Scout Notes

Eleven teams guaranteed a Double Gameweek as Palace progress in FA Cup

Crystal Palace’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers on Sunday afternoon means that the Eagles will join at least ten other Premier League sides in having one (or more) Double Gameweek in the months ahead.

Five top-flight matches originally pencilled in for Gameweek 31 will have to be rescheduled as a consequence of this weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round ties, while Chelsea are guaranteed a Double Gameweek regardless of their result against Manchester United on Monday evening as their Gameweek 27 fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion remains outstanding.

Just when these postponed Premier League games will be rearranged for remains unconfirmed but Gameweek 32 looks the obvious candidate at this stage.

The 11 sides who will definitely enjoy a Double Gameweek are:

Arsenal
Brighton
Cardiff
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Manchester City
Manchester United
Southampton
Spurs
Watford
Wolves

Everton will join that contingent if Chelsea beat Manchester United on Monday night, as the Toffees are scheduled to face Maurizio Sarri’s troops in Gameweek 31.

We discussed the Blank Gameweek 31 picture in greater detail in our Scout Notes for Wolves’ victory over Bristol City, while we will analyse possible chip strategies in the coming days ahead.

The remainder of this article will instead focus on Palace’s success at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crystal Palace

  • Goals: Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.4m), Max Meyer (£5.6m)
  • Assists: Luka Milivojevic (£6.2m), Andros Townsend (£5.9m)

Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m) will be free to feature in Gameweek 27 after serving a one-match suspension for improper conduct in Sunday’s victory over Doncaster Rovers.

Crystal Palace’s initial appeal had left Zaha free to play against West Ham United in Gameweek 26 but the Football Association’s subsequent rejection of that appeal left the Ivorian sidelined for the Eagles’ FA Cup fifth-round tie in South Yorkshire.

Zaha has two goals and as many assists in his last five Premier League starts.

Palace didn’t particularly miss their talismanic winger on Sunday as they coasted to a 2-0 win over their League One opponents but, by the same token, the likes of Michy Batshuayi (£6.5m) and Jordan Ayew (£5.7m) failed to impress in his stead.

Ayew struggled in an unfamiliar role on the left of Roy Hodgson’s 4-3-3, while Batshuayi looked rusty on his first start in a Palace shirt.

The Chelsea loanee had a free header blocked in the first half before his heavy touch ruined a one-on-one chance on 72 minutes and there was little evidence to suggest he might oust Christian Benteke (£6.3m) from the Palace starting XI in Gameweek 27, let alone enter the mid-price FPL forward debate this week.

Luka Milivojevic (£6.2m) was perhaps the best Palace player on show at the Keepmoat, setting Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.4m) on his way for the Eagles’ opening goal before “assisting the assister” for his side’s second strike: Max Meyer (£5.6m) nodding in from close range after Andros Townsend (£5.9m) had headed Milivojevic’s excellent chipped pass back across goal.

Milivojevic and Townsend aren’t the most exciting of midfield picks but for those Fantasy bosses looking for security of starts when, for example, compiling a Double Gameweek free-hit side, the pair are reliable sorts: the Palace duo are two of just five FPL midfielders – team-mate James McArthur (£4.8m) being another – who have started in each of the 26 Gameweeks contested this season.

Again thanks mostly to his penalty-taking duties, Milivojevic is well on his way to matching his ten-goal haul of 2017/18 – the Serbia international has seven Premier League strikes to his name already this season.

The Palace set-piece specialist (who it should be said is already on eight yellow cards this season) was again his side’s arch-creator at Doncaster, registering more key passes (five) than anyone on show.

Townsend has a modest seven attacking returns to his name this season (four goals, three assists) but his role on the right-hand side of Hodgson’s 4-3-3 is seemingly his to lose: the former Spurs and Newcastle winger has featured in every single one of Palace’s competitive matches this season, with the EFL Cup second-round tie at Swansea the only game in which he hasn’t started.

