Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 26

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 26 – the longest Gameweek of the season so far. The first match of the inaugural ‘winter break’ kicks off an hour after Saturday’s 11:30 GMT deadline with the last match not taking place until nine days later. 

Between today’s cutoff and FPL updating at the end of the Gameweek, a full 228 hours will have passed. 

The good news for those of a romantic disposition is that we will be completely free to focus on Valentine’s Day next Friday without having to worry about transfers or captain decisions. Our neglected other halves will no doubt be overjoyed!

Although for most Fantasy managers, one love affair could be coming to an end. 

John Lundstram has captured our hearts this season with his swashbuckling flair and rock-solid dependability. We will never forget the unbridled joy we shared when he banged in two goals against Burnley in early November. It felt at the time that this was a relationship that would last forever. 

Although it wasn’t always plain sailing, he has blanked on occasion. And he really shouldn’t have come home empty handed from his trip to Norwich in December. Nonetheless, he’s often surprised and delighted us so he can be forgiven the odd indiscretion.

But sadly it would appear that after six months the honeymoon is over. 

The warning signs were there. Following two early substitutions, he had us worried when he turned up late against Manchester City in Gameweek 24. To then repeat the offence at the next opportunity didn’t go down well. He has since been unceremoniously dumped by thousands of Fantasy managers.

Is there any hope? Can this relationship be salvaged? For those still clinging onto memories of the good times, Neale, who probably knows him better than any of us, had this to say:

Given Wilder’s previous for not for making unnecessary changes – the other eight midfielders and defenders have basically played whenever they’ve been available – then I wouldn’t hold me hopes up. I’ve seen people talking about ‘oh there’ll be rotation now in central midfield’, well that really hasn’t been Wilder’s style this season, Norwood and Fleck, even in the Championship were playing pretty much every game. So I’m not in the slightest bit confident he’ll get his place back.

– Neale, Team News video

Heartbreaking.

The only straw to clutch at is that his attacking threat might be favoured for a winnable home match against Bournemouth. But there are no guarantees. For those still holding him get ready to be let down again.

Indeed when David cast his eye over the new arrival at Bramall Lane, Sander Berge, who appears to have stolen Lundstram’s spot in the Blades’ midfield, he concluded:

It will be hard to expect much more than a series of one-point cameos from Lundstram.

– David

The good news is that there are a number of potential suitors lining-up to take his place in our Fantasy affections. And our friendly Scoutcast trio of Joe, Karam and Tom assessed our options:

Willy Boly of Wolves at just £4.7m finds himself in Joe’s Wildcard team and offers excellent value; we have O’Connell or Egan if we fancy sticking with Sheffield United; there’s Newcastle with Fernandez and Lascelles enticing us ahead of a nice run of fixtures – although Tom cautioned that they have been overperforming their numbers recently; Tom favoured Charlie Taylor who at £4.2m offers a cheap route into a Burnley defence that has kept nine clean sheets this season.

Pro Pundits Az and Ash also had their say, with both opting for slightly more expensive options. Az plumps for team-mate Enda Stevens, while Ash turns to Burnley’s Ben Mee highlighting his improved attacking potential:

What’s telling is that Mee has registered the joint-most number of goal attempts inside the box among all defenders in the past four Gameweeks.

– Ash, Pro Pundit

Out in the Cold

The dispersed nature of the matches over the winter break means that we won’t hear from a dozen managers until after the Gameweek has started. 

There remains the very real possibility, then, that a number of players will be declared as unavailable – or passed fit – long after the Gameweek 26 deadline has been and gone, leaving FPL managers powerless to do anything about it.

– Neale, Guide to the Winter Break

Neale set the scene in his Guide to the Winter Break, while Ginkapo FPL questioned the impact of the mid-season interlude in a hot topic.

Thinking of the captaincy, one strategy Joe is promoting is captaining and vice captaining players from different weekends. Just in case there’s a no show, or perhaps the weather disrupts the fixtures.

Red or Blue?

In the main, this week’s captaincy would seem to be a straight choice between Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero. 

Salah currently leads the way in our captaincy poll, chosen by just under 40% of participants compared to Aguero’s 22%. But it was the thought of Aguero taking the armband that prompted Joe to enthuse:

It’s that rare beautiful moment in FPL where you get someone with unbelievable form and stats against the worst defence.

