Pro Pundits - Zophar

What the EFL Cup final means for FPL teams in Blank Gameweek 28

Fantasy Premier League managers will have to factor an EFL Cup final between Aston Villa and Manchester City into their plans for future Gameweeks.

The Wembley encounter clashes with the Sunday of Gameweek 28, forcing Villa and City’s matches to be postponed to a later (or potentially earlier date).

What does it mean for our Fantasy teams? Well, not only will the players of those two clubs be fixtureless that weekend, the assets from Sheffield United and Arsenal, their respective Blank Gameweek 28 opponents, will be out of action too.

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Investment in the Gunners generally has remained at a minimum this season (although many are considering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.7m) in for Jamie Vardy (£9.9m) right now) but assets from the other three teams – Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m), John Lundstram (£5.1m), Dean Henderson (£5.0m) and Jack Grealish (£6.7m) are all in a large number teams. Furthermore, many of us have value tied up in them too.

That means that you will find it hard to sell these types of players as they will likely have a corresponding Double Gameweek in the future and it could cost a lot to buy them back in. There have been murmurs of a possible Double Gameweek 25 or Double Gameweek 26 but I am ignoring that for now as there is nothing concrete at the time of writing.

With Blank Gameweek 31 expected to ravaged by FA Cup postponements, as detailed by this article, the Free Hit chip is probably best saved for then. So the challenge for Fantasy managers is how to best position themselves to take advantage of Blank Gameweek 28 using only free transfers and the odd hit(s).

Personally, when it comes to Blank Gameweeks, I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity. Rather than take hits to field a full 11, I try to look for the assets that can go big. Getting just one or two points for showing up is not a significant advantage.

Using the Season Ticker in the Members area, I have deleted the fixtures for the four blanking teams (Villa, Sheffield United, Manchester City and Arsenal).

As expected, Liverpool sit top of the pile and it goes without saying that you should look to optimise your quota of three players. Leicester’s Gameweek 28 fixture at Norwich means that Vardy is a potential captain candidate that week and should probably be retained despite his dip in form. Defensively though, the Foxes’ fixtures do not look very promising.

Southampton seem a great team to target at both ends of the pitch after their visit to Anfield in Gameweek 25 is out of the way. Not much needs to be said about Danny Ings (£7.0m) but the likes of Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) could be a good pick as he tops the expected goal involvement (xGI) (1.05) amongst their midfielders.

Newcastle, sitting second in the ticker, are unpredictable at the best of times but, in attack, Miguel Almirón (£5.8m), at under 5% ownership, could be an effective differential.

The fit-again Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m) looks a better bet though, with the Newcastle captain carrying significant goal threat from set-pieces as detailed by Tom Freeman in his article this week.

Elsewhere, Burnley have decent fixtures leading up to Gameweek 28 and have rediscovered their mojo.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) has the potential to deliver across this run, only Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) (12), Raul Jiménez (£7.6m) (12), Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) (15) and Roberto Firmino (9.6m) (17)  have taken more shots in the box than the Kiwi (11) over the last four Gameweeks amongst forwards.

Only Sergio Agüero (£12m) (six) has scored more goals than his three too. The Gameweek 27 fixture against Bournemouth looks the best time to hop on an emerging Wood bandwagon.

Chelsea are another team with a great fixture in Gameweek 28 (Bournemouth away) but the preceding fixtures are not the best. Bit of a ‘don’t buy don’t sell’ situation there at the moment with form also not the best, especially at home. Tammy Abraham’s (£7.7m) injury is a concern as well.

While the likes of Brighton and Palace have good fixtures on paper, they are inconsistent and don’t score many goals so I see the ceiling for their attackers as quite low. Wolves’ Europa League campaign resumes after the Leicester game and given how badly it dented their reliability early on in the campaign, I’m a bit wary of their assets as well. This might be overthinking on my part though, admittedly.

In summary – don’t be worried if you can’t field 11 during Blank Gameweek 28. It’s not worth shipping out reliable assets such as De Bruyne or Henderson for. Lundstram might be expendable though, depending on whether he loses his spot full-time to the resurgent Muhamed Bešić (£4.4m).

