Pro Pundits - Az

The 12 Double Gameweek 30+ players I plan to Bench Boost with

It’s back. It has felt like an eternity, but in a couple of days, we’ll be back to cheering on our differentials, holding our head in our hands when our captains miss a sitter, screaming at VAR when it rules out our points, and dancing around the living room with the dog when our player gets a 90-minute winner.

It’s been such a strange season for my team, but I couldn’t have predicted how weird it would get. After Harvey Barnes (£6.2m) got 19 points in Gameweek 29 and James Maddison (£7.5m) blanked, my rank plummeted. I can’t say I was feeling all that great about FPL. I’ve used these months to rest, recuperate and not really think about it too much in all honesty but, now it’s back, I’m ready to dive back in and sort things out.

When I opened my team for the first time in weeks the other day, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The balance of my team was decent, I had some sensible big hitters and quite a nice spread of players from different teams.

However, with everything that’s going on, there’s so much more to consider. Who is going to play most regularly in this frantic end to the season? Which of the players returning from injury will have the biggest impact? Which teams should we be targeting to ensure we are getting motivated and hungry players, rather than those who would rather be at home doing a Zoom quiz.

The final few weeks look set to shake everything up and, in a season where I’ve struggled to get a grip on what’s happening, I am conscious that I will need to adapt quickly. I’ve put together a couple of things that I’ll be looking to capitalise on as we enter the final straight of the season.

1. My chip strategy

What is the best FPL chip strategy for Double Gameweek 30+ and beyond?

The first round of Project Restart hands us an exciting Double Gameweek. Manchester City, Arsenal, Sheffield United and Aston Villa all play twice. Not only that, but FPL has handed us unlimited transfers AND the option to play a chip. To me, this is huge. Whenever I’ve played the Bench Boost before, I’ve had to plan ahead. Not just pick a team for one week, but consider how my squad will fare over several Gameweeks and ensure that each player serves a purpose around the double.

Well, that’s not the case this time around. In fact, I can do the complete opposite. The players I pick need to only serve one purpose. Score points in Double Gameweek 30+. This is because I’ve got the Wildcard ready to go, to clean up any mess that I find myself in after this Gameweek. The prospect of this is really exciting, I’m effectively gaining an extra Free Hit chip.

People without a Wildcard aren’t so lucky. Their Free Hits will likely be played, or squads will be designed with future Gameweeks in mind. With the likes of Everton desperately trying to avoid handing Liverpool the title at Goodison Park, Manchester United against a Spurs team with a whole host of injured players back and ready to go, and Leicester away at a Watford side who will be desperate to pick up points, I’m really hoping that shying away from these players and focusing on those with a double will make me big strides this coming week.

Those who are Free Hitting are essentially losing out on either a free Wildcard (unlimited transfers this week) or having to use what is arguably their most powerful chip (as squads will be reset to how they were prior to this Gameweek). This is great news for me personally, and indeed the many that still have the Wildcard. Some will be looking at their teams this week, concerned that their squads are looking weak, wishing they could make changes – and will only be applying a band-aid on the problem with their Free Hit chip, or will have to make transfers with the rest of the season in mind. The Double Gameweek 30+ Bench Boost and Gameweek 31+ Wildcard just looks a match made in heaven.

2. Who I’m targeting for GW 30+

 1

There’s still quite a bit to play for this season, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Wolves, Spurs and Sheffield United all hunting down the top four spots. At the other end of the table, five teams are trying to avoid being relegated with seemingly doomed Norwich.

Between these two groups, there is a whole host of players to choose from, and I’ll be basing my transfers for the remainder of the season on who has something to play for.

However, my team doesn’t need to follow this rule this week. My Double Gameweek 30+ plan is purely to try and capitalise on those with two fixtures.

I’ll be tripling-up on Manchester City, Arsenal, Sheffield United – and probably Aston Villa too. This means that 12 of my 15 players will be Double Gameweekers (the maximum I can have), with the other three slots going to teams with good games.

I like the look of Chelsea’s match against Villa – so Tammy Abraham (7.5m) will likely feature in my squad. The City and Arsenal options are trickier to decide on. Sergio Aguero (11.8m) will likely be the go-to captain for many (and for good reason), with Pierre Emeric-Aubameyang (11.1m) the other main consideration for the armband. It also seems silly to go without Kevin De Bruyne (10.6m) based on his form pre-coronavirus.

With Leroy Sane (9.3m) back to fitness, and a plethora of options in midfield such as Raheem Sterling (11.7m), Ryiad Mahrez (8.5m) and Bernardo Silva (7.9m) all in the reckoning for a start, plus the new five substitutes rule and Pep Guardiola’s tendency to rotate players anyway, I feel like I want to shy away from these players with the hope of getting a bit more security from their defence.