Elsewhere on Palace-watch, FPL defender Schlupp scored for the second successive match while playing “out of position” in central midfield.

The return to fitness of Cheikhou Kouyate (£4.7m), who emerged as a second-half substitute on Sunday, may threaten his security of starts, however.

Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) was the only one of Palace’s regular back four to be given a run-out, meanwhile, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.6m) rested and James Tomkins (£4.3m) returning from a calf injury on the bench.

Wayne Hennessey (£4.5m) started ahead of Vicente Guaita (£4.2m) in the Palace goal, with Hodgson suggesting after the match that he will continue to use the Welsh custodian in cup matches – though the budget FPL goalkeeper still faces an FA hearing for an alleged gesture in January.

Hodgson said:

I had no doubts about him playing. He deserves to play and was very good today. He’s played in all the cup matches so far and whatever the draw is I would expect him to play in the next one too.

The charge is what it is. We’ve spoken about that at great length. We are both hoping and confident that charge won’t lead to any particular sanctions.

Hodgson added on the game itself:

I thought both teams tried to play good football. There were some good moves from both sides and we were able, not just us but Doncaster too, to get the ball down and under some control.

They [the Palace players] worked very, very hard. Even the players who didn’t have the best of games worked very, very hard to make certain that we gave nothing away. But I’m fortunate that I’ve come to a club where it’s par for the course that players are like that.

Our priority and our focus still remains the same, that we would like to do well in the cup but we would like even more to stay in the Premier League. That always remains the priority.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Hennessey; Ward, Kelly, Dann, Van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Schlupp, Meyer; Ayew (Kouyate 60′), Batshuayi (Benteke 75′),
Townsend (McArthur 80′).

637 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I currently only own two BGW31 players, is it going to be worth taking hits to ensure I can FH in 32 instead? Or is there a better alternative?

    1. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I dont think you need 11 starters for 31.
      You will have 5 FT up to GW31, That makes it possible for you to get 7 players without a hit. Then, depending on your situation, 1 hit or 2 up to 31 is pretty OK IMO.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        gotta factor in the players he need to get rid of also, they might score well up to gw 31

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This. I am aiming for 7 and maybe take a hit to get 9.

        The benefit of getting players from the selection of teams who play in GW31 does not outweigh the cost of losing players from teams who don’t play in GW31 between 27-30.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to say ...would be easier if we knew the dgw32 fixtures for sure so you knew how many players you currently have for gw32. I'd use fh gw31

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I might take a few - 4s to ready my team for gw31 and cope with injuries. The - 4 can be written off over 2 blank gws!

    4. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      'm in a similar situation, so this is my tentative plan at present

      (i used BB in gw 1 so i don't need to worry about that)

      my only players for 31 are Salah & TAA + nonentity's Hamer and Puncheon, so i'm almost certainly using a FH, using a FH lets me navigate the gw without having to buy players i don't want to keep, which in turn lets me keep players that i don't want to sell and who i wouldn't be able to afford to buy back if i did sell without even more surgery

      for 32 i already have 11 possible dgw'rs + my 2 Pool players, i'll probably use TC in this week too or i could save it for 35

      33 i'll worry about when the fixtures are confirmed, but i suppose i could use 2ft's or take a hit or even just WC to rearrange the squad for the other blanks and doubles

  2. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Question for free hitters in 32

    If Chelsea lose tonight, will you keep hold of hazard for 31?

    I've been planning to lose this week for auba (c)

    Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If Chelsea lose I m definitely keeping regardless of fh

    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      For me it would depend on how your GW27 looks. Haza has a blank, then he has Spurs.
      If you can field 11 gw27 with haz on the bench, and you need a diff, I might be inclined to hold, but the cash he is holding up would tempt me to sell..

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If they lose one of my options is to go Hazard Higuain from 29 on (Fulham). I don’t currently have either but that’s one combo that could really mix things up in 31 - it’s away but it’s away to Everton.

