Metrics

Wildcards continue to break up top 10k template as Salah rewards massive backing

Fantasy Premier League managers in the top 10k continue to eye up major changes to their squads.

With Blank Gameweek 28, the corresponding Doubles and Blank Gameweek 31 all on the horizon, the template of the first half of the campaign continues to slowly dissolve.

Therefore, the second Wildcard has received plenty of attention from both the upper echelons of Fantasy managers and worldwide.

7.6% of managers inside the top 10k pulled the trigger on their squad overhaul for Gameweek 25 while 4.7% did so overall.

Defence appears to be the area most needing some change according to the Gameweek 25 Wildcarders among the top 10k.

Recent benchings for John Lundstram (£5.1m) have seen just 62.6% of these managers hold onto his services, compared to ownership of 87.2% among the top 10k as a whole.

There is a similar drop-off for Martin Kelly (£4.4m), sat in 51.3% of top 10k squads but included only in 28.6% of those at this level who Wildcarded for Gameweek 25. Of course, that was before his benching at home to Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

Also losing significant support, not surprisingly, is Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.0m) after Leicester went a fourth consecutive match without a clean sheet on Saturday lunch-time.

The centre-back is still held by 39.3% of managers in the top 10k but is not among the top five for ownership in the Wildcard selection.

His place, along with Diego Rico‘s (£4.2m), has been taken by Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m), while Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) also features.

The budget price of Newcastle’s club captain, combined with the Magpies appealing run of fixtures, which started with a 0-0 draw against Norwich, has led to relative popularity in top 10k Wildcard squads.

Lascelles has been chosen by 30.8% of such managers, behind only Alexander-Arnold, Lundstram and Van Dijk.

Despite losing plenty of support in recent weeks, Nick Pope (£4.6m) remains an important part of the so-called template.

Only Dean Henderson (£5.0m) was selected by more top 10k Wildcarders than the Burnley goalkeeper, who has 37.8% representation in such squads.

Mohamed Salah‘s (£12.6m) ownership figures have taken a huge boost following the recent injury to Sadio Mané (£12.3m).

In the top 10k, the Egyptian now has 87.2% ownership, while 93% of those Wildcarding at this level for Gameweek 25 chose him – even more than Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m).

However, it is worth noting that 10.6% of managers inside the top 10k have opted to hold Mané ahead of Gameweek 26.

It will be interesting to see if this tactic pays off considering that Liverpool don’t have a Premier League fixture between now and February 15.

Jurgen Klopp previously stated that Mané would be “alright” after the Southampton match and up next for Liverpool is a trip to Carrow Road, where Norwich have conceded more goals than on their travels this season.

️There also appeared to be a shift in the fourth and fifth midfielder markets following Gameweek 25 Wildcards.

Todd Cantwell‘s (£4.9m) most recent blank, recorded at Newcastle, may see his 37.1% representation in the top 10k fall further and, indeed, he has dropped out of the top five midfielders in the Wildcard template.

John Fleck (£5.0m), who has five goals and two assists this season, looks to be gunning for Cantwell’s place in Fantasy squads, chosen by 22.3% of top 10k Wildcards this weekend.

Up-front, Jamie Vardy (£9.9m) finds himself still losing followers. He remains the most popular forward in the top 10k (64.7%) but was not in the top-three among the Wildcarders.

Another blank for the Leicester man, this time against Chelsea, his third in a row, may only exacerbate the slew of sales ahead of a Gameweek 26 trip to Wolves.

By contrast, 49.5% of those Wildcarding for Gameweek 25 put their faith in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.7m), set to face Burnley on Sunday afternoon. That makes him the third-most-popular striker in such squads.

Looking at the chip usage in full detail for the top 10k, we can see just how many deployed the Triple Captain for Double Gameweek 24.

With 13 Gameweeks left in the 2019/20 schedule, 28.1% of managers at the top level right now will be looking out for another opportunity to use their enhanced armband.

15.7% is the portion of top 10k managers who are yet to play a chip in the second half of the season. They are likely to be very confident that they can use the chips to consolidate their position.

Finally, Saturday afternoon provided the perfect entertainment for the majority of the top 10k, as far as the captaincy was concerned.

