Pro Pundits

Weakness down Spurs’ right flank bodes well for owners of Deulofeu and Cantwell

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, talks Double Gameweek 24, Southampton, Spurs, Everton and Aston Villa in his latest article.


So, we’re just past the halfway point of the season and I sit 37,727th overall in Fantasy Premier League, having banked 57 points in Gameweek 22.

Having been ranked 36,928th in Gameweek 20, I’ve struggled to progress in recent weeks, but with the first Double Gameweek of the season almost upon us, now feels like an opportunity to push on.

My advice would be to pick three of Liverpool’s four highest-scoring players – Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Sadio Mané (£12.4m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.3) – whichever combination works best within your current structure.

Whilst Roberto Firmino’s (£9.3m) away performances are worth noting (all seven of his league goals have come on the road this season), we need to remember that these players aren’t solely for Gameweek 24.

Fixtures to follow include notable home games with West Ham United and Bournemouth, which suggest goals, and lots of them, which is why I favour the more attacking setup including both Mané and Salah.

With Reds assets in place, a question I’ve asked myself is, should we invest in West Ham?

On Friday’s evidence, it’s hard to get excited. I thought they were abject in possession, with nobody looking to support and run beyond Sébastien Haller (£7.0m). As it stands, I need to see more from them. All eyes on the London Stadium on Saturday.

On a more positive note, Southampton are a team I do like.

The Saints took just eight points from their opening 12 matches but now look at them. Only leaders Liverpool and champions Manchester City stand above them in the form table over the last ten games.

Alex McCarthy (£4.4m) or Jack Stephens (£4.3m) are my favoured routes into their defence.

With some good forthcoming fixtures, working one of them into your plans, alongside Danny Ings (£6.8m), looks like an astute move.

Southampton’s FA Cup fourth round opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, are a team who I thought got a lot right in Saturday’s narrow defeat to Liverpool, and had chances late on to at least draw level.

After the break, they were less direct and offered more threat following the introduction of Giovani Lo Celso (£7.3m) on 69 minutes. The Argentine has been so, so good recently and picked up where he left off on Saturday, by scoring Spurs’ opener in their FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough earlier this week. Another positive performance against Watford and he’s going to become an option.

Whilst I think Lo Celso could be the key to unlocking Spurs potential, this quote from Mourinho suggests Ben Davies (£5.3m) could be that player and hints at how he wants to play going forward:

If you want to know what I wanted to do, look to my first game, against West Ham. That’s the way I thought I was going to develop the team. Defend with a back four, attack with a back three. That was the first day of unlucky, goodbye Ben Davies.

What Spurs do need to do is tighten up – they’ve kept only two clean sheets in the league this season, the joint-worst record alongside Norwich City.

Talking of clean sheets, Everton have now kept ten in their last 16 home league games. 

Despite talk of possible rotationMason Holgate (£4.4m) could still be a nice, cheap route into their defence. If you can afford a bit more, I like Djibril Sidibé (£5.4m), who has at times been used further forward, and Lucas Digne (£5.7m). 

Also, Richarlison (£8.1m) has now returned in three of Carlo Ancelotti’s opening four league matches. In fact, no midfielder has taken more shots than him over that period.

A final word on my club, Aston Villa.

Sunday’s performance by Man City was superb but was aided by Villa gifting them goals from unforced errors. Kortney Hause (£4.4m), Danny Drinkwater (£4.4m) – they were all at it.

Regarding Drinkwater, why throw an unfit player into this type of game? It was baffling. I like Dean Smith but he’s been getting more wrong than right recently.

That being said, these types of game won’t shape our season, it’s the next three that will.

I still think there is hope, and the signing of Pepé Reina (£4.5m) will give everyone a lift, but Villa need to find a better balance in midfield and add a forward, quickly.

For Jack Grealish (£6.5m) owners, I’d be tempted to hold onto him a little longer. Against teams currently placed 12th and below this season, Grealish has returned four goals and five assists in ten games. If we’re going to score, he’ll probably be involved.

Looking ahead to Gameweek 23, I have two free transfers, with £0.3m in the bank.

Here’s how I’m currently set up:

I’m still undecided on transfers but am considering selling Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.1m).

Leicester City have regressed in recent weeks and without Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) screening the back four, I don’t see too many clean sheets over their next run of fixtures.

