Pro Pundits - Sam

What has Gameweek 6 taught us about investing in defenders in FPL?

After witnessing a slight drop-off in goals, FPL Family’s Sam wonders if now is the time to start spending more money on our Fantasy Premier League defences.


Sometimes you have Gameweeks where everything goes to plan.

Then there was Gameweek 6.

Injury and suspension dent Everton's FPL appeal and expose squad depth issues 1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin blanked for the first time this season in Gameweek 6

My team ahead of the deadline looked to have the perfect storm of form and fixtures: Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) at home to a defensively poor Sheffield United, Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) at home to Chelsea in a game that looked to have goals written all over it, an in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m)… the list goes on, but come Sunday night my biggest points returns were from Bruno’s clean sheet point and Emiliano Martinez‘s (£4.8m) save points.

Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Son Heung-min (£9.5m) saved the day on Monday evening, turning a complete nightmare week into something that was passable, but it could have been so much better if I’d just not benched 19 points!

Son and Kane celebrate vs Burnley: Son’s goal was the 29th time they have combined and the ninth time this has happened this season

Sometimes on the back of a bad Gameweek, you know that you need wholesale changes – but looking at my team in the aftermath last weekend, that does not seem to be the case. My premium assets still continue to have nice fixtures and in the case of the dynamic duo (Kane and Son), continue to be in good form.

While planning for Gameweek 7, rather than firefighting with my team, it seems to me that I am planning now for a change in FPL strategy.

This season, roughly speaking, correlates to the last few seasons in terms of the number of clean sheets kept across the Premier League. However, the number of goals scored in each of the opening few Gameweeks has been up on the norm, with records broken for the number of goals plundered. As a result, investing in the defence hasn’t been a priority for many FPL managers, myself included, as we look for cheaper options or those who are more likely to achieve an attacking return.

Gameweek 6 felt different and there were just 19 goals scored in the latest round of fixtures, a significant decrease on the two previous Gameweeks (39 in Gameweek 4 and 28 in Gameweek 5).

Similarly, there were four clean sheets registered in Gameweek 4; this rose to five in Gameweek 5 and to six in Gameweek 6. This trend for increases in clean sheets and decreases in goals scored week on week suggests that potentially now is the time that we as FPL managers should be looking to invest more of our budget in our defensive units.

Which defences should we be looking at?

When you sort the Season Ticker by difficulty and by defence, Crystal Palace sit pretty at the top. Tyrick Mitchell (£4.2m) is the Eagles’ most-owned FPL asset and is also the ninth-most owned player in the game. Indeed, he is the second most-owned defender, trailing only Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m).

Alexander-Arnold's consistency continues as Firmino unlucky to blank

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool

Mitchell held his spot in both Gameweeks 5 and 6 when Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) was back available. Indeed, when van Aanholt entered the field in Gameweek 6, it was for Nathanial Clyne (£4.5m) rather than Mitchell, which possibly bodes well for his FPL owners as Palace embark on a run of fixtures which should see clean sheet points for their defenders.

Most FPL managers won’t be looking at any more Crystal Palace defenders if they already own Mitchell – so who else should we be paying attention to?

Chelsea

Ben Chilwell celebrates scoring for Chelsea

Over the last year, it has been very difficult to invest in the Chelsea defence. Mistakes from the backline as well as from the goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.8m), meant that money was better spent elsewhere.

However, the signings of Ben Chilwell (£5.8m), Thiago Silva (£5.5m) and new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) have made a big difference. These three players have only started together three times for Chelsea so far in all competitions (as a result of injuries) but all three matches have resulted in clean sheets. Of the three, Chilwell for me looks the most exciting FPL option. Whilst both Mendy and Silva have the potential to return the much longed-for clean sheet points, Chilwell’s potential upside is much greater.

In the three Premier League matches he has played for Chelsea so far, he has returned in every one. With two clean aheets, two assists and a goal, as well as all three bonus points in Gameweek 4, Chilwell looks a great option.

