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Filling The Blanks

For all those planning towards the GW31 and GW33 blanks, you may find this useful.

Let’s begin with who plays in both GWs.

There are 9 teams who have a fixture in both weeks. These are:

Bournemouth (GW30 fixtures turn great)

Burnley (GW31 fixtures improve)

Chelsea (GW29 the fixtures turn great)

Everton (Very up and down run in)

Huddersfield (I am avoiding)

Leicester (Excellent fixtures from GW27)

Liverpool (Great fixtures from GW28)

Newcastle (Excellent fixtures from GW 27)* might blank GW33

West Ham (Great fixtures 5 from their next 6)

I think it is perfectly acceptable to have 8, 9, 10, or 11 players going into GW31.

Concentrating on who to bring in can be a difficult one depending on your team’s circumstances, rank and ML surroundings.

The obvious start for me is to keep your Liverpool assets. I would look to bring in 1 or 2 Leicester players: Schmeichel (5.0m), Pereira (5.3m), Maguire (5.4m), and Chilwell (5.0m) all represent value at the back.  Maddison (6.6m) could come back onto the radar. I also like the prospects of Harvey Barnes (5.5m) who has looked a real livewire of late. Though I must admit I will be watching Tielemans (6.0m) this weekend to see if he has a more offensive role after his debut against Spurs at Wembley. He is a player who could offer great value. He Currently has 0.1% ownership.

Looking at Newcastle, again several candidates could enter our thinking.  They may have a blank in GW33, but it is still to be decided. Dubravka (5.0m) is their highest scorer this season on 93 points, which doesn’t bode well for their outfield players. Though with a recent break in sunny Spain they could be ready to enter the latter part of the season with a real intent. The Season Ticker in the Member’s section looks ridiculously kind. We could consider Lascalles (4.6m), Yedlin (4.5m), or Schar (4.6m).  The latter showing that his brace (in GW23) wasn’t entirely lucky as he continues to be a threat given the opportunity. Whilst Ritchie (5.8m) could still offer value, his new wing back role puts me off slightly, though he is a constant threat with set pieces including penalty duties.

Before I skip straight do Rondon (5.7m) I’d like to throw in that Almiron (6m) could still enter our thoughts and play a big part in the enticing fixtures ahead.  I will be watching closely against Huddersfield, and if the signs are there I am more than willing to take a plunge on the speedy Paraguayan.

Moving onto West Ham, who start us off with a very juicey home fixture against Fulham this Friday evening. I’ve made it clear on FFS that I will be bringing Arnautovic (6.8m) in for this game.  Even going as far as throwing the armband on him. Call it a hunch. Though the ever familiar Felipe Anderson (7.2m) will surely enter most of our calculations. The prospects of these two repeating what they did in the earlier parts of the season is mouth-watering. Balbuena (4.2m) is poised for a return, as is Lanzini (6.4m). He could yet play a big part in West Ham’s season.

Chelsea are showing huge inconsistency at the moment, though we could be foolish to overlook the likes of Hazard (10.8m) and Higuain (9.5m) from GW 29. Their 5 fixtures from here are ful (a), WOL (H), eve (a), car (a). WHU (H).  If they hit any kind of form then you can guarantee these 2 would be involved. My advice would be not to write Chelsea assets off just yet.  Especially Hazard.. he can’t do it on his own, but this could be his last season. With 12 goals and 10 assists to his name I’m sure he intends to end the season on a high and put Europe’s elite on standby.

Bournemouth have shown moments of brilliance this season and currently sit in 11th position. (The same number of points as West Ham and Everton above them). Though looking at their fixtures from GW30, some could argue they couldn’t get much better. Wilson (6.3m) possibly returning for this turn in fixtures could be a real eye-opener and the same could be said for Brooks (5.0m). Fraser (6.1m) will no doubts be on many radars too.

I know some FPL managers can be reluctant to lose value in players, or remove certain players just to fill the blanks, but there are many options available to us. I have no doubts some of the above could prove to be golden. A simple plan on a spreadsheet (or pen and paper) can make it look so much easier.

There are many more options and I can’t possibly cover them all.  Though that said, I wish you all luck in whatever strategy plan you decide.

FPL Chip Strategies:

FPL chip strategies for the Blank and Double Gameweeks ahead

All the best

Pep Pig

Pep Pig Football fanatic! Played football all my life, now coach and have played FPL since the 2006/07 season. I have been on the site for years but I didn't become a member before 2017/18. It's made a massive difference to my approach to the game.

