Pro Pundits - Sam

Why I’m considering FPL players with one match in Double Gameweek 30+

Fantasy Premier League is back and there are so many things to consider for my team.

When the June 17th restart was announced I felt well placed with my team and chip strategy for the rest of the season. I am still sat at 4.5k overall rank ready to push on. Then came the unlimited transfers/new Wildcard rumours…

At first, I was firmly in the camp of not wanting that, I felt very much that this would detract from the fact that I was holding my Wildcard and would cost me the advantage that chip provided.

However, since the announcement last Monday I have changed my mind. In an ideal world, I always like to play my Bench Boost chip in a Double Gameweek. 

Gameweek 30+ is almost certainly the only opportunity left this season now to play that chip in a Double Gameweek, so using the chip this Gameweek does make sense. 

This means my Wildcard has become increasingly important.  Using my unlimited transfers to create a team specifically for Double Gameweek 30+ is achievable as I have the opportunity to use my Wildcard for Gameweek 31+ and remove the players I brought in for the double. 

Metrics

This strategy means that I am not having to compromise my long-term plans for the sake of the Double Gameweek, whilst also allowing me to (hopefully) reap the benefits of having a strong first-XI and bench for this coming Gameweek. 

Chip strategy is always important in the final weeks of a season because there is an array of Blank and Double Gameweeks to navigate. However, this season, with just one Double and no planned Blanks you might expect the chips to be less important.

However, the last week has shown me that, in fact, the opposite is true. The FPL community is buzzing with conflicting views on how to manage these weeks. We would normally have the form of both the teams and individual players to base our choices on, but after such a long spell without competitive football we have to focus our thoughts on the fixtures and what we expect of the teams in terms of their return e.g. relegation battle, European qualification and Premier League title race.

This means that while normally we would narrow our options down to these teams and then use the form of individual players to narrow the pool of FPL options to a more manageable level, Project Restart leaves us with the bottom eight and top nine clubs to choose from, leaving only a couple of mid-table teams who are safe and cannot reach the European spots that we give less focus to.

The recent Fantasy Football Scout articles recapping the best assets in each team have been invaluable reading (find links to them all below). They have drawn together all we know about each side and helped me work out where I need to prioritise for the squads I will be building for the Double Gameweek and beyond.

The relegation-threatened teams to consider for FPL investment

The teams chasing European football to consider

This wide pool of players to pick from, alongside a lack of pre-season friendly information, which we would usually have after such a long break from FPL, is another reason that I am keen to use my unlimited transfers to build a solid Bench Boost team. 

Once we have a full Gameweek of data to assess, it should make choosing a team easier.  This is especially true given the increase in substitutes allowed, both on the bench and allowed to come on to the field of play.

This unknown in terms of rotation risks and those likely to be removed before the magic 60-minute marks is another reason to use the unlimited transfers and then plan to play my official Wildcard the week after. Having every game televised will also be really useful in terms of FPL planning, as getting a full view of every game will enable us to conduct as many in-depth eye-tests as we want.

With Gameweek 30+ the only planned Double for the rest of the season it feels like most FPL managers will be choosing to play a chip to try and capitalise on the four teams who play twice.

Had Official FPL not given everyone unlimited transfers, this would have probably been a big week for Wildcards. But as it stands, FPL managers will be using their Bench Boost, Triple Captain or Free Hit chips instead.

To me, it seems likely that those without a Wildcard will Free Hit and those without will Bench Boost or potentially play their Triple Captain if they do not have their Bench Boost left. 

Here’s my strategy:

Double Gameweek30+ — Bench Boost

Gameweek 31+ — Wildcard

Gameweek 38+ — Free Hit (to focus on those teams with something to play for on the final week)

I then knew that I had the opportunity to fill my team with three players from each of the four Double Gameweek teams, meaning that it would be possible for me to have 12 out of my 15 players playing twice.

Whilst this appears like an appealing option at first glance one of the things I am always conscious of when dealing with Double Gameweeks is overlooking the single Gameweek players.

There are so many teams out there with only one fixture but they have the perfect combination of something to play for as well as a favourable fixture. For example, within the community, there is a lot of talk of removing the Liverpool assets.

However, I will be holding mine. Liverpool are playing in the Merseyside derby and are six points away from lifting the title so there does not seem to be any greater motivation for the likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.7m), Sadio Mané (£12.5m) or Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) to score big Fantasy points than that.

