Podcast

Fantasy Football Scout share FPL tips with Mail+ ahead of new season

Fantasy Football Scout shared some FPL insight and tips with Mail+ this week.

David Munday and Sam Bonfield appeared on their website to talk about the key talking points ahead of the new season.

They discussed how to handle the lack of fixture for Manchester City and Manchester United in Blank Gameweek 1, including the various strategies of tackling that, with or without Wildcards.

Sam got stuck into the teams with the best fixtures at the start of the campaign, including her club Spurs before David highlighted which players have come into 2020/21 with attractive prices.

That included highlighting the £1.0m that could be saved by going with Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) instead of Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) while also discussing the price reductions on players such as Sergio Aguero (£10.5m) and Harry Kane (£10.5m).

Sam also looked at options at the opposite end of the scale, warning against investment in previously helpful assets who will struggle to offer value in 2020/21. That number included Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.5m) and John Lundstram (£5.5m) as well as a comparison between Danny Ings (£8.5m) and Che Adams (£6.0m).

Finally, the two FFS representatives gave their thoughts on the Gameweek 1 captaincy, highlighting the credentials of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m), Mohamed Salah (£12.0m), Timo Werner (£9.5m) and Kane.

You can watch the video HERE.

Best players by position:

390 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Irish Villan 1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts Lads?

    McCarthy

    TAA, Saliba, Lascelles, Justin

    Salah, Soucek, Auba

    Werner, Kane, Ings

    Thanks!!

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      How's your bench? Feel like one too many big hitter there, i'd go 442 with Son over Kane and move some money to defence. Check on Soucek status in presser.

      1. Irish Villan 1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe something like....

        Ramsdale

        TAA, Saliba, Lascelles, Justin

        Salah, Son, Auba

        Werner, Mitrovic, Ings

      2. Irish Villan 1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks BTW

  2. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    New draft - 3-4-3

    McCarthy nyland
    TAA Dier Taylor Mitchell Johnson
    Aubameyang Salah ASM Alli Stephens
    Werner Jimenez Mitrovic

    0.5 ITB
    Thoughts?

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

      Decent, Mitchell Johnson could get a few wickets.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That's the plan!

  3. Wozzza72
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Has anybody noticed how many peoples teams are very, very similar? Gonna be the fringe players that make the difference this yeat

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

      That's just FFS groupthink

  4. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Whats your fav, Havertz + Soucek, James + Pereira, or Barnes + Jota

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

      A

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        cheers on that one atm

  5. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Richarlison nailed on? What position did he play last season?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Played ST in a 442 most of the time i think. LW or ST depending on how formation changes with James coming in.

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thank you

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He's in my team atm, have a good feeling.

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

    Do you guyz think Doherty will start vs EVE?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      My guess is no.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

  7. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on West Brom goalkeeper? Any clean sheet potential?

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

      No. But saves and penalty saves.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you know Johnstones Xpensaves stats?

    2. Lukakus Unit
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Honestly think West Brom keeper duo is underrated.

      I don't think there's a lot of clean sheet potential, but Johnstone could rack up the save points and is good at stopping penalties. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with 150+ points. He's as nailed as they come as well.

      Button is a good backup and he's only 4.0.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That last sentence is the reason i have him, but good to here those other reasons too.

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I don't think the Button up should be a factor

          Many went Ryan over Pope/Henderson last year due to that, which was a mistake

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Would personally prefer a 2x4.5 keeper rotation, as i'm expecting postponements due to covid. At least Johnstone Button combo gives me cover for one team.

            1. Ser Davos
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Fair reasoning

      2. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed. Particularly in the absence of a Pope/Henderson

        Ramsdale or a returning Heaton may be those, but that costs time or money

        Good fix too

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

    4th mid:
    a) Perrerira
    b) ASM

    1. Lukakus Unit
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pereira IMO.

    2. piotas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like Pereira

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

    thoughts??

    McCarthy
    KWP, TAA, Davies, Doherty
    Salah, Auba, ASM
    Kane, Werner, Mitrovic

    Bench: Nyland, Bissouma, Anguissa, Mitchell

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like that team. Confident Anguissa will start? Has he played during preseason?

  10. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed.
    Think I'm somewhat locked in, in terms of structure and plan atleast. Plan was first to early WC but now I think I'll do fine with just a hit.

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Davies (Ayling, Mitchell)
    Salah Havertz Auba ASM/Saka/Podence
    Adams Antonio/Wilson Werner

    1m itb.

