Selection

The best budget midfielders for the FPL restart

Having already looked at the stand-out goalkeepers and defenders ahead of the Fantasy Premier League restart, we now move into the middle of the park.

Budget midfielders are our next stop and, for the purposes of this article, we have taken that to mean any asset in this position priced at £5.5m or under.

A whopping 185 players fall into this category although many of them are barely worth a second glance.

We rifle through the defensive midfielders, first-team back-ups and red-flagged fodder to bring you a selection of cut-price gems to consider between Gameweeks 30+ and 38+.

READ MORE: The best budget goalkeepers
READ MORE: The best mid-price and premium goalkeepers
READ MORE: The best budget defenders
READ MORE: The best mid-price and premium defenders

John Fleck and Oliver Norwood

  • Price: Fleck (£5.0m), Norwood (£4.9m)
  • Ownership: Fleck (5.5%), Norwood (0.5%)
  • Next four Gameweeks: avl + new | mun | TOT | bur

Sheffield United’s goalkeeper and defenders will likely be the most popular picks from the Blades’ squad ahead of Double Gameweek 30+, with Chris Wilder’s side boasting the second-best defensive record in the top flight.

There will be more modest interest in their attacking assets, however, with only five teams having scored fewer Premier League goals this season.

The regular rotation up front may also be enough to put Fantasy managers off the likes of Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) but the picture in the centre of midfield is much more settled.

Oliver Norwood (£4.9m) is an ever-present this season, while the only three games that John Fleck (£5.0m) has missed have been enforced by injury or suspension.

Those two players have taken 94% of the Blades’ corners between them in 2019/20, with Norwood in sole charge at direct free-kick situations and seemingly first in line for spot-kicks, too.

While the cheaper asset of the two has the edge at set pieces, Fleck has the definite advantage in open play.

The deep-lying Norwood has only touched the ball twice in the opposition area this season (one of those occasions was his Gameweek 19 penalty), while Fleck has recorded 15 shots in the box – and scored from five of them.

Joao Moutinho

Fantasy assets who can be more than just a Blank Gameweek 31 wonder 1
  • Price: £5.4m
  • Ownership: 5.2%
  • Next four fixtures: whu | BOU | avl | ARS

Wolves’ next three matches are hugely appealing, particularly from an attacking perspective.

Raul Jimenez (£8.1m) and Diogo Jota (£6.4m) will likely attract plenty of investment for this run, while we’ll discuss the pros and cons of Adama Traore (£5.7m) in our look at mid-price midfielders.

Further back, Joao Moutinho (£5.4m) is a potential differential.

Goals tend not to flow from the Portuguese schemer but assists do, with 15 of them arriving in less than two seasons as a Premier League player.

Taking the majority of his side’s corners and a share of Wolves’ direct free-kicks, Moutinho is fifth among FPL midfielders for chances created and first when we focus on those in the sub-£6.0m price bracket.

Five of his seven assists have arrived at dead-ball situations, with only two teams scoring more goals from set plays than Wolves in 2019/20.

While a benching is always possible given Nuno Espirito Santo’s recent tendency to flit between a 3-4-3 and 3-5-2, Moutinho has nevertheless appeared in every single Premier League match this season and started all bar two of them.

Todd Cantwell

  • Price: £4.7m
  • Ownership: 19.7%
  • Next four fixtures: SOU | EVE | ars | BHA

The best-value FPL midfielder this season based on points per million, Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) would arguably be the first player to spring to mind when we think of sub-£5.0m assets.

He is perhaps still dining out on his early-season exploits to an extent, with half of his eight attacking returns arriving in the first five Gameweeks.

Despite starting every Norwich league match this calendar year, he has just one goal and zero assists to his name in 2020.

Still, his achievements have to be put in context with other cut-price assets: no sub-£5.5m midfielder has registered more goals, shots in the box or penalty box touches than Cantwell in 2019/20.

Completing 90 minutes on just nine occasions this season and benched twice in the busy run in December, we can expect some minute-management of Cantwell between now and Gameweek 38+.

Still, he has featured in every single Norwich game this season and he can likely expect minutes of some variety even as a substitute, with Premier League managers now permitted to make five changes per game.

Ondrej Duda (£4.7m) is worth a shout here, too, having started all seven matches in the number ten role since signing in January.

The loanee has been heavily involved at dead-ball situations, too.

Norwich’s remaining home matches, against Southampton, Everton, Brighton, West Ham and Burnley, may very well see Cantwell and co return to favour in the FPL community.