That’s because Salah mopped up monstrous backing for the armband at this level, 79.8% of his backers enjoying a 32-point haul in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Southampton.

That contributed towards an effective ownership of 167% for Salah among the top 10k on Saturday afternoon.

The 4.5% who went for Alexander-Arnold instead did not see too much pay-off in return for their risk, the right-back scoring six points, 12 if captained.

There is also now pressure on those few brave souls who went against the grain to back a Sunday afternoon player with the armband.

The in-form Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) was captained by just 4% of the top 10k, De Bruyne 2.5% and Aubameyang 2.4%.

Stats taken from LiveFPL.net

2,157 Comments Post a Comment
  1. kempc23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really stuck what to do do here.

    McCarthy Button
    TAA Robbo Dunk Lund Williams
    Salah KDB Mahrez Doucoure Cantwell
    Aguero Ings Maupay

    2FT, £0.7m in the bank.

    Maupay has been a disaster, as has Doucoure. I want to keep the three City players for West Ham at home in GW26.

    I was thinking of Maupay to Jimenez, Robbo to someone? Doucoure can wait another week, at least he is actually playing.

    Any ideas?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Maupay to Jimenez for sure but don't think I'd want to lose Robertson. Downgrading Mahrez might be better but then again he could haul against West Ham.

      1. kempc23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Well this is the dilemma. Unfortunately Robbo to VVD doesnt work, so it would either need to be someone else as well for a minus 4, or Robbo to Gomez.

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How much money do you need to downgrade to be able to do Maupay->Jimenez?

      1. kempc23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I need £1m to do Maupay to Jim.

        I could even do Aguero to Aubameyang but that doesnt feel right.... I want to captain Aguero against WHAM.

        1. kempc23
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I can do Aguero, Maupay, Doucoure to Aubamayang, Jim and Traore, with £0m left!

        2. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe you can wait a week on Jimenez and downgrade dunk or lund instead?

          1. kempc23
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Dunk and Lund are 4.7 and 4.6 respectively. Could do Lund to Lascelles then and re-assess next week? I just dont want to play that waste of space Maupay in the team.

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

              I know how you feel but it's really likely that Maupay starts the next one the fixture is pretty good. Lascelles is a good pick

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Since there won’t be any news on Mane, I’m gonna play him and hope he starts vs Norwich, as for the rest of the team...what needs changing here? 2FTs & 0.5itb

    Ryan
    TAA - Cathcart - Lunds
    Salah - Kdb - Mane - Martial
    DCL - Vardy - Haller

    Subs: Button - Soy - Taylor - Romeu

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cathcart, Lund to Stephens, Egan

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Haller away to City not a problem?

        1. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Could be, Deeney might be a good option

  3. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have a front 8 of-

    KDB Salah Maddison Graelish Traore
    Vardy Jiminez Ings

    Need to bench one, which one though?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Maddison or Traore

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Another red arrow.

    What to do with this bunch?

    Ryan Button
    Holgate Robertson Egan
    Mane Salah KdB Grealish
    Ings Aubameyang DCL
    Kabasele Doncker Fodder

    1 FT, 0.0 ITB

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      hold

  5. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard back 5 of;

    Dubravka
    Fernandez Trent Robertson and Stevens

    34 points..

    Lovely jubbly

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

      Thought of your double Toon call - well played.

  6. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If I WC then this is 99% it

    So tempted but wanna keep! Annoying.

    Henderson McCarthy
    VVD TAA O'Connell Fernandez Stephens
    Fleck Traore KDB Salah Hayden
    Auba Ings Aguero

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How sure you are on Hayden? He was subbed off today

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He's my 15th man mate in this scenario. 5th mid in a 3 4 3 or 4 4 2 scenario

    2. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That midfield is really interesting. I may be headed in that direction and was feeling a little weird about having three cheats...

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Outside of KDB Salah Mane almost nobody catches my eye.

