Opinion

Best Man City players for a Wildcard ahead of Gameweek 5

There is a large number of Fantasy Premier League managers who have Wildcarded for Gameweek and are looking for ways to put the finishing touches to their squads.

Manchester City players and budget forwards seem to be the most talked-about subjects in this context, so we’ve put together another panel of managers to help you out…

WHO’S ON THE PANEL THIS WEEK?

Tom Freeman / avfc82 – A long-term member of and frequent poster to the Fantasy Football Scout site. Tom has five top 1,000 finishes to his name in ten years of playing FPL.

Aleksander Våge Nilsen – Currently eighth in the Fantasy Football Scout Career Hall of Fame, having had three top 1k finishes in the last five seasons.

FPL Hints – One of the most-followed names in the FPL community, a seasoned veteran as well as a Scout writer and an Official FPL panellist. Finished 110th in the world in 2011/12.

Greyhead – The writer of, among other things, our weekly Great and the Good series. Greyhead finished 85th in the world in 2018/19.

Legomané – Fantasy Football Scout moderator and current leader of the Mods and Cons league. Legomané finished 1,006th in the world in his previous best season of 2016/17.

ANSWERS

Who are the best Man City players to get under Wildcard?  I’m currently on Zinchenko, KDB and Sterling, but am also considering Otamendi, Stones and Aguero

Aleksander: “To try to solve Pep roulette is not a very pleasant task, but I will give it a go. Last week I would have said Zinchenko and just hope that Mendy remains close to a return for a couple of more months. 

“Also, it doesn’t seem like it will be straight forward for Mendy to walk into this City team anyway, with Zinchenko in decent form right now, both for club and country.

“However, after Laporte’s long-term injury an opportunity to go for the cheaper Otamendi has opened, and on a Wildcard, I think I would take that chance.

“I just think centre backs are safer from rotation than wing-backs, and I think Pep wants to pair his centre backs already against Norwich and play them together to build a relation between them. There is a risk that Fernandinho or Walker could line up alongside Stones, but my money is on Otamendi for that spot. 

“For my own team, I can’t get Otamendi in this week without a hit, so I will use this Gameweek to see if he actually starts and plays well, but I assume he does and therefore is a risk worth taking on Wildcard.

“Then it is the difficult choice of what attacking players to go for. Sterling and KDB have shown what they are made of this season, but so has Aguero. It has to be two of those three for me.

“The Silvas are tempting to save some money, but the points potential of the three mentioned players are just too high to ignore.

“The choice depends on what team structure you prefer. I like the look of the mid-price strikers this season and are more fan of the budget midfielder than the budget strikers. With that in mind, I decided to load up one the £6.5m to £7.5m strikers, with Cantwell as the fifth midfielder. Then it was straight forward to put Sterling and KDB in. 

“Also, going with two midfielders allows you to double the chances of bringing in small additionals of clean sheets as Manchester City should keep plenty of those this season. That is also why, combined with the cost element, I prefer to have a defender from City and not go all-in on their attack. I just have to take the unavoidable Aguero hattricks on the chin and hope KDB and Sterling can keep up.”

Should Salah be the automatic captain choice considering he has had a rest over the international break as opposed to Man City assets who have mostly been in action?

Legomané: “I can certainly understand the logic behind this question. A classic dilemma to follow the early season International break – for FPL managers, a premature prorogation period which by its nature breeds uncertainty. “What if..?”

“Mo Salah is undoubtedly a terrific captaincy option for Gameweek 5. His early season form has been bubbling toward scintillating. In particular, his second goal against Arsenal in Gameweek 3 was an emphatic statement that he intends to recapture the form of his record-breaking 32 goal return in 2017/18.

“Meanwhile, the odds of rotation must be a little higher than ‘normal’ for some Manchester City assets this Gameweek. Their squad depth is unrivalled in the league, and on paper an away fixture at defensively frail Norwich looks a simple task for them ahead of an important midweek Champions League tie in Ukraine.

“Of the three prime captaincy options among Man City players, only Sergio Agüero has been at his leisure this past fortnight. Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling have, however, both been in amongst the goals and assists for their national teams – continued form is unquestionable.

