Scout Network

How the Scout Network are handling upcoming FPL Blank and Double Gameweeks

Just before the Gameweek 14 deadline, the news broke about Blank Gameweek 18 and double Gameweek 19.

This news means that Fantasy Premier League managers around the world suddenly start looking further ahead with the transfers and start to plan a chip strategy that will, they hope, bring the most points returns.

We talked to the Scout Network to see how they are managing the extraordinary Gameweeks after the festive period.

Ted Talks FPL

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 9

I have already used my first Wildcard and my current team is only a few transfers away from a decent Double Gameweek 19 side. Therefore my plan is to Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18, bringing in the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson, Kevin De Bruyne, Heung-Min Son and Wilfred Zaha just for one week, reverting back to my permanent squad for double Gameweek 19.

By that time, I will have 15 playing players (12 of which have a double Gameweek) without taking any hits, making it an ideal time to activate the Bench Boost chip. The team will most likely consist of Emiliano Martinez and Alex McCarthy in goal, Vladimir Coufal, Ben Chilwell, Victor Lindelof, Stuart Dallas and Reece James (if fit) in defence, Mohammad Salah (who will be my captain), Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Jarrod Bowen in midfield, with Patrick Bamford, Che Adams and Michail Antonio up front.

Ted Talks FPL

FF Titans

Calvert-Lewin offsets longest goalless streak with another Fantasy assist

Many FPL managers would be considering the use of several chips across Gameweeks 18 and 19 to maximise the advantage. We, however, believe in caution. There are three reasons behind our pragmatism – firstly, blank Gameweek 18 actually offers few genuine high-scoring options, in our opinion. We think FPL Managers should be fine with seven players who are players who will be playing so probably not worth using any chip here. 

Secondly, there will be 19 more Gameweeks after Double Gameweek 19, any over-utilisation of chips here will hamper your flexibility as the season enters its crucial stages around March and April. 

Thirdly, there will likely be other Double Gameweeks later in the season – although these will likely be smaller than the one in January. There are three games are yet to be rescheduled and both the FA Cup and the League Cup competitions will no doubt cause more fixtures to be reshuffled. Saving the Wildcard and Bench Boost for those double Gameweeks to come appears to be a safe option here.

We would advise on only using the Free Hit on double Gameweek 19. This offers more flexibility for you to plan your squad up to double Gameweek 19. If you plan to use the Bench Boost on double Gameweek 19 without the Wildcard on Gameweek 17 or Gameweek 18, you will need a lot of free transfers or even hits to build a team of 15 playing players. This may lead to sacrificing Manchester City players like Kevin De Bruyne (who plays Newcastle and Brighton at home on Gameweek 15 and Gameweek 18) or Everton players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin (who plays Sheffield United on Gameweek 15).

Double Gameweek 19 is still three weeks away but given current form, there is a need to target this trio with the Free Hit
1) Mohamed Salah (who has home games against Man Utd and Burnley) – the Egyptian cannot stop scoring, having found the net five times in the last four games. 
2) Bruno Fernandes (away games to Liverpool and Fulham) – the Portuguese is hardy, durable and consistent. He is first on Manchester United’s team sheet and is the architect of every meaningful United attack
3) Tomas Soucek (home games to Burnley and West Brom) – on paper the Hammers have the best fixtures and Soucek is the perfect enabler for other Premiums.

FF Titans

FPL Poet

How I plan to deal with FPL fixture swing in Gameweek 10

At this moment, I have seven players who will play in Gameweek 18, so my plan is to avoid using my Free Hit chip that week. Over the next four weeks I will try to make a squad that will have eleven starters (or at least ten) in Gameweek 18. My current plan is to play the Free Hit in Gameweek 19 so that I can have as many double Gameweek players as possible. 

By using this strategy this will keep my Wildcard and Bench Boost intact, which I plan to use later in the campaign when we will likely get another double Gameweek. I also have the Triple Captain chip intact, however I am someone who prefers playing the Triple Captain chip as late as possible. 

I think keeping the chips intact gives one better control over the last leg of the campaign.  However, taking a Wildcard in Gameweek 17 with an eye on Gameweek 18 and 19 and playing the Free Hit in the latter is also a good idea.

FPL Poet

FPL Family

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 13

Double Gameweeks are a gift to FPL managers. The opportunity to over achieve is huge, especially if you deploy a chip in that week too. For me attacking the Double Gameweek is aggressively is key. Using a chip like the Triple Captain or the Bench Boost can grow the points scored by a Manager with greater potential to over achieve than the Free Hit chip can. Free Hit’s are perfect, in my view, for blank Gameweeks as they allow the most aggressive approach to that Gameweek.