With so many managers using their unlimited transfers to removing single Gameweek players, this could be a Gameweek where goals from Liverpool or Wolves assets actually become differential picks and give an advantage in mini-leagues.

Recapping the best Norwich players ahead of FPL restart

At the complete opposite end of the league, we have Norwich. Prior to lockdown, it was a tale of despair but a long break and some appealing fixtures. If the Canaries are going to have any chance of staying up they will have to win their next two matches.

That has made me consider Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) and Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) as really interesting picks for Double Gameweek 30+; they are usually involved when Norwich score. It is also worth checking out Ondrej Duda (£4.7m), who has made an impact since arriving at Carrow Road. David revealed some interesting data about him HERE.

Wolves are another team to watch out for over the next few days. It is, of course, a standard Gameweek for them but European football is still within their reach.

Options such as Diogo Jota (£6.4m), Raúl Jiménez (£8.1m) and Matt Doherty (£6.3m) could offer really good returns against West Ham at a time where many might be tempted to Free Hit them out or swap them as part of the unlimited transfer strategy.

Finally, I am also planning to use Double Gameweek 30+ to keep a close eye on Newcastle. The Magpies are one of those teams who sit in the middle of the league with seemingly little to play for but their fixtures are really nice and with rumours surrounding the future of the club, they could be really good options if they start well. Deciding what to do with Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) is one of my big decisions ahead of the deadline on Wednesday.

My current Bench Boost team looks like this:

There is a mix of Double Gameweek players who I think will get minutes across both of the games for their teams, as well as single Gameweek players who have the potential to do well.

The unlimited transfers followed by a Wildcard means that I can take some risks on the basis that I can reverse them soon after. Hopefully, this strategy should help me get back inside that top 1k overall rank.

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

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Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

876 Comments Post a Comment
  1. adstvlad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Team pre-unlimited transfers:

    Button - McCarthy
    TAA - Lascelles-Hanley-Taylor-Williams
    Salah-KDB-Martial-Traore-Cantwell
    DCL-Ings-Aubameyang

    Post transfers:

    Button - McCarthy
    Maguire-Baldock-Lascelles-Hanley-Taylor
    Son-KDB-Martial(Fernandes)-Cantwell-Traore
    DCL-Kane-Aubameyang

    Currently, I have 3.5 million to spare from changing Salah to Son. Not sure if I should stick with at least one Liverpool asset, or look to upgrade DCL to Rashford maybe? Also, I'm quite fond of Martial and Fernandes might've had just a run of good form. Thoughts?

  2. Alexanderjg23
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone reckon Tierney will be back for Arsenal?

  3. wheelz91
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    HELP please!

    Is Lacazette number one for Arsenal ?
    (As the striker)
    Or has Nketiah taken over that spot?

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You don’t want lacazette

    2. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Only Arteta can answer that question.

      I wouldn't choose either Nketiah or Laca. Too risky

      1. wheelz91
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        But isn’t it time to take some risks?
        I will smash the WC in 31 anyway.

        Everyone will probably go for Auba.

        But maybe Pepe is a better pick?

      2. wheelz91
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        The reason I don’t go for Auba is because I will have sterling, aguero and KDB.

  4. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this BB team?

    Hendo, Leno
    TAA, Doherty, Stevens, O'Connell, Lascelles
    KDB, Mahrez, Grealish, McGinn, Saka
    Aguero, Auba, Jimenez

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like it, pretty similar to mine, biggest difference is i've gone Pepe over Mahrez

    2. ChuckN
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pretty average bench for a free hitting BB.

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What changes would you suggest?

        1. ChuckN
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Downgrade one of Mahrez, Jimi or Auba and upgrade Mcginn or Saka.

          Possibly look at city def cover (Laporte) over Lascelles.

          1. Big Ronnie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thank you, I'll have a tinker and see what i can do

  5. JIC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this as a benchboost in 30 and then WC in 31?

    Leno
    Stevens/Egan/TAA
    Fleck/Grealish//Sterling/KDB
    Aguero/Auba/Samatta

    Reina//Saka/Boly/Lascelles

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      As good as any I’ve seen

  6. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Right- so think I'm almost there for my BB Hows it looking?.

    Reina - 5.3 (Leno??)
    TAA - Doherty - Egan - O'Connell - Baldock
    Kdb - Grealish -Pepe - Cantwell - Saka
    Kun - Auba - Jimi

    Not sure on the GK spot, have 5.3, just throw Leno in?