With Man City starting to pick up again, I’m leaning towards Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) as my captain but will likely make a late call on that one.

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

827 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1:

    A) Aurier
    B) Lundstram
    C) Soyuncu

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Between A and B, I think both will probably concede so whichever attacking threat you prefer.

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

        Lundstram better attacking threat, so I'll play him I think

  2. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Martial(liv) or Traore(sou) ?

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

      Martial, but just get Traore out now and play whoever you get in

      1. Dosh
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Getting Salah, would have to take a hit to do it this week.

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

    I'll probably seriously regret this but I am captaining maupay this week. Got to move up the board somehow

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bold!

      But may just pay off. Bournemouth are woeful at the moment.

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

      Could work

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

      I did with DCL last week and failed badly.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        So did my Jimenez cap, was a decent week to risk it though.

    4. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I did it with Jiminez last week, massive fail. Back to safety of KDB for me this week.

    5. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Bad idea.

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

      Which cheap defender would you ditch....

      Rico - Bournemouth woeful but good fixtures on the horizon
      Kelly - Nailed, but no attacking threat, only 4BAPS all season.
      Lundstrum - permaplanted in every team, but need to consider whether it's time to change.

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Kelly. Ward is back soon.

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

        Rico, but Kelly won't be nailed in a few weeks

      3. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        When is Ward back? Rico might come back in this weekend if Ake goes back to CB, he's rubbish either way though.

        1. Dion D's Solo Shower
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Should be back for this GW, although he may need some game fitness to be a sure starter again at RB

      4. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rico 100% as he's lost his spot and Bournemouth are awful.

      5. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I have all 3 and would like to get rid of the first 2 ultimately, low priority though. Not sure why you'd want to get rid of Lund, in a team that has good CS potential, good fixtures coming up and he has attacking threat.

    7. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bottomed:
      Need you help with making a decision, chaps:

      Ryan - McCarthy
      TAA - Soy - Lund - Robbo - ____
      Mané - Rich - KdB - Maddison - _____
      Vardy - Ings - Greenwood

      A) Digne + Dendoncker
      B) Holgate + Doucouré/Traore
      Or C) Switch Robbo with VVD, bring in Cantwell and Digne with 0.1 to spare ITB

      Thanks!

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

        B with Doucoure

        1. Dion D's Solo Shower
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks mate. He could be worth it.

    8. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A) Lucas Moura
      B) Grealish

    9. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A) Firmino + Martial
      B) Mane + Maupay (-4pts)

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B)

    10. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent article again from Tom. Very insightful, very genuine!

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, enjoyed writing it!

    11. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      which move is better

      A) Martial > Richarlison
      B) Deeney > DCL
      C) Deeney > Maupay

      1. fgdu
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        probably hold onto deeney so A

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

        C but none really appeal

    12. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Captain?

      A) KDB

      B) Vardy

      C) Ings

      1. Dosh
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A

      2. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B for me

      3. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm going A but B is the closest rival.

    13. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      G2G? Anything worth a hit? My team is looking a bit boring.

      Henderson
      TAA Soy Lund
      Salah KdB Grealish Sarr
      Vardy(C) Abraham Ings

      Rico Dendo Williams, 0FT, 6.1m ITB.

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Nope, nothing worth a hit.

    14. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Son or Firmino?

      1. fgdu
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        son and get a liverpool defender imo

    15. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hedno
      Sidibe TAA Soy
      Kdb Alli Salah Cantwell
      Rash Vardy Ings

      Traore, Lund, Kelly 2.5, 2FT

      A Alli, Rash => Mane, DCL
      B Alli, Soy => Richa, Robb
      C Alli, Soy, Sidibe => Holgate, Stephens, Mane (-4)

      1. Captain_Shirokov
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A

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

        How about traore soy-> Hayden/fleck and Robbo/Vvd?
        Dropping Alli prior to 2 good fixtures can backfire

    16. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Transfers done.

      Soyuncu > Robbo
      Jimenez > Ings

      Henderson
      TAA, Robbo, Lund
      Mane, KdB, Maddison, Hudson-Odoi
      Vardy, Tammy, Ings(c)

      Good to go?