Aymeric Laporte (6.3m) was back in the team just before COVID-19 hit, and the break may have boosted his recovery from injury, if not lack of match fitness. John Stones (5.3m) and Nicholas Otamendi (4.9m) are just such inferior options compared to the Frenchman (compared to how impactful the midfielders are) which suggests that Laporte could get two sets of 90 minutes under his belt. He has scored big in a Double Gameweek before. Let’s hope he can do it again.

Is it time to invest in Arsenal assets after Gameweek 28? 6

Turning my attentions to Arsenal, I immediately have decided to eliminate any consideration for their defenders. A game against Manchester City doesn’t bode well for their chances of a clean sheet, and then an away game at Brighton, who I feel have enough to cause them difficulty with the skill of players like Leandro Trossard (5.8m), Neal Maupay (5.7m) and new signing Alexis MacCallister (5.5m) (who I am extremely excited about might I add) means that I can see goals in this match.

This means I’ll be looking in midfield to try and find some sources of points. Nicolas Pépe (9.3m) has burned me before, but I wonder if having no fans will reduce the pressure on the man who signed for big money in the summer. I also like the look of Bukayo Saka (4.7m), who Mikel Arteta seems to have a real soft spot for, and can play either at full-back or on the wing. I did briefly consider Dani Ceballos (5.2m) and Mesut Özil (7.3m), but note the deeper withdrawn role the former occupies under Arteta…and I fear that Özil may go missing even more than usual under a less pressured atmosphere.

My choices from Villa and Sheffield United were much easier. Jack Grealish (6.4m) looks a must, especially with his incredible strike in a friendly game against West Bromwich Albion the other day. The issue is which fellow Villains to pair with him.

Currently I’ve got Pepe Reina (4.5m) as my reserve goalkeeper, who I am not expecting much from, but may come out with some save points. I also love the look of John McGinn (5.4m) who was such an asset earlier in the season. I know David wrote a helpful article about him earlier this week. You can READ IT HERE.

While the focus has mostly been on attackers so far, at least two defenders from Sheffield United look tasty. I am also considering the triple up, but am leaning towards giving John Fleck (5.0m) a spot in my team. He has five goals this season already, and his place in the team looks pretty secure. Lord Lundstram (4.9) will, of course, be heavily backed, but again, I am hoping that he misses at least one of the games and my other United options help me gain some ground.

3. Going forward

With a solid plan in place for Double Gameweek 30+, I need to begin planning for Gameweek 31+ and beyond. I’m really pleased that I’ll be able to have a week to scope out the teams’ and players’ fitness and motivation before playing my Wildcard.

Manchester United and Wolves are the teams that I really want to target until the season end, with a combination of great fixtures, hungry players and something to play for. If Liverpool do claim the title at Goodison, I may even shy away from their options altogether…

I just want to end this article by offering my sympathies to anyone that’s been negatively impacted by Coronavirus. The pandemic has taken a toll on people emotionally, physically, on their careers and loved ones. If anyone does want to chat about anything, I’m always available, and the best place to contact me is on Twitter – @ffscout_az. Whether it’s just to chat FPL, or anything really. It’s going to be great being able to look forward to watching some football again and getting back to being involved with the FFScout community. Onwards to Double Gameweek 30+!

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

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Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

994 Comments Post a Comment
  1. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Plotting 1st sub after GW30+ already
    So from GW31+

    Arron Wan B or Tierney

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      AWB for me.

  2. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Going down a slightly different path - no intention of BB in GW30 but will likely WC in 31

    Henderson (Button)
    Stevens Doherty Cahill (Lascelles 3.9)
    KdB Sterling Grealish Fleck (Guendouzi)
    Aguero Auba Abraham

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice. Would play Lasc over Cahill personally

      1. The Mighty I
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, yeah I’ll look into that.

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

    Keep om returning to this BB team, although Saka and McGinn are maby the weakest links:

    Henderson, Leno

    TAA, Stevens, Baldock, Doherty, Lascelles
    Kdb, Mahrez, Grealish, Saka, McGinn

    Aguero, Auba, Jimenez

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nowt wrong with Saka or McGinn really. Your options instead would be El Ghazi / Fleck / Cantwell & comes down to personal preference.

      Fleck obviously then means removing a SHU defender - that's the route I'm going down because my personal pref is to avoid triple-ups.

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

        Good choice, also considers that

  4. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this BB team look gang ? Will Wildcard straight after;
    Leno Reina
    Laporte TAA Egan O’Connell Targett
    KDB Fleck Grealish Wilson Barnes
    Auba Jimenez Aguero

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

      Strong!

