Pro Pundits

A strong bench and going for broke: the ways FPL bosses can tackle a busy December

In his latest column, three-time top 5k finisher Az looks at the strategies to consider as we get ready for seven Gameweek deadlines in the space of a month.


I’m writing this on December 1 and having just received the news that the Aston Villa v Newcastle game, originally set to be played on Friday, has been called off.

In a way, it’s remarkable that, given the situation that’s happening across the globe, this is the first Premier League game to be postponed this season. Hopefully, it will be the last.

With many people holding two to three assets from Aston Villa and/or Newcastle, this comes at a bad time for our squads, especially as the focus for many is on juggling around their heavy hitters. 

For a lot of managers, there simply isn’t the wiggle room to consider shifting the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.7m), Emiliano Martinez (£4.8m), Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) and Callum Wilson (£6.5m) for one week only. All of these players have decent fixtures and are doing enough to justify their selections in our teams. It’s a shame to have to be putting out fires when we are trying to maximise the points potential.

As we look for ways to give our FPL squads the best possible chance of returns during an unpredictable month, one way of playing is to turn relatively defensive. This means ensuring that our teams are strong and healthy and that we can dip into our benches if and when needed. 

Alternatively, people might be looking to go for the jugular. This means trying to juggle heavy hitters and squeeze out as many points as possible during this busy period. While this poses a considerable risk, it of course may lead to huge returns if you can nail it.

Time to strengthen the bench?

Hunt for £4.0m FPL defender takes a turn as Ferguson ruled out through injury

The news of the postponement at Villa Park does serve as a bit of a wake-up call that a bench of players who at least play regularly for their teams seems a pretty good idea going into the festive schedule. With Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) now seemingly doomed to watch on from the sidelines, many of us are down to just two players on our FPL benches. 

The continued threat of coronavirus, as well as a packed winter schedule, means this may need to be addressed. Many of us are carrying players who seem likely to be at least in some way rotated over Christmas. For example, any of the Manchester City assets, Reece James (£5.1m), Timo Werner (£9.5m) and maybe even now Liverpool midfielders, with Diogo Jota’s (£6.8m) emergence, all look a little vulnerable. Now might be a good time to make sure you are prepared for any omissions.

Upgrading Mitchell to a £4.5m defender may seem a bit boring, but it might put you in good stead in the weeks to come. Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) looks the standout option at this price point for me. Five goal attempts over the last four Gameweeks puts him up with the likes of Reece James (£5.1m) and Ben Chilwell (£6.2m) and Leeds have a great run of fixtures to come, with only Manchester United looking like a potential banana skin right up until January 2.

Luke Ayling (£4.5m) is also a consideration, with the right-back boasting nearly double the number of penalty area touches (13) compared to Dallas over this time. However, despite promising stats, he has yet to register an attacking return this season, whereas Dallas already has a goal and an assist.

If one of the Leeds defenders doesn’t float your boat – or you already own one – then the other options to turn to are Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) or Vladmir Coufal (£4.6m). I really like how West Ham are currently set up under David Moyes, who is doing a fantastic job when many (including myself!) had written them off. 

Both Coufal and Masuaku have just 2.3% ownership at the time of writing, and once Manchester United are out the way this week, have a great run of fixtures right up until the end of January, with only Chelsea in Gameweek 14 looking like a good time to bench whichever defender you bring in.

Going for broke

The less conservative strategy at this stage is to accept whatever state our “fringe” players are in and really try and hammer the assets who have the biggest upside.

Mohamed Salah (£12.2m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m) all delivered in Gameweek 10. Many view these three as the “holy trinity” – players we should get in our squads no matter what.

However, is this perhaps doing a disservice to the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m), Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.2m), who have all had stellar starts to the season? For many, these are the sacrificial lambs as people look to pastures new.

I feel that a case can be made for any combination of the above, which really reflects how exciting this season is, with so many players being worthy of our consideration. However, out of all the options, I really do feel that Fernandes has done enough to make him immune from any form of “hokey-cokey”. If you don’t have him, he’d be the one that I’d look to get in before he’s out of reach.