    GW2: Plan is to transfer Antonio/Wilson and Salah for Bruno and Martial for -4.
    GW3: Auba > KDB/Sterling

    Best 1 week punt:
    A) Wilson
    B) Antonio

    Do you think the hit is fine? I'm going to cap Salah gw1.

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

    Best FPL formation?
    A) 4-4-2
    B) 4-3-3
    C) 3-4-3
    D) 3-5-2

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I always start with 433 or 442 then when i have around 101.5m value i change to 352 or 343.

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

      2-5-5-3

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      442 I think

      Can easily become 3-4-3 or 3-5-2

      I'm on it as we're not sure where the value lies atm

      343 backs you in a little bit to the third striker roulette which can be torturous

      3-5-2 can prevent jumping on board that third striker if necessary

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

    Doherty should still start right? Even though Aurier is still at the club?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      50-50

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

        Why would he have bought him for it to be 50/50

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Talking about this weekend. 0 games for Spurs, was with Ireland last weekend. I'm thinking there's a good chance Mou will play Aurier who's used to the system.

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

            I disagree. Mou won't start the first GW in a big game with a player that is clearly not in his future plans. Not exactly going to get a good game out of Aurier when the guy knows he is going to be dropped the following week

  13. fplconte
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do we have any idea when Ricardo Pereira will be fit and Justin will likely lose his place?

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

      GW5 at the earliest. But there is a chance he could just play LB instead. I think he's nailed for at least 4 weeks and that will do just fine for me.

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

        Yeah, I think he goes to leftback when Pereira comes back, and Fuchs is out longterm

  14. All For One
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Taa, KWP, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah, Auba, Son, ASM
    Ings, Werner

    Button, Stephens, Davis, Taylor

    1Mil ITB

    Plan is Auba>Kdb, Werner>Wilson, Son>Pulisic, ASM> Bruno

    Thoughts please.

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

      Not bad at all

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

      Your plan will most likely backfire if you have exact budget and don't want to take a -12 hit.

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

        Also, are you happy to play three of KWP, Justin, Taylor and Mitchell every week?

  15. Mighty Wings
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What about this for a start?

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Doherty Egan Taylor Mitchell
    Salah Auba ASM Soucek Bissouma
    Werner Vardy Adams

    Adams is a punt I'm willing to take, easy switch to Mitro or Wilson if he does not deliver
    Monitoring the Soucek and Mitchell situations
    Salah, Auba, Vardy to Bruno, KDB, Martial depending on fixtures/form in future gameweeks

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

      Not bad.

      Personally I'd go Tierney and KWP rather than Doherty and Mitchell

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

      Mitchell is only relevant I think if you need him in week 1. Even then I imagine Bissouma will match him 🙁 The fixtures he might get are pretty unappetising

      Prefer personally to punt on Ferguson Buur or even Branthwaite.

      Doubt Ferguson starts any time soon myself but he's more likely to get regular minutes and could just appear around Palace fixture turn.

      Buur is an intriguing punt. Wolves is a tasty defence and they look very short on the right. Have no idea how close he is.

    3. Mighty Wings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      thanks guys

      Buur could be an option, trying to get more news until the deadline

  16. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rethinking the Liverpool fixture turn.

    If you regard the key third asset as a second defender then it's not GW9 after City but much earlier. That City fixture is an outlier from GW4 on.

  17. Barns
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a reason that there seems to be a lack of interest in Zaha? His preseason form is excellent and could get points in gw1 against Southampton at home. I’m currently on Zaha with 0.5 itb to upgrade to Greenwood for gw2 (unless he’s dropped for his England antics). Are there any other 7/7.5m mids you would choose over Zaha for gw1? I was on Barnes at one point but not totally convinced by Leicester right now.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha is a good option at that price range.

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

      I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been burned by Zaha looking like great value but then disappointing.

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

      Think i would prefer Barnes and see how Zaha looks - Palace seem to be trying to buy a forward so may be back on the wing soon enough

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

      In two minds on Zaha

      Batshuayi in is defo good news for Zaha but that won't come into play week 1. Week 2 iffy to say the least.

      There's a really high GI probability with Zaha and Palace if as is likely he's fairly central and high. We do normally actually score at Selhurst just one at a time 😀

      The down side is Southampton turned us over good and proper at Selhurst last time out. Not sure they're a good match up with their press. Not feeling confident at all

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

        Thanks, interesting to hear a Palace fans perspective. I know Southampton had a good end of season but feel they may be being slightly overrated, but if you feel they’re a bad match up then that’s something to consider. It’s really between Zaha and Barnes at the price point for me and I feel that Zaha has more of an upside, especially if playing more central.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          In exactly the same spot fwiw and currently have Zaha in 🙂 He has looked good and historically he's value when oop.