40 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I think a different way to look at it is to think about which players with value tied up and are likely to be kept through the WC. For me, My season keepers are Fab, Pogba, Rash and AWB, while still on the fence about Doherty. I have almost 2M in TV invested there, and can still get out 10 players for GW31

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      At this part of the season I don't think TV should be as high priority. Don't be afraid to get shut mate

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

    The problem with all the options and you’re right there are a good few is that they are all so flakey. More particularly I’m not confident in labelling matches against other lower ranked sides as easy. These are the matches that so often defy expectations.

    Just one example - at this time last year Bournemouth had a similarly great looking run and were in a similar spot in the pecking order - they took a grand total of 7 points from Huddersfield WBA Newcastle Palace Watford Leicester and Spurs.

    I can see the same happening again - they don’t tempt me to part with assets. The nature of their team is much the same and much the same can be said of Leicester and West Ham

    I’m slipping into the minimal approach to 31. The only thing that would tempt me away is Sarri going and Hazard reacting as he does to a new manager. I’m leaving to FTs to 30 to allow a late scoop for Hazard Higuain if needs be.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I hear what you are saying and cheers for the reply. I think Newcastle are going to finish strongly and if Rondon and Almiron click, they'd be far from flakey options.
      Leicester could well be last season's Bournemouth with the example you gave. I'll wait and see how the new boys fit in this weekend myself before committing

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

        Yep

        I’ve gone Newcastle in my gamble on Rondon. I’m trusting Rafa here to keep them solid and with Almiron I’m hoping Rondon will return every other week or so. Limited expectations

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

    Add Vardy, McNeil, Barnes aand the article will cover all the 'not too be overlooked' assets to consider, for the run in.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haha can you tell I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan 😀

  4. Delta Varane'iant
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would appreciate a little advice on my current team. I'm certain similar questions have been asked but:
    Current team is:

    Etheridge, (Hamer)
    VVD, Periera, Doherty, AWB, (Bednarek)
    Salah, Pog, Son, Jota, (Rich)
    Auba, Rash, (Kamara)

    Already taken Haz out for Sonny boy
    Considering getting in Arnie for Kamara for a -4 with a view to keep him for the mid term and BGW's. Assuming that Doherty and Jota both play, I'm fielding an 11 this week with only Bednarek on the bench as any cover.
    Flip side is I would probably be benching VVD which if it ends up 0-0 at the weekend, I imagine he'll be the BP magnet.

    Worth taking this hit this week and benching VVD (or someone else for that matter, maybe AWB)? Or keep as is and hope West Ham don't run riot

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I personally would say bring Arnie in. It's something I have done this week with the intent of making him captain... But obviously I'm bias 😉

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Arnie has brought me more tears than joy this season.

        And his situation is a bit weird. Had the feeling in his last 2-3 appearences that there was sth broken between him and his teammates

  5. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pep, what do you make of these players: Snodgrass, Legeune (If I'm tight for cash, otherwise I'd just go with Yedlin)?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Legeune seems to have nailed down a spot now hasn't he. Probably offers same points potential as Yedlin to be fair. If you don't own Snodgrass, I'd be slightly reluctant with Nasri and Lanzini back in training. Especially with Antonio playing reasonably well

  6. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Building for gw31. Would you:

    A. Play Gunnarsson vs Watford
    B. Ings > Vardy -4
    C. Digne > Pereira -4

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      With Ings' hammy I'd say B looks a great option.

  7. DOUBLEDOWN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why do Newcastle have a confirmed game in GW33, Palace could still be in the cup...

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, true!

  8. Tolly101
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pep, thoughts and advice on my team going into the BGWKs & DGWKs would be really appreciated...am still losing sleep over it...l’m one of the muppets who didn’t save their WC :-(...so am debating whether to just sacrifice one of the BGWKs and put all my eggs in the DGWK basket? and which GW to FH, BB & TC?

    Current team is:

    Pat (Button)
    Robbo Periera Doherty (AWB, Bednarek)
    Salah, Pogba, Son (V), Maddison (Hudson-Odoi)
    Auba (C), Rashford, Jimenez

    0FTs, £3.4m ITB...

    Any advice would be great, cheers!