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If Chelsea lose I’m definitely keeping Hazard.

      Bigger question for me is do I keep if they win.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes same here

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you not keep if Chelsea play in GW31? Chelsea have some of the best fixtures.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cos I want auba captain in 27....

    6. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would get Hazard after Spurs game if United beat Chelsea tonight.

  3. Dave Bauer
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My problem with planning for 31 and then free-hitting in 32 is you’re presumably(?) not going to bring in any players in between now and 32 who play for City, United, Arsenal, Spurs etc. In fact you’ll have to get rid of some to build for 31 I imagine.

    I only have 2 confirmed players for 31 as of right now, so I’m using my FH in 31 and continuing to build / maintain a good squad for every week other than 31, with an eye on probable doubles in 32. What am I missing?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      nothing really

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You could be left with 4-5 players for gw33

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I will keep Aguero & Pogba on the bench most likely, bringing through until I WC in 34. I would possibly keep them then too.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m probably going down the same route - albeit with a stronger 31 team - but a turn off is the possible nature of the doubles the top 6 will have.

      One possibility is that United City is a DGW fixture. They have 2 nice other fixtures but that match is not exactly attractive. Likewise Spurs could have Liverpool and Palace which is typically a 1-0 affair. Even Arsenal away to Wolves and home to a bus parking Newcastle isn’t great.

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Interesting stuff and food for thought. Thanks lads

    5. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This is what I was thinking as well but so many seem set on the GW32 Free Hit. Most teams already have lots of players likely to double in 32 and 33 will have at least 6 matches so should be negotiable with 2 transfers and perhaps a hit. Playing FH in 31 also allows for a DGW TC as you mentioned.

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        After a FH you can only have 1 FT the next GW I think.

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          FH in 31 so would still have 2 transfers before 33.

  4. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rondon is the guy I’d love to captain this week.

    The problem is I cannot justify losing aguero Rashford or Jiminez for a punt

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This obviously not your first FPL season so you should know better about Rondon

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Like the FFS narrative of Sane being nailed ?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          never mind them Flappers, herd of sheep and stats massagers on here 😉

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He is my captain but then again I have prior form on captaincy punts!

    3. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I like it. Will prob put Rondon in for Kamara this week

    4. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If I had a spot for him I'd definitely go for it

  5. Dave Bauer
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What’s the thinking on Doherty? I was driving at the time and listening on the radio, the commentators were almost laughing it off like it was designed to waste time. Could do with him being fit for this week of course

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Turning into an FPL troll

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Read a few post mentioning Chelsea possibly having a treble fixtures gw. Thought it wasn't possible ?

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I was also looking for confirmation on this. I think Crellin said there was a possibility.

      But they’d have to beat United tonight, which won’t happen.

  7. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    siggy + ings > anderson + rondon (-4) decent move this week?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      looks fine on paper

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wait on Siggy. If United win tonight, he plays 31.

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        no chance, you seen his fixtures before then?
        can't get my head around keeping a player for 4 or 5 gw's down the line when his run leading upto it is pretty trash

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          haha, just posted something to that affect!

        2. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Cardiff and Newcastle in next 3 lol

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            ...but Everton are shocking, would be surprised if they only get a point from those two games!

  8. Pocky
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Current hold Robbo, Salah, Fabs, happy to hold those til 31, I'm thinking Maddison & a Leic def, & another Liverpool player, then maybe 2 of Brooks/King/Arnie/Anderson to come in GW30 giving me 8 players in 31.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nice plan

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Have a similar plan. Already have 4 confirmed starters (Fab, TAA, Robbo, Salah) and maybe Hazard.

      Looking at Fraser, Arnie, Rondon, Yedlin etc to give me 8-10 players.

