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.

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1,932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish less than 40% ownership in top 10k!
    Massive opportunity

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

      Annoying to see Bruno, Son and Salah all over 100% though

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

        that’s crazy

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

          I know, a sign most teams are becoming the same 🙁

  2. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Benched Soucek for all of his goals this season ffs.

    Any chance the gods show pity on me and Wood doesn’t play????

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

      There’s every chance there’s postponements so you never know

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bought him week 12 and he hasn't ever left my starting lineup

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

        Buying him and starting hinm ain't exactly the same thing :). Linked Team syays benched and benched again, lol..

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

          In fact you didn't start him untill week 15, lol :).

    3. Fero1905
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He is on my first place on the bench. I hope one of my Midfield or forward doesnt play

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

      I just can’t see why anyone benches him anymore. He’s WHU’s leading scorer, and so cheap he enables an even cheaper 5th mid

  3. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can I avoid the FH with those 8/11 ?
    Martinez
    Dias Holding Taylor
    Son Bruno
    Kane DCL

    *I really want to own KDB but I can't...

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

      Definitely avoid FH

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

      No way FH that.

  4. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you FH this?

    Martinez
    Targett Mitchell Stones Dias
    Son Bruno Burke
    Kane

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

      Yes only 3 attackers

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

      be tight but prob not. can you squeeze kdb in?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        For Salah?

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

          I would make that change. You can switch back for 19 if you want to.

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

          the ol hoky koky... do it

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

      Definitely. That team is awful.

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

      No I would not.

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

    just an assist from Bruno will do.
    Non Bruno capper here

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

    i have
    Martienz Stones Son Burno Bissouma & Kane
    So should i use FH
    A- YES for sure
    B- Nope
    If A do it now ot later for any updates

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

    Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

  8. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Balbuena news ??

  9. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Played Fabianski over Meslier and put Coufal 1st on bench. Let the destruction commence!

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

      Meslier will be subbed in lol

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

        i think he/she knows that

        1. Kellz86
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes indeed, Kane (c) as well

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

    Rashford haul please.

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

    KDB and Kane hauls this week would be so lovely.

  12. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you FH this for BGW 18?

    No GK
    Holding
    Bruno Son KDB Bissouma
    DCL Brewster

    Not sure who I can bring in because the rest will have a DGW for 19..

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

    Bottomed,
    If I expect the FH will bring me 25 points more (over the next 3 gw's), would that be enough to play it ?
    I mean, How many points you think would justify a FH?
    in a season where we expect good opportunities for FH in future

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

      20 is good

  14. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What happened to Fab?

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

      Knacked himself (leg muscle) in the warmup

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

      warm up injury

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

    There's only one player in the game currently whose price & TSB % is exactly same!

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who!?

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

        Targett

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

          Name checks out

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

        Targett.

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

      Targett

  16. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Put Mitchell in start instead of Cresswell. Please tell me Mitchell could be benched tomorrow

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

      I put Mitchell on for KWP, so I would hope he starts haha

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

      I think Mitchell will be benched.

  17. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this plan for the coming two gameweeks?

    Can get this team out with 11 players for GW18 with my 2 FT ( Salah/Davis to Rashford/Watkins )

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Dier Kilman
    KDB Fernandes Son Rashford
    DCL Watkins

    For GW19 I will get Salah back in for Rashford and Grealish in for Son for -4 to give me 11 DGW players.

    Could save the -4 and keep Rashford but I really want Salah for the DGW though and basically the -4 was taking to get me 11 players in GW18.

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

      go with 10 in 18?
      save the -4?

      nice spot to be in

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, could do that as well but like my changes Rasford getting more than 4 against Burnley though

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

    D1 FH... any opinions/comment?

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

    (4mil, Brewster, Alzate, Mitchell)
    0.6itb

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

      Won't have spurs on FH

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

        interesting

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

          United, City and Arsenal attackers are the ones to get.

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

            arsenal?

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

              Yeah but not sure who I'd get lol, maybe just skip and get their defence instead.

  19. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Had Soucek for 10gws now. My 1st goal

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

      Nice one!

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

      Enjoyed the first 2, benched the last 3!

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

    Has anyone benched more than 3 goals from Soucek?
    Really need to switch to a 3-5-2 to start playing him

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

      I got lucky and even benefited from his points when I benched him. Recently bought Bissouma to make sure I never bench him again.

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

        I don’t mind the odd goal on the bench but these are becoming quite regular!

    2. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve been lucky to get all of his goals! 1 off the bench mind you

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

        Nice

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

      2 for me now, only owned him 3 GWs. Played him for the big fat blank in midweek, naturally.

  21. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FH this?

    no gk
    Dias Dier Holding Mitchell
    Bruno Son KDB
    DCL Brewster

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

      I wouldn't

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

      nope

  22. wildnothing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Are most people playing BB gameweek 19?

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

      Maybe TC

  23. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I've Soucek 2nd on bench but given uncertainty over games/players there's still an outside he'll come in...

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

    3-2 martial and Grealish double with fernandes red card please

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

      Don't forget the Martinez pen save from Bruno ......

  25. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Andy Cole keeps calling Darren Bent, Marcus

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

    Let's go United!

  27. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Emi is on my bench this GW, want a goal fest today

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

      He is on my bench too,but I played Fabianski lol

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hope a lot of postponements again. Soucek delivering on my bench 🙁 again 🙁 Not last time when I actually needed him of course

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

      Ditto

  29. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guess I have to thank Che Adams for being useless for my decision to play Soucek in a 3-5-2 this week.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This.

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

      Best thing Che's done for me in a while

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

      Yes!

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

    PPl use FH now or wait almost before GW 18 ?