Pro Pundits

The best FPL chip strategies for upcoming Blank and Double Gameweeks

Fantasy Premier League managers can start planning their chip strategy for the New Year now that the next Blank and Double Gameweeks have been announced.

We will have just five fixtures in Blank Gameweek 18 before 10 teams play twice in a bumper Double Gameweek 19.

With the news still hot off the press, I have tried to make sense of the different permutations from various chip strategies available.

Blank Gameweek 18

Top 10k FPL managers refuse to ditch Kane and Son double-up for Gameweek 9
  • Sheffield Utd v Newcastle United
  • Wolves v Everton
  • Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
  • Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Conventionally, Fantasy managers deploy Free Hit chips in the blankest of the Blank Gameweeks each season but it looks if we’re set to get two of those in 2020/21. 

The second ‘big blank’ is likely to come later in the campaign, coinciding with the FA Cup quarter-finals, as per usual which, this year looks like Gameweek 29.

So already, Fantasy managers will have to assess whether or not to Free Hit now or later, knowing whichever Blank Gameweek they go without it will potentially involve some transfer work.

And, I must say that, at first glance, the fixtures for a Free Hit in Gameweek 18 are not very appealing. 

Newcastle travelling to Sheffield United is a difficult one to call and, ultimately, I am unlikely to want anyone outside of Callum Wilson (£6.6m) for that. I might want a Magpies defender but we all know how that went for their Gameweek 12 meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

Wolves and Everton meeting at Molineux is another unattractive fixture from a Fantasy perspective. Most of us already have Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m), Wolves generally don’t concede too many on their own patch so I wouldn’t be too keen on a double up with say Richarlison (£7.8m), for example. And I really don’t trust Everton’s defence.

I wouldn’t necessarily want a Wolves defender either. Their attack is more appealing but, despite Pedro Neto (£5.7m) and Daniel Podence (£5.4m) doing well on Tuesday night, I still don’t completely trust them for scoring goals without Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m).

Manchester City hosting Brighton is a good fixture but, again, many of us will already have Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m). Given the the Citizens’ recent malaise going forward, there is no guarantee the likes of Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) or Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) would deliver, or even start! 

A defender or two from City seems sensible but the same rotation problems are present for all except Ederson (£6.0m) and Rúben Dias (£5.6m), who scored an own goal on Tuesday night.

Spurs’ positive fixture-swing starts from Gameweek 16 when they play Fulham and Leeds back-to-back so many of us are already likely to have Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m) by the time they travel to Aston Villa in the Blank Gameweek. 

And knowing what we do about Jose Mourinho, I would not be too keen on any of Dean Smith’s men outside the obvious Jack Grealish (£7.8m).

Personally, I find Arsenal v Crystal Palace to be bit of a minefield. I can’t really trust anyone from Mikel Arteta’s side at the minute and I can’t really imagine Roy Hodgson will be too ambitious at the Emirates. An unreliable fixture for FPL returns.

So, as you can see, I find the thought of playing a Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18 very uninspiring to say the least. I think if you can field six to eight players without using it, you should be fine. 

Blank Gameweek 29 might be more tricky to navigate if the likes of Spurs or Manchester City make it to the FA Cup quarter finals, whereas here we have some already popular FPL teams, such as Everton, Villa, Wolves and those two big-six clubs in action.

If I had to put a Free Hit squad together for Blank Gameweek 18, it would probably look something like this:

  • GK: Leno
  • DEF: Dias, Reguilón, Lewis
  • MID: Son, De Bruyne, Sterling, Podence
  • FWD: Wilson, Calvert-Lewin, Kane

Such a line-up does not feel like much of an upgrade on my existing team, but I guess, for you, it might depend on your squad at the time.