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not dissimilar to yours to be fair!

  5. Hktrader88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Planning to join the crowd with BB this week and WC next week...I know its pretty standard but if there's any thing I've missed please let me know.

    Ederson - Leno

    Lundstrum/OConnell - Stevens - Doherty* - TAA* - Gomez*

    KdB - Fleck - Grealish - El Ghazi - Saka

    Kun - Auba - Jimenez*

    Those starred are SGW players which I will have in my WC
    This leaves me with $0.1m in the bank.
    Will look for early team news for Lund vs OConnell

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

      Midfield really needs one more big hitter. Perhaps downgrade a defender.

  6. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How many DGWers is everyone going with then?

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

      the maximum. 12

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Full house

    3. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      10.

      Plus
      2 Wolves
      1 Chelsea
      Lascelles
      Cantwell
      Trent

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

      12

    5. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can u play 12 or is that Inc reserve GK

    6. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      9 on FH

  7. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Tempted to avoid city bar Kdb, not sure I want the disappointment

  8. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    New article

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

    Alright, barring any injury or team news I think I'm done.

    BB DGW30+:

    Henderson, Leno
    TAA, Doherty, Lundstram, Targett, Lascelles
    KDB, Mahrez, Grealish, Fleck, Saka
    Aguero, Aubameyang, Jimenez

    0.0 ITB

  10. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am I missing something about the Liverpool players? Seen very few in people's teams.

    They may not have a DGW but surely jettisoning Salah or Mane, part of the best team in the league by miles, is a bit premature? Equally I've got lots of value in them so I'm wary of getting rid.

    Any thoughts?

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

      I'm keeping TAA, was keeping Salah but too expensive and had a slight knock.

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        no knock......

    2. french holiday
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I gor TAA and keeping him

  11. tommo123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Better to use unlimited transfers (lose team value) and go heavy on dgw and bb and WC gw31 ....or free hit and keep team and keep hold of WC?

    Current;
    Patricio Ryan
    TAA Gomez Stevens Dunk Rico
    Salah KDB Mahrez Dendonk Hayden
    Jimi Vardy Ings

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

      I am doing both, keep my high value players with 12 DGW players and calculating the prices to make sure I get my team back on the WC.

  12. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm really having a lot of trouble choosing what to do about Mane(/Salah) and how much they should influence my decision-making without a wildcard to fall back on. I'm stuck between the following options (without a wildcard):

    A) Auba + Mane, set for the long term.
    B) Auba + Sterling with money in the bank to upgrade Sterling -> Mane in 1 move.
    C) Aguero + Sterling, then take out both to get Mane/Salah in 2 moves.
    D) Aguero + Auba + cheaper mid, then take out one of them to get Mane/Salah in 2 moves.

    As things stand:

    Leno, Reina
    Trent, Baldock, O'Connell, Saiss, Lascelles
    MANE, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Fleck
    AUBA, PUKKI, Jimenez

    Much appreciated!

  13. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    OK guys, Can I have your thoughts on my FH team for this GW.

    Leno.
    TAA, Lord Lund, Egan,
    Sterling, KDB, Grealish, Fleck, Pepe.
    Auba, Aguero.

    Button, Greenwood, Simpson, Janmaat. ........Bench is garbage but 10 DGW and Trent........Im chasing 46pts.......

    1. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Would take advantage of the unlimited transfers over FH. Can get most of those players in for this week anyway and still have the FH when you can get more value out of it. Also means you don't have to force yourself to put inconsitent Fleck and Pepe in if you're thinking a few GWs ahead.
      Otherwise not sure how nailed Lundstram is now.

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes I think you are right. This DGW is a trap. To many players I wouldn't want in my team. Going to stick with my slow WC much better team long term ...

  14. TIME TO VARTY
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Guys cant choose between these on my BB team...

    A) Mahrez, Leno, Egan, Basham
    B) Ozil, Ederson, Lundstram, o'Connell

    Rest of the team is
    Henderson xxxxxx
    TAA xxxxx xxxxx Targett Lascelles
    De Bruyne Grealish McGinn Cantwell xxxxx
    Aguero Aubameyang Jimenez

    Thanks

  15. New Viera
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Fantastic article AZ

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks mate 🙂

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

        Az, I would really appreciate it if you could assist.

        I’m using FH for GW 30+.

        Which combo is better

        1. Henderson*, Alonso, TAA, Abraham

        2. Henderson*, Alonso, Bruno, Abraham

        3. Henderson*, TAA, Martial, Abraham

        4. Leno*, Stevens*, McGinn*, Mane

        Thanks 🙂

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

    I don't see many teams with Salah. Is there a real risk he won't be fit?

