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. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    We all need to ditch DCL and Grealish ASAP. Easy way to gain ground.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saving Grealish for dgw and DCL for bgw.

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cool people did that 5GW’s ago 😉

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

    Grealish is a good player but he’s majorly over rated from an fpl perspective. He’s doubled up on by opposition players but creates space for likes of el ghazi and Traore.

    Spends half his time on the floor. The English richarlison. Also too scared to take pens it seems

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

      No. El Ghazi has ruined his point chances. Grealish was in all the positions El Ghazi was in before he came into the team. Barkley needed back.

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

      BS

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

      Easy to say when he's stopped returning recently. Why not say this after 7 or 8 GWs into the season?

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

      it looks this way now but before El Ghazi was making starts he was often in the box on the end of things.

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      why not simply own him for the hauls then sell when you see a tactical change, or get more information such as El Ghazi on penalties.

      I'd hazard a guess that good players sold Grealish shortly after confirmation he wasn't on pens (plus Barkley injured). They're also likely to have sold Calvert-Lewin when Richarlison and Digne were ruled out.

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

        I presume you sold Grealish and DCL for the reasons stated?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, but I took too long before doing it.

    6. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      El Ghazi disrupts the attack too often. Greedy player who makes a lot of poor shot choices.

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

      Give it a rest you've said the same for the past few weeks just because he's blanked. He's the 4th best scoring mid this season and his original price was 7m.

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

    Crap GW - At this rate i could turn into Fudgy or something

  4. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Exact funds for Coufal -> Stones to make 11 players for GW18, no brainer?

    Could always bring Coufal back in the week after

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Seems legit to me

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd probably save the FT and have 2 for DGW19.

    3. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      looks good, city have two good gw19 fixtures also

  5. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If Shaw was capable of crossing a ball United might actually have a half decent full back !

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

      He’s playing well enough to keep Telles out the side at the moment.

      Good to see AWB show he has an attacking side to his game.

  6. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martial wouldn't have even started if Cavani hadn't been banned. Lucky owners

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

      Keep telling yourself that looool

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

      Martial is such a fraud.

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

        Keep crying brother

        You can drown your tears here

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

          As a United fan, I’m happy he has scored.

          But he is a fraud. He’s such a stat padder. He goes missing all game, it’s like playing with 10 men. Good job he was at the right place at the right time there. Laziest footballer I’ve seen play for United.

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

            Salah masks poor performances with goals too bro.

            And that was in the past .. he used to be like that I admit but since lockdown he has been extremely hard working getting up and down the pitch all the time. Give him a chance he’s getting back into his form

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

      Wouldn’t have scored had Mings got an ounce of talent

    4. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      salty

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

      Oh, for sure he was starting tonight! Cavani ban has nothing to do with it.

    6. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ole loves Toto. First choice forward. Will start on left if Cavani starts, other than occasional rest.

  7. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Having 7 players in 2 games was always gonna be gash.

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

      Aye

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

    MVG on the brink.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Of turning fully into Matt Lucas?!

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

    What's the deal with Balbuena? Has he now lost his place?

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

      Seems so. Two cleanies with Dawson.

  10. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My Soucek -> Son (C) FT better pay off!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      ouch

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

    Any chance Cancelo is out? I have Soucek as first sub.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      are you playing 4 at the back?

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

        This GW yes

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

          Congrats then

        2. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          the rumour is between him and Ferran Torres, so there's a chance.

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

      Always

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

    Any advantage of not activating the FH tonight if you are 100% certain that you will have to play it? Have 4 players + Brewster.

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

      Yes. Anything could happen with covid

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

        But that wouldn't give me more players right? And I can make as many transfers as I want anyway.

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

          What if the cases rise and the gw is skipped altogether? Or some other games are postponed and the ones with ur 4 players go ahead

          If u still want to play it now go ahead but anyone playing it now and then covid causing havoc cant call themselves unlucky

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

            Entire GW being skipped looks very unlikely. Would need 6 teams to have COVID outbreak. Pretty sure if that happens, the PL will be haulted.

