Games

Fernandes and Vardy set to return in Virtual FPL – but more injuries will now occur

Our regular Virtual FPL round-up looks back at the latest simulated action and previews Thursday night’s games.

READ MOREHow to sign up and play Virtual FPL

SCOUT NOTES

(The full results from Gameweek 12 are available via the Virtual FPL fixtures page or the game’s Twitter account.)

MANE SEES RED
Klopp stuns FPL world by benching Mané and Alexander-Arnold

Owners of Sadio Mane (£12.4m) who were deliberating over whether to keep the Senegalese winger during Liverpool’s upcoming tough run of Virtual FPL games pretty much had the decision made for them on Tuesday night.

The premium midfielder was shown a straight red card after 34 minutes of the Reds’ 0-0 draw with Newcastle United, bowing out with a score of minus two.

Mane will now miss Liverpool’s next three fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City and Norwich City, returning for a triple-header of away games at Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United.

His dismissal also had a knock-on effect for the rest of the Liverpool squad, who failed to score for the first time in this simulated season.

It should be said, though, that the visitors still managed to launch 29 attacks in less than an hour after Mane’s dismissal, so could still easily have kept up their scoring run.

Despite being substituted in the final 15 minutes, Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) was involved in 15 of Liverpool’s 39 attacks overall – only two players, both on Manchester City’s books, could beat total that in Gameweek 12.

Brilliant De Bruyne
 1

Now joint-level with Salah at the summit of the Virtual FPL points table, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) was the top-scoring asset of Gameweek 12.

The Belgian hit a hat-trick in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Watford, collecting maximum bonus en route to a 20-point haul.

The most-owned player in vFPL, De Bruyne was the only one of the seven most popular Gameweek 12 captaincy picks to score more than six points, further rewarding those who handed him the armband.

In terms of consistency this season, he is unparalleled – in only one of his 12 starts has he blanked, in a tricky away match at Chelsea in Gameweek 4.

Fernandes Returns
What should FPL managers do with their free transfers?

Thursday night sees the return of Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m), who is back after a four-match spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder is second only to Salah for attacking involvements per 90 minutes in this simulated 2019/20 campaign (14.13) and has himself returned at least one goal or assist in six of his eight starts.

Manchester United have felt his loss to some extent: they have averaged 16.5 attacks per match in his absence, compared to 25.4 before that.

The Red Devils succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Tuesday, failing to score for the first time this season.

INJURIES INCOMING

On the subject of injuries – get set for more of them to occur.

Via the game’s Twitter account, Ragabolly has announced that additional ‘midweek’ injuries can strike players in between the simulated games.

Happily, if that’s the right word, we will get notice of this and not be left in the dark, Eddie Howe-style.

Any additional fitness problems (and there won’t be too many, we’ve been assured) will be announced in the commentary after the final whistle has blown in a particular match, so we will have plenty of time to address availability issues before the next Gameweek.

SERGE GAINS POINTS

Spurs’ defence has left a lot to be desired this season, with the Lilywhites having kept only one clean sheet in their first dozen matches.

They do face three of the seven worst attacks in Gameweeks 14-16, at least, which should give them a chance to rectify that.

Even if clean sheets don’t arrive (and they haven’t been too plentiful anywhere this season), Serge Aurier (£5.0m) is capable of chipping in at the other end of the pitch.

He has delivered five attacking returns already in Virtual FPL and sits joint-top of the defenders’ assist table, alongside Liverpool’s two full-backs, on four.

The significantly more expensive Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), indeed, are the only two players in Aurier’s Fantasy position who have been involved in more attacks than the Spurs right-back (48).

WATFORD’S WOES
→ Which goalkeeper has conceded the most league goals this season?

On the subject of Spurs, the Lilywhites’ players look set to be among the leading captaincy candidates in Gameweek 13 – if you can look past De Bruyne and City’s trip to Villa Park, of course.

Spurs host Watford on Thursday night, with the Hornets bottom of the entire division for team attacks conceded – despite having faced only two red fixtures (the tougher ones) so far in 2019/20.

In each of those two matches, against Liverpool and Manchester City, Watford allowed over 40 chances to their opponents.

No other side in the division has conceded 40+ attacks in a single game this season, let alone two.

CHIP USAGE

For those who haven’t yet noticed, Ragabolly has added a new table to the ‘Captaincy & Ownership’ stats page.

Virtual FPL managers can now see chip usage statistics in the top 100 and overall, with the above table reflecting the latest figures after Gameweek 12.

Over half of the top 100 have already used their first Wildcard although that figure drops to around one in five when we look at the overall picture.

The Triple Captain has been the most popular of the other chips so far.


VIRTUAL FPL PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

UPCOMING FIXTURES

TOP SCORERS/ASSIST-MAKERS

STATS TABLES

TopMarx’s spreadsheet that details team attacks (for and against, home and away) has been updated after Gameweek 12.

The fixture difficulty rating colour (according to Ragabolly’s ticker) is reflected in the relevant Gameweek.