– Joe, Captaincy Video

Over the last four matches the Argentine is top for shots in the box, big chances, shots on target, and he has the best expected goal involvement (xGI) of any player. He faces a West Ham team who have the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) of any team. He also tops this site’s Rate My Team tool.

The only caveat is rotation. As Neale mentioned in his Captain Sensible article, his rival for the centre-forward role is due a start:

And will Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) be again deprived of a place in the starting XI, meaning that he will have gone a full month without any kind of start before City are in action again in Gameweek 27.

– Neale, Captain Sensible

If the risk of a benching is too much for you then Salah offers an excellent alternative.

TheFantasyFreÆK highlighted his potential in his Gameweek 25 review, noting that the Egyptian tops the charts for several key stats in midfield and should have recorded even more points of late given that only one of the five big chances he created has been converted by his teammates. 

Neale summarised his appeal:

Salah’s form and all-round points potential (in the top two for both shots in the box and big chances created over his last four matches) will understandably see many FPL managers again handing the armband to the Egyptian.

– Neale, Captain Sensible

The Scout Picks feature Salah as part of a heavy-hitting midfield at the expense of Aguero up front. And FFS Members Cup-finalist Pep Pig revealed he will be handing the Liverpool midfielder the armband in his predictions for Gameweek 26.

Meanwhile RichP_LFC decided to take a novel approach and looked at Fantasy Points Against to pick out players for our FPL teams. His research found that “Salah is the clear choice in midfield, and a punt on Redmond could work well.

Redmond is also the headline differential pick as the Saints begin an excellent run of fixtures.

However, the article’s author, Tom Freeman, went for Harvey Barnes as his under 5%-owned option on the Scoutcast. Over the last four matches, only Salah has a higher xGI than Barnes.

Fellow Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield agrees with his selection, noting in her Sam Says video that the Leicester City youngster has four attacking returns in his last four Premier League games.

And we’ve had reports and analysis on two new Premier League recruits. Steven Bergwijn marked his Spurs debut with a goal and travels to Aston Villa this week, Neale considered his potential. And Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was the subject of a members-only article by David.  

Finally, following last week’s FA Cup replays, we know a little more about how the fixture schedule is shaping up.   

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Fantasy Football Scout Memberships are now available for a reduced price of £9.99 for the remainder of the season. Rolling monthly subscriptions are also available for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 26 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!


TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,493 Comments Post a Comment
  1. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lets go Aguero TC tomorrow comeon!!

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

      Captaining in a single gw!? Casual 😉

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

        Putting others fpl ideas. down cause you’re a dullard?

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

          😉

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

          lol

      2. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        lol great fixture and home form, I forgot to TC Mane on dgw so this is fine.

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

        *Triple btw haha

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Mate you're not funny lol

    2. Party time
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ciara says hi

      • Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I need him to go mental in a good way

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Very risky when Pep could troll you.

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

          nonsense why would aguero not start? especially with sterling out

      • DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Say hello to 3 points when he comes off the bench

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          lol brace is coming!

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

        Ouch if the benched rumours are true!

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

          There’s no bench rumours. No one knows anything apart from Pep

    3. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sidibe has to be my worst transfer this season

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

        Same. I got 6 points from him in one game and 3 successive blanks. Selling next week anyway.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He is leaving my side this week and gives me loads of options. Have O'Connell 1st bench.

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

            Who are you getting? I'm considering Fernandez at NEW

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Probably Boly in a couple of weeks

      2. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        typical of the awful bandwagons that appear on here

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

          I had planned to move him on after this week anyway. Look at the fixtures ahead.

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

          Traore another one?

      3. ST United
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I managed to offload him for a hit today

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

      Would Sidibe come on?
      I'd take 1 point from him over 1 point from Soy or Rico.

      1. Ritchies Magic Hat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        That would make it 10pts in 5 game-weeks

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

          And I'd be happier if it was 2-2-2-2-2 rather than 6-1-1-1-1

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no Kelly in squad
      SCENES

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

        We knew he was out

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          whoosh

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

            Saying whoosh yourself when people take your bait is peak cringe

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

              Ha

            2. TRIPOS TOPPER
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              sorry fam blud

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

                You also miss the chance of getting more fish! Rookie mistake!

            3. Sgt. Schultz
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              What is this whoosh anyway? God I'm old...

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

                Gone over your head acronym

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

                Its supposed to be the sound of something going over your head. As in, "you didnt get the joke". Its a reddit thing.

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

              It’s Ali G, so unsurprising really.

