Opinion

Why you should tailor FPL chip strategy to your squad

The New Years resolution of healthy eating is out the window now with all this talk about chips.

It’s more complicated than ever before this season with the way the blanks and doubles are falling. Having a battle plan has never been more important in FPL.

Managers are colour coding their excel spreadsheets, Ben Crellin is working 24-hour shifts, while old school folk like me are plotting for this crucial stage of the season with a good old fashioned bic biro and a foolscap.

With a carefully thought out plan, huge gains can be made between now and Gameweek 38.

For those struggling like myself (310k), keep the faith, don’t give up on the season. Smash the remaining twelve Gameweeks and you will soar up the rankings.

The various chip strategies have been covered in depth already this week. The most important thing is to do what is right for your team. We are all going into this period from a different starting point.

Don’t feel that you need to go for the strategy that most others seem to be going for. That route may not work for your side. Think outside the box too, spend time looking at all the options and be open to new ideas.

A lot of FPL managers feel uneasy about going into a Gameweek with less than eleven players and do everything in their power to avoid it. Going into a Blank Gamweek with just eight, nine or 10 starters is fine. The key is to ensure the players you do have are the players that are most likely to do well as well as having a strong captaincy option.

As a manager with no Manchester City coverage, focusing my next four or five transfers solely on players who play in Gameweek 31 could result in missing out on huge hauls from Pep Guardiola’s players who face West Ham (home), Bournemouth (away) and Watford (home) from Gameweeks 28 to 30.

I’m weighing up the possibility of selling Eden Hazard (£10.8m) for Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) in Gameweek 28. It would mean fielding less than eleven players in Gameweek 31 (unless hits are taken) but Sterling could easily score 25+ points in those three fixtures and would be a strong captaincy option too.

For those who are planning to build towards Gameweeks 31 and 33 with their free transfers, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Leicester City and West Ham are the five teams I’d be targeting for transfers in between now and then.
Mohamed Salah (£13.6m), Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) and the in-form Sadio Mane (£9.6m) is the triple-up I fancy from the Reds.
When it comes to Chelsea, a lot depends on their form and whether Maurizio Sarri is still the manager by the time the blanks roll around.
Ryan Fraser (£6.1m) will become popular again as will David Brooks (£5.0m) and Callum Wilson (£6.3m) if they can recover from their respective injuries in time.
For the Foxes, Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m), Ricardo Pereira (£5.3m), Ben Chilwell (£5.0) and Harry Maguire (£5.4m) are all worthy of consideration.

In attack, it’s difficult to predict what Claude Puel will do from week to week but James Maddison (£6.6m), Harvey Barnes (£5.5m) and Jamie Vardy (£8.8m) will also get attention from FPL managers.

The Hammers have been pretty poor defensively this season registering just four clean sheets. Can they improve on that with a kind run of fixtures ahead? Lukasz Fabianski (£4.7m) is always a viable option while further up the pitch his teammates Felipe Anderson (£7.2m) and Marko Arnautovic (£6.8m) (if he can stay fit) should deliver points. Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) could be a nice differential, he’s due to return to action very soon.

Captaincy for Gameweek 27 is not straightforward with no Man City or Chelsea to choose from and Manchester United facing old foes Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1) and Heung-min Son (£9.0m) are leading the way in the captain poll but the Arsenal man may have to play ninety minutes in the Europa League tonight due to Alexandre Lacazette’s (£9.5m) European ban.

Meanwhile, Salah has returned in just one of seven games against the ‘top-six’ this season. Can he do it against United? Will Paul Pogba (£8.8m) be the hero? It’s a tough one to call.

I’m going to entrust the South Korean with the armband for Spurs’ trip to Turf Moor.

Good luck with the planning for the best part of the season and may your arrow be green in Gameweek 27.

210 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My actual team (for GW27):

    Fabianski
    pereira - doherty - robertson
    pogba - salah - son anderson
    auba - rashford -jimenez

    etherdige - wba - vvd - billing

    next moves:
    GW28 vvd+auba -> TAA and kun?
    GW29 --> billing -->westwood
    GW30 --> doherty --> ake
    GW31 --> jimenz/rash --> 1 forward?

    Any suggestion?
    how to improve my team?any city or not??
    captain for Gw27? auba or son??

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

      Too long term thinking here

      1. Tosa86
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        i need think until 29?

  2. Come on you Kante
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who are the top 6 players you must have in your team from now until the end of the season?

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Will let you know at the end of the season.

