Metrics

Captain free-for-all set to re-shape top 10k FPL managers as Wildcards remain intact

Fantasy Premier League managers are set for an intriguing captaincy battle in Gameweek 17, especially those currently ranked inside the top 10,000.

At that level of the game, four different players have soaked up at least 20% support for the armband, which could lead to a weekend of significant green and red arrows.

Spurs’ meeting with Leeds is the most popular match of the weekend with the top 10k but there was also interest in Manchester United and Liverpool’s Gameweek 17 fixtures.

As you can see, Son Heung-min (£9.7m) proved to be the most fashionable Gameweek 17 captain among the top 10k in the end.

Despite attracting votes from only 19.1% of votes in the latest Fantasy Football Scout captain poll, 26.8% of 2020/21’s highest-performing managers handed him the armband for an appealing clash with Leeds.

The Whites’ last four matches have featured an average of 5.3 goals, a statistic that has evidently also influenced the 23.3% who captained Harry Kane (£11.0m).

That was marginally more than the 20.4% of Fantasy Football Scout readers who voted for the Spurs striker in our captain poll.

However, it is of particular note that the relatively routine winner of that ballot Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) had to make do with a bronze medal in terms of support among the top 10k.

Just 21.9% of them chose the Manchester United man as their Gameweek 17 captain for a solid 10-point haul against Aston Villa

Nevertheless, Fernandes is still the most powerful asset among the top 10k for Gameweek 17, offering an effective ownership of 114.3% among the top 10k.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) is not far behind the Manchester United man in that regard.

He may be only the fourth-most captained among the top 10k for this round but his effective ownership of 111.0% is still ominous for any not in possession of the Egyptian.

Son is the more dangerous Spurs asset for non-owners, considering he is the third and final asset with more than 100% effective ownership in the top 10k.

However, those worried about not having Kane for Gameweek 17 might be relatively (the keyword here) relieved to see his effective ownership standing only at 70.5%, lower than Patrick Bamford‘s (£6.6m).

A small portion of top 10k managers have pulled the trigger on the second Wildcard at the first time of asking.

After 9.3% of them used up their first Wildcard last time out, it 

perhaps suggests considerably fewer of the top-level managers have decided to get a new team in preparation for Double Gameweek 19.

We saw just 0.7% usage for Wildcards in the top 10k for Gameweek 14, 1.9% in Gameweek 15, 9.3% in Gameweek 16 and now 1.8% for Gameweek 17.

That adds up to just 13.7% top 10k managers preparing for Double Gameweek 19 with a Wildcard.

So, for all the talk of this tactic in the community, often combined with the view to Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18, it means 86.3% of these managers were happy to approach the upcoming ‘chip season’ using only their free transfers.

Of course, some of these managers might use the Wildcard in Double Gameweek 19 (doing so in Blank Gameweek 18 seems unlikely) but that would, of course, prevent them from deploying a Bench Boost or Triple Captain.

That said, the most recent Wildcard template is still an important frame of reference for all Fantasy managers.

Fernandes (95%), Bamford (86.7%) and Salah (81.7%) are the must-haves, it would seem; unsurprising considering their Double Gameweek 19 fixtures.

However, 67.2% of this week’s top 10k Wildcarders are still interested in Son despite just one match in that round.

With 41.7% of these managers securing the services of Kane, it is clear that the argument of not overlooking single Gameweek players in a Double Gameweek is one shared by some at this level. After all, Spurs travel to face Sheffield United that week, the Premier League’s worst side this season.

And, of course, it shows plans to avoid Double Gameweek blinkers in the build-up to one either. Son and Kane face an obliging Leeds defence this weekend and boast a fixture in Blank Gameweek 18.

Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) and Tomas Soucek (£5.2m) are the key budget enablers for those preparing for Double Gameweek 19, featuring in 55.6% and 43.9% of top 10k Wildcard squads in Gameweek 17.

The relatively differential options include Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m), Ezgjan Alioski (£4.5m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.5m), all included in between 20% and 26% of top 10k Wildcard squads.

There is some interesting disparity between the latest Wildcard template and the matrix of most popular players in the rest of the top 10k.

Andrew Robertson (£7.4m) appears in 31.7% of their squads but was not among the top-five most-fashionable defenders by those who Wildcarded for Gameweek 17.

