Pro Pundits

The importance of flexibility and reacting to ever-changing FPL circumstances

This season more than ever has taught us that one of the most important skills to cultivate as a Fantasy Premier League manager is flexibility.

Right now, we have to think about what chips we are going to use in the upcoming rounds and which players can be useful in the short and longer-term.

Prior to the Premier League announcing the rescheduled fixtures for Manchester City, Manchester United, Burnley and Aston Villa I had, what I thought was, a well rounded team for Double Gameweek 19 as well as a plan for Blank Gameweek 18.

That involved Free Hitting for the upcoming fixtures and thus I set about removing players who didn’t have the form I required and also didn’t have two fixtures in Double Gameweek in 19.

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkin‘s (£6.1m) was a prime example of this. While his underlying statistics make for positive reading, as an FPL asset he was a frustrating one to own.

Just one return in the last eight Gameweeks, against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 15, coupled with the fact that during this period Watkins has played the likes of West Brom, Brighton and Burnley left him on shaky ground in my team as a result of his decidedly disappointing FPL points returns.

Considering he didn’t have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, and my plans for a Free Hit in Gameweek 18 where he could be brought back, I transferred out Watkins for Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) preparing my team for Double Gameweek 19.

Fast-forward a few weeks and the rearrangement of the Aston Villa game that they missed in Gameweek 1 into the Double Gameweek 19 fixtures and suddenly selling Watkins feels like a missed opportunity.

Had we known about the rearranged fixtures earlier I likely would have persevered with Watkins and a couple of others as they would have given me almost a full XI for Blank Gameweek 18 without needing to use a chip and then I could have held two free transfers for my Double Gameweek 19 preparation.

However, this season in particular is all about flexibility and adapting to situations as they arise. Rearranged fixtures will likely be a common theme this season, as a result of the usual postponements due to the later stages of both the Premier League and FA Cups, as well as this year the coronavirus (COVID-19) postponements.

The loss of two fixtures in Gameweek 16, as well as a further match in Gameweek 17 highlight the fragility of our FPL teams this season.

For my team, the use of the Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18 is essential. Without it, my line-up consists of five players and the suspended Yves Bissouma (£4.5m) this is not a team that can successfully achieve a green arrow this week.

I do have two free transfers and thus with a cleverly deployed -4 could field a team of eight, but doing this would mean losing some key players who I transferred in ahead of Double Gameweek 19, thus compromising my team for the next gameweek whilst still not achieving a team that I feel comfortable with in Blank Gameweek 18.

As a result the plan to Free Hit ahead of Gameweek 18 still stands.

Every FPL season that I have played and had a Free Hit chip to play the aim has been to play the very best team possible with one or at a push two decent bench options and a couple of cheap burner spots knowing that they won’t ever make the XI.

The 2020/21 season has already shown us the importance of a bench though. I have already mentioned the full match postponements that we have seen over the last couple of weeks, however this doesn’t account for the individual players who have missed out while the games they were due to play continued.

FPL favourites such as Alex McCarthy (£4.7m) Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) Kyle Walker (£6.1m) and Sadio Mané (£11.9m) to name but a few have already missed matches as a result of Covid, indeed the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) and Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m) at Newcastle have now missed eight matches through the illness if you include their Gameweek 11 match which was postponed.

Saint-Maximin and Barnes return as Newcastle host Burnley

Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin

The impacts that COVID is having on the Premier League is, as a result, having an impact on the way that I am playing the game. I never captain and vice-captain players in the same match, try not to treble up on any teams just in case their game is called off and I am thinking very carefully about whether the Bench Boast and Triple Captain chips should be deployed at this moment giving the lack of notice that COVID affords to FPL managers.

The key impact of COVID on my Free Hit team is the bench. No longer do I feel safe having burn options on the bench, my FPL first team and bench all need to be decent options if I am to ensure with as much certainty as possible that I can achieve a full XI players playing by the time the final match kicks off.

However, it is also making me reconsider something that has always been a key part of my Free Hit strategies. Fielding three players from the teams with the best fixtures.

The fixtures in Blank Gameweek 18 suggest that the most aggressive strategy for FPL manager who are playing their Free Hit chip is to triple up on Manchester United (away at Burnley) Manchester City (at home to Brighton) and Arsenal (at home to Crystal Palace).

