

    1. conanthebarbarian
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      I would just replace Sanchez for -4. Not worth getting rid of zinny for an additional -4 imo

  27. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    BB team post WC. One FT, 0.1 ITB. The flags are starting to worry me. So are Spurs.

    Kepa* - Steele*
    Chilwell* - Trippier* - Fofana (flag)* - Botman (flag)* - Estupiñan*
    Rashford (flag)* - Maddi* - Trossard - Saka - Odegaard
    Watkins* - Haaland (flag) - Kane

    1. How serious are the four injuries, do you reckon?
    2. If Haaland is fit, would you drop Kane + Odegaard (-4) for Havertz/Isak + Bruno/Bowen?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      Have you considered hanging on to BB in 34 with those flags?!

  28. Prinzhorn
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Kepa/Sanchez
    Chilwell - Trippier - Gabriel - Schär - Mings
    Saka - Rashford - Odegaard - Mitoma - March
    Haaland - Kane - Toney

    2FT and playing BB
    Who goes out ? Pick 2.

    A) Sanchez
    B) Haaland
    C) Gabriel
    D) Kane
    E) Odegaard

  29. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 26 days ago

    Beat 4.3 def for the double?? Kings? Wan biss? Anyone else?

    1. Prinzhorn
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 26 days ago

      King Mings?

      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 26 days ago

        Heheh maybe not! Fofana? Bor def and if so who? Emerson? Obviously trying to ensure have enough cash to get back haaland

        1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          3 years, 26 days ago

          As soon as I mention Ricardo he gets injured so staying clear there