In terms of my own team, I am inclined to ship the injured Sadio Mané (£12.3m). Though he is tipped to be back for the Norwich game in Gameweek 26, Liverpool play Atletico Madrid away on the Tuesday. The turnaround time between fixtures is the shortest possible so I really don’t think Klopp risks aggravating the Senegalese’s hamstring by starting him twice in a space of 72 hours.

Firmino’s aforementioned stats of late have been great so switching to the Brazilian using the two free transfers is an option with someone like Redmond or Adama Traoré (£5.8m) to come in midfield. I’m more inclined to double-up in defence though with Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) coming in for Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.9m) for Mané.

Only Salah (16) has taken more shots than the Korean’s 13 amongst midfielders for the past four Gameweeks. Robertson has created just one fewer chance (seven) than Trent Alexander Arnold’s eight over this period as well.

That would still leave me with two Manchester City players, Lundstram and Grealish, as well as Kelly which is not an ideal situation, but still manageable with three free transfers to use before the Gameweek 28 deadline. This is how I’m currently setup before the weekend’s team news.

Which FPL assets topped goal threat, creativity and clean sheets this month?
1,016 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    That hair, Christ. It's lucky he's good at booting a pig's bladder, that's all I can say.

    Yes I'm old.

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Caught a clip of a load of Villa fans / kids .. all sporting Grealish hair cuts ... not a good look

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best Sheffield United defender?

    Already have Henderson

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Stevens for attacking and CS

  3. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Manchester United confirm Bruno Fernandes signing

    http://tiny.cc/oe1djz

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Trophy called "We sign Bruno"

  4. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really though...is it actually possible that fixtures will be scheduled earlier than gw 28 rather than postponed for later?

  5. MJM
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any chance of Matip coming back for Gomez or is Gomez now a safe pick?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think Gomez is going to be hold that jersey for as long as his form holds up. Right now, he is very secure alongside VVD

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's been as good as van Dijk since December

    3. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is the preferred choice with VVD at CB. Which means come CL, that's where they will play and premier league games could be rotated.

    4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no chance until gomez slips up

  6. NielsvanDelft
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How is she looking?
    Henderson - McCarthy
    TAA - Robbo - Stevens - Baldock - Fernandez
    Mo - KDB - Grealish - Traoré - Cantwell
    DCL - Auba - Ings

    GW26: save
    GW27: DCL to Jimmy
    GW28: Auba to Vardy

    1. NielsvanDelft
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How is she looking?
      Henderson - McCarthy
      TAA - Robbo - Stevens - Baldock - Fernandez
      Mo - KDB - Grealish - Traoré - Cantwell
      DCL - Auba - Ings

      GW26: save
      GW27: DCL to Jimmy
      GW28: Auba and Grealish to Vardy and Maddison*

  7. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard
    Which looks better?

    Aub or Kun?
    1.
    Dubravka McCarthy
    TAA J.Gomez Bertrand Lascelles O’Connell
    Salah KDB Grealish Traore Bruno (when he is confirmed)
    Auba Jiminez Ings

    2.
    Henderson Pope
    TAA VVD Lascelles Stephens O’Connell/Lund
    Salah KDB Grealish Traore Fleck
    Aguero Jiménez Ings

  8. zøphar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hope you guys enjoyed the article. All input and feedback is welcome 🙂

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Have Son in my team too. Like the stat that he's shooting so much.

      Actually thinking about Auba instead of Son though.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks, well written. What we need imo is a hot topic about this article. Now it is almost impossible to discuss about all the matters written in it, too much noise around.

  9. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?

    Guaita
    TAA Robertson Lundstram
    Salah(C) KDB Maddison Fleck
    Aguero Vardy Ings

    Button Hayden Kelly Stephens

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi....low level Sheffield question.

    Who is the better option for wildcard out of:

    A....oconnell 4.6

    B....egan 4.5

    They both seem equally nailed with similar points total so I'm currently on the cheaper!