Thus leaving two spaces in the starting XI to cover Spurs, Aston Villa, Wolves, Everton, Sheffield United and Newcastle – as well as potentially Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brighton if you don’t believe that the Manchester sides and Arsenal will keep a clean sheet.

On paper, this seems like a good idea. However the loss of just one of those three key triple up matches could have huge consequences for an FPL Managers free hit points scoring ability. During Gameweek 16, I owned Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) and Rúben Dias (£5.8m) from the postponed Everton vs Manchester City match as well as Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Heung-Min Son (£9.8m) when the Spurs vs Fulham game followed suit. This meant that even with a solid performance from my bench I was still down to only 10 men. This has had a major impact on how I play FPL in the current climate.

Now I am looking to find a balance between the best FPL assets for the Gameweek and the risk involved in owning three from one team or match. Of the three big matches only Burnley vs Manchester United is on the opening evening of the Gameweek. The other two follow on Wednesday and Thursday evenings meaning that any postponements or players missing will likely not be known to FPL managers at the time of the deadline. Thus while I feel slightly more confident in having three Manchester United players because of the timing of the match, I can’t see myself risking owning three players from Arsenal and Manchester City also.

By owning two players from Arsenal and Manchester City that allows me to also own an extra couple from the other matches thus spreading the risk factor and hopefully enabling my free hit team to achieve the most points possible – which is after all the key aim of the chip.

My current plan is for a team that looks like this, however there are still a couple of games, such as Sheffield United vs Newcastle, that I may invest further in when it comes to my bench in order to protect my team further.

By setting up like this I believe I have covered the majority of the big assets for the gameweek, with the exception of a second Manchester City defender as well as setting up my team to cover all the matches. Doing this gives me confidence that my squad has the depth to cope with any unexpected eventualities, however it does meant that it lacks the likes of João Cancelo (£5.7m) or John Stones (£5.0m) and another Arsenal player. However, if I plan to play 4-5-1 then the lack of a further Arsenal player is less of a concern than the lack of a second Manchester City defender.

There is definitely a balance to be found between the right players and the safest formation, I’m not sure that this most recent draft has yet struck that balance, however it is definitely closer than the ones that preceded it. Thankfully there’s still plenty of time between now and the Gameweek 18 deadline to get it right!

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

957 Comments Post a Comment
  1. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1st non villa v spurs Fh draft

    Darlow
    Cancelo tierney awb
    Kdb sterling Bruno Saka
    Wilson Lacazette Richarlison

    Dubravka Neto Keane Mitchell

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Basically the same as mine except Rashford in for Richarlison, 352

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that would probably be my other option,it definitely limits choice if the game is off. Lots of similar free hits

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

        Ditto

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

      ive currently got something like this:

      Darlow
      Cancelo Shaw Tierney
      Kdb sterling Bruno Saka Rashford
      Wilson Laca

      Sanchez, Yedlin, Brewster, Mitchell

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah exactly all very similar I’ll probably stick with rich over Rashford to spread the risk.

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

      looks strong btw, a decent bench

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers I haven’t hit the button yet but exact cash for that squad. The bench was a case of using up funds really.

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

      Nice team! This would be mine

      Darlow
      Tierney Bailly Stones
      Auba Sterling KDB Bruno Saka
      Martial Wilson

      Verrips,Mitchell,Davis,Douglas

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that’s pretty good I would be a bit concerned about martial though with Cavani lurking.

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

          They can both start!

          Martial LW cavani ST Rashford RW that would be my exact guess actually.. I’ll see if Martial plays the full 90 tho in the cup

          1. In a Rush
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah fair enough they could both start to be fair

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

        Nice - like the Bailly pick

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

          Should start if he doesn’t play in the cup

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

        I had a draft with Cavani it...a sort of lets just go for it draft. Not sure who is starting in that game has created doubt.

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

          Fair enough the cup hopefully will give us some indication

        2. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If I knew which of the two would start I would be tempted, Richarlison also has pens against an out of sorts wolves.

  2. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Considering the Spurs game isn’t until next Wednesday there’s a chance it still goes ahead I assume?

