Metrics

Huge backing for Salah captaincy as Wildcard template for DGW19 forms

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) was handed the armband by huge swathes of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers in Gameweek 15.

The Egyptian has accrued the largest captaincy backing in a single round at this level so far in 2020/21.

A whopping 82.8% of the top 10k chose Salah as their skipper ahead of an appealing home meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies have conceded 29 goals in 14 league matches this season, an average of 2.1 per game, while Salah has blanked just once at Anfield in 2020/21.

As a result, it is no surprise to see so many high-level managers captaining him for Gameweek 15. 

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) was the second-most popular captain among the top 10k but still only managed the support of 5.2% for his home meeting with Newcastle.

That makes for a majority of 77.5 percentage points between Salah and De Bruyne.

And those who handed the armband to the Belgian had no joy on Saturday, with the City playmaker taking only appearance and clean sheet points away from the 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, we can expect the top 10k to deploy a flurry of Wildcards in Gameweek 16 considering the chip usage for the latest round.

As you can see from the bar chart above, only 1.9% of these managers assembled a new squad for Gameweek 15 – a fact perhaps influenced in some part by the proximity to Christmas Day and a desire to leave Blank Gameweek 18/Double Gameweek 19 planning to the last possible moment.

That takes the total usage for the Wildcard to 81.6% among the top 10k with just one deadline left before the first one expires.

That means almost one in five of the top 10k have less than two days left to use the first Wildcard.

As is to be expected with some of the early frontrunners at this stage of the season, a fair chunk have already eaten into their chip allowance.

Almost one in three of this leading bunch have used two or more of their chips, with 2.9% now only having a second Wildcard in their locker.

But what of the 191 managers who played their first Wildcard ahead of the Gameweek 15 deadline?

As the graphic above illustrates, many of them have Double Gameweek 19 – and a possible Bench Boost – on their minds.

Ten of the 15-man template above have two fixtures in Gameweek 19, while Son Heung-min (£9.7m) and Harry Kane (£11.0m) have very favourable matches in the shorter term.

Almost two-thirds of the Wildcarders kept hold of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m), interestingly, although what many may have deemed a favourable match-up against Sheffield United on Boxing Day may have been his last hurrah and the blank at Bramall Lane may hasten his departure from some of these teams.

De Bruyne and Chelsea defenders are the big losers in the above squad.

As for the most-owned players in the top 10k overall, there were two changes to the ‘template’ squad above from Gameweek 14.

Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) and Reece James (£5.1m), who were both flagged with injuries before blanking at the Emirates, have been replaced by Stuart Dallas (£4.7m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.3m).

Chilwell and James’ ownerships both dropped by more than half among the top 10k ahead of Gameweek 15.

Statistics taken from LiveFPL.net

1,489 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Alr done kdb to bruno. Should i -4 to sell mahrez or keep lol.:. Totally dunno if he is still playing for manc. Next up vs everton

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

      I think he'll play against Eve and maybe rested against Che so he's fitted for the blank. He's frustrating to own and i also don't get the chance to grab his haul but planning to ditch him later maybe in GW19

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

        Think I'm gonna keep Mahrez now. Had planned to do him to JWP, but reckon he'll start now vs. Everton. Owned him for his 21-point haul, so at least that's something. Think better off without him, though...

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

      Just get rid mate, otherwise, you will b asking the same question every week

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

      Wouldn't lose him for -4

  2. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thought I'd share the -8 points hit I took on the lead-up to this GW, folks. It has a chance of working out for me! Lol.

    I had 2 x FT's and did Sterling (needed rid as didn't have confidence in giving him the armband as wasn't sure of starts, etc.) & read that Ancilotti was wishing to rest DCL, so did Sterling to Salah (c) & DCL to Ollie Waktins.

    I later discovered that Walker was out, and 'cos I didn't have much of a bench, I did Walker to Robbo (-4). After many glasses of Prosecco, I finally convinced myself that Chillwell wouldn't play - nor would he 2 or 3 days later! Chillwell starts, but only amasses a mere one point. Matip for a -8 total (and my first points hit all season!) looks like a shwred move now, TBH... 😆

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

      Very nice.

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

      I really hope this works. Good story too.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Huh? It’s already worked.. and handsomely

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

          Beer 😉

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

          But Robbo and Matip could make it better.

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

    Anybody watched the Ars-Che game, do you think Saka worth a replacement for Lookman considering Arsenal's next two are pretty easy and they play on the BGW

    Or is it a better move to ditch Grealish for Maddison for the plan of DGW and him to, maybe score/assist, against Palace up next ?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You could not convince me in any way shape or form to have an Arsenal asset

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

        Thinking that cause looks like Saka is nailed and he's only 0.1 more expensive than Lookman and Arsenal don't have blank

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I am very interested. 5.1m is very tasty.

