Opinion

Should I play my Free Hit chip in FPL Blank Gameweek 31?

The second and biggest Blank Gameweek of the season takes place this weekend.

Ten teams are without a Premier League fixture due to the clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals, meaning we have just five top-flight matches to choose from as we assemble our Fantasy teams ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

The five fixtures still going ahead are:

While there will be plenty of Fantasy managers who decided on their strategy for Gameweek 31 and beyond some time ago, there are still those amongst us who will be pondering whether to activate our Free Hit chip this weekend.

There may even be a percentage of FPL bosses who a while back decided to use their Free Hit chip in Gameweek 31 (or left themselves open to the possibility) who are now having second thoughts – perhaps if they have, say, five or more active players already or if they are questioning the appeal of the unaffected fixtures.

Certainly, the volume of requests for help in our Comments section and on Google suggests there is still a degree of uncertainty among some members of the Fantasy community.

How Fantasy Football Scout users are approaching Gameweek 31

Last week we ran two specific polls on Gameweek 31, asking Fantasy Football Scout users first for how many players they plan to field this weekend and secondly for how many points they’d be willing to sacrifice in FPL hits if they are instead planning to Free Hit in Gameweek 32.

The results as of March 11 are as follows:


Almost one-third (32.05%) of Fantasy managers polled planned to field nine or fewer active players in Blank Gameweek 31.

Over one-third (37.97%) aim to have a full starting XI with a league fixture (possibly with the use of the Free Hit chip), while just under 30% hope to have ten players in action.

Among those managers who still have the Free Hit chip and who are planning on instead using it in the as-yet-to-be-fully-announced Double Gameweek 32, over 70% will be taking at least a -4 hit.

A not insignificant 28.72% plan to take a hit of -8 or worse, meanwhile.

How the top 10,000 FPL managers currently shape up ahead of Gameweek 31

On Saturday we ran our regular top 10k metrics article, which uses data mined from Ragabolly’s site.

After a bit of number crunching, we now know that, as of the Gameweek 30 deadline, the top 10,000 Fantasy managers in the world had an average of 7.77 “active” players in their squads for Blank Gameweek 31.

By active, we mean Fantasy assets whose clubs have a fixture in Gameweek 31 – what that figure doesn’t show is any flagged FPL players (be it through injury, suspension or Aboubakar Kamara-type unavailability), non-playing bench fodder or incidences of two goalkeepers being selected from the same club.

Those variables will likely lower the current average to nearer the 7.00 mark, pre-Gameweek 31 transfers.

A team-by-team breakdown of the ten clubs in action this weekend reads as follows:

TeamAvg no. of players in top 10k squads
Bournemouth0.68
Burnley0.23
Chelsea0.79
Everton0.37
Fulham0.07
Huddersfield Town0.30
Leicester City0.87
Liverpool2.71
Newcastle United0.58
West Ham United1.17

Many Fantasy managers in this sample of the world’s leading 10,000 managers already have a triple-up on Liverpool, with West Ham, Leicester, Chelsea and Bournemouth some distance behind as the next-most-popular clubs who have a fixture in Gameweek 31.

Free Hit in Gameweek 31 as part of a wider strategy

Three weeks ago we outlined the pros and cons of three different chip strategies that Fantasy managers may decide to use going into the blanks and doubles ahead.

Strategy 3 in the linked article incorporated using the Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 31 as part of a wider approach.

We’d certainly urge anyone thinking of that strategy (or something similar) to look at the advantages and disadvantages of the different scenarios – not that those approaches are the only ones.

Many of the pros and cons in that piece are still valid but an additional downside to the “building for Double Gameweek 32” strategy is that we won’t know the exact details of that Gameweek until the rearranged fixtures are announced some time after the FA Cup semi-final draw has been made (next Monday at the earliest).

Final Thoughts

As ever, there isn’t a definitive answer to a question such as this.

Opinions on strategies are subjective and completely dependent on an individual’s Fantasy squad.

