Games

Six goals in three matches for in-form Martial after Virtual FPL hat-trick

We’re already approaching the halfway point of the Virtual FPL season, with the Gameweek 17 deadline set to pass this evening at 19:00 BST.

We look ahead to Thursday’s simulated matches and recap Tuesday’s virtual action in our regular round-up below.

READ MOREHow to sign up and play Virtual FPL

SCOUT NOTES

(The full results from Gameweek 16 are available via the Virtual FPL fixtures page or the game’s Twitter account.)

MARTIAL LAW
FPL Gameweek 16 team news and injury updates

The highest-scoring player of Gameweek 16 was Anthony Martial (£8.0m), who hit a hat-trick and registered a 20-point haul in Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Watford.

Martial is second only to Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) for form over the last five Gameweeks (despite blanking in the first two of those matches) and has scored six goals in his last three appearances.

A trip to Aston Villa in Gameweek 17 looks appetising on paper for the Frenchman, who may be among the leading captaincy candidates tonight.

It should be said that Villa have been far from calamitous at the back, however, ranking joint-11th for fewest goals conceded and sixth for fewest attacks allowed.

The forthcoming triple-header against United, Spurs and Chelsea could change all that, of course, but the Villans were only beaten 2-0 in their previous home encounters with free-scoring Liverpool and Manchester City.

INGS COULD BE MARVELLOUS

Danny Ings (£7.1m) won’t be on many managers’ shopping lists ahead of a trip to Arsenal but he is an option to consider for Southampton’s upcoming games, for those who don’t already own the mid-price forward.

Ings scored for the tenth time in this simulated season on Tuesday and is one of only nine players to hit double figures for goals, as well as being the cheapest asset to do so.

He has accomplished this feat despite having missed three matches through suspension, meaning that his points-per-90 minutes average of 6.2 is better than those of Marcus Rashford (£8.8m) and Raul Jimenez (£8.1m).

Ings has yet to blank in a home game and four of the Saints’ fixtures from Gameweeks 18-23 are on their own turf.

Three of those half-dozen matches are against sides in the bottom four for goals conceded, too.

ADAMA NUISANCE

Adama Traore (£5.7m) was benched for the first time this season in Gameweek 16 as Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Aston Villa 3-0.

The hitherto ever-present Diogo Jota (£6.4m) had also been reduced to a substitute’s role in the two matches before that as Wolves’ frontline was shaken up after a long period of calm.

The form of Pedro Neto (£5.0m) seems to be the issue at present, with the budget midfielder having racked up four attacking returns and 28 points over the last three Gameweeks.

Before that, Neto had effectively taken the place of Ruben Neves (£5.2m) and has now started the last nine of his side’s matches.

Neto is now among the top five best-value players in TopMarx’s ‘Pts/£/90’ metric (see below for links).

SON SHINING

It’s two goals in as many matches for Son Heung-min (£9.8m) after his strike in Tuesday’s draw with Burnley.

That has coincided with Harry Kane‘s (£10.8m) enforced absence, with Son now presumably assuming the striker’s role giving that he has been the last name on the teamsheet in Gameweeks 15 and 16.

Son has doubled his season tally for double-digit hauls in those two fixtures and matched his goalscoring output for the previous eight Gameweeks in doing so.

Auba (c), He Scored One, Life Goes on, Bra
Aubameyang signs off for Gameweek 28 in style as Everton's front two excel

A seven-point return for the most-captained vFPL asset of Gameweek 16 may have felt a little underwhelming but it kept up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s (£11.1m) sequence of not having blanked in one home match this season.

Around a quarter of Virtual FPL managers handed the armband to the Gabonese forward, who scored Arsenal’s opener in their 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

More encouragingly, Aubameyang also happened to register more attacking involvements (14) than any other player in Gameweek 16.

A home match against Southampton is up next, with the Saints having gone eight games without a clean sheet and ranking third-bottom for attacks conceded this season.

In even better form than Aubameyang is Nicolas Pepe (£9.2m), who has returned a goal and/or an assist in each of the Gunners’ last eight matches.

Misfiring Magpies

On Thursday, Chelsea could potentially go level with Liverpool for clean sheets in this virtual 2019/20 campaign.

The Blues are one behind Jurgen Klopp’s simulated side for shut-outs (seven versus eight) and they stand an excellent chance of increasing their tally when they play Newcastle United in Gameweek 17.

The Magpies have scored only once in the last five Gameweeks and are averaging less than seven attacks per match this season, the worst figure in the division.

