Pro Pundits

Tips and advice for FPL managers over the busy Christmas period

In our latest Pro Pundits article, Lateriser12 – who has overall ranks of 77th and 189th to his name  gives Fantasy Premier League managers some tips for the Christmas period.


It is the holiday season and the Gameweeks are coming thick and fast. For us Fantasy Premier League fans, this is a gift in itself. During these times, we don’t have too much time to dwell on our decisions and we need to be quick and precise. With this article, I hope to concisely present some important information which might hopefully help you with a few of your dilemmas this Gameweek. We can call it a ‘cheat sheet’, of sorts.

Last time I wrote, I spoke at length about playing the switch-hit against Jamie Vardy (£10.1m). I did it in Gameweek 17 with a Mohamed Salah (£12.2m)-sized captaincy and it led to me halving my rank and jumping from 124k to 66k. This despite not owning Kevin De Bruyne (£10.4m) in Gameweek 17 (else I would have been well inside the top 40k).

I also spoke about Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) at length and I went with my instinct and got him in Gameweek 18 and immediately gave him the captain’s armband. That did not go as well as planned (a small red arrow and I’m currently sitting at 85k) and admittedly I might have a certain bias when it comes to Manchester United assets. That said, when a certain Paul Pogba (£8.4m) came on with 26 minutes to play, we saw a different United playing. Armed with a silky smooth through-ball, he was carving open the Watford defence at will and from memory created three decent chances as soon as he came on. I wonder if the deep block struggle remains if Solskjaer starts using Pogba at number ten.

As a Son Heung-min (£10.0m) owner and a De Bruyne non-ower, the red card wasn’t that big of a problem for me. It led to probably the easiest decision I’ve made this season. In fact, I made the switch three minutes after the red card so as to not overthink this obvious move.

Yes, I can think of hacks and other ‘maverick’ moves to make ground but when it’s this obvious, one must do it. Some might say that De Bruyne is the best value FPL player this season. I say, on current form, De Bruyne is simply the most dangerous FPL asset in the game right now. How he has got away with just 23 points in the last two Gameweeks, I’ll never know.

This leads to one more week in my team for Anthony Martial (£7.7m), Rashford and Christian Pulisic (£7.3m). Hopefully, Mr. Pogba is in a merry mood and puts on a Santa coat gifting big chances to my United assets this Gameweek.

Enough self-indulgence. Now, I’m going to present you with a few pieces of information that might or might not help you with your FPL decisions this week.

First, let us look at fatigue and try determining which of the matches this week might be influenced by them.

If you haven’t already ready Zophar’s excellent piece on the same subject, I highly recommend reading it here. I’m borrowing his chart to determine the ‘fatigue’ factor we talk about here. 

  • Tottenham Hotspur play a Brighton team that have had 20 hours more rest. Both teams have a very short turn-around afterwards.
  • Arsenal have a nice rest period before this Gameweek and a good gap thereafter, as well. They are one of the teams, along with Everton, I will be closely monitoring to see how they line up. There could be some potential bargains from both sides under their new managers.
  • Chelsea face a Southampton team that has had 24 hours more rest than the Blues. That said, Chelsea have a bigger rest period than most teams after this game. We will surely see a fair amount of rotation from Chelsea and I half-expect Jorginho (£5.0m) and Pulisic to start the next game.
  • A tired and half-depleted Crystal Palace team faces a fully fit and rested West Ham side that showed some signs of rejuvenation in their last Gameweek. I wonder if this influences my benching decision between Martin Kelly (£4.4m) and Matt Targett (£4.4m). If he isn’t already, Michail Antonio (£6.9m) should be on your FPL radar.
  • Sheffield United will have had a full day’s rest more than Watford when they meet up. This looks good for Lys Mousset (£5.1m) and John Lundstram (£5.2m) owners. Mousset sat out the last game so he’s looking good to start this one, in my opinion.
  • Manchester United play a Newcastle team that has had a day’s rest more than them. In addition, we need to remember that both Rashford and Martial also played the midweek Carabao Cup tie last week. This means that they have effectively played four games in 12 days already if they start this Gameweek. This has me re-thinking giving the armband to Rashford or Martial despite the positive effect that Pogba might have on them.
  • Leicester and Liverpool will have had the same amount of rest when they play against each other. The big difference here is that most of the Liverpool players played 120 minutes in the game against Flamengo and then had to fly back from Qatar. That said, in the matches after Gameweek 19, Liverpool have a relatively good amount of rest-time to offer their players.
  • Manchester City and Wolves have the highest duration of rest before they meet up for their fixture. It is worth noting that in the two games that follow, both teams have a very short turnaround period. It is impossible to predict if and when De Bruyne gets a rest, but if I were a betting man, I’d say it would be in the home game versus Sheffield United. This will perhaps be influenced by David Silva’s (£7.5m) fitness.