    3. Oh Maddison
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      thinking the same 🙂 Have Fabs, TAA, Salah. It depends on the game tonight if I do Luiz + Rich -> Pereira + Maddison/FAnderson and later take in some bournemouth 🙂

  9. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth keeping Hazard even if Cheslea win tonight (Blank GW31)?

    I can field a good starting 11 with him on the bench and use my 2Fts to get non blankers. Only drawback is I won’t have an Arsenal striker but I do have Son for the armband.

    Already own Pogba, Salah & Jota as well.
    Don’t fancy getting any other mids like Anderson, Maddison etc for Haz.

    I can get Laca/Auba for free by selling Haz this week but that would cost me 2 FTs and I feel it’s a short term move.

    Appreciate your thoughts! 🙂

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I already sold Haz last week in order to afford Auba this week...I'm not overly keen on it now, the Laca RC is slightly putting me off Auba tbh

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yup that’s the thing I’m not even sure if I want to captain Laca/Auba this week now. Quite like Son for the armband.

        The cheaper options like Rondon, Arnie etc could even match Laca/Auba over the next 4-5 games.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't go that far 😉 although after the next two fixtures, Arsenal's are not good (including blank) so it could happen

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yup that’s what I meant after the next two I would have to sell Auba/Laca.

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I always planned to get Auba for 2 GWs, probably captain, and then swap him for Hig&Haz - I'll still probably do it, because I've already made the cash up, but I'd be pretty tempted to just keep Haz now otherwise

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Same here mate I had planned to get Auba/Laca this week but the way things have shaped up I think I could make better use of my 2 FTs by selling useless players like Digne & Kamara to get GW31 starters.

                1. SADIO SANÉ
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  if Laca hadn't been sent off I'd be less worried, but I'm not sure I can as confidently captain Auba now...tough decision - GL whatever you decide

                  1. SADIO SANÉ
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    might just get Laca (Higuain placeholder) and captain Son, but we'll see

                    1. Karan14
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Cheers mate! Thanks for the advice.

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Arsenal being rubbish is putting me off either. Kosc is enough for me. Just as likely goal scorer too

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'm kinda invested in the idea already, and they are much better at home

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yup same. My biggest reason for not getting them is I don’t think I will even cap one of them this week. And I have to use 2 FTs to get any of them.

    2. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think it depends on your City assets. It's pretty essential to have Sterling or Aguero GW 28-30, so selling Haz to fund Sterling or Kun is okay, otherwise I would keep him

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I obviously can’t get a City player this week by selling Haz. And I already have money in the bank to do Son to Sterling next week.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      depends who you will bring, not many options available this week. Sterling is an option from next week.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yup I’m looking at Sterling next week could even get him alongside Hazard by selling Son.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Have you considered Eriksen? It’s obviously not a 31 move but his form is sensational. That would allow you to get Sterling next week and also have Spurs cover for Arsenal at home - there could be goals aplenty there.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He didn’t cross my mind. It’s not a bad idea honestly but I do prefer Hazard over a Spurs mid from GW28 onwards.

        Something I’ll definitely consider though.

  10. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I find the following strategy quite appealing: prepare 31 with ft, 32 WC, 33 FH
    Indeed, I have 7 BGW 31 players already and with a couple of ft could field 9-10 players I'd be happy with. Whereas BGW 33 is way more difficult to have interesting players and even if you prepare for 31, it does not mean you'll have a good GW 33 team (the only 3 I have for now are 3 Liverpool).
    With the GW32 WC you also do not lose comparing to those using the FH.

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      34 WC 35 BB

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        With 32 WC you can prepare for both DGW but I think it depends on which team play the 2 DGW

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          FH 32 WC 34 you can prepare better for both DGW

          1. Zladan
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            This

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      FH or WC for 32 both sound like good strategies.

