Pro Pundits

Planning for Blank Gameweek 28 and chip season

Last time out, I wrote that my team was treading water. Well, not much has changed. I’m still struggling to get inside the top 100k (having been around the 115k mark for the last five weeks).

I’m not going to bore you by going through my team and, in all honesty, I don’t have much to report other than my squad is doing… well… okay.

It seems crazy that we have less than a third of the season to go, with just 11 Gameweeks remaining. It feels like each week is crucial, and it’s not the time to be treading water! So, what are some of the things that might make the difference? I have been pondering…

That third Liverpool slot

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m). Mohamed Salah (£12.8m). Does anyone out there not own these players? Let me rephrase… does anyone out there not own these players and is doing well?

Along with Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m), these guys are pretty much nailed down in every squad I see on the boards, on Twitter and in my mini leagues.

As people lose patience with players like Jamie Vardy (£9.7m), Anthony Martial (£7.9m) and John Lundstram (£5.0m), who have been so integral to our squads at some point in this season (all still in my own team by the way), no one can doubt the pedigree of Trent and Mo.

However, the third Liverpool spot is pretty contentious. The trouble is, as I see it, that there is a battle between the consistency of points from Liverpool’s defence (10 clean sheets in the last 11) and the potential of huge hauls from the talents of their attackers (11 goals in the last five).

Sadio Mané (£12.2m) has been out, and now he’s back. Roberto Firmino (£9.7m) has been delivering decent returns. You feel like there might be a brace or a hattrick for these players. However, the likes of Virgil Van Dijk (£6.5m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), and even Joe Gomez (£5.3m) are quietly racking up the points.

I see more and more people flocking to Firmino, but I actually feel like he may be the weakest player of all the above. Two double-digit returns mask five blanks in the last eight Gameweeks. His stats continue to be fantastic but are matched by the likes of Raúl Jiménez (£7.7m) or even Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.1m). The Brazilian’s quite erratic form is a problem when we have strikers playing well and delivering points.

Midfield and defence is a different proposition though. As I look through the lists of players, it’s very hard to pick any that really stand out to me in these positions. To me, this tells me that prioritising Liverpool players is the way to go, to ensure the best quality players from a small pond.

Mané is an unbelievable player, and will no doubt deliver for his owners from now until the end of the season. But he also costs over 12 million. I can get Robertson for nearly half that, or Van Dijk too. If they both carry on at their current rate, either of these options will smash 200 points for the season (and don’t forget Robertson has done this before). An unbelievable return.

If one of Salah or Mane are going to be your “go-to” captain option, is spending nearly a quarter of your budget on two players really the best play? I’m thinking not… double defence it is!

Blank Gameweeks

Ah, the Blank Gameweeks are approaching. The type of Gameweek which inevitably leads to Saturday morning texts from your friends being like “WHY ARE HALF MY TEAM NOT PLAYING?”. Noobs, the lot of them (although some of them are beating me, which really hurts…).

Some real basic advice for anyone reading… grab a bit of paper. Write down who in your squad has got a match in Blank Gameweek 28. If you notice you’ve got less than 11 active players, well, you need to be bringing in at least one more with a game that weekend.

I am always amazed by how many this catches out. We can expect hits as people freak out that they are only fielding seven or eight players, particularly as teams such as Manchester City, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Grealish FC also feature highly-owned players who will be missing out.

Quite simply, your bench is needed to cover these guys, and it’s a good opportunity to strengthen your squad.

Some cheap options to cover you in this blank could be the likes of Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) who plays a struggling Crystal Palace side at home, or the wonderful to watch Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m), who faces Burnley.

Leicester also have a fantastic fixture against Norwich, so this might be a great excuse to get midfield options like Ayoze Perez (£6.2m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.0m).

What I love about the Blank Gameweek is that it gives you the excuse to go for players that you might not normally consider – because, well, what’s the harm? There’s no danger of a blanking player outscoring them! And, if you are thrifty, you can always Wildcard them out, presuming you still have this chip of course – which brings me on to my next topic.