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

      yep, we must wait and see...

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I guess there’s a chance but would seem unlikely if the outbreak is as big as it’s being made out to be.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are you seriously suggesting people on this forum are overreacting?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha I’ve just caught wind of it, trying to being optimistic

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          *be

    4. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      6 days was the turn around for city game so still a hope suppose depends on testing prob sat or sunday. I dont think will cancel till after the deadline so could create problems

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good point

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

      depends on when the -ve tests come back and training ground can reopen - 48 hours between games is about the minimum usually see so would probably need training ground to open at some point on Monday for game to go ahead?

      no rush on decsions with deadline 6 days away

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

      A chance, but I very much doubt it.

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

      It depends on the criteria used. I think the previous games they could flag evidence of new infections ie endangering the other team. If they don’t get new infections in next test but lose their best players in theory they have to play(back to them forcing a forfeit in the cup) in which case load up on spurs. Suspect the premier league are making stuff up on the hoof(hence ancellotti request for transparency). If I were villa I would make sure one or 2 of my bench players spend some time with the sick guys to ensure it’s called off...

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

    2 players in GW18 after Villa outbreak? FH or can Bruno (C) and Rashord cover the average?

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

      TC bruno all you need

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KdB blank and Brighton goal and you get a green arrow

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

        Might take my chances. FH could be valuable down the line...

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

      Hats off to you if that actually came off 🙂

    4. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You could be laughing. Imagine FH, they then announce more fixtures cancelled after deadline

      1. Blzbobuk
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Time to load up on 3 Sheffield and 3 Newcastle as we will know before deadline if that one is going ahead

  4. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming the Spurs Game goes ahead

    Who gets more points in GW18

    A) Neto + Son
    B) Saka + Kane

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

    It's got to make sense to rearrange the Spurs - Fulham game to next week if the villa game is off. Only so much room in the calendar.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a bad idea that

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly - as long as Fulham are playing again

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

      But Fulham are due to play on the Friday; if Chelsea would agree to move that back to Monday it might be viable.

    4. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      100%read may be a problem as fulham v chelsea is the friday night game gw19

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Surely they can just move the Chelsea game a day or 2 later?

        1. Sarri-ball
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Only problem is on sky so might not want 2 lose therefriday night game

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

            So they could have the Spuds game instead. Ought to be do-able if all parties cooperate.

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

      More likely to go into GW19

  6. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So glad I’ve activated my wildcard

    Not!

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

      exactly, leave it til a few hours before

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No but I actually have

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

          I was very close to activating mine last night. Only reason I didn't was time

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

    I love this chaos.

  8. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone like myself not Free Hitting suddenly has a decision to make if the game next week gets called off, frustrating!

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah iv went from 10 players to 5 lol

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        From 11 players to 7, was set up so well haha, oh well

        1. Sarri-ball
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah its frustrating as i built with city/spurs so gw16 hurt me. Thought got bit of luck with city double gw19 now no idea lol

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes I wasn’t going to FH but got 3 players in villa v spurs game so I think i would have to play FH if postponed

    3. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am having that dilema. My FH team without Tot and Avl has 7 players + Mitchell so Idk if I should save it for later or not. Tuesday is going to be a fun day for me.

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      From 11 to 6 players. Leaves us in limbo as we may not know for sure until after the deadline.

    5. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still going to do nothing. The way I see it is the chaos hits everyone, no point in panicking, a few will do well this week but the majority who FH might not score as highly as they would like.
      So I'll take a red arrow and make it up later in the season

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This sort of non-reactionary and sensible post doesn't belong on this forum!

    6. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't have said suddenly, plenty of time to plan

  9. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only got 2 players from villa and spurs combined

    But thats 2 of the only 9 i have for next gw

    Might FH close to deadline if that game looks like being off

  10. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My plan was always 2 build for gw18

    So spurs and city games gw16 killed me.

    Now 5 from spurs/villa might need 2 freehit 18 and not that well set up for 19.

    Disaster if off

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe they’ll suspend the league and the whole ganeweek could be off

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

      yeh its pure luck at the moment, my strat for weeks was to slowly to add gw 19 DGW so i always planned to FH 18, if this does get called off its actually benefited me...apart from the fact that i didnt own Son or Kane vs Leeds...doh!

