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. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Project Win FPL.

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

      Lpf niw tcejorp

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

        Got it

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

      I got close last year 🙁

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

        Yeah? That's unbelievable! Rank?

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

      It that a realistic possibility for you ? At 43k it's not for me.

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Oh God no! I'm miles off and I've got no idea who to pick but that's still the project. Good luck to all.

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

          Maybe just win the most points post-restart?

  2. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Settling on this for FH, keeping Salah and Fern:

    Henderson
    Baldock Walker Luiz
    Grealish KDB Fernandes Salah
    Auba Jimi Aguero

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good calls.

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

      Great for FH imo. Can't decide I'd unlimited + BB is better

      1. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Fortunately I think my current team is good enough not to need the unlimited transfers, hence the FH:

        Henderson (McCarthy)
        Trent Laporte Saiss Lascelles Stephens
        KDB Salah Fernandes Sarr Traore
        Auba Jimi Calvert

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

    Best SGW striker for BB30+ (apart from Jimenez) if you are not FHing and you have are already used your WC

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I like Father Abraham myself.

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

      I like Pukki

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

      Jota for me but you already have jimenez.

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

      Pukki or Tammy would be my choice.

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

      Jota
      Pukki
      Abraham

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

      Jimenez

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

        Oh sorry

  4. Prøfeßör …
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    From the Brentford forum:

    "From Beesotted (who I understand have a connection at AFC)

    Arsenal:

    Leno. Bellarin. Mustafi. Tierney. Ceballos. Willock. Saka. Pepe. Nketia and Aubameyang all started for the North London side with Ozil also coming on in the second half .

    luiz bellerin guendozu lacazette all played second half too in which I think was a completely new XI"

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

      Lacazette can't have scored both if it was 1-0 to Arsenal at HT then.

      1. Prøfeßör …
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Willock scored the first goal

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    DGW32 BB. Will WC after. How’s it looking?

    Thoughts on this DGW30+ BB?
    3 Sheff U, 3 City, 3 Villa, 2 Arsenal with TAA, Doherty, Justin and Mount as SGW players.

    Leno* / Hendo*
    TAA / Doherty / Stevens* / Targett* / Justin
    KDB* / Grealish* / Mahrez* / Fleck* / Mount
    Auba* / Agüero* / Samatta*

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ignore line one haha! 32? 😆

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

      Like it for BB.

      Jimenez & Sterling over Auba & Mahrez could also work.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, Sterling is tempting. Would you go him or Mahrez? He’s still so expensive

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

          I'm quite tempted to give him the armband.
          With Mahrez you cam be sure he won't start both games with Sterling there's still a chance he could start both.

        2. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Stick with mahrez

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      So your BB is Leno, Justin, Targett and Fleck? Seems OK. Downgrading Fleck to Cantwell in order to upgrade Targett to Egan or Saiss is an option, though.

  6. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lets try this virtuel FPL. Aguero TC.

  7. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Injuries aside, my BB GW30 and WC GW31 are already decided

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Geek 🙁

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      How you looking Pep?

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Leno Pope
        Stevens, Lundstram Targett, TAA, Fernandez
        Sterling (C) KDB, Grealish, Fleck, Sarr
        Auba, Jimenez, Ings

        Only the 10 DGWers and could well change Pope to Reina but not convinced just yet.
        I just have a strong feeling Sterling is going to deliver so sticking with that hunch
        Hope you're well mate

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Looks Very nice! I also have a bit of a hunch on Sterling just hard to ignore Kun! Hmm. You’ve got me thinking. Hope you are well too pal

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Someone will gosit tight and hope for a Sterling haul 😀 big in the City double. KDB tore Arsenal apart last time they met too. I expect, KDB, Aguero and Auba to run away with the captaincy poll. Many are opting for Mahrez to free up funds but I'll sit tight and hope for a Sterling haul 😀

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

              Armband has to be On Raz then I agree

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

      I have to ask...value lost. Will you get the players you want bank on WC?

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I made my judgment on the budget I had left and the fixtures I had left.
        The WC31 team looks like this:-

        Pope (Button)
        TAA Boly Maguire (Lascelles) (Taylor)
        Salah Son Bruno Traore (Cantwell)
        Kane Jimenez Pukki

        Either Boly or Traore may get cut to avoid the triple Wolves.

