Opinion

Question Time – Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 33 and future planning

Fantasy Premier League managers are making the final touches to their future plans ahead of Blank Gameweek 33.

With Wildcards set to be deployed very soon we’ve had plenty of questions come in this week about how to select the best options for the season run-in.

That means any queries about this weekend’s depleted round of fixtures have largely been short-term ones, involving the Free Hit chip.

We’ve put your questions to our panel to see what they had to say.

Who’s on the panel this week?

FPL Family – Lee and Sam are the well-known married couple who play Fantasy football together and run a YouTube channel documenting their thoughts. They have appeared on the Official FPL show this season.

Ben Crabtree – A former winner of Fantasy Premier League, Ben finished first in the overall rankings in the 2016/17 season.

Adam Hopcroft – A well-known name on Twitter, Adam was ranked 35th in our Live Hall of Fame going into Double Gameweek 32 and has two top 1,000 finishes to his name already.

Question 1 – Sam

RingWraith: I’m playing my Free Hit chip this week and wanted an opinion on which teams assets are best for defence and attack?

Sam: “Leicester haven’t kept many clean sheets of late but a trip to already-relegated Huddersfield, who have failed to score in eight of their last 11 Premier League matches, seems a good bet for clean sheet potential.

“Therefore, players such as Schmeichel, Chilwell or Ricardo Pereira all look like good picks.

“Equally, Chelsea off the back of a 3-0 victory over Brighton have a nice fixture against West Ham.

“The Hammers have failed to score in five of their last six away games and look to already be on the beach, especially after the way they played against Everton.

“In terms of attacking players, there is an abundance of options this week.

“Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle all have fixtures against teams that haven’t kept many clean sheets and they have assets who are in good form.

“Firmino (vs Southampton) Vardy (vs Huddersfield) Rondon (vs Palace), as well as both the Arsenal strikers, look like very good picks outside of the obvious Salah, Mané and Hazard.

“For me, with three goals and two assists in the last six Gameweeks, Rondon looks like a nice option.

“Vardy too has shown a change in form under the management of Brendon Rodgers and having had a rest over the international break I’m expecting good things from him in Blank Gameweek 33.

“It’s also worth noting that Arsenal are still without a clean sheet away from home this season, so Everton’s attacking players are worth investigating too.”

Question 2 – Ben

Ajax Amsterdam: In view of a tough away fixture at Everton and also because of uncertainty due to rotation, is it best to avoid Arsenal attacking options on a Free Hit team for Blank Gameweek 33?

Ben: “Normally there are at least one or two stand-out Arsenal players to own in spite of the team’s unpredictable spells of form.

“This season, from an FPL point of view, their players have been very ‘Arsenal’.

“Mkhitaryan started it all off with 12 points away at Chelsea, making him look a bargain, to playing just one minute against Cardiff two games later.

“Lacazette followed with strong scores proving him to be the pick over Aubameyang, only to fade when people were shuffling money around their teams to enable another forward over £9.5m.

“Then finally Aubameyang, who has scored a lot of goals and amassed a lot of points but has managed to do this in between the periods where managers saw him as a great option.

“Their defence, as usual, has not looked strong regardless of the fixtures but Bellerin and Kolasinac’s attacking potential has seen them enjoy spells of decent value.

“If I was using a Free Hit I’d be thinking this game away against an in-form Everton side, and an in-form Everton crowd, could well end up in a frustrating result for Arsenal.

“Straight away I’d ignore their defence.

“The midfield could have options in Ramsey, Ozil or Mkhitaryan but selection and ‘turning up’ issues would have me seeing midfielders from other teams (Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Fraser, Maddison, Tielemans, Hazard, Mane, Salah, McNeil), as better choices.

“This leaves the forwards in a Gameweeek where there aren’t many stand-out premium options to pick from.

“After Vardy, you’re looking at Rondon, Firmino, Barnes, Zaha. All of the better options are towards the cheaper end of the scale.

“Admittedly, Lacazette or Aubameyeng could prove a great route to a double-figure score in that might be a low scoring week.

“Despite his benching in midweek, I’d go Aubameyang but only if the money’s there.