          Looking at Hames as the other I could get. Doubt I'll get Barnes as Vardy is fixed in my set up.

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

            I think James is my backup for greenwood if he looks good gw1 but too much of a punt to go with straight away for me.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Agreed

              My other option is just to say Robbo is a mid really who might get cs as well. It adds up as it gives me a convenient 0.5 itb. I just get a very curious looking midfield. Very curious. Not one I'm tempted to show anyone 😀

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

                I’ve also thought about Robbo, but I know if I double up on Liverpool at the back a Leeds goal is inevitable

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

        Is Batshuayi a done deal to Palace? I think he might be a great option up front if so

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Pretty sure so

          itk poster on Palace forum who gets most things right has it as a loan with option to buy at end of season at 20 mill. It adds up when you consider the apparently sealed loan for Gallagher fell through.

          Very positive for Palace if it does indeed go through. Pick go the 6.0s in my book pretty much wherever he lands and already has good relationship with Palace. GW5 on he's very high on my wishlist

  18. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Each of my teams is a template, and I've already got a few "arise" from THE KNIGHTS TEMPLATE.

    The question is, how many differentials to put in the team?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have Pulisic and Nketiah both under 4%

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have Pereira only. Pulisic good player but have Werner and Puli was some injury i think.

  19. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Following wilder pressers would be nervous holding a Sheffield defender that isn’t Ramsdale

    Big wait and see

  20. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys. How is this team looking? Feel like its not there yet.

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Egan Davies Saiss Buur
    Salah/Mane Auba Son ASM JWP
    Wilson Ings Davis

    Leaves me with 1M

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would lose Mane or Salah and upgrade Wilson to Werner

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who would you replace Pool mids with?

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

      Personally i quite like it - leaves you plenty of options to bring in UTD if ou wanted them too.

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes thats the plan leaves it open a bit. Feel like team needs fine tuning though

  21. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Rodrigo (Leeds) worth a punt?
    I can imagine Bielsa has a trick up his sleeve.

    1. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bad fixtures, but good option for 6.0

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

      Likely will need some time to bed into the Leeds system so don't expect him to start immediately - also his goalscoring record is actually quite poor

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        They said the same about Jiminez, but not dismissing your point

        1. Lukakus Unit
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Rodrigo won't be playing with Jota, Traore, Johnny, Doherty, Moutinho, Neves ...

          1. Ser Davos
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            True, but got a feeling that Bielsa Ball is going to potentially offer up some decent potential

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

              Definitely, but not even worth considering until week 4/5. Will take a while to fully bed him in (fitness and new high pressing tactics) and figure out where he's best positioned.

              If he were a midfielder I'd have him in for sure, reckon there's a lot of assist potential, even if goals haven't always been his forte.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have Nketiah 6.0 to start but will monitor Rodrigo and Mitro

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

        Do you think Nketiah at 6.0 is good value then? Seems a lot for a striker who's not nailed and competing with Laca.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Just a punt for first two. Laca hasn't had a full preseason and Nketiah has played well i've read.

    4. leonickroberts
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not worth it to start. Still unclear whether he'll be used as a 9 in competition with Bamford, or second striker/10/wide forward.

      I'm a Leeds fan and I'm steering clear of our attack until things become clearer, the window closes, and fixtures improve (got a horrible start).

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

        Which Douglas takes the free-kicks?

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

          Douglas unlikely to start. He' not Bielsa's favourite and has been rumoured to be leaving. Dallas the best shout to start at LB.

          Kalvin Phillips currently on free kicks and corners, but not particularly amazing at them imo. Bamford/Klich on penalties (depending on Bamford's confidence).

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

            Ah right, didn't realise that. Cheers!

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

          Douglas is 3rd choice in his position.

  22. Dr_ban_her
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How's it going ....

    Can I get some thoughts on this makeshift team. Thanks.

    Ramsdale ( Nyland )

    Tierney. Mitchell. TAA. Davies. Vinagre.

    Aubameyang. Bissouma. Mane. Doucoure. Pereira.

    Werner. Ings. Wilson.

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

      Assuming 3-4-3 it seems fine - would probably prefer Armstrong or ASM as the 5.5 mid

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

        Cheers chap.

