Pre-Season

Assessing the premium FPL forward options in 2019/20

There are some notable price changes among the premium forwards in Fantasy Premier League this season.

Perhaps the stand-out name is Harry Kane, who has fallen from a starting price of £12.5m in 2018/19 to £11.0m this time around.

There have been rises for Sergio Aguero (£12.0m), Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) and Callum Wilson (£8.0m) but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m), Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) cost exactly what they did 12 months ago.

For the purposes of this article, we will class any striker at £8.0m or above as a premium forward.

There are ten attackers in this price bracket at the time of writing, the same number as there were ahead of 2018/19.

Three are in action for their countries in international tournaments this summer: Aguero, Firmino and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m).

The Three Heavy-Hitters

Harry Kane scored fewer home goals (six) than 11 other FPL forwards in 2018/19

Harry Kane is the obvious place to start for this analysis given that he is the cheapest he has been since the 2015/16 season.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker endured an injury-ravaged second half of 2018/19, sitting out ten Premier League matches with two separate ankle ligament problems.

A total of 160 points represented his worst FPL score in five seasons as a first-team regular.

While injuries are of course a mitigating factor, Kane managed to score 64 more FPL points in just 100 more minutes in 2016/17.

Nevertheless, the Spurs and England forward still managed to bank 23 attacking returns last season, more than any of his teammates.

His points-per-match average of 5.71 was also the second-best among FPL forwards in 2018/19 and better than those of Aubameyang, Lacazette and Vardy.

That figure wasn’t a million miles away from the points-per-match average of 5.86 that he managed in his 29-goal campaign in 2017/18.

These returns are all relative, however, and we Fantasy managers expect a lot more from our premium assets than we do from those in the budget and mid-price brackets.

One of the things we ask of our premium attacking options is reliable and explosive returns on their own turf, given that the captain’s armband is often handed to a heavy-hitter with a home fixture.

Kane arguably fell below the standard last season, returning just one double-digit haul at home (12 points v Southampton in Gameweek 12).

The Spurs man also blanked in five of his 12 league appearances at home, averaging only 4.83 points per match at Wembley/the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If he can settle into Spurs’ new stadium and maintain his output on the road (there were four double-digit hauls in away fixtures last season) then Kane may once again become the go-to premium forward option.

The £1.5m price drop certainly helps his cause, while Spurs’ opening run of home fixtures appeals massively (the Lilywhites avoid any of last season’s top ten in their first eight matches at home).

Trips to both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester and Everton in that time are somewhat off-putting, however.

We’ll have more on Kane in a Members’ article on Sunday.

Spurs and Arsenal’s home fixtures alternate perfectly, of course, so Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoys some enticing matches on home soil when Kane faces tricky trips away.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had more ‘big chances’ than any FPL asset in 2018/19

The Gabonese forward, who will have had a restful summer given that his national team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, ended 2018/19 as the top-scoring FPL forward and the co-winner of the Golden Boot.

Despite those feats, he is still available for £11.0m.

Unai Emery’s late-season rotation roulette is perhaps one reason why Aubameyang remains steady at this price, with the Arsenal striker failing to start in six of Arsenal’s final 13 league fixtures – be it through Europa League-led tinkering or illness/injury.

It should be said, though, that Aubameyang had started all but two of Arsenal’s first 25 Premier League fixtures, with the rotation only biting hard when the Gunners reached the latter stages of the Europa League.

From Gameweek 4 onwards, Aubameyang never went more than two Premier League appearances without delivering an attacking return.

Only Kane and Aguero had better points-per-match averages than Aubameyang (5.69) among Fantasy strikers.

Of the FPL forwards who cost more than £9.0m, Aubameyang also offered the best value for money over the whole season, returning 19.0 points per million spent.

Aubameyang was, as he had been in 2017/18, clinical with his chances: his goal conversion rate of 23.4% was the second-best among FPL forwards who were regular starters.

Aguero is the same price as Raheem Sterling this season

Sergio Aguero is the most expensive FPL forward in the game in 2019/20, with his price rise to £12.0m from £11.0m matching that of Raheem Sterling’s.

The season just gone saw the Manchester City striker break the 20-goal barrier for the fifth year in a row, with his total of 201 points representing his best FPL season since 2014/15.