FPL bosses probably need to ask themselves a number of initial questions going into this weekend:

  • How many players could I get out using free transfers or perhaps by taking a points hit?
  • Do I still have my other chips available?
  • What is my wider approach to the season run-in beyond Gameweek 31, including how do I tackle Gameweek 33 when many of the same clubs will blank again?
  • Do I think the players I can draft in on a Free Hit in Gameweek 31 are worth building a team around and sacrificing a chip for?

Fantasy managers perhaps needn’t think that a full starting XI is a necessity this weekend: the results of our FFS poll and analysis of the top 10k shows that there are plenty of managers, even the high-flying ones, who won’t be able – or are choosing not – to do so.

Of course, should an FPL boss be in a position where they may only currently have two or three assets in action, then the Free Hit chip looks all-the-more enticing.

While there is plenty to be gained by being able to cherry-pick 11 players this weekend, it could be argued that a higher points ceiling exists by deploying the Free Hit chip in a Double Gameweek (likely to be Gameweeks 32 and 35). The counterpoint to that argument, of course, is that Bench Boost or Triple Captain couldn’t be used in the same Gameweek.

An example of a Free Hit starting XI this weekend might be something like:

Fabianski; Robertson, Luiz, Rice; Salah, Mane, Hazard, Brooks; Wilson, Higuain, Vardy.

Fantasy managers perhaps need to also ask themselves:

  • How many players from a Free Hit team such as this do they already have
  • How many would they realistically want (e.g. are Leicester defenders/West Ham midfielders worth it given their current form?)
  • How many points they could see this sort of team scoring versus how many they predict their own current team will rack up
  • Whether any potential drop in overall rank this week could be more than compensated by using a Free Hit chip further down the line

As ever, the “right” approach regarding the Free Hit chip will differ from manager to manager. Hopefully, some of the pointers listed above can help those FPL bosses who are still wavering come to a final decision.

You can still vote in (and see the shifting results of) our two polls below:



874 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Got in Aguero at 11.3. Playing Free Hit in GW32 and WC GW34 so do I get rid of him for Higgy or Wilson?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Same question but got him at 11.2... would like some insights from people on here. I’m thinking of shipping to get Wilson and Hazard

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      How many points will Kun get in 31 & 33 compared to Higuaín or Wilson

      Kun ceiling 0, Kun floor 0
      Wilson ceiling 20, Wilson floor 2 ?

      You get Kun in 32 & 34 anyway if you want

  2. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Who is best to get rid of for Hazard...

    A) Pogba
    B) Sterling

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Depends how much Pogbas price was when you got him in.

      1. La vida FPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        8.4

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          I'd probably do Sterling to Hazard.

  3. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    please help out:

    A. Wilson, Hazard (-4) meaning i will field 9 players gw31

    B. Vardy, Hazard, Barnes (-8) field 10 players gw31

    thanks

    1. BARIO MALOTELLI
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      I would go b fck it

    2. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Which Barnes ?

  4. Zidane PL wish list speculation
    goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    So it looks like Zidane has a chequebook to sign pretty much anyone. Rumours of upwards of £300m to spend.

    Who from the PL do you think they'll target?

    1. Jontharon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard 🙁

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Yep that one looks most likely. Although he'll probably have to force a move if Chelsea's transfer ban still stands.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Think Pulasic was signed as a Hazard replacement.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Yeah, fair point. Unfortunately there's a way to go for Pulisic to become anything like Hazard.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Oh god yes, but I think Hazard to Madrid is almost inevitable now, especially if Chelsea aren't in the CL again next season.

              1. goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Even if they were, it's not like they're in with any realistic chance of winning it. Hazard deserves the RM move imo.

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  I agree.
                  Hazard, Acensio, and a new striker.
                  They need to replace Modric too, and maybe Marcelo.
                  Could see them raiding Ajax too - De Ligt especially.

                  1. Geoff
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 18 days ago

                    Icardi maybe?

                    I think De Ligt will go to Barca but RM is possible

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 18 days ago

                      Yes, Icardi, or Dybala - he's a Madrid player for sure.