            5. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Particularly when it was a shite wind up to start with

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

                Yea, very low effort. Should have gone with something along the lines of "WTF Kelly out? Why hasnt FFS written about this in their articles this week?? This is what we pay for?...."

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

                  He was put so they wouldn't have written about him :confused:

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

                    Out

    6. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      So who takes the win, EVE or Palace? Otherwise a dull 0-0?

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        cracking MOTD incoming

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

        cs for Palace pleez

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

      Brace for DCL incoming

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I wish and don't have him. (SMILE)

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

        How many for Holgate? Oh wait

    8. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You experts:
      Pick one:
      a) Have your WC
      b) Have an extra 2 mil ITB in top 10k.
      c) Have Free hit and BB.

    9. lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just DCL today. I am ready for his 1 point

    10. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      DCL let's go. I'd be happy with a goal. 2 goals or even 3 goals would be excellent though. 4 goals? Dreamland

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Quaner my favourite FPL asset

    11. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is this weird two week gameweek a new thing? Don’t remember it in past seasons

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

        New this season

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        First time ever.

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

          Have you ?
          😉

      3. Ritchies Magic Hat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        First time due to the winter break being introduced this season

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

          Hopefully the last too.

          Why is this one GW over 2 weekends? Today and tomorrow should be one GW and then next Saturday’s matches should start the next GW, which would end on the Monday night.

          In my opinion all they needed to do was add an extra GW to FPL, not elongate one GW over 2 completely different weekends encompassing parts of 3 separate calendar weeks!

          Rant over.

          As you were, chaps....

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

      If DCL does well today, might consider sticking with him through the tough fixtures...Everton are capable of competing vs the big boys

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

      DCL goal(s?) and Ryan CS today, hoping for too much?

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

        DCL will score.

        As a Ryan owner I’d suggest not holding your breath for this clean sheet business, though.

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

      35pts behind rival did not bother bringing in Martinelli and Aguero for Vardy and Abraham can say he will bring in Aguero should say my season done.

    15. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Such a long wait till GW27 deadline but got 2 FTs to play with and lots of options under consideration.

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

        It will be good fun, I'm in the same situation

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

      Front 3 by gw28: vardy, ings, jiminez. Anyone else doing same?

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

        Thinking of Auba, Jimi and Ings. Have Vardy instead of Jimi at the moment.

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

          I currently have aub, ings, dcl. Aub blanks 28. Planning dcl to jim for 27. And aub to vardy 28

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

            I must be honest, I’ve done no planning whatsoever for GW28 yet!

            All I know at the moment is that KdB, Lundstram ( who I’ll probably sell this GW), Grealish and Aubameyang are blanks in 28 from my current squad.

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

              Same. Plus hendo for me. I have no fit sub gk either.

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Already had that for months, going nowhere.

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

        That’s the plan.

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

      Congrats Salah with your daughter Sarah Salah!

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Let's hope we're treated to lots of the Bebeto celebrations

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

          We are still awaiting for Vardy’s

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It didn’t do well to Vardy 😉

    18. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Manchester vs a bit of wind.
      No problem 🙂

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        West Ham defence vs wet conditions...

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

          Solid?

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

        Kun (c) - you planted that seed amigo!

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

      Goodbye my Lord
      Goodbye my friend
      You have been the one
      You have been the one for me

      1. Party time
          4 years, 1 month ago

          🙁 The Lord does not do resurrection

        • COLLIN QUANER
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I do not believe in God

          1. sunzip14
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Link your team. I will decide if I should do the same by looking at your OR 😀

            1. COLLIN QUANER
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              I would prefer not to, as people can then see your name etc. Sorry.
              However I am ranked around 300k (can't see exact number as game is updating). Not a great season after finished 32k last season, however my goal is to break top 100k at least!

        • JRD
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          or +- 2200

      2. Party time
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Robertson or Van dijk irrespective of £

          Which one would you pick?!

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

            It depends what you do with the extra 0.5 if you choose VVD.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Wow... I don't need the .5 for any thing else. So Robertson, Yeah?

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

              Virg

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  Thanks buddy

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

                VvD for me.

