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. Szczajuszka
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez (Darlow)
    Chilwell Zouma Cresswell (Mitchell Sais)
    Bruno Son Grealish Jota (Fornals)
    DCL Vardy Watkins

    Pretty sure my plan is to get 11 starters - Darlow / Saiss >> McCarthy / Vestergard and keep my villa triple

    a) son >> KDB as captain
    b) fornals > mahrez (& captain Vardy)

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

      Mitchell seems a bigger issue than Darlow right now if you want 15 starters

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

        Never mind I can't read

  2. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Walker
    B) Mendy
    C) RJames

    Have good bench so not worried about occasional benching

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      C

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

      A

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

      People are really prepared to spend 6.2 on Walker?

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Grealish to Jota
    B) Saiss to Dier (bench Grealish)

    best option to get 11 playing?

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

      B

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  4. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ziyech to Jota for free a good move this week guys?

    1. zman575
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      no not this week. ziyech rested tonight chelsea should spank leeds. would do week after

  5. zman575
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    no grealish this weekend so either coufal comes in or i transfer out vardy for mahrez and bamford costing me 4 points and play both with coufal first sub. thoughts please?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal

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

    With Grealish out, eleven players to field.

    Bellerin on 4 yellow cards
    Cancelo might not even play

    Pick one to go out for R. James

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

      Cancelo out for me. Already seen him rotated out.
      Bellerin seems nailed so a yellow card miss will at least be clear when it happens.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo

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

      I'm doing Cancelo to James.

  7. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo > Walker
    Son > Mahrez

    Thoughts?

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

      Don't like either but Mahrez if you must.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Walker

  8. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Justin Taylor
    KDB(c) Bruno Son Jota
    Kane DCL Bamford
    [Nyland Bissouma Tierney Konsa]
    0.5m in the bank, 1ft.

    Kane to Vardy??
    (Vardy will rise in price tonight and Kane is injured)

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

      Vardy is a good pick for the next 3, so yeah, worth a punt.

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Did same last week. Always a little nervous to not have Kane and hopefully Vardy's form comes around. He looked pretty flat last weekend against what should have been pretty obliging opposition. Fingers crossed as usual.

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

      Kane to Jesus for maximum carnage

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Tempting, but PepRoulette..

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

          City's only fit striker and he got benched in the Champs league. As good a pick as any this week my friend

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane isn't injured.

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

    Looking to upgrade Mitchell to a cheap 4.3 playing bench player (likely 2nd/3rd bench). It seems with a double to come now, one of Lewis or Lascelles (about to drop) seems the best option. But I haven't been paying much attention to Newcastle, is Lewis nailed or is someone likely to return and take his place? Or any other 4.3 options?

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

      I think Lewis is as good as nailed, I'd avoid Lascelles, I had him last season for about 10 games and I swear it felt like he got booked in every one of them

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

        Cheers

  10. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on when the villa fixture has been rescheduled for? Is it still possible it happens this week?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think it's possible but we'll have to wait and see

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I am trying to figure that out too.

      I wonder when they could slot it in?
      I can't see it happening before Christmas although i could be wrong.
      Could they get it done during the break in early January or will they wait until later in the season?

  11. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Reckon sterling will start or shouldn I swap to kdb with free transfer with nothing else pressing

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very hard to say. The switch is probably a good long term move if nothing pressing but you could be punished.

      I have both

  12. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Foden to:

    A. Jota
    B. Ward-Prowse
    C. Mount

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    3. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C, if any. I think the Jota bandwagon is going to come up against the cold reality of rotation...

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not if he continues to be their standout player

    4. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  13. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1FT and 0.8 ITB

    Ryan
    Chillwell Semedo Mitchell*
    Salah Bruno Son KDB Bissouma
    Wilson** Mitrovic

    (Nyland** Watkins** Lascelles** Douglas**)

    A) Lacselles and Douglas/Mitchell to Neco Williams and 4.6 (-4)
    B) A + Mitrovic to Bamford (-8)

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm a Bamford owner and I'd suggest that any move for him that involves a -8 probably isn't advisable... but I'm not sure about a) either. You could hold for a week and bank the FT...