West Ham United

At the start of the 2020/21 season, most FPL managers had a hard avoid on West Ham. The fixtures from Gameweek 2 all the way through to Gameweek 9 looked incredibly difficult and it was hard to see where West Ham would pick up any Premier League points, never mind any FPL points for their owners.

Fast forward to now and West Ham have managed to win two games against Leicester and Wolves as well as pick up two draws against Spurs and Manchester City. As a result of their strong performances in the league, FPL managers are starting to take note of the Hammers and their FPL prices are on the rise. However, it is mostly the likes of Michail Antonio (£6.3m), Thomas Soucek (£4.9m) and Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m) that appear on FPL radars as a result of their attacking underlying stats.

But the West Ham defence shouldn’t go overlooked. The Hammers have already kept two clean sheets so far this season, against Wolves and Leicester, which came at a time when many FPL managers were expecting West Ham to get turned over.

Factor in attacking returns for both Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) and Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) as well as a fixture shift after they play Liverpool in Gameweek 7, and the West Ham defence looks a promising opportunity for points returns and differentials too.

Cresswell and Ogbonna celebrate West Hams win over Leicester in Gameweek 4

Cresswell is West Ham’s most-owned player, aside from their understudy goalkeeper David Martin (£4.0m), and it isn’t hard to see why: from Gameweeks 3 to 5 he returned seven, 15 and five points in FPL respectively. These hauls included clean sheets, assists and bonus points to illustrate his broad appeal but at £5.0m, he may be seen as a luxury pick for many FPL managers. Enter Coufal.

The Czech Republic international made his first start for West Ham in Gameweek 4 and has played every minute for them in the Premier League since then. In that time he has returned a total of 16 points in matches against three of last year’s top six, made up of a clean sheet, two assists and two bonus points.

Coufal looks like a fantastic option after the Liverpool game in Gameweek 7. His link-up play with Antonio was superb and managers who invest in the Hammers’ new boy will be hoping for a quick return for Antonio following his hamstring strain in Gameweek 6, as the prospect of a nice run of fixtures from Gameweek 8 until Christmas looks great for an in-form £4.5m defender.

Leicester City

Vardy and Ings start in Sunday's early kick-offs

Leicester have had a difficult start to 2020/21 in terms of their injury list. Having lost key players such as Caglar Soyuncu (£5.4m), Wilfred Ndidi (£4.8m), Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) and, at points this season, both Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and James Maddison (£7.0m), Leicester have struggled with consistency both in terms of the personnel deployed and Premier League results.

However, with Vardy and Maddison back from injury and Wesley Fofana (£5.0m) starring at centre-half, there is now much more upside to investment in Leicester, as well as the potential for increased clean sheets with a decent run of fixtures over the next few weeks.

James Justin (£4.8m) and Timothy Castagne (£5.8m) have impressed so far, with both managing two clean sheets in their opening six games as well as returning two goals and four assists between them in that time. With Soyuncu and Pereira both still on the sidelines for many Gameweeks yet, Justin especially looks like an increasingly good FPL option.

At a whole million less than Castagne, Justin enables FPL managers the opportunity to enhance their defence without having to hugely increase the budget spent. For me, he is just as good an investment as his more expensive teammate.

Southampton

Walker-Peters has fixtures but as yet unproven pedigree as a budget FPL defender

Southampton definitely don’t offer the differential defensive picks that some of the other teams discussed do. However, after two very disappointing results to start the season, the Saints have found their feet.

Last year, the defeat to Leicester acted as a catalyst for change at Southampton, who went back to basics and toughened up defensively, resulting in some excellent returns for the likes of Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m).

The Gameweek 2 defeat to Spurs seems to have had the same effect on the Saints this season, with three clean sheets out of four games since. The improvements in the performances from the Southampton rearguard make them worthy of our investment. However, with McCarthy owned by 19% of the game and Walker-Peters 10.7%, they aren’t differential picks.