While the likes of Jota and even Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) may be good value for their price – and this is how you should look at them, not as “coverage” for their more prestigious team-mates – I worry that the bubble could burst at any minute and we could be left with egg on our face. 

Salah and co look set to continue to deliver points all season. The trick is going to be knowing when these hauls are likely and when to get on them.

I brought in Vardy this week and a poor Leicester performance is making me consider whether he can really keep pace with the other players in his price bracket. An away game at Sheffield United, who have made the worst start to a Premier League season from any team in history, looks a good match-up for the Sheffield Wednesday fan so I’m not panicking just yet.

But, depending on whether you think Brighton is a tough game, Vardy’s fixtures are a lot less rosy thereafter and so the short-term pick of the Englishman may prove to be a costly one. He looks set to depart my team after being given little time to truly impress.

With no Salah or De Bruyne in my squad, and both with Fulham on the horizon, I am getting jittery. I think Son and Kane who will simply struggle to match De Bruyne and Salah over the next five Gameweeks, until Spurs themselves play Fulham in Gameweek 16. But moving these players out will require a hit, so timing feels like everything. For those that made the move before the Chelsea stalemate, well played. I think this was the time to do it. 

With games against Arsenal and Crystal Palace next, it feels risky shifting out the Spurs assets, so if you think they can continue to deliver points, then holding might be a sensible strategy. That said, can you really afford to ignore the upside of both De Bruyne and then Salah against Fulham? 

It’s hard to argue with a move for De Bruyne this week, which may be even better if paired with plans for another switch to Salah for the Gameweek after. Jiggery-pokery at its finest. 

My decision

The best Man City players for appealing fixtures after 5-0 win over Burnley

I’m toying with the idea of acquiring Mahrez for the Fulham game, which would mean ignoring De Bruyne entirely and looking for a way to bring in Salah for Gameweek 12. 

Getting a City player in feels a priority this week and a rest for the Algerian in the Champions League and some very, very promising comments from Guardiola about how “players who score will start” certainly bodes well for his chances of a start against the Cottagers.

This means I could hold on to both Son and Vardy this weekend and potentially move them both on next week to get Salah and Bamford, who have Fulham and West Ham respectively in Gameweek 12. Alternatively, I could lose Son this week and keep Hakim Ziyech (£8.3m) for his home match against Leeds.

Salah is the player who I’m coveting for the long term. Simply put, not owning him in my squad just feels… wrong. Okay there is the increased chance of rotation now that Jota is doing such a good job, but put simply, the Egyptian has proven over the last few seasons that he is the player most likely to register huge returns and if I’m ever torn between who to captain, he’s my go-to. 

As a captaincy option, while I’m happy with Fernandes if I need to, games against Fulham, Palace, West Brom and Newcastle in quick succession provide a perfect platform for the Liverpool double-up of Salah and Jota. City’s fixtures do also remain excellent, but there is the higher chance of rotation, a slight risk of De Bruyne dropping deeper to control the midfield in “tougher” games and from what I’ve seen from Man City, the high likelihood of a spread of points across their very capable forward line. 

Turning my back on last season’s top FPL performer doesn’t feel great and I know what he’s capable of. But you can’t have them all and this feels like something we are all going to have to put up with this season. Hopefully, we’re about to see the Mahrez of old who is more than capable of scoring 200+ points this season if he plays a decent number of minutes – although I also appreciate that he’s someone that can cause misery for those who take the punt on him. We’ll see what happens.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck for the following weeks. It’s going to be a wild ride.

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

1,832 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Get KDB now and basically need a hit next week for Salah (-4)
    or
    Just get Salah now but go without KDB for Fulham

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You selling KDB for Salah 12?

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maximise the captain returns' approach then KDB [C] now, Salah [C] next, assumptions: -4 hits paid off

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

        But I have Mahrez anyway who I can cap gw11

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          That's not bad. Seems that you've made up your mind.

  2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I was compensating upgrading Justin to Pereira in a week or so when fit and Brewster to Antonio and was thinking that it'd give me a benching headache, but now I think I'm better off leaving Justin and upgrading Mitchell to Dallas instead (especially with him playing OOP too for now). I'd much rather have a benching headache than struggling to put out a team.