    Can't really squeeze out the extra to get Ederson in.

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Baldock to Boly, Henderson in goal

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Its an option - means double up on Wolves defence though.
        Swapping Baldock out, Hendo in, gives me 5.1 for someone, I'll take a look!

  7. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    How about this bb side?

    Leno, Reina
    TAA, Lundstram, O’Connell, Egan, Lascelles
    KDB, Mahrez, Fernandes, Grealish, Saka
    Aguero(c), Aubameyang, Samatta

    12 doublers plus TAA, Fernandes and Lascelles.

  8. mcmd11
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who is everyone captaining this week?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Probably Auba, maybe KdB

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero.

    3. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kun for me, and it's a toss up between Auba & KDB for vice

  9. iL PiStOlErO
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    El-Ghazi or Mcginn? Have Grealish already.

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Can’t see mcginn getting more than 120 mins

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That why I am asking, I wish that he plays 120min, rhat would be great. He could do a lot in that time. Mote than El Ghazi in 180min haha. Cheers.

  10. Manani
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    who will be your 'bencher' after bench boost?
    got my starting 11 pretty happy, but not sure about the remaining 4. Feels like wasting money if Imma bench them for the rest of season

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Stephens, Saka, Grealish/Sarr, McCarthy

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Got to see a round of fixtures first - can’t make any wildcard or post bench boost decisions yet

      1. Manani
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        so most planning WC after this BB? (for those still have the WC)

        1. SouthCoastSaint
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah there’s an argument to wait till 32 with more info but a lot of people are wc after bench boost

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good to have a decent bench at the expense of one of the premiums imo

    4. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Leno, Lascelles, Saiss & Fleck

      Actually not that bad if I do say so myself

      1. Manani
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        not going to WC next week?

  11. Tsparkes10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who else is looking at going without any arsenal outfielders? Non appeal to me bar Aubam and he’s pricey

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Depends whether you thing reinvested funds in someone like abraham (May not start?) and fernandes in midfield (spurs isn’t easy) instead is better

    2. gryffsonofarthur
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely Auba. Pepe if you feel like taking a risk.

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Its a gamble, at this point I have 60 points to catch the ML, and I think I'm going to go for Pepe, and hope he does something in one of the 2 games!

    4. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, just Auba for outfielders for me.

      I'd consider Bellerin if I could find the spare cash. But, alas, I can't...

    5. ChuckN
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yep me. Auba and Luiz my only considerations.

  12. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on my BB team plz - no WC left

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Baldock Stevens Stephens Doherty
    Grealish Saka KDB (c) Bruno Sarr
    Auba Kun Jimenez

    1. checkit_j
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Very nice

  13. hogree
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    BB 30 WC 31 team - rip it apart

    Leno - Ramsdale
    Egan - Laporte - Saiss - Targett - Baldock
    KDB - Mane - Fleck - Cantwell - Grealish
    Samatta - Auba - Aguero

    1. Manani
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      out of the loop, but who is this Samatta guy?

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What's Samatta?

        1. stepper1971
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Aw shaddupayaface

          1. kalshot
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            You mean Samattayourface

      2. SouthCoastSaint
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Villa striker likely to start both games with Wesley injured. Looked alright pre lockdown

      3. kalshot
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Footballer

  14. Little fekirs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    BB here we come, fingers crossed

    Leno Hendo
    TAA Stevens Saiss Egan Lascelles
    Salah Grealish KDB Mahrez Cantwell
    Aguero (C) Nketiah Tammy

  15. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No predicted line ups yet?

    1. Jullepuu
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rotowire.com has posted their predictions

    2. thegaffer82
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I can predict some if you like?

      I don't have any insider knowledge or authority to do so however...

  16. cjhewitt92
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What you guys think

    Foster, Henderson,
    Saiss Stevens Lundstram Justin Aarons
    KDB Foden Ozil Fernandes Duda
    Auba Aguero Abraham

  17. gryffsonofarthur
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) Reina / Laporte

    Or

    B) Ederson / Targett

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B- Ederson will at least play in both games, dont think same can be said for Laporte

  18. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Gamble pick

    Ozil (double) or pulisic

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Neither

  19. trinzoo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) Mount
    B) Barnes
    C) Sarr

    Mainly for this GW, have Abraham already.