      1. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Played fpl prob 15 years and some high finishes in that time. But im honestly thinking about deactivating my account as all luck

  11. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With everything going on this season, kudos to whoever wins FPL in the end.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could be a dead team at this rate!

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mate, it could very well be you! Of all the regular posters on here with linked teams, I think your OR is the best I have personally seen 🙂

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nice one, been a lucky one! Clareparrot (spelling) is in the top 50 I think and he posts regular

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

    If anyone wants to see a controlled, planned way of finishing a sports season look at how the NBA finished their season off with their bubble in orlando.

    Surely the PL can come up with a plan like this if worst comes to the worst? Get everyone all the teams at St George's park and finishes the season off there. All it takes is some planning and contingency, something it seems the FA, Premier League and EFL are all inept of doing.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Of all the reasons why I don't think the same can be applied to the PL and football in general, let me go with the most ridiculous one - the groundskeeper would be working day and night, since that grass surface would be fecked after game 3 😀

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

        You don't just play on one pitch, clearly.

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got Grealish, Martinez, Son and Dier and also no free hit.

    I'm basically screwed.

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Non FHers btfo for poor planning. Music to my ears

  15. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Potential opportunity to revert back to the Original plan of making teams play as long as they can field 11 + subs senior players

    Hard to see the season getting finished otherwise at this rate

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

      Or maybe just uphold social distancing like everyone else instead of allowing dumbass footballers to hug and kiss after every single game.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This should also be implemented with a zero tolerance attitude - if you hug/kiss etc, you miss the next game

  16. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Even if the villa spirs game does go ahead

    We wont know which villa players have tested positive until after the deadline most probably

    Could be any of the popular picks...grealish, martinez, watkins

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Iv watkins/targett i could deal with that aslong as son/kane/dier have a fixture

  17. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool villa cup postponed

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where did you find this? The most recent one I can see is this
      https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1347204366575554562

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers!

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

          That's suspicious to me. Confidently stares game will be rescheduled - decision not yet make whether Villa forfeit it like Shrewsbury may have to.

  18. Studs Up
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So many alternative plans, speculations, toys being thrown....yet nothing is confirmed.

  19. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This article isn't great, too much luck involved this season. The writer has just been jammy.

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

      Dunno about that, but being published so soon before the Villa news renders it obsolete for me.

  20. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who does the Villa news benefit the most? Those who planned to free hit or those who planned not to?

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

      100% those who planned to FH.

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

        Not at all. I had Son and Kane sitting sweetly in my FH team.

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

          Yes, but you can change it. For free. Hence the name, free hit.

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

          You can change it for free. Those who weren't planning to can't. It 100% benefits FHers, it's not even debatable.

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Take a guess

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Those who planned to I think. Those who didn't plan to use the chip were capable of navigating it with FTs, but now their hand is forced to play it

    4. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All depends cases for both

      Free hit teams less options

      Non freehit teams prob have quite a few from villa/spurs iv gone from 10 to 5 if off

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

      I'll tell you who it doesn't benefit - people who have already used FTs who weren't planning to free hit

  21. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My fellow once nonFH18ers, how many players will you have if Villa vs Spurs gets called off? 5 for me.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      5 + Mitchell & Brewster. This game is becoming a train wreck!

    2. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Il be down to 5 with 2 swaps prob manage 7. I was on 10 no keeper and able 2 save swap.huge for me of off

    3. SL8
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      4 +Brewster and Mitchell ..had 2 FTs which I'm gonna lose when playing free hit now

    4. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      6, still 2 FT.

      1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        (7 if Taylor recovers somehow)

    5. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Down to 6 if it's off.

      (no GK)
      Holding, Dias (no Dier, Ayling, Coufal)
      KdB, Bruno (no Raphinha, Grealish, Son)
      Brewtster, DCL (no Kane)

      Have 2 FTs though if i need to wing something.