At the start of the season, I made the decision to invest in both McCarthy and Walker-Peters. After Gameweek 2, I thought that was a big mistake. However, the double-up of defensive points when they keep a clean sheet means that actually, they have become differentials in my team as a result of owning both.

Southampton play Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves in their next three. Both Wolves and Aston Villa have made strong starts to the season but the latter’s result against Leeds and Wolves’ unconvincing one-goal wins in both Gameweeks 5 and 6 make me think there is potential for clean sheets for Saints, especially if the defence remains as tight and focused as we saw against Everton last weekend.

Wolves

Romain Saiss in action for Wolves

The loss of Jonny (£5.4m) to injury, alongside the departure of Matt Doherty (£5.8m) to Spurs, meant that for many FPL managers – myself included – the usually solid and investable Wolves defence felt risky. However, with three clean sheets in six matches, Wolves have started the season well.

Romain Saiss (£5.3m) is at the heart of this. His goal, four clean sheets and seven bonus points so far show why he has had three price rises already. The Moroccan is a prime example of a player that is worth moving some of the budget out of the attack and back into defence for. The potential for clean sheets coupled with the attacking upside of his game and the fact that he is a bonus point magnet mean that Saiss is a player that FPL managers should ignore at their peril.

However, if the budget really can’t stretch to Saiss, then Max Kilman (£4.2m) offers a potential option. Kilman has played really well in the Wolves defence, earning a lot of credit from captain Conor Coady (£5.0m) as well as a man of the match award in the game against Leeds where he kept the clean sheet, registered an assist and collected all three bonus points.

Fernando Marcal’s (£4.9m) return from injury, however, could prove to be a potential banana skin for Kilman: if Wolves bring Marcal straight back into the starting XI, it would leave Kilman and Saiss potentially competing for the same position. Saiss can of course play further forward in Leander Dendoncker’s (£4.9m) role, which would allow both Kilman and Saiss to start alongside Marcal, but we haven’t seen that tactic used in a while and Kilman does feel a little risky until we learn more about how Wolves plan to line up moving forwards.

Big at the Back?

The 2020/21 season has all been about the attacking assets. With some of the highest scoring Gameweeks in Premier League history as well as huge points returns for FPL forwards and midfielders, the defence has been an area to invest less in – both in terms of time planning and thinking as well as budget.

Suddenly, owning Alexander-Arnold feels good again on the back of a really positive performance in the Champions League on Tuesday which saw him keep a clean sheet and register an assist. He was unlucky not to register points in Gameweek 6, too.

Alongside him, it no longer feels ok to have a series of £4.5m defenders. Whilst the likes of Coufal and Mitchell look like great options if they continue to start, freeing up cash for the likes of Chilwell, Saiss and other £5.0m+ assets seems like a really good FPL strategy.

For me, a rethink of budget distribution is definitely on the cards to ensure that I have the right defensive options now that the rate of clean sheets is on the rise.


How Scout Network managers are finding balance in midfield

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

649 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any changes required here? 0.6itb...can't see anything myself?!

    Martinez
    Robbo - Saiss - Chilwell
    Salah (vc) - Son - Pulisic - Foden - Grealish
    Kane (c) - DCL

    Kilman - Mitchell - Brewster

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

      Nah absolutely fine for this week. Roll if you can.

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers SB!

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It’s good. Kane vs Salah for the armband the only dilemma

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah been debating this one too but just think Brighton’s defence is more leaky?? Toss a coin huh?

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks great - GTG

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thx Miguel appreciate it mate!

  2. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would be good to see Rashford or Greenwood pick up some genuine form in the league in time for that WBA game. Would be a lot easier to fit in than Bruno.

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes definitely but people bringing Rashford already I’m tempted myself he could rise close to 10m by then.

  3. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No good to go nunoooooooooo!

