968
Captain Sensible December 31

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 17?

968 Comments
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The latest Fantasy Premier League captaincy debate is all about trust, something that has been in short supply recently.

Many of us are fresh from watching the most popular skipper blank in each of the last two Gameweeks, Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) still without a goal since Gameweek 14.

What’s worse, those two matches pitted league leaders Liverpool against so-called ‘lesser opposition’ in West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle.

Such freak results have become commonplace in 2020/21 as a busy fixture period, uncertainty over future matches and lack of fans have all impacted our Fantasy assets across the board. Since 2001, no team has ever occupied the Premier League’s top spot after 16 games with as few points as 33. Such a total would have placed you sixth in the division last season.

How will these factors play into the Gameweek 17 captaincy? Well, there is lots to unpack here.

Liverpool travel to face a stubborn Southampton defence, Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) is up against an impressive Aston Villa team while the arguably out-of-form Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.7m) will be treated to Saturday lunch with Leeds’ gut-busting free-scoring Leeds outfit.

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to look into these options, comparing their individual form against the defensive capabilities and/or weaknesses of their upcoming opponents.

As this uses extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Captain Poll

Salah’s struggles in front of goal over the last two Gameweeks seem very fresh in many people’s minds, as the Egyptian has failed to reach 10% of votes in this week’s captain poll so far.

That puts the Liverpool winger in the fourth-place behind Fernandes (32.5%), Kane (20.0%) and Son (17.0%).

The top-five is closed up by Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9), with 5.2% of votes going the way of the Everton striker ahead of West Ham’s Friday evening trip to Goodison Park.

Jamie Vardy (4.7%) is the one to slightly miss out on the top-five this week, as Leicester visit Newcastle in Gameweek 17.

Perhaps surprisingly, in-form Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) gathered less than 1.0% of votes this week, despite extending his scoring run against Wolves. The Manchester United man now has five goals in his last six Premier League appearances

KEY MATCHES

Southampton v Liverpool

Liverpool finally hit top gear ahead of appealing festive schedule
How to avoid ‘decision fatigue’ ruining your FPL transfers and captain choices
968 Comments Post a Comment
  1. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Is Taylor fit to play this gameweek ???

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    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Doubt it

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

      No, hamstring injury.

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Probably not, depends on the grade on hammy injury

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    4. leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      thanks guys

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  2. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Help please!

    Martinez Dias Soucek Martial

    Or

    Fabianski Cancelo Barnes Abraham

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    1. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  3. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Pick 1 to bench please?

    A....dias at chelsea

    B...coufal at saints

    C....dallas at spurs

    Thanks

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    1. Begbie.
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      B

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      1. Begbie.
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Coufal is away to Everton btw.

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    2. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I have all 3. Plus Trent and Ferguson.
      Ferguson is my transfer out this week. Depending who I get will means I’ll be benching one or two of those.
      Coufal plays Everton. I’m currently benching him.

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      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers guys. Yup my bad coufal at Everton. Will probably bench him. Thanks

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  4. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think of Grealish -> El Ghazi

    Would fund getting a man city defender plus upgrading romeu to saka/soucek

    Cheers 🙂

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    1. Begbie.
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      It's a good move based on current form

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    2. antis0cial
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      i don't like it. barkley could be back soon which could eat into his minutes

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Difficult one. Barkley due back soon. El Ghazi or Traore will have to be sacrificed

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    4. Straya
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Good move - El Gazhi on pens also and Grealish close to a suspension. Not one to overthink.

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

      Looks good now ofc, but after few weeks everyone wants Grelish back.

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  5. Sarri Ms. Jackson
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    anyone going Kyle Walker's house party later? what's dress code?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No european trophies

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    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Masquerade, clearly.

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  6. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts? Coufal to Stones, so I can double up with Dias for the double?

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

      What Double ?
      City Has DGW ?

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      1. MattysFantasyFooty
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Indeed they do and United play gw18

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    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Looks ok

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  7. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any chance Kane is given the day off after the birth of his son?

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    1. Begbie.
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Oh god don't even go there 😆

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    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      His son was born on the 29th. Can't see captain Kane missing a game

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    3. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No but it’s making me doubt putting the armband on him. I remember Vardy last year when he had a child, he was useless for a few games. Anyone else thinking this?

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      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        If it helps, the birth of his first daughter, Kane went onto score a hat trick in the very next game against West Brom

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        1. swanseag55
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers for that. I don’t need to guess who you are putting the armband on then with your name.

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      2. Mid budget coach
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Jimenez had a child too.. didn't blank like people thought

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    4. Shineonme
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No I think kane will play especially after the spurs game was called off yesterday

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

    I have a transfer to burn, is it worth doing Dunne > Nathaniel Phillips?

