Pro Pundits - Tom

Identifying the non-‘big six’ clubs with the best early fixtures in 2020/21

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman (aka avfc82), looks at the favourable fixture runs of clubs outside the ‘big six’.


Though football in the COVID-19 era looks and feels different, home advantage is still a thing.

Yes, there has been a slight drop in home win percentage across Europe’s top leagues but the change is not large and, for most clubs outside of the elite, targeting wins at the location you know best still makes the most sense.

So, with this in mind, what I’ve tried to do in this article is identify the teams outside of the traditional ‘big six’ who have the best runs of consecutive, winnable home matches that we can tap into – the types of games managers will be earmarking for three points.

I’ll then offer my thoughts on the stand-out assets from each of the clubs discussed. You’ll notice that I’ve tried to ensure there are a few reasonable away matches thrown in too and that all of the runs I highlight start no later than Gameweek 6. At this stage, there seems little point looking too far ahead, but if it proves popular, it’s something I might revisit further down the line.

Also, because of the type of fixture runs I’ve focused on, I’ve removed games against last season’s Premier League top eight from my analysis, which is worth remembering when viewing the data.



BEST PLAYERS BY POSITION:

1,088 Comments Post a Comment
  1. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Martial Armstrong Soucek

    B) Greenwood Alli Brewster

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A.

      And if you're not expecting to play Soucek, why not get Brewster anyway, if you can upgrade well elsewhere with the extra 0.5m

    2. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    So after so much thinkering last few days, I've come up with this.But I still feel restless and unsettled with it:

    McCarthy (4.5) Steer (or any other 4.0 GK)
    Standard, template picks

    TAA (7.5) Vinagre (4.5) Ayling (4.5) Justin (4.5) Mitchell (4.0)
    Once again, template to the max. Ayling to bridge the gw2 and gw3 gap when Vingare and Justin play City, and getting the Leeds def early on, but I'll bench him most of the time.

    Auba (12.0) Salah (12.0) Perieria(6.0) Soucek (5.0) Gordon(4.5)
    Auba and Salah, template heavy hitters to begin with, easy downgrade, solid captaincy options gw1 and 2. I prefer Pereira to 6.0 fwds (read Mitro, I also feel WBA will be more attacking than Fulham). He has nice fixtures mid term (WBA second in the ticker for first 8 gws), but he could be another Emi Buendia. The idea is to keep him as long as possible, don't waste transfer there and hope for occasional return. Soucek, nice first thee fixtures,get him early, play him even in harder games, get returns for just 5.0, why trying to be clever with 5.5 options (although I like Podence, but Podence and Pereira combined looks like disaster waiting to happen).

    Vardy(10.0) Ings(8.5) Jimenez(8.5)
    Reliability, but it will be nightmare to move funds to midfield and defense from here.

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team. Not sure about periera. What’s the plan for United assets?

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

        Ty. It's either Vardy > Werner and ditching one of Ings/Jimenez early on for Martial (before drops/rises), or gw3 mini wildcard (-4) with choping and chanchig to get Bruno/Rash in. Or Werner and Martial from the start, and just bench Martial in gw1. I probably don't want to downgrade both Auba and Salah straight away gw3 and gw4, or even if I do, I will try to leave the money in the bank to get one of them when I want to captain in one move, i.e. Sterling/KDB > Auba/Salah.

  3. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    We need some old schoolers back in charge of FFS. This isn't the place it used to be. It feels like your local corner shop has been replaced by a Tesco Express. FFS has been in decline in terms of quality for a few years but this is a new low.

    "Come and work for us for free and you might reach the golden tree!".

    Make FFS great again!

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Are they not paying a wage!?

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And yet you are still here. So I guess that makes you the equivalent of the old couple down the road, peering through the window, that voted to close the borders because ‘they don’t like change’.

      1. Thug
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I misread that as peeing 🙂

  4. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Brewster gets loaned to a Championship club, he'll be essential.

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

      Definitely.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      When will he be loaned out ?

  5. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Getting more comfortable with this now, have 1.5 to do Son to Bruno GW2

    Ryan
    TAA, jwp, vinagre, Taylor, Mitchel
    Salah, auba, son, ASM, soucek
    Werner, martial, Brewster

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      nicely done

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I take it all back. No money itb

    3. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Considering you have no bench it's decent

    4. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      wait a sec, isnt that a 100m team

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

      It's also one of the possibilities for me too. Son makes it easier to get United midfielders.

