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. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is holding worth a bench spot or move Branthwaite to Mitchell for the blank??

    No free hit, currently have 7 but looking to get 9..

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Holding is worth it insofar as he will almost certainly play the next 2-3 (due to unavailability) and will likely play the games thereafter in the short term as Arteta seems to favour him.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        As for CS-potential, can't really trust Arsenal with that atm. Better than having Branthwaite who isn't going to play, if you can afford it.

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          My plan is to play 3 from the bench so won’t affect my dbl GW team too much..

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sure, think it's a decent short term option.

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

    Who will be the next Coutinho in the PL?

    Any guesses?

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Miss those outside the box finesse shots

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

      Emile Smith Rowe

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maddy

    4. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What constitutes the next Coutinho? Flashes of brilliance and a lot of mediocrity?

      I have watched every Barcelona game this season and he really has struggled.

      There are several players that come to Barcelona and struggle with adapting to the league and the style. But I have not seen someone struggle as much as he has for over a decade.

      This includes players like Paulinho, Arda Turan and Arturo Vidal.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Rant over, sorry.

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

          It’s cool mate. Most of us are feeling a little miserable after a disappointing start to the GW

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

        The Coutinho I’m referring to is the one who once played for Liverpool

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

        Paulinho was world class in Barcelona. Still is imo and it would be nice to see him in PL.

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

      Just a wild guess because he was subbed on tonight and tried to curl it... Jacob Ramsey?

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

      Pogba

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

      Curtis Jones is the correct answer. Thanks for trying guys. 🙂

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

        Hmm not sure he reminds me of Coutinho 😀 more of a CM and quite physical

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

      A player who takes 20 shots outside the box a game and occasionally gets one in?

      Doucoure?

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

      Pedro Neto looks a class player at 20yrs old, if he moves to a better club or if wolves step up, he could dominate for years

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

    Anyone going for a FH19?

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

      Yep

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

        nice

  4. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo?

    1) Barnes, Martial
    2) Soucek, Vardy

    1 is more of a punt but last season Martial and Barnes did really well and they have some nice fixtures coming up

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

      2 is what I’m looking at this week

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

      2.

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

      I went 2, but am trying to squeeze martial in too over Adams.

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

    1. Hold or trade DCL?

    2. On the gw19 BB would you rather

    a) Fabianski & Smith-Rowe/4.5
    or.
    b) Johnstone & Soucek

    Cheers.

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

      B

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      Team looks great. Wait and see what happens in next few days but don’t be worried about burning the transfers.

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

    @BenCrellin

    If you're thinking about making early transfers in GW17, here are some of the things that could possibly be announced this week:

    CHE vs MCI becoming a GW17 Blank

    BUR vs MUN moving to DGW17

    BUR vs MUN moving to GW18 (neither team would Blank)

    EVE vs MCI moving to DGW19

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

      The king of stating the obvious strikes again.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Obvious to those of us in tune with things on this site and in the FPL-sphere.

        Great for those who follow him on Twitter and want a 5-second snapshot while scrolling

      2. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        None of that except the City blank is obvious to me snarky.

    2. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why are United fixtures being moved around?

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

        They need to reschedule their cancelled GW1 fixture vs. Burnley but have very few gaps later in the season for it to be moved to

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

          Manchester United waiting for Premier League response on postponed Burnley match amid potential fixture chaos
          Burnley vs Man United has still not been allocated a date even though both clubs have a free midweek in January.
          (Manchester Evening News)

          1. Klopp's Kids
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            thank you

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

        It's the blank game from gw1

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

      So Utd and Burnley would have two doubles in 3 weeks?

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Potentially in one scenario

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

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

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

      Interesting surely but El Ghazi will not continue to outscore Jack imo

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

        You sure. Just took a look at the stat and his xG is much higher than grealish. If he get all minutes, he might be the same or higher potential

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

          Also on pens

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

      Would not bring in El Ghazi if you are building a team for DGW19.

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

    Hi guys, I know this gameweek is far from over but thoughts on this -4? Have a few issues in defence!

    Matip and Lamptey to Robertson and C Taylor?

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

      Sounds good to me, matip out for a long time

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

    If you could only do one, which would yield the greatest value for DGW19:

    A) Steer > Meslier/Johnstone
    B) Romeu > Soucek

    If A, which do you prefer?

    Cheers!

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

      A I like Mes but Johnstone seems very popular, probably the big Sam effect?

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

        Cheers mate, leaning towards Meslier out of the two

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

      Probably A with Johnstone

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

        Thanks!

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

      Got to be A if on BB

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

        It is yeah, cheers

    4. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Johnstone is amazing

  11. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we think Stones is nailed? I hate Pep roulette but it is very tempting to do Lamptey to Stones

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

      90% nailed I would say. I think city vs Chelsea will be postponed though

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

      1st choice at the minute but it’s pep so can change anytime

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah that's my worry. I just want him from 18 onwards I think. Might leave it a week and do Kilman to Holding this week....