The chips

Mane, Abraham and Vardy injury updates ahead of FA Cup fourth round weekend

Frankly, I am astounded that I’ve seen Bench Boosts and Wildcards being used at this stage by some veteran players. What on earth is going on? Everyone knows it is sacrilege to use your chips in a single Gameweek! Have people forgotten how to be sheep?!

I am of course being a bit facetious here (as I used my Triple Captain in a single Gameweek), but I do fear for those who are using this chips this early, for what looks to me, an excuse to bring in one player (the now-injured Son Heung-min (£10.0m)) or to help correct a spiralling season. We all know that Double Gameweeks are on the horizon and the chips… well, they are pretty much tailor-made for use during them.

I was burned earlier in the season with my decision to Triple Captain Vardy in a single Gameweek. While I know those who went with Mané are probably still reeling from their three points, hauls for Salah, Robertson, Trent… all go to show that a great chance of getting captain returns comes from when your player plays twice.

You’re simply putting yourself in the best possible position to get returns and, crucially, we don’t know what the Double Gameweeks are going to look like yet!

Using chips at this stage feels like you are going into the crucial part of the season under-armed and under-prepared. If your team is serviceable, or you can get a decent squad with just a few transfers, then my advice is to wait.

Wait until we have the information about who is playing, when they are playing and who they are playing.

Leave it as long as possible to gather as much information as you can before making the call. This puts you in the best position possible to maximise the chips that can completely transform your season.

The Wildcard, in particular, is always tempting, but your team might not be in the mess that you think it is. As I mentioned before, at the moment, the pool of players that we should be considering is pretty small, and so it’s likely that you already own decent players who aren’t as bad as you think they are. You may be Wildcarding for equally small fish, flopping round in an even smaller pond. Perhaps, in a few weeks, we’ll have bigger fish to catch and fry. And with that anecdote, I’m off for dinner. Any guesses what I’m having?


Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

724 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is it confirmed that Mane's substitution yesterday wasn't injury related?

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

      He ain't injured.

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

      Seems very odd to sub him at half time when losing. I suspect there’s more here then on the surface.

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

        I don't. That Atletico environment was very hostile and they were trying to get him sent off at every chance.

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

      Klopp said he was scared because he had a yellow and they need him for the 2nd leg

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

        Might also be a convenient excuse.

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

      Dropped

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

    Haaland(C) 22 points in UCL fantasy. Stick or twist?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Stick

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

        What a player!! Haaland!!!!

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

      Stick

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

        His second strike almost took the net off!

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

          In UCL fantasy 1 point is given for a goal from outside the box. I think they should apply this to the fpl is well

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

            that's in addition to the goal points of course

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

            DeBruyne would do well - same with Grealish

  3. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Great read (as always), Az, and I agree that a Liverpool defensive double up is the better option than double attack.

    However, I think those that with Mane AND Salah are in a potentially great position to use Mane as a somewhat 'differential' with the captaincy. As we've seen, clean sheets can (to an extent) be covered by the likes of Newcastle, Wolves, Sheffield Utd etc.

    Which leads me on to my next question... those with Mane AND Salah, what's the plan for captaincy this GW? I feel that captaining Mane could be a potentially great way to try and make some ground, while still not being totally stung by Salah if he hauls since you already own him.

    I feel that this is what might give the Mane AND Salah owners a potential leg-up in the next few GWs - you can pick the captain who appears to be the more differential that GW.

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

      There is also the chance that you might captain the wrong one each time

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

        That's true, of course, but I don't really buy this argument. Both are explosive, incredible FPL assets.

        In the top 10k...

        - Mane has 13.48% ownership
        - Salah 96.1% ownership

        It's obviously a risk to go against Salah for the captaincy because of his ownership, but that could be seen as a massive opportunity to climb the ranks if it's Mane's turn to haul.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I was thinking of captaining Salah at home and Mané away.