    1. FlashGilbert
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Barnes, spread the risk.

  20. No_Mo_Salah?
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all. So great to have my FPL head back on after such a long break!

    With that in mind, is Barnes out of favour? He was on fire before the shut down and could see Leicester getting some past Watford who has 23% clean sheet odds based on the HT. It sounds like a lot of people are plumping for Mount instead who wasn't doing a lot before the 'break'. What am I missing?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing. I don't understand either. I would rather have Sarr, Barnes and a few others.

  21. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Nice article but the screenshot seems purposely misleading.

    Your true bench for BB is:

    Leno Saiss Cantwell Lascelles

    Which in most weeks would be laughed out of the room.

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which midfielders are essential for gw30+?

    De Bruyne and Grealish are the only ones that are locked in my team.

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Could say Sterling or Pepe

  23. _Ninja_
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who do you think will get most points GW30?

    A. Doherty Fleck
    B Lundstram Mount

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A, unless Lund does a Lund of course. He's a risk with a high reward

  24. SADIO SANÉ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    something like this:
    Leno Reina
    TAA Doherty Lundy Egan Lascelles
    Mane Sane Mahrez Grealish Saka
    Auba Jimenez Pukki

    gives you this GW31 team:
    Leno (sou)
    TAA (CPL) Doherty (BOU) Lascelles (AVL)
    Mane (CPL) *Bruno(SHU) Mahrez (che) Grealish (new)
    Auba (sou) Jimenez (BOU) Pukki (EVE)

    then FH32 WC33 - could WCing in 33 provide more of an advantage?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      THIS also seems like a potentially decent idea -> https://twitter.com/FPLkramer/status/1272461869614325762

      1. jtreble
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yup. 🙂

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hmmmm interesting

    3. jtreble
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’m on the same strategy.

  25. n-doggg
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go with this? Will be using BB and probably WCing week after

    Leno, Rui
    TAA, O’Connell, baldock, target, lascelles
    Kdb(c), Sterling, grealish, fleck, saka
    Aguero, auba, Samatta

    0.0 itb

    Thanks!

  26. fish&chips
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone with WC and BB still free hitting? I'm getting more and more tempted.

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I am.

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nah, too good an opportunity to make the transfers, plus there are 4 players that I really want in my team for the runin, so WC31 lets me get them in.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Which 4 ?

        1. jason_ni
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Doherty - Rashford - Maguire - Son, plus getting likes of Pope/Salah/bruno back in after losing them for this GW.

          Thinking of running a 4-3-3 for the run in.

          1. fish&chips
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            What if you've already got Doherty, Rashford, pope, Salah, Bruno in your GW29 team?

            1. jason_ni
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              different courses for different horses, I'll actually have Doh in my team, but I'll want the others listed going forward.
              There is no right or wrong approach, some will work, some won't, go with your gut.

              For me it comes down to playing BB in a double, yes its not great, but its still a double. Plus I think there could be more rotation as the season draws to an end, but thats just my opinion, could be wrong, but I'm going with it!

              1. fish&chips
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Yes, I hear you. To be honest, I was initially sold on BB but the more I tinker the more double GW players I take out so I'm thinking it might be better just to go for 11 high quality ones instead. It's true that a future BB could bomb though

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have all of those chips and will just use FT's now, my team looks fine for next gw

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        i meant not fine lol

        so i will clear up the DGW mess with a WC

        1. Fitzy.
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          That was a quick reassessment... 😆

  27. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which three?

    A. Lundstram, Mahrez, Samatta
    B. Laporte, Fleck, Jimenez?

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I prefer A

    2. gryffsonofarthur
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is John McGinn a sure starter for Aston Villa?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I think he will start, but he is unlikely to play more than 60 mins per game imo

  29. how now brown cow
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Great article, thanks.

    Salah, TAA and Jimenez are the 3 players I would lose over 0.3 each from selling, and with a low tv I had also planned to keep all 3.

    So many teams here are all in on the dgw it's easy to get drawn in.

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Im keeping TAA(0.4) and Jimi (0.2) value in them, and I want them long term.
      Salah im losing as I've had him since Day dot, so only lose 0.1 on him.

  30. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    If FH in this gw would you go for triple Arsenal and Man City attack of Sterling, KDB, Aguero, Pepe, Özil and Auba?