        Far from a polished team but the fixtures suit

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

          This helps my thinking a lot. No Kdb though? Or any City ftm? Probably going BB and stuff the value

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I can email you a spreadsheet which is fantastic for planning if you're up for it?

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

              Please do. jsteyn10@gmail.com. What a man!

              1. Pep Pig
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Done mate

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

                  Amazing! *please delete this thread* much appreciated

            2. seanie3
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Could you also send to me please seanie3@hotmail.com

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

    Risky going with one keeper?

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nah teams been doing it since the game's inception.

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

      Meh, been doing it for 4 seasons now

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

      I’ve only ever had 2 if there’s a playing 4.0 available

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

      so im ok with leno?

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

        Well, choice of gk is key. Not sure that's Leno.

      2. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Patricio has the best remaining schedule GW 30-38. His only downsides are no DGW30 and 5.2 price tag. If you want a slightly cheaper keeper, Pope at 4.9 has great schedule GW 31-38 which makes him a great WC31 option.

    5. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The only time I bother with two keepers is BB

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

      Nope. All out on attackers if BB

  9. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is it stupid to go with only 3 double gameweek players? Wildcard, free hit and bench boost chips to use later.

    McCarthy
    Alonso, TAA, Doherty, Lascelles
    Salah, Grealish, KDB, Fernandes
    Auba, Jiménez

    Button, Aurier, Greenwood, Guendouzi
    0.6 million in the bank

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

      I would say yes as at the moment the next gameweek might be the only DG week we will have. You can use one and use the others later if you are a bit risk adverse

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

      Could be an opportunity missed. Seems the best time to use the BB

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

        ...or FH provided you already have a decent team

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

        You can only have one DGW player on your bench so not much difference between GW30+ and any given GW afterwards.

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

          Such a flawed logic. The real bench players this week are the budget dgw players.

          Anyone not using bb chip isnt going to have 11 dgw players.

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

            They might if on a free hit

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

            No sir

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

            I guess we agree to disagree.

            And you can have full 11 of dgw players without using BB so don't know exactly what is it about, both FH and unlimited transfers will get you there.

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      When do you plan to FH if not now? You can BB whenever, but getting value out of FH without DGW seems tricky to me.

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

        Exactly right. Struggling with this. BB or FH. I will lose so much value that I won't be able to get the players O want back if I BB with unlimited

        1. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Well, you could BB 30, FH 31 to avoid WC31, then WC 32 since at 32 you don't want as many Pool and MCity back anymore.

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

    Thoughts on this team using unlimited transfers?

    Leno 3.9
    TAA Doherty Maguire Basham 3.9
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish 4.2
    Aguero Jimenez Jota/Pukki

    Can't go all in on the DGW as I don't have a WC to bail me out if it all goes wrong.

    Only chip I have left is FH so I could use that for DGW30 but would get this team back for GW31 onwards:

    McCarthy 3.9
    TAA Doherty Maguire Holgate Cathcart
    Salah Mane KDB Bruno Grealish
    Jimenez Jota 4.3

    Thoughts?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hi mate. Hope you are well. I’d tempted to use the free transfers to get a team you want with some DGW players. Then FH later (perhaps the last week)

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

        All good here mate hope you are well too. Yup even I'm leaning towards using FTs and saving FH for later.

    2. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Use fh later in season as current team is average

      Too good chance to not wildcard for free now

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

        Cheers mate!

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

        I agree

  11. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this look guys??
    Leno Reina
    Baldock Egan O Connell Laporte Ake
    Pepe KDB Sterling McGinn Grealish
    Auba Pukki Long

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

      I think you accidentally typed in ake by mistake!

  12. Cluckfuster
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would someone like to remind me why I have Saka in my team?

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

      He was getting attacking returns as a full-back while classified as a midfielder in FPL, so he was a good sub... But now his place is at risk with two natural defenders returning for that spot

      1. Cluckfuster
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes, that must be it.

        And away he goes!

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

      ...because you are an arsenal fan?
      He does have a DG week coming up but playing as a wing back and tierney and kolanasic are back as well so position is under threat

      1. Cluckfuster
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Actually, I'm an Exeter City fan, hopefully you are too.

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You are diagnosed with dgw madness

      It makes peope do crazy things

      1. Cluckfuster
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Oh no, I meant that I just returned to my team after 3 months and found him there.
        I can't remember transferring him in and I have 1.7m ITB.

        Very strange.