My plan is to use my free transfers to build a team for double Gameweek 19. Using free transfers I can get to a Gameweek 19 team which I think combines the perfect numbers of double and single Gameweek players (there are some single Gameweekers who have fixtures which are too good to overlook) meaning that the Bench Boost or Triple Captain chips look like a great option. I’ll likely play my Bench Boost as I will have 15 players who all look good ahead of that week.

With this likely to be the biggest blank and double of the season I will also use my Free Hit in Gameweek 18 to get a full squad of players. This will allow me to use my Wildcard to deal with any later blanks and hold my Triple Captain for a later double Gameweek.

FPL Family – Sam

What’s happening in the Scout Network?

Scout Network: Thinking ahead to the blank and double Gameweek in 18 and 19

In January we will be launching our new Scout Network Podcast – Scout The Gameweek hosted by Sam from FPLFamily. Each week Sam will be joined by a member of the Scout Network, Scout Academy or from FFS International. Sam will kick off the new Podcast with Ted from Ted Talks FPL to look back on blank Gameweek 18 and ahead to double Gameweek 19.

Ted Talks FPL

Ted appeared on the Gameweek 14 Scoucast alongside with Joe and fellow member of the Scout Network Sam from FPL Family. Ted lived through the highs of Lindelof’s assist and the lows of a Fernandes blank live on air which made from great viewing. Ted also had the chance to show off a couple of pieces of content that he produces regularly on the Scoutcast, which received a great response from the Scoutcast viewers. Ted also continued with his regular content across the week, however it was even more crowded with the additional Gameweek in the schedule last week. Ted also released a blank & double Gameweek fixture chart, which is pinned on his twitter page, along with a video and many other infographics.

El Statto

It’s been a good week for El Statto’s website Jumpers for Goalposts which has seen a 35% increase in visitors in comparison to the previous week. This increase was largely driven by two articles from his ABC Transfer guide series. The first looked at the players who fit into our hauls and return categories based on their previous six weeks form. The second looked at the Gameweek 13 games and how these players performed and whether there are any stand out players you need to be considering for your transfer plans.

FPL Family

Last week it was Sam’s turn to pick a differential on the Scoutcast – Sam went on to pick Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, who went on to register a brace and an assist straight away in Gameweek 14 – probably one of the best Scoutcast differential picks we have had. Lee also appeared on a late night FPL Show with Gianni last week, looking back at Gameweek 13 and ahead to Gameweek 14. This week you can catch Sam on the Official FPL Podcast as well as both halves of the FPL Family on the FPL Show on Christmas Eve.

FF Titans

The guys at FF Titan have been in the festive mood over the last week – writing about Christmas picks with an embedded quiz. They have also been talking about the “perfect” FPL gifts.

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

458 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell to

    A. Dias
    B. Dier

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

      Dias for me

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not for me , I want GW19 players . He’s more likely dropping again tonight

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

      I did A exactly.

      Will probably do Lamptey to Dier next GW

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

    Given Wilson's bad fixtures is it worth a -4 to swop him out?

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

      I'm considering removing him this GW. No DGW for him either.

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Adams

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

          I was thinking the same

          1. Tango74
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Seems most popular transfer this week is

            Chilwell Wilson to Adams and Liverpool def

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hello all.

    Bench order correct?

    Martinez
    Dallas Coufal Matip
    KDB Bruno Salah(C) Son
    Bamford Adams DCL

    Steer Bednarek Taylor Bissouma

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

      I think so

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

    United TGW please, do your thing FA and don't reschedule for 18.

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

      Only TGW i can remember was with Birmingham. Zigic cap blanked in all 3 games lol

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Middlesbrough year when they were in uefa final ??

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No TGW !

      Then players get rotated

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

    Morning everyone and Merry Christmas! Working backwards a little here... Am I right in saying that the teams that have a DGW26 will also have a blank in GW29 (as that's where the DGW26 is generated from)?

    So if you go for something like 15 DGW26 players on a wildcard you'll then actually have 15 players who blank just 3 weeks later? Unless you have the free hit chip still, that surely rules out a bench boost for DGW26 if correct?

    Thinking out loud here - happy to be corrected 🙂

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

      Yep, people are losing their minds over 18 and 19, but this could be child's play compared to negotiating 26 and 29.

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

        I'm considering FH18, BB19. Then use the second WC to bring in a maximum of 11 DGW26 players BUT have a bench of 4 GW29 playing players. 3 free transfers later and in theory you can then have at least 7 GW29 players. Not ideal for team balance but it feels the only alternative to not holding FH.

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

          Sounds like a plan. Small problem is we simply don't know who is doubling in 26 and who is playing in 29, so it's a bit of a leap of faith, but as long as everyone playing in 29 isn't totally shite this plan should work alright.