Meanwhile, there is a gap of 13.2 percentage points between Son’s ownership among the top 10k as a whole and those who acquired his services on Wildcards at this level.

And it seems as if Jack Grealish (£7.7m) owners are at something of a crossroads. The most recent batch of Wildcarders are not too fussed with the Villa man (which was also the case for Gameweek 16) but he remains in 42.6% of squads at this level.

However, his stock has fallen significantly. In Gameweek 15, 68.5% of the top 10k owned Grealish. That number has fallen by 25.9 percentage points in just two Gameweeks.

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2,259 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi.....which of these 3 would you drop in dgw19 to bring in kdb (losing kane for a hit)

    A....raphinha (also got bamford)

    B....soucek

    C....grealish (also go watkins)

    All 3 of these players have dgw so v hard call. Thanks

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      Reluctant to loose any but if pushed Raphinha

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers....alternative is ignore kdb....not sure I want to do that....

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

          Agree that best to get KDB

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

      a

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Maguire or AWB on FH?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd just go whoever is cheaper

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw tbh

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

      Either will be fine.

  3. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita
    Mitchell - Dias - Targett
    Fernandes - Burke - KDB - Sterling
    DCL

    With a hit I can get the above team, worth saving the free hit for that?

    Thanks!

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

    Would you save your FH if you had this lot after making a few transfers (4pt hit) ahead of the BGW

    Dias Stones Wan-Bissaka
    Son Bruno
    Kane Watkins

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mates, be sincere please

    Free Hit or it aint that bad with one more transfer?

    Taylor*
    Holding
    Mitchell
    Son
    Bruno
    Wood
    Kane
    Bissouma

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i would definitely not FH that. for a hit you can take out Salah for KDB and bring in City defender, that way you have 10 players in GW18 and set up well for DGW19.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Im glad you think like this but I still feel players like Wood and Bissouma only cloud the judgement

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

      Don’t really like it mate to be honest.

      At a stretch, you could only expect returns from 5 players above including Wood.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True quantity but no quality

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Afraid so

  6. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am thinking FH this lot right?

    Martinez
    Dias Taylor*
    Grealish Bruno Son
    DCL Wilson

    Potentially only 7 players and missing some big names like KDB and Kane

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think there is no need to FH personally

      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What sort of trades would you make then?

  7. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current bench for dgw19:
    Johnstone - O’Shea - Balbuena - Adams

    Would you:
    A) BB this bench
    B) -4 and do Balbuena to Dias and then BB
    C) just save the BB?

    Rest of team:
    McCarthy
    Alioski - Coufal - Justin
    Salah - Bruno - Kdb - Rashford - Raphina
    Watkins - Bamford

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably B, Dias likely around 8 points but Balbuena maybe less than 4 points, maybe even zero

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does this look good for DGW19 BB?

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Justin Dallas Coufal Targett Balbuena
    Salah Mane Bruno Son Soucek
    Wood Adams Bamford

    Son & Balbuena to Grealish & Dias for -4

    Will do Mane to KDB for free in GW20

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I want kdb for the bb I think... Looks lovely though. Mine will be the same but Vardy, Raphinia, Robo, Lowton for Wood, Mane, Balbeuna, Targett atm 🙂

    3. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good mate. Definitely worth the BB

  9. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shall I FH? 😉

    Lowton
    Bruno Son

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton to score a triple hatty

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      g2g

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

    Guess I should FH with this team?

    Cancelo
    Stones
    Bruno
    Son
    Kane
    Wood

    1ft

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

    Is DCL a good choice for a FH in GW18?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think there's better.

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

        Wilson?

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          good

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

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

    Repost due to lack of response

    Would you save your FH if you had this lot after making a few transfers (4pt hit) ahead of the BGW

    Dias Stones Wan-Bissaka
    Son Bruno
    Kane Watkins

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      if you can get out 9 players then yes keep.

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

      I think only hindsight will tell.
      It is very thin, but could work.
      On the other hand it almost depends on whether KdB and Grealish will go off, and also whether some FH candidates like Rashford or Sterling will score.

  13. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does my Free hit look?

    Leno

    Holding Bailly Dier Stones
    Son Bruno Rashford Mahrez KDB
    Kane

    Fodder

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Id say it needs Grealish

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

      Wouldn't trust Mahrez

  14. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I buy rashford?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For who? Have you got Bruno?