                      I would love to see De Ligt in the PL, United would be a good club for him.

                      1. Geoff
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 11 Years
                        5 years, 18 days ago

                        I think so too but I'm not sure they'll go for him. I think they want a more established name to go with Lindelof. That said, I think Lindelof and De Ligt, along with Dalot and the rest of the team would set up United very nicely for the future..

                        I'll be interested to see if they go for Bale

                      2. HamezMace
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 18 days ago

                        Exactly that, Ole I'm sure will trust a young partnership, and Smalling and Jones have long term deals to step in if one of them struggles for form.

                        Don't see them going for Bale, think they've been burned by Sanchez, massive wages, always injured, wrong side of...29ish, sounds just like me, except for the massive wages part.

            2. joeydelucchi
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              i actually dont think Chelsea losing Hazard will be such a bad thing, especially if the new player produces more team play and link up play in attacking third.....ive watched him quite a lot this season and find hazard to be quite a selfish player...the majority of the linking up he does is with little flicks haha, dont get me wrong sometimes they come off and he does produce some quality link up play, but i just think in terms of comparing him to other players of similar ability i believe there are better options out there who will give more to their team.

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Trouble is they can't sign anyone until Summer of 2020.

          2. tisza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            think pulisic was signed as a marketing deal. never going to be a Hazard

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Marketing deal? For which market?

              1. goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                US market, which is pretty huge.

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  Ah yeah, fair enough.
                  Hadn't really thought of Pulisic as much of a marketing force.

                  1. tisza
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 18 days ago

                    figures when he signed had it being worth around 150 million USD to Chelsea as he's biggest name in US football. Also theory went would make Chelsea more attractive to US buyer for the club

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 18 days ago

                      Interesting stuff.
                      Bet the PL can't wait for a good Chinese player to emerge.

                      1. tisza
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 18 days ago

                        would be a goldmine.
                        was cynically suggested one of the main reasons Utd signed Kagawa.
                        also why many big European clubs have set up academies in India. huge market if you can find just the one player good enough.

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      VVD

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        You are on my block list 😉

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          😉

    3. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      They have no money, this is just spin

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Not sure Zidane would have taken the job if that was the case. Maybe the 300m is also dependent upon sales too.

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          RM is a mess and there's no way Zidane came back without the kind of assurances he was looking for before. I think there's a pretty big sum for transfers, that could get even bigger with the sales of Bale, Benzema, and a few others

    4. DMil
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard might as well pack his bag now.
      Reckon he’ll go for a central striker as well which would bring Kane onto the radar. If Zidane played fantasy he’d be writing a cheque for Jiminez!

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        That would be Spurs' worst nightmare..

        1. DMil
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Yeah defo, I do think Mbappe might get them off the hook this summer

    5. kanat_karktl
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Kante

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Perhaps N'Golo isn't galactico enough for them, here's hoping they swoop for Pogba 😉

        To be fair I would like Pogba to stay here, as with any other top player irrespective of who they play for.

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          I wonder if they run at Salah

    6. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      I believe Zizu's two premium targets are Hazard and Mbappe.

    7. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard, Eriksen, Kante, (maybe Pogba) and Salah if Pool will not win anything

    8. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      From the premier league? Probably just Hazard (which is a cert) and Eriksen.

      think they will also go for Icardi and potentially Neymar

    9. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard + Eriksen

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Both past their prime

    10. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      I'm adding many of the same names here but here is my list, off the top of my head. Missing the top 4 makes any of these much more likely.

      1. Hazard I think is likely. Pulisic helps Chelsea soften the blow and they won't want to lose him on a free. I think he'll leave. If Chelsea don't make CL I'm even more sure.
      2. Eriksen seems like a good option but I'm less sure on this than Hazard. I don't know what they would let him leave for.. 120m?
      3. What about Harry Kane? If Spurs fall out of the top 4 I think it's possible. If Poch decides it's time to go it might be more likely. I doubt it will happen, but possible.
      4. I have a weird feeling Mane is more likely than Salah. I don't think either is likely but maybe.
      5. I think Mbappe, Neymar, and Icardi will all be looked at. I think Dybala will move this summer either to the PL or RM.