“I fancy him to start and would say he’s the most likely scorer.

“If I didn’t have quite enough money, I’d still look to get Lacazette due to the shortage of strikers capable of hauling this week but respect that 3-5-2 could be a successful tactic and Lacazette may not get the nod to play alongside Vardy in your team.”

Question 3 – Adam

Captain Kakaroto: Should we ditch Salah for Mane?

Adam: “With a lot of managers yet to play their Wildcard I think this will be a common dilemma and if I am honest it’s a really tough one to solve.

“On paper, it seems glaringly obvious to ditch a player who is £3.0m more expensive and scoring fewer points.

“However, it ultimately depends on what you expect to happen over the final stretch of the season.

“Personally, I think Salah will have a resurgence and I wouldn’t be surprised if it started at Southampton.

“I also think he will go on to outscore Mane over the remainder of the season and the points difference will ultimately depend on the number of times you captain either player.

“At this point, you should note that Liverpool face Southampton (away), Cardiff (away), Huddersfield (home), Newcastle (away) and Wolves (home) in five of their last six matches – all fixtures with armband potential.

“That said, I think the price difference is extremely significant.

“With a number of managers yet to play their Bench Boost, an extra £3.0m could come in very handy indeed.

“You also have to bear in mind that Harry Kane (and other premium players) are likely to eat up our budgets for these upcoming fixtures.

“So the choice isn’t simply ‘Mane v Salah’ but ‘Mane + the money v Salah’.

“My plan is to watch the Southampton and Porto games closely before making a final decision.

“Unless Salah shows signs of his festive form then I’m very likely to go for Mane and £3.0m worth of upgrades in my Gameweek 34 Wildcard team.”

Question 4 – Sam

Jedi_Reed: Going into Gameweek 34 onwards, what players and teams are we likely to overlook because of Double Gameweek fever, despite good upcoming fixtures and form?

Sam: “The obvious answer to this question is Liverpool.

“The Premier League top spot has changed hands multiple times in recent weeks and if Liverpool want to be crowned champions they can not afford to drop any more points this season.

“From an FPL point of view because they don’t have any Double Gameweeks there is a real risk of managers forgetting about their assets.

“That was proven by Robertson’s eight points at the weekend which many Fantasy managers missed out on by Free Hitting him out of their teams in favour of Double Gameweek players.

“On the flip side, there are also teams like Brighton who might be overlooked because of form but still have the benefit of four fixtures across Double Gameweeks 34 and 35.

“Players such as Knockaert in midfield and Dunk or Duffy in defence could offer decent differential potential especially if you don’t fancy the more popular move of having Ryan in goal.

“It’s at the point of the season where I start to really focus on the teams that have something left to play for – those who aren’t safe from relegation (Cardiff, Burnley) as well as those still in contention for European spots (Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Wolves, Watford) as these teams should be less at risk from rotation and will continue to play at their best until the end of the season.

Question 5 – Adam

Jules L: How many Manchester City players should we have in Double Gameweek 35?

Adam: “There are a lot of factors to take into consideration so I will start with their schedule.

“If Manchester City are to progress to the Champion’s League semi-final they will have 11 matches between now and the 12th May.

“That is nearly a match every three days.

“Unlike previous periods of congestion, they do not have the luxury of so-called easy fixtures as each match will be critical to their hunt for the quadruple.

“The fixtures surrounding the Double Gameweek are especially challenging as Manchester City will face Spurs at home twice in three days followed by trips to Old Trafford and Turf Moor.

“Given that we have recently witnessed of Pep roulette, I think the whole squad will be utilised over this period, making it difficult to pin your hopes on any particular player.

“The second factor is that the Citizens face four of their final six matches away from home.

“Whilst they are still scoring almost two goals per game on their travels, this is significantly lower than the 3.23 they have averaged at the Etihad Stadium.

“It is also worth noting that key players Aguero and Sterling have been less profitable away, averaging 4.0 and 4.9 points respectively both at least two points lower than their overall average per match.

“Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva is outperforming both players away from home averaging 5.1 points per appearance.

“Manchester City have been defensively solid, conceding just nine goals in 15 away matches.