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    Thanks. I might go Robertson for differential reasons

                2. @persecuted_by_mods
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    Robbo 100%, had his rest now. Was really tired as he basically plays every single game but the break will do him good

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 1 month ago

                        Thanks buddy 🙂 Yes! Robertson should do good over the coming months

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

                      Robbo

                      1. Party time
                          4 years, 1 month ago

                          Thanks. Robbo it is

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

                        Virgil

                        1. Party time
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            Hahaha... 😆

                            Thanks buddy but I am pretty much sold on robertson now, mainly for differential reasons

                        2. Party time
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            Thanks Lads. I really appreciate the feedback

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

                          I think I accidentally put Ings as vc over KDB ouuuuuuuuch

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

                            Not bad

                          2. Eze Really?
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            A message from God

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

                            Ings will score

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

                            Who's your © ?

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

                              Mo

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

                                Nice
                                Vice Won't be needed then 😉

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

                            Salah benched Ings hat trick confirmed. Casuals getting rewarded handsomely this season for poor decisions

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

                              hehe

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

                              Causal:
                              adjective. relaxed and unconcerned.
                              noun. a person who does something irregularly.
                              Just so you know Brosstan

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

                                Causal:
                                adjective. expressing or indicating cause : causative

                                just so you know

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

                                  This doesn’t help explain your constant use of the word.

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

                            Doesn’t really matter unless your captain is out with an injury, Id suggest.

                          7. MrZ
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            On the same boat, Salah C

                          8. sunzip14
                            • 7 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            I wonder what else is accidental, given your OR 😛

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

                          Only kept Sidibe as i needed a playing defender. Sigh.

                          1. sunzip14
                            • 7 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            Same. And sold Lund. Now see the Lord start and haul !

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

                              I feel ya. Pretty sure Sidibe will come on for a 1pt cameo to start the week off in style and block any bench points.

                        5. COLLIN QUANER
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 1 month ago

                          Keep seeing so many posts about the Lord on here recently. I did not know so many people were religious.

                          1. Now I'm Panicking
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            People who believe in an invisible friend in the sky? Sounds exactly like the level of intellect from most on here.

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

                            He’s no lord anymore... Call him John

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

                          Could CHE-MCI in GW31 be moved to GW29 (March 11th)? No midweek game for either of them.

                          1. bitm2007
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            Unlikely it's a European competition week, so would need special permission from UEFA. They normally don't resort to that until there is no other option.

                        7. Henning
                          • 9 Years
                          4 years, 1 month ago

                          Gonna do Sidibe out for Boly or Fernandez next gw.

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

                          Why does FPL use deadline for game week before teams are known for first match? I really can't see the logic of this and I've been playing this game for many years. Fanteam and Sky games allow transfers right up to kickoff. It's so frustrating and totally unnecessary. I don't agree with the logic that to know the teams for the first match gives an unfair advantage and disturbs a level playing field. It actually adds to skill and opportunity and avoids frustration. Naturally I have Holgate who may come on for a 1 pointer after 85 minutes. The pre-match press conferences often leave much unsaid and tend to skirt around important fantasy information. Having a squad of 15 players is fine but with this rule you often make mistakes. I think this rule should be changed for future years. Opinions guys?

                          1. sunzip14
                            • 7 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            No. Fine as it is (I have Sidibe)

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

                            Deadline should be even earlier to prevent people from getting info from leaked teams.

                          3. Now I'm Panicking
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            Global game, deadline is in the middle of the night for millions. Plus a bit unfair on those that have a life.

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

                              I accept that. I'm often unavailable to make late transfers anyway but I just feel it is wrong!

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

                              I personally would prefer to have a deadline in the middle of the night. That way I don't have to stress about getting my team right just minutes before the deadline.

                              1. PL Ball
                                • 12 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                You say that.. but chances are you would be both stressed + sleep deprived instead.

                              2. sunzip14
                                • 7 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Yes, there is night everywhere in the world at the same time

                          4. The Mighty Hippo
                            • 7 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            I actually prefer it as it stands. I set my team up through the week and really don't want to make last minute scrabbling changes under pressure in the hour before kick-off.

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

                            Terrible opinion. Imagine a 7:45 kick off and people are finding out team news before deadline. What about all the people who live on the other side of the world in different time zones? They’re asleep. Of course it’s unfair. It works well just as it is.

                          6. Luton_Fan
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            I think deadline used to be 45 mins before 1st match kicked off. It was better imo

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

                            Won't go well with people who don't live for FPL i guess (which is a large sample size), so won't be done IMO.

