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. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo is better going forward?

    A) Aguero + Traore

    B) Aubameyang + Grealish

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

      B

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

        But a switch from Grealish to Barnes in GW28, or just get someone else in that price range

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Tanganga nailed?

    1. Green Arrow
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Blu tacked

  3. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Vardy to Aguero
    B) Maupay to Ings
    C) Vardy, Maupay, Martial to Aguero, Ings, max 7.0 mid (-4)
    D) Vardy, Kelly to Aguero, Stephens

    Any thoughts on these? Thanks!

  4. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    If you could only bring in a NEW defender or a SHU which would you bring?

    Choices are Fernandez/ Lascelles vs Stevens/ O’Connell/ Egan

    Other defenders are TAA, VVD, Holgate, Williams (for now)

    Thanks

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

      SHU all day

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Stevens worth the extra cash?

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

          I think so yeah

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Have both like me n some others

  5. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ergh. Can’t decide whether to wildcard or not. Please can I get some opinions?

    Ryan Pope
    TAA Soy Lundstram Kelly Rico
    Grealish Salah KDB Martial Hayden
    DCL Ings Vardy

    Would probably do Lunds to Gomez for 1 FT if not wildcarding. Cheers!

    First post on a while and bottomed, typical of this gameweek, sorry for repeat.

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Having neither aguero of aubameyang as captain options for next game week would scare me personally

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

        Aubameywhaaaaang!!!

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        don't be so melodramatic! Salah(nor) not decent enough?

      3. Big Ping
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Salah at Norwich tho...

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

        Aguero not a captain option for me when not a guaranteed starter. Can’t trust Arsenal either.
        I’m more worried about Martial not starting. Brighton’s lack of cleanies. Leicester our of form. No Jimenez etc

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

          Captain Aguero for me ... how bad were WHU in the second half

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

        Salah is a better captain option than Aubameyang anyway.

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

      Lund to Gomez is a nice transfer I’d do this and keep WC

  6. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Son a decent option on WC? Or better to save money and go moura?

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

      Son for me; don’t like moura

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

      We will find out soon enough. I already got him on WC before this GW. Though there is a lack of premium options currently which also affected the decision, because he clearly isnt at his best this season

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

      Hope Son will be playing up front given that Spurs didn't bring in a striker

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

      I did Mane to Son for this GW, felt a bit of a punt but Villa after City is enticing

  7. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think KWP comes straight in next week and is nailed going forward?

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

      Bargain if he does

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

    Any suggestions with this lot lads?

    Willing to take a hit if it’s worth it

    (1FT / 0.9 ITB)
    McCarthy 4.0
    TAA Lundstram* Soyuncu* Holgate* Kelly*
    Salah KDB Martial* Grealish Traoré
    Auba Vardy Ings

    Cheers.

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

    Players who need replacing - Ryan, Söyüncü, Lundstram, Simpson, Cantwell, Haller, Maupay

    WC now or fix with -8?

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

      -8

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

      WC

    3. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’d WC. Some proper dross there!

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

      Wc

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

    Predictions for Spurs City game tomorrow and goal scorers?

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

      Or today should I say*

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

        KDB screamer 0-1

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

      1-3

    3. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1-2
      Son, Agüero & De Bruyne

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

        3-2 - Son hattie, Aguero brace and 2 assist from KDB (more a wish list than a prediction)

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

    WC in play! Views on this first draft team as set up for next week

    Henderson
    TAA Stevens Van Dijk
    Traoré Salah KDB Fleck
    Ings Aguero Jiménez

    McCarthy Stephens H Barnes Lascelles

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

      Looks pretty good.

    2. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Will you play 2x Sheffield United and Liverpool defence each week?

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

        Probably not- for example week 28 and and other weeks depending on fixtures

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          As long as you’re happy you can field a decent 11 for blank GW28 then that looks good.

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

      This will all change depending on Auba, Kun, and Son performance tonight

  12. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    The casuals are selling Abraham... Excellent.

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

      Guys, should we tell him?

      1. Green Arrow
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Clearly didn't watch the game today

  13. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Keep DCL or replaced with Jimenez?

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

      Keep one more game

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

      Keep for Palace at home.

  14. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best Lundstram replacement with a budget of £4.8?

    A) Boly
    B) KWP
    C) Tanganga
    D) Williams
    E) Egan

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Any other SHU defenders? E) my preference

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        The problem with replacing with a Sheff U defender is GW28. I own Henderson too, which adds to that problem.

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Probably A) in that case for GW38 cover

          1. The Sociologist
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            28...

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

          This is why I'm staying away from SHU despite the fixtures.

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

          Henderson doesn't really affect things - either you have a second goalie or you don't
          I have Ageuro, KDB and Fleck (and Hendo) ... so I've brought in Stephens (also bought in Boly for Williams)

  15. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McGovern, Soy, Lund, Digne, Grealish, DCL ->
    Hendo, Fernandez, Stephens, Doherty, CHO, Ings

    Worth activating wc for?

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

    Auba brace tomorrow.. that'll do, that'll do.

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

      *Aguero

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

        *Auba + Aguero

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

      Yes please.

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

      Yes, and Aguero blank 😉

  17. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which is better move?
    A. DCL -> Jimenez (have Traore)
    B. Soy -> VVD (have Salah, TAA)
    Ta.