“Personally, my armband is somewhat loosely attached to Sterling for now. Perhaps it’s subconsciously because thus far, the apparent ‘obvious’ captaincy pick has been outscored by my vice each Gameweek.

“My conscious deduction process for splitting these two fantastic options so far has centred around the teams they face. Simply put, Norwich are statistically the worst team for shots conceded thus far, not to mention ravaged by injuries across the back-line. On the flip side, City are top of the charts for goal attempts.

“For others, the deciding factor will be influenced logically by the perceived certainty of starts. One thing is for sure, come Friday I’ll be keeping a keen ear for any unexpected hints from Pep!”

Who would form the best cheap defender (under £5m) rotation for Gameweeks 5 to 8? 

FPL Hints: “I’m on an active Wildcard at the moment and, instead of having cheap rotating defenders strategy that I can rely upon I’m opting for three of four starting regular defenders. 

“One of those defenders is £4.6m option, Erik Pieters. He has a generous fixture run between Gameweeks 5 and 8.  Between now and Gameweek 14 Burnley only face one team that finished in the top five last season.

“In addition, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that he picked up two assists in Gameweek 1.  With Ashley Barnes being in the form of his life there may be scope for Pieters to register more assists.

“Burnley appear to be a different outfit from last season, even if most of the personnel are the same.  Pieters is a reinforcement that has strengthened them and could be an FPL bandwagon waiting to happen.  He could offer exceptional value at his price range and is definitely worth considering.”

I am planning to play 4-5-1. Will it be a good move if I switch to Barnes from Pukki given the fixtures of Burnley and Norwich in upcoming weeks or will it be too risky to go without Pukki given his ownership? Pukki is overperforming according to XGA stats, so Pukki party may come to an end soon with tough fixtures ahead. Any other alternative suggestion of a single striker?

Tom: “Teemu Pukki is no doubt a good option going forward, and losing a player with such high ownership is not something everyone will feel comfortable with, but I do quite like the sound of this move.

Pukki probably won’t continue scoring at his current rate, but to counter that his overall numbers are still quite encouraging, and it isn’t just goal threat he brings – I think he’ll add several assists to his tally over the forthcoming months.

Norwich City haven’t had an easy start to life in the Premier League either with games against West Ham United, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Liverpool, and even if he regresses a little, he’ll still offer value.

But… Ashley Barnes is someone I like a lot, he’s a player I’ve previously owned, and from the second half of last season till now, his shots in the box and xG numbers are right up there with the best of them. Both he and Dwight McNeil are interesting options now Burnley’s fixtures have turned, and that is the reason I’d be tempted.

“Whilst Pukki faces Manchester City, plus away trips to Burnley and Crystal Palace over the next three, Barnes is up against Brighton & Hove Albion and two of the newly promoted sides, Norwich City and Aston Villa.

“Other options worth considering, and they need to be nailed if playing a 4-5-1 each week, are Sébastien Haller or, if you have any extra money lying around, Jamie Vardy.”

Aleksander: “First I would like to express my concern for the 4-5-1 formation in general. If your main striker doesn’t play you can only call on (probably) two 4.5 options from the bench while you also have inflexibility if a lot of mid-range strikers start to deliver. This price bracket has started this season really well which makes the 4-5-1 a no go for me.   

“Pukki has a difficult match next, but then okay fixtures from Gameweek 6 to 12. Four of those are away, but I assume that the home teams won’t sit back against Norwich and that could give Pukki rooms to shine in those matches as well. Le’ts hope the West Ham game was a oneoff. 

“Barnes has of course shown in 2019 that he can score a lot of goals, so choosing between them is a coin toss in my book. I don’t think you should consider ownership at all when making your decisions this early in the season. Pukkis high ownership is more than anything an opportunity for you to gain some serious green arrows if you dare to sell him. 

“If you are decided to go 4-5-1 and want to pick only one striker I would go someone a bit more expansive like Abraham, Haller or Wilson. This is to make sure you have an easy switch to whatever mid-price striker that pass your eye test in Gameweeks to come.