Depending on the result in the Merseyside derby, the ever-present Marcos Alonso (£6.1m) could potentially leapfrog Liverpool’s two full-backs on Thursday to become the highest-scoring vFPL defender of the campaign so far.

While one of the better sides from a defensive perspective in the bottom half, Newcastle have nevertheless allowed more team attacks (29) in “red” fixtures (i.e. the tougher ones) than any other club – which should also encourage attack-minded options like Alonso and the in-form Christian Pulisic (£6.9m).


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 16 and can be viewed here.

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

The interactive player stats spreadsheet has also been refreshed 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”.

We will no longer be embedding these tables into our articles as several users have reported that they were causing pages to jump upon loading.

INJURIES AND BANS

Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m) returns from a three-match ban in Gameweek 17, leaving only Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m) on the suspended list.

There are no returnees from injury on Thursday but there are plenty of new additions to the above table since our last article went out.

Jorginho (£4.9m), Ben Johnson (£3.9m), Neal Maupay (£5.7m), Bukayo Saka (£4.6m), Junior Stanislas (£5.9m), Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) and Will Hughes (£5.3m) have picked up new injuries, with all bar two of them being of the “midweek” variety.

All of them will be out for at least four weeks, with the injuries to Ritchie and Maupay the most severe: they will be sidelined for 11 and nine weeks respectively.

RANKINGS

Basil1977 stays at number one in both the overall Virtual FPL standings and in our Fantasy Football Scout mini-league, with MCR Reds 21 points further back in second in both.

The top four leading managers above indeed are signed up to our mini-league.

Greyhead stays as the top of his very own Great and the Good league, meanwhile.

Legomane remains first in the Mods and Cons mini-league, although elfozzie has reduced the gap to a single point.

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

130 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    I just got ousted from the vFPL cup by...a coin toss. We had the same amount of goals (2).

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

      🙁

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Green arrow for me too, but opponent really over-performed this week, despite his Aguero (C) no show.

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

      As a fellow American Red Devil I was rooting for you bro 🙁

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, man!

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

    76. Thankfully resisted selling Jota. Pity I didn't captain Neto; went with Auba.

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

      That's a nice green arrow this week 😀

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

        Yes, and without TAA too.

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

    So if no news before deadline do we gamble with BB or keep?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Depends if you think there will be a Massive GW38 or additional GWs.

      There's a higher ceiling and less to lose by gambling on a massive GW38, but going literally by the latest FPL statement there will be no points in GW38.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No way will FPL Towers get away with giving an advantage to those who BB before the deadline. I'm keeping mine as using it now will be a waste.

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

    Triple Captain a rested Aguero v Norwich at Home?

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

      Everyone’s fully rested at this stage bro. I’d wait until we know what’s going on

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

        It’s vFPL bro.

    2. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I’m bringing him in, but I have to warn you: I chose City playing at home in all three of my friendlies, and Aguero started in only one of the three. Odd that.

  5. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    2 FT in REAL FPL going into GW 38

    Suggestions pls? 0.8 ITB

    Pope Button
    TAA Baldock Saiss Holgate Lascelles
    Son Salah Fernandes KDB
    DLC Jimi Rashford

    Thinking Lascelles out- Otamendi an option? Aurier an Option?
    0.2 short for AWB or Maguire.

    Thoughts pls?

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

      Neither Ota or Aurier.

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        A) Saiise or Baldock i would have to lose for AWB/ Maguire
        B) Lascelles To 5.1M who though?
        C) Pope to DDG and Lascelles to Taylor?

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Chips left?
      What do you think FPL will do with the GWs?

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

        They will add extra gameweeks when we know the fixtures from 12 June. Those with patience and who have their chips will be rewarded. I'm sure many of those who've played them already would have got extra points over the rest of us at the time.

        1. gaurava1216
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Held all mine... Just trying to improve the above... taken a few punts with Son/ Rashford

          I would like United Def with those games...

          Only option would be lose 1 of Saiss or Boldock for AWB

          Laceless gives me 5.1M
          other 2 gives me 5.3/5.4 M

        2. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          You're saying it like it is certain. It definitely isn't.

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

            Does that disturb you? 😀

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

              The fact I can see into the future? 😀

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 10 months ago

                Well this I never factored in. 😀

      2. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Have all chips and WC left

        I think possibly play out with normal go's but maybe clustered - but i see at least 4 gw's

  6. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    In real FPL who's the better pick?

    A) Otamendi
    B) Aurier
    C) other defender up to 5.1?

    Current back line: TAA Saiss Holgate Baldock Lascelles

    Laceless out is the move currently

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

      Aurier.