Now I’ll present some important statistical information that might influence your captaincy decision this weekend. We’ll most likely see a split captaincy in Gameweek 19, with there being a number of viable candidates. Here are some noteworthy stats:

Here’s how my squad currently looks for Gameweek 19:

Before I sign off, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. May your holiday season be full of green arrows! I hope this attempt to create a cheat sheet has helped you guys. Until next time.


Fantasy Football Scout user Lateriser12 has a very impressive Fantasy CV. He has registered two finishes in the top 200 (one of them equating to number one in India) and four in the top 10,000 in the last six seasons. The secret to his success has been playing non-conventionally and fearlessly, swearing by ‘upside chasing’ and not giving ownership much of a look.

1,457 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Eve'ning all. Thoughts appreciated 🙂

    1FT 0.7 ITB

    Pope
    TAA Kelly Lundstram (Chilwell Rico)
    KDB Son* Alli Pulisic (Donck)
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

    1. Son > anyone except Mo/Mane, who?!

    2. Activate WC (fwiw hoping to wait til next wk, and ditch Puli/Lundy etc)

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

      Punt on Pogba or Richarlison

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford to Pukki would give you the funds for Son to Salah, right?

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It would

        1. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Personally, I think that Pukki and Salah are the top 2 captain options this GW. I'd be looking to get both of them onboard. If you are happy with your front 3 and want Norwich coverage, Cantwell is an option. That Norwich - Villa game could easily end up 5-4 since neither team can defend, so anybody with Grealish + Pukki/Cantwell is going to get a massive green arrow.

    3. JJO
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A with some of my options below 🙂

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        So many options, not feeling any of them just now...may as well punt though

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Excuse me, did you just suggest ditching Lund?! Why would you cancel Christmas?

  2. JJO
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Willian
    B) Moura
    C) Alli
    D) Richa

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

      C

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

      I’ve gone D boss. Already own C

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

      Thoughts on Martial over Richarlison?

    4. JJO
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thank you guys

    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

  3. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Christmas!!

    It’s quite interesting I’ve done this poll a couple of times now, one time I’ve got loads of 2s and thought that’s the way to go then got a few 1s... it’s really hard to gauge the best wildcard.

    1.
    Henderson McGovern
    ROBERTSON Lundstram Kelly Soyuncu Rico
    Mane ALLI De Bruyne Grealish Dendoncker
    Vardy RASHFORD Abraham

    2.
    Henderson McGovern
    AURIER Lundstram Kelly Soyuncu Rico
    Mane SALAH De Bruyne Grealish Dendoncker
    Vardy JIMENEZ Abraham

    Thanks

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

      Don't like double ups in defence so a different keeper but 1 with TAA Alli Vardy Rashford Jimenez

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I was a 2, I guess some people are put off by Jims next two

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

        I’m edging towards 2 too, but it’s definitely the riskier option... high risk high reward in a sense

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Robertson, Alli, Pukki. No Mane take him out for Salah. Dendoncker to someone you can rotate with Pukki.

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

    Wish I had WC this gw as opposed to gw20

    Currently have Son, Pulisic and Lascelles who are meant to drop tonight sigh!!

    Which one to remove for a one week punt?

    Son >> Pogba or
    Lascelles >> Aurier

    1. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why not WC now - not too late

    2. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Press WC now mate

  5. mabz1303
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jesus, Son, Abraham -> Kane, Alli, Ings for -4

    Yes or No?

    Thanks

    1. JJO
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just Son to Alli

  6. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When is the best gw most likely to use free hit?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Blank or double

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If not then 38

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Some DGW probably or just random GW 🙂

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

      Blank, double, 38, Boxing Day!

  7. AMP
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son to

    a. Moura
    b. Pogba

    ?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Toss job

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

      Richarlison

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

    ‪The more I look at it and think about it, the more tempted I get to bring in Martial on a one week punt.

    ‪Will WC on GW20. ‬

    ‪Thoughts? ‬

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He’s a miserable sod.

  9. Will
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So we have to use wildcard 1 this week or next week before 28th deadline?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

  10. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    pulisic to mount or someone else

    allows son > salah

    1. Catilo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish?

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

        better 1 week punt?