            And if team reduce, all the more reason ot FH. But yeah, could get lucky as well. Will hold as long as I can.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have 5 + Brewster and am not sure it's worth it. But if you're sure, go for it.

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

        4 is too less imo. Triple City look essential. If Arsenal keep their form, Saka and Martinelli could be great differentials.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yep, agreed. I have Cancelo + KdB + Aguero from City, and just brought in Martinelli. Probably need Son or Kane, then I'm set.

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

            Yeah. If I was maverick enough, I would just take Kane and no Son. But his ownership scares me. FH will surely increase it more.

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

      the best bit is not counting Brewster as a football player. Harsh but fair.

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

        Just nor certain with his minutes. And Sheffield don't look like socring goals. So, even if he gets minutes, that's 1/2 points at best.

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

      The reasons some of us are going to keep it are planning for dgw 26 and blank 29 instead. However its still team dependent, I can scrape 8 or 9 next week with 1ft. If you genuinely only have 5 next week then FH makes sense.

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

        Yeah, if you're not certain, it makes sense. I was talking about if I am certain to FH, no point waiting right?

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

          If using free hit I see no reason to use so early. Best to wait for covid news and leave it as late as possible in case anything else changes, extra fixture adding etc. There will be small price rises that will make barely any difference to you if you free hit early, I wouldnt worry about those, best to just be careful

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

      Im using FH in 18, but seems sensible to not play it yet. What if Covid strikes big time, or even the league gets suspended

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

        True, I agree. Guess I'll hold till we are certain that the GW is absolutely going forward.

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

    Martial looks like a pick for FH 18

    Although burnley do look good at the back now

    1. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Martial will destroy burnley

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

      We.are.back

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

        Being 2nd makes me really happy. Not thinking about anything else! 😉

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

          Trust me I’ve never been happier but this Martial slander was getting a bit too much

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

      Watkins let's go!

    4. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      My conclusion is that El Ghazi sucks Watkins potential points and Pogba does the same to Bruno.

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

        U mean grealish?

        Because watkins is pants either way

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Nope. El Ghazi never passes the ball when in a position inside the box and that usually would be for Watkins to finish not Jack. Barkley likes to set up but this Ghazi dude just loves the ball for himself...

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My conclusion is that El Ghazi sucks Grealish potential points and Watkins just sucks.

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

          Championship striker

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

            For sure that Villa manager clearly doesn't have a clue playing him every week....

            (cough)

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

      Lovely half of football

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

        Agree

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

      So Fernandes non-captainers should hope for a blank ?

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

        Yessir

    7. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Which combo do you prefer for BGw18 only and why?
      A) Zaha and DCL
      B) podence and martial

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

        B. But Martial might get rotated with Cavani back then and Liverpool at the weekend.

    8. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How the hell did Mings get away with that?

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

        obvious red card

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

      More Son caps then I thought 🙁

    10. merin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who do think are the must-have players for a FH team in BGW18?

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

        City & United def
        KDB Bruno Son
        Kane

        Then whoever else it doesn’t really matter.

        I’m able to save my FH and just miss out on Kane from the above template.

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

        KUN

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

      Need to get Traore off set pieces in this half.

    12. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shall I play Adams or Soucek for last spot? Hmmm hope one of my forwards or midfield is rested now.

    13. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Has there been any indication who the 3 city players who are isolating are?

    14. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Come on Chizzy!

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

        Surely he can’t choke it from here

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

        5-0

    15. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will Bailly play next two GW's?

    16. Bobby
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What kind of rank are the usual ff champs on here at this point in the season?

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

      Any chance that Liverpool plays in 18 ?
      Or it's a definite blank ? Thx

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

        they would have to miss this rounds game and have it rearranged to 18, which just won't happen so no

    18. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If I own Bruno but did not captain what should I be hoping for?

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

        1 point

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

        3 points or an assist

      3. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That he hauls but your captain hauls more. Obviously.

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

        -1pt

      5. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Red card?