      Definitely not playing FH in 31.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      same plan but depends on DGW fixtures as well

    4. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This is something I'm seriously considering too

  11. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So my plan:

    GW 31 – Blank - Free Hit
    GW 32 – DGW - Use transfers up until then to get decent team, keep Blank GW 33 in mind
    GW 33 – Blank - Ride out using transfers up until then
    GW 34 – Normal - Wildcard
    GW 35 – DGW - Bench Boost

    GW 31 = Full Team
    GW 32 = Full Team with 4 FT up until then to get in DGW players who also play in GW 33
    GW 33 = Currently 7 players with 5 FT up until then to get in more

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do we know which teams will play both 32 and 33?

      1. Reckoner.
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Some we do:

        Liverpool, Leicester, Bournemouth, Burnley, Huddersfield.

        Then Arsenal, Everton & Southamptopn with a possible double in GW32 and playing in GW33. All playing in both at least once.

        1. The 5% Team
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          hopefully the FA won't take too long to confirm the rescheduled matches, as we need to know which players to bring in over the next few GWs using this strategy

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      almost the same for me, but probably use BB in 32 and TC in 35. I will use my WC in 34 to setup my team for the last 5 gameweeks (including a good TC option for DGW35)

      Depending on FA cup results may need to take a hit to field a full/good team in BGW33.

  12. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    any potential outstanding TC options in DGW 32?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea (car & BHA) & Arsenal (wol & NEW) could be a possibility.

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea can't have their Brighton match in 32, because Brighton are still in the FA cup and will have their own DGW (vs Southampton and Cardiff)

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Brighton will have two DGWs. Their fixture with Soton could be shifted to GW35.

          1. The 5% Team
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            ah yes, fair enough....wait and see then. Would be a good option indeed

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea would play Everton in DGW32 if they win tonight.

        Brighton match either way would be another date as they have: Cardif in 32.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      have to wait for fixture announcements

      maybe Man City if they face ful, CAR in GW32

  13. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I don't care if we beat CHE...there is still no way that I'm bringing in EVE dross!

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      touché

  14. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Antonio worth a punt as a differential instead of Anderson?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lanzini back training maybe better than both by 31

    2. child of God
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me

  15. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hopefully Chelsea lose today and the Brighton fixture is scheduled to GW35.

    Would make TC a Chelsea player a good option for GW35 (DGW with BUR, BHA).

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, would be a great option as I'm already planning to use m BB in DGW32

  16. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    When the PL will announced May game times?

  17. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    36 transfers made
    56 in points hits
    12 different captains used
    No Salah all season
    11k

    ...many ways to skin a cat 😉

    https://www.anewpla.net/fpl/report

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon(C) will be lucky number 13 😉

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That’s great mate. Only thing is I fell from Top 250 to outside 5k without Salah during the Christmas period.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry to hear that mate but doubt it was because of Salah, likely because the rest of your team wasn't good enough?
        Cant blame poor Mo for everything 😉

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Well it was only because of Salah. He got like 4 double digit hauls in 5 weeks and one of them was a 20+ haul against Bou.

          Rest of my team was pretty awesome the reason why I didn’t fall more. Obviously it was when City started to faulted and I sold Salah to get Sterling & Sane.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Unlucky with the timing mate, best to stick with him all season or don't...selling him and buying him back (like the way it proved for you) seems high risk. Same could be said for the likes of Hazard & Sterling...can really punish you if your timing is off! Better luck for the run-in mate 🙂

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Yup I totally agree with you on that. I owned Sterling for the wrong part of the season and he started scoring as soon as I sold.

              This is something I got right with Hazard as I’ve not sold him since GW4.

              Good luck to you too mate!

    3. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's just a risky way to skin the cat. Good on you though that so many of your differential captains paid off!

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Plenty have failed too, King in GW1 hurt and Laca one GW also from memory...but I'm just trying to show that if you play the game quite differently to most one can still obtain a decent rank. You don't always need to follow the herd plus its much more fun imo of course! 🙂

        1. Pras (FPL)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed mate - but I have no shame to admit being a dullard. Would rather win my mini leagues (coming in top 20-30k does that most seasons) than take risks that could fail. Because I know I will panic and go back to template/herd with 1-2 failures.

