Metrics

How the top 10,000 FPL managers are shaping up ahead of Christmas

Over one in six Fantasy Premier League managers who were in the top 10k at the point of the Gameweek 18 deadline have now used their Free Hit chip.

Blanks for Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, West Ham United in the Gameweek just gone may well have prompted a surge in the chip’s popularity, with just over 500 Fantasy bosses in the top 10,000 deploying their Free Hit in Gameweek 18.

The move may not have been a successful one for many, as the average score for those using their Free Hit was less than it was for the Fantasy bosses who used no chip at all (42.94 versus 45.00 respectively).

Seven of the 15 players in the template 10k Free Hit squad blanked, with not one of the assets below registering a double-digit haul.

A little over 2% of the leading 10,000 managers used their first Wildcard this weekend, with a handful of maverick managers opting to use the Triple Captain or Bench Boost chips.

A sixth of the top 10k (as of Saturday’s deadline) have yet to use their first Wildcard, with Gameweek 20 the final call for that particular chip.

The managers within the top 10,000 who did use their first Wildcard in Gameweek 18 also had a so-so weekend, with the average score being 41.85.

Eleven of the ‘template’ Wildcard squad below blanked or didn’t play, with two of them – Diego Rico (£4.4m) and Son Heung-min (£10.0m) – now suspended for Gameweek 19.

Looking at the most-owned players in the top 10,000 overall, there was no change in the ‘template’ squad from Gameweek 17 – although Sadio Mane‘s (£12.2m) ownership took a tumble from 85.8% to 58.59%.

Kevin De Bruyne‘s (£10.4m) popularity increased dramatically after his 19-point haul against Arsenal, with only Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) and John Lundstram (£5.2m) now owned by more managers than the Belgian within this elite group of FPL bosses.

There were widespread captaincy fails in the top 10k in Gameweek 18, with De Bruyne’s four points looking like a relatively good haul compared to the returns of Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) and especially Son.

The 8.74% who kept the armband on Vardy were rewarded with a goal and maximum bonus points, meanwhile.

For those of us who are chasing down the leading pack and who have kept most of our chips, there may be encouragement in the fact that over one in three of the top 10,000 FPL managers has used at least two of theirs.

Around 880 of these bosses have used at least three of their chips, while around 4.3% – including erstwhile number one Nick Tanner – have already maxed out and now only have the second Wildcard to come after Gameweek 20.

On the flip side, more than half of the top 10k have used just one chip, while around one in ten has reached the dizzying heights of the top 10,000 without the use of any.

All data taken from LIVEFPL.NET.


1,350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender up to 4.8?

    Already have Kelly and Lund.

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A second SHU defender

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Even with City and Liverpool back to back?

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That ship has sailed now. It's actually time to shed your second shu gk/def until fixtures turn.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you're wanting a 4/5th def I would really consider kiko

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Plenty decent ones, you should try to look who is best for rotation. on the top of my head, Dunk, Kiko, Holgate, Rico after his suspension,

  2. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bring in Alli, Kane or Moura?

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        why not Kane?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Output/price probably worst in the league

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i would not take any of them but not sure everyone agree, but it is obvious reasons for it

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

    hey guys, I'm thinking of saving this week:

    1ft, 1.2itb
    pope,
    kelly, TAA, lundy
    mane, mount, KDB, alli
    vardy, ings, tammy
    subs:

    button, cantwell, soy, rico

    what do you reckon?

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

    All good to go for next GW??

    3,6m ITB.

    Henderson
    Lunds - Soy - Aurier
    Cantwell - Mane - Alli - KDB
    Rashford - Vardy - Abraham
    (Button - Maddison - Reid - Rico)

  5. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pukki for the armband.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got to be Kane

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Removing Alli to Captain Kane. Mad?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No good move I think

    2. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      brave man

  6. RAMZES666
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have 1 FT and looking to replace Son. Currently looking at

    A. Maddison (LIV H) want him in for run of fixtures after Pool game
    B. Richarlison (BUR H) possible new manager bounce under Ancelotti

    Should i go B knowing that i'll switch to A one week later? Or just play Maddison in a supposedly harder fixture?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm with you in that Maddison would have been an easy pick aside from this game. If you have transfers to spare B, if not A.

  7. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son>Pogba done

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm looking at this but also want to get Salah.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tempting but I wanted Salah back

    3. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do you own Rashford? Man Utd too hot and cold.

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

      Avoid man U playrs

    5. Nice Baps.
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ditto - I need to get on punts early if I'm going to move up over Chrimbo

  8. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son to?

    A) Pogba
    B) Richarlison

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Will pogba be as fit in order to play the festive period ?

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Probably not I think.. But they really need him to win games

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough but I want Digne so would perhaps veer to Pog myself.