John McGinn

  • Price: £5.4m
  • Ownership: 2.6%
  • Next four Gameweeks: SHU + CHE | new | WOL | liv

Jack Grealish (£6.4m) looks set to be a staple of many Double Gameweek 30+ squads but debate will rage over how necessary additional Aston Villa representation is and which other members of Dean Smith’s side are worthy of consideration.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m) has been mentioned in some quarters and will undoubtedly get pitch-time, having played a part in more Premier League games than any of his team-mates bar Grealish.

Nine attacking returns is a very respectable haul, too, and a total that only Grealish can beat among Villa players.

El Ghazi also stepped up from 12 yards when Villa were last awarded a penalty back in Gameweek 22, with regular taker Wesley (£5.4m) out injured.

Benchings in Gameweeks 27 and 29 highlight the rotation risk associated with the Dutchman, however, and he could well be competing with Trezeguet (£5.2m) and even Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.1m) for one spot on the right flank, should Smith opt to use Grealish wide-left.

An alternative midfield option is John McGinn (£5.4m).

The fit-again Scot hadn’t missed a single minute of Premier League football until injury forced him off the field in Gameweek 18.

Granted he hasn’t kicked a ball in 2020 but he had been on the cusp of a playing return in March before the coronavirus pandemic brought football to a standstill, so ought to be as fit as any of his team-mates (if perhaps a tad rustier) after the three-month break.

Smith’s struggles to mould a convincing combination of his other central midfielders during McGinn’s absence would also arguably hasten the need for the Scotland international’s return.

McGinn’s early-season goal threat caught the eye, with the budget asset scoring on three occasions in the first seven Gameweeks, and he was actually joint-top among FPL midfielders for attempts on goal at that point.

The rate of chances slowed thereafter as Grealish was deployed further forward, seemingly at McGinn’s expense, so that perhaps should also be a consideration ahead of the resumption.

READ MORE: John McGinn’s credentials assessed in detail

Jonjo Shelvey

  • Prices: £4.9m
  • Ownerships: 0.6%
  • Next four fixtures: SHU | AVL | bou | WHU

Pop quiz: who boasts the best points-per-match average among sub-£6.0m FPL midfielders? Fleck, Cantwell, McGinn? Traore or Harry Wilson (£5.8m), perhaps?

The answer, you won’t be surprised to learn given the picture above, is Jonjo Shelvey (£4.9m).

Newcastle United’s deep-lying playmaker and semi-regular set-piece taker averages 4.1 points per game this season, the same as Harvey Barnes (£6.2m) and Ismaila Sarr (£6.4m).

The Magpies are limited offensively, with no club having scored fewer goals this season.

Relatively few of us will be considering anyone from the Newcastle midfield or attack, then, despite Steve Bruce’s side arguably having the best run of fixtures in the first four Gameweeks back.

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m) has really caught the eye with his trickery down the left and on paper poses more of a goal threat than Shelvey, having registered almost seven times as many penalty box touches in a similar number of minutes.

But then Shelvey, like a destitute man’s Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m), has never really relied on proximity to goal for his efforts.

Two of his five goals in 2019/20 have come from 25 yards out or further, while 25 of his 30 shots were taken from outside the box.

Despite that last stat, he has still scored more than twice as many goals as any other Newcastle player this season.

Shelvey has started 12 of the last 13 games he has been available for, although niggling injuries have littered that run.

Never a Rafael Benitez favourite, Shelvey has been more trusted by Bruce and has created more chances than anyone in the Magpies’ squad – albeit without claiming one assist, which perfectly underscores the issue with Newcastle’s goal-shy attack.

Also Consider

As we’ve noted with Moutinho, Shelvey, Fleck and Norwood, there are a handful of set-piece specialists available in the bargain bin of midfielders.

Ashley Westwood (£5.5m), for example, has supplied six assists this season, with half of them arriving from free-kicks or corners.

The Burnley man is only one booking away from a two-match ban, however.

Currently on the suspended list is Jorginho (£4.9m), although the Italian will soon return in Gameweek 31+.

First in line for penalties at Chelsea, three of his four goals in 2019/20 have arrived from the spot.

Mark Noble (£5.0m) is similarly at the front of the queue for spot-kicks for West Ham United, having converted three of them in the current campaign.

Jorginho’s team-mate, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.2m), has plummeted to a tantalising price but with competition fierce in the wide areas at Stamford Bridge and the young winger embroiled in off-the-field issues, he is no more than one for the watchlist at this stage.