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I was going to do Maddison > Mount and Son > Salah but got rodgered by Son's price drop. So now I'm either doing Mads > Grealish or Robbo > Digne.

      So yes. Pulisic > Mount basically

  11. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really tempted by

    Son & Jimi > Grealish & Kane (-4)

    Or should I just do some > Alli

    Gotta decide in the next 5 mins. Please help

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

      If it helps, I have just done this move for a hit too.

      Captain kane v Brighton. He gets 3 games and then he goes if it's not working .

  12. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1 gw transfer before WC gw20?, Son to
    A) ali or moura
    B) richar or sigy
    C) cantwel
    D) puli or mount (have tamy)
    E) other u suggest

  13. fakelund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Am I mad for considering starting Cantwell over Tammy?...

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Seen a lot of Cantwell over ings but this is a first.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Start T

  14. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best keeper combo at the mo?

  15. Catilo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play?

    A. Maddison (LIV)
    B. Mousset (WAT)

    Mousset came off the bench last time so might be fresh for this GW.

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

      Maddison

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

      Maddison

  16. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Willems to digne for a hit or play Soy?

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

      Soy

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

        Think Everton are on the up but you will need to see more before committing.

  17. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Finally did the transfers:

    Mousset + Son >> Kane + Cantwell for -4

    Kane (C). Good luck all and may your arrows be green.

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

      I'm also on kane capt

      Going to be feast or famine....

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thinking this exact move but Jota instead of Mousset. Means benching Cantwell though :/

  18. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    if i use one FT this week and next week WC do i reset back to 1 for GW 21?

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

      Yup

  19. Plymouth
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one;

    Douglas Luiz, Greenwood, Kabasele

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Luiz

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Greenwood

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

      Luiz

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

    Bench one:

    A. Maddison

    B. Cantwell

    C. Ings

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

      A

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A bit of a difference between the benching dilemma above 😆

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Killing me

    5. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  21. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Freeing up funds for Salah...

    A. Maddison > Grealish

    B. Robbo > Digne

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

      Difficult. A just

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

    Bring in
    A. Kane
    B. Alli
    C.Moura

  23. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best captain out of those:

    KdB
    Salah
    Grealish
    Alli
    Rashford
    Vardy
    Jimenez

    Thanks

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah

  24. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think the GW average will be? 52 I reckon
    Many mixed caps. Those who get cap right could have a monster week but those who dont :/

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How do you come to 52. Can you post your calculations please?

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

        Maybe a little higher..... 56

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😆

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1 point for every week of the year

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Aye.

      3. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Its just a guess. In fact that could be too high (probably)

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I agree. In Week 8 which had the reverse fixtures of this week, it was only 36!

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I think there will be 2 hattis flying round, but most wont cap them.

  25. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson
    TAA, Kelly, Lund
    Salah, KDB (vc), Maddison, Richarlison
    Tammy (c), Vardy, Ings
    (Button, Traore, Pereira, Rico)

    GTG? Bench order ok?
    Captain choice is driving me mad as usual. You think I have a better option?

  26. TheBrat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are we just assuming Son is out? Not gonna hear anything 100% tomorrow by the looks of it, thinking of keeping as it goes, maybe the appeal delays things....?

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

      Read the news

    2. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Appeal thrown out today mate

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Already lost the appeal

    4. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Its been confirmed. Appeal failed.

      1. TheBrat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ah, just seen it now - thanks guys

  27. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If you were on a wildcard this week which 3 strikers would you be looking to get?

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

      Vard, Pukki, Jiminez

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

    A. Son>Grealish (probably have to remove to get Mane/Salah)
    B. Robby/Son>Aurier/Otamendi & Salah or Mane (-4)

    Gazza
    Kelly, Lund, Soyu, Robby
    Maddy, KDB, Ali
    Vardy, Jimmy, Rash
    Pope, Dendo, Son, Rico

  29. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best cpt choice

    1.Alli
    2.Salah
    3.Mount
    4.KDB

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I keep changing between Tammy, KDB and Salah. I wouldn't go for Mount. I think if I had Alli I'd go for him.

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

        Alli atm for me

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

          Alli is in early kick off which puts me off. Also depends on how good he was on Christmas Day!

          I like a home player on Boxing Day and later kick off could be good shout so Liverpool or Leicester players or even Rashford.

  30. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope Henderson 
    Baines Wan bisaka soyuncu lundstram TAA
    KDB pulisic traore saka alli
    Vardy rashford ings
    Good to go after i do traore to grealish?