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mmmm Digne could really be nice so yeah Pog and Digne could be a great combo

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Prefer Rich + Aurier to that combo

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Aurier? Don't know about Spurs defense. Trust Everton defense a bit more actually

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

      I've gone B... just think United's form stinks and Pogba can quite easily slip into another sulking phase when Santa doesn't bring him his Madrid transfer

  9. Sgt. Schultz
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Plz help guys.

    Mane - DeBruyne - Richarlison - Son** - McGinn**
    Vardy - Rashford - Connolly
    0.6 ITB

    was thinking of

    Son > Alli and McGinn > Willian for a -4
    or
    would you consider some other replacements like - Grealish, Pogba, Moura or Maddison?

    1. bros
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That looks a good move, I would!

  10. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tammy or KDB or Salah captain?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah, if you haven't got Kane or Rashford

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Salah before KDB? Really?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah mate , will be a very open game

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Rashford before Dunk?!

  11. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope -> ???

    Was looking at Henderson but fixtures putting me off

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Foster

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm clinging to Ryan. Long term it's good.

    3. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ramsdale or Ryan for the upcoming run of fixtures

    4. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looking at Ramsdale

  12. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guaita
    TAA - Lund - Kelly
    KDB - Mane - Alli - Grealish
    Vardy - Tammy - Jimenez

    Dendo - Soyuncu - Rico

    A) Mane ➡ Salah
    B) Dendo ➡ Cantwell
    C) save FT
    ..?

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C. Who u captaining btw?

    2. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

      C.

      But B would set you up for Xmas rotation.

      Help below, pls.

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When will this Son appeal be heard? Interesting

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would love it if he got off. Son (c) 100% if so

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        yes, meanwhile he has already dropped to 9.8 so its fine....

  14. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane (C) great fixtures
    B) pool double-up Mane+Salah

  15. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson
    Lundstrum Trent Aurier
    DeBruyne Salah Grealish Zaha
    Kane (Cpt) Vardy Jiminez

    Otamendi Kelly March

    Good to Go? Bench order ok?

  16. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli and abraham for jimi and son? Yes or no?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You mean jimI, & son to Alii & Abraham . Yes 100 %

  17. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Exact money for TAA, Son, Jimenez -> Digne, Salah, Ings (-4)

    A. Its a sign from God, do it.
    B. Put the sherry down

    ?

  18. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So, when will the decision on Son's appeal be made ?

    1. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ha! Same question beloe.

    2. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah FC_SKRALD wants to know too

  19. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When will we know the result of the Son red card appeal from Spurs?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dont ask me.

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm more interested to see if it can be delayed (like bilva). That would be very handy.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        THIS! Would be awesome haha

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

      Yeah POTATOACE wants to know too

  20. sg3000
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Current Team:
    Henderson
    Kelly/Aurier/Lundstram/TAA
    KDB/Grealish/Cantwell
    Rashford/Abraham/Vardy

    Button/Maddison/Soyuncu/Son

    Plan:
    a) Save a transfer?; or
    b) try to bring Mane/Salah in?; and/or
    c) other tips?

  21. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son's red isn't getting rescinded, not a chance

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      But it's Xmas.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rumours say he will

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Just Rumours. I'm 100 % sure the red card will stand.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He’s building a case to be the most hated brat in PL history

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        There's plenty of competition there!

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

      It should have been a yellow, not a red but since it’s given, I don’t think it will be rescinded as it was a subjective decision which is normally left to the discretion of the ref (or the VAR ref in this case).

  22. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I really don't want to but it looks like I'm benching Ings this gw.

    What would you do? Others are.
    Mount, grealish, Kdb, alli, mane
    Vardy, rashford.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings will get rested anyway

    2. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Personally Mount. Help below pls.

  23. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where is the GW19 captain poll? Can’t find it anywhere

  24. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Want to (c) Kane,but Spurs lack of creativity vs Che stops me.Do (c) HK or find someone else?

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Strong differential.

      Personally on WC and not trying to get Kane in.

      Help below, pls.

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son(C)?

    1. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son(RC).

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I will do that - bumpy ride for sure, but if it came off it would cause an fpl meltdown

  26. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, I really near you to Rate my WC draft, please! Asked 3 times, no really good imputs. Sory!

    A)
    Ryan Button
    Soy Lunds Kelly Rico Kiko
    Salah Kdb Mane Alli Grealish
    Vardy Abraham Long

    Concerns: Weaker bench with Shane Long. Is he really nailed?
    Pros: Pherhapps stronger starting 11. 0,8 ITB

    B)

    Guys, Rate my WC draft, pls!

    Ryan Button
    Soy Lunds Kelly Rico Kiko
    Salah Kdb Mane Alli Grealish
    Vardy Pukki Ings

    Concerns: Benching points. Stronger Bench for Christmas rotation headache with one of Grealish/Pukki/Ings. 0 Itb.