No FPL forward had a better rate of points per match (6.1) or banked as many attacking returns (32).

For those Fantasy bosses who like to captain a premium option with a home fixture, Aguero was a reliable asset: the Argentina international started 14 league matches at the Etihad in 2018/19, blanked in only one of them (the Gameweek 37 win over Leicester) and delivered 23 goals/assists in the process.

Aguero wasn’t nearly as effective away from home, registering only six goals and three assists.

A significant takeaway point from last season was just how “nailed” Aguero was.

When fully fit (we’re not counting the comeback match after injury against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 18), Aguero started 31 of City’s 32 Premier League fixtures.

He was, however, substituted in 23 of those games.

Much like the decision over Sadio Mane (£11.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), it may be a case of Fantasy managers selecting one of Sterling and Aguero – rather than both – this season given the prohibitive prices of each player and, for example, the fact that premium defenders are very much en vogue at present.

READ MORE: Can De Bruyne cover Aguero and Sterling in the City attack?

Three at £9.5m

Gabriel Jesus missed 18 of his 23 ‘big chances’ last season

Gabriel Jesus could have a big say in Aguero’s game-time, of course.

The Brazilian striker registered fewer attacking returns than Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) last season and his starting price has dropped from £10.5m to £9.5m as a result of his lack of involvement and returns in City’s title-winning side.

Jesus started only eight Premier League matches in 2018/19, with just two arriving this calendar year.

The City striker’s expected goal (xG) delta was the worst of all Premier League players last season.

The Brazil international would appear to have much to do to force his way back into Pep Guardiola and Fantasy managers’ plans but, should an injury or loss of form befall Aguero, an alternative route into the City attack for £9.5m would be tempting.

The other two players available at £9.5m, Alexandre Lacazette and Roberto Firmino, are the same price they were 12 months ago.

Alexandre Lacazette didn’t record one double-digit FPL haul at home last season despite his consistent returns

Lacazette’s total of 25 attacking returns was beaten only by Aguero, Aubameyang and Wilson among FPL forwards and no striker registered more assists than the former Lyon man (12).

The Frenchman’s achievements are all-the-more commendable given that he started only 27 Premier League fixtures, with his so-so points-per-match average (4.74) skewed somewhat by eight substitute appearances.

Double-digit hauls were few and far between, however, with none arriving after Gameweek 8.

Consistency was the key with Lacazette, though, with the France international stringing together some excellent sequences throughout the season.

Lacazette blanked in only four matches between Gameweeks 14 and 32 – two of which he played 45 minutes or fewer in.

The French forward delivered attacking returns in all nine Arsenal home fixtures between Gameweeks 18 and 35, meanwhile.

The unpredictability of starts will be enough to put many FPL managers off, despite Lacazette’s proven ability to rack up the points and Arsenal’s appealing run of first eight home matches.

Roberto Firmino has hit ten or more goals and registered eight or more assists in each of his four seasons at Liverpool

Security of starts is something Firmino can generally offer, with the Brazilian making Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI in 31 of the 34 matches he was available for (and even one of those substitute appearances came off the back of an injury).

Seven FPL forwards had better points-per-match averages than Firmino (4.71) in 2018/19 but that rate wasn’t a million miles away from the average he posted in 2017/18 (4.89).

Firmino’s problem Fantasy-wise in 2019/20 will likely be the same as it was last season, with the popularity of his teammates in defence and midfield meaning that he may well be overlooked for one of the three permitted Liverpool slots in many FPL squads.

With Mane rising steeply in price and Salah costing £3.0m more than Firmino, however, the Brazilian striker could well be an interesting differential route into the Liverpool attack that sit second in our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 1 to 8.

Firmino, like his fellow attackers, is in international action this summer but will return to England sooner than Mane and Salah, with the Copa America ending a fortnight before the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cheaper Premium Options

Over half of Jamie Vardy’s points in 2018/19 (88 of 174) arrived in the final 13 Gameweeks

Jamie Vardy is another non-mover in terms of FPL starting price and is available at £9.0m again.

Leicester’s opening fixtures are a mixed bag at best (they actually sit bottom of our Season Ticker in the first eight Gameweeks) but in Vardy they have a striker likely to be as “nailed” a starter as any other premium forward option this season.