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      With the lack of midfield options I have been toying with moving from Salah/TAA/Robbo to Salah/Mane/TAA.

      Doesn't impact team balance as much now with the lack of premium options.

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

        With you here. I'm on taa and vvd (+ Salah)and an considering the sacrilege of taa out , a bit scared of rotation with Gomez given other CBS coming back, also Cs cover with wolves and even Leicester again looks much stronger than mf haul options

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

      If I do get Mane, will let him do the differential work and Salah(c) in home games.

      But looking at fixtures after WHM, do they really look like high scoring? One of the pros is you wont miss any hauls

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

        Watford, Bournemouth, Everton, Palace... I still think they're great fixtures as long as Klopp doesn't rotate too much.

        11 GWs left in the season... it's maybe not quite 'do or die' time but I think Mane (c) is a high upside, low risk option, especially if you also own Salah.

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm captaining Mane for sure. He's effectively had a rest after coming off early in the CL and to be honest Salah really hasn't impressed me lately.

      Having both does mean you won't completely miss out on any returns and I don't get the argument about captaining the wrong one. I look at it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

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

        Yep, this is what I'm thinking too.

        Lateriser mentions a lot about high impact decisions. With Mane's much lower ownership and his ability to match or exceed Salah (don't forget, Mane was posting the better stats leading into the DGW), captaining Mane but still owning Salah as a fallback could be a real high impact decision.

    6. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How can clean sheets of one team be “covered” by another? That makes no sense

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

        I've had clean sheets from Lascelles, Boly, and Brandon Williams the last 2 GWs.

        It's difficult to phrase, but what I'm getting at is that cheaper assets than Liverpool's can also get clean sheets.

        Whereas it's maybe harder to predict where the returns will come from from midfielders as there appears to be quite a lack of options.

    7. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Salah (c) Mane (vc). Could reverse that for some away games.

      • pulpy77
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What are Milner's likely minutes with Henderson potentially injured? Salah off pens some of the time gives Mane a better chance of outscoring him.

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

      GW27 to 31.

      Mane and Salah paradise.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Will they both start every game ?

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

          Not sure. I am on double defence.

          May consider KDB to Mane though as one can only imagine rotation will be rife at City with their fixture pile up EPL, Cups and Europe.

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

            That’s assuming they progress in CL. 50:50 at best surely and once 28 is gone that just leaves FA cup potentially.

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

        Better than double defence?

        I have them both but that was before I realised that they essentially never haul together and have a very spotty record of scoring together too.

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

          That is the problem when I have had both Mane and Salah. Worst is when both blank 😮

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

        Gw27 to 31 is like Amen Corner in the Masters. Our time to shine!

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

          Straight into Rae’s Creek for me

    9. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What's the deal with Mane? Klopp suggesting he subbed him at half time to stop him getting sent off but part of me wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the whole truth and that he may have tweaked something but Klopp doesn't want to reveal.

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

        He was lucky the ref didn't send him off on the 45th min with the way he was reffing the game. Klopp made the right decision.

    10. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dendoncker > Mane locked in!

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Some funds them! 😀

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

      Bottomed

      Son to Richarlison for a hit? Need to take a hit to field 11 players in game week 28

      Guaita Button
      TAA Robbo Lundy Lascelles Reid
      Salah KDB Son Grealish Hayden
      Jimenez Vardy Ings

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I like it.

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

          Cheers

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

        You gotta do what you gotta do.

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

          Yeah unfortunate that Son got injured

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

      i'm on a WC and this third liverpool slot is hard man, I was all set on double D but with Son out and no obvious replacement in his price bracket does this make Mane more appealing again?

      I quite like Mane and Mo for the next three

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It depends on what you intend to do with the money you save. I am going DD simply so I can get Jimenez in alongside Vardy and Ings. If you are happy everywhere else and can squeeze Mane and Salah, I would go for that instead.