Double Gameweek 19

  • Burnley: West Ham United (away) + Liverpool (away)
  • Chelsea: Fulham (away) + Leicester City (away)
  • Fulham: Chelsea (home) + Manchester United (away)
  • Leeds United: Brighton and Hove Albion (home) + Southampton (home)
  • Leicester City: Southampton (home) + Chelsea (home)
  • Liverpool: Manchester United (home) + Burnley (home)
  • Manchester United: Liverpool (away) + Fulham (away)
  • Southampton: Leicester City (away) + Leeds United (away)
  • West Bromwich Albion: Wolves (away) + West Ham United (away)
  • West Ham United: Burnley (home) + West Bromwich Albion (home)

What if I’ve already used my first Wildcard?

This is an interesting position to be in and certainly not uncommon. Yes, the second Wildcard is available before the Gameweek 19 deadline if you choose to use it, but let’s assume for now we want to keep that for later in the campaign.

Bench Boost for Double Gameweek 19

With so many clubs with budget options such as Leeds, West Ham and Southampton playing twice, the potential for a Bench Boost is quite good. Even the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) etc have a decent single Gameweek fixture. 

However, this strategy would probably only be effective if you’re Free Hitting in Blank Gameweek 18 as, if you can field seven to eight players without that chip then, you will probably not have too many Double Gameweekers the following week.

It would also require you to ship the likes of Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) or Fraser Forster (£4.0m) etc who have been bench fodder up until this point, and are not players that you will likely require long term.

If you have a full playing squad of 15 already, the Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19 seems a decent option but not if you have to focus transfers on the bit-part players.

Free Hit in Double Gameweek 19

Free Hitting at this point allows you to load up on the Double Gameweek players and cherry pick the ones you feel have the best fixtures without having to hold onto them. 

If you can field a decent side in Blank Gameweek 18, then Free Hitting the following week to get options such as Andrew Robertson (£7.2m) or Danny Ings (£8.4m) for just one week could be great. 

Looking at my team though, I already have a lot of the players I’d want in that week, notably Mohamed Salah (£12.3m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.0m), Patrick Bamford (£6.3m), Tomas Soucek (£5.0m), Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m) while Spurs, City and Everton have decent fixtures as well. Is there that much to be gained? Again I guess it depends on your team.

Triple Captain in Double Gameweek 19

I like Salah’s fixtures for a triple captain in Double Gameweek 19, but the thing with using that chip, it can be used effectively in a small double Gameweek or a large so I’m not so sure if it’s the best time to use it here.

Second Wildcard in Gameweek 17, Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18, Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19

If you feel like going chip crazy, I think this could work. Load up on teams with a Double Gameweek 19 with your Gameweek 17 wildcard, Free Hit them out in Blank Gameweek 18 and Bench Boost them in the big Double. 

Your Bench Boost will likely feature some single Gameweek players though as fixtures for Spurs in Gameweeks 16 and 17 are too good to pass up. 

The obvious negative to this strategy is the lack of a Wildcard for the later Double Gameweek and the rest of the campaign’s fixture swings. 

However, as we have seen in previous seasons, that Double can often be a damp squib with real-life managers choosing to rotate towards the end of the season with league positions often settled.

What if I still have my first Wildcard?

If you have managed to hold onto your first Wildcard for this long, well done. Something similar to the above strategy should work well, in my opinion. Wildcard in Gameweek 16, Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18 and Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19. 

The only drawback I can see with this is that you can possibly put too much money on your bench players as a result of the Bench Boost but the way this season is going, bench strength isn’t really a bad thing. 

Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 13

469 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which team:

    A: Rigid 4 4 2

    Martinez (Steere)
    James Coufal Dallas Lamptey (Mitchell)
    Salah KDB Bruno Son (Bissouma)
    Kane Bamford (Brewster)

    B: Flexible 3 4 3/ 4 3 3/ 4 4 2/ 5 3 2

    Martinez Steere
    James Coufal Dallas Lamptey Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Podence (Bissouma)
    Kane Vardy Bamford

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer B

      I don't think KdB merlots his price and it has a better balance

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. The main advantage of going with Vardy in that team is that it improves the overall balance.

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like a Vardy vs KDB debate

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        All boils down to that. Plus what it enables. Vardy enables strengthening in other areas. KDB does not. But if we compare them in isolation most will say KDB. Difficult.

