Football Index

Arsenal and Man United’s FPL assets performing well in Football Index


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It’s been a mad season, results-wise, thus far, and the upcoming Premier League fixtures are not likely to calm anything down.

But as with any (relatively) chaotic event, a bit of preparation can lead to some major dividends. And in the case of Football Index, we mean that literally.

Football Index is a kind of stock market where people use real money to bet on football.

You buy shares in individual players whose value can rise or fall depending on their performance both on and off the field.

GET STARTED WITH FOOTBALL INDEX TODAY

I’m actively using Football Index this season with more than a nod to FPL, seeing which aspects of each game marry up, and which don’t.

FI Traders, just like FPL managers, will be planning feverishly for the next two rounds of matches.

The first, FPL Gameweek 18, is a reduced set of fixtures involving just 12 teams, which will be followed by a bumper Double Gameweek 19 during which another 12 sides will play twice.

Back To The Future

To help us navigate all of that, a look back at how certain players performed during the festive period is instructive.

First up, FI’s Star Player from the January 2nd fixtures – Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

The defender racked up 18 points in FPL – the highest total of Gameweek 17 – and he was suitably lauded in FI as well, with his Match Day Dividends from the 4-0 win at West Brom boosted by a Media Dividend win the next day.

Tierney has really blossomed on FI through the Christmas period, with his price up from £0.54 per share on December 20th to a peak of £1.11 on January 4th.

Arsenal are one of those sides with a Gameweek 17 fixture, home to a Crystal Palace side that’s struggled for goals on the road this season. If we consider their 5-1 win at West Brom as an outlier, Roy Hodgson’s men have just six goals from their seven other away games.

They’ve also blanked in four of them, raising the prospects of defensive returns to add to Tierney’s recent improved attacking threat.

Double Delights

What Arsenal don’t have are two fixtures in Double Gameweek 19.

Some great prospects do, however.

Chief among them, as ever, is this season’s stand-out Premier League performer in FI, Bruno Fernandes.

We’ve written plenty about the Man United midfielder’s stellar FI work recently, but his consistency needs restating.

He’s averaged more Match Day points than any other player in the league over both the last four weeks and the last three months.

And for those hesitant to buy shares in a player with a hefty share price of around £8.00, his upcoming schedule suggests more price rises are on the way.

United play three times over the next two rounds of fixtures, all of them away. That suits both the player and the side down to the ground – Fernandes has blanked in just one away game since his move to England a year ago.

Which FPL players have performed well in Football Index over the last year?

Burnley, Fulham and Liverpool await, with the latter the obviously tricky encounter.

Across town, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is turning heads.

Playing in a more advanced role of late, the Germany international has three goals from his last four starts, bringing in a Star Player award on Boxing Day and a Match Day score average second only to Fernandes among Premier League players over the last month.

Down to £0.49 a share on Christmas Eve, he’s now available for about £0.70. That’s a price that could keep on moving up if he continues to shine across City’s next three fixtures – Brighton, Palace and Aston Villa, all at home.

It’s also worth a glance at Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, who has more top five Match Day ranks than any other  Premier League player over the last month.

Priced at £1.38 in late November, the left-back will now set you back around £2.60 a share, with a Double Gameweek 19 involving that United match-up and Burnley, both at Anfield, to come.


Sign up to Football Index today and take advantage of their seven-day £500 money-back guarantee.

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469 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A very good morning to you

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

      morning Spud

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

      Morning Spud. Another wild ride ahead, no doubt!

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

    If the Spurs Villa game isnt postponed by the fpl deadline, it could be a huge gamble fixture for free hitters. Potential blank, or a potential haul for Spurs assets against an U23 Villa side.

    Decisions...

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

      When is the deadline? I think it will get postponed tbh

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

        Tuesday

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

      Decent bench on FH shd solve the issue

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

      I just can't see villa fielding a reserve in the league . Liverpool fielded a reserve against them in the league cup last season maybe it was a way of returnimg the favour in the cup rather than postponing the game.

    4. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Does anyone have any idea when a decision on this will be made? I can't understand why its taking do long, it seems like a straight-forward matter, either Villa are made to play with reserves or not.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Start of next week.

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

        Villa have more COVID results coming back today. I guess they'll know the extent of the issue then.

