Metrics

How Wildcarding top 10k FPL managers have prepared for Double Gameweek 19

A significant portion of Fantasy Premier League managers inside the top 10,000 overall rankings re-shaped their squads for Gameweek 16.

9.3% of those deployed the first Wildcard at the last chance of asking for the final Gameweek of 2020 – with Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) very much a key figure.

Thanks to the data on LiveFPL.net, we can analyse which other assets played a part in this squad shuffle, especially thinking of the upcoming Blank and Double Gameweeks.

Firstly, we can see that, as the Gameweek 16 deadline passed, 92.0% of top 10k managers had used the first Wildcard.

That means that just over 8.0% of those at this level proverbially ‘wasted’ it by leaving the chip unused.

Could that indicate a degree of inactivity even among the top 10k, or were there that many managers happy enough with their existing squad not to need it. Imaging that luxury is enough to make anyone envious.

As you can see from the bar chart above, we can see that, after 16 Gameweeks, 5.0% of the top 10k achieved their lofty rank without the use of even one chip.

64.6% have deployed one, almost certainly the Wildcard based on the rule of probability, while the relative lack of managers to have used more than that suggests we should see plenty Triple Captains, Free Hits and Bench Boosts when the Blank and Double Gameweeks come around.

As mentioned already, Salah was the key man on top 10k Wildcards, selected by 95.9% of these managers, the most of any asset.

He is marginally more popular than Bruno Fernandes (£11.1m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.5m), included in 95.8% and 94.6% of top 10k Wildcard squads respectively.

Despite blanking in five of the last nine Gameweeks, Son Heung-min (£9.7m) is not far behind the trio in terms of Wildcard support, chosen by 88.0% of these managers. 

Back-to-back home matches against newly-promoted opposition are sure to have influenced that decision, as well as a fixture in Blank Gameweek 18, taking Spurs to Villa Park.

Midfield is certainly an area where the top 10k have been as unanimous as possible in terms of selection, Tomáš Souček (£5.1m) selected by 70.2% of Wildcarders at this level ahead of a Double Gameweek line-up of Burnley (home) and West Bromwich Albion (home).

Apart from Bamford, the top 10k were less emphatic in the overall choices up-front. It is certainly noteworthy that Harry Kane (£11.0m) was considerably less popular in these Wildcard squads than Son with 55.7% inclusion.

Also interesting is the fact that Che Adams (£6.1m) has picked up the support of 41.7%, the value offered by a striker facing Leicester (away) and Leeds (away) in Double Gameweek 19.

Premium defenders struggled to get much of a look-in for top 10k Wildcarders, none of the top-five most-fashionable assets in this position costing more than £5.0m at the time of writing.

James Justin‘s (£5.0m) remarkable powers of recovery have helped him start and play 90 minutes in every match for Leicester this season, even between Gameweeks 15 and 16.

The top 10k have cottoned onto that, especially those Wildcarding, 62.0% choosing him ahead of a Double Gameweek 19 line-up of Southampton (home) and Chelsea (home).

Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) and Stuart Dallas (£4.7m) are in just shy of 60% of top 10k Wildcard squads, with Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.8m) also extensively included.

In terms of what these selections mean for future chip planning, the fact that so many popular Wildcard assets are Double Gameweekers indicates the Free Hit could receive extensive attention in Blank Gameweek 18.

In terms of how that compares with the template for the rest of the top 10k rank bracket, there are some notable exclusions.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) is in 53.8% of squads at this level but did not feature in the Wildcard template.

The same goes for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m), currently owned by 62.8% of the top 10k.

Meanwhile, it is clear that the Wildcarders at this level used the chip to bring their defence in line with the overall template, the same five players appearing in each matrix we have compared.

Finally, Salah is the most dangerous asset in the top 10k for Gameweek 16, backed by 54.3% for the captaincy.

That brings his effective ownership at this level to 142.8%, 46.1 percentage points higher than the second-placed in that category: Manchester United midfielder Fernandes.

It is also interesting to note how the stock of Spurs attackers has fallen, especially in the captaincy debate.

A home meeting with Fulham stood out to many as a key game for those in possession of Son and Kane – less so now.

Spurs’ own slump is likely a contributing factor as well as Fulham’s improved defensive displays.

As a result, Kane and Son were captained only by 19.8% and 13.5% of the top 10k respectively.

Statistics taken from LiveFPL.net.

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1,903 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TRE2
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you BB19 this team? Would be with one hit. Played WC1 in gwk5.

    Martinez Johnstone

    KWP, Dallas, Justin, Taylor, Coufal

    Salah, Mané, Bruno, Lookman, Soucek

    Vardy, Bamford, DCL

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

      Why not ?

      1. TRE2
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well, that team is 4 transfers down the line. So I could use TC instead and focus ro strengthen the first 11. But I am leaning towards BB

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

      You’d be silly not to.