    Thanks

  11. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there anyone NOT captaining Salah? If so, who are u going for?

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero (C). Own Salah.

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

      Aubameyang

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Unless I go for Wood, then Salah

    3. Budgies
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aub for me

    4. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am going to captain salah because my opponent in private league has salah and not aguero but I do feel aguero will do better

    5. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’m slightly biased but it seems a poor decision to me.

      Saints in great form at both ends of the pitch and Liverpool coming off a midweek game. It screams low scoring game.

      Admittedly not many great choices this week. Vardy would be bold but typical to score a double. Aubameyang good. But I’m feeling a sneaky city (c). That game has goals and while I’m sitting ok at 74k I need some bold decisions.

      Sterling (c) it is

      1. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        TAA

  12. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    WC:

    a)
    Hendo McCarthy
    Taa GOMEZ Stephens Lund Williams
    Salah Kdb Grealish Martial PEREZ
    Dcl Auba JIMINEZ
    0.2ITB

    b)
    Hendo McCarthy
    Taa ROBBO Stephens Lund Williams
    Salah Kdb Grealish Martial FLECK
    Dcl Auba INGS
    0ITB

    Any other advise on changes or players i need very welcome.

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You don't have any replies but this is interesting. You're on wildcard I would consider moving lundstram. Also Everton fixtures are about to fall off a cliff so do you want to keep a potential problem in that position?

      I prefer a with Fleck/traore not Perez and with ings instead of dcl, but I don't know if the money works.

      1. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Also I prefer lascelles to Williams.

  13. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A double before the blank would be massively helpful as I own five of the gw28 blankers.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

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

      Not sure when it will be announced though

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      When are we likely to know?

  14. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Hendo
    TAA, Holgate, Webster
    Salah(C), KDB, Grealish, Perez
    Auba, Ings, DCL

    Button, Cantwell, Williams, Stephens

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is the Lord's time over?

    Would you have him in your WC team?

    Stevens and Baldock are a tad expensive imo

    1. Treadstone
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could be ....those not on wildcard can wait and see this week...if on wildcard would probably switch to another Sheffield Utd defender.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No. I just got rid. Bought him at 4.0 sold at 4.5 so lost 0.6 but it was his time to go I think.

      1. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        you made 0.5...

    3. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Blades just signed a new CM for £22m today. I would bin Lundy on a WC. I'm getting Egan just for the CS

  16. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How's the team looking guys....any thoughts?

    Foster
    TAA, Holgate, Lacelles
    Salah, Traore, KDB, Perez
    DCL, Aub (C), Aguero

    (Ryan, Fleck, Baldock, Sidibe)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good team.

      Auba captain?

      1. Budgies
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks! Yeah fancy him to hit a few goals on his return

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Very good !!

  17. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    A. Lundstram cry
    B. Lascelles NOR
    C. Holgate wat

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. HD7
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      b

  18. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    That was a good article. I’m looking at shipping the same players - Mane and Soyuncu. Robbo I’m getting, not 100% sold on Son though?

    1. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not totally sold on son either , but I need some explosive differentials at my current rank.
      He's the most advanced spurs player of late, and is nailed on. Don't think their fixtures are the worst, Chelsea are pretty leaky and city are probably without laporte and fernandino

    2. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks btw 🙂

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Contemplating a -8 for GW25 so as to be able to change DCL to Jimenez in GW27.

    Mane Kelly to Grealish Robbo...

    Hope Grealish and Robbo can haul and offset the hits.

    Should I do it?
    Or just play Ings and Kelly/Dunk and try getting Jimenez in another way?

  20. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    After a stinking GW24 with triple captain Salah, are we G2G and roll the FT, or start the defensive tidy up with Kelly > Lascelles? Bench is Kelly and Lundstram, so fairly strong and there’s an argument for rolling the transfer.

    As for Mane, he is staying. Likely won’t play but he won’t be risked either if not fit S o he’s in the starting XI to be autosubbed out if and when he doesn’t feature.