“In this range, my advice would be Haller with semi-appealing fixtures and excellent service from the trio behind him. The Haller idea is a bit more caution way of playing, and something I like to do to avoid hits. But each to their own, and the more risky play is to move Pukki to Barnes. For information, my front three is currently Haller, Barnes and Pukki so I like the prospect of all three.”

With Spurs back to full strength (Alli is back, Eriksen stays, Son back), does it make Kane a good pick?

Tom: “On the face of it, Spurs haven’t had a bad start to the season, having drawn at champions Manchester City and North London rivals Arsenal, whilst beating Aston Villa on the opening day.

“Only the 1-0 home loss to Newcastle United you’d consider a poor result, but for anyone who’s watched them this season, they aren’t quite clicking, and this is concerning if you have 11.0 invested in Harry Kane.

“Despite Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min returning, the issue I have with Spurs is they haven’t been very good for quite a while now. Their league performances in 2019 have been average at best and their record reads played 22, won nine, drawn four and lost nine.

“Will they improve? Well, the return of Tanguy Ndombele will help in central midfield. Christian Eriksen will get more minutes now he’s staying, and he makes Spurs a much better team, so you’d expect to see their level increase over the next run of fixtures, which are kind, but it’s not guaranteed.

“What’s clear is Harry Kane is regularly dropping deep, even more so when Eriksen doesn’t play. He had a quiet North London derby and despite converting his penalty, he also only took two shots from open play. To be fair to him, the whole team struggled creatively, but to compete with other premium assets he needs more service in and around the box.

“If I owned Kane, I’d be tempted to make a move to Sergio Agüero or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang till we see evidence of this happening regularly.

Greyhead: “Here comes the Kane! Tough one to grapple with as everything points to Harry being a strong pick with great fixtures, four goals whilst on international duty and he has even broken the August curse.

“To your point, the Spurs attack will be strengthened with Son, Alli now in contention and Eriksen hanging around for a bit longer at least, so why are we hesitating?

“Well quite simply for those opting for a premium forward formation he has to compete with Aguero, the City man has better xG (2.76 vs 1.92), better shot accuracy (six shots on target compared to four) and less than half the minutes per shot on target (44.5 vs 90).

There is the argument that Kane is more guaranteed of minutes but he also has the dark cloud of the Newcastle game hanging over him and from an eye test he looks laboured.

“There is also the fear that he will start to drop into a deeper role with Son now back, so all these nagging doubts whilst the City and Liverpool premium assets flourish put me off investment for now.

“If you have him then I wouldn’t throw him over the top rope just yet as he may well hulk up and Kane-mania might start running wild but on the other hand I wouldn’t advise adding him to your stable when there are other such enticing options.”

Should I spend more in defence to have Virgil van Dijk or go for a similar priced mid/forward like Mount, James or Barnes? 

FPL Hints: “Before the season started, I thought Van Dijk would be a mainstay in my team until May.  After all, he was priced £0.5m cheaper than Robertson despite only scoring five points fewer than him.

“I’ve since upgraded to Alexander-Arnold due to his supplementary attacking prowess.  In any case, Van Dijk cuts a formidable figure in the Liverpool defence and there are still slight questions on whether James and Mount (similar price bracket) will regularly start, let alone continue their spree of regularly Fantasy returns.

“It will be telling to see if James will start regularly in the Europa League or Champions League after the international break.  Also, a case can only be made to spend a bit more on Abrahams instead of Mount. 

“As for Barnes, it’s hard to ignore him, especially with his generous fixture run and lack of midweek European commitments.  Clearly, we all need a premium Liverpool defender and Van Dijk is a safer and reliable option (and cheaper than Alexander-Arnold).  You can easily fit all four of the players named above if you wanted but for now, I personally won’t take a risk on Mount and James.”

Legomané: “As an owner of VVD, Mount and Barnes, my simple answer is why not have them all?

“Identifying whether or not there is a correct time to abandon the Liverpool defence feels like a season-defining decision. I am currently operating with a double up (TAA) in a 4-4-2, so offloading VVD to facilitate a switch to 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 in the near future has certainly crossed my mind.

“The issues for me are practicality, personnel and timing. This week ahead of an appealing Newcastle home tie does not strike me as the opportune moment to move away.