      There will be lots of outgoings.. I wonder if Bale to Spurs or Bale to United will happen. I think the price tag on Bale is really difficult to negotiate so I wonder if it'll be a player swap plus cash. Eriksen or Haz maybe?

      What is the fullback situation at RM? There are some decent PL FB/WBs and I wonder if one of them will move too

      1. The Rumour Mill
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        I think Dybala will move too, his drop off since Ronaldo arrived has been off a cliff in terms of performance. Bale's wages are astronomical, I'm not sure anyone could pay them! Maybe he will be loaned out with RM covering some of the wages. I heard on the TFS podcast yesterday Marcelo is going to Juventus, so they will need a left back.

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          I realllly want to see Dybala in the PL.

          Bale is the same situation as Sanchez in a way.. he'll need to be creatively moved on. I think an initial loan deal is likely.

    11. Hungry Singh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard
      VVD
      Alderweireld
      Eriksen
      Kane

    12. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hazard is getting old.. like Sanchez. I would be a better scout than these millionaires.

    13. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      On my master league save on pro evo they signed Salah, Kane, KdB, Kyle Walker and VVD. Now that really is fantasy football!

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Thats more like it.

    14. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      I reckon Hazard is nailed on.

      Bale to United on loan is a possibility if they can move Sanchez on.

      I think Neymar is possible, just so that they can get one over on Barca in the process. If they get funds from sales and if the money is there, I wouldn't be surprised with a front three of Hazard, Mbappe and Neymar. Very tough to dislodge both from PSG though.

    15. GoingUpUpUp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Teemu Pukki will be on the list; we won't sell though......

    16. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Regards Hazard, if he really wants to go Chelsea won't stand in his way. If he wants to stay they'll be delighted to keep him, of course, and he has had a 300k+ offer on the table for at least 18 months. It all comes down to what he, himself wants.

      I think he always had a dream of playing for RM and he also looked up to Zidane as a young player. That combination is likely to prove irresistable, though he also loves Chelsea and his young family is very settled in London. I think he'll go and I think he probably should too.

      Hudson-Odoi has 18 months left on his contract and I highly doubt he'll be allowed to leave, not for 30m anyway. If Hazard leaves, H-O will play more and if he plays more he may well sign a new contract at the club where he grew up.

      The problem position for Chelsea if the transfer embargo stands is CB. Cahill will leave on a free and that leaves three. Whether Zouma can play in the Sarri style is open to question. Kalas probably isn't PL standard. Luiz is getting no younger. But elsewhere the squad could be fine, even without Hazard, and it might help Chelsea finally bring the youngsters through, starting with Christensen, RLC and CHO, all from the academy.

  5. BARIO MALOTELLI
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Whos on your bench in gw 31 ? Who did you saved for gw 32

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Perreira or Fandsersen (+ Pogba + Doherty)

    2. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Maguire as I already have 11 for 31 and Lacazette who I'm saving for 33, FH in 32

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Hamer Billing Lascalles Mendy (Leic)

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Jimmi Doherty Pogba

  6. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Am going for Wilson for a -4 ......so one of these chumps has to sit on the bench: but which one?

    A) Perreira
    B) Fandersen

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

      A)

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        thx

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      I don't own Anderson, but if I did I'd play him. Leicester always concede. Though maybe (just maybe), the early substitution was the kick up the a$$ Anderson needed?

  7. simong1
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Fabianski – Button
    Robertson – TAA – Perreira – Doherty – AWB
    Salah – Son – Hazard – Maddison – F. Anderson
    Jimenez – Vardy - Crouch

    1FT, 0.9 ITB. Which is better, A or B?

    A) Crouch & Son > Wilson & Fraser (-4)
    B) Jimenez > Wilson

    Will be doing FH32, WC34 & BB35. Only 0.2 value tied up in both Son & Jimenez.

