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. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings getting a rest, right?

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

      I think he will get benched for Chelsea and saved for Palace at home. Just my opinion.

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

      prob play ~100 mins in next 2, not sure how theyll be distributed

    3. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe gw 20

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

    A) Jota to Pukki, bench Son
    B) Son, Jota to Cantwell, Kane (-4) bench Cantwell

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

      B

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How about Son to Cantwell this week and play him?

      Use the money from that to upgrade Jota next week.

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

        V tempting tbf. Could miss out on Kane but gives me a week to view other assets tbf. And maybe get rid of Mousset over Jota next week

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

      So with A are you playing Pukki and Cantwell?

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

        Sorry just re-read. Who starts over Son?

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

          Mousset, Grealish etc

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

    Is Kane being overlooked?

    BRI, nor, sou - the best next 3 attacking wise out of any team
    Son out can push him further foward
    Nailed for 90 in all of those games so always a captain option

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

      I think he is a good option, but then again its Kane you know.

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

    Oh nice it is Christmas now very good merry Christmas FFS xx

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

      Merry Christmas mate

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

        X

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

      merry christmas fella

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

        Oh hello you long time no see hope you’re well x

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

      Merry Christmas mate

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

      Merry Christmas

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

    Reads like an article from the future 🙂

    https://www.premierleague.com/news/516681

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

      lol

  6. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best captain?
    A) Salah
    B) Vardy
    C) KDB
    D) Tammy
    E) Rashford

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

      Im feeling a rash coming

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

      Rashford is my current VC and I’m pretty good at selecting top scorers with my VC armband...

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

        I fear there will be a lot of rotation this gw. Not all rotation will occur in gw20 as managers will want to limit the amount of changes from one gw to the next. What happened last season?

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      E

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D or E

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

    I think I know the answer but is Sterling to Salah (or Mane) for -4 worth it this week? I own KDB and it will likely be for a -4 in the future too as I'm sure I'll have transfers to make in the next few game weeks.

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

      No

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

      Definitely wait a week then reassess

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

    Son to

    A) ali or moura
    B) richar or sigy
    C) cantwel
    D) puli or mount (have tamy)
    E) other u suggest

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

      A

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

    who to bench this week for Rico? (highest scorer)
    Mane
    Vardy
    Zaha
    Ings

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

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

      Dont understand question. Rico is suspended.

  10. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play zaha (WHU) or ings (che)?

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

      Zaha

      I think Ings gets a rest

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

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

      ings

  11. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Xmas everyone!
    Like many won’t be able to get on much through today but GTG?

    Hendo
    Aurier - Söyüncü - Lundstram
    Grealish - Salah - KDB - Mane - Alli
    Vardy - Abraham
    ______________________________
    Button: Greenwood: Reid: Rico

    Cheers

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep gtg

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers bud

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

    I think I´m doing Ings & Son to Kane & Salah.
    Could do Jimenez instead of Ings.

    What do you think?

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

      For a hit btw
      Other option just Son to Alli

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I kike it

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Like the kane salah move

      Thoughts above?

  13. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G?

    Henderson
    LundstramTargett Kelly
    Mane KDB Maddison Alli
    Vardy Rashford Abraham(c)

    Button Cantwell Chilwell Lowton

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

      c on kdb

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

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

    Who to get for Son?

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

      That's the question and i still dont know the answer

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

        Neither and have been researching most of the day..

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

          The more i think about it the more confused i get.

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

            Literally..

  15. Origi-nal
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT. Thoughts on Pereira & Jiminez > Dunk & Rashford?

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

      No no no

  16. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rather double up on Liverpool (get Salah in, already have Mane) or get Alli instead of Son?
    Abraham or Rash?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli, Abraham imo. Double Liverpool not worth in current fixture.

  17. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What do I do here lads? Got 1FT, 0.7 ITB, cheers!

    Hendo,Button
    TAA,Salah,Lund,Rico,Chambers
    Salah,Kdb,Zaha,Alli,Grealish
    Jimenez,Vardy,Mousset

    1. Origi-nal
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like the double Salah, could pay off

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

        Haha Soyuncu***

  18. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who do I captain?
    A) KdB

    B) Salah

    C) Pukki

    Currently on KdB as a safer option, Salah may not play full 90 and Pukki as (c) is a little risky. Thoughts?

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

      I like Pukki tbh

  19. Bad Butcher
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Son -> Alli
    B) Son Ings -> Grealish Kane for -4

    Pope
    Lund Dunk TAA
    KDB Son* Zaha Salah
    Ings Rash Vardy

    banch: Soy Hayden Rico

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    im thinking about TC Pukki, wtf
    when these thoughts creep it in normally happens 🙁

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm unsure about captaining Pukki, let alone TC. Good luck if you go with it

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

      dont

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

        thats my christmas present to you

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

      yea thanks, its a bit ott

  21. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Deciding between Abraham and Rashford for captaincy.

    Abraham edges it right?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Abe for me, Man United are pretty unpredictable

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

      I thought that but then the pogba effect sways me towards rash. I also have niggly feeling abra may be rested.

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

    Just watched highlights from the Man Utd - Newcastle games 2018 and 2017. Getting Pogba is very tempting now...

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

      are they time travelling for this one?

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

        He’s probably a very, very good player still. A fit Pogba with a point to prove... Could be carnage.

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

    anyone else on pulisic (c) or have i finally lost my mind

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

      First on my bench so sounds about right to captain him

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

        perhaps one of us is a genius

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

      No think he is far stronger option than many think. Good differential choice

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

        6 consecutive blanks. What makes him a far stronger option?

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

          Think he has been unlucky and needed a rest but of course could be wrong

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

            same

  24. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will there be any pressers tomorrow?

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

      Wouldn’t think so

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

        Thx

  25. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best cap pick out of these?

    Kdb Alli Richarlison Grealish
    Vardy Tammy rashford

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb or Tammy

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

      Kdb or rash

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

      Rashford just ahead of KDB for me

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

    Take a punt on Moura, Martial or Pogba for the next few to replace Son?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Moura

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

      (Don’t own Rashford, own Alli btw)

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

      I got Alli for Son. Moura could work. Stay away from Martial. Pogba is a loon but could work

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

    This team and bench order look ok to you? Captain main issue! Have feeling Greenwood will start over James but too risky to put in playing 11 ( and anyway who for!)

    Ryan
    Aurier Lundstram Kelly
    Salah KDB Alli Grealish Richarlison
    Vardy Rashford (c)

    Button Greenwood Söyüncü Rico

  28. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son > Mane or Mo?

  29. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli good captain option?

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

    Son & Pulisic - > KDB & Zaha (-4)

    Yay/Nay?

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

      Don’t get zaha I promise u

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

        Also I’d hold pulisic this week anyways, should start. Can u do just Son > KDB?

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

          Nope, 0.2m short

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

            Zaha’s stats are shocking is the thing I don’t like. I was an owner a few gws ago but got off ASAP. Fixtures look great but I reckon he might be a trap.’