    1. Tolly101
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      also any transfer adviceto make?..,going forward am thinking Schmeichel, Boruc, Yedlin/Legeune, Anderson, Mane, H Barnes, A Barnes to name a few? still not convinced about Arnie...

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hi mate. I also used my 2nd WC. It served me well but I was always going to regret it when the doubles approached. You could chip away bringing another 4 players without hits. But I personally would take a couple of hits to get a decent team out for GW31. FH in GW32 then assess things after GW33 (as your team should be in good nick for that week)

      The above isn't for everyone but it's the one I'm most comfortable with. I'd be more than willing to take a few hits to get a good squad set up for the DGWKs.

      Good luck pal

      1. Tolly101
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        appreciate the advice matey...thought i’d be in a very small minority with the lack of WC! thanks & good luck to you too

  9. Cruyff's Eleven
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks mate,

    Wonderful summary!

    3 Pool
    2 Chelsea
    2/3 WHU
    2 Leicester
    1 Newc

    And Boruc....

    Keeping Pogba, Doherty and Jiminez....

    Done! 🙂

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah mine is for a hit
      3 pool
      2 Chelsea
      2 whu
      2 bou
      1 leic

      Benching pogba doch kamara son/peltier

      Haven't decided on which bou player to get on a hit.Ake or fraser/Brooks for 31 and 33 together

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thank you sir. Good work

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

    Nice summary mate, even for managers like me witout a WC I thinks its well doable to get at least 8 for the doubles without it having a devastating effect on my team. Particulary as I dont need to worry about my bench (with no BB) too much and have FH chip for GW32. GL!

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in exactly the same boat and playing the same strategy. Willing to take a few hits for the doubles. Thank you mate... Good luck

  11. Patch
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Just copied this article into an email, in case it was meant for Members Only...

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      😀

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

    Great article mate !!

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Amey thank you mate... Much appreciated

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

    Honestly do the fantasy scouts dream of hazard every night, it has become so hilarious to constantly see the FPL SHOW and the FFS team gag over hazard on almost a weekly basis, personally i think keep him in the trash can along with the rest of the chelsea players and FPL teams will suceed without being hazardous every damn week as to whether they are gonna actually "SHOW UP" rather than look like they were better of on the team bus to the game

    If ....AND THAT IS A MASSIVE IF, chelsea wake up and are CONSISTENT for 4 gws then I'd say their players can be looked at because currently you have a better chance at a blue moon than sighting the blues from west london do something great

  14. palmersears
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Great article, has helped me plan a bit better for the DGWs. Current squad is as follows:

    Patricio - Button
    AWB - Robertson - Boly - Holebas - Perieria
    Salah - Son - Sane - Pogba - Hayden
    Success - Aubameyang - Jiminez

    With no WC in play I've devised the following plan thus far to get me to DGW 31:

    GW 27: Sane & Success > Anderson & Rondon
    GW 28: Son > Mane
    GW 29: Aubameyang & Hayden > Higuain & Tielemans/Almeron (see who's caught the eye more)
    GW 30: Holebas > Chilwell/Ake (Not keen on double Leicester defence, but also not mad keen on Bournemouth defensively)
    GW 31: Patricio > Fabianski

    That'll leave me with 10 players hopefully appearing in both GW 31 and 33 (Liverpool getting knocked out of the CL would put my mind at ease a bit more!), which I reckon is fine.

    I'll free hit for GW 32, and then reassess who needs moving out from there. Bench boost and Triple Captain still to slot in as well.

    Thoughts? I have a nagging feeling I've missed something.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nice plan as it is mate and I'm very much with you. FH 32 is the best short term plan for me too.... And thank you sir

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

    Nice article Pep Pig. Well done.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That's kind mate thank you. Ended up being quite rushed and to the point but much appreciated

  16. FPL AXE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Great article 🙂

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thank you mate

  17. TheTeeGees
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm building towards having more or less a full 11 for GW31 & 33. Keeping all 3 Liverpool, brought in Perreira, Dubravka & Arnautovic.
    Seeking advice though - with the Leicester news, thinking of using GW28 FT on Vardy. Too soon?
    Then thinking of bringing in a Chelsea player GW29 and Bournemouth GW30. Hazard & King or Fraser & Higuain?
    May also add Luiz for GW31.

    Thanks!

  18. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone have the link to that sheets page someone kindly made with the latest bgw, dgw info?

  19. adidasOriginals
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    Superb article!