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      A. I reckon Fraser's worth a hit compared to only putting out 10 players

      1. simong1
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        I'd have 11 but one of them is Crouch so that would be a 1 pointer at best

        1. danishdynamite
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Yeah. Do it

  8. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    This Poll is confusing in the above article.
    "How many active players will you be fielding in Blank Gameweek 31?"

    It should clarify that is is only for those using this free hit in gameweek 31

    The hits poll needed more clarity.
    "How many hits will you look to take in preparation for Gameweek 31 if you are planning to use the Free Hit in Gameweek 32?"

    It should have said:
    "If you are FH in gw 32 - how many its have you taken in preparation for gw31 in the game-weeks prior to it?

    Example I have taken -4, -8, I now plan to take another -4 so that is -16 in total.
    But answering the current poll the way it is it would only be a -4.

  9. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    If funds require it, and you’re doing FH 32 and WC34, bit of a no-brainer to take out your Manchester boys for players that play GW31&33. Very likely City win and they get a double in 33 and blank in 33. And Utd already have a double next week and blank in 33. So a bit of a no-brainer for me to do:

    Pogba and Aguero > Hazard and Vardy.

    Any downsides apart from losing 0.2 or 0.3m?

    1. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      What if City lose to Swansea?

  10. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Do you think Chelsea will concede at Everton this GW?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      Yes

  11. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 18 days ago

    Yet again flirting with Salah TC this week. Fulham are horrible in defence and still by far are conceding the most shots in the box over the past 6 GW’s..

    Form is temporary, class is permanent and what better way to bounce back against the porous sponge that is the Fulham defensive unit.

    Best thing for Salah would be a Mane injury against Bayern - the Senegalese forward could not assist himself out of bed. Seriously shocking that he doesn’t play the Egyptian maestro in when clearly its the best option.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 18 days ago

      'Best thing for Salah would be a Mane injury against Bayern - the Senegalese forward could not assist himself out of bed'

      That's just ridiculous.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        Not really. He stagnates the attack. Good FPL player because he can shoot and find the net.. BUT his build up play and passing in the final third personifies ridiculous

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          That's not the point.

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 18 days ago

        It is a funny post alright sounds like a frustrated 'risk adverse' Salah owner appropriating his anger on Mane.
        Because he/she does not have Mane and views him as the cause.
        The best description I heard about Salah currently is that he is like Walcott.
        His underlying stats look good but he runs into traffic and needs a lot of shots to get a goal.

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Strange cos Mane is playing out of his skin and it's Salah who's doing everything right up until the final third - where he has ignored Mane several times.

        2. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Comparing Salah with Walcott is where you lost me. Doing well up until that point with your synopsis

          1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            It was not me who originally said it was another poster.
            But I agreed with him or her.
            Salah is currently doing a lot of the frustrating things that Walcott did/does for long periods run like a headless chicken into traffic, wild shots etc.
            I would term Salah at the moment as a 'high class Walcott'
            But those who are obsessed with stats are blinded by the underlying stats and cannot see that touches/shots in the box do not necessarily mean form is coming.
            The real questions should be what KIND of shots are they and is Salah crowded out when he gets these touches in box?

    2. Party time
        5 years, 18 days ago

        "Could not assist himself out of bed".

        Did you sleep w him?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Strange inference

          1. Party time
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Hehe... Nevertheless, Salah (C) here for this gw. I agree that Salah is a better option against Fulham however Mane can rack up points also. Both are good options to me, Mane fit won't stop Salah & Salah fit won't stop Mane

              1. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Agreed. Just frustrating seeing the one I don’t own rack up the attacking returns! I fancy a mauling against Fulham, especially if they can’t overcome Bayern in the CL

                1. Party time
                    5 years, 18 days ago

                    Yes. I expect a goal fest and sweet returns from the attacking trio

          2. JBG
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Isn't a bad idea tbf, Salah has been pretty unfortunate to not score at least 3 goals against Burnley and Everton. FPL wise he is off form, but he is getting a lot of shots of in and around the box.
            I'm a ManUtd fan btw, if anyone think i'm hyping him up as a Pool fan.

