Pro Pundits

Play safe or take risks? The Gameweek 12 dilemma I face as I aim for the top 5k

FPL Family’s Sam Bonfield is gunning for a spot in the top 5,000 in Gameweek 12 and guides us through her current strategy in our latest Pro Pundits article.


Fantasy Football is all about taking the rough with the smooth and Gameweek 11 was definitely the latter for me.

When Caglar Soyuncu (£4.8m) gave Leicester the lead against Crystal Palace this weekend I was not a happy manager, having made the decision to leave him on my bench as first sub.

However, the news of Harry Kane’s (£10.8m) omission from the Spurs squad with a virus meant that Soyuncu’s 14 points came off my bench.

With Soyuncu languishing on my bench, my rank would have dropped from 14k to 20k. However, after his auto-substitution, the 80 Gameweek points I achieved in total meant that I found myself inside the coveted top 10k.

Now sitting at 7,985, there are two possible strategies.

The first is to default to a protective stance, bring in the well-owned players and play it safe to protect that top 10k finish. However that’s just not me and isn’t the way I want to play the game.

So onwards to the next target: the top 5k. In order for that to be achievable, there needs to be an element of risk and getting on the right differential players before they hit a purple patch.

With two free transfers heading into Gameweek 12, there are a number of players who I am considering changing. Having transferred Nicolas Otamendi (£5.3m) out for Diego Rico (£4.3m) ahead of Gameweek 11, I already have £1.4m in the bank in which to upgrade my squad.

This season I have been really stubborn where Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) is concerned. I truly believe that over the course of the season, Sadio Mane (£12.0m) and Salah will counter each other out in terms of goals and Fantasy points scored.

But Salah’s problematic ankle is making it very hard to stay with him now, especially with him being substituted early on Saturday with two points, while Mane went on to score 12. The price difference between the two players is now down at £0.3m at the time of writing and before long it seems likely that they will be level in terms of cost. 

Having already lost £0.2m in team value by holding Salah, I am starting to believe that now might be a good time to transfer him out for Mane. This would also free up a little more in terms of budget to make some other, more differential, changes to break in to the top 5k.

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s (£5.9m) position in the Chelsea starting line-up seems to have become a problem. He is a player that I really like and who adds another dimension to the Chelsea team, but as a Fantasy manager, him coming off the bench in the last two Gameweeks for zero and one-point returns is frustrating. 

At £5.9m, with potentially £1.7m in the bank if I do the Salah to Mane swap, there are a lot of good options available.

I also have Todd Cantwell (£4.8m), who I would like to transfer out, and Mason Mount‘s (£6.9m) possible injury could benefit Hudson-Odoi’s minutes – so I might lose the Norwich midfielder instead.

My transfer options this week include Anthony Martial (£7.6m). Martial’s return from injury ahead of a lovely run of fixtures for Manchester United against Brighton, Sheffield United and Aston Villa should see good points returns for him and at only 6.5% ownership, he has the potential to be a great differential.

However, his injury record makes me wary of owning him. Other options that would be differentials include a sideways move to Christian Pulisic (£7.2m) at 7.3% owned; however he played Champions League football on Tuesday and so there is potentially a risk of rotation there this week.

Another option I am strongly considering is Harvey Barnes (£5.9m). Only selected by 1% of managers, he is the height of a differential and as such could be a great option for me in the push to move up through the overall ranks.

Leicester’s fixtures look excellent until Gameweek 18 and therefore now Barnes seems to have nailed down a starting place, I think he could be an excellent pick.

Wolves are a whole team that are a focus for my transfer thoughts.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side started the season poorly with a European hangover and a small squad who seemed to struggle to keep up with the pace of both Europa League and Premier League football.

In recent Gameweeks, we have seen a resurgence in the Wolves team and as such they are a side I definitely want to bring in a player from. I would ideally like to own, in my opinion, the golden boy of Fantasy Premier League from last season: Raul Jimenez (£7.2m). 

However, as long as Kane recovers from his virus, I am happy with my front three. This means that I am looking at a Wolves midfield that are all differentials, with Leander Dendoncker (£4.4m) the highest owned at 9.6% – although this is mostly as a result of his price point.

For me, I’m looking at Joao Moutinho (£5.3m). Having watched him over the last couple of Gameweeks, he has definitely passed the eye test.  Whilst he has only registered two assists so far this season, the heatmaps look promising for more attacking returns, as do his xA stats which sit at 1.25. He is a player who I am definitely looking at as I look to board the Wolves train ahead of a nice run of fixtures.

Ahead of Friday’s deadline, I am likely to use both of my free transfers.

However, I am waiting until Wolves play their Europa League fixture on Thursday evening and for news on Kane’s health before finalising the transfers.

At the time of writing, Salah to Mane and Hudson-Odoi or Cantwell to Moutinho look like being my preferred options.


Sam Bonfield is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Sam has served up two top 30k finishes in the last two seasons and is currently inside the top 10k in the world.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 11

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

1,817 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would do these moves:

    Mount, Aguero & Wilson to Mane, Vardy, Mousset (-4)

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Would you*

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

      Not if you are playing Mousset every week. Look at his minutes

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'm not

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

    Jesus no longer on penalties lmao

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      One of the worst I've ever seen.

      1. Lucy2019
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Clearly not seen a pen from Zaza

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

    Pep will be furious with Jesus. Guaranteed to start at the weekend now.

  4. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wtf kind of pen was that? 😆

  5. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would anyone hold kun thru the next 6-8 fixtures?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I m taking it one step at the time 🙂

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

        Exactly this.

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This. Looks like I'm keeping for Liv. Had planned to sell already but he done well against Chelsea at home last year and they aren't exactly tight at the back right now, so upcoming fixture isn't all bad.