      1. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely

    17. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      who to play?:

      A. Martial - away to a tough Liverpool defence
      B. Cantwell - home against poor Bournemouth

      1. fgdu
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        cantwell

        1. V-2 Schneiderlin
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          yeah I agree

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B

    18. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play:
      A. Cantwell
      B. Traore?

      1. HTL
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cantwell I think, Traore looked absolutely full of beans and attacking threat last night but guess he may tire.

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

        A

      3. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cantwell as he has great form when playing at Carrow Road.

      4. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cantwell

    19. HTL
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tough benching decisions this week (playing Grealish over Traore, and Holgate/Soyuncu over Lundstram).

      I see Ings is about to go up a second time, is anyone else still trying to hold off from buying him?

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Finally got Ings in

      2. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Had to cave and bring him in for Jimenez after watching MOTD.

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          same - sold Rashford for Ings

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

        Gulp, wish me (and Jimenez) luck

      4. V-2 Schneiderlin
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I got him in for Jiminez this week

    20. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What is the best strategy here guys?
      1ft, 0.7itb

      1) Gw24: Rico Grealish Jimenez-> VVD Martial Greenwood for -4
      2) gw24: Grealish Jimenez -> Fleck FIRMINO (with an option to get Salah for gw26)
      3) gw23: Jimenez-> Maupay, gw24: Rico-> VVD
      4) gw24: Rico Alli -> GOMEZ Martial
      5) gw24: Rico Grealish-> ROBBO Hayden

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

        2

    21. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ri(C)harlison a good punt?

      KDB(C) doesnt excite me

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

        It could be but I expect it to be low-scoring

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

        Good punt if you are looking for excitement

    22. FPL_BUCCANEER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ryan
      TAA Soy Lund Stephens
      Mane Salah KDB Grealish
      Vardy Rashford

      Button Greenwood Kelly Dendoncker

      2FT 0.0 ITB Any suggestions? TIA

    23. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone else considering ditching KDB?

      I have the cash in the bank to 'upgrade' him to Salah for the DGW and the fixture comparison over the next few months is highly favourable for Liverpool.

      I made the mistake of ditching KDB ahead of his 19 pointer vs Arsenal but swapped him back for Son after that debacle.

      Probably being hopefully that Pep sacks off the Prem in favour of Europe but could be worth gambling on the fixtures here.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        only briefly considered it. Keeping him

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm considering it when the CL starts back up, check their fixtures when you include the CL games...

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

        I'm considering but depends on how Salah and Vardy perform in next 2 games

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

        Yeah I’m thinking the same. Man City tough run of fixtures, I’m looking to bring Salah in for him. Plus KDB likely to miss gameweek 29 if City get to league cup final

      5. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'll take a look at it when CL starts back but City don't really have tough fixtures. They can easily score two or more against Spurs, Leicester, Arsenal, United, etc.

      6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not unless he gets a career ending injury

        Very realistic shot at 250 points this season

        For 9.5!

      7. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No chance. Have u seen them play, KBD is everywhere and always a threat

    24. davies
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martin dead as an option now then?

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

        Looks like that

    25. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      who to have...got 8mil for midfielder

      a) maddison
      b) moura
      c) doucoure

      got vardy and soy already if that changes anything

      currently on b myself

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Maddison the value leader.

    26. Danny Fischarge
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG?

      Pope
      TAA Soy Aurier
      Mane Mahrez KDB(C) Perez
      Vardy(V) Ings Abraham

      Button Traore Lund Targett

    27. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A. Pereira Son Ings
      B. Robertson KdB Ayew

      1. Danny Fischarge
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B

      2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B)

    28. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG?

      Ryan
      TAA, Soy, Lund
      Salah, KDB(c), Richarlison, Cantwell
      Vardy(vc), Firmino, Ings

      (McGovern - Martial, Rico, Kelly)

      1. Danny Fischarge
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

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

      Mooy fit

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good news for Maupay owners.

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

      Planning whether to get Robbo or Mané as third Liverpool player- could mean either

      A Son Robertson or
      B Grealish Mané

      1. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Both great options. Flip a coin!

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

        A

    31. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Martial to son worth a hit?

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

        Absolutely not.

    32. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If Rashford plays on Sunday, is there a good chance he wont play vs Burnley on Wednesday

      It makes life a lot simpler if he is out as it means I can bring in Firmino instead