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

      The worst thing is that even if it does go ahead and you've got Kate, son(c) and reguilon in your team, they could all well be rested against an U23 team

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

        Yeah, fair play is important right now. I think Mou will understand that.

        1. Dion D's Solo Shower
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Mou would be the last manager in the division to purposefully weaken his side just to show sympathy with the opposing team.
          He's in it to win it, he's promised the club as much.

          Regardless, I don't think the Villa v Spurs game will go through, but I guess we may get a clearer picture be the end of the day.

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

            Yeah this. Thats not something Mou would do

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

              😀 ffs it was sarcasm

      2. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You're misunderstanding. The rules for the fa cup and the league are different. There is no way that villa will play an under 23 side in the league, ir would be postponed.

    6. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Villa can field a team v Liverpool in the FA Cup they should have to field a team in the league.

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

        With the short time between the Cup rounds there's less room for flexibility - if the game was postponed when can it be played? Different case for league fixtures - can be played later in the season - although both Villa and Spurs do already have a backlog....

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

    Salah to KDB has to be the right move, right?

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

      This GW absolutely YES.

      That said, you need both for the DGW

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

      With the whole pandemic pandemonium not sure what the right move is to be honest

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

      Had the spread in the Man City camp stopped?

      You should wait as long as possible.

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Scott Carson is a more recent one ... more could well follow.

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

          Rhetoric question. I know it's still ongoing 🙂

  4. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If All games go ahead; A or B??

    A) Tierney Sterling Lacca
    B) Stones Son Kane

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

      B

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B if all go ahead, but it's too big a gamble IMO.

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

        you think it will be cancelled?

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

      A easily imo.

      People seemingly fixated on past value rather than raw potential of this one week.

    4. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Definitely A. Play the fixtures.

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

    I was feeling really happy with my chip strategy until yesterday’s news dropped. I was confused what to do but then slept on it and I think it’s actually pretty clear. Active players will likely now have to play a chip to navigate the next couple of GWs. Those without chips will struggle. Should be a decent points swing there. I’d dead ended my team as I’d planned a WC for GW18 with BB for GW19 so I have little choice but to follow through with the WC at this stage. I think that presents an opportunity to attack this situation so I’m going to stay positive about it,

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

      I am an active player ranking around 300kth and do not plan to play chip in gw18 & 19 yet. I may change my mind but not now.

      Having a strong squad with Manchester teams with some Liverpool / Villa / Spurs players, additionally with some bargin ones e.g. Bamford / Holding / Soucek, has no reason to be panic.

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

        This

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

      I’m set up for BB in 19. I’m still using it even though there’s risk of fixtures being postponed at short notice.
      I want it out the way. Feel it really hinders forward planning.

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

        Im convinced bench boost as a chip can hurt your overall total points score the more you plan for it. Ofc you can get super lucky but usually all the money invested in the bench, weeks of free transfers/ chips used to plan for it feels like a waste for what could be 10 extra points in that 1 week

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

          I agree totally. The only way I’m not bench boosting is if Leeds,WestHam or Villa,lose BOTH their games.

          Then I’ll be working to move money off my bench.

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Agree with both. I'd like to get it done and out of the way.

    3. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m glad it’s clear to you. I’m an active player in top 2k with all my chips left. I think the best long term approach is not to use chips in next 2 weeks. Obviously from a short term perspective it’s much easier to play the FH. Time will tell whether or not I bottle it and use a chip

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

    Re: Villa v Spurs

    Source BBC Sport:

    "The game was thrown into doubt when Villa confirmed the shutdown of the training ground after "a large number of first-team players and staff" returned positive Covid-19 results after being tested on Monday.

    Those affected went into isolation and a second round of tests was carried out immediately, which produced more positive results on Thursday"

    Hard to see the game going ahead Weds if they are still dealing with positive results as recently as yesterday surely?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends who and how many were tested positive yesterday and how many can return after starting isolating from Monday

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

      We'll have to wait until tuesday.

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

      yeah especially considering how they have acted so far

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

      Precedents with training ground closures this season has been at least one game (falling within the 10 days of the closure) being postponed.

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

        Precedents are a waste of time here because the situation is dynamic and they have clearly decided they are going to press on at whatever cost

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

    Surely Fulham-Spurs game is moved to gw18 if Spurs can't play Villa?

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

      As said many times, depends on Fulham vs Chelsea being moved.