“Therefore, both Laporte and Ederson could be good options.

“The Frenchman has registered 5.1 points per match away from home and is one of a few players that may actually play in every match.

“Given the tough fixture schedule, I think there is a strong argument to avoid Manchester City until the final two weeks of the season.

“Personally, I think they are unlikely to thrash any of their next four opponents (Crystal Palace, Spurs, Manchester United and Burnley) and will take the opportunity to rest players when they feel the game is won.

“Then you also have to conquer Pep Roulette. FPL is about trying to predict the future points potential and that task becomes very difficult when you don’t know which players will be playing.”

1,047 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Aubaaaaa
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Mkhitaryan or Ozil? Who do you think will get the nod to start?

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Ozil started the last one and received a MOTM award. So...probably Mkhi

      1. The 5% Team
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        haha so true 🙂

    2. Rash
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Ozil yet to start a league game in 2019

  2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Start hamer over fab just incase he starts or is fab the better option

    1. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Even they both start, I would prefer Fab

  3. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Locked and loaded for -8...

    Boruc
    WB Luiz Robbo
    Salah Almiron Westwood Hazard(vc) Tielemans
    Vardy(c)

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Vardy doubt apparently

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        What's happened to vardy?

        1. shirtless
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Brought him in last night! Too late now. Hazard vc anyways

  4. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Who will get the most minutes?

    A) Ozil
    B) Ramsey

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

  5. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Sarri's Higuain comments are not confidence inspiring. Happy to be rid next week.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Think he starts this GW?

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Not a clue. Wouldn't be surprised if Giroud gets a run.

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Seems poor management to say that a player is mentally and physically weak and then send them out to play immediately after. But maybe he just wants to get him angry.

      2. some witty pun
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I think he starts. Giroud played plenty of minutes for France, a rest this week lets him return at the Europa where he's been first choice

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Think the same.

        2. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Good.

    2. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      You think it's too risky to take him out in case he does play?

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't take him out. No.

  6. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Mane or Salah captain?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mane

  7. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Due to the drop of Felipe "useless" Anderson, i can't bring in Siggy as one week punt .

    Who's the best mid to get in only for this week? Budget 7.2.

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Rich if you like Everton? Mkhi? Bou/Lei/Almiron?

      Plenty of different options, depends on the one you like and that fits your team.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Considering rich.

        Mkhi is good if he starts.

        Maddison is also someone I am considering.

        Almiron looks a good choice too.

        Who would you go with out if the 3?

  8. aborg
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Took another -8 for this BGW to pool 10 players. It really only cost -4 if you think about it so I think it is worth it. Thoughts ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Good luck.

      1. aborg
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. Brought in Vardy for Kun and Wilson for Rashford. You think they will make the points to make it worth the hits?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Probably.

  9. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Any more presser news still to come?

    1. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      All done.

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Azpilcueta in.

  10. Bob Sacamano
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Hope people who are wildcarding in Gw34 stay calm tonight and wait with players who might fall in price. Looks like players like Son, Sterling and Aguero could drop with a little luck, but people bringing them in tonight might prevent that. Would love to save another 0.1 och 0.2 by letting them drop before bringing them in tomorrow.

    1. JIMMY TUGGINS
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, think I'm just gonna get rid of Pogba as he's dropping then wait for others.

    2. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Indeed would be lovely for Sterling and Aguero to both drop.

  11. WannabeScout
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Last one xD

    A), Salah + Rondón
    B) Laca + Siggy

  12. Teror
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Vardy or Haz?

  13. UnitedFan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Why did Lossl not play the last game? Wondering if I can play Hamer instead of Fabianski.

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Wondering the same. You think hamer is a better option than fab if he starts?

  14. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    If I do Boruc to Kepa with my free do you think anything else is worth a hit? Anderson to Fraser or Maddison for example? Thanks.

    Boruc
    Robertson, Pereira, Lascelles, Digne
    Salah, Mane, Haz, McNeil
    Vardy, Wilson
    (Anderson)

    1. Bob Sacamano
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      In the same position. Would love to make a luxury move and ditch Anderson or Higuain, but Boruc to Kepa makes much more sense. Don't think a -4 for the other would be worth it.

