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. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any early suggestions for this team? 2fts, 0.2m itb. Thanks.

    Martinez
    Robbo zouma coufal taylor
    Salah kdb Bruno son
    Dcl bamford

    Forster soucek Dallas Brewster

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

      Splitting of funds from KDB to form a 3-4-3 would be of interest IMO.

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

      Plan for 18/19? Maybe downgrade KdB and upgrade elsewhere.

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

        Not sure yet tbh. Maybe fh in 18 and tc in 19. Kdb Brewster > Kane raphina?

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

    Would you take -8 pt hit to swap

    Adams, KdB, Grealish -> Kane, Son, Soucek? (Less 5.6 mid)

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

      Nope. A big nope.

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

        Thanks. Thinking of attacking those Spurs fixtures.

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

      No

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

        My OR is around 2m atm. So trying to find ways to climb in OR. Fulham, Leeds are good fixtures on paper but not sure how Mous bus is going to attack against weaker teams.

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

      Gonna disagree with others and say yes!
      Presumably you don't have GW18 and GW19 in mind.

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

        I have 7 for blank gw (inc Kilman) and 7 for DGW. Prob just using TC on Salah and trying to get as more DGW as able. Think I will do ok in blank if I have 6players incl. one of Kane/Son + some city coverage

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

    Morning all I'm starting to doubt whether to free hit in the blank now. Currently have 7 players but will be selling kdb for a double player..

    Is FH worth it?

    Martinez
    Targett cancelo
    Son
    Kane brewster

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

      I think so.
      BB gw19 looks like a nice combo.

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

        Even though I already have a city defender son and kane plus a few others?

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

          Yeh everyone FH is going to have some already playing. I just think you're losing out on too many points personally.

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

      The way City and Spurs are playing right now I might end up rolling out 5 players. Doesn't seem many points in GW18.

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

      I think that's fine for the blank. I am probably going to go with:

      Martinez
      Dias Lamptey
      KDB Grealish Son
      Kane Davis (doesn't really count but might get lucky with a 1-pointer)

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

    Captaincy next week is tricky. May just put it on Bruno

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

    Thinking about transferring Maddison in. Ideally, I would bring in Rashford or Fernandes but to do so would entail taking unnecessary hits and that is something I like to avoid. Maddison has two easy fixtures coming up and is also involved in the double gameweek. The main issue is that he's not a very productive or explosive player. His expected stats are pretty underwhelming.

    What do you guys think?

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

      He's not a very productive or explosive player. His expected stats are pretty underwhelming.

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

      Eyeing him up myself but as you say the stats are underwhelming.. think I am just going to go for raphina so can upgrade lamptey to robbo

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

      Get Bruno

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

    What are the chances of Burnley vs Man Utd going ahead in BGW?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      10%

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

        9% more likely

  7. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB > Son? I have 2 FTs and 0.1 ITB. It would loosen the purse strings a bit to get some more BGW/DGW players in

    Martinez / Button
    Balbuena / Bednarek / Justin / Taylor / 3.8
    Salah / KDB / Fernandes / Grealish / Lookman
    Kane / Bamford / Brewster

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

      Yes

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

    Any way Coufal doesn't play so I can get Bednarek's 9 pointer?

    1. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        😆

        Need Webster out too

      • Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Serves you right for benching Bedz v Fulham.

      • panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        His wife did have a baby in the last few days so you might get lucky

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

          Hope so.

    2. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cant wait to get knocked out by a ghost team in the cup

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

        If knocked out can concentrate on the league...!?!

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

        Got 109pts one year and was knocked out by someone with 115pts. True story.

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

      A) KDB, Mahrez -> Fernandes, Lookman
      B) Grealish, Mahrez -> Rashford, Lookman

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

        A

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

        I think there are better options than Lookman personally.

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

          I'm just mentioning him as a proxy for that 5.0 - 6.0 range of midfielder really. Already have Raphinha.

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

      Would you sell Martinez during Aston Villa’s spell of bad fixtures and then bring him back for GW20

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

        I wouldn't considering how much precious FTs are at this stage.

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

        Seems sensible. Risk if Villa do well that he will rise more, but suspect unlikely with Free Hit /DGW hurly burly.

      3. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I think I’m selling for a better DGW keeper

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

        nope. Martínez is a keeper.

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

          not referencing position here...

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

            Lol!

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

        Nope

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

      Thought my 38 from 7 was poor, but see from FPL live (thank you Ragabolly) that 7 players played is average. Need to find time today to play wildcard! Wish I had a few days to consider it! Two weeks ago worked out a squad so could bench boost in 19 after 18 FH, but it always look worse when you go back to it...

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

        Yep, didn't realize that that many players had played already

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

      What would you do here? 1ft 3.2itb.

      --Martinez
      --Robbo--Dias--Coufal-
      --Soucek--Salah--Bruno--Grealish
      --Kane--Bam--DCL

      --Johnstone--KWP--Mitchell--Burke.

      Thanks.

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

        Save

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

        Son?

