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

    Had not seen any CL today, busy.
    I have Haaland, Messi, Lewandowski, Chilwell, and Meunier on my CL team. Grand total of zero minutes this gameweek.
    Amazingly I ended with 37 points.

    Ever had a GW where your top 5 players didnt play?

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

      top of the evening to ya all

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

      It was actually known before the deadline that Messi, Lewa, Meunier were all out but Haaland came as an absolute surprise and a lot of people captained him as well.

      I only have 6 starters left in my FPL team for next GW so in a similar situation.

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

        Ive been too busy to give CL the time required. Only catch half of the PL on TV in USA

  2. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Risers: Vardy (10.3) Jota (6.9)

    Fallers: Mané (12.0) Nketiah (5.5) Diangana (5.3) Saint-Maximin (5.2) Jorginho (5.0)

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

      Nice one Lascelles, cheers Ragabolly.

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

      Cheers !!!

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

      Cheers Ragabolly!

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

      Cheers Ragabolly, Vardy and Jota.

    5. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will take a 1-0 and party. Usually there are about 2400 hits in the top 10K, a score I'm slightly further away from after GW10, but they didn't offload Kane or Son to the same extent others did, and are now holding desired assets once more... Will they hold Grealish?

  3. Hits Central
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Haven’t seen too many FH teams around. Any changes to this one?

    Johnstone
    Cahill Justin Nico W
    KdB (C) Bruno Zaha Mahrez
    Vardy Werner Jesus

    GK 4.0 Bissouma Dallas Buur

    £0.00 ITB

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

      will Zaha be back and will Nico play ?

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

        Zaha probably plays, and Robertson was tagged yellow I think.

        1. Hits Central
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          No Robertson in my team. Too heavy on attack and not worth the risk on FH for me

      2. Hits Central
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Feel confident Zaha will play. Nice fixture and I think he will be fresh. He was just self isolating.

        Nico should probably be benched agreed.

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have to play Dallas ahead of Nico.

      1. Hits Central
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That’s a fair point. Better options than Dallas? Clyde and double Crystal Palace defence?

  4. 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 —> Bamford + Mahrez (but i’ll have a benching headache)
    E. Any suggestion?

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

      A with captain

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Is a rank of 200k good at this stage?

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

      Yes lad very good

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Meh, average

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shocking

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

      I myself am at 140k. Been very lucky though, it can only go downhill from here lol.

    5. markus808
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure, it really only depends on how many hits you have taken. Also, how much you are ahead of the average score of the elite players and/or Magns Carlsens.

      At this point there's no need to compare yourself to other players on the table.

    6. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      About the 200,000th best rank IMO

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

    Last (re)post of the night..

    a) son > kdb
    B) fornals > mahrez

    martinez
    chilwell zouma creswell
    jota bruno son grealish
    dcl vardy(c) watkins

    darlow sais fornals mitchell

    Thanks all

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

      B seems ok

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

      A if you're going to cap KDB

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I’d go A

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

    Not really confident on any striker. First WC draft had Wilson and Watkins.
    But don't want to take the risk with their match being postponed.
    What's the best striker in your opinion bar Kane and Vardy?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson or Bamford on WC I’d say!

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

        Wilson fixture postponed ?

    2. SmasherLagru
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably antonio or bamford

    3. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson and Bamford. It’s worth getting Wilson before he rises.

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        aren't you quite the comic.

    4. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford number 1
      I like Antonio but he's still a couple of weeks away from being fully fit
      No fixture for Wilson is off putting - no guarantee WBA game isn't called off either

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

      DCL

  8. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else still got their WC and wondering whether we’re holding on to it a bit needlessly? I’ve got 2 non playing bench and Covid is playing havoc....
    What’s the upside to holding it?

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

      Try to make a WC team and check how many changes do you actually want to make in your starting 11.
      If it's more than 5 , go for it.
      I'm going for it this week as I wanted KDB Salah Jota in.
      Also had Cancelo and 2 villa guys.

    2. Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah same thoughts.
      Check below for my original team and my WC effort.

      Think I am going to pull the trigger.
      What do you reckon?

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

      good advice from sanchit

      i used mine early - depends if you're the type of player to chase fixtures etc
      i would say if you're using it now don't just chase short term players, look ahead to the busy xmas / new year schedule and have a clear strategy for solid bench. eg: imo Brewster is a waste and for 0.4m you can have Soucek who can come in any time to cover the likes of Grealish this week
      choose a wildcard where you can bank transfer and have 2 for the following week

  9. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you WC this team? Have quite a few issues and I think it is going to take a -12 or so over 2/3 weeks to fix.

    McCarthy.
    Cancelo*, Chilwell, Ayling, Justin*.
    Bruno, Jota, Son, Bissouma.
    DCL, Kane.
    Button, Grealish, Mitchell*, Wilson.
    0ft, 4.4m ITB. WC in hand.