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Even though not taking the hit means I'll be playing McNeil?

    2. Bob Sacamano
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I think so. McNeil is in good form, Im playing both McNeil and Anderson and hoping for the best.

  15. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Play Yedlin (injury concern) with AWB first sub?
    Or switch Yedlin to Peirara for a -4?

  16. Srv210
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    i was captaining vardy after so much consideration and fear...but his absence from training is a horrible news..

    But if he didn't train, then chances are that he won't even be on the bench, right??

    1. Richd
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I avoided Mane in 31 because of similar news. So beware.

      But I suppose if you own and don’t cApTaIn it’s a fair compromise

      1. Richd
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Wow autocorrect went mental

      2. JIMMY TUGGINS
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        What about if you own, don't captain and only have Bednarek as a possible replacement?

        1. Srv210
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          same here, bednarek on bench...but i got salah and mane too, so I'm not able to think should i take risk of vardy (C) or go mane (C)

        2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Or have no replacement...

  17. pol
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Guaita

    Azpi Robertson TAA
    Salah Hazard Fraser Maddison Kante
    Wilson Vardy

    I have 4 non playing subs would you do any of the below transfers and play instead of Kante for -4?

    A- Dunk > Chillwell
    B- Dunk > Rudiger/Luiz
    C- Dunk > Digne

  18. Godfrey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Boring transfer with Fabianski >> Kepa. But Wilson have the armband 🙂

  19. tafrère
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Vardy > Lacazette for a -4 ?

    If Vardy out will be down to 10 men.

  20. Niho992
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A :Vardy and Fraser
    B:Auba and Brooks

    Already have Boruc and Wilson from BOU and Pereira and Maddy from LEI and nobody from Arsenal.

    What would you do here?

    Does it worth to take hit or to play Bednarek and Arnie ???

  21. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Sell Pogba or Jota?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pogba > Ozil

  22. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Field 8 players with a hit, 9 with -8 or wildcard?

    1. tafrère
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      8 with a hit if you have all the major big hitters.

      1. aapoman
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I have. Just thinking if I should go Mane and Auba or Salah and Wilson/King

    2. aborg
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Taking a -8 is worth it for this blank GW imo. Really counts as a -4 if they just play !

  23. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    GTG? 0FT

    Hamer
    Robertson Chilwell AWB
    Maddison Hazard (c) Salah Mane
    Vardy King Hig

    Boruc CHO Balbuena Doherty

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Minor thing but Boruc over Hamer. Might be that neither plays but Boruc is still a better option

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        thanks

  24. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Play one of McNeil or Barnes?

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Higuain & Antonio
    To
    Rondon & hazard (-4)
    Or go the dullard Antonio to Tielemens??

  26. some witty pun
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    TC Hazard for me. Oh boy...

  27. Dybala10
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    My two pennies on Vardy -

    The photos and training video for Leicester are all from yesterday’s session. It says quite clearly on Getty images the photos are from yesterday. From comparing the pictures to the video, it appears to be the same day. Looks at the snoods on Chilwell and Ghezzal. Maddison also hasn’t done his hair in either.

    I doubt they would let the media in two days on the trot either.

    Vardy may be injured or he might have had the day off and then trained today.

    1. tafrère
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      mhmh lol, FPL drives us crazy.

    2. HamezMace
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      That settles it.
      If Maddison didn't do his hair for one day, that I could believe, but two days in a row, behave.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Love it

      2. Dybala10
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Proper investigative journalism 😉

        1. HamezMace
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I liked it!

  28. S3
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    which midfielder is worth taking a hit to replace Lanzini?

    already have Salah and maxed on Liverpool...also have hazard

  29. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Good luck everyone 🙂

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      And you TM 🙂

    2. JIMMY TUGGINS
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Good luck, TM!

    3. tafrère
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers. Let's get that top 10k !

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Good luck TM 🙂

    5. Patrick Bateman
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Fingers crossed TM!

  30. Benditlike
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    One week punt. Who?
    A) Maddison
    B) Tielmans
    C) Ramsey
    D) Zaha
    E) Rondon