Second among FPL midfielders of any price for attempts on goal this calendar year, Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m) has caught the eye as one of two narrow wingers in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2.

A starter in nine of the last 10 league matches that he was fit and available for, Armstrong had been an underrated part of Southampton’s renaissance over the winter.

The final three Gameweeks perhaps look to be the optimum time to invest in Saints players, given the fixtures, although their appeal may be dented if Hasenhuttl’s troops don’t have anything to fight for (namely Premier League survival).

Similarly, Brighton’s hopes of avoiding the drop could well hinge on their last three games.

Aaron Mooy (£4.8m), a semi-regular taker of corners and one of the few players to largely avoid Graham Potter’s rotation roulette of late, may factor into our thoughts as a fifth FPL midfielder at that point, then.

Sub-£5.5m midfield assets at Arsenal and Manchester City have limited appeal for their Double Gameweek 30+, with the likes of Phil Foden (£5.1m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.2m) probably hoping for one start at the most.

Bukayo Saka (£4.7m), who has spent much of this season at left-back, is now looking less secure, with Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) and Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) available following injury.

Dani Ceballos (£5.2m) had returned to the Arsenal starting XI in Gameweek 26 and strung together three successive starts before COVID-19 stopped play, meanwhile.

Blanks in 13 of his 14 appearances and a reduced role at set plays may well temper interest there, though.

City are one of a handful of clubs who might soon have little tangible left to play for, with champions-elect Liverpool also in that camp.

Jordan Henderson (£5.3m), who had registered five attacking returns in his previous four appearances, would be a regular starter in normal circumstances but uncertainty surrounds what Jurgen Klopp will do once the title is in the bag, with the likes of Adam Lallana (£5.7m) perhaps in line for some farewell run-outs.

For near-guaranteed minutes and little else, look no further than Declan Rice (£4.7m).

The West Ham United midfield anchor is one of only two FPL midfielders – the other being James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m) – who hasn’t missed a single minute of Premier League football this season.

Given that Cantwell can be snapped up for the same price, however, Rice has little besides security of starts in his corner; his points-per-match average of 2.3 being a testament to that.

The sub-£4.5m fodder warrant a mention, too, given that some managers – particularly those with low team value – will want a dirt-cheap option only for use as an emergency substitute.

It really is slim pickings down that end of the market, with the versatile Leander Dendoncker (£4.4m) looking less nailed than he did earlier in the season given that his services are no longer required at centre-half.

Instead, he will be reliant on Santo choosing a 3-5-2 more often than not – otherwise, it’s a three-way battle with Moutinho and Ruben Neves (£5.2m) for two central midfield spots.

Isaac Hayden (£4.4m) has been a regular starter this season too but with the loan capture of Nabil Bentaleb (£4.9m) and the emergence of the Longstaff brothers, his place looks less secure.

Indeed, he dropped out of the starting XI in Gameweeks 26 and 27, although did reclaim his place thereafter.


Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020

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488 Comments Post a Comment
  1. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a-Ozil , Pukki , McGinn

    b-Pepe,Samtta ,Cantwell
    .

    1. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a

    3. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  2. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I played my free hit chip and came up with this mess, lol. Of course, I have another week left to make changes. Squad value is 106.1m.

    Henderson (Button)
    TAA, Luiz, Baldock (Tangganga, Kelly)
    Sterling, KDB, Pepe, Grealish, Fleck
    Aguero (c), Auba (Connolly)

    1. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd remove Luiz. Rumors about Ars lost today vs Brentford and Aguero is always good in DGW

  3. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Auba, vardy, saiss, mcginn

    B) auba Jimenez saiss grealish

    C) auba dcl Doherty grealish

    Is my only real conundrum now.

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would go B

    2. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Gav's Gunners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd pick the team with Auba

    4. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  4. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Early thoughts on who would you rather have for GW30+ ?

    A) Mount & Pepe Reina
    B) McGinn & Henderson/Leno

    1. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      McGinn has been a trap since GW8. He reminds me of the Duffy DGW fever. Mount is less consistent(ly bad), so I guess I prefer Mount... But Reina doesn't feel anywhere near Henderson's points potential even if Hendo keeps only one CS

      I wish I could see more of your team for context, but this feels like one bad option vs another bad option. B is the lesser evil due to Hendo, as well as the slight chance that McGinn remembers how to shoot and assist

      1. Kaptenen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This is what im having right now;

        Ederson - Leno
        TAA - Stevens - Baldock - Boly - Lascelles
        KDB - Bruno - Grealish - McGinn - Fleck
        Auba - Kun - Jimmy

        1. Kaptenen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Will BB and wc 31

  5. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Brentford beat Arsenal 3-2 today. Imagine what City will do to these jokers. KDB, Sterling, Kun the best trio?

