Pro Pundits

My Free Hit draft for FPL Double Gameweek 30+

As the Fantasy Premier League Double Gameweek 30+ deadline edges ever closer, I am feeling more confident about my latest draft.

As you know, it has been a strange few months. So strange in fact I now own three Manchester United players but only two from Liverpool.

I made the most of the slow Wildcard over the last few weeks, bringing in players who had good overall fixtures left, although in hindsight the decision to play the fixtures in the same order was a pretty obvious outcome, and one I didn’t think much about.

With £2.0m in the bank my team is flexible enough, at least from Gameweek 31+ onwards.

andys-pp-article

The only chip I have left is Free Hit. While I’m quite happy with this side for Gameweek 31+ (as happy as anyone can be not knowing how teams and players are going to react to the long break, and who might be in form), I’m not so happy about it for Gameweek 30+. There are not enough Double Gameweek players for my liking.

As there aren’t any more Double Gameweeks planned I don’t see a great reason for holding the Free Hit chip with only nine Gameweeks to go and that’s why it will be activated before Wednesday’s 5pm deadline. Here’s how the current draft looks.

andys-pp-article 1

There’s some players that have been in every single draft so far, they’re the more obvious picks, lets get them out of the way first:

Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) has scored 16 goals already this season, that’s the same as Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) in 849 fewer minutes. There’s naturally concerns about the Argentinian getting two starts but I’m hoping the temporary five substitute rule may actually help teams like Manchester City have a more consistent starting XI that they can manage the minutes of easier. 

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) was the first name in my team. From a pure FPL point of view he’s finally shown us what he can do while being fully fit for the season. He looks on course to smash his previous record season tally of 209 points and if anyone outside of Edersen (£6.0m) has a chance of starting twice, it’s De Bruyne. He’s top for minutes played by an outfield Manchester City player in 2019/20.

Aston Villa are not a team I’m looking to load up on players from. They’re very generous when it comes to conceding goals and I can’t get excited by many of their attackers. Jack Grealish (£6.4m) has to be in though. He’s had a good season with seven goals and seven assists and I’d expect him to continue as the main points scorer in the team. No midfielder at his price or under has scored more points, and he represents good value going into this week.

I see some concerns from people about having Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.m) in their teams, but he’s been so consistent again this season whether playing as a centre-forward, or in a wider position. I can’t look past him when he has two games, even if one of them is against Manchester City.

The bench is Emiliano Martínez (£4.2m), Matt Targett (£4.4m), Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m), and Ondrej Duda (£4.7m). I’m hopeful that I won’t have to rely on it this week.

John Lundstram (£4.9m) is currently missing from the team mostly due to fears of him having not won his place back completely from Sander Berge (£4.8m). The two goals he scored during a behind closed doors game has piqued my interest again though. I’m really hoping for early teams news that will let me swap him for John Egan (£4.6m). Lundstram has five double-figure hauls already this season. That’s four more than all of the other Sheffield United defenders combined. One start and a bench appearance in the other game could be enough to see him outscore the other options, and I, for one, am sick of being punished by ‘The Lord’.

With 10 clean sheets already this season I see the appeal of triple Sheffield United defence. My slight concern is whether there will be some rustiness to shake off which may lead to a few more goals than normal as players get up to speed. Dean Henderson (£5.3m) is also the goalkeeper who has prevented the highest expected goals at 4.4. You can view that from two ways – he’s a great goalkeeper, or at some point, he may not be able to keep preventing the number of good quality chances that the defenders are allowing. The triple up is an all eggs in one basket approach and I’m currently looking to avoid.

My third Sheffield United slot goes to Oliver McBurnie (£5.7m). I’ll be honest, this is a hard sell and you’d probably be better off without him, especially considering he has just four goals in 1,428 minutes of football. Around Gameweek 22 he started getting regular starts and minutes, although in the seven game period until the end of the season still only managed one goal. But there were some encouraging underlying statistics in that time. 

Elsewhere in the side, Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) gets one of the midfield slots. For the first 29 Gameweeks, I think it’s fair to see he’s flopped considering his hefty price tag. He’s scored fewer points than Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) having played considerably more minutes.

I am encouraged by the fact he has the second-highest expected goal involvement for all players this season. It hasn’t gone right for him in terms of actual points so far but at some point I’d expect it to click. The enforced break, and the potential return of Leroy Sané (£9.3m) could really help him too. This is a player with over 32 and 35 attacking returns in the last couple of seasons. This year he has 13 and if there’s anyone that is going to come back and be the opposite of the rest of the season I’m putting my money on Sterling. 

I’ll quickly touch on the single Gameweek players in the starting XI. As I mentioned for McBurnie and Sheffield United, I don’t think you can go wrong targeting Aston Villa’s defence for conceding goals and that’s why I’m looking at Chelsea players. It’s difficult to know exactly which side Frank Lampard will go with, but Mason Mount (£6.2m) has only failed to start three times in the league this season and with the ability to play centrally and off the left I’m hoping he’ll be given another start, although there is a lot of competition for places in that Chelsea team. 