  8. h3nh3n
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    idk what will happen, so I'm going to play Kane and son, but I have as strong a bench as I can muster up

  9. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Latest fixture news?

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

      Can't keep up with this madness.

      I honestly don't know.

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

        This

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

      Well it seems like Villa are going to send out a team of children to get brained playing a dangerous contact sport at a time of unprecedented pressure, crisis, for hospitals and the emergency services. Because well, football is important

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

        Ha, what!

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dangerous even if no contact - ask Neymar.

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

          Ha

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

          Love it

      3. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        calm down greta...

  10. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don’t know much about this Diallo, anyone seen him play before? do we reckon he goes straight in to the starting line up?

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's hardly played this season for Atalanta, so I suspect he'll be very slowly eased into the first team squad.
      Think the starting eleven is still a way for him to go

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A young lefty, who likes to cut in from the right, as said above mainly been on the bench for Atlanta but when he’s come on, he’s bagged a few goals and assists but from one bench to another but he’s only 18 or 19 I think

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry make that one goal in 4 appearances. The others were for the youth team.

    3. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      50M did I hear this right?!

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

        a little under 20 with up to 18 addons

  11. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I think we all know this season is pretty much a bust. Let's not take unnecessary stress. Just chill and we'll see what happens when it happens.

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

      ignore all content, don't check price rises, don't check your team, open the app a few hours before and see what you're working with. This is my approach

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup^^

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

        Not a bad idea.

  12. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    IMAGINE if every consecutive pair of FPL Gameweeks had formed a Double Gameweek so far this season — See how each of the Double GW19 Premium Captaincy assets would have performed 🙂

    https://twitter.com/legomane_fpl/status/1347318233544667138?s=21

    1. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saw it yesterday on Twitter, fantastic illustrations and very useful! 🙂

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

        Useful for what?

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

          Would only be useful if we would check on two games being played with 3-4 days between them.

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

      Bruno the stand out.
      Shame he has Liverpool in the double.

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

        Think I will go with him still, can see a penalty goal against pool and a haul against fulham

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

          Yeh he still could do well. Think I’ll be on KDB for his two games.
          His form is on the up now .

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

        Is it even a bad thing? Pool look rather uninspired of late.

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

      Haha I'm not looking. Two years ago I went to relieve myself at 2am and saw your same post on if Leeroy Sane had every consecutive pair of game weeks ahead of his double and like Kevin Friend at Stockley Park I decided to overturn a perfectly good decision and before I'd pulled my trousers back up I'd switched the TC from Aguero>Sane and gone to bed dreaming of all the fpl points coming my way. 1 point and a lot of crying later I had to accept that you only provided accurate information and the decision was my own but if I just didn't wake up when I did and look at the post!

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😆 I captained Sané too that week, and saved a FT rather than switching Auba > Kun, right before Auba v Huddersfield-gate unfolded..

  13. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Haller has officially left West Ham

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Moussa Dembele rumoured on his way in.
      Could be exciting

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

      Surely they will add a new striker to the team? Don't get how they sell their only available striker

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

        Particularly with Antonio so injury-prone

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -25M,

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, bought for £45M sold for 20... great piece of business right there. Ah, and leaving the team with no available striker right now...

        For the player was great, he was sick and tired of Moyes...

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm no West Ham fan but sick of Moyes? Haller was poor.

    4. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      good for Antonio for the DGW

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If he's fit, then yeah

  14. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who will strike for West Ham now?
    Michail Antonio finally gets his start?
    Can be a good DGW option
    Help

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

      Soucek

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gold

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mine steed is too slow this day!

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A cry for help? The knight template rides forth with the answer you seek Soucek.

    3. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's mad that they're selling him. They have 1 striker who is injured more often than not, and they're selling Haller for half the price!

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

        Moyes doesn't rate him. They get £25 million which whilst is a loss, is still a good sum that they might otherwise not get if Haller keeps putting in poor performances.

        Moyes has previous for honing in on some players abilities to change their positions to fill gaps in his squad.

        In the short term this is serviceable (especially as Haller isn't doing anything special) & they'll no doubt bring in a forward.

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

          25M isn't a bad return for him, with the performances he's given. He was great at Frankfurt but that's because he was in a striking partnership, at WHU he's been up there alone, maybe that wasn't good for him.