          3. #FPLBhuna
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            odd, salah is the one failing twice to assist mane when he should have the self so and so..

            having said that, I too am toying with the TC chip for Mo this game

            fulham are bad, like bad bad

          4. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            he assisted Salah plenty last year and what credit did he get for it? Salah ignored him loads of times last season in similar positions

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Yep. It's what happens when you have two top players - remember similar with Suarez and Sturridge, United strikers, Newcastle strikers. It's normal tbh.

          5. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Save your TC to DGWs imo.

        2. Miniboss
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Hi all

          Planning on Aguero & Jimenez -> Vardy & Wilson for -4 to field full 11, happy to bench Masuaku.

          Go or no go? Any other ideas?

          FH32

          Fab
          Robbo Pereira Luiz Digne
          Salah Mane Brooks
          Barnes Jimenez* Aguero*

          Hamer Doherty* Pogba* Masuaku

          Thanks!

          1. JBG
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Go.

        3. fakelund
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          One week only, who do you pick out fo these:
          a) Harvey Barnes (BUR a)
          b) Maddison (BUR a)
          c) Lanzini (HUD h)

          1. fakelund
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Or
            d) Brooks (NEW h)

          2. #FPLBhuna
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            a

        4. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Suggestion plz!!!
          A)play billings
          Or,
          B)bring brooks for a hit(-4),it will be for -8 actually as I was planning to bring hazard for first hit.

          1. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            -8 for Brooks and Hazard seems decent for me especially with then both having decent fixtures in 33 too.

            Question to ask is can they deliver more points than the - 8 plus Billing points. Probably.

        5. UgoSmart
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          A. Digne (H vs Chelsea
          Or
          B. Luiz (Away vs Everton

          1. _Ninja_
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Luiz

          2. nadman89
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            digne all day everyday . corners and free kicks , both will probaby concede but digne more upside

        6. OneDennisBergkamp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Does no one realise Man City (Aguero, Sterling) are very likely to have a DGW32 of Fulham and Cardiff?

          Not only that Hazard could have a DGW32 of Cardiff & Brighton..

          Using FH in 32 prevents use of Triple Captain in what is surely the best week to use it?

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Least powerful of the chips.. FH the better option for the doubles

          2. fenixri
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Yes but with FH i can fit them all in my team 🙂

            1. Boris Bodega
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              This

            2. enrico.palazzo
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Exactly

          3. enrico.palazzo
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Free hit IMO is better than TC

            1. Tev
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              This. Free hit in 32 could be ridiculous if all goes to plan.
              Chelsea: car, BHA
              Man U: WAT, wol
              City: ful, CAR
              Palace: HUD, new (potentially)

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Azplicueta Laporte Shaw
                Hazard, Pogba, Sterling, Milijovic
                Aguero Rashford Zaha

                1. Jack Burton
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  Looks nice doesn't it

                  1. HamezMace
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 18 days ago

                    I'll struggle with who to captain! not having the option to TC will be a blessing in disguise.

          4. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Precisely the reasons you state are the reasons I wouldn't waste a TC on a GW when you have 3-4 viable options to play it. It's just too risky. I'd rather play the TC on a SGW when form and fixtures combine for a talisman player. The FH is made for a week like next week when we have tailored our teams for BGW31 and need to bring back some big hitters for a DGW

            All above is just my opinion though

            1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Is having more good options for a TC a good thing lessens the risk of getting it wrong?

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Possibly yes

                Just FH has more potential for upside imo

          5. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Free Hit or TC both will work out fine.

            32 feels like a high scoring week with a potential City double, Palace have at least one nice fixture etc.