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    1. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Sounds worth it

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  9. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Wildcard GW18, Free hit GW19 is looking a really tasty option now.....

    I was gearing up to FH18 and TC/BB19 but looks like an increasing waste

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  10. Majestic Chanka
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    HeY gUyS, iVe LiTeRaLlY nEvEr SeEn ThIs AsKeD bEfOrE:

    cAn I uSe A fT aNd ThEn LaTeR uSe FrEe HiT aNd KeEp ThE fT pLaYeR???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Some people aren't as involved as others with the game, why is it a problem if they ask the question? No one is asking if they already know the answer, just to annoy other people.

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      1. MattysFantasyFooty
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I mean they should try look a bit harder one quick google search and you can read the rules, not that difficult

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      2. Majestic Chanka
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        If you aren’t that involved in FPL then you aren’t on FFS on New Years Eve.

        I’d be with you if it wasn’t asked every damn page. People need to read a few comments before asking their own questions.

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  11. S.Kuqi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Will probably pull the trigger after deadline and use my second wildcard. Bench boost in gw19.

    10 players in gw18
    15 players in gw19

    Martinez (Johnstone)
    Dias-Cancelo-Lowton (Balbuena,Coufal)
    Kdb-Fernandes-Son-Rashford (Raphinha)
    Dcl-Watkins (Bamford)

    Gw19 Dcl&Son -> Antonio& Salah for -4

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    1. S.Kuqi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Early days but how does it look?

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    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Nailed it. Hopefully injuries don't play a nasty trick on you. GL

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      1. S.Kuqi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers. Probably half of my team is injured after gw19 deadline.

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  12. Not again Shirley
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    May have missed this chat already but with Cavani out does that make Greenwood an option?

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  13. The Invincibles
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering Sterling over KDB for the double?

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    1. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He is the better pick over KDB, ppl here generally don't like Sterling so they won't admit it 😀

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      1. S.Kuqi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Sterling good option but prefer Kdb for set piece duties, pens, baps magnet and pretty much nailed to start 3 games in row.

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        1. ivantys
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Problem with KDB now is his finishing, and his balls are actually worse compared to previous seasons, so if you're looking for goals should go for Sterling. 11.7 for assists alone is just too expensive.

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          1. S.Kuqi
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            He has the potential to get double digits weeks after weeks. Has looked tired but should get decent rest before gw18.

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            1. ivantys
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 10 months ago

              It's true that his final balls have deteriorated though, ppl here are so harsh on his teammates when his balls have actually been quite average so far as compared to previous seasons. Right now he needs penalties to score goals which they don't get many.

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

          Won’t take pens with Aguero on the field will he?

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    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I think KDB's ownership will soar for those GW's so if you miss out it could well be catastrophic in the short term.

      On the other hand, you could massively prosper. But I think in such times it's better to play on the safer side. Just my own personal thoughts.

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    3. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Both

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    4. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Was surprised that he is actually on more points now, with how good the fixtures are I’ll be doubled for at least 18 & 19

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      1. ivantys
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        He would be well ahead if he started the burnley game or he finished the last min shot against wba and there would be no debate.

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  14. true_Jerry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    wood and Soucek or Antonio and Lookman for the double?

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  15. HARLEY
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any idea on how to adjust my team ahead to GW18 and 19?

    McCarthy Steer
    Robbo Dias Dallas KWP Kilman
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Bissouma
    Kane DCL Bamford

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    1. HARLEY
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      1 FT 0 itb

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  16. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Which defender would you go for from man United/city in terms of next 4 fixtures and nailedness? (Other than Dias)

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    1. S.Kuqi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Probably Maguire

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

        Why not AWB?

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    2. Flair
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Maguire, Cancelo

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      1. Eleven Hag
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Do you see Cancelo starting all of next 4?

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        1. Flair
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          No.

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  17. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    N. Phillips from Liverpool at 4.0m worth a look in as an enabler?

    Or is he unlikely to be nailed in the short term?

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      They have a couple of players who can rotate there, he was picked for his height against Newcastle.

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  18. mr messi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone think Taylor could be back for dgw19?

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    1. Shineonme
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Dount it very much

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      1. Shineonme
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Doubt #

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  19. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Scout picks this evening?

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  20. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you transfer in this week? The other one comes in for GW18
    A) Maguire
    B) Dias

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    1. HARLEY
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Dias

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    2. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Dias, could be a CS vs Chelsea, I don't us keeping CS vs Villa

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  21. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Could Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool be an amazing option as a double gameweek player? And only 4 million so doesn’t matter if he loses his place

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    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Waste of a pool slot if he does lose his place which he will

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    2. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He plays because of his height ; if its speed Rhys Williams will play.