          They must have someone lined up (Josh King?) to get rid now whilst they're doing well in the league and Antonio isn't fully fit

        2. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Correction: the fee they got was £20M not 25.

  15. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have read if avl - spurs is called off, it could be replaced by spurs - fulh but how could that be?

    avl-spurs is scheduled on wednesday night and fulham is due to play on the friday again against chelsea so 2 days rest isn't possible.

    Dates would habe ti be changed and this implies clubs AND bradcasters to agree ?

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

      It won't happen. I don't know why Ben Crellin keeps throwing up solutions that involve moving fixtures forward on short notice.

      None of those scenarios are going to happen in the current climate with all the extra precautions needed.

      Lee-Sou moving to BGW18 and Tot-Ful being moved into GW18 to replace Avl-Tot are fanciful ideas that have less than 1% chance of happening imo.

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

        Magnificent use of imo. Well played.

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

        true. But the room left to re-arrangement has narrowed to mostly nothing, in particular for spurs.
        So unprecedented decisions should be expected for unprecedented situations

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Sunderland v Hull in League One tomorrow was only rearranged on Wednesday (i.e 3 days notice)

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

      Could Spurs v Fulham not move to Tuesday instead? No reason it has to be Wednesday?

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

        could be. I guess it's up to Sky Sports which would boradcast two games at the same time (wol-eve too)

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

          They've already got Burnley v United in that slot so have 2. They have enough channels for 3.

      2. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs play Sunday in the FA Cup

  16. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    any leaked fixture this week??

  17. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a case to take extra hits to preserve the FH if we can field 7-8 player this week?

    I'm talking a -12 to get in extra United and City assets which would set me up for DGW19 too. Without this I'm back to my previous squad without City players.

    The -12 is really a -6 as you wouldn't be getting any appearance points otherwise.

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

      There is always a case is the outcome is advantageous & not unreasonably possible.

      Do remember, the -12 is not a -6 if players just bring in miss out fixtures (e.g. unforseen postponement) or score badly, or in comparison to players you hold over X weeks.

      1. King of Kings.
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate. Good point actually. I just feel theres better opportunities to use FH later during DGWs. This week its damage limitation.

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

          I think right now, if certain games are on - you can still get a very decent team out and take advantage of people (e.g. Me, if I didn't use FH) who only have 3/4 active players this week.

          Even if one game (i.e. AVL/TOT) is off you can put out a good team. Lots of players have TOT/AVL players who won't Free Hit, so you can gain an advantage there.

          However it utterly depends on how your team does and potentially further COVID news to come. May end up being that a FH isn't worth it. Still need to wait a few days to judge better - which is why I haven't activated any chip yet.

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

            Yep, waiting is the best policy. I have XI is Villa v Spurs is on, 6 if it's off, and am just waiting as long as possible to do anything with either 1FT, 2FTs, or a FH.

            The good news appears to be that finally the rest have cottoned on. No price rises or falls last night, and only one fall the night before i think. Things are calming down amidst the chaos!

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I'm thinking of doing a -8 on these grounds. Seems like an ideal opportunity to get in United and City assets who look great for the double and then good options going forward. If you use a FH, you might want those same assets in the week after anyway.

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

      I really did plan for saving FH this GW and going either 11 DGW'ers or 10 DGW'ers + Son in DGW19.

      If Villa - Spurs is off, then I really don't know what I will do yet.

      I guess I might go for hit galore. As you put it the FH'ers will go back to a team with less City assets, and would have to bring those in on hits next GW. They would also have Martínez, Grealish & DCL who potentially will get postponed too if Villa - Spurs is off.
      I do think City - Villa will go ahead since it's 13 days after the Covid news from the Villa camp.

      This also adds to the fact that taking out Villa players for hits this week could be an alright move since they might not play Spurs this GW, and might not have a double next GW.

      A -12 or -16 combined on BGW18 and DGW19 might be alright if it makes you able too WC 24/25. BB15 players in DGW26 and FH the BGW29.

  18. CapK
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys - first time posting on here.

    Have 2 templates for BWG18 - I’m free hitting. Any preferences?

    1-
    Darlow
    Cancello / holding / maguire
    Bruno / Kevin / rashford / son / saka
    Wilson / Kane

    2-
    Darlow
    Stones / holding / AWB
    Bruno / Kevin / rashford / sterling
    Wilson / Kane

    Both benches are cheap players who are playing around 3.9-4.4m Mark.