    McCarthy
    TAA(vc), Soyuncu, Rico
    Salah(c), Mane, KDB, Grealish
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

    Subs: Martin, Kelly, Lundstram, Dendoncker

  21. New stat available for Members!
    TopMarx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Introducing "Total Shots On Target"!

    This new stat combines "Shots On Target" and "Shots Blocked" to give a more accurate picture of how well players are shooting.

    According to Opta (see https://www.optasports.com/news/opta-s-event-definitions/) a "Shot Blocked" must be from a shot on target, however these blocked shots are not included in the stat "Shots On Target". So it makes perfect sense to combine the two stats together.

    This new metric is immediately available for FFS Members to use in their custom stats tables https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/ search for "Total Shots On Target" when creating your new table.

    Enjoy!

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice work!

      Thanks for this 🙂

      1. TopMarx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        We have Matz1lla to thank for implementing the stat for members.

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

      Total Shots On Target (Players only). What does the "players only" reference mean?

      1. TopMarx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It means that it is not a stat available for teams currently, just players.

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks for your reply.

    3. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Have been wanting this for a long time, love it!

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can we get 'shots on target conceded (teams)' in the custom stats tables now please? It's a big stat missing from the custom tables.

      1. TopMarx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Hi Virgin,

        'Shots On Target Conceded (Teams only)' should be an option in your custom stats tables.

        I will detail more new stats soon! Thanks as ever to Matzi11a

  22. Shineonme
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    WC team. What you think anything different you would change.

    MaCarthy, Dubravka,
    TAA, VVD, O'connell,
    Salah (c), Martial, KDB, Grealish,
    Deeney, Aub (vc), Jiminez,

    Subs McCarthy, Lascelles, Mooy, Stephens,
    0.7 itb for Deeney >Ings in Gw 26

    1. Joey Barton and Friends
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What are you planning to do for GW 28

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Aub to Vardy

      2. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'll have 2 trenders for gw 28 so might also trade Grealish also.

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Or if I had to could play 5×3×3

          1. One Wheels Enough
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            🙂

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Transfers #

  23. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Kelly’s place under threat from Ward?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oh really. Good tip

  24. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I guess this WC draft won't be popular but here we go...

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Gomez O'Connell Stephens Lascelles
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish Traoré
    Jimenez Ings DCL

    Leaving money in the bank for Grealish->Son next gw.
    Bench points incoming, but sets you up for BB and easier to navigate blanks and doubles?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You need to get Aubameyang imo

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Need kun or aub if on a WC

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You could be right but will captain Mo for a while

    4. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Low TV or too much ITB? Would expect Robbo ahead of Gomez going with that front line

  25. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is this defence good enough?

    McCarthy Henderson
    TAA VVD Stephens Fernandez Lascelles

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes sure!

    4. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That's strong

  26. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope (button)
    Soy, robo, TAA, Kelly, Lundi
    KDB, salah, richarl*, cantwell, Hayden
    Ings, vardy, Tammy*

    2FT

    1) Vardy -> Aub
    Richarl > Grealish
    Or
    2) Keep vardy
    Tammy > Jimmy
    Or
    3) Something else ?

  27. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mané + Greenwood + Martial > Aguero + Traoré + Peréz for -4?

    Not convinced tbh but fancy Aguero for next few albeit worried he will be rested for one.

    Rest of current team is

    Foster
    Williams TAA Lundstram
    Salah Mané Martial KDB Grealish
    Vardy Ings

    4.0 Söyünkü Stephens Greenwood

  28. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    With Genk midfielder Sander Berge confirmed to be heading to Sheff Utd for a club record fee of 22M whose place does this put at risk there does anyone know? Fleck maybe?

  29. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Competition for Lunny and Fleck?

    @SheffieldUnited
    United have once again smashed the club's transfer record to secure the services of a highly-rated Norwegian international midfielder on a long-term contract.

    Sander Berge has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at Bramall Lane. An undisclosed fee has been agreed ✍️

  30. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Great article.....