      2. BananaNose Maldonado
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This doesn’t add up. There are (currently) no teams that play in both 18 and 19. But there will be plenty of teams that play in both 26 and 29. Also, at least between 26 and 29 you can make three or four free transfers to alter the composition of your team.

        People are rightly making a big deal out of 18 and 19.

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

      This is why I’m wondering if I just take GW18 on the chin and keep my FH but the issue is I’m likely to only have 5-6 players!

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

      That's why you'll have to pick viable SGW players on WC in GW26 if you're BBing that week.

    4. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m considering bb in DGW26 with cheap double gamweekers on the bench and some good BGW29 players in the team

  6. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Should I play Adams or Raphinha? Made the wrong decision last week!

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

      Adams

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

    For DGW19

    A. Kane and Dias
    B. Vardy and Chilwell

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

      B by absolute light years

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

    Lamptey -> Dier worth a -4?

  9. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    bringing in sterling over kdb mad?

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

      Yes, shown no form

  10. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with 2FT's and 0.4 itb

    Martinez
    Robertson-Coufal-Dallas
    Son-KDB-Grealish-JWP
    Kane-Vardy-DCL

    Steer-Taylor-Bissouma-Lewis

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

    A) BB19 with a -12:

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robertson*, Zouma*, Balbuena*, Bednarek*, Taylor*
    Salah*, Raphinha*, Soucek*, Fernandes*, Son
    Bamford*, Vardy*, Martial*

    B) TC19 with a -4:

    Martinez
    Robertson*, Zouma*, Bednarek*
    Salah(TC)*, Fernandes*, Soucek*, Raphinha*, Son
    Vardy*, Bamford*
    (Steer, Taylor*, Brewster, Douglas)

    Leaning towards B, saving BB for another DGW (with longer to prepare / less hits). Thinking that may yield overall more points than Martial*, Balbuena* and Taylor* (-8).

    Cheers

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d never take a -12 , even for bb,

      Why not leave bb for gw26?

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

        Thanks, that's why I am leaving towards B.

  12. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Last night I dreamt that Son got two assists and a goal. While in the dream I realised it wasn’t real, what a relief!

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

      So you were lucid dreaming? Nioce

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Clearly didn’t have any control over the dream haha!

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

          Keep practicing 😛

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

      It's a sign of things to come

  13. LarryDuff
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Triple captain always burns me in DGWs, very tempted to put it on Salah this week

  14. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT and not sure what to do?

    Martinez
    Chilwell* Robbo KWP
    Salah KDB Son Grealish Mount
    DCL Bamford

    (Forster Lamptey* Brewster Mitchell)

    A) Chilwell to Dias
    B) Lamptey to Dallas
    C) Lamptey to Stones
    D) Anything else?

    Want Bruno but need to move on Grealish or Son to do it

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

      A and C

  15. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Squad: 1FT 0.0ITB
    Mcarthy Forster
    Cresswell Dallas Chilwell Taylor Neco
    KDB Bruno Salah Grealish Bissouma
    Giroud Bam Ings

    A. Ings & Chilwell to Adams & Robbo
    B. Ings & Chilwell to Firmino & KWP

    Also anyone have any thought on weather i should keep Giroud at the moment? Thanks all and GL

  16. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Robertson worth the 0.1 over TAA? And if so, why ?

  17. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    There’s something really comforting about having triple Liverpool again - Salah, Robbo and Trent 🙂

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

      Nice

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

        I’m hoping for lots of lovely hauls from all three over the coming weeks

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

          I am sure there will be.

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

    Planning to do James + Mitchell to Holding + SHU defender just for the BGW. Will give me 8 + Davis (Villa) for that GW. Makes sense?

  19. BilalM
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would anyone do Fernandes -> Salah?

    Seeing as United have 2 home games in the next 3. and Liverpool have the better fixtures.

  20. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mccarthy (Nyland)
    Chilwell*. reece james*, Justin, KWP, (Mitchell)
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish (Stephens)
    DCL, Wilson, Bamford

    1FT £1.1m ITB

    A) Reece James ---> Coufal/Cancelo
    B) Wilson---> Adams
    C) Options A+B (-4)
    D) Wildcard?

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

    Which is better?

    GW 15=Greenwood and Chillwell > Trent and Soucek free
    GW 16= KDB and Mitchell > Son and Robertson -4

    or
    GW 15= Greenwood and Chilwell -> Raphina and Trent free
    GW 16= KDB and Mitchell -> Zouma and Son -4

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

      In GW 16 it would’ve be Lamptey instead of Mitchell

  22. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best option;

    A) Play Ayling / Justin

    B) Coady > Coufal (-4)

    Plan is to BB and want Coufal for DW19.

    Thanks.

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

    With Tomkins now fit, will he feature regularly for Palace? Who do you think are the most nailed on defenders in that team?