Vardy started all of Leicester’s ten league games under Brendan Rodgers, while he was the form striker in the division in the final 13 Gameweeks with 12 goals and two assists.

Vardy turns 33 midway through this season but a restful summer and a lack of European action for the Foxes in 2019/20 will surely stand him in good stead.

Vardy’s average of 5.12 points per match last season was the fifth-best among FPL forwards but his mean under Rodgers was vastly superior: the Leicester striker averaging 7.6 points per match when playing for the former Celtic boss.

Over the course of the season, Vardy proved to be better value than any other FPL forward priced above £7.0m, with the Leicester forward returning 19.3 points per million spent.

Vardy’s goal conversion rate has always been high (2018/19 was the fourth straight year it exceeded 20%) but a relative lack of opportunities being created for him has arguably held him back from even more goals in seasons gone by: the Leicester striker scored 20 goals in 2017/18 despite only being presented with a chance every 45.8 minutes.

Under a manager as attacking as Rodgers, 2019/20 could be a prosperous year for Vardy.

Those Fantasy managers going without him in the opening eight matches will no doubt be eyeing him up for the fixture swing in Gameweek 9.

Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford were separated by £4.0m in FPL 12 months ago

Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku are both priced at £8.5m, though there is much speculation about the Belgian’s future and a summer exit is being touted.

Should Lukaku stay at Old Trafford then we will take a closer look at his credentials for 2019/20 but for now, our focus is on Rashford, who, like many of his teammates, has just had an up-and-down sort of season.

Struggling for attacking returns under Jose Mourinho, Rashford enjoyed a purple patch during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s honeymoon period and banked six goals and two assists in his first eight league appearances under the Norwegian.

Rashford managed only one FPL return (a goal against Watford) in the final 13 Gameweeks of the season, however, as United’s form reverted to type.

The Red Devils start 2019/20 with matches against Chelsea and Wolves, so some FPL managers may delay a decision on the England striker until the back-end of August.

With Lukaku and Paul Pogba’s (£8.5m) futures uncertain, United are in a state of flux at present so there is much that could still change in Manchester and affect Rashford’s prospects before Gameweek 1 rolls around.

Callum Wilson delivered more attacking returns (26) in 2018/19 than he had managed in his three previous seasons combined

Apart from a Gameweek 3 clash with Manchester City, Bournemouth’s opening run of fixtures looks one of the more appealing.

The Cherries take on all three newly promoted sides in the opening nine Gameweeks and also welcome West Ham United to the Liberty Stadium.

Callum Wilson will no doubt attract attention, then, even if he has been handed a £2.0m rise from his starting price in 2018/19.

Wilson finished the season as the fifth-highest-scoring FPL forward despite missing eight of Bournemouth’s league matches, while Aguero and Aubameyang were the only players in his position to register more attacking returns.

The Cherries’ striker registered more goals (14 v 13) and assists (12 v ten) than the more celebrated Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) and had a much better points-per-match average (5.6) than the Wolves forward (4.76).

Injuries are sometimes a concern for Wilson but security of starts aren’t, with the mid-price forward starting all 29 league matches that he was fully fit for (Wilson was a substitute in Gameweek 17 having just returned from the treatment table).

Wilson’s streaky form is what sees him maligned in some quarters: in the last nine Gameweeks of the season, he banked three double-digit hauls and blanked in the other six matches.

Five of Wilson’s six returns of ten points or more were on the road, a source of frustration perhaps for those Fantasy managers who target plum home fixtures when considering a player’s worth.

Joshua King will start 2019/20 at £6.5m so is a possible cut-price alternative to Wilson in the Bournemouth attack, of course: the Norway international had outscored his strike partner in the three preceding FPL seasons and is ahead of Wilson in the spot-kick running order.

717 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Have 13.5m to spend on one def and one fwd.

    Which option do you prefer ?

    A) Trippier/Coleman & Wilson
    B) Digne/Walker & Jiminez

    Also is King nailed?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      i have digne and wilson

    2. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Ofcourse King is nailed. I like A better with Coleman

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Agree with Rocky

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yes King is nailed, though he does have a tendency to be subbed early, sometimes in and around the 60th minute.