    4. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have Saka as dw punt so you don't think he plays? What about the cheap 4.4m forward at arsenal reckon he plays? Thanks

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

        He might play but just saying his chances are more limited now players at that position are back. Nk... can’t remember how to spell it, has a good chance but still a risk

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        could do i d rather splash the cash on pepe or ozil

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

    Any good?

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

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

      Not a big fan of the cheap guys here. And some context is needed. Seems this is a BB team, but the lack of Pool mids means you're planning to WC after? If that's the case, I'd suggest losing Pepe (high chance of 2+2 points in the DGW) with Ozil (can't believe I'm typing this) as a replacement to fund some splashing on Hanley, Basham (Baldock/Stevens), Nketiah, etc

      I'm also an AVL 4.4M mid advocate (in McGinn's place), by the way. This can help you boost Hanley all the way to Doherty. Lascelles is okay, IMO (WC or no WC). Not many better options at that price

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

        Thanks mate, appreciate it

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

        Proper! Thank you

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

    Seems I'm one of the few players going with Nakamba/D. Luiz instead of Grealish on a GW30+ BB (no WC so I can't put too much on an eventual 3rd sub)

    They weren't even discussed much in the article on cheap midfielders just above

    Fun times

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Do you still have FH?

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Just saw that you don't, best of luck.

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

          I'll need a whole lot of it

          Good luck to you too

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Upgrading to Cantwell is an option. He's more likely to get attacking returns in the GW31-38 dogfight against relegation than Nakamba/D.Luiz. I usually prefer my 1st sub to be a cheap attacking mid (5.0 or below), and 2nd & 3rd subs to be cheap defenders (4.5 or below).

  15. cigan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How's this for a BB (WC next week)?

    Henderson Ederson
    TAA Bellerin Baldock Stevens Lascelles
    KDB Grealish McGinn Saka Mount
    Aguero Auba Jimenez

    Gutted to lose 0.5 tied in Salah tho

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

      Saka is an odd one, he's in my pre-lockdown team and I bought for 4.5 - might be better off with Cantwell anyway?
      Not sure about Mount either. Harvey Barnes another option maybe?

  16. Irish Villan 1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Repost, sorry..

    Hi All, any guidance here? Trying to balance DGW and long term as I don't have a WC left

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

      I've posted a team above I'm looking at don't have WC.

  17. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    McGinn or Saka for 30+?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      McGinn

  18. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Decided to FH, all good guys?

    Reina
    Basham O'Connell Egan
    Sterling KDB Salah Grealish
    Auba Aguero Nketiah

    3.9 GK, Douglas Luiz, Lascelles, 3.9 DEF

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

      Yeah good team pretty standard with what others have.

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

        Ty, not sure many have Salah on FH? Him and Nketiah could be Pepe and Samatta I guess for another DGW player

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

          I don’t but I have TAA and docherty. I don’t want to overload my team with DG weeks as that has cost me dearly before.

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

            I see your point completely. At the same time it's only 1 GW so might as well go crazy. My Pepe and Samatta suggestion above would allow a better defence too:

            Hendo Stevens Baldock Targett sounds a lot better

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would lose Salah and upgrade Reina,Nketiah,Basham

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

        ^ came to the same conclusion, cheers!

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

    No bonus for a goal and assist for Aubu in Virtual FPL, a pain when you've got the TC on him. I would have been on the top 10 with an extra 9 points.

  20. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Alternate chip strategy (BB & WC) not being talked around much here:

    A lot of people have been talking about BB for 30+ followed by WC for 31+. While the appeal for BB is understandable for 30+ due to 30+ possibly being the only remaining DGW, why do people want to mandatorily WC in 31+? Why can't people bench boost with, say, upto 7-8 DGW players for 30+, make the remaining team out of usual SGW suspects (Trent, Bruno, Jimenez etc.) and allow the same squad to continue for another 2 weeks till 32+.

    Using your WC in 33+ will give you 3 weeks of data to base your decision on and you will still have 6 weeks to benefit from it. Should we not want to see 3 weeks of data of what is effectively going to be like a new season from the perspective of player fitness and form?

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

      This late into the season, each week of data is more points lost, especially with many chips being played

      1. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I understand your point. But wouldn't a hastily put together WC based on one week's data be equally detrimental? Not many of us play the WC after GW1 of a new season.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I did in wk 2. worked a treat.