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Seems in favour at them min, but Dias and Laporte are both twice the player he is, surely they end up first choice

  12. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Did a rooki mistake. Salah(C) and Mane(VC).

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same lol, vc TAA

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Liverpool going to be off?

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

      It could pay off bro, Pool is the best attacking team and they could easily assist each other vs Newcastle

    4. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Me too! Praying for a non postponement.

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

    A) Son + 5.6 def (Cresswell/Justin) -4
    B) Rashford + Coufal

    Just for this week

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

    Rapinha or Soucek?

  15. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish to Barnes to beat price rise, and one more for BB19

    Yes or not worth 0.1 (aka be patient)

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Like the move. Wait until deadline.

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

      Barnes isn't rising?

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

    The current GW Rank #1 has -58 overall points and has made 247 transfers. I truly don't understand some managers. Then again, I've never been GW Rank #1.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's done for that reason.

    2. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's probably playing a weekly game with his mates.

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

        Ahhh. Hadn't considered that. Highest score for the week kind of thing?

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Even then, do you really need to make that many changes...more often that not it’s the same group of players who are the main scorers

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

    Can El-Gazi continue his form?

    Shall I sell Grealish to get El-Gazi?

    Thanks

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Too sideways. I'd bin Grealish for Barnes or...use that money elsewhere.

  18. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender?

    1) Holding (already got 3 DGW defenders)
    2) Johnstone (Big Sam effect?)
    3) Lowton (Double Burnley?)

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Furlong over Johnstone*

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2

  19. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Going into GW17 with 9 players eligible for DGW19. FH the following GW, and then Wilson to Antonio (if he's fit) for GW19. That would be 10 total. As it stands, I'll take a hit to get a clean XI, and the click BB. Sorely tempted to give Antonio or Souček the armband.

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

      Deeney in a bottle. I like it 😀

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

    Mahrez > Maddison
    Yaaay today
    Nope wait after this GW end

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

      why would you want maddison

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

        Barnes better ?

  21. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any news about Pool or ManU games?

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

      Safe to say no given how quiet it is.

  22. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guys , 2 fts and I will wait until just before deadline just incase but if city / Chelsea is off then Mendy will go, who would u go for tho?

    Already have KWP, Taylor, Dallas and really don’t fancy a double up

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That’s Mendy the Chelsea goalie btw

  23. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Michael Hector, fulham defender, owns son 😉

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bobby Reid captained Kane 😀

  24. Damsko
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This is my team, 2 free transfers, 1,5 in the bank. I will free hit gw18 but who to burn these two transfers on. Does Grealish > Lookman and Che Adams > Vardy sound like a decent move?

    Thinking of rolling a transfer, but not sure if I should play Taylor or Dallas over James?

    McCarthy

    Taylor Dallas Robertson

    Salah Bruno Grealish KDB

    Wood Bamford Che Adams

    Steer: James Coufal Soucek

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

      Ignore my comment about rolling a transfer, I need to burn two transfers.

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

    Hold or trade DCL?

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

      See how tomorrow goes, at least he got his rest.

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

        Yes, I wasn't trading DCL now... Just gaining interest.

  26. bennydebull
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Quick question re the free hit chip: If I make two free transfers and then after this activate the free hit chip to change the rest of my team, will those 2 transfers remain in the next week when it resets?

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

      no, old GW team returns.

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

        okay ta

  27. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Leyton Orient should feel aggrieved. They had to forfeit the tie against Spurs due to several players being struck by covid. Now the Carabao cup officials are saying, City won't need to forfeit their tie against UTD.

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

      Big difference between a Semi-final tie and a 2nd? round one. The league cup fixtures were coming fast and there wasn't anywhere to reschedule given Spurs had EL commitments every week.

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

    LMS EO's Stats for Everton/Man City/Zouma

    DCL 43, KDB 32, Dias 24, Cancelo 21, Zouma 12, Stone 11

    Top 5

    Salah 174, Bruno 101, Bamford 93, Son 77, Kane 56

  29. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Big chance Son is rested for Leeds? He has played non-stop also in the europa, and league cup semi-final is 3 days later, which obviously is a big priority for Mourinho.

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Problem is Mourinho can't afford to bench him. When he's off Spurs suck more.

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

      Against Leeds he will be their main threat, without him there is no cutting edge to the counter attack

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

      More chance to rest vs Fulham if anything. Slower paced game compared to Leeds one so could just play all.

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

        Plus Leeds should score.

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

        Fulham is a much tougher game though, in terms of how easy they are to break down

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

          He'll do twice the running vs Leeds.

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

            Yes, therefore rest (not starting) vs Fulham would make more sense. But it's Jose...

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think he plays, we simply cannot afford another bad result, he’ll lose favour with the fans fast as well because of his negative style