  18. Rhinos
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Seen a lot dismissing fh31 because the points ceiling is higher in 32 but that misses the point, the question you should be asking is what is the point ceilling in 27-30 if you ignore 31

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, would rather triple up on City than get in the likes of Maddison, Fraser & Felipe!

      1. Fitzy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Anderson & Fraser have been great this season, wouldn’t dismiss them as good options...

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          true but feel they've had their time in the sun and the teams that they play for could go any way over the next few GWs

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fraser looks a great option from GW30.

        Agreed on Anderson & Maddison not a fan of either.

        Think 3 City players is anyways too much. Aguero & Sterling the only viable options.

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          that's fair, Kun & Raz look plenty City alright

      3. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You can do 2 ft just for GW31, no need to lose any City players til then.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This is the key question, agreed. Many are definitely at a crossroads as to what DGW strategy they should apply.

      FH32 does take away any concern over early transfers for DGW'ers dropping out of form or picking up an injury by the time DGW32 comes around.

      The final factor is your team as it stands. Many will have triple Liverpool plus Anderson and a Bournemouth mid.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        same thing happened the past two seasons though, managers brought in players (that they didn't particularly want) way too early and lost out on lots of points! Planning for 31 stinks of this!

        1. Reckoner.
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yup, for me the Free Hit chip is perfect for a blank gameweek. Planning to use it for a Double just seems wrong.

          If you still have your WC in tact and you're using your Free Hit chip in the double and building a team to cover the blank GW 31 you are effectively building a team to dead end GW33, Wildcard GW34, you could end up with players you don't really want from GW 27 > GW 33, 7 gameweeks!

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I do find it interesting that people don't want to 'waste' their Free Hit on GW31 players, because they are shite, but are also willing to bring them in using FTs in the meantime

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Yup I have triple City + Rondon and will buy a LEI defender but no way I'm stocking up my team with WHU, BOU or more NEW for 31! Will be bringing in another City attacker instead!

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                *triple LIV

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Not 7 gws. Six if you FH GW32.

            And if you're using 2fts for GW31, these aren't effecting your team in gws 27-30.

            Other FTs could be Leicester defenders. Hardly a compromise with good fixtures.

        2. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          You can bring in say 2 Leicester defenders in the run up to GW31, as they have good fixtures, then use 2ft just for GW31.

          That way you keep all your premium players the whole time.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        'The final factor is your team as it stands. Many will have triple Liverpool plus Anderson and a Bournemouth mid.'

        I think this is the most important part - I currently only have Salah, with plans to get TAA, (also have Pereira) so I'll probably be FHing in 31 - but anyone with the above should probably be going FH32. I don't think there is a 'best' way.

        Only other reason I like the FH31 idea is because it also allows for TC32

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m getting City players in 28 but still using FH in 32.

      Think you need a balanced squad to make it work. 11 players is not necessary for GW31 blank 8-9 could be enough.

    4. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I much prefer the idea of fh in a dgw but as someone without salah i think fh31 has to be the play. Love the balance that going without Mo provides but he could kill us non owners in 31

    5. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I personally wouldn't mind FH in gw 32.
      As i have
      Kamara,jota,awb whom i can convert into Barnes,Brooks, Yedlin/Bournemouth defender. + I have 3 pool + Pereira+ Fabs.

      So without even touching main player's i can field 8 player's in gw 31, which is okay imo.
      FH in a dgw can be great imo,as no planning needed+ biggest dgw (hopefully)
      So definitely sticking to the plan.