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

        Yeah could be gold but many of us aren't in a position where they can remove a Pool player in order to get Mane. On wildcard I would be really tempted though

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

        cheers both, team would be shaping up like this:

        McCarthy
        Doherty TAA Egan
        Mane Salah KDB Barnes
        DCL Jimmy Ings

        Pope Lascelles Stephens Mooy

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

          vs the double liverpool D option

          McCarthy
          Doherty TAA VVD Egan
          Salah KDB Grealish
          DCL Jimmy Ings

          Pope Barnes Lascelles Mooy (3.8itb)

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            To be fair to you, the squad list with Mane and Salah looks better. In both cases you have the same front 3 - would you not be tempted to upgrade DCL to a Vardy for example if you go with DD? I know opinions on Vardy are plenty and all different, just curious.

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

              I'm settled on that front three i think, vardy stats haven't been good where DCL has been flying. Form vs fixtures i guess

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

            There is no comparing the Mane team to the non mane team, but then you have almost 4 itb, so that's why you cant compare them.

            Whats the point of not investing that on the field if you are on a WC?

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

              i'm open to investing, but where, it was Son instead of Grealish until the arm injury. Where would you upgrade?

              1. Stormbringer22
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Make VVD into Robbo and Grealish to Richarlison? Haven't done the math so not sure if it works out. Not sure how you feel about double Everton attack. I personally prefer Richarlison over DCL.

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

                  tbf can just do Mooy to Rich, but benching headaches every week. Conscious not to spread my funds across my team

                  1. Stormbringer22
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    It is definitely better to have that 4m on the field than in the bank. I quite like the Mooy to Rich upgrade

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

                would probably be DCL -> Vardy, so then its a case of
                Mane & DCL
                vs
                VVD & Vardy

                Considering you can only captain one of Mane/Salah, removing captaincy from the arguement, its a tough call between those 2 for who gets more points, I have a feeling that Vardy will come good in the season run in.

                Does Vardy give enough for Robbo over VVD?

                It is a tough call, I had Mane/Salah double for gws 12-18, and it was fun, but I did drop about 200k over those 6 weeks! Not all their fault off course

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

                  cant quite get to Robbo if move DCL to Vardy. If i do Grealish to Traore I can so its boiled down to starting

                  Mane, Egan, DCL vs Troare, Robbo, Vardy

                  1. Stormbringer22
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    Both are good. Can see the predicament here. Second one edges it ever so slightly for me.

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

                      cheers buddy, i can see this going to the wire on sat morning

                      1. Stormbringer22
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 4 Years
                        4 years, 1 month ago

                        No probs. Both your teams are good, in one of those you were leaving 4m in the bank which I think is better on the field. Best of luck mate!

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

          I love it

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

            *double attack team

    13. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The longest GW ever....! So bored, want to get back into it ASAP. Red arrow doesn't help

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

        Green at the moment, but only Kdb left, if Kun hauls I'll be sliding back down.

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Thing is with KDB, everyone has him so even if he hauls today that would mean absolutely nothing to my rank...

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

            Generally I agree for overall rank, but 3rd in cash league, and 2nd place has Mahrez over KDB, so I'll take what I can get to close that gap!

            1. Stormbringer22
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Fair play to you mate! Best of luck tonight then 🙂

    14. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Which Strategy with Son out.

      A Aub + Son > Jiminez + Mane (-4) then gw 28 Kelly > Boly
      B Bruno + Boly > Son + Kelly (-4) then gw 28 Lundi > Robbo
      C Bruno + Boly > Son + Kelly (-4) then for gw 28 Aub and grealish >Jiminez and Mane(-4)

      (All captials = blank 28)
      Ryan
      Trent Soy Holgate
      KDB GREALISH Salah Son
      AUB Ings Dcl

      subs: 4m LUNDI Kelly(injured) Dendonker

      Thanks all

    15. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would you do it after next gw ? (For gw28)

      Firmino Grealish ---> Jimenez Mane for 2ft

      Currently hovering above top10k and Mane iis owned by only 13.7 % in top 10k and is a great explosive differential at the moment

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Anything that involves Jimenez + Mane is an automatic yes from me 100%

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

        Thats a no brainer for me, never been fully sold on Bobby, and Mane - Jimi great options.