    Thanks all! Good luck!

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

      Sorry guys - second team has Yedlin in defence also

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No point planning until deadline day as more games could be postponed.

  19. Pinturicchio10
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH team starting to take shape now...

      Leno
      Cancelo-Tierney-Dias
      De Bruyne-Rashford-Fernandes-Grealish
      Wilson-Martial-Lacazette

      PF-Hendrick-Coady-Douglas

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

        If the AVL (Premier League) game ends up being off, Grealish misses out & Hendrick comes on.

        Either invest in a better bench or work on your non-AVL draft.

        1. Pinturicchio10
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Easy fix if it's called off.

        2. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'd drop Martial, and upgrade Grealish to Raz if possible? Dias to AWB or something like that. Then you don't have any worries should the game be postponed

          1. Pinturicchio10
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Don't fancy weakening my team tbh.

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

          Removing Villa and Spurs players for FH makes everything so much easier.

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It does

          2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Until you realize you have either doubled up or tripled up on a team that might not play at all due to late Covid results either in that particular team or the opposite team.

          3. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It does indeed

        4. Salarrivederci
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I understand early WC'ers, but I don't get early FH'ers 🙂
          Your squad will return next week with every prise rise/fall anyway.
          Surely being able to play DDG > Leno and having Yedlin > Mitchell on the bench does not make up for the risk of the league getting called off or matches getting moved into GW18 making the FH less useful?

          1. The Hunt
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I suppose if money's tight you might be forced to jump early to avoid the price hikes.

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

              I get it, but with a new strain of Covid in the UK? Matches moving in and out of GW's with days notice. Matches getting called off due to Covid?

              One could w8 and field the exact same team as the one who pressed the FH button last weekend with only Wilson instead of DCL.
              The most sane thing would be to accept an 6.6 ish striker instead of an 7.8 ish striker and make sure you don't waste your FH right? 😀

          2. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah if those are the players you're targeting I agree, but if we are talking about bringing in Sterling, Rashford, Dias etc I can understand the temptation...

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

              Well those who pressed the FH button last weekend will have something like a million more to toy with right? 😀
              Lets assume you go for a bench of Brewster, Smith-Rowe and Mitchell regardless.
              Then it's the difference between going Dias or Stones, DCL or Wilson, Tierney or Holding
              My point is. How many points do you in reality expect that Tierney will outscore Holding with in the next GW? 3?
              Those expected 3 points surely can't be worth the gamble...

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

                The best value player in the game is bringing in 1.2ppmillion/match

                I mean, it's a very crude fact but it does give you some indication of how small the advantage of saving maybe 0.5-1m by moving as early as possible actually is in any one gameweek

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

                  Exactly! Thanks.

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

            Why what’s the issue. I had 3 players and had to hit the button either way. There will be a game. Non FH are obsessed!!!!

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

              Yeah most likely games will be played? Tt's maybe a 95% chance at the moment, that the League won't get suspended and FH's will be wasted.
              But what if further matches where moved into BGW18? Suddently you would've had 9 players and not 3? Would it have been worth it to press the button last weekend to have another 1 million to toy with? 😀

          4. Eagleowl
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            One early free hitter here! My current FH squad has got 9 price rises since I've made those transfers. I only have 0,3 ITB so late FH wouldn't have allowed me to get the squad I wanted. Of course I still might have to make some changes because of covid, but I'm willing to live with that.

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

              I get it,
              And if I end up using FH your team with Saka would look much better than mine with Smith-Rowe!
              But in reality you probably would not outscore my team by much 😉
              My point though. If Villa and Spurs go ahead, and another match is moved to GW18 many FH'eers would likely write something like: "oh I could have fielded 10-11 this week had I not pressed FH early".
              Or if the League is suspended for two weeks: "oh FH is wasted - what did I do" 😀

              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                No, because GW18 won't have happened, so my FH hasn't been played.

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

                  Did you play last year when the League got suspended?
                  Every GW 'happened' with 0 matches. All who used chips did 'waste' them. The WC was ofc not a fizzle like TC, BB and FH's

                  1. Cruyff's Eleven
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    True, but only if you used chips after FPL was suspended if I recall correctly.

                    But yeah, you're absolutely correct - I took a risk playing a chip in the current climate, took it knowingly and willingly.

                    Time will tell if there's reward or not...