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

      very silly comment

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      very stupid indeed

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It’s a friendly, take it with a pinch of salt, they were 1-0 up in the first half before changing XI at HT

      1. Loftus cheeky nandos
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What was the first half X1?

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      5-2 City

  6. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Feels good to be back
    My only chip left is BB (no WC, but oh well), so I'm thinking of going with this for GW30+:

    Henderson . McCarthy

    TAA . Doherty . Alonso . Baldock . Egan

    Salah . KDB . Bruno . Martial . Douglas Luiz

    Rashford . Jimenez . DCL

    McCarthy and Baldock will become Pope and Saiss afterwards. I'd have loved to do that for GW30+, but the Baldock + Henderson DGW can't be missed. This should have me set for the rest of the season, I think. If there's any hint that Nakamba is favoured ahead of D. Luiz (both 4.4M) before the deadline, I'll make the switch

    Thoughts?

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jota for DCL is an option, much better fixtures going forward.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        My current team before using unlimited transfers (I'll wait for team news because I'll be losing value) has Jimenez + Jota + DCL. I'm removing Jota for a few reasons:

        1. I'll double up on Wolves defence with Saiss + Doc from GW31+
        2. Enables me to switch to Rashford by selling Mane (pre-unlimited transfers)
        3. I love DCL's nailedness and he's been dangerous in every game since the new coach came, so I'd like to see how it goes in his fixtures, which are good but not as amazing as Wolves, I agree.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it nice team.
      Little bit short on City for the DGW.

      You could downgrade Alonso to someone cheaper as he's not nailed. Expect James & Azpi to start most game is they are playing 4 atb.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks man! Nice to see you again

        It seemed Lampard completely dumped 4 ATB even with everybody fit, just before the lockdown. I kept thinking Alonso would get benched. I kept watching him get returns

        If he does get benched against Villa (haul potential if he starts), it's an easy sell to switch to Saiss for GW31+ and beyond, but that's the one risk I'm willing to take for this resumption. Rest of my team is a bit too safe with no promise of heartbreak, which doesn't feel like FPL...

        About City, I've had it. I've had enough. If I walk into that trap (Kun's minutes, Sterling's unpredictability, Mahrez's deceit, Laporte's fitness, etc), I won't have a WC to bail me out and redistribute funds. KDB's my DGW captain and he'll be there for the rest of the season, and that's all.

        Nice how you didn't even mention Arsenal XD

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          If Alonso starts against Villa it could be GOLD. So it might be worth the risk.

          I'm very tempted to give the armband to one of Aguero or Sterling as I'm chasing my ML but KDB is a safe option too.
          That's pretty much my dillemma how many City players should I get go all in with FH or get a couple with Unlimited transfers. Even I don't have a wildcard to bail me out so it's a tricky decision.

          Only looking at Auba from Arsenal but not confident about them at all.

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Remember what KDB did to Arsenal

            I didn't have him for that GW. I still have the nightmares

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I used my FH chip that week as i didnt have pool players for some reason and they were home to some crap team. Sold kdb

              Ended with less points than my original side lol

              1. Nightcrawler
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Oh yeah pool had a lank gameweek the following week

  7. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would not be confident that cantwell starts..

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think the article said he’s started every game he’s been fit for

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think his benchings before the suspension of football was down to him playing so often and he was knackered. Had plenty of rest now and should see plenty of gametime for the rest of the season.

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He’s one of their best players

  8. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Current XI for BB GW30+

    Hendo
    TAA, VVD, Baldock, Egan
    Mane, KDB, Grealish
    Auba, Rash, Jimi
    Bench : Pope, Cant, Mout, Lasc
    1.7 ITB

    Thinking of switching to
    Hendo
    TAA, Laporte, Baldock, Stevens
    Mane, KDB, Grealish
    Auba, Tammy, Jimi
    Bench :Pope, Martial, Cant, Lasc
    0 itb
    Any thoughts?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. OleGGMU
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers for the reply mate quite happy with the teams represented being a bit spread out, thoughts on further tinkering to say
        Laporte ---> Walker
        Stevens back to Egan
        Tammy ---> Rash
        or just stick to team B

  9. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A message for the FPL organisers.