      I prefer B

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        With Digne

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers folks

  2. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Which combo looks better
    A) Laporte and Coleman
    B) Walker and Digne

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A, imo

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      b but mendy

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        This

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Zinchenko lurking?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          *if Mendy appears to be nailed again then him otherwise Walker. Same price so shouldn't be an issue.

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          hes a joke

    4. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers! Will keep an eye on Friendlies, problem with Mendy is Zinchenko. If one of them is nailed, I will be tempted to switch Laporte

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    The question is, who's going to be the new premium troll now Hazard is no more?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Kane

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid comment. This troll thing is ridiculous.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        It's a joke, and Hazard was always good to me tbf

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      the man in ur grav

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Could be Sir Harold. Not looked his old self in quite a while.

    5. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Everton defence will troll imo. Finished last season strongly but Silva’s not exactly known for having a tight defence!

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Mane. I can see people rearranging their teams completely after a Mane haul only for him to blank for a few weeks in a row while his replacements (TAA/Robbo) haul.

  4. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    tc salah week 1? get it out of the way?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting...

    2. LSK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nah, Liverpool should finally have a double gwk due to the world club cup so wait until then

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        interesting point, thanks

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Might still be a bit leggy after AFCON. I'd hold TC till we know for sure who whipping boys will be.

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, go on then.

    5. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      like foreplay?

    6. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Might as well get the WC out of the way GW2 while you're at it. BB GW3?

  5. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Would anybody mind critiquing my first draft? During the world cup I swore blind that I'd just fill my team with set piece takers due to VAR, and have somewhat stuck to it, aside from Milivojevic's current exclusion.

    Many thanks in advance!

    Boruc/Begovic/Travers (Button)
    TAA VvD Laporte Digne (4.0)
    Salah KdB Bernardo Siggy (Dendoncker)
    Jimenez King (5.0)

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Get Ryan in goal and Zaha for Bernardo and you would be 100% template.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        cool

        I have 3 of those

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          which ones?

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      get a 4.5 striker and a 4.5 defender

      1. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Oh, I actually really like this idea. Thank you!

  6. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    1st draft:

    Ryan
    TAA - Robbo - Laporte - Digne
    Salah - Sterling - Siggy - Zaha
    King - DCL

    Button - Dendoncker - Kelly - Wickham

    Thoughts guys ?
    Thanks.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not a fan of DCL, but don't think you can do any better unless one of the Brighton strikers (Andone / Locadia) nails a starting spot.

      But otherwise it is a template team.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      looks fine if zaha leaves

    3. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Dcl out

  7. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ederson
    Robertson Van Dijk Coleman Elmoham/Kelly
    Salah DeBruyne Ward-Prowse Zaha/Dendoncker
    Aguero King /Nketiah

    Any thoughts?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      looks good if zaha goes to arsenal

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I want Digne so best way is to move Elmo —> Simpson/Reid??

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          yes or zaha to brooks

  8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Best option out of these two lads???
    A- Vardy, De Bruyne, Fraser
    Or
    B- Kane, Bilva, Maddison

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I like A from those

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Ah good that’s the one I’m on currently!!

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

  9. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Liking the look of this so far. No city defence is an issue.

    Ryan
    TAA, Robertson, Trippier
    Sterling, Siggy, Moura, Zaha
    Firminio, Wilson, King

    Button, Niles, Dendonker, Kelly

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      uhmm..okey dokey

      😕

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        You obviously do not like the look of it. Can’t please everyone I suppose!

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Get some City defence.

    3. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Moura isn't guaranteed minutes so he's a no. Firmino isn't worth the bother in my opinion, on the decline. Can't complain with the rest.

  10. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    So it looks like
    Fab
    Robertson TAA VVD Digne Mendy
    Sterling Fraser Mili
    Kane King
    Fodder
    For first 5-6 weeks
    Thoughts?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      interesting, dont mind it. dont like kane though. and if zaha leaves not sure mili will get as many pens.

      1. Earn your Spurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Good point about mili. Thanks

    2. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      When one of the big hitting mid/fwd hits the ground running, and norwich scores after 30seconds, you're gonna be regretting that defence

  11. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A) Laporte + Digne
    B) Maddison + Mendy/Digne

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A for me personally. I don't really get all the Maddison love. Leicester's first 6 games aren't even that good.