    2. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I can give you the best 15 if that would be better?

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

      Kun, Robbo, Pogba, Son, Rash,

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

      Salah Kane Kün Robbo Pogba Sterling. Good luck fitting them in

      1. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks very helpful aramotic 🙂

  3. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Currently I’ve 5 playing for GW31:

    fabs Vvd taa salah pereira

    Planning on doing the follow transfers:

    Jota > Fraser
    Rashford > king/wilson
    Kamara > barnes/rondon
    Doherty>lascelles/chilwell

    Which will give me 9 to field.

    Question is do I need more or is that sufficient?

    I’m not expecting a high scoring GW

    Any suggestions?

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

      Nowt wrong with the plan. 9 the minimum you want playing imo. Overlooks Chelsea but they are a bit pony atm though Hazard can never be discounted

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah i guess the only way to bring in Chelsea is Higuain for Auba

        I’ve got son Eriksen Pogba in midfield - spurs i want to keep for GW33 obviously Brighton going through kills that but i won’t plan to remove them until i know for sure so shipping Pogba is an option but hazard is a significant investment

  4. We ain't got no histor…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lads
    Help me Bench one:
    A. VVD
    B. TAA
    C. Linfelof
    D. AWB
    E. Benett

    * Have Salah and Pogba both

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bennett. Not that any of them are likely to contribute much. Although palace have v good recent record versus Leicester.

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AWB

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

    Can anyone suggest the right pick in the Yedlin vs Lascelles puzzle ?

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lascelles is due a goal going off previous season's tallies. That's why I'm picking him.

    2. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yedlin. Creating loads.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lascelles - BPS magnet

  6. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start Shaw or Camarasa?

  7. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If Doherty is fit... I have to play him over Fraser right ?

    My only other option is Llorente but I'm not convinced he's worth putting in.
    Already have Son so fully expect that to be enough Spurs cover.

  8. MGD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fab
    Shaw - AWB - Doherty
    Salah - Pogba - F Anderson - Masuaku*
    Rash - Jimenez - Aguero*

    Hamer - Laporte* - Luiz* - Richarlison*

    2,5 ITB.

    Luiz + Richa -> TAA + Mane?

    Are we good to go with these transfers now?

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would probably move Laporte on rather than Luiz. Long term it’s a better solution ahead of the blanks.

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

    If you can field 11 players in both BGW 31 & 33 with just two hits, would you do it? Selling popular players along the way is obviously a risk, but I'm trailing in my ML and think players like Pereira, Rondon and Anderson could be great differentials over the coming weeks. Thoughts?

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

      Yeah I'd do it. Im also taking 2 hits to have full elevens in the blanks, although the only real threats I'll miss out on through good fixtures are City assets.

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

        Cheers, seems like we're in the same boat. Scared of going without City myself

  10. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone planning on wildcarding post 33?

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

      Can’t stop every blighter Wildcard posting at the moment! Yep. Had a re think. 34.

  11. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford to Rondon this gw to prepare Lacazette to Kun next gw?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can you not just do them both next week? I'd much rather have Rashford than Rondon in my team this GW, despite the fixtures.

      1. Daghe Munegu
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I could but have VVD Salh Mané Rashford Shaw. Thinkig it might be a bit much

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I think a lot will be in the same boat mate. Regardless I'd take Rashford over Rondon any GW.

  12. Majestic Chanka
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I find interesting that many people (this article included) are recommending Leicester and Bournemouth as blank covering teams but not Burnley.

    Burnley are not the same crap side from the first half of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up the other two when they play them in 31 & 33.

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have 2 Burnley players in my team. I agree with you.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m most likely bringing in Barnes - stats are pretty good

    3. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Non football people don’t realise Burnley are better with Tom Heaton.

  13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow! Mesut Özil plays football for once!

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He must have gotten over the cough and cold that’s been plaguing him since he arrived in England.

  14. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What is the best plan for those of us without a wildcard? I’m able to field 8 or 9 for GW31 but have no idea what to do from there.

    1. azz007
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      TC 32
      FH 33
      BB35

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

      Wait for next season and finally learn to save your wildcard

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

      FH32, BB 35, and TC in a week you think is suitable. TC on Salah, Mane, Aguero, Sterling at the end of the season when other teams are on the beach and they are chasing the league could prove very beneficial.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, this seems the best way to go

  15. Gentlemens club
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go? I don't think united will score.

    Fab
    TAA Robbo Pereira Doh AWB
    Salah Pogba Son Anderson
    Jimenez

    Rashford/Diangana/Aguero

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      considering this move too in 451

  16. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at banking my transfer this GW, but is;

    Sane > Sterling too sideways?