“However, the following fixture run of CHE-shu-LEI-mun-TOT-avl-MCI does not necessarily scream multiple straightforward clean sheets. Of course, news of an imminent return for Alisson in goal would encourage greater stability at the back.

“Practically speaking, without additional funds, a straight swap doesn’t feel particularly appealing. None of my affordable watchlist picks (Iwobi, McGinn, Ceballos, Yarmolenko) inspires the confidence owning VVD brings at present. Not yet. The likes of Maddison, Abraham and Haller are all just out of reach.

“For non-owners, I could certainly get on board with a swap to Ashley Barnes in Gameweek 6 or Mason Mount in Gameweek 7 – both players have terrific underlying stats and are approaching some rather delicious fixtures. It’s all just a matter of timing.”

With Burnley’s good upcoming fixtures, loads will be hopping on the Barnes bandwagon. Is Wood a decent differential alternative?

Greyhead: “The Burnley front two always remind me a bit of the Minogue sisters with Barnes the more successful eye catching Kylie and Wood well, he’s the other one.

When I first thought about this I was tempted by the New Zealander, he’s cheaper, has the same great fixtures and was only a couple behind Barnes in goals scored last season.

“Then someone much smarter than me pointed me towards Kylie, sorry I mean Ashley’s stats. Barnes is in the top three forwards for shots at 15 with 11 of those inside the box and an xG 2.04 so he is competing with the best in terms of current form.

“He has done this with a mixed set of fixtures so the signs are good with the likes of Norwich and Brighton to come.

“I have no doubt that Wood will improve and will get a goal or two over the next few weeks but I would be looking to the locomotion of the Barnes train as in this case it’s better the devil you know.”

1,044 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KWP >>

    1. Pieters
    2. Lowton
    3. Soyuncu
    4. Lundstram

    ta

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2

  2. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bookies have kept pukki at roughly a 40 percent chance to score anytime vs City, the same as Barnes vs Brighton.. ridiculous stuff

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Influenced by bets taken?

    2. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Those who do that probably don't also offer him not to score - that way you would see the full payout of the betting offer. Usually the odds for a player to score are the worst you could possibly get, they probably rate his chances at 25% and offer those ridiculous low odds because you can't back the alternative option.

  3. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Robbo to TAA worth it for a solitary FT? Have exact funds, and no big issues in rest of my team.

    Heaton
    Robertson vanDijk Zinchenko Coleman
    Salah Sterling deBruyne Ceballos
    Haller Pukki

    Woodman Greenwood Lundstram Dendoncker.

    0.2m ITB / 1 FT

    Leaning towards doing it, tbh.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That’s a really nice set up

      The only argument against it is getting City defence in from Coleman but you’ll want TAA anyway and there won’t be many weeks when it’s as easy to do as this.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Doh

        You already have Zinc - go for it

      2. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, mate.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If you had 2FTs I'd say go for it but in this instance it's a definite save for mine.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thats the conundrum, really. TAA not rising and Robbo not dropping *probably*, so no real rush. Could I wait another week?
        There is the risk of TAA hauling, and to be fair he always looks like he'll haul through a set piece or a cross.

  4. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who will be the best captaincy option for me this GW?

    Own sterling, mane, KDB and Auba

    if not for norwich fixture I wud have captained Mane and then auba considering the minutes of sterling...but even a 30 mins cameo from sterling cud see 10+ points for sterling against norwich defense...

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      try with liverpool. I have Salah/Sterling. Really want Sterling like you said because of Norwich but Salah will be my boy.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        yeah will try mane...cud see him getting a goal at home after the last weeks antics at salah 🙂

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      KdB is THE Differential Captain me thinks.
      Salah a good pick too, imo.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        wat do u think about auba's chances away to watford? their away form concerns me and i guess it will be a tight affair 1-1 or 1-0 win

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          New manager bounce could be tricky. . We beat Arsenal 3-2 with that last season.

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If in doubt, I usually plump for the home fixture, but that's just me.