  12. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone know what the Higuain situation is?

    Giroud for 7m looks like a very promising semi-punt.

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He's back at Juve, so don't think they can sign him if the ban stands. More likely Morata will be back

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Going back to Italy.

      Batshuayi and Abraham potential competition though...

  13. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone else think that Bernardo Silva could have a stand out year and improve his goal/assist tally?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Well you would think that De Bruyne being back he would occupy that position in a front 3 with Aguero and Sterling every week so should do!

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        If this happens, think everyone will have him.

        Although maybe with Silva ageing he'll play Bilva and De Bruyne in the middle?

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Maybe midfield 3 of De Bruyne Fernandinho and Foden?

          1. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah could be. I'm sure City will buy someone rather than let Foden play though. And they'll definitely bring a Fernandinho replacement.

    2. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He could, yes. De Bruyne might disrupt his influence though

  14. Heskey Time
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this? Thinking Zinchenko could become Coleman depending on likelihood of starting

    Heaton
    Laporte, Zinchenko, vvd, Robertson
    Salah, Sterling, Zaha
    King, DCL, Vardy

    1. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      What's all the Zinchenko hype based on?

      1. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I’d ignore it mate. It’s a weird FFS bandwagon.

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Nice team. Only concern really is Zinchenko

  15. LSK
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on this team?

    Ryan/Button
    Robertson, Trent, Laporte, Coleman/Diop
    Salah, Sigurdsson, B Silva/Jorginho, 4.5
    Vardy, King, Arnautovic

    .5 in the bank

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Remove Jorginho

      1. LSK
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers, he’ll mostly be 2nd sub behind Diop, just feels better than having a double pivot for some reason. Also IF he is on penalties he’ll certainly rise in price in time for my first wildcard.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          He should definitely be on penalties, the if is whether he plays or not. I have him in my draft and might even play him assuming he'll be the next Mili. After watching a compilation of his big chances created I'm also quite confident he'll pick up a few assists next season as well.

  16. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Two best rotating 4.5 defenders?

    1. bryant
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Diop+Ward/Cathcart imo, here's an article with more ideas
      https://www.fantasybet.com/blog/defender-rotations-for-fantasy-premier-league-2019-20/

  17. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Heaton
    Robertson VanDijk Walker Coleman
    Salah Sterling DeBruyne Zaha
    King DCL
    Cheap bench. 0.0 ib

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not bad!

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Don’t get the love for DCL but I love the defence and midfield!

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Nothing but fixtures. Most people will WC between GW4-8 so it's relatively safe to punt on the guy with the best fixtures till then.

  18. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone rate this team too risky without Salah and Sterling ? Just playing about just now

    Leno

    Digne VVD Robertson Laporte

    KDB Siggy Martial

    Aguero (C) Jiménez Giroud

    Button Diop Dedoncker Hayden

    1. LSK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldn’t recommend Leno or Martial, Giroud is a bit of a punt as well. Main issue is that I wouldn’t be happy captaining Aguero over Salah/Sterling every week.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        While Aguero is playing, he's the best player in the game. At least at home, which is what most of your captains will be. 20+ goals in 5 seasons in a row, never even getting to 2600 minutes.

  19. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Please could you help me rank these 4.5 midfielders? Looking for some enablers to fill the bench:

    Hayden
    Dendoncker
    Guendouzi
    Stephens
    Romeu

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Dendocker
      2) Guendouzi

  20. bryant
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    experimenting with no liv/mci def, is there anything here or am i being too crazy
    Ryan (Button)

    Coleman Alderweireld (Cathcart Ward Diop)
    Salah Sterling De Bruyne Sigurdsson Zaha
    King Deeney (Long)

    1. LSK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Too risky mate. I don’t think the attack is strong enough to compensate.

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      You can’t possibly go into the season without a Liverpool or City defender when you’ve got a big number of people considering 2 or 3 defenders from the teams mentioned.

