Games

Second Wildcard available in Virtual FPL as rampant Reds get set for fixture swing

We’re exactly halfway through the Virtual FPL season, which seems to be an ideal time to take stock of Ragabolly’s Fantasy management game.

We look back at the latest weekend double-header and preview Tuesday’s games in our regular round-up below.

READ MOREHow to sign up and play Virtual FPL

SCOUT NOTES

(The full results from Gameweeks 18 and 19 are available via the Virtual FPL fixtures page or the game’s Twitter account.)

A WILDCARD APPEARS

The second Wildcard is now available to Virtual FPL managers as we enter the second half of the season.

It can be played at any time from Gameweeks 20 to 38 but, as is the case with Fantasy Premier League, not in conjunction with another chip.

Intriguingly, around one-third of the top 100 managers in the vFPL rankings failed to activate their first Wildcard.

Over 65% of managers overall didn’t use the chip but dead teams will be skewing that figure somewhat.

Around one in 13 Virtual FPL bosses pressed the trigger on their first Wildcard at the last possible opportunity, ahead of the Gameweek 19 deadline.

POPE HOPE

It’s seven matches without a clean sheet for Burnley, with owners of Nick Pope (£4.9m) et al perhaps getting itchy fingers as the search for a clean sheet goes on.

The Clarets still boast the joint-fifth-best defensive record in the division, however, and it’s worth looking at who they have played during their barren run: five of their last seven games have been against sides currently in the top six.

The picture looks much rosier going forward, with seven of their next 12 fixtures against sides in the bottom half and two of the other five games against low-scoring Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

FEW REDS FOR REDS

As if they weren’t scoring enough as it is, Liverpool are about to enjoy a very favourable fixture swing.

Only one of their next 13 matches is marked as ‘red’ in the fixture ticker, with Jurgen Klopp’s simulated side facing nine of the bottom ten clubs during that time.

Not that it seems to matter who they face; let’s have a look at what the Reds have done during their recent ‘tough’ run of fixtures:

GW19: Liverpool 6-1 Spurs
GW18: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
GW17: Everton 0-3 Liverpool
GW16: Chelsea 3-3 Liverpool
GW14: Man City 2-3 Liverpool
GW13: Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Keeping clean sheets in half of the above games, Liverpool averaged 2.83 goals per match in these supposedly trickier fixtures – that’s almost exactly the same as their mean over the whole of the campaign (2.89).

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) was a revelation in these half-dozen matches, averaging 9.83 points per match and racking up six attacking returns in the process.

SPURS OF THE MOMENT
FPL Gameweek 14 review: what we learned from the weekend's matches

Injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur were dealt two more blows on Sunday, with Dele Alli (£8.3m) and Steven Bergwijn (£7.4m) set to be missing for 11 and seven weeks respectively.

With Harry Kane (£10.8m) still unavailable, the ever-present Son Heung-min (£9.7m) looks even more nailed in the Tottenham Hotspur attack.

The Korean has five attacking returns in as many matches without Kane in the side.

Alli and Bergwijn’s absences could very well open up an opportunity for Erik Lamela (£5.7m), too, ahead of two favourable fixtures against Newcastle United and Norwich City.

The cut-price midfielder has mostly been a substitute from Gameweek 11 onwards but came on for Bergwijn after 35 minutes against Liverpool on Sunday and would seem to be well placed for a start on Tuesday.

VIVE LEROY

Owners of Leroy Sane (£9.3m) were further boosted at the weekend as two positional rivals, Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.8m), picked up injuries that will keep them out until Gameweeks 27 and 23 respectively.

Sane is Virtual FPL’s form player, averaging 10.6 points per match over the last five Gameweeks and not blanking in any of his last ten appearances.

His place in Pep Guardiola’s team was seemingly his to lose anyway but the injuries to Mahrez and Bernardo can surely only aid his cause in terms of diminished rotation risk.

Manchester City succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday, although the attack count (28 to 12 in City’s favour) suggests this was a bit of a freak occurrence.

A BRUSH WITH HOLGATE?
Holgate and Sidibe benched as Everton face Palace in Gameweek 26 opener

Lying sixth among FPL defenders for attacking involvements per 90 minutes, above the likes of Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m), Lucas Digne (£5.7m) and Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m), is Mason Holgate (£4.3m).