  17. third.time.lucky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which three out of Maguire, Martial, Mount and Son would you choose, with a plan to hold them for the rest of the season? Forget about price, position and who rivals have - purely on points potential. I have Bruno but no other Man Utd, Chelsea or Spurs players. Cheers

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

    Hi new here.

    Not doing well even before Covid.
    How's this BB team for GW30+
    Squads only worth 101.3

    Henderson
    TAA Egan O'Connell
    Kdb Mahrez Grealish McGinn Saka
    Auba Kun

    Leno Samatta Gomez Lascelle
    0.6 remaining

    Having 12 DGW.. Not sure how to go forward from here to season end. still have FH

  19. Charan77
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Good morning

    Need some help with this team thinking of BB as well and then WC straight after.

    Henderson, Reina
    TAA, Egan, Laporte,??
    KDB, grealish, fleck, saka, pepe
    Aguero, Auba, Samatta

    Need 2 more defenders and only have £8m ITB.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks

  20. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ok I've confused myself here. Do we normally get 2 wildcards in a season? I've played one wildcard but not sure if I have another or not?

  21. villa_til_i_die
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone going with any Arsenal defence?

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal have a defence?

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

      Leno only

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

    For GW30+ only:
    A) Reina + Jota
    B) Leno + Samatta

    Got too much invested into TAA, Mane and KDB to justify transferring them out for one week!

    Henderson - Reina/Leno
    TAA - Laporte - Egan - Targett - Hanley
    Mane - KDB - Saka - McGinn - Fleck
    Auba - Kun - Jota/Samatta

    Gtg? Thanks

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

      B. Reina might be dropped

  23. tjostolv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How do I know/see if my wc chip is still available?

  24. Hits Central
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on the BB team. WC in 31

    Henderson McGovern
    Mings Boldock O’Connell
    Sterling (C) KdB Grealish Saka McGinn
    Aguero Auba

    D Luiz TAA Greenwood

    1. The Colonel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Greenwood and McGovern? Waste of a BB with those two.

  25. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Planning to BB for GW 30+ but no WC for later so had to have some balance in teams. I do have FH though.

    BB Team:
    Leno Reina
    AWB O'connell Lascellas Aurier Saiss
    Grealish Sterlig KDB DouglasLuiz Hayden
    Auba Aguero Jimmy

    Had to get rid of TAA (for AWB) and Fernandes (for Hayden) to fit Aguero.
    THoughts?

  26. ChipsnGravy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone here not got a WC chip left like me..... what’s your strategy? I have BB & FH, stupidly didn’t touch my squad it lockdown. Weak defence but decent up front.

    Mac/Henderson
    TAA/Doh/Pereira/Williams/Marina
    Salah/KDG/Grealish/Traore/Saka
    Jimi/Abu/CL

    Currently planning to swap a few under the free transfers, DGW defenders in for the trash, then moving a couple in for future GWs. Hit BB this week and keep the FT for a week when surely something goes wrong.

    Or go for broke with a FH team built for DGW and then rebuild with a couple of hits in the transfers from then on.

    Chasing 10 points

    Thoughts?

    1. veedub1989
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Similar strategy here, although on FH remaining. I feel that I have a decent squad but need to take advantage of the DGW so have used FH for GW30+, I'll then make a few moves over the coming weeks to infill and replace on form.

      I think we'll all be chasing our tails a little as the players settle back into their pre-COVID-19 form and we have to reassemble our teams around the new fixture list, injuries and players adapting to the new atmosphere.

      Current team (GW38):
      Henderson
      TAA/VVD/Saiss/Lascelles
      KDB/Sarr/Mane/Bruno
      Jimi/DCL
      Subs: Pope/Aub/Traore/Taylor

      FH team (GW30+):

      Henderson
      Stevens/Laporte/Egan
      KDB/Mount/Bruno/Grealish
      Jimi/Aub/Aguero
      Subs: Pope/ Alonso/Saka/Saiss

  27. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Alonso nailed to start v Villa right?
    He has been favoured by Lampard before the break.

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

    Small potatoes here: which 3.9m defender is the most likely to see minutes this season?

    Schelotto
    Simpson
    Other

  29. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Good to go?

    Henderson
    Boly - TAA - Egan
    KDB - Sterling - Fleck - Grealish
    Aguero - Auba - Jiminez

    Button, Simpson, Hanley, Traore

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

      Looks good for this week

  30. Mambino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who feels a bit happier this weekend?

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

      I think I do. My highest was 80 on gw1 with a silly 3cap on Salah. This dgw and right transfers gave me back some valuable pts. Currently have 101 on Sat provisional. Hope to get 104 once confirmed. Still got couple games and players to rely on.