    1. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think you will have much benching headaches, there will always be a couple of players injured or rotated every GW this season

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

    Opinion please. So many blanks & doubts in my team and I practically can field just 7 sure starters.

    Blank : Martinez, Steer, Grealish
    No GK
    Lamptey - Chilwell || Cancelo(?) - Kilman(?) - Mitchell(?)
    Salah - Jota - Bruno - Rashford
    DCL - Kane(?) - Brewster(?)

    What should be my priority?
    (A) Fix Defender : Cancelo out for someone playing
    (B) Get City attacking mid and captain him

    Now looking at (-8) for Kane + Rashford + Cancelo -> Jesus + KDB + R.James

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

      Lots in the same boat. Personally I think that a -8 may deepen your problems. Good luck whatever you choose.

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

        Is it correct that they look more like unnecessary hits?

        I actually don't like -8 hits too.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d really want a city attacker vs Fulham to cpt, not sure about the -8 though

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

    Is Aurier favored over Doherty?

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Doherty has been out with covid but they were sharing mins before will likely be the same once hes back

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not much in it imo

  5. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane, Barkley to Jesus, Jota (-4)
    B) Kane, Barkley to Cavani, Mahrez (-4) if cavani not banned

    These too crazy?

    Martinez*
    Zouma Lamptey Ayling Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno
    Kane DCL Brewster

    Barkley* Grealish* Mitchell

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

      Will Cavani start ?

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If ole has any sense he has to start, different team with a real striker up top.

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

          FA is investigating Cavani as well for the instagram post, there could be 1 game ban like bernado silva.

          1. antis0cial
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah that’s why I put if not banned after the option.

  6. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bednarek or Vestergaard?

    I think if Saints concede more than 1 again Vestergaard will be benched...but he has a better goal threat although he is more expensive.

    On Wildcard

  7. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you play Bamford or Lamptey having double Chelsea defense?

    1. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford please

  8. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lads, what do you suggest for this lot with 2 ft?

    Martínez / Steer
    Chilwell / Cancelo / Cresswell / Lamptey / Kilman
    KDB / Bruno / Ziyech / Grealish / Soucek
    Vardy / DCL / Bamford

    Martínez and Cancelo are my main concerns now.

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

      Any plans for Pool attackers soon?

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

        I'll probably want Salah, but plans are not yet articulated, no. I know, I know, shame on me!

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

    I'm in a fairly dire situation, so please tell me what your thoughts are on my escape plan

    Martinez, (Forster)
    Chill, Canc, Konsa, Justin, Mitch
    KdB, Son, Bruno, Jota, Greal
    Kane, Wilson, Brewster
    1FT

    4 major problems and Cancelo.I cannot see moving on Wilson to Bamford for a hit productive this week. I think I will go

    Martinez to Mes
    Cancello to Dallas
    Mitchell to a 4.4 Taylor or Lowton

    Those three transfers are likely to cover at least half of the -8. They give me an extra playing bench player for future (the 4.4), capitalise on Leeds run after Chelsea and keep hold of Konsa and Grealish's value and games in hand

    Leaves me with a straight KdB to Salah next week and enough left over to upgrade Justin to James

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Like the first two moves but would get Reece James instead of Dallas.

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

    Who should I replace Jimenez with?

    I have 1 FT and 1.7 in bank

    Martinez | Steer
    James Chilwell Robbo Justin | Mitchell
    Ziyech Fernandes Son Jota | Grealish
    Calvert-lewin Jimenez | Mitrovic

    Before newcastle-villa blank I was thinking of doing Jimenez and Ziyech to KDB and Wilson with -4 hit but I cannot bring someone with a hit who doesn't play this week.

    So who should I replace Jimenez with?

    Or any other transfer you guys suggest?

    Thanks

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

      im thinking maybe jimi to welbeck,same situation as you are...

  11. LarryJunior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do?
    Martinez, Steer
    Lamptey, Dallas, Chillwell, Coufal, Mitchell
    Sterling, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Bissouma
    DCL, Vardy, Bamford.
    0,1 ITB. 1FT.
    A: Roll transfer and play with hopefully 10 players
    B: Martinez-> Mendy/McCarthy?
    C: Sterling? Sideways to Mahrez, other options?
    D: other suggestions?