                            1. Party time
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                People live for fpl? 😆

                            2. SADIO SANÉ
                              • 8 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              I think you should be able to set an autosub time - so if one of your players plays less than 30 mins he gets autosubbed (of course people would have a choice whether to tick this or not)

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

                                That's interesting Sadio Sane

                                1. SADIO SANÉ
                                  • 8 Years
                                  4 years, 1 month ago

                                  people always ignore me when I suggest this, or say it's a rubbish idea - but I can't see a downside, people can choose to use it or not and it's fair for everyone - also brings players like Mahrez into the game more (and good benches would have more purpose)

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

                                    That would work for me - I think its a good idea

                                    1. SADIO SANÉ
                                      • 8 Years
                                      4 years, 1 month ago

                                      so does Kaptain Kun! 😀 finally some traction haha

                                  2. Now I'm Panicking
                                    • 9 Years
                                    4 years, 1 month ago

                                    Fundamental problem is FPL are running a gravy train and have no motivation to make little tweaks like this for the 0.01% when they have millions playing as it is.

                                    1. SADIO SANÉ
                                      • 8 Years
                                      4 years, 1 month ago

                                      that is very true

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

                              This is more fair to people playing in different timezones

                            4. Fred54
                              • 9 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              I think its to make it fair for international players who live in far flung places.

                              Personally if they care about the game they should move to the UK or similar time zone.

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

                                Are you being serious? Lol

                                1. Fred54
                                  • 9 Years
                                  4 years, 1 month ago

                                  I'm never not serious.

                              2. Big boy Bowen
                                • 7 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                But in the same way those individuals have an advantage over us regarding price changes, as they happen about 1:30am in UK.

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

                                  Price changes don’t mean points.

                                  1. Big boy Bowen
                                    • 7 Years
                                    4 years, 1 month ago

                                    But if you miss out by 0.1 for an ideal swap, it can materialise into points.

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

                                😀

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

                              Nothing wrong with the deadline

                              We get enough information as it is

                              What next? The ability to make live subs?

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

                                Actually, the deadline isn’t the issue for me, but I do think the flexibility of subbing out a starter who only gets 1pt, like they give you in the McDonalds World Cup game, has its merits.

                                Obviously, you’d only be able to sub him out if the replacement player has yet to play his match.

                                None of this ‘I benched Lundstram for his 22 pointer but played Rico instead, so I’ll just take Rico out now and put Lundy in’ business!

                            6. TRIPOS TOPPER
                              • 6 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              You still have the same uncertainty with the kick offs that are not at 1230

                            7. Aussie Rules
                              • 11 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              I agree completely with this (and I live in Australia). NFL is a global sport and has the deadline at the start of each game which makes sense to me, but I have mentioned this on this thread previously and got shot down pretty quickly.

                            8. Big boy Bowen
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              I like the autosub feature Sadio Sane eluded to, would mean a stronger bench is better utilised too.
                              So if one of your starting XI plays less than 60, they are autosubbed for a bench player who did play 60+.

                              Of course that can backfire if a player comes on and scores in a 10 minute cameo.

                          8. how now brown cow
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 1 month ago

                            I don't think I've ever been less excited about a weekend's football.

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

                              At least tm will have some FPL interest.

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

                              West ham fan?

                              1. how now brown cow
                                • 9 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                That would be every weekend

                            3. Fred54
                              • 9 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              Two weekends' football?

                            4. Party time
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Me too. I am just gonna walk my cow 🙂

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

                              So salah EO will be something like 180% right?

                              1. Now I'm Panicking
                                • 9 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Surely not

                              2. diesel001
                                • 7 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Around 150%, IMO

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

                                  It was 160 and something last gw. Why would be lower?

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

                                155 est

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

                                Nope

                            6. thegaffer82
                              • 12 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              Dear Mr Ancelotti

                              Screw you, you grey haired Mafioso!

                              Love
                              A Holgate owner

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

                                F it, Dude. Let's go bowling.

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

                                I dropped him when he said he was going to be rested last time. Fingers crossed he won’t get a cameo today

                            7. nolard
                              • 9 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              Holgate is just rested, right?

                              1. Now I'm Panicking
                                • 9 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Rested for the winter break?

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

                                  lol

                              2. g40steve
                                • 6 Years
                                4 years, 1 month ago

                                Think so.

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

                                As far as we can tell. However it is strange that people are being rested before a couple of weeks rest.

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

                                  Good start to the week

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

                                Strange one. That is why I asked...

                            8. Miguel Sanchez
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 1 month ago

                              Just waiting for game to update to move captaincy on to Salah and see who rivals have captained and then no FPL interest til City game tomorrow.