      1. PepSala
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        you can't afford this team thats why it looks so good

        1. PepSala
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          nevermind...haha

    6. BarryManilows
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You’ll regret no debruyne

  6. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mitrovic or Adams?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mit

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

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

      Def Mitro

    5. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams!

    6. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rodrigo

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood, werner
    Or
    Zyech, Martial??

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would be tempted to start with both Werner and Ziyech, and then see how Man U set up in GW2. van de Beek = cat among the pigeons.

      1. Tortoise and De Gea
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This

    3. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A but very tough call

  8. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    0.5 in the bank, not sure where to invest.

    First thought is Salibre to a 5 but then I feel I'd be too heavy in defence.

    McCarthy // Steer

    TAA // Doherty // Salibre // Vinagre // Mitchell

    Aubamayang // Fernandes // Son // Ziyech // Soucek

    Werner // Adams // 4.5

    1. Tortoise and De Gea
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Money in the bank may be helpful at the start

    2. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's handy to have 0.5 itb for a future transfer if you're happy with your team

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing wrong with that, the team with distributed funds and 0.5 itb looks extra flexible.

    4. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salibre to Dier

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Or Egan

  9. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry if this has been done to death before now, but I only breeze in and out of this site occasionally.

    What impact do people think van de Beek's signing will have on Man U team selection and set-up? In a 4-3-3 Pogba and Bruno look cemented. VDB is talking about playing a more attacking role than at Ajax. Which puts one of Rash-Martial-Greenwood under threat?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think it’s a wait and see.

      But this kind of concerns me a bit, because you start getting to the point where there are too many mouths to feed.

      Sometimes, the less a player has around him the more reliant the team is on him. Auba is a fine example of this.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only sensible way of accomodating all three is a midfield diamond. I figure rotation will be involved

    3. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon pog will be DM

    4. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      casual

  10. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys. Currently have Ziyech in my side. Do you think he will start GW1/return from his injury in time?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think he should be OK. Mate of mine (and we both live in South Chelsea) said he trained today.

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Alright cheers mate

      2. The Orienteer - find me in …
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Where is 'South Chelsea' exactly?

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Oh, OK. Wandsworth I guess! Chelsea heartland though - not many Chelsea supporters live in Chelsea.

  11. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any idea who starts for Villa (Nyland or Steer)???

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nyland

      1. chilli con kone
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Based on? How confident?

        1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He's trying to Steer us in the wrong direction.....

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sounds like Romero is on the way, so neither.

    3. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Romero

    4. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What difference does it make? They don't play week 1. If your plan is to play one from GW 2 onward then you would sell your GW 1 keeper; since you have to sell him anyway, why not just bring in the other Villa Keeper?

  12. BarryManilows
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Somebody tell Messi to stay at Barca, Manchester is a rainy place full of brain dead locals, it won’t work out for him.

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Fishing much?

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        more troll than angler

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He posted this yesterday. A brain dead resident of Manchester who doesnt want foreigners taking their jobs me thinks

  13. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fewer and fewer teams with Harry Kane with each passing day.

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Has him him early on, but he doesn't start well does he! Then switched to Son, now going with Ali

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A couple of international goals would probably change that.

    3. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely not me

  14. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Seems that Ali is back then - playing behind Son in pre season and behind Kane after the restart last season. Could be a bargain at 8.0. Anyone else fancy it?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, quite tempted by Alli myself.

    2. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Glass hamstrings = not for me. I'd need a run of games first before I thiugh seriously about it. At his price I'm ok to wait on a couple rises

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        True - but he's gone a long while without injury and has had a good PS. Could hit the ground running. Perhaps I'd go with Ziyech, but don't want to double with Werner

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Loads of people based on the comments on here the last couple of days

    4. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He was in my plans alli+4.5m fwd or Ings + 4.5 mid..currently on Ings

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Both for me. Bound to change tho!

        1. Srv210
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I also got Son though

    5. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Documentary has me convinced

  15. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys. Have a slight dilemma at the moment. Which combo you prefer? Dier and Mitchell or Lamptey and Justin?

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

  16. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which pair looks good for first few weeks

    A) Tierney + VVD
    B) Bellerin + Robbo

    Arsenal defender + Ings = Martial +4.5 after favourable fixtures

    1. Reeceviljoen
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ti + Ro

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just read that van de Beek made the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or in 2019. Wow. He's a starter then!