        1. KDB4PREZ
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Haha yeah I hear yas lol
          I own sterling KDB and Kun so have to sell either kun sterling or both to get mane and TAA

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I think I will either hold or move to Auba
      Haven't decide yet
      Leaning towards Auba

    3. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Someone would.

    4. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Binned him in anger last week. Hope I don’t regret it.

  6. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What was that?

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus involved in fighting

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus headbut...

  9. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus wept. Can't understand how these millionaire athletes can't score penos.

  10. rekyaren
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best max 6.5 mid except Mount?

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tielemans but now 6.6. Grealish/McGinn also look good.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hes 6.9.. but Grealish. Shame Tielemans is now 6.6. Then McGinn/Yarmolenko

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

    Jesus turning the other cheek, good boy.

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus might have put it wide cause Sterling dived and Pep would have been asked if he’s a diver like Mane.

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

      The pen was for handball.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        All came from him being streetwise for the free.

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Behave! He doesn't dive like his overseas compatriots.

  13. Pasqualinho
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez coolly passes to a teammate off his own crossbar. Class.

  14. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    As penalty kicks go that was pretty bad

  15. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus will be subed, Kun will come on.

    Both will start the weekend 😀

  16. Freaki
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Will sterling play considering he plays ucl?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Look who they play this weekend and ask yourself 'Does Pep want his best players for this game?'

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nah I don't reckon so, put the kids out I vote!

  17. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    KDB is straight out of my team as soon as I put out the other fires. CDM means he's utterly useless. Only relies on set pieces.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You have made me worry 🙁

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There is no doubt that his points are in a rapid decline.

  18. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    #thfc Spurs were led out to warmup by Son, rather than Kane. A real show of support from the squad.

    Lol what a team. They awarded him cause he broke Gomes leg. Awful

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Didn't break his leg though did he

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

      Fake post.

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Terrible post.

  19. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I can kick a penalty much better than City's striker 😉

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Surely pep benches him this weekend for that if nothing else?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Remember mate, I am Zico 😉

        1. KDB4PREZ
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          “Wink wink nudge nudge”

  20. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Connolly or Mousset? Wouldn't have to play every GW

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mousset.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1st sub: Mousset
      2nd sub: Connolly
      3rd sub: Greenwood

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        And the formation is ...

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          442/343

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            If you're getting a 1st sub, I'd suggest Mousset. If he's likely to be your 2nd sub on most GWs, Connolly. If he's the 3rd sub, get Greenwood and kill the spot

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              So, 4-4-2 alternating with 3-4-3 means Mousset

        2. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Sorry lol didnt see that 😉

        3. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          5-5-0 ofc

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thank you 😉

    3. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mousset

    4. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C and not even close.

  21. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which route to go?

    A) Pukki & KDB > Vardy & Maddison
    B) Greenwood, Sterling & Pukki > Vardy, Tielemans & Jimenez (-4)
    C) Greenwood, Sterling, Pukki & Cancelo > Vardy, Maddison, Jimenez & 4.6 def (-8)

    Pope
    TAA, Soy, Lundstram, Cancelo, Aurier
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount, Cantwell
    Abraham, Pukki, Greenwood

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Personally I would give Pukki one last game at home to Watford on Friday night.

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

        I can't put off Vardy anymore. Watford have been more solid lately

  22. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Keep sterling or kun for the long haul? Own both and KDB atm

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Has KDB’s position changed to a more defensive one?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Worrying (owner here)

      2. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe atm but had from start so couldn’t sell for value as Ino I’d want him back in lol

      3. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        With Fernandinho in midfield people are saying hes playing deeper, haven't been watching the games tbh so idk if its true.

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          with fernandinho not in midfield*

          1. Planet_Marss
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            thats not what it is.. its the rodri injury.. means they have to play gundogan in holding midfield and he's not that good defensively.. so debruyne helps out a bit more

            1. Lucy2019
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks Pep.

              1. Planet_Marss
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                wanka

  23. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    With KDB’s new role at CB those who sold for Mahrez in GW8 are laughing!

    1. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      lol laughing at themselves.. mahrez's role is a benchwarmer

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

    Just saw "Ramsey's goal" in the Juve game. He will never play for Juve again.

    1. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      what happened

      1. Bob_the_builder
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Stole Ronaldo's goal and that too off a freekick.

  25. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I think I really like this:

    Aguero, C.Wilson & Mount to Vardy, Mousset, Mane (-4)

    Can get Mount back in a few weeks for Martial if I want to. Thoughts? 🙂

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What's the rest of your team?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Pope - Button
        Trent - Soy - Lund - Rico - Kelly
        Sterling - KdB - Martial - Dendoncker
        Abraham

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Good moves

    2. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      perfect

  26. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Mount?

    1. Bob_the_builder
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      FPL says its a knock. So far Lampard has been sensible with his rotation. I can see CHO starting over him.

  27. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Does CHO replace Mount if he is injured?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Unless Frank plays Pedro.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Barkley a more natural replacement, if fit.

  28. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So who is facing bench duty over the weekend for City.

    Looks like Aguero will start lol.

    1. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Your obsession with City is getting too much now. We get it, you wont have any. Just move on please. Thanks. FFS

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        There are many with an obsession with City.

        1. Lucy2019
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          None more than you. Give it a rest.

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

          Rewind a few weeks and you were all over Aguero - the only decision you had to make all season was whether to captain timor Salah

    2. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      biggest game for city.. there wont be much rotation -.-

    3. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Insightful!

  29. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ederson subbed at ht

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

      OMG

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

      Pep didnt like how shaky he looked I guess. Worrying for owners for the weekend.

  30. Mince n Tatties
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ederson off?...

    1. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      he looked odd.. miskicks and sh*t