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

    Hope you guys enjoyed reading , there's no right or wrong strategy ofc I just wanted to share my initial thoughts

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Liked it, as always!

    2. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It was a good read thank you

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

      Interesting, thanks.
      Still have my first wc and really like the look of my team so very unsure of what to do!

    4. WALOR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Zophar, Zogood.

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

      Good read, some interesting points. My initial thoughts were free hit 18 and maybe tc 19 as I will have 7 dgw without trying to transfer any in. With the single game weekers having good fixtures e.g. spurs vs Sheff united and city vs palace.

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

      I might go without any chip, or just triple C in ge 19

    7. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      great read Zoph thx

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

      Nice one
      I would prefer to max out this dgwk as future ones are abit of an unknown.
      Different strokes for different folks

    9. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks Zophar, what about FH18, BB19, WC20?

    10. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nice read.

      I dont like the fixtures in gw18 neither.

      But the only way to benefit the dgw19 the most is to free hit that bgw I think.

    11. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very useful
      Thanks

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

      Another factor is whether the postponed GW1 fixtures, and Covid cancellations (currently Villa v Newcastle from GW11), will be caught up during this period. It doesn’t make sense for United and City to carry these fixtures into the renewal of CL/EL hostilities (after GW24), and the only space between GW20-23 would depend on early FA Cup exits.

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

        Man Utd could play Burnley in GW18, with City v Villa being added to DGW19.

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Good post - agree. This is what I'm waiting for. Could be a completely different landscape

    13. calstokesey97
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have my first WC so will be going for the bottom strategy, never before have we had a scenario where a team blanks followed immediately by a double like this for so many teams.

      Bench would look something like Johnstone, Ayling, Coufal and Soucek. Which I can live with now I’ve made a bit of value, and confident some cheaper players can provide value.

    14. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This summerises the whole article nicely

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

      Thanks. Comparing different strategies is very difficult now. Especially since we don't how the future dgw:s are going to look like. I guess the next part will be checking what can be done without chips and then calculate how much extra points can be made with chips. I personally will try to save transfer this week and then try to find a good way to navigate through.

    16. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Agree gw18 fixtures not worth a chip. I’ll go with 9 players max. Teams/players might score big but just not seeing it

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

    Thoughts on this early bench boost DGW19 draft?
    Will build towards this with FTs and FH in GW18.
    Kane could also be Vardy/Ings. Whoever is in form.

    Martinez(EVE) Johnstone(wol/wham)

    Chilwell(ful/lei) Dias(CRY) Dallas(BRI/SOU) Masuaku(BUR/WBA) Taylor(wham/liv)

    Salah(MUN/BUR) DeBruyne(CRY) Fernandes(liv/ful) Soucek(BUR/WBA) Lookman(CHE/MUN)

    Kane(CRY) Bamford(BRI/SOU) Antonio(BUR/WBA)

  4. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    When will the BGW and DGW be reflected in season ticker?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Never probably. So disappointing

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

    What to do here lads??
    2ft 0,7m itb

    martinez
    james coufal taylor
    salah son grealish bruno
    watkins kane dcl

    martin kwp bissouma mitchell

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

    TC Salah (MAN, BUR) looks great is manageable chips wise

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe

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

    Which looks best for the coming weeks:

    A) KDB Bruno Gross Salah Raphinha
    Kane DCL Brewster (0itb)

    B) KDB Bruno Gross Son Grealish
    Ings DCL Brewster

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

      (3.1itb for B)

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

    Other than the bench fodder, I currently have:
    3 blanking GW18: Salah, Chilwell, James
    8 playing in GW18: DCL, Watkins, Jesus, Son, Sterling, Grealish, Lamptey, Martinez

    Although it's not ideal, the only possible strategy seems to be 11 blank GWers by GW18 and FH in GW19. The caveat is that I only have 1 defender (Lamptey), who is playing against Man City at Etihad in GW18, which means I'd need at least 2, ideally 3 FTs used on defenders by GW18.

