Dugout Discussion

Man United and Villa audition for Blanks and Doubles at Old Trafford

Fantasy Premier League managers will have eagle eyes on Old Trafford in Gameweek 17 as Manchester United and Aston Villa go under the microscope.

The two teams were recently confirmed as having three matches across Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 – increasing interest in their key assets.

A large majority of the community are currently in possession of talismanic figures Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) and Jack Grealish (£7.7m) but this is an opportunity to look beyond the obvious.

Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) features in what looks like a two-man strike-force in front of a midfield diamond, having scored more goals in the last four matches than Fernandes (four to three).

Anthony Martial (£8.7m) holds onto his centre-forward berth as Edinson Cavani (£7.8m) embarks on his three-game ban, although the Uruguayan will only miss one Premier League outing.

Eric Bailly (£4.9m) sits next to Harry Maguire (£5.4m) in defence once again, in light of Victor Lindelöf‘s (£4.8m) most recent injury while Luke Shaw (£4.8m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) are on the left and right of the back-four.

Fantasy managers are not short on alternative options at Villa either, not least because Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) has outscored Grealish by 42 points to 19 over the last four matches.

He features on the left-hand side of Dean Smith’s attacking midfield trio at Old Trafford, joined there by Grealish and Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m), who has three attacking returns since Gameweek 14.

There is still no Ross Barkley (£5.9m) in the matchday squad but the defence has reset to normal, with Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) coming straight back into the team following his Gameweek 16 suspension.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay; Pogba, Fred; B Fernandes; Rashford, Martial.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi, Grealish, B Traoré; Watkins.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With bonus Soucek and Cresswell both on 11 and first time I started both - 2021 looking up so far! Lucky tbh

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Well played

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

      Noted. Cheers

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very lucky tbh.

      Completely off shot target lands on Soucek's foot.

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, that kind of luck generally goes my rivals way...not this time!

        1. Booked4Dissent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I have both on my bench...

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

    Benched soucek lol

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

    Coufal and soucek om bench... Just why...please someone don't play !

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same. Hoping Che Adams doesn't turn up since he's a complete waste of space.

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Timing. Transferred Soucek in and transferred DCL out, changing from a 3 4 3 to 3 5 2 at the perfect time. DCL has dipped ever since. And Soucek has scored two.

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

    I'm going to need to lose either soucek or raphinha to make way for kdb in dgw19

    Soucek is the one to lose, right??

    Thanks

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

      Huh?

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Parallel Universe 101

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

      I wouldn’t lose either with the fixtures they have. No other way?

  6. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James + Salah to Dias + KDB for free?

    Will buy Salah back in (for Zaha) for GW19.

  7. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cannot wait to sell DCL and move to 352.

    Rashford in!

  8. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cresswell and soucek get innnnnn

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nice

    2. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yess me too fella!!

  9. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Alright Martial, put on those gloves & let’s party tonight

    • C_G
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      i started this season 3 GWs late and now on 3.8m overall rank, cant complain

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

        Wow that's well done

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

          only one red arrow which was a few thousand places down

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Should have started later - you'd be at 2m 😉

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

        Considering loads of 3 digits points in GW2, it's gj.

    • Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow i have Soucek Cresswell and Coufal.

      I wanna twerk twerk twerk twerk twerk twerk

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

        me to but benched coufal for dier in the end well well

        1. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I've got Ben Davies, but goddamn Leeds always seem to score.

      2. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My ML rival has same 3 players,I have Soucek, Fabianski and Balbuena lol

    • Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ugh, now I need Kilman not to play to get Cresswell.

    • Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How does FH & price changes work? Can someone explain! Thank you!

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They work just how you would expect them to.
        Original team stays in sync with live prices, FH team lives in its own little bubble.

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

          ^this reads easier/better

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

        you get the changes up & down or those you move in for the week. only.

        but your team reverts to last deadline's team. you take whatever changes to those players occured whilre not in your team.

        does that read ok?

      3. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers both!

    • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      gone from needing burnley fulham to happen to now wanting it cancelled

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

        Same, fingers crossed!

    • SM001
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski injured, Soucek scores, Creswell assist and cleanie sitting on my bench. My nerves are gone.

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

      Iniesta is the Spanish Soucek

      1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        lol

    • ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That's DCL leaving my team for now. he's been a great asset but diminishing returns lately. Thanks DCL- see you soon!

    • Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chances of a C.Taylor start? I get Coufal points if not lol

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

        Close to zero

    • Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So Kane out for parental leave... Welcome Soucek into my starting 11.

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

        Wait what ?

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

        In. Jose team..Sorry no chance...

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          🙄

    • Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone else get El Geeza and looking for some nice, juicy penalties?

    • Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So Soucek is now ahead of KDB and Sterling for total points and only 4 points behind Mane

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Insane how I never owned him until GW16 WC, what a bargain

    • tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      When do you think Cresswell assist will be removed ?

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

        Never

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

          The rules aren't the rules anymore ?

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

            he shot. not crossed. that's why it stands

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

              That rule does not make sense tbf.

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

              But it wasn’t saved by the keeper. That’s still an assist?

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

                Oh yeah, the rules do say blocked by an opposing player

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

                  weird 1

          2. Egg noodle
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Just need to learn to read the rules mate

    • acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is Grealish okay for DGW?
      Or is Soucek essential??

      Was going to do Grealish to Soucek this week until I scrapped FH18 plans due to.new fixtures!!

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

        he’s not essential lol

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

          Not.forever..I.mean for DGW19 due to.nice fixtures..

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not essential. But he's a good differential if you want to climb up the ranks.

    • TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek will inevitably blank in dgw. Also everyone will have him

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I will have him as captain. And he will take a dump on the other captains

    • CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone looked at a FH team?

      Initial thoughts:

      Leno

      Telles Cancelo Reguilon

      KDB Sterling Bruno Son Saka

      Wilson DCL

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

        just my my 1st draft

        Darlow
        Maguire, Stones, Dias, Holding
        KDB, Bruno, Rashford, Son
        Kane, Wilson

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

          This looks good..

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

            cheers!!! wasnt sure 442 but value at the back

    • 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any chance that Cresswell assist is taken away? Wasn't on target i don't think

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

        100% taken away.

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

        Nah.
        It did look off target though.

      3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Doesn’t matter if it’s not on target, remember the Bruno one at Southampton

      4. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Blocked shot leading to goal = assist.
        No need to overcomplicate it any further

    • SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any chance Cresswell gets the 3 bonus?

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

        Not likely

    • KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If I expect the FH will bring me 25 points more (over the next 3 gw's), would that be enough to play it ?
      How many points you think would justify a FH?

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

        I’ve been thinking about this. I think you’ve got to be looking at 30 plus

    • potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is it end of the line for DCL.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Gw19 he’s gone

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

        soon enough for me id say

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

        As soon as GW18 deadline has passed he is done

      4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yep for maybe Ings or punt on Antonio

    • The buck starts with me
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      With a free hit, can a team gain value through price rises ? And lose money too? How does this work

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

        Your original players can rise / fall