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers buddy!! 🙂

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hakim Ziyech looked good and some solid numbers in the CL. He will be the man to get from Chelsea imo once they click.. multiple routes to points. Pulisic and Werner will be the out and out goal scorers

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Interestingly he wasn't taking corners yesterday whilst Chilwell was on the pitch.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 5 months ago

        In my team already

      • ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What a player he is

    3. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez
      James Saiss TAA
      Podence Salah Son Foden
      Kane DCL Jimenez
      (Steer Burke Lamptey Mitchell)

      1.3ITB & 2FT

      a) James > Chilwell
      b) Podence > Barkley
      c) Burke > Soucek
      d) James & Podence > Coufal & Grealish

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

        Same boat with james

        Guess he plays this weekend - but longer terms he isn't nailed...

    4. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play one:

      A. Mitchell (wol)
      B. KWP (avl)

      Already playing McCarthy and Mitchell has better clean sheet odds so currently on A

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      TAA to Chilwell with FT or save? Will be doing the move next week anyway so it's a question of who does better this week.
      I'm leaning towards Chilwell if Antonio is fit.

      1. MattyW
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Save

      2. RealSocialDads
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm doing this week to fund Kane in.

        If I didn't need the funds I would save, so in your position save imo

      3. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I wouldn't rush to sell TAA this GW

      4. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah do it, Burnley are toothless

    6. MattyW
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hi guys,

      Play Podence (h) Palace or Barnes (a) Leeds

      Thanks!

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barnes

      2. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        neither if possible, but Barnes at a push

      3. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barnes because Vardy is back, which improves their attack a lot.

    7. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Should I use my FT or roll?

      1) Jimi -> Werner
      2) Bardsley -> Dallas/Ayling/Kilman

      Team:
      Ryan
      Robbo Lewis Mitchell Justin
      Salah Son Sterling Hames
      Jimi DCL

      Steer Brewster Bissouma Bardsley
      1.9 ITB

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        1 would tempt me I’m considering Werner as my Maupay replacement instead of Kane to be different!

        1. Bruno Commando
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Me too! No Kane is hurting me big time...

      2. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        2 looks like more needed to move on but not essential. I'd probably save

    8. Hazardous1983
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      G2g used my ft n got no wc

      Mccarthy (steer)
      Saiss justin chilwell (taylor mitchell)
      Podence bruno son salah (c) (bissouma)
      Kane dcl wilson

      1.4m in bank. Should i hit to get anyone else

      1. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Looks good

      2. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Good to go would look at getting rid of Podence next and would probably go for Bowen next week.

    9. Villan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I've been wanting to ditch L'pool defence for weeks, is now the time?

      TAA to Chilwell is tempting both short and long term

      McCarthy
      TAA//Saiss//Mitchell
      Salah//Son//Rodriguez//Zaha//Foden
      Kane//DCL

      Ryan//Ayling//Brewster//Justin
      1.1M it

      A) save
      B) TAA -> Chilwell

      1. Fuddled FC
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Definitely save

    10. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which transfer this week?

      a) Havertz > Rushford
      b) Brewster > Bamford
      c) Taylor > Chilwell

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        C

      2. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Depends on the rest of your team, but B

      3. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Taylor is leaving my team also but for Coufal, ready for the good fixture run

      4. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I like C long-term

    11. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bench 1

      A) Shaw
      B) Soucek
      C) Podence
      D) Kilman

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

    12. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hello,

      Those more informed than me on West Ham;

      Based on points and fixtures, Cresswell seems an obvious transfer next week.

      Looks like he's playing LCB rather than LB/LWB though? Where are his points coming from, set pieces? Is he getting forward in open play?

      Coufal has looked good and likely to get assists from what I've seen, so is Cresswell worth the extra 0.5?

      Thanks in advance!

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think both will be good options I’m really tempted to go for the cheaper Coufal

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think he joins the attack and whips in crosses from outside left with Masuaku creating space for him by hugging the touchline and stretching defences. He had one very fortunate assist vs Leicester but I think he will be worth the extra 0.5 over Coufal and Masuaku with the quality of his crossing and set pieces.