          5. Cruyff's Eleven
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Even if there's only one game, my FH allows me to field 11 players. Points in the bank mate.

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              ?

              6 surely

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

                HAHAH 😀

            2. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Nope

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

              And if only the only match going ahead is City - Brighton I could live with making 3 transfer (-4) bringing in KDB, Dias & a third one + fielding Welbeck.
              You can have the extra 2 Brighton players on your FH. Not gonna stress much about that 🙂

              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Me neither, so we agree.

                Solid.

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

            With 105.1 Team Value I can afford to wait to play my FH this GW which is what I'll be doing. I completely understand why some managers with lower team value have had to FH early.

            Also I expect some people have done the free hit early because its FUN to play around with different players and team set-ups. 😀

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

              Ultimately whatever your squad value you're all subject to the same price changes. The potential you buy by saving e.g 0.7m when looked at as an average is still tiny. Really tiny. This is consistently overrated as an advantage in any one single game week, not least now when to the risks and cons list is the length of your arm

            2. Guru Mediation
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Good point, playing the game like this is perhaps more fun which is great. The point the original poster is making is that it isn't necessarily conducive to getting a better final rank, but hey ho

        5. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I only have 6 players in the Spurs-Villa game

          No biggie

          1. turd ferguson
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            United game might be off

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              No Bruno I can deal with

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

              Why?

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

              Burnley have 2 confirmed cases. I doubt it

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

            I thought 5 was bad

          3. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Manageable

        6. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Villa V Spurs now major doubt

          Sky news said Villas Covid outbreak is worse than Newcastles and has affected most of the team.

          Spurs will now have 3 postponed games. CRISIS!

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            3?

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

            Its the City v Villa game that concerns me over anything else.

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

              Should go ahead.
              13 days after the reported outbreak.

          3. R.C
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Who are the players who are affected?

            Also some of them have been isolating since Monday so surely they can play Spurs game, think thats 9-10 days in isolation

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

              Imagine if the FA-Cup game goes ahead tonight with Villa fielding this team:
              Martínez
              Cash - Konsa - Mings - Targett
              Luiz - McGinn
              Traore - Grealish - El-Ghazi
              Watkins

              😀

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

            I honestly think Spurs Fulham game will be moved forward to gw18 and it game week 19 game will be ousted back later in the week if that happens.

            Only sky would object I would have thought as these games need to be played

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

            3 players out when Villa vs Newcastle was postponed, 4 out in GW16, now down to 5 from 10 if the match doesn't go through having planned to not play a chip in 18. Fantastic.

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              5 here too with 1 FT.

            2. The Rumour Mill
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Exactly the same here. Its the disproportionate effect on certain fpl teams which is most galling. As come season end, your rank doesnt have a note saying whether you had to play every gameweek with 5 men or not.

        7. Plagued by indecision
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          From 11 potential starters down to 7 if the Villa-Spurs game is off. Seriously don't want to use the free hit on such a damp squib of a gameweek.

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

            I think it's a fantastic week to FH personally. 3 games with high potential from teams that not that many people have players from.

            As long as Mci-Bha, Bur-Utd and Ars-Cpl are still in GW18, I think it's perfect.

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

              Its a massive massive gamble. If you like that, it's a great time. If you want security then it's a diabolical time to do anything but attempt to maximize your presence without hits or chips

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

                On the contrary I feel it's the safe choice. We don't have to lock in our teams until Tuesday afternoon and can react accordingly to get as many players out as possible.

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

                  It's still playing a chip in the least predictable period fpl has ever seen, in a season where multiple huge double gameweeks are going to pile up, at shorter notice then usual

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

            Same here. All planning work and edge is wasted if Spurs-Villa gets postponed and then it's must to use FH.

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

            It's a very good week to FH
            Planned to go without, but I also own Martínez, Grealish & Son which makes me second guess it all at the moment.

            Problems will show itself again later though if you use the FH the GW. Especially if you did not plan for BB next week or now won't want to because of all that's happening.

            GW29 will be a big blank GW. Those WC'ing in 24/25 and using BB in GW26 will be in even bigger trouble then those who manage to field 8-11 players this GW without using FH (I think)

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

              How big will the blank be...we do not know, right?
              What if some of the bigger clubs get knocked out of the FA cup along the way....what then. You cannot just assume

        8. sergioaguero67
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Villa-Spurs off?
          Please help

          1. Cruyff's Eleven
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Free Hit. Look it up.

            1. Simon69
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Very smart little boy.

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

            Probably won't know anything for sure before the GW deadline

            1. Cruyff's Eleven
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              That's more than 4 days away....

              That's a lifetime in FPL and COVID terms mate.