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

        cheers both

    16. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Morning,

      Hendo
      Lund-VVD-TAA
      KDB-Salah-Grealish-Fleck
      DCL-Ings-Vardy

      button-Redmond*-Rico-Soy

      1FT. 4.3 ITB

      1) Lund + Redmond > Boly + Traroe (-4)
      2) Lund > Boly
      3) Red > Traore
      4) any suggestions?

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

        Is Traore not injured? so that rules out 1 and 3 if the case.
        I'd keep Lundy for 1 more, and hope he starts.
        Maybe save the FT, but I hate having so much cash not invested in the squad!

        1. Old Gregg
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          thanks. is he. He's not flagged.

          yes. Not sure where to spend it. Everyone's getting injured.

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

      Save FT?

      McCarthy
      TAA - VVD - Williams - Lundy
      Salah(c) - KDB - Martial
      Ings - Auba - Jimi
      Fodder - Maddison - Rico - Dendo

      Should Maddison or Rico play ahead of Williams??

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Definite save here. I would start Maddi ahead of Williams simply because he can be a troll. He still lingers in my team so I am a bit biased.

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

      Some amusing stats from the members area:

      - AVL are top for Shots In the Box (Last 2 GWs)
      - WAT are bottom (really struggling without Sarr)
      - McNiel is top for xA (last 2 matches - all outfielders)
      - AWB is 2nd for xA behind only Kdb (last 4 matches - all outfielders)

      I keep posting a few few on my twitter (@lateriser12)

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

        so you're telling me AWB is essential going forward?!

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

          i'm buying him when i wildcard

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

            I kinda had been considering a Utd defender for Lundy, but only have 5.0 available at the moment.. that could change with other moves

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

        Yep I noticed that AWB is looking like a prospect. Those United fixtures from 32 on and recent cs record have me considering him. But there again I got him early season so maybe not 🙂

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

          Superstitious?!? Or did he offer attacking threat also then before you bought him?

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

        Thx. Without Rashford they need AWB to play more forward and create more chances. Makes sense and the trend should continue.

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

        Would you captain Mane over Salah this GW, if you own both? Currently 57k OR and want to push on.

        Feel that there's a potentially big upside to be gained with Mane's much lower ownership.

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

      Leaving aside differential value is Mane the better looking captain on eye test next week?

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

        For me, it's always gonna be Salah.

      2. kime67
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        both will get something, west ham is dreadful

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

        Bookies favour Salah. Mane is differential good enough, I am not going to gamble yet with armband on him.

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

      Any suggestions with this lot?

      0 FT / 5.1 ITB

      Henderson
      TAA VVD O’Connell Taylor
      Salah KDB Son* Traore
      Jimenez Ings

      Pope Martinelli Cantwell Lascelles

      Cheers.

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

        I’d go Rich or possibly Alli but Martial/Fernandes could be an option too. United have a glorious fixture run over the horizon. But City Everton Spurs and blank before that say hold for now imo.

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

          I think I’ve narrowed it down to Pépé/Richarlison..

          Another option is to do Martinelli > Vardy (-4) & bench Son this week - could get some DGW29 news too

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

            Pepe leaves you in a bit of a hole in 28 no?

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

              28:

              Pope
              TAA VVD Lascelles Taylor
              Salah Traore Cantwell
              Vardy Jimenez Ings

              Henderson* KDB* Pepe* O’Connell*

    21. DALEDOBACK
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Henderson
      Stephens TAA Boly
      Mane Grealish Salah (C) KDB
      Vardy Ings Jiminez

      Button Dendo Lascelles Holgate

      1FT
      Nothing in the bank.