  19. Holteenderinthesky
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Question on when's best to use my free hit?. I Currently have 4 players that play in the BGW 31 and 8 players with a DGW in 32.
    The best strategy for me seems to be to use it in 31 and build the team for 32 due to the players I have. But what are people doing about the BGW33, no one really knows who will blank. I'm guessing most of the players I have in 32 will blank in 33.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wait for the FA Cup draw tonight, then we can speculate more accurately.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      don't think anyone knows the DGW teams/fixtures yet - you're in a pretty good position to go either way. Wait for tonight and the cup draw for more info before thinking about it too much

      1. Holteenderinthesky
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'm leaning more to building a team for 32 and Free hitting in 31. Just worried about not having players in GW33. I guess we are just guessing who goes through from the draw tonight ?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          If you have 7 or more players from Liverpool Leicester Bournemouth which could be 2nd keeper Boruc cheap 5th mid etc you will have same number for 33 as 31

        2. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          kinda, it also depends if Millwall v Swansea is one of the QF games, that would have an impact

  20. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best option out of these?

    A) Rondon
    B) Barnes
    C) Arnautovic

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C if fit.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You have to go back to weeks 1-5 to get him playing 5 on the trot. That’s enough for me to say no.

        He’s the class of the field but...

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes.

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Rondon - Crap stats, good run of fixtures. Wishful thinking imo.
        Barnes - Good stats, good form, decent run of fixtures. Probably your best bet.
        Arnie - No stats, no form, injury prone, and good run of fixtures. Definitely the riskiest of the three.

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Stats Smats...Rondon double figure this GW in the bag son!

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Rondon double figure score GW 12. Was that his first in 4 seasons?

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Haha I clearly remember he scored a hatty against Swansea in the PL.

              But honestly you’re not paying 5.7m for double figure hauls.

              A goal every other game is enough for that much.

            2. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              He's due and it's HUD!

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks for the summary mate really helpful.

          Although It’s not fair comparing Rondon’s stats to Barnes over the last 6 weeks. Have a look at the teams Newcastle & Burnley have faced.

          If you want a proper look at what Rondon is like against weaker teams have a look at GW11-18.

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I fancy A

    5. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes for me.

  21. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure if it's been mentioned before, but if the new stadium isn't ready then surely spurs v Brighton in gw33 will need to be cancelled anyway as Wembley will be hosting semi finals?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can’t they play on different days?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Spurs potentially have midweek games before and after, so hard to see fri or mon working.

  22. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Will DGW fixtures be announced before Friday?

  23. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    There's a good chance there won't be nearly as many blanks in GW33 than in GW31 right? As more teams out of FA Cup.. Do I understand that correctly?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yeah

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      According to Ben Crellin there can either 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 blanks in GW33 not more than that.

      A lot will depend on the draw for GW31.

  24. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    No point using my FH this week, then.
    Even If I do have 3 x City + Lingard + no goalkeeper

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard could be ok

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No way

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          that was meant to be a question not a statement btw...confirmed out?

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bench the 3 City and use a FT for a GK or Lingard. Simple

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This weeks a write off I wouldn’t worry about it.

      I have 3 city, Doherty and will be starting Puncheon.

      Look at it like a block of games. City smashing it. Hold them cos 28 and 29 you’ll combine for a haul even if 28 is average

      1. PlayPercentage
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        My thinking exactly, Flapjack.
        City have excellent fixtures after this BGW.
        Hoping the BGW is a low scoring borefest.

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Boruc only costs 4m perfect for 31 and 33 and after last week wouldn't rule out CS against Wolves

      1. PlayPercentage
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Good call. Was thinking of Dubravka.
        Newcastle will grind out a few results for the rest of the season.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Waste of money imo

        2. AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Re Dubravka: back to back matches with an error leading to a goal. No thanks.

          I have Guaita and Schmeichel, but if I were bringing in two GK now, it would probably be Boruc and Guaita.

          1. PlayPercentage
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Is Guiata nailed on, though?

            1. AuFeld
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              His position to lose. He has started every match since GW17 except for GW23 when he was injured.