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah get your point but he is replacing Mitrovic who appears to have been relegated to the bench, couple that with Wilson, Watkins and Lascelles out with Mitchell unlikely and I'm in a bit of trouble this GW.

  14. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone have an idea about when the Aston Villa vs Newcastle fixture be rescheduled to?

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I haven't seen anything as of yet.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      Cheers guys.

  15. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hey friends! Trying to decide if replacing Saiss (finally) is my most pressing issue this week. Here's what things look like:

    Ryan/McCarthy
    Lamptey/Chilwell/KWP/Kilman/Saiss
    Grealish/Klich/KBD/Bruno/Hendrick
    DCL/Bamford/Vardy

    2.7 ITB, 1 FT

    Replacing Saiss (say, with Dallas) would allow me to field a full 11 this week (which it seems most Villa/Newcastle holders aren't overly worried about) but holding would give me an extra FT to play with next GW.

    Or do I have bigger problems / opportunities that I'm not seeing?

    Any counsel appreciated, cheers 🙂

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Midfield is looking a bit light on for mine so maybe hold and do something there next week if your comfortable with 10 playing this week, I'd be keen on getting Salah in.

  16. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Kyle Walker as a pick?

    Definitely seems to have a higher points potential than Dias, and pretty nailed.

    Worth the extra?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Possibly

  17. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who in your opinion is the best replacement for Martínez?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mendy, McCarthy or messlier

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

        Johnstone might be a dark horse.

        West Brom have tightened up recently, and he's a save pt and bap magnet.

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

          He seems a good option but Newcastle match is with west brom next and I'll be fekin annoyed if that's postponed too

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

            Excellent point. Hadn't thought of that...

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or just hold. He'll have two DGW's coming up and surely he's a hold for the season.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I’m considering both keeping/selling, but I just wanted to see who people think is the best replacement.

        1. Sanchit
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Messier for me long term

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

    After this GW Martinez will have two DGWs queued up. So after this week, he's surely the keeper you'd want to have in your team long term.

    I think I'll just take the blank on the chin, because the blank will be paid back later by his two extra games...

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hmm true

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I may upgrade my 2nd keeper to Johnstone. Decent fixture this week so chance of a cleansheet and provides cover in case of any other surprises. Takes 0.5m out of your budget though

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          You’re lucky to have an extra 0.5

    2. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed - not worth spending the transfers...

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The only thing is that one of the DGW fixtures is City and he’ll get nothing in that anyway.

      I think it just depends if you think Villa are still good defensively.

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

      He hasn't been doing well recently. I question whether he can even score 6 with 2 gws.

    5. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can always get him back later. Depending on when the doubles are might be after second wildcard so wouldn't even cost a transfer. I'm keeping but not sure the doubles is a good reason to do so.

  19. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mahrez or KDB guys ?

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

      KDB and its not even close

  20. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is the Newcastle and Aston Villa blank already sure?

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm afraid so.

      https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55151090

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Still a slim chance it could be played midweek.

  21. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on doubling up on Chelsea defence
    James and Chilwell

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

      Do it

      1. thetommy14
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Doing it

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

      Planning to do so also

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's worked well last few weeks.

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

    Please can I get some help with my squad?

    Martinez
    Coufal / Kilman / Chilwell /
    Jota / Son / Grealish / Bruno
    DCL / Kane / Werner (c)

    Bench: Kilman, Stephens, Douglas

    1FT and 3itb.

    A. Son to KDB and play Kilman
    B. Son + Kilman —> KDB + Dallas
    C. Son + Kilman —> Mahrez + any defender
    D. Kane + Stephens —> Jesus + Mahrez (but i’ll have a benching headache)
    E. Any suggestion?