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

      B

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

      B

    3. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B) for now, have A) in your to do list still though.

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

      B.
      Do A for GW27.

  18. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Does Williams play next week for Utd or is Shaw back in for good now?

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think they’ll both rotate pretty regularly.

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

      You really need that 4.0-4.1 defender, don’t you?

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

      Tanganga

  19. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bertrand looked very good today for FPL. Bossed the baps for his team even while conceding 4, on corners and looks to have a good link up on his side going forward.

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm looking at him too. I just wonder if KWP will be a better option and for cheaper.

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

      Cheers

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

      If only I can have 4 soton for their upcoming fix..

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

      Surely KWP has to start next game. Might be worth a gamble.

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

    Any ideas guys?
    I’m really struggling....

    McCathy
    TAA Robbo Stephens
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    Reina Lundstram Cathcart Cantwell

    2FTs 0.itb

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

      Cantwell and/or Lundstram out

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

        Why Cantwell? He’s bench fodder most of the time?

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

          I agree, something like Vardy + Martial -> Auba/Aguero + Traore/Fleck might improve your team more.

      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This

        U need some shu defensive cover, and a back up mid to cover kdb/jack if ure not selling in bgw28

  21. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1. Roll the FT and make 2/3 changes next GW.
    2. Mane-> Fleck + Lundstram-> VVD. (-4).
    3. Mane-> Son + Lundstram- Stevens. (-4)

    Hendo.
    TAA, Stephens, Holgate.
    Grealish, KDB, Mane, Salah.
    Maupay, Ings, Aubameyang.
    Stek, Lundstram, Williams, Dendoncker.
    1ft. 0.1m ITB.

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

      Lund out

  22. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will you sell Lundstram if you got him at 4.5?

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, no use if he’s not starting and we’re not getting those SHU clean sheets.

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

      There’s people selling him who got him in at 4.0. If you’re on WC or have no other transfers and you got him in at 4.5, that’s the easiest transfer of life

    3. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, grab the 4.8

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

      I sold with wc last gw, got him in gw1

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hes literally useless right now. The last thing you want in FPL is a 1 point player

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

      He is the only survivor from gw1 I'm my team

      Oh well he was..

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

      4.5! ... loads of sellers, including me, bought at 4.0

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

      and you would lose SV tonight / tomorrow when he goes down

  23. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcarding with a view to navigating bgws 28+31 with ft, BB gw27, FH in a big dgw. Any thoughts? 1.2itb

    Hendo Pope
    TAA Stevens Boly Stephens Lascelles
    Salah Mane KDB Grealish Traore
    Jimenez Ings Wood

  24. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is it reacting too quickly selling Lundstrum now?

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

      Too slow tbh, theres been signs for quite some time that hes losing his spot

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Who for though? Another Sheffield defender? A Newcastle defender seems risky to me.

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

          Another Sheffield defender, Newcastle defender or Southampton defender

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Slow

  25. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ryan, Button,
    TAA, Aurier, Soyuncu, Kelly, Rico
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Noble, Hayden,
    Vardy, Abraham, Ings

    Best cheap DF? (Kelly replacement before price drop)

    A) Lascelles 4.2 (New)
    B) Stephens 4.4 (South)
    C) Egan 4.5 (Sheff U)
    D) Saiss 4.4 (Wolves)
    E) Suggestions?

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

      You got them in the right order.

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

        Agreed

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

      C

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all.

      I was thinking Egan,

      Sheff U actually keep Clean sheets & 3 home fixtures versus lower league opposition with 1 blank. As I presently don't have Sheff U DF / GK cover. But two of you think he's third choice...

      Newcastle have Tiger fixtures & both them & Southamptons clean sheet record isn't as good.

      Why Lascelles / Newcastle faith please?

      Thanks in advance.

  26. Tabasco
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hey sorry to ask again - Vardy to Firmino?!

    Feels a bit mental but price changes and that...

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

      I like it, unless you plan to bring back mane

  27. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Finally a green after 2 reds

    Now kdb auba kun, get me into the dreaded top 10k pls

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

    Uno

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

      Polo

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

    Why it is dumb to Wildcard...

    We don't know the lay of the land. The blanks and the doubles have yet to be confirmed.

    Until you know what's what, you shouldn't be using your Wildcard or any chips.

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

      Team need surgery. We know our team better than others

      Enough reasons for me

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How do the dates of blanks/doubles have any effect on use of wildcard? Not being argumentative I just don't quite follow.

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

      WC to set yourself for 15 GWs (if done correctly) is better than planning for 1 or 2 GWs IMO. Great chance of accumulating more points over a longer period and still plan for DGW with FTs.

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

      We all know the only reason you dont WC is that you are following the twitter herd with Ben Crellin as the shepherd. Literal sheep.

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

        I'd quite like to swap Dunk ... doesn't really justify a wildcard though

  30. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really wish Mane didn’t get injured.. the sheep don’t deserve the Salah points

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

      Thats why I captained Vardy as I knew everyone will captain Salah and i'm not getting anywhere like this. I was unlucky really.
      How did your GW go then?

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

        If you had Salah and Captained Vardy instead, is it really luck?

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

          LOL

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Life's like that