        1. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nice analysis you could be right Miguel

        2. Mweene
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks. Is he on corners? West ham seem to have good aerial threat with Soucek etc

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Shares them with Bowen - 11 for Cresswell and 12 for Bowen

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

      Morning...any views on what to do here please? Rank 3.8m. 1ft. 1mitb

      Martinez
      Taa saiss james (lamptey Mitchell)
      Salah son pulisic foden (burke)
      Kane dcl watkins

      A....james to chilwell

      B....save ft

      C...something else

      Feel that even if james plays this weekend never going to know from one game to another with him...thanks

      1. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A but there are loads of cheaper options

    14. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cant go without Spurs again this week!

      A - Son (+ Maupay)
      Or
      B - Kane (+ ASM)
      ?

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

    15. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      RMT
      I rate it 8.5/10

      Martinez
      Keane - Justin - Konsa
      Salah - Son - Mane - JRod
      Kane (c) - DCL - Bamford

      Steer Jorginho - Mitchell - Dunne

    16. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I've been looking at Rashford and Bruno since last week but cannot decide on how to fit him in yet.

      Salah - Son - Rodriguez - Zaha - Foden
      Kane - DCL - Brewster

      Rodriguez : It'd be tempted if he was ruled out of the weekend. His fixtures look good for the coming GWs though.
      Zaha : He was on the fence as Palace not attacking well. But they attack mostly via him and he saved me in the last GW.
      Foden : Rotation in an injury-hit team. But he looks like good value and has good stats.

      How would you fit Bruno / Rashford in please?

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have a similar midfield just Grealish to your Zaha I’m tempted by Rodriguez ➡️ Rash I’m getting a bit tired of him being an injury doubt constantly. Will probably wait another week though.

        1. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I try to wait another week too. Hope the market will not rush to get him yet.

          1. In a Rush
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            The masses will unfortunately

            1. NATSTER
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              If it looks like a rise tonight, I might have to make it. 🙁

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have Havertz so it's much easier for me.

        Gonna have Salah, Son, Grealish, Foden, Rashford (bar COVID/injury news tmrw) midfield for this upcoming week.

        1. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          See yes that mid looks great it’s making me more tempted to do Rodriguez ➡️ Rash but then I can’t afford Maupay ➡️ Kane without another hit.

        2. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That midfield looks great. It's hard for me to get Grealish now, so I hope Palace will up their game and Zaha will do job to match him.

      3. Villan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Same front 8 as me.

        Foden will go first for me probably due to not being nailed.

        Personally more interested in Antonio currently

    17. hogree
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1 FT

      Jimenez to Kane
      OR
      Podence to Grealish

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

      2. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        emphatic B

    18. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thinking about getting Foden in as part of a minus 4 any reason not too I understand pep roulette etc do you think he will start with the odd benching cheers in advance

    19. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Really struggling with captaincy calls these last couple of seasons. This week looks no easier with Salah, Son and Kane having their merits.

      Who are you going with from them and why?

      1. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have all of Salah, Son and Kane. Really stuck for who to cap this week. Probably going with Son.

      2. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        *No specific reason, just seems to be in great form and extra point for goal compared with Kane.

      3. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        think I'm going kane

        Cos I think Brighton at home is an easier fixture that west ham at home

        And lpool not firing on all cylinders.

        But then I'm ranked 3.8m. So maybe ignore me

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

        If W Ham stick with three at the back it would bode well for LFC attack because we have historically done v well against that system. No Dunk is potentially a tipping factor though for Kane or Son.

        It's such a close call though even looking at the odds. Salah 55% chance of scoring say the bookies, Kane 54%.

        Gut call this week.