The refreshed standings are below:

TopMarx has also updated his interactive player stats spreadsheet after Tuesday’s matches, meanwhile.

The stand-alone spreadsheet can be accessed via this link, with Fantasy managers able to make their own copy by selecting “File>Make a copy”.

INJURIES AND BANS

Along with Fernandes, Jamie Vardy (£9.6m) returns to action in Gameweek 13 after a two-match absence.

Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) and Christoph Zimmermann (£4.4m) are also newly free of injury.

Aside from Mane, the only new addition to the above table is Declan Rice (£4.7m): the budget midfielder will miss West Ham’s next 13 matches after picking up an injury on Tuesday.

RANKINGS

Eddie Campbell is a non-mover at number one in both the overall Virtual FPL standings and in our Fantasy Football Scout mini-league, although Basil1977 has closed to the gap to four points in both leagues.

MCR Reds, Aritravo and SUTRISNO are among the leading managers above who are also signed up to our mini-league.

Francisco Lamarque is back on the summit of Greyhead’s Great and the Good league, deposing Mr Hindsight.

Legomane remains first in the Mods and Cons mini-league, meanwhile.

You can join the Fantasy Football Scout mini-league by entering the code 9RV4A via the below link.

JOIN THE FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT VIRTUAL FPL LEAGUE HERE

77 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Captain Fernandes.

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy returning to action too might steal the show.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Might change it actually, minutes probably managed.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          I seen someone post that they have spotted a trend of players coming back from injury not hitting the ground running.

          I don't know if that dynamic is built into the game or just a coincidence but it's certainly something to keep an eye on and be wary of.

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            That's Andy Carrol, Daniel Welbeck and Daniel Sturidge out of the equation...

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Rashford owner here, hoping Bruno's return can get Rashford to start scoring again...

  2. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering Zaha? Newcastle at home is a great fixture for him.

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I dumped him on my wildcard and he then duly went on hot streak.

      I am tempted to bring him back but just feel i have missed the boat and his points now.

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No. Awful team with nothing left to play for.

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I should have mentioned this is for Virtual FPL. He's doing really well there

        1. Robson-Canoe
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Sorry just realised, my bad

  3. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    From what I can make out, the German fixture order is picking up as it was. What common sense. Hopefully (if I'm right, I'm not going to sit all afternoon and make sure) that will set a precedent and the mini wildcard I did with the existing fixture order in mind will be OK.

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No mention at all of the German fantasy football resuming.

      https://fantasy.bundesliga.com/index_mobile

      Assume that's ended then?

      1. Mullered in Maenam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I think it will re-start, I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't, perhaps they just haven't managed to put the new fixtures/new start dates on the site yet. I've just e-mailed them asking the question.

        1. pablo discobar
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Nice one

          1. Mullered in Maenam
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            The new fixtures/new dates have been added to the Fantasy Bundesliga site Pablo, I would say we're back on.

  4. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Would you rather have Kane or Aubameyang when the PL finally resumes?

    1. STHH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Kane as a differential. I can't really afford him without ditching a premium midfielder and a premium defender. I doubt he's in many teams of people still actively playing.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Auba has one extra game, so maybe him.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        That game is Man City but at least it will be at a neutral venue.

  5. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    On vWC - am I insane to go without Liverpool defence?
    Have had TAA throughout, but in tinkering with a lineup without him - it’s very tempting to ditch.

    I fear the sim throwing out a 24pter!

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      If it makes you feel any better, I'm going Salahless

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I was on Salah/Mane/TAA for Liverpool's strong starting run of fixtures. Was planning to jump off as part of a WC in GW13 anyway - just a shame that Mane's parting gift was a -2!

  6. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Would you sell one of Auba, Ings or DCL to upgrade a defender to Maguire? If so, who to who? I am really torn as all the three have good matches for the rest of the season (assuming it carries on) but Maguire does too and United defender ownership will be high making it dangerous not to own one.

  7. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Virtual FPL;

    a. Barnes -> Pérez
    b. PVA -> Aurier

    Heaton
    TAA, Alonso, PVA, Doherty
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Barnes
    Jimenez, Ings

    Button, Greenwood, Hayden, Simpson
    2 FT, 0.8 million in the bank

    1. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      TAA to Egan and Ings to Kane or Auba, not sure how many clean sheets liverpool will get in the next 6/7 games. Vardy's return may effect perez

      1. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. I think I will keep my 4 defenders but Auba has been great.

  8. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Virtual FPL;
    How can I improve my wildcarded team here
    Specially which two of Rashford, Bruno and Martial should I keep?
    Pope
    VVD, Alonso, Pieters, (Ward, Janmat)
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Perez, Bruno
    DCL, Rashford, (Connolly)

    0.4 in the bank

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I’d get some players from wolves and spurs. Both have some great fixtures.