          6. Geoff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            I have to agree with the others.

            I'll want 3 City, a bunch of United, a bunch of Chelsea and having all the best players for the GW, for me, is worth more than the TC. If there was no blank GW33 I might have planned differently to play a different chip in GW32 but the way the blanks fall means FH32 is my strategy

          7. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            I've had my 57 TC points from kun already. Feel that was a great haul from what usually is the least valuable chip. However this doesn't stop me from being concerned about the relatively easy doubles for city and Chelsea players. Rotation though could upset the plans to do this in a DGW, especially whilst teams are involved in Europe. Hope pool stay in for this reason.

          8. OneDennisBergkamp
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            You all have a point, but if you had built for GW32 based on your presumed fixtures you wouldn't have that problem. If all falls as expected I will have 11DGWs with 4 SGWs subs, 2 of which subs are Liverpool players Salah and Robertson.

            So I can therefore use my TC on Aguero/Sterling/Hazard or I can make 2 transfers for a -4 and use BB to have 13 DGWs + Salah & Robertson.

            I will then have 9 players in GW33 so I could take a hit here to field 11 if needed.

        7. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          So I have all my chips intact, except the Wildcard which I used a couple of months back.

          Planning on doing the following, depending on what doubles/blanks are confirmed after this weekend:
          GW31 - play with my 10 players, no chip used
          GW32 - Free Hit
          GW33 - Play with my 11 players, no chip used
          GW35 - Bench Boost

          As you can see, I'm not planning on using my Triple Captain chip in any of the above game weeks. So should I use it on a Liverpool player this weekend vs Fulham? I have Salah, Robertson and TAA. Or should I save it...just in case?

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            WC Salah in GW36 IMO.

            City play United away on the Thursday, Pool play Huddersfield at home on Friday. Could be the game which sees Liverpool go back to the top. No better team than to play Huddersfield.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              away on the Wedensday* iirc

            2. Boris Bodega
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Assume you mean TC, not WC

              1. goriuanx
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                That too.

                I better get some sleep.

            3. fenixri
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              upvoted, thx for this insight

            4. Boris Bodega
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Would this not be a game that could be 'bottled'? Huddersfield by that point will have nothing to lose whereas Liverpool would have everything to gain? It would of course depend on both their League position and Man City's.

          2. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            I triple captained him earlier this year v Fulham and got one goal. Better than nothing I guess...

        8. Lrf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          Higuiain or Vardy for gw31 and gw33? Allready have Hazard, money no object.

          1. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Vardy

          2. OneDennisBergkamp
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Both if you can

        9. Bojaninho
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 18 days ago

          everyone waiting for lfc game before making any changes or we waiting till news of re arranged games..?

          1. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Rearranged games IMO.

          2. fenixri
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            I decided to wait.

          3. MTPockets
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Waiting, although getting hammered on prices
              There's also a chelsea game

            • Sloopy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              I am!

            • Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Rearranged games news will be after the deadline

          4. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Hey guys is it worth me taking another hit for Hazard?

            Current team is...

            Fabianski
            Trent - Robertson - Digne - Periera
            Salah - Almiron - Fraser
            King - Wilson - Vardy

            Patricio - Sterling - Pogba - Doherty

            1. Boris Bodega
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Who would you be losing?

              1. Another Hoops
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Sterling with aim to get back after 33.

            2. Tev
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Nah, you got 11 playing, that’s already an advantage 🙂

          5. Tev
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Anyone having a bet on Cheltenham? This Sky Bet offer looks too good to be true.

            1. #FPLBhuna
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              which one? I don't have a clue about horse racing but im all over the bet if it's a no brainer!

              1. KingOllie
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                Skybet refund you £20 if your horse doesn't win on the first race of the next 4 days. So deposit 20 bet on the horse you want. If it wins, you get money, if it loses you get your 20 back.

                Repeat until Friday .

                (note its only the FIRST race each day @ 13:30)

            2. KingOllie
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Its not too good to be true - its just the best offer ever.

              20 risk free for 4 races 🙂

          6. #FPLBhuna
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            and raheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeem sterlingggggggggggg completes his hattrick

            that 15 minutes still feels so raw! amazing

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Imagine being a non owner let alone a non captainer. Rank took an absolute beating, and the first goal shouldn't have even stood!