        Not keen on ASM. I had Christian Atsu last outing and he choked too.

        I may take your advice on Armstrong though. Decent footballer !

  23. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Soucek is fit he plays right? He's pretty important to their team now.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  24. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any love for Joelinton or will he lose his place? Looking for an Adams replacement

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if you can get to Wilson's price, don't hesitate. He's 10x the better pick than Joelinton. Others include Mitrovic, Ayew and Nketiah, otherwise no one really

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

        Batsman if he goes to Palace?

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why are you replacing Adams?

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

        Can't really convince myself to keep him.. 6.0 is decent amount to spend over a player who will probabily only play 60min so yeah. Second striker, not a great team, Ings scores most of the time,.. Yeah don't know yet

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

          Mitrovic proven goalscorer, in the prem, champ and international. Will always start too, think he's the easy 6 choice currently. Bats if he goes to palace too. Adams, Ayew, Nketiah, Joel not locked in for starts, sort of been surprised about how popular Adams is tbh.

  25. KneejerkJoe
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi!
    Care to rate my team / plan ?

    Ramsdale
    Justin TAA Tierney Egan
    Alli Mane Auba (C)
    Wilson Richarlison Ings
    ....Nyland Mitchell Bissouma Lemina

    GW2: Ings -> Martial
    GW3: WC

    Would like Firmino instead of Ings gw1, but missing 0,5m... Bellerin or M-Niles for Tierney can be a way, but dont know whos starting?

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

      Looks fine, weak bench but you know that. Would presonally much prefer Ings over Firmino though

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

        Thanks 🙂

  26. ritzyd
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have been looking in more detail at captaincy from last season thinking about the optimum selection strategy and trying to vaguely plan accordingly. TLDR: It's most important to target captaincy picks playing at home first and then targeting weak defences generally thereafter if no favourable home games are available.

    Method: I took the most captainable premiums from last season and looked to see who they got their 10+ hauls against. The players looked at were Salah, Mane, KDB, Vardy, Auba, Sterling, Martial, Son, Fernandes, Aguero & Kane.

    Those players got 68 10+ hauls between them last season. And they got them against:
    8 vs Villa
    7 vs Arsenal
    6 vs Newcastle, Bournemouth and Brighton
    5 vs Watford
    4 vs West Ham
    3 vs Norwich, Southampton, Sheff Utd, Palace, Everton and Liverpool
    2 vs Burnley, Wolves and Leicester
    1 vs Man City and Spurs

    I'm going to discount the City, Spurs and Liverpool results as i don't think you would honestly have captained a player against those teams. I don't actually think you would have chosen to captain players vs the likes of wolves, burnley, sheff utd either but have left those results in the data. Taking those out would only have improved the conclusions particularly in regard to targeting weak defences.

    So that gives us 63 double digit hauls for the captain picks above. So how can we reduce the variance further?

    First of all - of the 63 double digit returns 43 of them came while the captain was playing at home, so 68% of the time, this is quite significant despite the small sample size therefore where possible choose a captain playing at home as the simplest metric.

    How can we refine this further? I next looked at my two favourite stats to spot weak defences, Xgc (expected goals conceded) and SIBC (shots in box conceded). The bottom 5 teams for one or both of these stats were: West Ham, Villa, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton. That was 33 of the 63 double digit hauls or 53%. Adding in the 6th worst team for either Xgc or SIB actually improved this to 45 out of the 63 returns or a significant 71% of the time. One outlier that was interesting was KDB with half his 10+ games coming against better sides.

    So using transfers to bring in captainable assets that have home games against one the bottom 5 weakest defences based on xgc or sibc is a very strong strategy (obviously a bit of luck still needed!). Where a home game against bottom 5 xgc/sibc is not vailable then an away game against one of them is the next best choice.

    So who are the worst 5 defences likely to be this season? Until some data forms over the first 6-8 gameweeks I would hazard an educated guess at Fulham, West Brom, West Ham, Villa and Palace. (Newcastle just scraped their way out of this list!).

    That makes the following premium captaincy options very interesting to me over the first 8 weeks while waiting for the picture to clear and will be using my transfers accordingly:

    GW1 - Auba vs Fulham
    GW2 - Auba vs West Ham or Fernandes/Rashford/Martial vs Palace
    GW3 – Kane/Son vs Newcastle or Werner/Pulisic/Havertz vs West Brom
    GW4 - Werner/Pulisic/Havertz vs Palace
    GW5 - Son/Kane vs West Ham
    GW6 - Sterling/KDB/Aguero vs West Ham
    GW7 - Salah/Mane vs West Ham
    GW8 - Auba vs Villa

    Interestingly no City or Liverpool until GW6 . . . . .