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Liv and city defenders will be consistently getting you an easy 6 pts ~20 times this season. Wouldn’t pass up on that

    4. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No offence but there’s not really any point in this as you’ll definitely have City/Pool defence

  21. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A budget forward line seems the way to go. I can’t imagine going without TAA, Robbo, Salah or Sterling. Flexibility is key but can anyone speak from previous seasons where having a budget forward line has proven successful or a failure in the first month or so? The biggest fear is a Kane or Auba starts scoring and then you’ve got to downgrade someone like Sterling to make the funds.

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Didn't Mark Sutherns have a lot of success with a budget front line for a large part of last season?

      The key thing to my mind is that we have the safety net of the wildcard, which a huge number of people will have played after four or so weeks anyway.

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        True. After all of the despair it’s all re-visited during GW3/4/5 when you inevitably WC.

    2. LSK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Kane is tempting me at 11m

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Aguero is getting overlooked too imho.

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Kane's fixrures are very odd though - alternates between easy and difficult.
        Plus is Moura a better value option?

    3. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Agreed. Might stretch to Vardy, but certainly going with King and one of Pukki/Sharp/Adams

  22. Sergeant Slaughter
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Pulisic should be part of front 3 for Chelsea...any idea when he'll be listed? Predictions on price?

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      7.5?

  23. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    If you had to punt on one?

    A. Che Adams
    B. Sharp
    C. Pukki

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Billyyyy, depends who else we sign though

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        What's your assessment of Enda?

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Che when we get him. Looks very Pelle-esque, but with speed.

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Doesn't seem like a big lad, cant see him being a target man like pelle was?!

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          He’s 5’9. Definitely not a comparison I’d have expected

        2. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          not in terms of height, but in terms of brute strength. The guy just loves to outmuscle a defender.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        More like Karlan Grant.

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Probably a more apt description to be fair.

    3. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Billy if he’s our striker going in

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Sheffield United fan?
        Can you shed some light on Enda stevens for me?

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I only started supporting this season tbf. Im mainly a Utd fan. He sounds a good prospect though!

          1. Poseidon.
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            AWBeasty i can highly recommend

        2. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          He's a troll

  24. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A. Robertson & Coleman

    B. VVD & Walker

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

  25. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Has anyone kept track of how the FFS 'template teams' have done in previous years?
    From what I remember most seem to do OK and are middle of the road.
    I am not sure I like this years 'template' much I am honest.
    It does not leave much variation for future weeks.
    And there does not seem to be much rotation planned, as the benches are so weak in most drafts this season.

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The risk is if a premium forward gets hot it will be difficult to get him

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      People wildcard after 3 games to whatever the emerging template is anyway.

  26. Kane Toads
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    First Draft:

    Ryan
    Laporte, TAA, Robbo, Dann
    Bilva, Mane, Fraser, Grealish
    Aguero, Jimenez

    Button, Diop, Hayden, Nketiah

    For me it's going to be Mane vs Salah (+ a downgrade)

  27. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Looks like we’re getting someone called Mcgin for just £50m. Absolute bargain if we can pull this off

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      McGinn for 50m, and 5.5m in FPL.
      The Fantasy gods have answered our prayers.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Damn - he was in my team already because of Villa's fixtures from gw2 onwards
        If he moves to Man United I will have to re-think it!

      2. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I’m hearing he is a CM so he could be the next Scolesy easily

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Shambles.

  28. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How's this team with Jamie Vardy in it?

    Ryan
    Robertson A.Smith Coleman Mendy
    Salah Brooks Sigurdsson Sterling
    King Vardy

    Button Dendoncker Kelly Kodjia/McGoldrick

    0.0m ITB

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Given the weak links that you'll play each week plus the Mendy situation, meh.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, thought so too. The tinkering continues.

  29. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Should official FPL be allowed to change the price of a player if they change clubs in the transfer window?

    If Harry Maguire (£5.5m) goes to Man City for example.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No, hope this helps.

  30. Kane Toads
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Repost:

    First Draft:

    Ryan
    Laporte, TAA, Robbo, Dann
    Bilva, Mane, Fraser, Grealish
    Aguero, Jimenez

    Button, Diop, Hayden, Nketiah

    For me it's going to be Mane vs Salah (+ a downgrade)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Don't like the attack, Ryan and Dann.

      1. Kane Toads
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        cheers, TM