      I’m not sure on DCL and wouldn’t want to triple up on United attack. Liverpool have tough fixtures. They obviously will still score so Salah will probably do ok. I’m not sure if they’ll keep many cs though

  9. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Who are you captaining this week?

    I’m currently on KDB. Normally I like to captain someone at home though

    1. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Martial

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers! I’m considering him as well. He’s currently my vc

  10. troux
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    VFPL Friendly results:

    Liverpool 3-2 Leicester
    Salah G
    Firmino G, Robertson A
    Firmino G

    Pereira G, Pérez A
    Pérez G

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Salah: 12, Pérez: 10, Alexander-Arnold: 10, Firmino: 10, Vardy: 8, Tielemans: 5

    Man Utd 3-4 Norwich
    Fernandes G, Pogba A
    Martial G, Lindelöf A
    Rashford G, Fernandes A

    Duda G, Cantwell A
    Byram G, Cantwell A
    Leitner G, Byram A
    Drmic G, Leitner A

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Fernandes: 11, Cantwell: 9, Martial: 7, Leitner: 6, Pogba: 5, Byram: 4

    Everton 2-1 Man City
    DCL G, Gomes A
    Walcott G

    B. Silva G, Agüero A

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Richarlison: 14, Agüero: 12, Sané: 12, Calvert-Lewin: 11, Bernard: 6, De Bruyne: 5

    (Everton were awarded a penalty which DCL took, and missed)

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Salah wasting chance after chance, what's new?
      And what a goal-fest at Old Trafford.

    3. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Leicester - Newcastle
      0-0
      Vardy: 8, Tielemans: 7, Pérez: 4, Maddison: 3, Barnes: 3, Söyüncü: 2

      Crystal Palace - West Ham
      0-0
      Zaha: 8, Ayew: 7, Yarmolenko: 4, McArthur: 4, Kouyaté: 2, Cahill: 2

      Tottenham - Aston Villa
      3-0
      Kane: 7, Aurier: 6, Alli: 5, Lamela: 4, Grealish: 4, El Ghazi: 4
      Goals, Davies, 2*Kane
      Assists: Aurier, Son

  11. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Would be nice to hear pro pundits definite plans before GW38 deadline.

  12. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    My real FPL team.

    0.6 m in the bank

    Is it worth to downgrade Aubameyang to upgrade Button and Perez and maby a defender?

    Pope Button

    VvD TAA Boly Stephens Lundstram

    Salah KDB Perez Fernandes Sarr

    DCL Jimenez Aubameyang

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I would do it

  13. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    vFPL

    A. Mane to Salah
    B. Mane to Fernandez (have Rashford) & Jota to Auba (-4)

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I have Kane

    2. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Salah I would think - I dont like the -4 hit

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks.

  14. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    captain
    1. Rash
    2. Bruno
    3. Vardy
    4. Kane

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Between Kane and Rashford for me.

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      5. Sorry have KDB too

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Currently my VC.

    3. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Kane my captain

    5. TopMarx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I went with Kane as well

  15. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    VFPL cap

    Rashford or Salah

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Salah is more explosive. United have the better fixture.

      Bruno back is good, but Rashford wasn't getting -huge- scores even beforehand. Ticked over nicely but his involvement numbers were pretty low.

  16. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Captain:
    A) Aguero
    B) Bruno
    C) Salah

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero away from home not sure, same with Salah. Fernendez has the fixture but might be affected by just returning from injury? Depends on your rank too. If you have ground to make up then I think Fernendez is the way to go. Assuming you have no Spurs.

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Sorry, silly mistake - Pool are at home of course not away. Salah a safer choice than Fernandez if your rank is good.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          It's is not 😆

        2. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          I had thought about adding that Aguero might not start.

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Tough isn't it. They could all score well.

      I'll probably go Salah

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I have the feeling they'll all be middling. But who knows?

  17. FPL Dancer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    How I broke into the Top 10k in FPL with Danny Ings!!

    Click the Video Below!!

    https://youtu.be/WevXBU0mqZY

  18. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone interested in an article on Fantasy Bundesliga?

    1. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Sure. I would expect FFS to be covering that rather this this virtual stuff.

  19. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Alphonso Davies (A) v. FC Union Berlin (H) is scheduled for Sunday, May 17 at 6:00 pm CET. Other Bundesliga players will also be in action in Game Week 26 ...

    See you there. 🙂

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      You gotta be german. You are obsessed man 😆

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Nah, just football-starved.

  20. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    VFPL- Play one....
    A- Jota
    Or
    B- Traore
    Cheers folks, best of luck!!

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Jota

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate, Jota it is!!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Traore

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Traore.

  21. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Did anyone else go KDB(c)?

    Seems to be a lot of (K)ane

  22. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    football allowed from next week in Denmark

  23. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    I guess I'm getting Saiss off the bench

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Speak of the devil...

  24. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Safe to say swapping KDB for Aguero 3 GWs back has not exactly paid off.

    BMNC or whatever is name is to blame
    (... apart from myself.)

  25. New Post