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

        I see your point, though. It just doesn't feel that important now, especially with the amount that will be left on the bench, and the fact that the DGW guys are players you don't want going forward, due to minutes (Pep, except maybe KDB), fixtures (Sheffield) or pure inability to perform consistently well (Villa... And Arsenal except Auba, who's expensive)

        In GW31+, DCL has Norwich, Man U continues their run of fixtures (against Sheffield without Hendo: 3 goals last time), Pool boys have Palace (City/Arsenal funds), Son vs West Ham, etc

  21. Micahrichard
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Off the topic, does anyone know if h2h mini leagues are resuming or not?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      RIP

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        But you can start a new one for the remainder of the season

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

          thanks mate

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They're dead/finished at GW38. But you have an option to play a new GW30+ - 38+ H2H league.

  22. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    slowly settling with this team

    thoughts ?

    bb gw30+ then wc gw31+

    Ederson / Henderson
    luiz / mings / egan / taa* / saiss*
    kdb / pepe / grealish / norwood / doucoure*
    auba / aguero / samatta

    * : players with a sgw

    any advice more than welcome 🙂

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Decent that.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

  23. Goobo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi sorry for nooby question, where can I see if I still have a WC? I cannot remember if I used it or not and I can't find it on the site

    Ta

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

      Near the bottom of the GW History page in the My Team tab.

      1. Goobo
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Still can't find it as i'm being thick, but appreciated 😀

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

    Which is best Bench Boost option?

    A) Leno, Laporte, Stevens, Ozil

    B) Ederson, Egan, Lacelles, Pepe

    Essentially how much better is Pepe than Ozil and is Laporte nailed?

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think I prefer B but it's close.

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just a thought on Lundstram.

    Wouldn’t people rather have 100-120mins of an attacking mid with clean sheet points in 1 game, than an Egan, Basham, O’Connell?

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

      I guess if you can wc him out the week after that would be an easier punt to make

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly. I should have added that for people on BB and then going to WC. Surely he’s worth it this GW where you can guarantee he plays at least once

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

      I wouldn't, I trust Sheffield Utd's defence much more than their attach so CS points are key. Also he could play less than 60 min in both games which would be quite disastrous if they were to keep CS.

      They have the earlier kick-off so there might be some team news though.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Fair point mate. Could go either way imo

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

      Staying away from Lund because he's playing in the one midfield slot that his coach evidently now likes rotating... In a period with congested fixtures... In a DGW where SHU has a good chance of two clean sheets, while I'll have to bet on Lund doing something (which is possible, but lower probability than the 1 CS + 2 second-game points from a CB)

      It would have been easier if one of the SHU games was against a team like Arsenal, where you'll expect a higher probability of attacking returns than defensive

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Fair enough mate.

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

    Arsenal vs Brentford:

    1st Half XI:

    Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Mari, Tierney, Willock, Ceballos, Saka, Pepe, Aubameyang, Nketiah

    2nd Half XI:

    Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Tierney, AMN, Guendouzi, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Saka

    Goals: Willock, Lacazette

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Saka in the hole

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

        Was indeed, unless it was 4-4-2 with Nketiah & Auba up top, got hooked after 60 for Martinelli

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

      Assists: Bellerin & Nelson

  27. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I've plumped for bench boost for GW30+. Thoughts appreciated.....

    Ederson Henderson
    TAA PVA VVD Fernandez Saiss
    KDB Fleck Norwood Bruno Sarr
    Aguero Aubameyang Jota.

  28. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    My current team:
    Pope Krul
    Taa Awb Doherty - Egan Taylor
    Salah Kdb Bruno Doucure -Saka
    Auba Jota Dcl
    I have no WC. Should I:

    (A.) play my FH in GW30 (and then revert to this team for GW31).

    (B.) treat the unlimited FTs as an extra WC and set my team up for the remainder of the season.

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B. I've bench boosted but in good condition moving forward too.

  29. Sting in the Tail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    From a Brentford forum

    Arsenal:

    Leno. Bellarin. Mustafi. Tierney. Ceballos. Willock. Saka. Pepe. Nketia and Aubameyang all started for the North London side with Ozil also coming on in the second half .

    luiz bellerin guendozu lacazette all played second half too in which I think was a completely new XI

    1. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sorry - already posted

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

        Well played, good result for the Bees, hope to see you in the Prem next season 🙂

  30. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone know what the predicted arsenal back line is?! Can’t work it out.

    I reckon 1 arsenal defender could squeeze himself into the next 2-3 gameweeks.

    Cheers.