    Next time you restart FPL after an enforced break e.g. virus, alien invasion etc and you decide, in your infinite wisdom, to give everyone Unlimited transfers, please print the following message on your website using your largest and clearest font.

    YOU CAN USE UNLIMITED TRANSFERS OR YOUR FREE HIT CHIP, BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

    FREE HIT WILL WIPE OUT ALL UNLIMITED TRANSFERS.

    WE ARE GENEROUS, BUT NOT THAT GENEROUS!

    Thank you.

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

      ...or just read the rules about FH on FPL website, there are 2 simple and clear sentences. I would risk a guess that 7-8 yo kid would understand it 🙂

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        It's the novelty of unlimited transfers part-way through the season. People think it has magical powers. 😀

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

          Abra-Free Hit-Cadabra

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

    FH now leaning towards Aguero Auba Lacazette front 3

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Been a while since I saw Laca in FPL teams

      It's happening again...

      Why not just an Aguero + Auba front 2, then pump the Laca funds into midfield/defence?

    2. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No brainer, I've manged to get KDB, Pepe and Sterling in to midfield as well

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        after that brace V Brentford?

  11. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This is my pre Covid team, I fancy some Utd defence and I’d love Kim but not sure who makes way. Any suggestions appreciated:

    Pope, button
    Taa, Doh, Enda, Lascelles, Diop
    Salah, Mane, Kdb, Bruno, Saka
    Jimi, DCL, Greenwood

  12. JfA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jota for DCL is an option, much better fixtures going forward.

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      whoops

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Haha

  13. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba TC tonight in VFPL.

    This could be epic or tragic.

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same here first match up as well.

  14. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Pope the best keeper from 31 onwards?

    I'm on BB and don't know whether to just keep him despite playing City, as I'll lose 0.2 on him so if I end up wanting him back just seems a bit of a waste to get rid

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I had Pope but with free WC I’ve gone back to Henderson.

      Will stick with him now, I think.

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely

    3. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same boat and sticking personally, not too concerned about my goalie points , have hendo, and pope does have the better fixtures for me in comparison to alternate options especially CS potential-wise.
      DGW's can go south...badly, so thinking a bit about post dgw30+ is good to balance your squad out especially since no FH in use

    4. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think that DDG or Patricio will do better

  15. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Had my mind set on BB this first GW and WC the following week. After thinking about it carefully though, it was probably just over-excitement of FPL returning.

    My current team is absolutely perfect for GW 31, I have 0 in the bank and would lose 0.7 by transferring them out and then back in.

    Only 1 of my bench would have been DGW anyway so it's not exactly a huge example to play BB now over any other gameweek.

    Therefore, it surely makes more sense to FH this week, rather than BB?

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

      *advantage not example

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This. I will lose almost 2m in value. I don't play for value, but if I WC my BB team in 31, I will have to sacrifice a lot. Undecided

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      DCL alone will be a big loss. Trying ro keep TAA, Jimenez, etc. It sucks

  16. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire
    Salah - Mane - KDB - Bruno - Grealish
    Jimenez - Jota

    (Button Holgate Cathcart Nkietah)

    FH this lot for GW30+?
    Or use Unlimited FTs to build a balanced team for the DGW + long term options and save FH chip?
    Got no other chips left.

    Cheers! 🙂

  17. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hey all, best to use unlimited transfers and BB or FH this week? My current team before transfers below, i have 3.3m ITB

    Pope McCarthy
    TAA Stevens Doherty Taylor Fernandez
    Salah KDB Bruno Barnes Saka
    Rashford Jiminez DCL

    1. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      With £3.3m ITB and Bruno in your side, can you afford to upgrade Rashford to Aguero/Aubamayang? Those two are likely to be the two captaincy choices this week (with KDB also in the armband conversation)

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah can get Auba or Kun. Should i WC or BB?

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have pretty similar squad, looks good for upcoming fixtures after the double, I would recommend FH.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers mate

  18. Gomolon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    It's good to be back! I have BB, FH, WC and TC all available. My plan is to FH for GW30+, but would you mind judging this team from the perspective of GW31+ onwards as this is when this team will actually be in action.

    Patricio

    TAA / Maguire / Aurier

    Salah / KDB / Fernandes / Grealish

    Aguero / Jota / Calvert-Lewin

    (Bench: Button, Holgate, Lascelles, Cantwell)

    £0.4m ITB

  19. Loftus cheeky nandos
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba and saiss
    Vardy and Doherty
    Is saiss a nailed starter?