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

        My thinking too, 5.1 for (should be) a more solid team than Fulham

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

      Just saw the highlights and it looked more like Chelsea being useless.

      Madison can work, see how Wolves player do. Likes of Neto/Podence are on my watchlist.

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

        I was planning to do Lookman to Neto but considering Saka is only 5.1 and he should play against weakened Palace, that could be better to save 0.8 for something else

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

      I'd rather have Grealish and Saka than Lookman and Maddison.

    5. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have him in my wildcard team. Even if he hadn't hauled yesterday, I would consider him a good option at 5.1m. Given that he doesn't blank in the Gameweek and also that he is pretty nailed.

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Those who have gone against the herd and opted to do without Spurs have done exceptionally well recently. #beatingthesheep

  5. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Having 7 players for BGW18 good ?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Using a chip? Absolutely not.. navigating without? It’s ok but expect a mediocre GW

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Should be, assuming it's the usual suspects. Those of us FHing will be playing a bit of a lottery beyond that.

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

      Yes

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

    WC ACTIVE

    mccarthy johnstone
    Robertson dallas coufal dias taylor
    Son salah bruno soucek rafinha
    Adams vardy bamford

    0.2 itb

    Good or give me some advices

    Dias or dier ??

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

      Dier for the security of starts...

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

      Vardy may be rested.

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane much better than Son for upcoming fixtures imo. Don’t like McCarthy, Dallas, Taylor, Soucek, Raphina or Adams.. food for thought

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Or Vardy.. he is rubbish. Actually, rip it up and start again

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Breaks 150 points every season, broke 200 last season, already on 100+ in December... "Rubbish" - Woeful opinion.

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Are you ever going to captain him? Awful value but please have him in your squad

      2. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why do you say Kane much better than Son?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Deep lying defences mate. I don’t think these fixtures bode well for Son who is an absolute monster on the counter attack but fails to do well against buses or teams which Spurs dominate in possession

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Leeds aren't really deep lying though are they? Fulham yeah definitely.

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

    Guys,

    When did Grealish get booked in the boxing day fixture vs. Palace? Must have been right at the death as never saw anything myself... =o/

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

      When Mings got sent off.

  8. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Keen to hear out ideas here please:

    Martinez
    Dias Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno KDB Zaha Soucek
    DCL Bamford

    Ryan Ayling Watkins Targett

    2FT, 1.2m

    Cheers

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB, Justin > Son, Salah (not sure on your SP’s). KDB > 4.5 and Watkins > Kane another great option

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry. Salah should be Robbo/TAA in the original suggestion

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          ah yep got it

      2. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I like holding KDB with the amount of people looking to sell + already reasonably low ownership tbh.

        Who is Salah supposed to be in that first option, TAA?

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

      What are your plans for chips and B / D GW strategy?
      kdb to Son for the next two games anyway.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thinking to not utilise chips for GW18/19

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

          Sorry for the late reply my internet had a melt down.

  9. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will BUR v MUN happen in GW18 ?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd say if it's not announced next week, it won't happen.

  10. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy, Forster
    Chilwell, Coufal, KWP, Targett, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Grealish, Bruno, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Wilson

    2FTs, 0.3itb
    1) Kilman, KDB > Cancelo, Son
    2) Kilman, Wilson > Cancelo, Dec-Reid
    3) Kilman, KDB, Wilson > Robbo, Son, Dec-Reid (-4)

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

  11. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Neto or Saka? Will most likely remove after BGW.

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

      Neto

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

      Neto

    3. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neto

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

    What to do here?

    Mendy(Forster)
    Robertson Cancelo Coufal(Taylor)(Lamptey)
    Salah KDB Fernandes Grealish (Riedewald)
    DCL Bamford Rodrigo

    Plan to FH18,BB/TC19
    1FT,0.1 itb

    KDB to Son with FT?

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd probably do Grealish to Zaha

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

        Why Zaha?
        I'm using FH18 and he doesn't even have a DGW, can do Grealish to Rashford for a hit if I do the KDB Son move

        1. Chandler Bing
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ah, didn't read the part where you said you're FHing. Well, then I'd do KdB to Son for sure.

    2. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very similar team to mine. I've been planning kdb to son for a few weeks now, will do it tomorrow after the game.

  13. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Oof, Johnstone at 98 on fplstatistics now. Needed him to survive a price rise this GW to fund my ultimate GW19 double squad

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

    Play 1
    A) Coufal away to Southampton
    B) DCL at home to Man City

    Genuinely thinking of benching DCL with a chance of him getting rested and no Rich...

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A based on Ancelotti's comments.

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm selling DCL

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Stones will start vs everton?

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

      Laporte's turn probably.

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would guess he starts against Everton and gets rested against Chelsea the following one.
      Definitely missing one of those two games.