  5. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Heaton

    Virgil - Robbo - Digne - Walker

    Salah - Martial? - Mount - Sterling

    Pukki - Wilson

    (dendo, lund, green)

    1. Martial to who ??
    2. Save FT
    3. Any other advice?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Save.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lund 1st sub.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2 for me

      I'm holding Martial too and think I'll ride out even if presser is negative for this week and he's back next.

      Argument perhaps to lose Digne or Walker for KdB from Martial I guess.

    4. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      robbo - kelly
      greenwood - barnes

  6. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What would you do here?

    Ryan
    TAA, Digne, Zinchenko, KWP
    Salah, Sterling, Dilva, Mount
    Wilson, Pukki

    Button, Coleman, Deondocker, Martinelli
    Bank 0.0m, 1FT

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'd save a transfer.

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Save, but I’d look to move Coleman to bench fodder (lundstram?) and upgrade KWP next week.

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. Yeah I think I can downgrade one of the defenders to a cheapie soon. Perhaps not Coleman next week though as he has SHU. Have a couple of risks in there with KWP & Zinchenko so if one of them starts missing games it’ll probably be them.

  7. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bit stumped this week...what do you think of these moves?

    Pope
    Walker Digne AWB
    Sterling KDB Son Martial Mount
    Pukki Firmino

    4.0; Montoya, Lundstram, Wickham

    2FT, 0.0itb

    1) Firm + Son > Wood/Barnes + Salah/Mane
    2) Martial + Son > 4.5 + Salah
    3) Martial + AWB > Gudmudsson/Iwobi/Yarma + TAA

    Leaning towards 3, although Firmino seems very likely to get a rest this week.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      3 with Gudmunsson.

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. Not keen on any other mids in that bracket. Iwobi will be rotated, same with Cebellos. Gud will profit over the next 4.

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I like 1 actually. Firmino is a great shout, but it would be far better if he was 1-1.5 less expensive.

      2 doesn’t work because you are forced to start lundstram every week.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Now you've got Son I'd hold a bit anyway. Holding Martial AWB myself so I see the prob.

      I'd be tempted to just do Matip myself from AWB and give Martial a chance. Failing that I'd do 3 with Yarm but keeping an eye on Trossard news - Lund is quite playable this week.

    4. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I should add that with 3 your lady starting mid is rubbish, but honestly that’s ok if the rest of your team is good, which it is. Personally I don’t have martial (I did), and when he is fit (which isn’t often), he is the #9 for man united. I think his sales and pending price drop are over done.

  8. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Trossard ->
    A. David Silva
    B. Richarlison

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Trossard crocked...??

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If you are married to one or the other, go A. Otherwise I would say none of the above.

    3. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      easy A from that choice.

  9. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    play Dunk or Cantwell?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dunk, IMO.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      dunk

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dunk

  10. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Brought Deufelou in on W/C and he's dropped 0.1 there. Raging, ffs!!!! 🙁 🙁 🙁

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The question is why?

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

      Hary to feel sorry for you. Fplstats exists and also why Deulofeu??

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

        Hard to*

  11. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Rmt please

    Pope
    Pieters TAA Otamendi
    Mane Bruyne Iwobi Pepe
    Haller Vardy Barnes

    Guaita Soyuncu Lundstram cantwell

    Thanks

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nicely different, hope it goes well.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Son for pepe

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If you fancy 3-4-3 (and I assume you do), gtg. I will say, this team really illustrates the trade off of going 3 at the front. No funds for Salah or sterling. If it was me, I’d downgrade Vardy and get one of the two.

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

      Son in for pepe imo unless you dont have that 0.1

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice.

      Like Guaita call in principle but that's a lot to spend on keepers. He's really hard to bench - Palace got 5 cs away last time out and were top 6 away so Home and Away rotation makes for a headache. Getting him in for sure around 12.

      Don't rate Iwobi really - did very little in an attacking Arsenal side last time out. I'd save GK money and get a decent 4th mid.

    6. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I suggest to have 2 players above 10. Haller+Pepe to Kun+Mount. Be patient with Pepe.

  12. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Just realized city has a midweek away CL fixture too.....what do u guyz think it will do for sterlings minutes?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Unpredictable, as always. Unfortunately.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        whoz ur captain this GW?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Not worried by playing for Brazil?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yes, I am worried about that.