        This way gives me big 4 and I'll miss the inevitable Mane haul like many others

    3. Onana Whatsmyname
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bang on! Aguero, Auba and Salah the ones who will dominate over the next few

    4. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why are people just ignoring Mane on Wildcard. I mean he is still alive. 3 weeks ago the most essential player in the Liv team.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Trust me tried to find way to get Mane Salah Kdb Auba and Kun in.

        Really want 2 pool defs

        Sticking with Salah

    5. The Neville Wears Prada
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Going to be the new template - depending on how aguero and auba does tmrw. Very similar to my team

      McCarthy (Button)
      TAA - Gomez - Egan (Lascelles - Lund)
      Salah - KDB - Traore - Grealish (Hayden)
      Aguero - Auba - Jimi

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not keen at all

      Fleck Traoré is an either or for me - probably as 5th mid. You’ll likely lose at least one in 28 I know

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ok thanks

  7. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking Vardy to Aguero is my next move. Thoughts? I have a lot of value tied up in Vardy, but if Aguero keeps starting, he’s necessary I think.

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Played with a WC. I will keep only 3 players. TAA Salah and Ings. Well if anytime a WC was a need this is the one

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

      Congrats on your new arrival

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks man. Its lovely feeling

        1. Party time
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Congrats Danny

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram to Stephens?

      1. ritzyd
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thats my plan, great fixtures and no gw28 blank seems a sensible idea

      2. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yep

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

      Is Gomez a waste of a Liverpool slot?

      Need a replacement for lundstram and cannot afford VVD or Robertson

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

        I wouldn't be surprised if Matip starts the game before or after Atletico

        1. Pras (FPL)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Hey mate - any news on Mane?

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

            I think his instagram post suggested he was in Spain doing gym work and Klopp's latest comment was that he was out of West Ham and Saints. So I assume he is back for Norwich

            1. Pras (FPL)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers. Want to bring him straight back after price drop so looking for any recent update.

        2. Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Hmm that’s the worry really. Same could be said for Trent or Robertson being rested though?

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

            More so Robertson but yes. Although the fullbacks are more integral to Liverpool atm so depends what Klopp sees best fit. He won't admit it, but I'd imagine they want to break all 4 records they're up for.

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No but don't expect any attacking returns

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

      Maddison have to go? Who is the best replacement up to 10.0m. Son?

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

    5. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What a people doing with Maddison? 4 blanks in a row and 2 tricky games coming up. But last time Maddy blanked 4 in a row, he got 11 points in the next game. I'm considering replacing him with Fleck.

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Keeping as he'll play in blank GW 28. Will reassess after

    6. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hold or do something with 1 free transfer and 1.2 mil in the bank?

      Guaita Button
      Sidibe TAA Robertson Lundstram Reid
      Salah Son KDB Grealish Hayden
      Vardy Ings DCL

    7. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts on the following:

      Vardy/Martial/Haller——>Kun/Traoré/Ings (-4)

      Team:
      Ryan
      TAA - Cathcart - Lunds
      Salah - Mane - Martial - Kdb
      DCL - Haller - Vardy

      Subs: Button - Soy - Taylor - Romeu
      ...or focus on other players e.g Lunds/Ryan/DCL/Mane

      1. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Do it!

      2. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Pending city game of course

    8. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is Boly, Traore and Jimenez too much Wolves on WC?

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No

      2. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

      3. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Nope. I'm considering it.

    9. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why is everyone wildcard before they know the DGWs?! Just take a few hits!!

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        K

      2. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        You can try navigate a DGW with a few FT’s, but you cant navigate your way into the top 50K with 3 GW’s remaining. Now is the time to make up ground.

        1. FPL Maldini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          If chasing you mean?

          1. DAZZ
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yes.

        2. jimmyabs1987
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Point is so many people posting teams that are fine but need a few tweaks! I have gone from 2.1 million to 150k now in 12 GW. We have over 12 left and easily can get into top 50k without WC now.

      3. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Everyone isn't

        You vocal minority on here can make you think that everyone has wildcarded.

        1. jimmyabs1987
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Very good point!

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

      Where to start?

      A) sell Lundstram, Kelly or Holgate for Stephens or Lascelles

      B) Martial for Grealish

      C) Vardy for Auba/Firmino/Jimenez

      1. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Do you have Aguero?