  16. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2 ft. Contemplating KdB+Watkins out for Vardy+Max8.3m but really don’t like any of them. I am FH18.

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

      Vardy a risk, see Scout tweet.

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Would you pick Maddison over Vardy for GW 16?

  17. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best option for DGW19?

    A. Maddison + Martial
    B. Bowen + Firmino
    C. Soucek + Vardy

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm on C myself

  18. Avo24
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    will you transfer out Grealish or martinez to DGW player like madison??
    So much value tied up on them but their fixture turn bad and no DGW

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe grealish. I will probably TC for GW 19, not getting rid of martinez. He's pure gold.

  19. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB sellers, do you not want him back GW18? Do you plan to bring him back or go without?

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

      FH for many.

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

      In my FH I was planning Aguero or Sterling to go with Dias and Cancelo

  20. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL >

    A) Kane (> Vardy GW17/GW19)

    B) Vardy now

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

      Not B with the doubt on the old man.

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm doing A (switch in 19)

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

    Best move here? Planning to FH19:

    A) Douglas -> Holding
    B) Riedewald -> Martinelli
    C) KDB & Bamford -> 7.5 (Zaha?) & Kane

    McCarthy
    Cancelo, Dier, Bellerin
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son
    Bamford, Wilson, Watkins

    Forster, Targett, Riedewald, Douglas
    Bank 0.6m, 2FT

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

      Bamford could easily haul vs WBA so maybe B.

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

        Yeah true. If selling Bamford it should probably be next week.

        Thinking about holding Bruno through 18 now and just losing Salah to get Kane. Somebody like Martinelli makes that doable.

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any reason you prefer Martineli to Saka?

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

        I’m 0.1 short of a straight Saka switch. Think it’s fairly close though - Martinelli usually plays more advanced and has a bigger goal threat, whereas Saka is probably more nailed. Given how poor our forwards have been lately I think Martinelli will get a run.

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

        If Auba is healthy, I like Martinelli better on left wing. Hopefully Arteta then sees value in Saka as 10.

  22. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    30 from 6..salah C kane dallas balbuena bamford left..Some stupid decisions cost me points thus week. Initially decided to save the ft but then I saw Watkins dropping so did Watkins to adams and then started James over kwp..16 points swing.. And kdb was my differential and as always disappointed, this guy forget how to score goals how many one -one he need to score a goal..he is out for me..son coming in..

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

      When there is a proper striker, like Kun/Jesus, I think folks will regret dropping KdB, Torres as a false 9 does him no good.

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

        Forget about assists, he is getting a lot of goal scoring opportunities, against fulham couple of big chances including one on one against saints one on one yesterday one on one..he is abv 11m..

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

          What's abv? Online search tells me alcohol by volume

  23. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Robertson or TAA

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Trent

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

      Whoever scores more vs WBA.

  24. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just in case you missed it... EVERTON 2ND! We really are going to win the league

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

      No chance sorry

  25. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Maybe final question

    WC active

    1. Vardy and adams
    2. Kane and some fodder or 5.4

    Fh18 bb19.

    The plan is to bring vardy for the double19 so what to do ?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd do 2 with either Decordova-Reed or Fabio Silva and maybe do a hit GW 19 to upgrade when you bring in Vardy.

  26. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Neto or podence? Neto seems better with underlying numbers?

  27. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Had planned Mahrez> Son. Would you keep with Mahrez probably starting Everton?

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

      Definitely not.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Any chance Son gets benched for Fulham with the Leeds game in mind?

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

          Can't see it happening personally.

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

      Everton keeping CS now.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes and City look dull attacking wise.

  28. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Meslier nyland
    Zouma Alioski Taylor Bednarek Dunne
    Kdb Salah son grealish Fernandes
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    2 FT 0.0ITB

    Thoughts?
    Considering kdb & Bednarek to Neto & robbo
    It gives me Neto for GW18 too

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

    WC ACTIVE

    mccarthy johnstone
    Robertson dallas coufal dias taylor
    Son salah bruno soucek rafinha
    ried Kane bamford

    Fh18 bb19

    ried kane to adams vardy?

    Or

    Adams vardy from now

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd wait. If Kane outscores Vardy by more than 4 in the next two GW (and I think he will), you'll make up for the hit in 19

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

        So with kane now ?

        1. djman102
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It's actually what I'm doing (Kane to Vardy in 19). Fulham & Leeds are too good to pass up imo.

  30. JPowell612
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez/McCarthy
    Stones/Dallas/Cancelo/KWP/Kilmon
    KDB/Salah/Fernandes/Grealish/Jones
    Kane/Bamford/Brewster

    Worth -4 to replace;
    Kilmon/Grealish to Robertson/Soucek??

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

      Yes