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

          Going mane myself. Sterling owner

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on Pep. Could easily get a full rest on the weekend.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        yezh if he doesnt start, they might be 3 or 4 up by 60th min and he might as well not get on the pitch at all

    3. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If you can accurately predict this, I hope you can make it your career. You will do well.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        haha true that

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Early game week 5 regret 🙂

      Have respectable OR (around 200k) but have come within an ace in weeks 12 and 4 of absolutely crushing it - each time backing out of the really aggressive move that would have seen me right up there.

      This is the hit I nearly took this time.

      Kane Dendoncker to Vardy Dilva

      Kun in from Kane makes sense so still hopeful but .....

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Whoops RF to no one

    5. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Then Sterling won't flight to Ukraine :))

  13. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the designated Villa Penalty taker?

    I looked it up and it says Kodja, who's not starting for them.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Look again.

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Grealish?

          1. gryffsonofarthur
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            ooh. the fact that Wesley is first in line for pens makes him really appealing at 6 milion.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Team needs to earn one 1st.

  14. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Haller pukki or Barnes?

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      H, B, P...in that order.

  15. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martial replacement under 6.8

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      mcginn

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

      Lanzini or Tielemans the standout options there

    3. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mount

  16. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    A) Wesley
    or
    B) Ayew

    The best cheap 3rd striker?

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

      If a regular starter for you, A. If not, B

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Have 2 FTS and could do Diogo Jota and Dendonker to Wesley and Mcginn.

        if I changed Wesley to Ayew I'd put the extra 0.9 to a defensive upgrade to Rico or Kelly next week.

        other strikers Pukki and King.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          The Villa double up is really rich no?

          You must have a superpower midfield if you have that front line and Dendo Kelly and Rico.

          I'd do King to Wesley this time personally but see why you want rid of Jota. He has a run of juicy home matches coming up and Chelsea this week looks prime

  17. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Another Salah Sterling captaincy debate this week.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Bound to get it wrong... fingers crossed.

  18. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Biggest dissapointment so far?

    Diogo Jota for me.

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

      Perez

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Robbo

      But surely he'll come good. Surely 🙂

    3. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Siggy and Robbo

  19. duststorm
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    To choose Digne to go 442 or James to go 433?

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      digne

  20. duststorm
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry should be
    Digne (442)
    Or
    James (352)

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      digne and TAA looking essential in defense. other good mid price MF options other than James

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Did you get Digne to bench?

  21. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    anyone brave enough to bench Pukki this week?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Brave? Don’t you mean dumb..

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        there's a fine line between bravery and stupidity.

    2. AicilaXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Seen quite a few comments over people benching Pukki in favour of Lund, but not for me.

      Don't have the dilemma anyway because I will be playing both.

  22. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Almost final draft on WC

    Adrian
    Otamendi Digne Pieters
    Salah Sterling KDB Eriksen
    Pukki Abraham Ayew

    Button Kelly Lunds Guendo
    0.2 itb

    any recommend moves?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'd have Vardy in over Erik 100%. That could get you James in midfield who's surely better value than Ayew

      Erik Ayew to Vardy James

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Bah that doesn't work - forget.

        Still Ayew as a starter is dodgy imo even rotating with Lund who's about to have a fixture turn.

        1. RIDZ
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          what about downgrade Ota to 5.0 and Kelly to 4.5? But who might be the best 5.0?

      2. RIDZ
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        That's not the same of value mate. Ayew only 5.0 and James 6.1

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Should be playing Lundstram this week.. dunno who for, maybe Ayew.

      1. RIDZ
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        hmm thanks, I also considering Lunds for Ayew

  23. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    On wildcard and tempted by Dele Alli. Great fixtures and at 8.4 looks like great value.

    1. thes7s
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No form no stats to back you up and Spurs has been abysmal in 2019 not to mention Alli is an overhyped average player at his best.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        this

  24. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    On a wildcard

    Pope
    Zinchenko TAA Digne Pieters
    Salah Sterling KDB
    Pukki Barnes Abraham

    Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Guendouzi
    0.1 ITB.