The budget vFPL asset banked successive double-digit hauls over the weekend, taking his assist tally to six for the season – only three defenders have more.

Security of starts is a big issue with Holgate, as he has started little over half of Everton’s fixtures so far this campaign.

Form has a big say in team selection in Ragabolly’s game, though, and Everton’s dearth of clean sheets (two in their first 17 matches) would account for the rotation to some extent.

Holgate has been present for back-to-back shut-outs in Gameweeks 18 and 19, however, and looks nicely poised for further appearances in the short term based on his current output.

Three of the Toffees’ next four fixtures are against sides in the bottom six, while Everton – despite their lack of clean sheets – have actually conceded fewer attacks than any other side in the division at the midway point of the campaign.


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 19 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 the weekend’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

On top of the aforementioned injuries to Mahrez, Bernardo, Alli and Bergwijn, there were plenty of other new additions to the above table over the weekend.

Willy Boly (£4.8m), James Tarkowski (£5.1m), Harry Maguire (£5.3m), Kenny McLean (£4.8m) and Miguel Almiron (£5.8m) all picked up fresh injuries and will be out for between three to five weeks (see the above table for the exact return dates in each case).

Serge Aurier (£5.0m) and Jack O’Connell (£4.7m) were also injured on Saturday but will return sooner, in Gameweeks 21 and 22 respectively.

Matt Targett (£4.4m) and Philip Billing (£5.0m) won’t be back until Gameweek 27, meanwhile.

Kyle Walker (£5.7m) and Lewis Cook (£5.0m) were both shown straight red cards on Sunday so will now serve three-match bans, while Matej Vydra (£5.3m) will sit out Gameweek 20 after being dismissed for two bookings.

Andre Gomes (£5.2m) and James Justin (£4.7m) both missed Gameweek 19 after picking up a red card and an injury respectively on Saturday but are now available for selection.

Frederic Guilbert (£4.4m) returns from a longer-term issue in Gameweek 20, too.

RANKINGS

Fábio Borges, who is flying high in our Hall of Fame after two successive top 1k finishes, has made his move over the weekend and is now 45 points clear of the chasing pack in the overall standings.

Our runaway leader deployed his first Wildcard at the last possible opportunity, having also been the top-scoring manager in Gameweek 18.

Just 20 points separates positions two to ten in the above table, meanwhile.

All bar two of the top ten above are signed up to our Fantasy Football Scout mini-league, with Fábio among that group of eight.

Elsewhere, Greyhead and elfozzie stay at the summit of the Great and the Good and the Mods and Cons leagues respectively.

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

79 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Good Tuesday morning all.

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

      Morning!

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

    Bad news for the 700 or so brave (and now foolish BBers). GW38 is toast.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      What a blunder!

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Although may not be punished... we need games to play... no announcement as yet 😮

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

          H2H matches over - Virtually tossed in many cases - ranks updated. Any new fixtures (if they still happen) will have to go somewhere else.

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

      Not that I did it, but seemed like a good gamble. Outcomes were
      1/ Massive gameweek so huge upside
      2/ Season cancelled so no downside
      3/ Future gameweeks. Guess it depends on whether we have any double gameweeks or not. If there are then, there is a downside on having 4 players miss 2 games so say 30 points maybe? That'll go up if we have 3x gameweeks.
      If there are no doubles in the extra weeks then you've lost out on say 16 points?
      In summary, it was a small risk for a potentially huge reward so I can see why some would do it

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

        Very much this. I didn't do it in the end because it started to look more and more likely that it wouldn't happen but while it was looking like there was a decent chance of it happening I would have went for it. Even if I thought it was 50/50.

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

          Glad it didn't happen. If it did I would of had a choice of either missing out on all those points/rank or trying to explain my actions to a 45 team ML, none of whom would of spotted it.

          Yes it would of been legal but the fallout would have been pretty nasty.

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

      Finished the season with a green arrow. Up 4 places to 38,467 🙂

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

      And a big well done to xdoktenetxdeycaro who won the cup. Well played my son 🙂

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

        And well done to you on your accurate name check. At least I assume it’s accurate, I haven’t verified it. Apparently it’s Malaysian for “St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the fierce whirlpool of St Tysilio of the red cave”

      2. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        xdoktenetxdeycaro should go to a casino and bet immediately because his luck is in for now 🙂

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

          You've just cut and paste that fishing for compliments. I wasn't born yesterday.