Raúl Jiménez (£8.1m) is definitely a consideration up front instead of McBurnie but at the moment I’ve gone with Matt Doherty (£6.3m) for my Wolves player. When I look at single Gameweek fixtures in Gameweek 30+ a few stand out, and one of them is Wolves getting to play a poor West Ham side.

Jiménez is incredibly consistent and I don’t for one second think he won’t get some kind of return this week. But in a week when I’m using my final chip and am trying to improve on a poor rank I want to do something different. The Mexican has 19 attacking returns so far, but when you include clean sheets, Doherty isn’t far behind on 16. The Irish wing-back also has four double digital hauls vs Jiménez with three, so it’s not like he’s any less explosive on his day.

That trio of McBurnie, Mount and Doherty is about the only part of this team that’s now fully locked in. That could be any combo of Sheffield United, Chelsea or Wolves player, and I’d even be tempted by an Arsenal defender instead of Leno to go for something even more different.

But for now I’m trying not to overthink. I know the fixtures I want to target, and  I have a good core of Double Gameweek players I’m very happy with, alongside some calculated differntials.

We’re about to go into the unknown. We’ve heard the phrase “a new normal” a lot over the last few weeks and it’s going to apply to football as well. I’ve gone with what I know when picking this squad but the new normal could mean things are completely different, I just hope I’ve got at least some of it right. 

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4,183 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    First and hopefully last draft

    Leno-Button
    VVD-AWB-Lascelles-Egan-Kelly
    KDB-Sterling-Grealish-El Ghazi-Traore
    Aguero-Auba-Jota

    Is it good to go? Will do sterling to mane next Gw

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not the biggest fan of Leno, but looks great as you somehow fit in Aguero, Auba, Sterling and KDB

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good side. I hope Traore gets on the pitch regularly. Maybe upgrade Kelly; I expect a lot of benchers will required going forward.

  2. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this BB (then WC)?

    Ederson
    TAA, Lund, Bellerin
    KDB, Mahrez, Sarr, Grealish
    Abu, Vardy, McBurnie

    Henderson, Traore, Targett, Ward

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

      Not a huge fan on the McBurnie or Mahrez puck but other than that looks good. If Mahrez does play I’m sure he will be in the points just Sané is back as well I think?

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

    Good luck today everyone.

    BB team GTG ?

    Henderson Leno

    Doherty TAA Egan Stevens Fernandez

    Saka Mount KDB Grealish Fernandes

    Agüero Aubameyang Jimenez

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      OK side but Saka Fernandes Mount I would look more closely

  4. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For the rest of the season:

    A) Kun, Rash, Bruno
    B) Aubs, Vardy, Martial

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A for me. always worried about Martial fitness

  5. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Looking for 2 single GW players on a FH. Any position. Who would you go for?

    Or - Are David Luiz or Samatta better options?

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

      Whats the budget?

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

        Around 7m average, but happy to go higher with one and then someone like Targett to balance

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

          Pukki/Jota and Mount can work

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimmi and Doherty IMO

  6. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed excuse me
    No chips left so:
    Henderson (McCarthy) (Any ideas on cover for Henderson next GW?)
    Alonso TAA Lundstrum Laporte (Sais) (Alonso a punt and still undecided for Doherty)
    Grealish KDB Son Mahrez (Bruno) (Good players but impossible to get Salah back)
    Tammy Jimmi DCL (No DGW players. Hoping for a GW30+ fail) (I did have Jesus but bottled it)

    I have a major benching headache but sound team going forward IMO

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

      Pope and Krul can cover Henderson till end of the season

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you. My biggest dilemma atm.

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

      Probably too much cash at the back but who knows

      I’m in the same dilemma for keepers - I decided to drop Henderson because of price and go for Leno and McCarthy - will field Leno next game.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Holmes says Krul which is a nice punt for cover.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Who would you drop from defense?

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

    Mahrez, Lascelles
    vs
    Laporte, Mount

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

    Mcarty, xxx
    Taa, Lundstram, Egan, xxx, xxx
    Kdb, Mahrez, Mount, Grealish, xxx
    Auba, Aguero, Vardy

    A. Saka, Saiss, Lascales, Reina
    B. DLuiz, OConnell, Lascales, Pope
    C. Saka, OConnell, Hanley, Reina
    D. Something else

    Bb, have wc, fh

  9. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all, I'm on a BB GW30 (will be WC GW31) please pick one...

    a) Lascelles (SHU) + 0.2m (1 game)
    b) Targett (SHU/CHE) (2 games)

    Thanks in advance

  10. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    No much love for the likes of Ings or Barnes who were in top form beforehand and favourable fixtures to come...any reason?