    Haller looks more promising than Abraham with better fixtures and less rotation. But that would mean I have to do
    Zinchenko, Pieters and Abraham -> Otamendi, Soyuncu and Haller.

    Also thoughts on 3 premium midfielders?

    1. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Losing Pieters seems not a good idea. What about downgrade Cantwell to Dendo as you looks on always playing 433?

      I like TAA+Digne but if you add another 5.5 def it would be overbudget for me. You may also downgrade Zinc to 5.0 maybe Zouma/Sokratis as fixtures looks strong even though their team still not good in defense

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      With Pieters => Lowton I can see 2 upgrades here and one similar option

    3. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      BUR defence looks good and fixtures but you got Pope already
      Otamendi over Zinch
      And Soyuncu for Pieters
      Then you can have Haller.
      I would have Haller over Ab

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think Abraham will surprise us all over these fixtures, glad i opted for him over Haller

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        - agree with you on that point. As an owner I'm hoping Giroud gets some CL time too to give Abraham a good chance of starting those appealing forthcoming games.

  25. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, on WC

    A. Digne Guendouzi Haller
    B. Rico Pepe Greenwood

    B would give

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Pieters [Lund Rico]
    Salah Sterling KDB Pepe James
    Pukki Ayew [Greenwood]

    Pepe can be Son

    1. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A by miles

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        With A mu bench is Ayew Guen Lunds. Is not it too much in total?

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Rico+Greenwood are deadwood, I suggest to have 2 active bench. A would be safer

  26. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    My WC team

    Pope-Button
    TAA-Otamendi-Souyncu-Lundstram-?
    Salah-Sterling-KDB-Cantwell-?
    Haller-Pukki-?

    A. Digne&Mount-Greenwood
    B. Pieters&Maddison-Ayew

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

  27. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Palace for a 1 nil smash and grab at Spurs this weekend!

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ayew to score? 😉

      Think they're now the only (formerly known as) top 6 side we haven't beaten away in the last 2/3 seasons. Rare that cs are involved mind -it's all about that potent Palace attack

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ayew goal, PVA assist 🙂

  28. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Morning all.
    Any suggestions to complete my wildcard defence:

    Pope - Button
    Otamendi - Alderweireld - blank - blank - Lundsram

    I've 9.6m left. Was thinking Maitland-Niles and Lowton as Arsenal are second for defence between GW 5-14 and a Burnley double-up wouldn't be mad given that they're top for defence 5-14.

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Matip and Pieters/Soyuncu

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Id downgrade Toby A. as dont think he offers value

        1. John Colby (Capt)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah Toby doesn't offer much else in terms of attacking threat from set pieces but as TAA owner presently I'm not at all confident he'll get the hauls owners think he'll get and that's why I was avoiding Liverpool defenders for 5-14. Pieters does interest me. Cheers for your thoughts.

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Bellerin back soon, better to get Sokratis than Niles for long term. Maybe Kola for the safest option but need another 0.3.
      Not sure with Alder but goodluck. You may consider Zouma as Chelsea fixtures looks good for defense.

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers Ridz - yeah forgot that Bellerín is back soon. Sokratis poor - Holding should have a chance to get some first team football this season ahead of him imo

  29. thes7s
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Just took a look at Alli's stats over the past few years and was shocked. I guess the way the English media and fans treat young English players is way toxic. For instance, Alli and Lingard are great talents but they are rarely challenged and their status is usually the same no progression or even worse they regress. On the other hand, Sterling was challenged at his early days even after his great breakthrough season , he was always criticised for his poor finishing and attitude especially when he told Hodgson that he feels jaded, add to that the controversy surrounding his transfer to City and how badly he preformed on his first season there. Now l, Sterling matured over the years, pretty sure he learnt from such experiences. Same applies to Sancho and his adaptation phase with Dortmund and leaving City's heaven. Foden as well should do great with all obstacles in front of him now. Point is as long as you hand starts easily and after couple of good games you hand international appearances, young players become drunk with fame and fulfillment feeling that they don't have an major milestone to achieve or grounds to break.

  30. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What about Haller for gw5 and swapped to Abraham on gw7? Chelsea fixtures looks much better starts gw7