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

      Ahm....where is the problem?

      I am BB with 12 players that have double fixtures + Son, Dier and Dias

  2. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Barnes an option?

    Looking for some DGW mid with good fixtures and maybe form too.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely an option. Not sure if the best option though

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

      He’s on form. So yes.

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

      He is on form. So yes he is!

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

      Option, yes.
      Good option? probably not (nothing has changed from previous seasons)

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

      Leics or Burnley?

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

        Lei ofc

  3. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Shall I move Dias on or wait for further update on the Man City situation?

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

      I ll not move him. Nailed MC...that is gold 🙂

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

        Agree with this, even if his price decreases I'm sticking, unless we have a situation where it looks like City will miss 3 games or more

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The postponement has happened. No point throwing out the baby with the bathwater now

    3. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’ll probably have Dias KDB and Zouma on the bench next week with 11 playing so just having to bench Dias isn’t the end of the world.

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

    Is a Mane and Salah double up good or a silly decision. Already have Salah and Fernandez and I’m thinking of swapping KDB for Mane?

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

      I ll swap him for Son/ Kane/ Vardy

    2. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Did it last night

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

      Was. .1 short off doing KdB to Mane. He will haul this week.

    4. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did it. Was between Son and Mane, but saves a transfer before 19, and Liverpool habe decent fixtures too

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

      I made that move pre deadline today so good decision

  5. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    johsntone or meslier ? already own dallas.

    thanks

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

      John for me (especialy if u have Dallas)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        cheers

  6. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    bottomed & revised.

    A) Grealish / Lewis -> Raphinha / Robertson
    B) Grealish / Lewis -> El Ghazi / TAA

    Already have soucek

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

      A

    2. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      thanks lads, A it is

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

      A

    5. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  7. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DGW19
    A) TC Salah
    B) Bench boost

    Martinez / 4.0
    Dallas / Coufal / KWP / Lindelof / Lamptey*
    Salah / Mané / Bruno / Grealish / Burke*
    Bamford / Adams / DCL

    *Would have to get DW players for both lamptey and Burke like Balbuena + Soucek / Raphina

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      TC

    2. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1 or 2 fts? Would be fairly similar to mine above, and Im leaning towards BB.

  8. mabz1303
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    For DGW 19

    A) Rashford
    B) Mane

    Already have Salah and Bruno
    Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      b for me

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

        B

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

      B

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

      Mané

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

    Why’s Maddison wasn’t in the squad today?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      rested

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

      Rested. Small injury

  10. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender for the double alioski or balbuena?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Balbuena

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

    On a scale of risky to bat sh#t crazy, how silly is it to make moves tonight given all the price changes?

    My 3 remaining BB19 targets all look to be rising and I only have 0.1m wiggle room currently.

    If even 2 out of 3 rise and I have any falls then I will have to totally rethink everything

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

      I would wait. There's always another move.

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

        I guess the alternative if I can’t do any is save BB and play TC Salah

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

      Go for it

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      i m doing it. if you have a strong bench hopefully will be able to cope with minor injuires

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

        If I did them all this week would be for a -8 though instead of -4 if spread ... that’s the issue.

        1. TRE2
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I am considering to do one of three, but all 3 sounds risky. And the extra hit as well. I would wait. Who are your targets?

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

            Forster > Johnstone/ Meslier
            Stephens > Soucek
            Branthwaite > Taylor

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

              Balbuena over Taylor? Give you 0.1 room

            2. TRE2
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I guess gk hurts most, because there are no other real alternatives at that price.

              You could always pick someone cheaper than Soucek, although he is the standout.

              I would probably wait, but tough one that.

              1. TRE2
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                I am doing Steer to Johnstone tonight btw

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

                Thanks mate. I agree the GK has the least wiggle room!

                You still rate Johnstone over Meslier?

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait and rethink if I were you, it could cost you more than anticipated tbh

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

        Thanks. Sensible tbh

        Main alternative if I lose out on all the preferred options is maybe to save BB and play TC on Salah

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

          Same here original plan was in tatter due to Chilwell James injuries last time and need to pick up hits for BB. TC it is now and releases the stress as well 😆

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

            It might be the best way. I just doubt the 2nd set of doubles will be as good as this one

  12. HVT
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Raphina (have Bamford) or Soucek?

    1. Blzbobuk
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have both, Soucek is cheaper which helps. I like West Ham’s double more and raphina shows promise but not delivering on it yet - I would wait if you can cope with price moves for them to play.

  13. mabz1303
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can they put Man City & Everton on GW19 by any chance?

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      they can

  14. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    damn both soucek and johnstone look like they are going up in price tonight so might need to do early transfers.

  15. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we reckon the city vs Chelsea game will be on?