  12. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you FH with this team?

    Martinez, Steele
    Robbo, KWP, Dallas, Targett, Ferguson
    Mane, KDB, Grealish, Jota, Torres
    Kane, DCL, Brewster

    1ft, 3 Villa players, Robbo, Kane and Ferguson flagged, Brewster unlikely to start, Torres potentially rotated.

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

    Anyone tempted of a mahrez captain?

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

      Yeye

  14. Harper (No more Penandes)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I think most of us myself included knew that Salah, KDB & Bruno would be the go to in midfield this season. I had these 3 for about 1 GW before I stupidly took Bruno out. Should have just set myself on the 3 of them and to never take them out no matter what.

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No matter what strikes me in that. Not really so is it?

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why not? OR1 last year kept Salah + KDB for the entire year. all three of them look certs for 200+ points easy

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I mean no matter what includes a long injury spell as well.

          1. Harper (No more Penandes)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cleary common sense would tell you to take out any player that was long term injured. Maybe I should have written no matter what barring they don't lose a leg?

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

        It sounds a bit extreme on paper, but if your weakness is being too tinkery with your team, and you want to rein that in, I think it's the right way to think.

        I'm a bit the opposite -- I tend to stick with my plan even when I should rethink it!

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

      You'd have been fine without KDB up to GW9 or so.

      No issues with not starting with him/not keeping him until now.

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I suppose. Of course the obvious replacement Son did well. KDB should have had more points which would have made it worth it, missed a penalty, hit the post last game. Could argue the guy you had instead of him had been unlucky too.

        If you had him already It does cost 2 transfers to sell and get him back.

        I replaced Bruno to get Kane which lost me points in the end. You can look at it with hindsight but I think generally it's better to keep hold of them.

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

          Looking back, what we should have noticed about the season was relatively tough fixture runs for City, Liverpool, and United to start, with easier fixtures for Spurs and Chelsea. Then a fixture swing around GW10. The holy trinity is perfect post-fixture swing.

          1. Harper (No more Penandes)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Funny enough my plan was to load up on Spurs and Chelsea for their amazing starting fixtures, go without Salah and slowly draft in City+United players. Salah hattrick and Spurs dire performance against Everton completely changed that so I WC'd in GW2 which was my greatest FPL disaster. GW1 was a complete and total red herring.

          2. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            We did notice the easier fixtures for Chelsea but Werner's blank vs West Brom was the last straw for his high ownership. Son was excellent value and I'll forever be kicking myself for removing him hours before the GW1 deadline. Dreadful decision.

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

            My theory is that upside chasing was perfect for last season in part because Liverpool and City had good fixtures at opposite times. Magnus Carlsen was able to drop all his City assets for a Salah/Mane double-up in GW13 because the fixtures supported it.

            This season, Liverpool and City have had good fixtures at much the same times. To successfully chase the upside, you had to instead load up on teams like Spurs during the early period, at which time neither Liverpool nor City had excellent fixtures. Then you could drop Spurs around GW10. Being without any of the holy trinity currently carries quite a lot of risk without a whole lot of reward. But so many people still want to double up on one of the teams and "be different".

            1. Harper (No more Penandes)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              People see being different as doubling up on KDB and Sterling or dropping Salah or something similar but realistically being different is being patient. There is credence to having a plan and sticking to it. I'm annoyed in myself that I had a plan but I didn't stick to it.

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

    Out of interest when does the second WC come available?

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

      Not soon enough.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        😆

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

        Ain’t that the truth

      3. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        True enough mate

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      GW16 deadline is Dec 28, GW17 deadline is Jan 2, so I assume GW17.

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

    Great article Az!

    Time to set-and-forget the "holy trinity" for a while is my view. Leave the transfers ready to jump on the right budget differentials. With the good fixture runs for both City and Liverpool coinciding, it's not the year for loading up on one of those teams at the expense of the other (or of Bruno).

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, the KDB-Salah-Bruno triple threat looks great for the foreseeable future. Captaincy well covered with these three beasts and the cheap value forwards available makes adding a player like Son for that GW16 run is also viable.