    7. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I must lol at the people who used their chips up already. It’s going to be raining points on 18 & 19.

      Don’t come on here when it comes.

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

        Gosh! don't tempt fate! I have all my chips and can see it all going horrendously wrong if a few postponements with pandemic.

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

      Come on kane, score a brace tonight please!

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane or Son are scoring tonight. They gotta

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

      Need to start planning my transfers for DGW19- planning on FH18 and BB19. Got 2FT and 0.1ITB. Thinking of taking Grealish out (although I have a lot of value tied up in him)

      Grealish + Michell + Zouma --> Rafinha + Coufal + TAA (0.1 off robbo)

      Good moves?

      Team:
      Martinez
      Zouma / KWP / Dias
      Salah (c) / Fernandes / Son / Grealish / KDB
      Adams / Bamford

      Bench: Button, Ayling, Michell, Davis.

    10. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Morning

      Just wanted advice on best moves for next GW if you don't mind.

      a/ Wilson to Wood
      b/ KDB & Wilson to Kane/Vardy & Raphinha (-4)
      c/ KDB, DCL & Wilson to Kane, Vardy & Raphinha (-8).

      Martinez
      Taylor - Cresswell - Dallas
      Salah - KDB - Bruno - Son - Soucek
      DCL - Bamford

      Steer / Wilson - Lamptey - Mitchell

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

        There is a possibility of Vardy being rested against Palace according to Brendan.

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

        Wasn't aware of this - thanks.

    11. sergioaguero67
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For DGW 19
      Which defence do you prefer?

      Man Utd defence (Maguire) - Liverpool/Fulham away

      Leicester defence (Justin/Castagne) - Southampton/Chelsea home

      Please help

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

        Leicester here

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

        Leicester.

        Assume you already own WH, Sou, Pool def, etc? They are the ones I'd prioritize.

    12. 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?

      Kdb + bednarek -> Neto + Robbo

      Yay or nay?

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

        Not for me

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

          Well, got 2FT
          gotta make some move

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

      KDB + Michell + DCL > JWP + Robbo + Vardy

      Good moves?

      Team...

      McCarthy/ Button
      Taylor - Cresswell - Coufal - Lowton - Mitchell
      Salah - KDB - Bruno - Son - Anguissa
      DCL - Bamford - Watkins

    14. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What is the best 2nd GK, 5th mid and 5th defender combination for a BB in gw19 for 14.0m?

      Johnstone/Alioski/Soucek
      Fabiasnski/4.5/4.4

      Are some of the options...

    15. Xanthorpe
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Surely Mahrez starts against Everton? I'm taking him out this week anyway so might as well preserve him for a game where he actually starts.

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

        I think Yes he Should start and then ditch him

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

        I'd sell him by this point regardless tbh

    16. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martinez, Forster
      Coufal, Robbo, James,Dallas
      Burno , KDB , Mahrez,
      Kane , Bamford, Adams
      (Grealish , Bissouma ,Dunne)
      1 FT 1.2 M itb
      KDB > Salah
      Any other Thoughts ?

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

      Who scores more?

      A) Vardy - CRY(A) + NEW(A) + 4 Points
      B) Kane - FUL(H) + LEE(H)

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

        If You want Vardy for DGW then A if use FH for DGW then B

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

          A it is then

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

        This is extremely tight I don't think there will be much of a split.
        I'll lean towards Vardy just despite being a Kane owner.

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

          Yes thinking the same
          Just worried about a huge Kane haul

      3. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane 20+ vs Leeds

    18. ragsyboys
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chances of coufal playing today ? I don't want Justin on bench to replace him

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

      Morning,

      Who's the better option for gw18?

      A. El gazi
      B. Saka

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

      Who would you bench this week?

      A) Wilson (LIV)
      B) Watkins (che)
      C) Martinelli (bha)

      Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son
      Bamford

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

        C

        Any idea why Wilson didn't start vs city??

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

          I think just rested. Bruce mentioned he had played a lot of games and he was on the bench. Expect him to come straight back into the side now he’s had his rest

    21. bluetiger
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Morning all,
      Can’t decide which of these routes is the best to go down... will use FH in 18 and TC in 19:

      a) KDB to Son
      b) DCL to Vardy
      c) KDB to Son and DCL to Kane (-4)
      d) KDB to Som and Adams to Vardy (-4)
      e) Grealish to Son

      Feels odd planning to bring in Spurs players when I’ll be using FH for 18 but their next fixtures are just so good

    22. Live Lad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martial will start against Wolves right? Cavani is more of an impact sub and Martial will start games?
      I'm thinking of getting him instead of Vardy. DGW aside, United have home games. They should do well.
      Vardy might be rested against Palace.

      That will give me Bowen instead of Soucek for the DGW too.

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

        Could easily be Cavani imo.

    23. Yordan Letchkov
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best < 5.4 MF player for the next few GWs?

      A) Soucek
      B) Henderson
      C) Harrison
      D) Lookman

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

        A