    WC would be something like this-
    McCarthy. (Forster).
    James, Chilwell, Dallas. (Targett, Douglas).
    Mahrez, Jota, Fernandes, Salah, KDB.
    DCL, Bamford, Welbeck.
    0.0m ITB.
    Attacking the City fixtures. Backing the Chelsea defence and some decent upgrades I think-

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

      I like the WC team much more.

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

        8 attackers though?

        1. Sz21
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Welbeck will be my 1st sub.. which I think may be ok for December.
          Jota/Mahrez or others could be left out.

          Just think Welbeck is far better than some of the other options at 4.5 etc.

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Save yourself some cash, Brewster is fine as first sub

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

              This

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ignore those telling you Brewster is a good sub! He is a sub, all right, why pick a player in a bottom of table team who isn't in the team, when you want them to play an active part in the inevitable unpredictable rests players will have over Xmas schedule? Very different playing as sub for Liverpool, which is what what some seem to be thinking of when singing his praises. Stick to your structure, I think.

  10. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    target and mane -> walker and kdb (-4) ?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I took a hit for a City defender last week and regretted it

    2. SmasherLagru
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

      1. Birds of Prey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cancelo? Tell me about it. At least Walker is more nailed.Other than KDB I don't trust City.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And Next thing you know Cancelo starts at RB and Walker gets benched

  11. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Only 7 or 8 starters , would you FH this week?
    (Already took a -4hit getting KdB&Wilson for Hamez&Kane earlier...I know)

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Team atm - including *nonstarters

      Foster*
      Chilwell Cresswell Robertson? Kilman* Mitchell*
      Salah Bruno KdB(c) Podence
      Bamford

      Martinez Grealish Watkins Wilson
      0.4itb -4pts

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

        DO NOT WASTE YOUR FREE HIT!!!

        Its only a couple of dodgy defenders you need to worry about and you got KDB captain.

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

      my team is pretty decimated because of Villa, flags, and rotation risks so i hit the FH button

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If FH, thinking of going mad with Man City (but that could backfire too trying to second guess Pep)

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

          you might as well if you use your FH, they are playing Fulham who are still crap despite their win at Leicester, just pick players that didn't play in Europe, fwiw i brought in KDB, Mahrez & Jesus

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

      I wouldn't use FH with DGW coming and it's a year long chip, you have to use WC soon, so it has less value.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I like to save FH to cover BGW when say half my team isn't playing. This week almost qualifies.

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

    Bednarek or Vestergaard?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kwp

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Vestergaard. He's more of a goal threat.

  13. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any update on Nick Pope?
    If he is out I would like to get Peacock-Farrel for Steer

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

    How would this look for this GW?

    Mendy
    Chilwell, Justin, Cancelo
    KDB(c), Bruno, Mahrez, Ziyech, Jota
    Vardy, DCL

    Button, Coufal, Brewster, Targett

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

      You planning on keeping dcl through the tough fixture run? If not mught be worth Antonio/Wilson/bambam

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

        I was thinking about Wilson but will see his status and Newcastle due to Covid

  15. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo to James a no brainer?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I hope not!

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

      You wouldn't ask if it was.

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

    Ship sterling to marred on a FT.
    Priced out of kdb and gives me $$ to upgrade bench

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

      Mahrez on a ft?*

    2. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one. If Sterling starts he might returns. If you're really chasing then yeah go for it.

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

    Need a 4.0 enabler to come in with Salah for this week. Ideally would be someone who plays this week due to Villa blank (can be permanent 3rd sub after). Who is best?

    a. Neco Williams
    b. Nat Phillips
    c. Other (who?).

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

      Philips maybe, also Nkounkou has an outside chance for Everton too

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      Why does anyone think Philips will play?

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

      Not sure why players are recommending Phillips to you, the Fabinho-Matip CB partnership is more likely to be used. With Milner out Neco Williams is more likely to play at RB.

  18. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dais and Mendy nailed what is the chance of Cancelo playing this week?.. Man, Pep got everyone on limbo.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who said Dias and Mendy are nailed?

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

        Dias been playing since GW4 and Mendy was 1st choice before getting injured and just recently started against Burnley with Cancelo relegated to the bench..

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

          Mendy was first choice when Cancelo was injured no?

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

            Mendy was 1st choice before getting injured, then cancelo came in to cover but with now Mendy has recovered he got his place back and cancelo was bench..

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

              Nah this is wrong, Cancelo was out from early september to early october with a foot injury

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

                ok, that explains it, despite a very good fixture it just hard to pick a ManCity player coz of rotation, I was really thinking of doing a Mahrez + Jota but is Mahrez nailed on that ManCity 11?