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

      I have Ings, but the issue is nothing to play for really. Given his injury issues, I wouldn't be risking him much if I was Soton

  11. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Laporte/Salah

    Or

    Doherty/Sterling

    No chips so either I leave sterling+1m or just get salah now and take a punt on Laporte...

  12. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Free Hit Team:

    Leno, Steklenburg

    Stevens, Egan, Lundstram, TAA

    KDB, Sterling, Grealish

    Auba, Aguero, Jota

    Anything to change? Heard some positive quotes about Mahrez and wondering whether to go for him over Aguero?

    Any better options than Jota and TAA? 0 ITB.

    1. Half Blood Quince
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Team looks good. If you wanted to drop TAA I'd only suggest going for Doherty. Or all the way to Saiss and Jota -> Jimi.

      More importantly - what quotes about Mahrez?

  13. rowdog24
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Have been out of the game. So apologies for silly couple of questions:

    1. Is it likely that will be blank and double gameweeks after this week?
    2. If I have BB, WC and FH left, what is the latest thinking?

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

      No, Fa Cup & Champions league are all scheduled and do not clash. However what Covid-19 may bring, who knows ??

      Lots going for Unlimited Transfers and Bench Boosting then Wildcarding the Gameweek after and Free Hitting at the end. Beware of losing too much value in the bench boost though!!

  14. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Basham nailed?

  15. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On FH...

    A. Mount + Jimenez or
    B. B.Fernandes + Nketiah ?

  16. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am i missing something? Why are so many people not putting Liverpool players in their teams? Is it just because they don't have a DGW?

  17. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Looking to pick 2 of:

    A) TAA
    B) Pulisic
    C1) Jota
    C2) Samata

    On a Free Hit so no pressure long-term

    1. Goodnight Kiwi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TAA and Jota

  18. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Could someone explain what the best cause of action is, if you only have a FH chip left?

    Are people making a team on the current WC... and then instantly FH'ing to a team that's better for this weeks DGW? With the view to it going back to the WC team after this GW? i'm a bit confused..

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

      That does not work.
      Team will revert back.

  19. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    No WC just bench boost

    Team A

    Leno Ederson
    Alex-Arnold Doherty Basham Egan Mings
    DeBruyne Salah Mahrez Grealish Cantwell
    Rashford Jimenez Nketiah

    2.2m itb

    Team B
    Leno Reina
    Alexander-Arnold Doherty Egan Lundstram Lascelles
    Sterling DeBruyne Grealish Cantwell Fernandes
    Jimenez Aguero Nketiah

    1m itb to get Salah next week

    Edging towards B but maybe A better long term..

    Good luck all..

  20. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Can someone explain why so many are using their FH, at the same time we are given unlimited transfers?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Many like me have a cracking team to revert back to, when then have WC, BB & TC chips left to play.
      Those doing unlimited transfers will be WC next week to get rid of trash,
      I even considered a few transfers & play TC because of the double, KDB gets 10-15 pointer X3, will probably outscore everyone on the bench?

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

      because nobody wants to keep so much arsenal and aston villa players after that gameweek

  21. Goodnight Kiwi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Spent 30mins tinkering trying to get Sterling in but don't think it's worth it....
    A) Laporte, Mount and Pepe
    B) Lascelles, Traore and Sterling

    A right?

  22. 442lion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I just confirmed my changes. But having seen this article I now want to make use of that Free Hit. So if i go back on to transfers, make changes and select free hit, will my team return to how it was pre-lockdown, or return to how it was when I just made my initial changes?!

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

      This is my dilemma too! Would be great to use an "extra" wildcard for GW31+ then use the free hit to get all the sweet Double GW action and revert to ripper of a team going forward!

  23. 442lion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How have i just tried to replicate this Free hit draft and can't afford it?!

  24. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why are more people not wanting Samata on a FH?

    Feels like a guaranteed 4 points with any return pushing him close to double figures.

    Don't think he is great, but he is likely a return ahead of Jota just by minutes played, with double the chances to return! Not sure if I am missing something?

  25. johnotoole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If I used the free unlimited transfers to build a squad for GW 31+ onwards, confirm it, and then activate a Free Hit Chip, will my squad revert to the end of GW29? Or to the new "confirmed" squad I created before playing the Free Hit?

  26. MillsAU
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on...

    Mahrez, Lascelles
    vs
    Laporte, Mount

  27. juanitocrow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For this week only...

    A) Pepe - Fernandes
    -OR-
    B) Sterling - Mount

    I already have KDB

  28. John wick
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    BB team

    Ederson leno
    Lund Taa Egan Alonso saiss
    Kdb Mount Norwood Grealish Traore
    Kun Abua J.Ayew...

    Rate my team and if changes need do comment

    With 2nd wc still available

  29. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mendy likely to start??

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

    PLEASE HELP!

    If my team before lockdown was Team A. With the "free Wilcard", I've made changes to create Team B.

    If, however, I now want to use my Free Hit Chip for this week (GW30) to create Team C, what does my team revert to in GW31? Team A or Team B?