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      so did Bernardo Silva, so maybe not.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I do not believe Ole is going to play him as a DM. Would be an utter waste.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wonder if Ole is going for a sort of total football style where they take turns going forwards or holding back. Well rounded players in midfield...

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pogba out

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Rumours are he's close to agreeing a new contract...

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Must be the Bale golf contract

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Imagine if Pogba willingly plays DM. That would be an incredible thing

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He'd lose interest after about 5 mins.

              1. Thug
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                as many as 5 minutes? He only plays properly after he gives away a daft penalty.

  18. wagwan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do people think of the strategy of starting with loads of money in the bank (5+mil) and using it to jump on the first bandwagons?

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me. I'm into the time value of points - get them in gw 1 when you can.

    2. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Could end in tears

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      8 years and you ask this? By bandwagon you mean gw1 scorers? Jeez

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Go easy WR!

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Still bitter after the cup defeat? 😀 How you doing?

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The bandwagons will be cheap players.

    5. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Madness

    6. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Most will be spending any saved money on Manc's, especially Utd

  19. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lads, here's where I keep landing at:

    Ryan / Button
    TAA, Doherty, Egan, Vinagre, KWP
    Salah, Aubameyang, Soucek / Greenwood, Gordon
    Werner, Ings / 4.5

    0.5 in the bank

    GW2: Ings to Martial
    GW3: Auba to KDB

    Good plan?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I can totally see why. Very nice side and good plan.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I sure as hell hope you're not being ironic, haha. Thank you for that, mate. Good luck for us!

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not at all! Really like your team. GL!

  20. mental
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Rashford and son
    or
    B.bruno and alli/ziyech

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rashford seems a little off currently..hence B

  21. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one do you prefer?
    ASM
    Armstrong
    Soucek

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek

    2. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers guys

    3. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What do you gain when you pose a question like this and get two identical responses with zero explanation?

      Absolutely naff all.

      1. king_jackson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Care to shed some light on your thoughts then??

  22. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    X
    TAA Dier Vinagre 4.0 X
    Salah Auba X Soucek 4.5
    Werner Martial Adams

    A) Ryan, KWP & Alli/Ziyech
    B) McCarthy, Justin & Alli/Ziyech
    C) McCarthy, Robbo & ASM

    Thoughts?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B with Alli

  23. SchluppsIDidItAgain
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi! New to the site - good team? There are no mids I fancy beyond premiums...

    Meslier
    TAA—Tierney—Vin—KWP
    Salah—Auba—Soucek
    Martial—Werner—richarlison

    Steer—Mitchell—berge—Bissouma

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Great team!

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Seems like Schlupp should be in your team

    3. Jonnyb40
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would maybe change meslier for McCarthy or Ryan. Other than that good line up

      1. SchluppsIDidItAgain
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys!

  24. Jonnyb40
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    45 mil too much for midfield?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      pretty much impossible to get Sala Auba Son without spending that much

      1. Jonnyb40
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I have those 3 plus ASM and traore

  25. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Docoure likely to get forward alot, what with everton signing Allan aswell? He finished the season for watford, practically playing as a no.10

  26. Huckfead
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Siyech or Pulisic? ,,,,,,and why?

    1. Jonnyb40
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would go with pulisic, had a good end to the season and saw a lot of potential.

    2. Huckfead
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks. Leaning that way as well but, Ziyech appears to be on free kicks and corners and is 0.5 cheaper

  27. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys, do you think Saliba will start?

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think he might, but too much of a risk imo

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I do. Forget the Community Shield, they use it to reward the players who won it

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not just that. With a couple of days of training use the fitest players who know the tactical system, aka the kids

      2. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys

  28. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Doherty or Tierney + 0.5?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I currently have both

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Like both. And Digne now...

      Increasingly tempted to at least go with two expensive defenders.

  29. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) salah, lamptey, saka and Adams
    B) Alli, Robbo, JWP and DCL

    Best combo to make friends with the below:

    McCarthy
    Justin TAA Dier Vinagre
    Foden Soucek Auba
    Martial Werner

    Foden and martial benched gw1 and will come in for Vinagre and Soucek for gw2

  30. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    which is a better back 3 for the long run?

    a) TAA Robbo Egan
    b) TAA Digne Doherty

    1. Jonnyb40
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A imo

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        thanks

    2. PartyPooper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Defo B. Double up top risky imo

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m so tempted to Dbl on Liverpool FBs would mean rashford over Fernandes!

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Love B. Juicy. Shame Doh/Dig are at 6 really but it's probably fair.