  7. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    2 FT in REAL FPL going into GW 38. ( All chips in place + WC) OR 43K.

    A) Saiise or Baldock OUT for either AWB/Maguire? ( Which?)
    B) Lascelles To 5.1M who though? ( Aurier/ Ota/ who else?)
    C) Pope to DDG and Lascelles to Taylor?

    Team Below:

    Pope Button
    TAA Baldock Saiss Holgate Lascelles
    Son Salah Fernandes KDB
    DLC Jimi Rashford

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

      Just let them roll over again until there's more news.

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        feel like gonna lose them if i just let it roll

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

          You'll still have 2FT's at the restart and more information about the Fixture order.

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

          Have a look in your mini leagues, we've all been just letting them burn for weeks. I did some initial changes in GW31/32 but haven't done anything since.

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

      when is gw 38

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

        oh this weekend

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

    Those who still have wildcard... we got so many free transfers will there still be good time to use

    1. wijohnson85
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      You only get 2 max?

  9. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    https://www.redcafe.net/threads/class-by-harry-kane.454721/

    Superb gesture from Harry Kane. Going to fit right in for us.

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

    With 3.2 m in bank ( real fpl) what final move would you make?

    A Jota to Rashford
    B Leno to McCarthy ( still got bench boost so want 2 playing keepers)
    C What other better move would you do
    D Burn transfer

    Leno Pope
    TAA Doherty Maguire Lundstram Fernández
    Salah Fernandes KDB Barnes Cantwell
    Jiménez DCL Jota

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

      A to Rashford or Ings.

  11. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Can anyone direct me to any decent discussion and punditry regarding the restart of Fantasy Bundesliga this weekend?

    Also happy to start a league for anyone who’s up for it?

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

    No price changes.

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

    Hi all - so I haven’t been following the fpl updates since corona hit - what’s the latest on the rules? I have all my chips left and 2FT. Anything worth doing or are we waiting for news etc? Thanks

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

    After missing my last 3 transfers i decided to use my last 2 of this season (if nothing happens now) 😀
    Did Jimenez Sarr >> Son Rashford ...

    Not using FH now with uncertainty, but I'm loving my team if FPL throws a surprise....

    Henderson
    Taa Taylor Saiss
    Bruno© Salah KDB Son
    Vardy Rashford DCL

    (I am missing FPL yes .... 😀 )

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

    We've seen how unweildly FPL can be when accounts are hacked. They seem unable to reverse damage on a micro level. Just how likely is it that they'll have the flexibility for add additional gameweeks midseason without adversely affecting the game?

    Is there any precedent for them or other similar fantasy games having that level of flexibility to accommodate change? How has the German fantasy game responded for instance.

    I think FPL should make a positive announcement either way for clarity "if x then y, so use/dont use chip in gw38". The last statement needs clarification on gw38 imo.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      FPL are as unwildly as most other sites are when an account is hacked.

      There are no fixtures announced yet so wait and see what FPL planx are.

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I have recently posted a lot that I think they’ll do nothing as it does seem to be their MO, and don’t really want to bore people further about it. But there was one time in all these years when they did break rank - when the new site look happened about 8 or 9 years ago and their servers couldn’t cope the night before GW1 started, meaning no one could log in and make final changes to their team. FPL Towers did decide to give everyone a free GW2 WC to make up for it. This makes me think they may do something - whether it means more gameweeks I’m not sure, but the big gameweek 38 where some people play a ‘blind BB’ is a terrible way to finish.

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

        I recall that gw. Thanks for reminding me. Agree a blind BB38 is an awful way to end the season.

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

    Fantasy.bundesliga: match day 25 was on 6/3/20. Match day 26 is on 16/5/20. Free transfers until Saturday. Not sure if the fixtures are as they would’ve been in 26 or rescheduled. Not sure if fantasy.bundesliga is similar to FPL. just saying.

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

      Cheers

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

    In real FPL, how do you see these boys moving forward:

    Pope, McCarthy
    TAA Maguire lascelles Cahill Cathcart
    Son KDB salah mane Fernandes
    Jota DCL long

    Stay safe everyone

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

      Shocking front line, I’m afraid.

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

      Given that he'll be playing 3-5-2, I don't see that as being much of an issue provided Jota continues to start.

      The midfield is immense and more than makes up for it imo.

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

      Obviously an immense midfield not sure it’s worth the sacrifices up top and in defence for me. If you’ve still got wildcard - why not! But if not what will you do if someone likes Kane becomes essential you’ll have to rip your whole team up and take hits to change structure

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

    Thanks conners, nomar - that’s the price you pay for the midfield mate