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Great work! Really insightful. I find it very weird that no Liverpool or City assets are top captaincy options for a few weeks, does this mean we could go without them from the beginning?

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

        It's certainly made me think twice about rushing to get them in and maybe even starting without Pool attack too. Really depends if you agree with my assesment of who you think the worst 5 defences are going to be over the first 6-8 weeks. Going by the fixture ticker here on the right, for example, then Leeds would enter that equation and would therefore be potential captaincy options for a pool player in GW1 and a city player in GW 4 but i personally think Leeds will be quite solid.

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

      Good post

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

      Very fascinating, nice work

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

        Hmm, hadn't read that and don't have time right now but interesting that in conclusion SIBC is one of the favoured metrics for them, i use it just from personal choice/experience and have never really done the detail on it. Will read this more - nice link!

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

      I was considering leaving the Salah and this may have twisted my arm.

    5. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      that and united are only really strong for wk2.

      Arsenal - Chelsea - Sp8rs the way to go then

    6. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good post, but based on the statistics surely Salah at home vs Leeds is the better pick than Auba away

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

        The Auba pick is purely, for me, down to the fact i think Leeds will be quite solid defensively whereas Fulham look awful. Last season Fulham home Xgc 44.25 and Leeds away Xgc 19.7 so it's that which puts me off Salah.

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

          Interesting, cheers

        2. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Where did you get those stats from? From what I could find, Fulham had a home xGA of 1.31 which equals around 30 for the season and Leeds an away xGA of 1.21 per game which comes to around 28 over the season.

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

          19 away goals? That’s loads, especially in a league as poor as the Championship.

    7. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      fairly obvious conclusion but nice post, Auba and Son or Alli -> KDB and Havertz GW3/4 locked in 😀

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

        Yep - agreed 😀 Looking at a similar move although prefer Sterling to KDB i think. Will see how they look!

    8. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think for GW3 Kdb could be an option, at home, against a quality side in Leicester, against such teams he usually plays in the hole with two CM/DMs behind him (gundogan/Rodriguez)

      1. Munchen KFC
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nice analysis. No real rush to get Man United players in contrast to the mass planning of players to either bench one for gw1 or bring one in gw2 or gw3.

      2. Munchen KFC
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agree with the city captain gw3

  27. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not seen any love for Willian 8M could be a steal?

    He was class last season ... any reasons why?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      More other options. Also if u have auba why will you need willian?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Also he might not start

      2. Angin out the Begović
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Someones gunna be assisting him 😉

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not even nailed, he's older, had a purple patch near the end but will dry up. Greenwood, Havertz, Ziyech, Pulisic, Barnes, Rodriguez all better picks imo

  28. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A penny for your thoughts on this lot:

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Vinagre Justin Saliba Mitchell
    Salah Auba Son Barnes Soucek
    Werner Mitro Davis

    1.5 ITB

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

      Good. I'd spend that 1.5 on upgrading Davis, Barnes or Mitchell.

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

        Saving it to do Son -> Bruno in GW2, then I'll probably do Auba -> KDB in GW3

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

    Latest on Vinagre and Soucek?

    Worth punting on both?

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

      The way I see it, if Soucek is fit to play he plays. Vinagre hasn't been sold - Don't see why he would start with the new guy over him if he is staying. So yeah, tempted by both

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I've got a suspicion that Vinagre is the bargain that's loitering right under a noses. Usually the best bargains have those type of question marks

        Lundstram hadn't had a sniff of the Championship prior to last season

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

      I'm on Soucek but not risking Vinagre, like Justin feels like a transfer waiting to happen

    3. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like Porto cant afford him

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

      Have both atm, but not sure... Ritchie instead of Soucek might be interessting...

    5. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      by the sounds of things Vinagre was nearly out the door so Wolves could get money for a midfielder. So now hes staying i cant put him in my team and say 100% he'll start GW1
      Soucek im keeping, if he plays bonus, if not Bissouma will come in off bench

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

    Thoughts on best 5m def:

    1. Egan
    2. Dier
    3. Saiss
    4. Keane

    Based on that i'll then pick a 4.5m which isnt KWP to cover the bad 5m fixutre, e.g. if Saiss then Dallas looks good to cover GW2, or Dier GW4 doesnt look good, so Taylor looks a better pick

    Anyone else sussed a combo out?