        3. Sting in the Tail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Careful of Dubravka - read in the paper that Rafa 'was going to have to make a decision on him after 2 big errors in the last two games.' I would think he'll still start but his confidence is shot.

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Just seen that Elliot is back training too

            Doubt they’ll change the keeper but still worth mentioning.

  25. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Assuming all FA cup games will be done by tonight, is there any chance DGW fixtures will be announced before Friday deadline?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      dont think so. moreover the fixtures will be done as there s no more replay it goes to extra time and pen

  26. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Are you a Stats Massage Therapist?
    An FFS poster who massages the stats for one's own best interest, to put down others or to come across as being clever 😉

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think it's the best way of supporting an argument or view for one way or another.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        if one is objective in the task perhaps

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          not saying you are not btw...but others certainly haven't been on here this season!

          1. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I'm guilty as all hell 🙂

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              🙂

  27. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    From the article ... “Just when these postponed Premier League games will be rearranged for remains unconfirmed but Gameweek 32 looks the obvious candidate at this stage.”

    This is the very same mistake I made last season ... the TV scheduling messed up the assumption last season that blanks in GW31 would naturally go to the earlier DGW 34 ... it simply didn’t happen that way because the televised games were shuffled around to avoid clashes with each other

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      totally. for me knowing when dgw32 will be anounced is key to my chips startegy

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      PL should disclose the dgw's after gw 31 deadline imo 😛

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        They probably will 🙂

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Nice 😉

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep - especially as one of them is the Manchester derby - imagine Sky will have a major say in when that will be.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Plus Spurs v Palace & potentially Everton v Chelsea too from GW31 is televised ... it will only leaves the Fulham v Liverpool as a televised PL game in GW31.

        Not sure potentially if 3 of the originally televised games from GW31 will all go into the midweek of GW32 ... it will mean playing Tuesday, Wed & Thursday just to ensure they don’t clash on any given night.

        GW32 already has Fulham v City, WHU v Everton, Cardiff v Chelsea & Liverpool v Spurs televised in over 3 days

        Can’t see City & Spurs and potentially Everton & Chelsea having 2 televised games each over a few days in GW32

  28. Cabellafan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Probably asked before, but which teams play both gw31 and gw33?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Crellin on twitter

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pool
      Bournemouth
      Burnley
      Leister
      Hudds

    3. Cabellafan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers, thanks!

  29. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I wish I had a wildcard :S

  30. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ok guys, out of interest, who are your current top 3 transfer targets over the next few GWs?
    It will likely vary from managers panning for or totally ignoring GW31. But lets try and compile a list for kicks!
    Mine are currently:
    1. Maguire/Pereira
    2. Aguero
    3. Luiz/Higuain

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yedlin & Rondon for GW27.
      Sterling for GW28.
      Higuain/Luiz for GW29.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nice, have Sterling + Rondon but not feeling a NEW defender atm.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A. IF Chelsea goes out of fa cup

      1. Hazard/Higuain
      2. Barnes
      3. Brooks/fraser
      4. Yedlin/Bournemouth defender

      B. IF Chelsea goes through next round

      1. Barnes
      2. Brooks
      3. Aguerooo (for Auba as I've got no city)
      4. Yedlin

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Barnes & Brooks, wow, fair enough mate!

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          😛
          Late gw 30 transfer's mate
          Want to get ready for gw 31
          Will save FT

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba/Laca
      Haz/Hig
      Sterling

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        yup not prioritising dross...I like it!

    4. Cabellafan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you get Chelsea?

      1 Anderson
      2 TAA/Mane
      3 Pereira/Maguire

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        fixtures are good Fulham and Wolves before 31 nad Everton in 31 (if that goes ahead) then Cardiff!

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon this week
      Pog back in for Son in 28 (went Mane a couple of weeks back)
      Fraser or Brooks in 30 for Jota
      Higuain/Hazard possible in 29 if Chelsea go out