  23. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane to
    A) Vardy
    B) Jesus

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

      I have KDB

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

        A - away form

  24. bobbyg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Son and Grealish to

    KDB(C) and Jota -4?

    W/c next week

  25. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Chilwell Zouma Justin KWP (Kilman)
    Fernandes KDB Son Jota (Grealish)
    Werner DCL (Brewster)

    0FT, 0.6ITB

    Anything worth a hit or G2G?

    1. The King
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely stick nice team

      1. Ray In Bruges.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stick

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

    Thinking of - 8 to play this 10 (out go Robertson Cancelo Ziyech Kane)- worth it or not?

    Probably Salah and Bamford in for Son and Jesus next week

    Martinez*
    Walker James Lamptey Chilwell
    KDB Bruno Son Jota
    Jesus DCL

    Forster Brewster Mitchell Grealish *

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

      Do it!

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not worth -8 for me

    3. The King
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No. Robertson, Ziyech and Kane have good fixtures. Could really backfire.

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

        So means going without City attack and captaining Kane or Bruno? Cannot see Cancelo Robertson starting - probably Kane OK but we won’t know pre deadline.

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Robertson will probably be fne. How much money you got? Maybe just Ziyech to Mahrez. Who would come in for Cancelo?

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

            Thanks. Yes could do Ziyech to Mahrez and no Cancelo back up- Mitchell

            1. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I'd wait for Friday press conference on Robertson. What's your current team and how many FT/money available? Avoiding hits this week might be the real advantage with so many others taking them.

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

                Thanks- with no hits here is team

                * flagged

                Martinez *
                Lamptey Cancelo Chilwell Robertson*
                Son Bruno Ziyech Jota
                Kane* DCL

                Forster Brewster Mitchell Grealish*

                1. FPL.team
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  That looks like a good team to me. Wait for press conferences but I expect Kane and Robbo to be fine. If you want City I'd probably do Ziyech to Mahrez but a Bruno captaincy is probably fine too. If Cancelo doesn't play just hope Brewster finally gets a goal unless you have 2 FT in which case move him or Martinez out too.

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

                    Thanks for that

                    1. FPL.team
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Good luck with whatever you choose, it's tough for us Villa owners this week. I'm just playing 10 at the moment and that includes fielding Bissouma. Just having no keeper, I also have Robbo.

  27. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy or Jesus?

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have Vardy, but if I was choosing this week I'd probably go Jesus tbh

  28. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Was planning to save FT this week but yet another spanner in the works!.... do I just suck it up and have no GK and play Cresswell or switch one of the blankers out?

    1FT 0.5itb
    (Martinez*)
    Robbo*, Chilwell, KWP, Cresswell
    KDB (C), Bruno, Ziyech
    Vardy, Bamford, DCL
    (Forster) (Grealish*, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    Options if I use an FT include:
    Grealish > Jota
    Stephens > Riedwald/ Romeu
    Martinez > McCarthy/ Meslier/ Johnstone

    Or I could do: Robbo, Stephens > Dallas, Jota (-4)....

    Cheers

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Play no gk imo, is Robbo injured?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Had a bad knock in CL. Hopefully will be fine but who knows this season!

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

        Its odd. He got knock in CL but proceeded to play the remaining 60mins.
        Then klopp post match goes on about him getting a really bad knock and he ends up being flagged.

  29. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why are people dropping Grealish just 'cause of one postponed match when he has great fixtures coming up?

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

      Blank and Wolves doesn't sound too great imo

      1. Ray In Bruges.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Don't see why he can't net points against Wolves. Plus I brought him in at 7.0...

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A lot are dropping because of Jota’s form and his role at Liverpool now for such a cheap price.

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Because Jota does too. No blank this week, followed by Fulham.

  30. Szczajuszka
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Need a nailed on defender

    a) Triple Chelsea defence? I have Chilwell Zouma. Add James?
    b) Or rather an eggs in a different basket and look at Dallas or Vestergaard?

    thanks

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas looks good for you

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

      Dallas