    Pros: Rotation proof. Pukki/Ings can Become Jimmy/Maupay.

    1. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why the non starting keeper? You can have McCarthy for 0.3m more?

    2. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Id swap kelly to someone more nailed like Dunk with good fixtures coming up

    3. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Having to bench one of Pukki, Grealish and Ings every week will bite you in the arse and be a cause of many headaches!

      1. DF
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Or he could get it right every time.

        1. Sparky6670
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Too much money tied up on your bench every week either way

        2. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          This. Can cover Ings harsh schedule. Can easealy swap Pukki to Maupay.

          1. DMP
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Can cover Xmas rotation. Mane, Salah. Always a concern.

        3. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Will never happen.

          1. DMP
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            What. Get it right?

            Boxing Day always rotation nightmare. Strong bench is always a good idea.

            1. fantasyfog
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              look if yank revolution says it wont happen it wont happen, right yank?

              1. DMP
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Glad to ear that. Please make my WC team, Yank!

                1. Yank Revolution
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  He's correct.

                  Sure, how much do you have to spend?

                  1. DMP
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    102.8 TV
                    105.6 SV

                    1. Yank Revolution
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Do you have a first draft in mind?

                      Here are the building blocks I would use.

                      1) A Pool Mid
                      2) The classic combo of cheap Defenders, w maybe a Pool splurge (VVD/TAA/Rob) if you have the extra money or think its worth it
                      3) Vardy
                      4) Alli or (if you're feeling a lil punty, Kane)
                      5) One keeper you feel you can trust w good fixtures, perhaps a Guaita, Ramsdale, Ryan...but dont go premium here.

                    2. Yank Revolution
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 3 months ago

                      Oh and KDB

                      1. DMP
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        You got my drafts in this post.

                        Tempted to this one:

                        Ryan Button
                        Soy Lunds Aurier Rico Kiko
                        Salah Kdb Mane Alli Grealish
                        Vardy Abraham Long

                        The only thing I don t like about it, is Long, but I think that he s the more nailed 4.5 Forward.

                      2. Yank Revolution
                        • 12 Years
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        Thats pretty good...I may go Ram over Ryan, perhaps. Or plump for Guaita.

            2. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Youre asking if you can always get 1 of 3 attackers 'correct' each week. Thats a 1 in 3 chance. Im saying it is virtually impossible to get that choice right each week. Its hard enough to get 50 / 50 decisions like rotating keepers right...comprende'?

              1. DMP
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Only during Xmas. Is not that hard, there is always rotation, and one of Pukki/Ings or Jimmy/Maupay will always be called to step up as a 1st sub.

                1. Yank Revolution
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  If I recall correctly, most festive periods have some rotation, but its overrated...the great players who are needed for victory can withstand 3 games in a short stretch, just not long term. I tend to ignore the threat and just put out the best team and first sub I can each week.

    4. Sparky6670
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings or Pukki to Long and give that defence some love would be my shout

      Kelly to Digne or PVA

      Button to McCarthy

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        My concerns about Long, is he really nailed?

  27. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just taken a -4:

    Jota + Pulisic -> Kane + KDB

    GW19 Team:

    Ryan
    Lundstram TAA Kelly
    Martial Alli KDB Grealish Mount
    Kane Rashford

    Button Jiminez Aurier Dunk

    GTG?

    1. BST
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

  28. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Folks, any suggestions at all what transfer I could make ? 0.9itb

    I’m wildcarding next week so might as well use my ft but really struggling to find something.

    Heaton
    Trent Tomori Launstrum
    Sterling Zaha KDB Moura
    Vardy Tammy Rashford

  29. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which sounds best:
    A. Son to Grealish, then pulisic to Salah next week
    B. Son to moura, then pulisic to Salah next week
    C. As above moving to sterling instead
    D. Do son to Salah this week

    1. BST
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can see Liv / Lei being high scoring - the city game was open.

      I'd say A. but surely you'll be more annoyed if Salah scores big this gw and you don't have him, than if Grealish does the same...if that makes sense.

  30. BST
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all, currently on wildcard, which would you choose to add to the below…not chasing really, having a decent season OR so far.

    Guaita / Button
    Lund / Soy / Dunk / Rico
    KDB / Mane / Grealish
    Vardy / Tamm


    Essentially, who scores more next few…

    (A) Salah / Alli / Aurier / Greenwood
    3-5-2 (0 ITB)

    (B) Kane / Maddison / TAA / Dend
    3-4-3 (0.1 ITB)

    (C) Aguero / Maddison / Aurier / Dend
    3-4-3 (1.2m ITB)

    - I could work toward C from B after a 2-3 weeks, when Aguero is defs fit - with 2 transfers

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Cheers both