    6. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      7+Mitchell

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

      Down from 11 to 8 - would lose Martinez, Grealish and Son

      Was planning on selling Grealish and Son for gw19 (for Salah and Soucek), but that's also looking worse now as they will have extra fixtures later on

    8. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      6 + Brewster, honestly I think I'll just go for it like this and hope for the best

    9. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd have 7, but would make a -4 hit to field 9 players. Won't be using a Free Hit, I will hope my rivals do though.

  22. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish, Kane, Martinez, Dier potentially missing is the death knell for my GW18 team, which was already padded out with Mitchell & Brewster.

    No idea what to do if they are out, because if I knew I was going to be FHing in 18, my last 5 or so transfers would have been completely different and my team would be really different to what it is now (I'd probably have already built a BB19 team)

    Praying that the game goes ahead is all I can say.

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

    If you had to take a guess, city v villa should be fine right ?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pointless in speculating, but I would say yes, that one should be fine. However, look at Fulham...

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

        Thanks

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would be my guess but villa v Everton would probably be in serious doubt I should think. There’s lots of ifs and buts it depends on how big the outbreak actually is I suppose.

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

      Yes, probably. But you might be missing a few Villa players.

  24. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Regarding the template FH:

    Cancelo or Dias/Stones and why?
    AWB or Maguire and why?
    Sterling or rashford?
    kane or lacazette?

    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias/Stones - Cancelo has no goals and 1 assist. Honestly think the other 2 have more goal threat from set pieces.
      AWB - cheaper, seems to be on form
      If you have the money go Sterling, but Rashford great option too. Expect both to do well.
      Kane - he doesn't play for Arsenal

      1. CROWLEY NOT CRAWLEY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Over the last 6 matches, Cancelo had the highest Expected Goal Involvement (goals + assists) of any defender @ 1.88, Dias had 0.10, Stones had 0.18...

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

      Dias as he's the most nailed out of the lot. If you have a decent bench to cover the occasional benching, Cancelo. Looks almost certain to get a big haul soon.

      I feel both are pretty certain to start barring any injury/covid. Maguire has more aerial threat but AWB has gotten an attacking return recently and looks to be crossing more. Looking at the members area stats, Burnley have conceded more crosses from their left (United's right). With Cavani possibly back, AWB has some attacking potential as well.

      Sterling is more explosive,

      Kane's game a risk? So, Laca surely now. Even then, Villa vs Spurs is tough to call. Arsenal should get the victory against Palace. So, Laca is a safer option. But if you really want a Spurs player, Kane is the one.

  25. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Starting to think my GW19 bench boost is unlikely to happen. How likely is it that one of my 15 players isn't impacted by COVID? At least I'll have a strong bench when more games are postponed.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think people are now abandoning the idea of BB in 19. Too much uncertainty.

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

      Yeah you're unlikely to get 15 players playing. I might forget the bb for now.

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Its just after xmas and new year, if there was a covid outbreak it was most likely now.
      I'd save BB for later when league has settled.

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

        Just as it is settling down, we will probably have another round of international friendlies

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Even ignoring covid you could well just have an expected injury or another that gets dropped

  26. All about the galacticos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    After this villa news, I'd hold FH still till very last minute.
    If there are enough cases, do you think any chance of them hitting the circuit breaker?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I always said I didn’t think it would happen but honestly now, if 2-3 more teams go down with big outbreaks which looks entirely possible I think it could happen quite easily

  27. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs vs Fulham being rescheduled to 18 would be nice.

  28. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I used my FT for doing Salah > KDB but end up using the FH card because of the potential TOT - AVL postpoment

    Will Salah be back in my team for the DGW?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, this will happen for me.

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

      Yeah

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

    When Sheffield United Newcastle is the only game standing:

    RMFHT

    Darlow
    Clark, Schar, Basham, Stevens, Baldock
    Blank, blank, blank
    Blank, blank

    Pray for a 0-0

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

      Bonus points:

      3: Darlow
      2: Clark, Shar, Basham, Stevens, Baldock
      1: None

      Saves:
      Darlow (47)
      Ramsdale (1)

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

      People laughed at my McGoldrick / Wilson front line .... since sold McG for Lacazette

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

    The word of the week is wait.

    The hours before deadline is when you move, be in WC/FH etc. Pointless posting RMT or asking player X or Y vs team Z. Just close down the browser and come back next week 😀