    Any thoughts/suggestions on this?

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

      In your case then it looks obvious to play FH in GW19 and maybe add 2-3 players more for GW18.
      For me its the other way around, I have only 4 players for BGW18 atm so am surely using FH, but 7 players that have DGW19 and just have to add few more with free transfers.
      Probably using BB later since it doesnt look that good unless Im taking hits which I dont think its worth it.

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

        Yes, in your case, FH18 definitely makes more sense. I wouldn't take hits for BB. Considering the value of likely bench players, despite the double, a hit would be unlikely to pay off.

        The main issue with my team is that I was planning to remove the 2 City players as I'm finally convinced that they have declined this season and perhaps not worth the value with their current form. But City having a good fixture in GW18 complicates things slightly.

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

    On first glance, how would you set up this squad for gw 18 and 19?

    A. FH 18 - BB 19
    B. FH 19

    Meslier Martinez
    Chilwell Konsa Coufal Kilman Mitchell
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Anguissa
    DCL Bamford Adams

    2Ft 0.1 ITB.

  10. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Once upon a time Balders would do all this for us

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      good times

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There's always someone with a big spoon somewhere

  11. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Im working towards this for 19

    Meslier**(Mart)
    Chilwell** KWP** AWB** Coufal** (Konsa)
    Son Salah** Bruno** Soucek (Neto)
    Bam** Kane (Brew)

    all DGW bar Spurs

    I can get this via:
    DCL to Bam
    Adams to Kane
    KdB to Neto

    FH18
    good plan?

  12. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Early but does this look like a save?

    Martinez
    Targett Chillwell Lamptey
    Greenwood (B)runo Salah KDB
    Adams Kane Bamford

    Foster,Stones,Burke,Mitchell.

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

      100%

  13. anish10
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do here guys, any advice be great.
    Maybe Mitchell/Cancelo out?

    2FT 0.4ITB

    Martinez
    Chilwell James Cancelo
    KDB Salah Fernandes Grealish
    Wilson DCL Bamford

    Button // Soucek // Lamptey // Mitchell

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mitchell to a playing defender

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

      You already have 2 playing subs so I wouldnt be bothered with Mitchell TBH

      Think I would offload Cancelo because Pep is pulling defenders out of a hat at this stage.

      ROY team looks good.

  14. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2ft and not sure what to do. Any suggestions be great.
    McCarthy Forster
    Dias, chilwell, targett, coufal, Williams
    Salah, grealish, son, kdb, Bruno
    Bamford, Watkins, Brewster

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

      You've a v decent midfield so i would think offload Dias ( I mean who would have predicted Ake last night?) and try to improve on Watkins up front.

  15. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This article missed FH18, BB19 and WC20

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

      Because your WC should stay in your pocket

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You could write one yourself?

  16. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys,
    Any suggestions on what to do with 2fts? 0.2itb
    Mccarthy button
    Chilwell James dias ayling mitchell
    Salah kdb Bruno grealish soucek
    DCL Bamford welbeck

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

      Id let Dias go - see my posts above about what I think of Pep and his selection policy. Just too variable.

      Rest looks spot on so roll 1 FT and have 2FT for next GW.

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

        Yeah tempted. Guess I need to figure out my plans for 18/19 to know who to bring in. Maybe coufal?

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

        Disagree. Dias not been dropped once this season. Keep for the next 2 at the very least. Possibly expendable for the doubles

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe Chillwell to someone in order to generate cash

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

        Hmm Chilwell or dias out I think.
        Coufal a good replacement?

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

          Probably so because you have McCarthy which closes off the two SOU centre backs

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

            Cheers

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, Dier can also work

  17. ilikewud
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I checked out after the Dias own goal - Can't believe KDB got 2 bonus points!

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Well he created two massive chances.

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

        'massive'

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, one-on-ones right in front of the keeper which Sterling and Gundogan failed to convert.

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

      He was the only city asset playing to standard. Couldnt have done much more IMO. Laid it on a plate for 2-3 players.