      GTG?

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

        Henderson
        Stephens TAA Boly
        Mane Grealish Salah (C) KDB
        Vardy Ings Jiminez

        Button Dendo Lascelles Holgate

        1FT
        Nothing in the bank.

        GTG?

    22. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs-tv/2020/february/full-match-aston-villa-2-3-spurs/ 2:30, he missed rest of season because of this, wth

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

        He needs to drink more milk, get some calcium in them bones...

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

      I am assuming most have double Pool defence?

      Mane and Salah is a tricky double up, very expensive as well but as a combination a massive differential in the game. It is absolutely gut wrenching if both blank though.

      Your team structure may also become a bit wonky with double midfield unless it is KDB to Mane and obviously finding a clean sheet option for the Pool defender which leaves your team.

      GW28 is potentially going to be a game changer for those who own both Mane and Salah compared to those who bench their Kun and KDB FC, Grealish FC and Arsenal attacking assets.

      1. kime67
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        its very expensive and seems like its always either one who gets points whereas the defence always get points. Double atack < double def

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

          Once in the last 51 matches have they both got double digits! Their record of scoring in the same match is something like 1 in 6 over that time too iirc

          The benefit of having both is that they have produced 25 double digit scores (shared almost equally 12:13) in the same period - ie every other match you can expect a haul from one of them.

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ok, but out of those 51 matches how many where both had attacking returns?

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

              Given consistency of defence and comparative price points simple attacking returns are relatively poor value. Don’t recall precise numbers but they don’t score in same games consistently at all.

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Watford away cud be low scoring imo for Liverpool

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

          Possibly but they just conceded 3 to Everton at home.

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

        Agree with the poster that says its usually just one of them that comes up with the goods each week. I owned them both for a while but felt it was a luxury i couldnt carry.

    24. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think that manchester city will loose titles and will get a ban from Champions League ?
      Or this is the tactic to deconcentrate LiVARpool ?

      I think if city get a ban and loose the titles, everyone will start to watch Calcio instead of Premier League...

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

        Well they have already been banned from Europe, when that is put in place is another question, if ever.
        For the titles, I think it is definitely possible if the Europe ban is upheld.

        Can see Mourinho going around with 4 fingers then if that does happen.

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

          Yea, but it writtes that city will trash that ban easily

        2. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Its not fair that LiVARpool get the titles because Stoke trashed them 6-1 a coupple seasons ago, and decade ruler (Manchester City) get nothing :/

          If that happens, im watching calcio or la liga.

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

        What did I just read 😆

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

          The nonsensical ramblings of a madman.

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

        If City lose their appeal vs UEFA then they will likely be taken to task by the FA as they would also be in breach of the FA FFP rules which is similar to UEFA's.

        Who knows what is going to happen...

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

        I think if city get a ban and loose the titles, everyone will start to watch Calcio instead of Premier League...

        You're joking aren't you? Are you a non-English CIty fan?

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

        Think more. Type less.

      6. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Well, even if that happens - which I highly doubt it - stripping a club of a title does not mean awarding it to another club.

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

          Thats exactly what it means. That is what happened in Italy - I mean if you strip a club of a title, so what, that year nobody won the league?

          You are essentially saying that the club is disqualified, ie the team/person in 2nd wins.

          Its the same for Olympics, if someone is banned and is found to have doped for a victory, the people in 2/3/4th all get bumped up one.

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            No, there is a difference between disqualification and stripping honours. Breaking a financial rule is not the same as buying the outcome of a game or using doping. In Italy Juventus was charged with corruption and tempering with the outcome of matches. Effectively and undeniably the 2nd place teams didn't win the title. By a large margin actually.

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

              What is corruption?

              If City have done what they have been accused of it, it is equivalent of financial doping.

              They broke rules in place(whether those rules are correct is a different question) but if they are proven to have done that, then there is no difference in my opinion.