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

                  I expect Mahrez to play at the weekend but i don't know if i can call him nailed long term esp over this period of congestion

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

      with them playing Utd next week there is a good chance he plays this week imo, thats's only if he sees Cancelo as first choice, if he does then Cancelo gets Fulham + Utd and Mendy gets Europe, or the reverse could be true lol

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

    Giroud starting over Tammy would help Werner immensely. Abraham is more like Schick and Giroud much more like Poulsen in terms of their roles in the team. Werner when he played off Poulsen as a second striker the last few seasons was lethal but often was more lethargic when placed on the wing alongside a more shot facing striker as Schick/Abraham can be. I expect Giroud's hold up play will help Timo if Frank plays it right.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Giroud may make the bench. Pulisic is back, Werner goes back down the middle.

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

    FPL pushed back the GW deadline to Saturday

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

      Yes

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

    Mendy
    Zouma Bellerin Justin Lamptey
    Salah Jota Ziyech
    DCL Vardy Kane

    Martin Lewis Grealish Riedewald
    2 FT 0.6 ITB

    Doesn't have any idea how to waste 1 FT,
    Ridewald to maximum 5.0 mid to make a stronger bench but who?

  22. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FH team

    Cahill (wba) or bednarek (bha)?

    Or any other 4.5 with a shot at CS?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neco, Nkounkou, Fuchs, Thomas, Furlong

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

      Who will be your captain in your FH team?

  23. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I don’t have a starting GK this week, I have Martinez - Button. So I have to take a -4 ... any of these dudes worth the hit? Thanks!

    A) take a zero
    B) Kelleher
    C) Johnstone
    D) McCarthy

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

      Take a zero.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm in the same boat and taking the Zero pts from Martinez.

      Not worth a hit on GK unless you were 100% sure he was going to keep CS and get Bonus pts lol

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

      Not a lot in it.
      If you make the transfer , it's either -2 or +2 most probably.
      Do the transfer if you don't like Martinez as an option anyway, otherwise no need.

    4. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think you eat it. Upcoming fixtures + he'll have a dgw eventually.

  24. Lukakus Unit
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth using a FH this week?

    - I have no playing GKs this week
    - Grealish will be out
    - My only City player is Cancelo
    - I’ve already used my FT
    - my bench consists of Brewster, Mitchell and Jorginho
    - Robertson and Kane are currently flagged

    Since Villa is now facing two double GWs, I’d like to keep Martinez and Grealish for that run.

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

      Indicates FH & good luck with that !!!

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

      Robertson and Kane will probably start.
      Too many DGW's in this second half this season. Try and save FH for that if possible.

      After this week, you'll again end up only having Cancelo from city, you'll end up using transfers to get in KdB

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

      Not a lot in it.
      If you make the transfer , it's either -2 or +2 most probably.
      Do the transfer if you don't like Martinez as an option anyway, otherwise no need.

  25. KidingRunner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    how to see min per xG non penalty on the members area such fpl blackbox see?

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

      If you create your you table in my stat tables one of the of the hundreds of options to select ( but only 10 options at a time) is Xg non penalty

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

      Also there are probably lots of public tables already setup with this stat included.

  26. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Has Kilman lost his place? Or does he only play when they play 5 at the back?

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

    Reguillon worth the extra over Dier?

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

    So I have taken a minus 4 to address some priority fixes in my team.
    I did
    Digne and Martinez
    To Lamptey and Mendy
    But there are still lots of fires to put out out. In theory I can get 11 out but then there is Cancelo,Sterling and even Jota might get a benching as he has played lots.
    Grealish Watkins and Bernardo the major problems this week.
    Anything else worth another hit?

    Mendy

    Chillwell Cancelo Lamptey Coufal

    KDB Sterling Bruno Jota

    DCL Brewster

    Forster Grealish Watkins Bernardo

    I actually have Grealish and Watkins starting just in case the fixture is rearranged.

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

      possibly watkins to bamford, think bamford is a better pick for the 2 fixtures after this and you have no bench cover so its a likely 0 for a cancelo autosub

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

        Thanks. I hate the idea of the -8
        I am planning DCL and Sterling our next week
        For Salah and Bamford.
        Ok to hold another week.
        Lovin FPLwire btw.

  29. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan, 4m
    Lamptey, Chilwell, Justin, Dunne, Mitchell
    Salah, Jota, KDB, Son, Podence
    DCL, Vardy, Bamford

    ITB: .2m
    FT: 1

    Guys what are you thinking? Should I fold the FT? Should I Son to Mahrez (kinda tempted but Son might actually come up good against this Arsenal side). Any other suggestions? Thoughts would be highly appreciated

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best to hold FT unless your hands are forced.

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

    What is up with Kane now? This GW is worse than the IB!!

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

      This is standard Mourinho when he thinks he has a shot at the title

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

        Soon he'll move into "grind out 1-0s vs everyone" mode, probably once the fixture congestion becomes worse