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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This has got 0-0 written all over it

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

      No chance!

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

        2-0 or 2-1

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

      Only in the top left corner for me.

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

      Good

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

      Bang average stuff

  2. 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.

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH

  3. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez and Bruno owner. A saved pen would be ideal as a non capper.

  4. Leonard hatred
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    played Cresswell + Soucek, but also played Johnstone instead of Martinez as part of a failed gamble on big fat sam defying expectations.

    FPL giveth, FPL taketh away.

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sold Cresswell, Soucek 1st sub

  5. tabzy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can I get any votes for Grealish’s calves to be officially registered as a ‘wonder’ of the world?

    What does he feed those animals...

    1. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not a patch on any professional cyclist's calves.

      1. Leonard hatred
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        depends if you like the waxed look or not.

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

        Please excuse my humble naïveté

  6. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If I made a transfer now for GW18 then freehit after. Would I lose the transfer? Want to get a player in before he rises.

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

      yes you would lose it.
      got the same problem with dcl now. he'll drop massively and I can't get rid because of FH.

  7. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If grealish gets a yellow here, which game does he miss

    FA Cup or GW 18?

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

      18

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

      18.

      Reds carry over, yellows don’t.

  8. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is there any opinion how much point advantage fh should give you to be worth it?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No, as it makes a difference for several weeks before and after the FH week.

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

      Not so much a number of points, but think of whether this be the most amount of points your bench will get throughout the remainder of the season? 3-4 DGWs is probably as good as it gets unless you have the habit of benching players that haul big numbers.

  9. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez 11 points already added to FPL.

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

      11 points for everyone!

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Happy New Year indeed!

  10. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just want to be 100% sure... when I press the FH button I can make unlimited transfers, like a wildcard but just for that week. I don't have to decide on my team before I hit FH do I?

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      One week wildcard so make as many as you like

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Unlimited transfers after FH your team reverts back to the one before FH.

      1. JelliedSpark968
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Correct

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

      No but I would wait until last possible minute before hitting FH button

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

        So take a -40 if the league gets suspended?

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

          Clearly that is ridiculous comment. You don’t need to make any changes while planning what your FH team would be.

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

            People can't do that.

  11. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Started Adams and Raphinha over Soucek 🙁

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is Soucek your 1st sub ?

      1. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He is

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          So there still is a chance of him getting in your team.

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

    On the official site: "Guardiola rules out five players"

    Walker, Jesus, Ederson... do we know the other two? Am I just missing it in the article?

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

      Torres and Doyle apparently. not confirmed

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

      Doyle & one other.

      Torres & Cancelo have been rumoured a lot.

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

        Ah, right. I heard the Cancelo rumor. Didn't know Torres.

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

      I've heard that these are Ederson Walker Cancelo Torres Jesus

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

    Come oooooooon El Ghazi!!!

  14. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Man U tactics for this game are atrocious, just sitting off villa no pressure at all on them

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think they play pretty well, you are underestimating Villa.

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Villa are definitely a decent side but when you have your back four just off the edge of your own 18 yard box with no pressure at all on the villa back 4 when they have the ball it is poor.

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

      So the normal and hope to counter?

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

      Just bang average United . Hope for a fast break

  15. Saka_me_sideways
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Great game this... or was the last game just that bad?!

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Both are

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez was such a steal for Villa, better than Leno easily.

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sad but true

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Arsenal have a history of letting go great goalkeepers - Szczesny, Fabianski...

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Both rubbish for Arsenal though.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          But doing great at Juventus and Swansea\West Ham - so what is the common denominator here ?

          1. Party time
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Szczesny & Koscielny Carling cup final against Birmingham was damn bad man. I think Fab did a great job tbh, later Szczesny was very good too... yet they sold them. What a shame

              1. el polako
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Remember that it was embarrassing.

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    Man, I bought an Arsenal jersey for that final. I was so sure Arsenal would win a trophy again since the 2005 fa cup final.