    1. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Most probably no coz of the quarantine period

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      dont know

    3. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      More likely to be called off I think

  16. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender for 5.6 and under?
    Preferably someone with dgw 19

    Looking at Cresswell, Justin and Balbuena atm

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      no one can tell

    2. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I am thinking Justin. Have Coufal already though

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

      Reece James maybe, Cresswell is a good option too.

    4. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea has attractive DGW19 match-ups, but they are very likely to rotate the defenders during DGW so that's a risky choice.

      Justin, Coufal, Bertrand, Taylor?

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I would really like Reece James but I think that the match vs city will be postponed

        1. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I would like to invest in City defenders immediately after DGW19. Solid at the back with plenty of future mini DGWs coming up.

  17. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anything needs changing here? Gw18-FH, Gw19-BB

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Justin - O’Shea - Alioski - Coufal - Balbuena
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Rashford - Raphina
    Firmino - Adams - Bamford

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks great for BB19. That budget defense could use an upgrade for GW20-21 though.

  18. Wizardh
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why did they postpone City game? It seems like a biased call that helps them. A lot of teams had Covid positive players and only one was postponed..

    1. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only one has been postponed so far

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      which other teams have covid positives?

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Liverpool New palace?

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

      Public Health recommended it was called off, so can't go against them.

  19. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    To me it looks possible that Everton Man City could be moved to DGW19. Would then be a CRY+EVE DGW for MCI and AVL+MCI for EVE.

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

      That would be a ripp off

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is that a good thing?

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

        Would make DGW19 an even bigger GW
        Man City would be the only team with a fixture in 18 and a double in 19 (still waiting on whether Man Utd-Burnley is rescheduled for 18)
        To be it looks like 19 would be a good fit as they will run out of spaces to fit fixtures in otherwise (given they already need to reschedule the Man City Villa game, now potentially Man City Chelsea too, and fact that Man City is probably likely to progress in Europe and domestic cup competitions)

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

          Praying for that not happening

  20. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How likely is the Liverpool game to go ahead?

    Surely half the Newcastle team must be immune by now haha

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

      Where is that gossip even coming from?

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think we’ll find out tomorrow. Newcastle would’ve done tests today. Liverpool too probably.

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

    those planing on riding out 18 without FH - what are the plans for the city players we have been collecting given that they may miss another gameweek now

    1. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Doubt they miss that game too

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

        they are likely to miss chelsea since it is in a few days time

        1. Ci Siamo
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes but FH is 18, the Chelsea game is 17

  22. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas if Ings will be back for 19?

  23. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry if this is a stupid question but if I save my FT this week (17) and FH week after (18) I lose my FTs don’t I?
    Meaning I would have just one FT before DGW19?

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

      Yes

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      you will only have 1 FT a week after FH

  24. Wizardh
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Predicted points for this combos for DGW?

    A) Meslier, Fabianski
    B) Johnstone, McCharty

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

      These*

  25. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    In serious trouble what to do here. I have 2 FT and if I don't use them for next GW week they'll be wasted when I FH18.

    McCarthy • Johnstone
    Dias • Justin • Dallas • Coufal • Taylor
    Salah • Fernandes • Son • Raphinha • Soucek
    Kane • Calvert-Lewin • Bamford

    £0.3 ITB

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

      Dias and Raphinha to Alioski and Maddison?

    2. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not much to do is there? Are changing anything into 19?

  26. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cavani in Dcl out
    Barnes in Mahrez out

    Loading up for double gameweek. Both have blanks coming up but am gonna FH anyway. Do I do it ?

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

      Cavani's potential game time drawed me out of going for him.

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

      When is Cavanis ban?

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

    Grealish & DCL --> El Ghazi & Vardy good moves?

  28. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My plan was to drop Kdb and Watkins for maby Barnes and Vardy.
    But not so shure anymore if City get a dgw in gw 19. should i hold on until we know more?

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

    Best pair for DGW
    A) Son and Adams
    B) Vardy and Soucek(-4)

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

      B imo but Rogers is poor at planning two matches in a GW

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

        Vardy should play both though as they only have 2 PL games in over 3 weeks

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      a because of the hit and the good fixture for son

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

      Maybe A, but only because of the hit.

  30. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    looking at the expected price rises it looks like people are really getting their team set up for gw19 set up.

    i reckon the world c***al will cease to exist in a couple of seasons 🙂

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

      Getting top 10k back in the day required 0 skill. To get it the last couple of years or now is a much bigger challenge due to the bigger player base and more knowledge

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

        Zero skill? It was easier due to the numbers being lower - that’s just maths - but it has always been in the millions playing. You need a lot of Lady Luck to fall your way (just look at today for an example of that!), but to say zero skill is just wrong.

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

        That’s nonsense. Back in the day there was hardly any info on teams/players/injuries. No twitter back then!! No FFS. Was a different game back then and in some ways was much harder. So many folk can just copy the “professionals” on twitter now

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

      I think coufal has a bright future, cant see him ceasing to exist

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

        Agree

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

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

        100%