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

    Why isnt the friday game in gw 19 part of gw18? Absolute nonsense from FPL.

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

      Trying to make things interesting

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

        This - so strange!

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

      Isn't that what they always do? I thought they always have Tuesday-Thursday fixtures as midweek and Friday-Monday fixtures as weekend GW.

      It's a shame though, as it'd have really helped me to have that Chelsea fixture in blank GW.

  19. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have 2 FT's

    What about these 3 moves for a -4?

    Chilwell>>James
    Torres>>Son
    DCL>>DCR

    Giving a team of:

    Martínez
    James Cresswell Robertson
    KDB Son Salah Grealish
    DCR Kane Bamford

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

      Hmm looks decent getting son back in

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      who's DCR?

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

        DeCordova Reid

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ah, so you'd be switching to 442? DCR doesn't play much does he?

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

            No, id continue to play him. He has started the last 6-7 and looks v dangerous and good in general play for Bonus Points. Mitrovic is the one thats losing out.

            1. Gooner Kebab
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Nice one

  20. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Forward planning for next few weeks into DGW19. Which combination would you prefer for the doubles?

    A - Trent, Mount, Coufal
    B - Maguire, Pulisic, Creswell

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably B

  21. Yank United
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FH in a BGW where you can load up with City/Spurs/Arsenal/Everton assets or FH in a later BGW when you might have rubbish teams (like normal BGW 29) to choose from?

    I think it makes more sense with more upside to go for the high reward of loading in a BGW with quality sides guaranteed to play.

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

      Fair point. Could have a double with City, United, Villa, Burnley that you could FH (not saying it's a better strategy as I prefer it in the BGW).

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Could it be time to sell KDB? If not, what else to do with 1FT 0.4 ITB atm?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Lamptey Coufal (Dallas Mitchell)
    Salah Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    DCL Bamford (Davis)

    Some tough fixtures next week...

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

      one blank and selling him before sea of green fixtures? cmon now...kneejerking at its best

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well, 2 blanks in a row actually, and 4 in 6 games.

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

      Tough fixtures how? City arent firing - thats for sure. But that guy has been sensational in all recent games ive seen. Maybe it takes Aguero back to trigger something.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Dallas and Bam playing United away, Soucek and Coufal Chelsea away

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

          I see. Your post read like you meant tough fixtures for City (to me anyway).

  23. Bielsa Murderball
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So, what are the guys who have already played their FH doing?

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

      Easy to navigate, makes it boring though

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably using a WC

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

      Considering dead-ending my team into the blank and then WCing in the DGW. Would mean no TC Salah though

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        There will be another opportunity for TC I imagine, but yes, would love to use on Salah.

    4. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I most likely will use my 2nd WC for the DGW. However I am also considering largely ignoring the DGW and getting in Spurs, City, etc. + using FTs to navigate the FH. I think a team of SGWers will do well in the double given fixtures.

  24. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Another case for FH DGW109 is if wanting to punt on premium Liverpool triple-up ( Salah+Mané/TAA/Robbo), as it is otherwise difficult to accommodate using FT's to get them in up front without unbalancing the team. But then, why should they suddenly be gold again in GW19....

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thinking another huge COVID outbreak with 71 delayed GWs?

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

        Yeah, want to take the long view 😛

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

      I think it's easy enough to just have Salah + Trent or Robbo. No need for Mane also, since Bruno has a double, other premiums like Vardy have a double. Quite easily a 4.5m defender could score 12+pts. No need to focus solely on Liverpool, not even sure their 2 fixtures are that great

  25. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT - team needs a lot of help!

    Martinez, 4.0
    Cancelo, Lamptey, Taylor, Balbueno, Kilman
    KDB, Bruno, Son, JWP, 4.4
    Kane, DCL, Bam

    a) DCL, JWP to Salah, Brewster
    b) Son to Salah
    c) something else

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B out of those.

  26. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My main issue with loading up dgwers in week 19 is losing players like son Grealish DCL and then wanting them back immediately after.