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

        Im gonna go crazy. Kdb bruno salah son grealish ings bamford. I am excited.

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ings back fit?

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

            Will be when i get him in gw15 or 16. DCL till then.

        2. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Must be nice, I can't squeeze out the TV 🙁

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

            I can barely do it myself. Very dependent on 1 of dcl, vardy, adams rising in price or ings losing 0.1 more in value. And I'll have no bench.

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

              They all look like they'll rise though by the time I'll remove them so I'll have a spare 0.2 still just in case someone drops in value

            2. Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, with a TV of 102.1, it's tougher for me than it is for a few others. Key point is my defense of Dias-Chilwell-James with Lamptey in reserve is perfect to me and so my main goal will be to get the Fernandes-KDB-Salah midfield. Will try and get Son somehow when the time comes.

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

                I'll have chilwell james and lamptey toooo. I can't believe i can afford it 😆

                1. Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Get out of here 😆

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

                    My hits at the start of the season are paying off 😛

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

                  Something to be excited about after a horrid start of a season at least. I've climbed 1million ranks thankfully past 4 weeks.

                  1. Flair
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    Nice work!

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

                      Nees to climb 1.5million more to win 😆

  17. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why was Masuaku taken off at half time? Tactical or injured?

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

      Tactical.

  18. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good write up!

    I decided to go for broke after sundays games. Took a hit to get the power five mids.

    Love it but now I’m without

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      ... a keeper since only have Martinez. I’ll probably go without since it’s more sensible to keep him.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Also have Grealish but Kwp fills in nicely this week for him.

        -
        Robbo kwp Lamptey Zouma
        Mo Kdb Bruno Jota
        DCL Bamford

        Sensible to wait or hit for a keeper?

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

          I would wait ....fixtures are too good for Martinez

        2. DMP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, wait. No options on that price bracket this GW.

          Help below pls.

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

    A. GW11 Cancelo to Dallas, GW12 Son and DCL to Salah to Brewster (-4)
    B. GW11 save FT, GW12 Son and DCL to Salah to Brewster

    1FT 0.2itb
    Peacock
    Chilwell Justin Ayling Cancelo*
    Son KDB Bruno Bissouma
    DCL Vardy
    (Martinez* Taylor Grealish* Watkins* )

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B.
      Still feels risky

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

        Or Son and Vardy to Salah and Bamford

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Better

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

            Cheers

  20. cilz88
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Quick question - I made two changes on Sat evening. I have now had to resort to using a free hit due to the villa game being cancelled costing me 5 players. When my team gets reverted back will this include the transfers I made before the free hit? I fear it may not and it will be a waste of 4 points?

    1. Tingate
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It will wipe out any transfers you've done and your hit will be removed also.

      1. cilz88
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        As long as the hit is removed. Thanks

  21. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guaita
    James - Lamptey - Chilwell
    Sterling - Salah - KDB - Grealish
    Bamford - DCL - Watkins

    Forster - Targett - Burke - Mitchell

    £0.2M ITB 1FT

    Sterling > Mahrez & Watkins > Jesus for a hit?

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

      High risk high reward.

      Completely exposed to Pep Roulette tough, do you want that for christmas?

      Help below pls.

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

        You are basically removing one risk for another although Mahrez is likely to play this Sat,,,but after that it's everyone's guess.
        I'm holding onto Sterling for example...not worth swapping....next week i'll take him out for Salah,

  22. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Was considering saving ft, but with Villa/Newcastele covid related issues, leaning towards getting Salah one week early, or have to play Taylor and Bissouma, assuming Kane will play, otherwise might field 10 players only, so :

    A) Save
    B) Grealish + Kane to Salah + 6.2 (Banford?) (Will not loose value on Grealish, can get him later.)
    C) Other

    Ramsdale
    Dias KWP Targett** (Taylor, Ferguson)
    KDB Fernandes Jota Grealish** (Bissouma)
    Kane Vardy Dcl

    1FT. 0 Itb

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B seems good

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

        The only downside is Banford plays Chelsea ...

  23. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My team is
    Martinez* 4.0
    Dallas Justin Cancelo Coufal Mitchell
    KDB Mane Jota Bissouma Grealish*
    Vardy DCL Watkins*

    With three Aston Villa players and the likes of Cancelo and especially Mitchell not likely to play what’s the best move. I’ve already used my wildcard.