          1. FPL Pillars
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            What are you talking about

  3. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone missing clothes shopping?.

    I’ve ordered online since lockdown: sports socks, trainers and a couple of t-shirts. I did a wardrobe wildcard and got rid of the non-players. They went to the c-bank.

    Have no need to buy anything anytime soon now.

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No, not yet. I miss the salad bar in Marks & Spencer though.

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

      This isn't Mumsnet.

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

        Post of the week!

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

        😀 Exactly. Those saddos discuss nonsense like parenting and life. Whereas we discuss real issues like virtual fantasy football and what transfers the Scouts should make for an old Championship Manager game.

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

          Getting our priorities right! Haha

          Though... when world's collide:
          https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sports/2166023-Mumsnet-Fantasy-Football

          'czezney' was doing great back then!!!

      3. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Clear misogynist 😉

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

          🙂

    3. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No

  4. tim
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Probs has been discussed already but whats up w this message?

    "Game over

    This game has now finished. Thanks for your interest, come back soon to select your squad for next season's game."

    Cheers!

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

      That's what it says at the end of the season and whether or not the are going to add more GWs it's probably just not been changed.

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

    Cheers!

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

    VPL:

    Boly, Alli, Bruno out.

    Holgate, Trossard, Salah TC in.

    Sure I might as well 🙂

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Also going for Salah TC.

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

      Trossard is an interesting shout. Decent run of fixtures over the next 10.
      Assume you don't have the 0.4m knocking around to go for one of the LEI mids?

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

        I've 0.6 to spare but Leicester have a few attacking options, had Perez a few GW ago but just wanna change. Perez, Vardy, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes all swilling from their attacking trough. Trossard has decent form plus Brighton forwards not looking as nailed on in VPL, Connolly getting more time in last 3 but just one assist in those 3 for the Oranmore hurler. Trossard looking like their their top dog for me. A poorer attacking side than Leicester, granted, but a bit like Grealish with Villa, if Brighton score Trossard should benefit for a lovely price.

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

          Plus, his ownership is probably really low.
          I've been looking at bringing in a LEI asset to sooth my Traore hoodoo. But I appreciate you throwing Trossard into the mix.

          ...not this week for me though. Already had to address my lack of LIV wingbacks!

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

          Amazing shout!!!

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

    VFPL Friendly Results:

    Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
    Alonso G, Zouma A
    Abraham G, Alonso A

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Abraham: 12, Pulisic: 12, Mount: 10, Kanté: 8, Alonso: 5, Azpilicueta: 5

    Alonso didn't start but did very well in an 18 minute cameo at the end.

    Chelsea 3-1 Man City
    Abraham G, Pulisic A
    Pulisic G, Azpilicueta A
    Mount G, Azpilicueta A

    Sterling G, KDB A

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Pulisic: 14, Sané: 13, Abraham: 10, Agüero: 9, De Bruyne: 8, Alonso: 8

    Chelsea 4-1 Everton
    Mount G, Willian A
    Kanté G, Mount A
    Willian G, Pulisic A
    Abraham G, Azpilicueta A

    DCL G

    Players with the most involvement in attack:
    Abraham: 9, Willian: 8, Pulisic: 7, Calvert-Lewin: 7, Mount: 6, Richarlison: 5

    Alonso was benched for 2/3 of the friendlies.

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

      Alonso benched twice.

      This bodes well for me tonight then....

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

    Is Troy Deeney essential?

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      lol - before your post I was just thinking we’re lucky he’s not a key worker

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      In absolutely no scenario.

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He raises a good point about shielding, he shouldnt be playing anytime soon as he needs to shield a vulnerable person.

      I think the BAME in his case is a misnomer as it is likely highlighting differences in number of people sharing a house, but they do need to prove thats the cause of the increased exposure.