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    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Matip due to be back for the DGW

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    4. Mikeharbrw
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He's been alternating with williams, let alone when matip is fit

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  22. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve officially no idea what to do

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    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Have a drink. It's New Year's Eve! FPL can wait until tomorrow 🙂

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      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Joking aside, what is the dilemma?

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  23. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Pick a trio for BB19:

    A) lookman KDB martial
    B) barnes son martial
    C) rashford KDB antonio

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      C but would replace Antonio with someone else

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      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        It was wrong, Son instead of KDB for C, but could be watkins

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  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    RP I'm looking for a DGW 4.6 replacement for Taylor (probably stay away from Lowton due to the game may not go ahead) Any suggestions to consider? Thanks

    A. Stephens (SOU)
    B. Targett
    C. Furlong
    D. Other suggestion

    FH18 BB19
    1FT 0.1itb
    Martinez
    Taylor* Robbo Cancelo*
    Son Bruno Salah Raphinha
    Bamford Kane Rodrigo
    (Johnstone Soucek Coufal Balbuena)

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  25. Ozzy smith
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on selection and bench order guys? Slight benching headache this week, cons of upgrading bench options though.

    Martinez
    Dias Holding Coufal
    Salah Bruno KDB Son Neto
    DCL Bamford
    (Steer Watkins Dallas KWP)

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  26. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    So if you transfered Kdb this morning you are pretty f up since he suddenly got double GW? This season man

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Why would you ever transfer KDB?

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

        Friend sold him for Mane

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        1. S.Kuqi
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          As did I.

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  27. rnrd
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Considering it is likely we WC around gw25, isn’t there a case of bringing KDB instead of salah?
    Kdb has one more game and fixtures are softer on paper. Hard to ignore city plays Brighton, wba, shu, bur, cry and avl. Quite a soft program.
    Pep said Kdb is safe from rotation until UCL and MCI only plays in UCL In late February which coincides with fixture turn and liverpool fixture turn too : easy swap to salah.

    Madness or worth considering ?

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    1. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I'm actually considering selling Salah in 18 for KDB and ignoring Salah for 19 now since his fixtures not exactly easy in 19 too.

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

        Thinking about the same but will have salah on FH for 19

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      2. S.Kuqi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        This will end in tears. Brave move but not willing to take the risk

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        1. ivantys
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          As long as no jammy pens, it's united and burnley have faith that they will shut them out.

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  28. Ha.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Am I silly to play Dier? A cleansheet means a Bamford blank, but that’s a big swing either way.

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Leeds will always score ; it's how many they concede that is the question.

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      1. Ha.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        There have been multiple occasions when they haven’t

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  29. King of Kings.
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    I was convinced I would FH GW18 but now I think I'm changing plans. I will have the following team:

    Martinez
    Dias
    Grealish Bruno Son Bissouma
    DCL.

    I could possibly also do Coufal > Lindelof if hes back in time to give me 9. I'd only really be bringing in Kane and KDB on FH anyway so probably not worth it......

    Advice really appreciated. Would you guys save the FH chip?

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    1. Harper_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I think it's looking like a good plan because the points you lose in 18 will be alleviated plus more by the using the FH in the big DGW later on in the season. There will be more DGWs to use the Triple cap in.

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    2. King of Kings.
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers mate. I think your right.

      Could even double up on City defense instead of Lindelof.

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  30. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone thinking of saving all their chips & just hitting in 18 & 19?

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    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      With just 3 players currently for the BGW will probably have to play the FH chip, BB maybe can wait but there are so many good fixtures in gw19

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, pretty booked in for FH.

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    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      What’s the advantage of that over using chips now and taking hits later in the season?

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Chips may be more powerful later?
        My team has 6 for 18 including Taylor & if Grealish gets through with no suspension.
        Could get to 10 for -8 if saving in 17 and get Man City to carry through.
        Haven't really looked into it.

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    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Reluctant to BB in 19 now. Taylor injured would require a -8 to get a full bench. With Covid some games may get postponed as well and all of a sudden, certain players are no longer DGW players...

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    4. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Crossed my mind, would only have 9 DGWers in GW19 though.

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

      I think it's a valid option, but depends on your team.

      I'm looking at it as Taylor & Cancelo(?) have messed things up a little, what with having to get Forster & Ferguson replacements anyhow.

      GW26 looks like it'll be big and United have plenty of DGWs potentially. Bruno would be a fine choice.

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    6. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yes I am
      .
      Can field 8/9 for 18 with my 2fts this wk and 1 nxt wk.

      And have a full squad of dgw players for 19 without risking a BB that could be wiped out with covid/rests etc.

      May be more successful nxt round of doubles/blanks of which there could be many

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    7. SAUCY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Thinking of using just BB in 19

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        My BB needs some work so may skip it.

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