    Would Dias for Mitchell be a good start?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Imo yes

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias could well be rested. Played another 90 and ake, Laporte, Walker all rested up

      1. Mane Mane Mane
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Good point, in a bit of a dilemma here

  24. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane a doubt for the weekend?
    Wow

  25. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A Chilwell and Bruno injury tonight would make things interesting eh?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Please don’t 😀

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only Bruno please

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

      Some people will have 4 people playing then

    4. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dont have anyone playing today, so can watch games in peace 😀

  26. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I think Chelsea will today play like this:

    Mendy
    Azpi, Silva, Rudiger, Chilwell
    Kante, Kova/Gilmour
    Odoi, Havertz, Pulisic
    Giroud

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

      Looks close

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That's one heck of a defence. Champions League winner worthy.

  27. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins. Got him in GW9 and fair to say he has been cursed since. Pen decision overruled by VAR in GW9; missed pen and goal ruled out offside in GW10; fixture in GW11 postponed.

    Bearing in mind I only have £0.2 ITB and already have Bamford and DCL, these are the potential replacements:

    A) Adams
    B) Antonio

    Which to go for and why?

  28. Xabatlea
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Mitchell > Dallas
    B) Podence >jota
    DCL> bamford/Antonio( -4)
    C)
    D) Podence>jota
    Vardy>bamford/Antonio (-4). Next GW Mitchell>Chilwell
    Thanks

  29. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you FH?
    0 FT, 0,9 ITB

    Martinez*, Steer*
    Bellerin, Coufal, Chilwell, Lamptey, Dias
    Son, Salah, Bruno, Grealish*, Bissouma
    Jimenez*, DCL, Wilson*

  30. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    The 'holy Trinity' (a phrase that seems to have come about since city turned up against Burnley and KdB delivered an entirely unspectacular 10 points from 5 goals) is going to be a shambles. Almost 24m invested in two captains, with Bruno offering the best option of the 3 at 10.8. Salah in steady form in a decimated team and with greater points and minutes competition from Jota. KdB not looking like last season's KdB, and likewise city

    This trinity is going to be broken down for scrap faster than you can say Son

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

      U just jelly u don't have the team value to have them and keep a good team 😛

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

        My team value is 103.5. it's not spectacular but it's not restricting me

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

          Well then why is value important to u if u can keep a good team while still having them. Does it stop u from getting someone else u want? Who is it? Maybe i get them too 😛

    2. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have the holy trinity and I have Son, and I love it.

    3. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If KDB had hit inside of the post instead of outside in the last minute, there would be no doubters rn

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No issues with that, just benefits the rest of us.

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

        So he missed again, like he missed his penalty?

        Remember the season before last, and the season before that, when he was actually pretty poor in front of goal?

        He's 11.5 now. That's not easy to step up to earning. One goal in 10 games so far. It's simply not good enough. And I own KdB.

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

          7 games. City as a whole weren't doing well before this. U know that. A 5-0 drubbing kinda makes it look like they're gonna be back to their old selves in no time. He also has 5 assists 🙁 don't hate poor Kev

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

            His two other full seasons brought about 200 points and he was priced much more kindly

            200 is not good enough for an 11.5-12m (depending when you invest) this year

            Sure, hokey cokey him for some good fixtures. But if anyone is building their team and structure around owning as part of a very expensive midfield trio then imo they're gonna get undone by anyone who invests that money wisely elsewhere

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

              I won't :/ have a solid team with a huge team value.i guess for most yes. He won't get less than 230 points imo. Even 6 penalties can compensate for the 200 to 230 points and they'll probably get more than that.

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

                Team value really doesn't mean THAT much unless you are simultaneously releasing it all at peak value.

                Besides. Having a good team value doesn't contradict the argument that KdB won't be good value this year, a year when cheaper alternative captain options exist

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

            Leicester put 4 last them, have you seen Leicester ... Newcastle... Newcastle (!) put three past them.

            Very, very early days in assessing whether any city players can live up to their hefty price tags this year