              1. #FPLBhuna
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                that would've hurt

                1. Snevitz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  I know, I didn't own him and dropped 222 places.
                  It's taken a long while to come to terms with it.

          7. FOMFF
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Liverpool fans, will Matip start against Fulham?

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Probably but wouldn't be surprised to see the world's best come back into the fold.

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

                He's too good for Fulham, surely.
                Best 5.0 Defender or 4.7 GK for GW's 31 & 33?
                Already have Digne, Kola Doherty, and Etheridge.

            2. nadman89
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              they can play salah and mane at centerback and still beat fulham so you never know

          8. Geoff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Congrats to Mark, top of the newly update live HOF 🙂

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              FPL prodigy

            2. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              All time great, well done Mark.

            3. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Has Jay changed his Twitter tag line ?

              1. Geoff
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                😀

            4. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Great, well done Mark. I have been playing leapfrog with his team for the last 10 weeks or so and then he pulled last gw out of the hat and has left me 400 places behind him. My target for the season is to finish in front of him, thereby hopefully guaranteeing a good OR.

              1. SADIO SANÉ
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                OR1?

              2. Geoff
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                He'll finish top 100.. you've got work to do 😉

                1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  Yeah, I know. I'm 1236 after a 250 drop last gameweek but you have to dream. Sticking with my plan still.
                  I'm a 65 year old pen and paper player. The most technical I get is a post it note to myself, so I'm pretty pleased with my OR.
                  There are no "bots" or algorithms in use here. I will be happy if I beat my previous best finish of 2045 OR.
                  GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY OVER THE FINISHING STRAIGHT.

            5. Team Cruel
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              It's a fix 😉

          9. Genji3lade
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            How does this look for a -8? Would allow me to field 10 players this GW.

            Aguero, Sterling, Jimenez - OUT

            Vardy, Hazard, Wilson - IN

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Excellent 🙂

            2. nadman89
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              jimmy has a double gw the week after , keep him

          10. headfried
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Was always playing free hit this GW. Figured I have to play it due to the make up of my squad and with only having 5 players possibly playing (Gw31) I'd be fine going into the double game weeks without taking a hit. So any tips of essential players to have in GW31 squad.

            1. Snevitz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Maybe you should suggest they write a whole article about it....

              1. headfried
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 17 days ago

                Not a very helpful comment, thanks all the same....

            2. Jigger & Pony
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Fab
              Robbo Rice Azpi
              Salah Mane Hazard Fraser
              Higuain Vardy Wilson

              1. headfried
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 17 days ago

                Nice, food for thought.

          11. mranonymous
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            Will Salah likely drop this week?

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Have you checked the price prediction websites ?

              1. mranonymous
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                I have sir

                1. Hotdogs for Tea
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  Ah I see the issue ... I think as people wake up to the blanks he will stabilise in price

          12. mranonymous
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            FH Team;

            Flappy

            Luiz-TAA-Diop

            Salah-Mane-Hazard-Fraser

            Higuain-Vardy-Wilson

            Bench: X-Ake-Westwood-X

            1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Nice team, double WH defense?

          13. nadman89
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            planned for this week to preserve my free hit , have

            fabianski
            rice chillwell robbo
            richarlison almiron tielemans salah
            arnie vardy rondon

            was so happy about it all planned and then wilson/mane/fraser happened , do i stick or do arnie to wilson for -4 arnie has been so bad

            1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Wilson

          14. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 18 days ago

            How do I find my old comment with the replies in it? The website seems have limited history of comment posted.
            Trying to remember a Glasgowegian comedy series recommended by lads over here when I asked something similar to Catherine Tate's sketch and Mind Your Language(I think).

            1. jtreble
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 18 days ago

              Look in your Profile.

              1. JustPark
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 18 days ago

                History on Profile page limited to last 30 days.

                1. jtreble
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 18 days ago

                  Yup.