              They broke rules put in place to gain an advantage over competitors, its just another type of corruption/financial doping, and if the ban is upheld, I would be surprised if their titles were not stripped.

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

        We pay your salary - post them on here 😉

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

          I doubt we do tbh

    25. I know nothing
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son and lund to who??? Plz i have already used wild card and have aug and kbd..so i want based on gw28 and 31

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

      Those concerned about double attack v defence for pool. If you hold your wildcard - it's only a decision for 4-5 games.
      WHU wat BOU eve CPL

      Does this speak attack or defence to you? It's tough to say I guess

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

        my gut says double D is better but with lack of premium options firing in mid and attack i see a very strong case for Salah and Mane for the next 5

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

        Other than WHM, all looks low scoring to me

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

          I thought you were getting Mane 🙂

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

            I am, and therefore they all look (too) low scoring.

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

              Everton could score against them, but there could easily be many clean sheets, probably 3 or 4.

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        So you're assuming everyone is playing their WC on GW31?...

    27. Energetics
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      HELP!
      Made some really bad moves an brought in Son and Jimi for Grealish and DCL and a -4!

      How do I correct this?

      Ramsdale Button
      TAA Robbo Baldock Lundy Rico
      Salah KDB Son Traore Cantwell
      Vardy Jiminez Ings

      A. Do nothing, bench Son play Lundy
      B. Take a punt on Bruno (will be a -8)
      C. Wildcard. Main moves being Robbo and Son to Boly and Mane and then upgrade the fodder.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A

    28. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I own but didn’t captain KDB.. should I be hoping for returns from him tonight or not?

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

        The best player in PL and you asking for returns ? 🙂

        1. Jamb0
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Haha I mean in terms of my rank... *when* he delivers, given how many surely captained him, will it help or hurt me?

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

            50% own him. Captainers will profit for sure if he make double digits

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

        High EO. Doesn’t matter.

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

          EO about 99% in top 10k, so yes, it actually doesn't matter what he does, as long as he isn't assisting Kun for example.

    29. DALEDOBACK
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Henderson
      Stephens TAA Boly
      Mane Grealish Salah (C) KDB
      Vardy Ings Jiminez

      Button Dendo Lascelles Holgate

      1FT
      Nothing in the bank.

      GTG?

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Gtg

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

        Yes

    30. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hendo
      TAA Lund* Williams
      Salah KDB Son* Grealish
      Vardy Jimi Ings

      McCarthy Aurier Dendo Soy

      1FT

      A) Son to Mane
      B) Lund to VVD

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A

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

        The first one

    31. Sambobjr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can decided on 2 team variations, any help much appreciated!

      Pope (button)
      TAA chilwell James (tanganga, williams)
      Richarlison* mane Salah KDB (barnes)
      DCL* Ings Jimi
      Or
      Pope (button)
      TAA chilwell James (tanganga, williams)
      Saka* mane Salah KDB (barnes)
      Vardy* ings jimi

      Everton against Chelsea, man u

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

        An arsenal def seem like good possibilities

      2. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Literally could've typed Saka & Vardy vs Richarlison & DCL...

        I don't like Everton fixtures but form over fixtures could come into play here? However Vardy has also been off the boil so it's tricky.

    32. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish FC lol az

    33. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The irony given this thread but I'm tempted to Bench Boost GW27 because my players all look like relatively tasty fixtures;

      McCarthy
      TAA, Robbo, Stephens
      Mane (c), KDB, Barnes, Traore
      Auba, Jimi, Ings

      Button, Lund, Williams, Hayden

      B 1.8M | FT 1

      Button upgrade as he's the only non-starter or another alternative? Only person with a "tricky" fixture would be Barnes v City. I had two free transfers but I decided that Vardy > Jimi was fine and GW28 I'll still have 11 players (providing Lund/Williams start) but if I want to reinforce I can do Auba > Vardy.

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It is possible that none of your bench players will actually start, I'd hold off for now.