    Got all of them at their originial price so would cost a lot..

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

      Thats your intuition telling you they are not good moves.

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

      AVL are easy sell in GW16.

      The rest you can easily hold - around 4 players with a single match is totally fine imo. DCL/Spurs/City all have a good fixture in GW19 anyway.

  27. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If you're having a slow season & ranked 1.5m or below, what is the point of holding your chips until GW29 when you're more than likely to still be in a crap position & risk being even further back? A lot will attack 18 & 19.

    If you attack 18 & 19 you still have 19 GWs to try & turn it around, late chip play only suits those who are on course for a 10k finish, if you're struggling around the 2/3m mark, this is an opportunity.

    It's a big gamble to wait & see where you're at near the end of the season.

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If I was ranked 500k++ I'd definitely go crazy with chips in 17/18/19

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

      I'm having a slow burn of a season - started at 4.9 and have made my way up to 1.2. I think I need to gamble on a FH and then BB in 18/19

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm definitely using FH for one of 18 or 19.

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

      I've never understood this mentality of being behind therefore you must take risks to get back up. I've done this for many years and I can tell you it works just as well to carry on with a stable strategy and while others around you take risks and fail, you will steadily climb and climb. Yes its slow, yes its slightly more boring, but its only your rank in gw38 that matters, and it's always worked out for me. The major downside to taking risks is... that it's risky, and if you fail, you will fall even further and further behind. Just keep playing the game as if your in the top 100k, all throughout the year.

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

        This is not a case of taking risks, this is a case of seizing the opportunity & giving yourself more than enough time to rise steadily.

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

          I guess I didn't quite follow your original post. I agree using chips now to attack 18/19 is the best policy. One that I would do if I was ranked in the top10k as well. Otherwise generally I don't understand when people take risks with player transfers, like bringing in players for a 1 week punt etc.. someone like Aguero, just a huge risk with a huge downside. But chip play, think its best to do when its most optimal which is now - so actually I think I'm saying the same thing as you

  28. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How many of you still have wc1 and are thinking of going chips crazy in the next few week?

  29. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why did West Brom need to use a euphemism instead of just saying they'd "sacked" Bilić?

    They may as well have said "West Bromwich Albion have announced that it and Slaven have agreed to a conscious uncoupling".

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

      I don't get what sacking the manager after the Man City game will do. They put in a good performance, surely that should have bought him some time.

  30. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hey all, FH was required for me a few weeks ago unfortunately and I don't have the 1st WC.

    Should my strategy be to use FTs to prepare for the blank, then WC GW19? Or should I just ride the storm, not attack DGW too much and have a solid core of Spurs, potentially City, Pool, etc. and probably field 7-8 DGWers in addition to good SGWers?

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

      thats my current plan atm, not really stressing about it, week by week

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yep, but prepping for the blank week probably needs to start soon.

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

          ye for sure, I only need couple players to get full 11 out gw18

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

      I would say play the next 3 fixtures normally and then see where you are at. I think you'll likely use the WC just because of the hype and potential point haul but no need to stress too much right now.

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I imagine that will be the case too, but would be glorious to go with many good SGWers and have the DGW fail 🙂

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

      I would focus on the DGW but not heavily. I would try and ride out the blank GW, it wont be high scoring and if you stick with Spurs assets now, they have good fixtures, plus they have good fixtures in both those weeks. For example in the dgw, they have Sheffield away. Keeping Kane and Son in the week when others will go for doublers could work out very well. Try and have maybe 7 or 8 players in the blank and forget about the rest. Then try and have a fair few DGwers but dont take anymore than a -4 realistically into DGW. I doubt you will use BB since you can't prepare properly for it, and definitely don't use your 2nd WC for this situation. Many will waste their 2nd WC and if you hold for another opportunity later in the year you can make up that lost ground. Not the end of the world

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not stressing, got weeks yet.
      Also not ripping out my big hitters as the value will mean not all would come back!
      Seen it all before SGW players can outscore DGW?