      5. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Most of the top managers I analysed in pre-season kept their armbands on Salah, Mane, Sterling, KDB in most of the gameweeks. Magnus took it off them just 4 times. I'll be captaining Salah. He's 12.4m for a very good reason. His touches in the box are off the scale this season, far above any other player. This guy is dangerous.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Liverpool's xG is still on a different level to the other teams. Their attack is so consistently good. I'm not sure Spurs are at that level yet.

        2. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Spurs were bad last season. This year they are not.

          Living in the previous season is a common mistake even among good managers.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I agree, but their xG is still not on the level of Liverpool's, nor have they shown any of their long-term consistency. Even over these impressive 6 games for Spurs, they are still below Liverpool's stats. If you want to base it on this season, then you should be backing Liverpool's attack.

    20. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      i watched 4 liverpool lads doing an after the sheffield match podcast the other day ,hugely entertaining , i love the way pool lads use the F word ,it just never seems to be offensive ,just natural ,the footy team is quite good as well

    21. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Best sub 6m forward?

      A. Bamford
      B. Che Adams
      C. Watkins
      D. Mitrovic

      Thanks.

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

      2. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        much of a muchness ,6.0 m forward roulette ,whoever scores this week will be the best next week ,would rule out D though ,fulham are so crap....

    22. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What to do?

      Martinez (Forster)
      Saiss KWP Justin (Mitchell Lamptey)
      Salah Sterling Son Podence (Burke)
      Kane DCL Jimi

      0,1m in bank 2 FT

      A. Jimi and Pod to Zaha and Bamford
      B. Podence and Sterling to Zaha and Rashford
      C. Just Saiss to Kilman to free up funds
      D. Jimi and Pod to Rashford and Brewster
      E. Something else

      Thanks!

      1. badhombres
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Jimi to Wilson / Antonio and free up funds to upgrade Podence / Defence

      2. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I like the look of B - far more exciting!! You might miss out on a Sterling haul though but equally Rashford is flying at the moment!!

      3. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A punty Podence to McGinn.

    23. badhombres
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have 2FT, Sterling to KDB? No other pressing issue

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes

        1. badhombres
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          thanks

      2. LegendMoon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm not sure , out of the two Sterling could easily score more

        1. badhombres
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          thanks

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I wouldn't do the move

        1. badhombres
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          tks

    24. ClothedinSun
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Did Mitchell to Ivanovic this week with the FT. Am now looking at one of the following for a hit, any worth doing?

      Grealish to Zaha (but keep Watkins),
      Watkins to Bamford (but keep Grealish),
      Ryan to Guaita.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not worth a hit

        1. ClothedinSun
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You're right, cheers Tone.

      2. Mweene
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why did you do that?

        1. ClothedinSun
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ivanovic has looked dangerous on set pieces, is cheap, is playing Fulham next and is central to the improving WBA defence. Also, can see Mitchell getting benched for PVA's return over coming GWs.

    25. leonickroberts
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez
      Robbo Saiss Justin
      Salah Sterling Podence Son Barkley
      DCL Jimi

      (Nyland, Bellerín, Mitchell, Brewster)

      1FT, 1.1m ITB.

      a) Bellerín > Chilwell
      b) Hold for Bellerín > Cresswell + Podence > 6.6 mid next week
      c) Something else?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Roll the FT

    26. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG?

      Martinez
      Saïss Chilwell Castagne
      Salah(c) Son Hamez Grealish
      Kane DCL Bamford

      Bench: PVA Stephens Lamptey
      2.1 ITB, 1 FT

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        GTG

    27. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez
      Robbo Chillwell Saiss
      Salah Son Hames Grealish
      Kane DCL Bamford

      4.0 Barkley Lamptey Mitchell

      That'll do pig, that'll do?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        GTG

    28. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Any transfer thoughts for this GW? I'm thinking to roll the FT but might be the right time to jump on Rashford

      0.4itb 1ft
      Martinez
      Robbo Ayling TAA Justin
      Grealish Salah Son Rodriguez
      DCL Kane
      (Peacock Taylor Bissouma Vassilev)

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Roll ft.