    Should I consider keeping hold of Sane after his wonderful free kick last night?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      for next GW (forgot to mention)

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He’s performed in the last two games so he might be winning back favour - hard to tell with pep

  17. avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal XI according to James Benge on Twitter...

    Cech; Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi; Aubameyang

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Have you done a meet the manager?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I haven't mate, keep thinking about it but not emailed yet!

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Madness - well here’s to an email coming soon - i’d like to see it - great consistency!

          Good luck with the closing weeks.

          1. avfc82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers mate, good luck too.

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Confirmed.

      Subs - Leno, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Torreira, Ramsey, Suarez, Nketiah

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

      This early? Doubt even Emery knows yet.

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ??? Check the kick off time mate.

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

          What a tool. Was in fpl mode thinking of the prem game on Sunday. Sorry!

  18. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alonso to

    A) Pereira
    B) Lasceles

    1. Claudio555
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Keep maybe? Owner here

  19. GE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Suggestions mates? 🙂

    (1FT, 3.3 itb)

    Guaita
    Robertson/Doherty*/AWB
    Salah/Son/Pogba/Rich*
    Rashford/Jimenez

    Bench:Button, Alonso*, Digne*, Kamara*

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

      Forgot Martial*

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rich to anyone

      Alonso to pereira/chilwell

      Kamara to barnes/king

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

        Thanks, take a -8? 🙂

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          No just different options

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

      Rich & Alonso to Felipe & Pereira

  20. Claudio555
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start Shaw (LIV) or Billing (new)?

  21. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys... What do i do with this lot? 0.0ITB 1 FT Planning to: Build up to 31. FH32. WC 34. BB 35. Just feel like this week could be terrible...

    Boruc
    Doherty VVD WB Bednarek
    Salah Pogba Son McNeil
    Auba Rasford

    Patricio Richarlison* Aguero* Balbuena*

    In need of serious help!

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      anyone pls?

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

        If that’s your strategy do nothing ( sometimes it’s the hardest thing ) At worst AWB to Newcastle def.

  22. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kola dropped then? 😉

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just rested

  23. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    play one:
    a. awb
    b. doh

    thx

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

      Doherty

  24. Wolfenix
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best +- 4.5 mid for the long run? I'm FH in BGW31 and don't have WC, so I need my bench to play and have potential hauls in BGW33... I currently have Camarasa as my 5th mid, but Cardiff play MCI on GW33, plus he's been dealing with injury a lot... who would go for?

    A) Keep Camarasa
    B) Westwood
    C) Hayden
    D) Puncheon
    E) Other?

  25. CliveTilds
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison flagged

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mmmm

  26. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fairly well set on shipping Aguero this week for an Arsenal striker and captain him.

    What's the general consensus between Laca and Auba? Leaning towards Auba, but actually Laca may well be the sensible bet baser on his suspension.

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

      Auba unless he plays 90 mins tonight. In that case, Laca.

      1. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Auba will surely play 90 tonight with that bench...he ll prob play 60/70 weekend and then come off if they are winning

      2. Pilgrim62
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

        1. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Which one? 🙂

          1. Pilgrim62
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Leaning toward Laca. Auba will not start 28 imo

            1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              don't be ridic ...........no different from playing Wednesday and Saturday, he hasn't kicked a ball for 7 days....

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't shift Aguero for an Arsenal forward, but if you're set on doing it, I'd probably go Auba. It's risky though, especially if he plays 90 this evening.

  27. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Just feeling a little sorry for Mesut. Everyone knows he doesn't like playing when it's cold and dark and they've gone and picked him for tonight.

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not dark yet ... not that cold either... he gets paid enough

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Overpaid rather

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think people are missing your irony..........but I found it funny.......bless him

  28. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lacca rested? Surely bad news for Auba owners?

    1. AndyCook
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Suspended for his red

      • Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He's service ban

      • AndyCook
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I’d be shocked if Aubameyang didn’t play at the weekend

        • Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Why Auba plays most matches, they haven’t played for 7 days

        • Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Not really though is it

        • Pilgrim62
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It is not so good for sure, specially if Auba will play today 90 min

      • Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I too have 0 MCI players and it's really scaring me. Was planning to do 1 hit before GW31 but tempted to add a hit to do an Auba --> Aguero before Higuain in GW31

        Thoughts?