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

          Tes

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

            Yes

      2. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        In that case prob a for me.

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

          Cheers! Lundy to Lascelles?

          1. jaguar shark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yup!

          2. jaguar shark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I may ditch Kelly first actually

    11. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would you WC this team? I think there are prob 6-7 changes I would make now if I did...

      Ryan / Button
      TAA / VVD / Lund / Soy / Kelly
      Salah / KDB / Alli / Traore / Cantwell
      Vardy / Ings / DCL

    12. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Currently 130k and second in my ML by only 8 points. My team consists of Vardy, Maddy, Kelly , Lundy and Lucas

      Do I hold....

      A) Sort the defence out with two transfers, hold the WC and keep Leicester

      B) WC now and hope I can navigate bench boost chip strategy in the late doubles

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sort the defence out

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        BB in late doubles could be equivalent to BB in a SGW given rotation at that point. I’m ignoring the chip pretty much

    13. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Jimenez and Traore for Maddison and Calvert Lewin for free?

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

        Wolves have double Thursday nights in 27/8 - one is enough I suspect.

        1. Jeremy Corbyn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          too late

    14. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have 5 price drops tonight which players should I get rid of first. Thinking Minus 8

      A) Ryan
      B) Kelly
      C) Mane
      D) Abraham
      E) Vardy
      F) Greenwood 1 pointers

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

      What to do with Vardy, Martial and Lundstram?

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        just get rid Martial

      2. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Get Lund out first, reassess the other two after next gw...

    16. Heiro
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Who are best defenders for the coming game weeks?

      Stephens/ Lacessles?

    17. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ryan (buton)
      Lund taa sidibe (soy lascels)
      Mane salah kdb martial (traore)
      Dcl mauapy vardy

      WC or -8 ? (If -8 vardy/maupay martial lund out)

    18. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do I need to WC?1 FT and 5.3 mill in the bank.

      Henderson button*
      TAA lundstram* Kelly* rico* Soyuncu*
      Salah KDB Grealish maddison* dendoncker*
      Vardy* Pukki* Ings

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        no

      2. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

      3. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oh boy...

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't say you absolutely "need" to, but you probably should.

    19. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would you bench boost this ?
      McCarthy (BUR)
      Stephens (BUR)
      Holgate (CRY)
      Perez (wol)

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

        I’d be tempted yeah

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Possibly

        Think double defence is a reasonable gamble on BB and the other two look quite ok too.

    20. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What to do here?

      2 FT, 1,4 ITB

      Ramsdale
      TAA-Dunk-Söyuncu
      Mane-KDB-Grealish-Salah
      Vardy-Jimi-Ings
      Button, Lundstram, Kelly, Hayden

      A) Lundstram + Ramsdale -> Stevens + McCarthy. Play Stevens instead Söy
      B) Lundstram + Kelly -> Stevens + Lascelles, Play Stevens
      C) Wait tomorrow If Auba hauls Vardy + Ramsdale -> Auba + McCarthy
      D) Vardy + Söyuncu + Lundstram -> Auba + Lascelles + Stevens (-4, exact money need to do now)
      E) Something else?

      1. Heiro
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I quite like D.

        Same moves I'm looking at but think Maddison is more important to shift

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

      Are there any midweek games this week? And presumably nothing in between the winter break?

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Replays...

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        FA cup replays

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

        Fa cup replays, did you miss all the fuss about Liverpool?

    22. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Normally wait for the big DGW to WC but my squad is a mess. Would you pull the trigger?

      McCarthy, Button
      TAA, Soy*, Rico*, Kelly*, Lundstram*
      KDB, Mane*, Salah, Grealish*, Martial*
      Auba, Ings, Connolly*

      *problem players that need to go

      1. Reiger
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It’s time

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes WC

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I’d wait a week and just get rid of Lund now

        You have a decent side for 26 assuming Mane ok. Southampton defence should be good and that’s a very decent front 7.

    23. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone else who is afraid of Shef.United's LB Jack Robinson signing who is gonna 'provide competition' to Stevens?

      *Finally I'm gonna go for Baldock to be sure