  15. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    To sell Salah for KdB/Sterling for next GW? Free hitting 19.
    Liverpool fixtures are kind of tough gw20-> and City has good ones

    Yay or nay? If yay to whom?

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any idea whenever there will be blang GW again. Anybody tried to compare if it will be better used in the next expected BGW?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GW29

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends who you'll fielding. But it's a good chip to have, saved.

  17. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Exact money for Coufal -> Stones so I can field 11 for blank gameweek? Conscious it’s a while before next gameweek...

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Stones really a better pick than Coufal?

      1. Mr. Mystic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Coufal has a blank next gw whilst Stones has a game. This will allow me to field 11 instead of 10. So deciding whether it’s worth it

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I read that in the OP, the point is, I'm thinking long term.

          1. Mr. Mystic
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah you’re right, it’s probably not worth it - thanks. Especially as I already have Dias.

            1. Nabs Kebabs
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              no worries!

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't want Coufal for 19?

      1. Mr. Mystic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I mean I could literally switch him back a week later, but again, probs not worth it...

  18. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'll have 3 players out for the next game week (Salah, Grealish & Bamford) What's the general consensus on what to do?
    Cheers

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      free hit

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Won't there be other game weeks when it makes more sense?

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

    1st team is without FH 2nd is with thoughts yes or no??

    Martinez
    Targett Mitchell Stones Dias
    Son Bruno Burke
    Kane

    Darlow
    Stones Shaw Bailly
    Bruno KDB Sterling Saka Son
    Kane Wilson

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Take away common players.

  20. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth dropping Son down to Soucek to 3 x 4.5 defenders to Chilwell, Maguire and Dias - fixtures for united, city and Chelsea look to good over the next 8

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      * to fund

  21. dsefton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    can get this team with a -4 hit, worth a free hit or not?
    Martinez
    Dias
    Bruno Son Sterling Podence
    Kane
    (Robertson, Chilwell, Zouma, Coufal, Soucek, Adams, Bamford)

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Anything above 20 points for a chip is a win so guess the points for the players you'd bring in for the blanks

  22. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I see a lot of FH on 18...but not so many on 19. If I can field 9-10 on 18, you agree that playing FH on 19 to get all x2 players make sense right?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or even a WC if you cover 19 and set yourself up 20 +

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would hate to play it so early, but it could work out

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are you happy with your GW18 team in GW20?

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, somewhat content. haha.

    3. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well maybe, but the issue is it stops you from using BB/ TC in GW 19. If thats how you planned things, you could do that though

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        BB not available, only TC. I feel like the TC chip is not going to be as popular for this DGWK. What are your thoughts? Are you personally using it?

    4. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think most that have 9-10(or even 11) in BGW18 can easily get 9-11 DGW19 players with only 1 hit at most.
      So no FH required this early.

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Makes sense. I have to evaluate and see this option. I like the thought of saving my FH

      2. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have 8 at the moment. I can surely bring in another 2. I think it makes sense to save FH. Thank you

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          All the best 🙂

    5. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for all the replies

  23. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dier
    Bruno Son
    Kane Wood

    Should I FH or take a hit and roll with the punches?

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fh for sure

  24. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got a bit of an unorthodox Free hit 18 draft? Most of the ones Ive seen look very similar but for example Im not totally convinced Spurs vs Villa is neccesarily a good fixture given Spurs form as of late

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Agree, Son probably enough Spurs for me.

  25. HVT
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is holding nailed?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  26. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you have for the next few gameweeks:

    A) Vardy Soucek
    B) Watkins Son +4

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A) as of DGW19

  27. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    one last for the road 🙂

    double leeds defence or attack for dgw19

    thanks

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Attack

    2. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Attack for sure, with Dallas in defence

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thanks all 🙂

    4. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Double attack, especially if you already have Dallas and Bamford (?)

  28. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry let me correct that. Who would you rather have for double gameweek 19:

    A) Watkins Son +4 points
    B) Vardy Soucek

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

      B

    3. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

    4. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B)

  29. TheOrangeMan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins or Adams for the DGW?

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Adams

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Adams

  30. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pope or Martinez?