                    It was terrible, i couldn’t understand what those 2 did

              2. Right In The Stanchion
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Szczesny isn’t great for Juve. He’s let them down plenty in the UCL.

                Aaron Ramsdale would win Serie A playing for Juve.

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  He plays well for June, plenty of great games\saves.
                  Do you really think that club like Juventus would keep a underperforming goalie as their nr 1 ?

            • Party time
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Nah! They were initially poor but later both became very good & they were sold

            • Party time
                3 years, 3 months ago

                True but still Polish man spotted! 🙂

                1. el polako
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Didn't know that brexit meant brexit even on ffs.

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Oops. You misunderstand, don’t get me wrong, It is just a phrase I use often. Also here on ffs if someone has a player that others don’t & he is trying to hype that player

                      1. el polako
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        Don't worry pal no offence taken, just my sense of humor 😉
                        Or lack of it...

                        Of course I'm trying to hype my slavic brothers.

                        1. Party time
                            3 years, 3 months ago

                            🙂

                2. Right In The Stanchion
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Great shot stopper. Should have kept him for sure

                  1. have you seen cyan
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    well he wanted to go and play, not be second fiddle to Leno. But many people said Martinez was better, but because they paid money for Leno they dont want to be seen as acceptiing they were wrong. Rather lose a good kepper, than face

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

                Which one scores more in FH?

                A)Darlow Lewis Holding Martial(he has amazing history vs BUR away)

                B)Lloris Dias Maguire Saka

              • Effe
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Anyone activated their free hit chip yet? Wondering if I should wait with the deadline nearly 2 weeks away and COVID uncertainty.

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

                  Definitely wait

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

                    Thanks for your reply, I think I will wait.

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

                  Absolutely wait.

                  In two weeks time football could be set for an off period.

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

                  Wait

                  Anything can happen

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

                    Agreed.
                    But also think about using FT early, to avoid price rise. And you still have the insurance policy of using FH later and making that transfer redundant but if gives you the option to not use it

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

                El Ghazi to score the winner in 1:0 win for Villa me thinks

                1. Arctic monkeys
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  heavenly stuff

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

                  Martinez assist?

              • ViperStripes
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Blank plan: 8 players currently this week.
                Salah > Rashford this week, save the FH chip.
                Grealish > Salah for DGW

                Take a hit for Button > Fabianski for 15DGW players and BB

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

                  fab's leg fell off

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

                    15 days till dgw. Fabianski should be available by then

              • Right In The Stanchion
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                I’d like two of Mitchell, Dias, Mahrez and Mount to not play so I get Soucek and Coufal off the bench.

                Any chance?

                1. KEN YA DIG IT
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Mitchell and Mahrez might not play

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

                  Mitchell is 50/50 imo, Dias no chance unless he has covid, Mahrez will probably make cameo at the least, Mount not chance

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

                That's a clear foul

              • estheblessed
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                I've got 9 starters next GW. I'm really not convinced to use my FH but rather use it the following week to get 11 DGW players.

                Thoughts?

                1. Boly Would
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  I've got 9 with gw18 fixtures. Not playing FH, so all 9 starting would be lovely.

              • Muchentuchel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                blatent red card.

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

                  *blatant

              • Danstoke82
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                What a cracking start to the GW. Soucek and Coufal 1st and 2nd on my bench...

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

                  Ok

              • Nightcrawler
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Hopefully no penos for UTd tonight

                Nightmare scenario with no martinez and bruno non capper

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

                  He could miss over the bar

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

                  He can always miss the target

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

                  Martinez saves the penalty.. Sweet.

              • Brosstan
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                12th captain fail of the season incoming.

                Bruno (C)...

                1. KEN YA DIG IT
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Not full time yet

                2. Arctic monkeys
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Hopefully you're spot on

              • Maddamotha
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Shouldve been a pen

              • Obi Wan Elokobi
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                I’ve hit the wildcard button. Even if Covid hits at least it allows me to sort out a shambles of a DGW team.

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

                Nobody is marking Bruno. They haven’t spotted he’s Man U’s best player yet.

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

                  Is he playing?