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

        They did some research which took into account all known relevant factors and even with them all being accounted for, those from BAME were still much more likely to die. Of course that's different the the likelihood of getting it though. I can understand why certain people are more likely to get it in the first place.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Fair. Thats not good

      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        People with dark skin, such as those of African, African-Caribbean or south Asian origin, need to spend longer in the sun in order to produce as much vitamin D as people with lighter skin, and some recent studies have suggested that people with lower levels of vitamin D could be at greater risk from Covid-19 coronavirus, so this is another possible explanation.
        (People who are overweight have also been found to have lower levels of vitamin D than those of healthy weight and so are also at greater risk).

        1. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          … However, you would think that fit young footballers would be spending enough time in the sun to get their vitamin D!

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He cant be the onpy shielding player

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

        Besides and including the COVID stuff he's good value. Has led a life and doesn't speak in cliches worrying about being nice about other players. Zola coached him into taking shorter steps!

        https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1588701600/

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

          Yeah I quite like him even though he's a filthy bluenose.

    5. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He has millions in the bank, so he doesn't feel the need to risk his life. Would he act the same if he was earning the minimum wage?

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

        This is a decent point. The pressure he would face in a different occupation could or would be vastly different. I'm sure he would be well within his rights to do the same thing if he was earning minimum wage, but as a family man it would be a difficult decision to take that risk.

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

    vFPL, good to go?

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Stevens Dunk
    Salah(C) Sane Bruno
    Jimenez Ings DCL
    (Heaton Snodgrass Lascelles Amartey)

    Jimenez may be sold soon with the tough fixtures, but no one in his price range impresses. Also he's been consistent so worth keeping I guess.

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

      Needs Mane 😉

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      What's your league position

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

      Tammy is performing well of late, but fixtures are a tad more difficult soon.

  10. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Have exact funds to do Auba&Aurier > Firmino, Virgil for free.
    Yes or no?

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good with pool fixtures

  11. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Read Deeney isn’t returning to football. More players with similar statements to know who to avoid?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Wait until pressers

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

        Wrong account, TM?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          You're banned

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

      Sadly if Watford for down, and he doesn't play, fickle fans will blame him.

      1. ebb2sparky
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I appreciate most on here will disagree but if I was him and the club captain then I'd move out of home so I could play. Once testing is in place he can go home safely so probably only talking a month max.

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

          He will be even safer by just not going out at all.

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

          "once testing is on place"? It's already in place. Some people can't stay away from their baby for a month. It would backfired worse if he chose to play and he brought Covid home. Him refusing to play is no big deal, there are 20+ players in the squad.

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

            *backfire

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

          So he won't do any work until a vaccine is found? If we all do that the economy will cease to exist.

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

            In his position he is in an very rich industry who can afford the best medical care and testing available. The rest of us aren't so lucky.

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

            Until he is short of cash I suppose. By then, his little might be in better shape.

          3. ebb2sparky
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            I agree entirely. I think the world has gone mad but that's just my opinion

  12. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Need a replacement for Boly. Only have 4.8. Holgate worth a punt or is that simply chasing last weekends points? Already have Egan and Ward in thst price range.

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

      Holgate's short-term fixtures look good. I'd punt on it

      1. ebb2sparky
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate. Think I'll do that as dont see many better options unless i double up on sheff utd defence

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

          The only other one might be Bednarek.
          Saints have 7/9 decent fixtures - and the two tough ones (LIV (A) GW24 & LEI (A) GW26), Ward has decent enough fixtures (WAT & BUR (both A)) so could rotate with him.

          Think I'd still favour Mason though

  13. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Premier League statement confirms 748 players and club staff tested for Covid, with 6 tests returning positive from 3 different clubs.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      The 6 individuals will now self isolate for 7 days

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

      Maybe enquiry is in order at these 3 clubs, just to make sure no social distancing rules were broken by the players concerned.

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

        Grujic was one of the players involved in controversy in the Bundesliga at the weekend. Might be worth the FA keeping a close eye on Liverpool’s conduct

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

    Any vFPL love for Abraham? I know he gets subbed off a lot, but he seems to produce in those 65 minutes each time. Look at his points per 90 minutes. Very impressive. He'd be a Jimenez replacement (who has 4/5 rough fixtures coming (MCI, cry, che, TOT, mun) --

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

      He is one I am considering if I sell Jimenez. Chelsea's fixtures aren't that much better though...

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

        True...only slightly better imo.

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

      I think I will try him out this gw - Ings is doing nothing in my friendlies games. Might go back to Ings already next gw again...