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’d say Auba and Saiss

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Saiss is nailed

      Doc scores more though

      Vardy can match/surpass Auba on a long stretch of games, but the fixtures clearly point at Auba, even before considering the DGW

      Auba + Saiss, but it's close

  20. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If I dare slip in Virtual fpl question... Best captain tonight

    A Auba
    B KDB

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I've got the TC on Auba in the first match tonight.

  21. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    First draft here... playing BB this week, with no wildcard and only FH chip left.

    Henderson, McCarthy
    Trent, Virgil, Boly, Egan Fermandez
    Kevin, B.Silva, Pepe, Traore, Duda
    Auba, Bobby F, Jota

    O.1ITB.

    Any comments appreciated!

  22. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    2.5 m BB and freehit left.

    Should you use freehit or unlimited Transfers if you had this team?

    Pope Button

    TAA VvD Stephens Boly Lundstram

    Salah Fernandez KDB Grealish Där

    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Free hit as solid side coming back in 31+ with probably only Lundstram needing to go and think if you want triple Liverpool going forward

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        WRONG

        1. Henning
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          What is wrong?

  23. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ings or Abraham for this BB30 front three (not using FH and no WC either)

    Aguero Jimenez xxxxxxxx

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd stay far away from Ings for now. His form disappeared 7 GWs before the lockdown, and he's nowhere near certain of starts and 90 minutes with the fixture congestion, with his coach having a clear quote on this some months back, then benching him twice, as promised

      Abraham has dreamy fixtures until GW37+. Jota has explosive "form", which is a bit outdated now. DCL has the consistency

  24. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Are we wasting a BB and a WC on two fixtures with unappealing players?
    Apart from Man City 3 including Aguero and KDB.

    Sheff U - 3 defenders/goalkeeper - one goal in each match and that's a waste
    Villa - Grealish only player worth getting
    Arsenal - Auba only player worth getting

    There must be stats which suggest it just aint worth doing. Are there?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If there were more dgws left id totally agree but thats jot the case

      Personally dont even think the premier league season will end with 38 games unfortunately. Best to use the chip as early as possible

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No that again. 😀

      2. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Crawl off into the night, mate.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      9 GWs left, good as time as any to use IMO

    3. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It's not even a double for your bench, assuming you have max - 12 DGW players - only one of them will be on the bench (most likely goalie) playing twice.

      What edges it for me to play BB is the fact I can get 3 SGW players with good fixture which might not be the case later on, as I have unlimited transfers now and no WC. If you guys have WC you might wait a bit longer.

  25. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How is this looking? 

    Reina Henderson
    Egan Basham TAA Hanley Lascelles
    KDB Mahrez Pepe Grealish McGinn
    Auba Aguero Nketiah

  26. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Help me fill in the blanks, if you wouldn't mind. Please. BB in dgw30 and WC in gw31.
    Hendo, ----
    O'Connell, ----, Trent, Saiss, Targett
    KDB, Grealish, ----, ----, Fleck
    Auba, Aguero, ----

    A) Leno; Alonso; Son, Saka; Ayew
    B) Pope; Fernandez; Sterling, Cantwell; Ayew
    C) Ramsdale; Kelly; Salah (meaning I would keep him), Saka; Ayew
    D) Ramsdale; Alonso; Cantwell, Mount; Lacazette

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A probably

  27. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which looks better for bb? No WC, so needs to be longer term
    A) doherty, targett, salah
    B) TAA, b.williams, sterling

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B I’d say.

    2. Exeterslowly
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t you do Doherty, TAA and sterling and Salah? I have them.

      If not after this gameweek I would think about getting rid of sterling. He has not done a lot this year and his place is at risk with same coming back.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Not with auba and Aguero as well. Have you managd to fit them all in?

  28. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If you’re ever feeling down, just remember you don’t support Arsenal 😉

  29. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For those BB30/WC31 managers, who is your GK combo?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not final but Leno/Reina then moving to Pope/Button

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Moving to pope/button is good idea.
        Thinking of BB Ederson, Reina myself.

  30. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    My free hit team so far. Need to stop tinkering

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks decent.

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Haha don’t know why it didn’t post. Is as below.

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Error

      Leno
      TAA, Stevens, Egan
      Sterling, KDB, Grealish, X
      Aguero, Auba, X
      Martin, Douglas Luiz, Lascelles, Fodder

      A) Mount and Pukki
      B) Alonso/Doherty and Pukki
      C) O’Connell and Jiminez/Abraham

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B. I think.