        9. kime67
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          why am i scared to go without grealish on fh?

          1. Cruyff's Eleven
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Is he immune?

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

            I don't know why because Villa Spurs will be called off

          3. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Because he threatened to drive you home ?

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

              😆

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

            Start him but have good bench cover.............

        10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          With me looking to move my Spurs players out next week and Villa looking like more than a 7 days' issue doesn't it make more sense to just carry the 2 FTs I have this week into the next week. Taking a single hit in 19 helps me move the three Villa + spurs players I have. Although I would have 5 playing right mow if Spurs vs Villa is postponed but wouldn't the FH just be a temporary fix? Plus I lose one of the FTs I have.

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

            If the Villa v Spurs game, you have way more problems than losing a FT (like the rest of us).

            I literally have no idea what I will do - also have 2FT and a load of Spurs & Villa players

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Its not about FTs. Its about short term fix vs long term solutions. FH makes me cover the issues of just 1 GW. 2 FTs into the next week helps me fix much more than just a BGW.

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

                Yeah, there's a lot of shallow thinking about chips, mostly focused on the headline score you get with them in the week you play them. The BB, particularly, is over-estimated because of this but there are strategic elements to the FH too and the loss of a FT (or two in your case) is one of them.

                Ideally the FH is best used to jump a 'gap' where you will be happy with your squad before and after and are avoiding an interim week which is awkward to plan for without compromising that underlying squad. Often that will be a BGW, sure, but there are more than one of those, GW29 and 33, for example, will also present difficulties this season.

                Unfortunately, the ability to plan anything at all is weakened just now by the Covid situation, which can lead to games being postponed at very short notice, even after a GW deadline. That's just how it is. 🙄

                1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  The second paragraph in your comment is bang on and the exact reason why I do not want to use the FH. My plan was to have a decent GW18 team with Spurs assets and move them out in GW19. I certainly do not want them for a few weeks starting GW19 and hence no point in using FH this week only to see them back in my team in GW19. And then use multiple hits in GW19 to move them out, which actually might negate the benefit I might get by using FH this week.

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

                    Yeah. One thing with Spurs, though. They will have 3 games awaiting re-scheduling if the Villa game is postponed. So you could very easily see them with a DGW sooner rather than later.

                    A lot depends on what happens in the early FAC rounds because both GW19 & GW23 could yet see extra games added if the teams concerned are out of the FAC.

                    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      More reason to hold on to your chips rather than using them when everything is so uncertain this GW.

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

                        Agreed. I have tried hard to avoid the FH this week but if the Spurs/Villa game is off I may have little choice. 🙁

                        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 2 months ago

                          How many players if Villa Spurs gets postponed?

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

                            5, 6 with a hit. Too few.

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

                              Although if Spurs/Fulham was put in it would be 8 with a hit and that would be feasible.

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

            I am in the same situation as you. I am starting to plan for a hit galore GW to fix the team for this GW and still set me up for 11 DGW'ers next week. Saving the FH for 29, WC for 24/25, BB for 26, and the TC for whenever a player have a good DGW in less uncertain times (Covid) 😀

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

          Hey all,

          Mark and I recorded FPL BlackBox Episode 16 – When the Chips are down – last night and there's lots of ways you can watch / listen if you missed it.

          The idea of FPL BlackBox is to reflect back on the mistakes we make during the season to try and become better managers.

          YouTube: https://bit.ly/30077OM
          Spotify: https://spoti.fi/30l8xnp
          iTunes: https://apple.co/303zvzo
          Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RU2S2S

          Remember to like and sub on your chosen platform! It really helps us out as we look to grow the channel.
          Cheers

          1. The VAR Team
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Great Channel! Cheers

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

            Cheers, about to start the podcast

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

            great, thanks Az

          4. drughi
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            will enjoy it tonight with some IPA

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

            Loving BlackBox!

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

          This game is becoming a massive drag.
          I’ve put a lot of thought & planning into my team this year. I’ve dragged myself from almost 3mil to 300k in the last 10GW’s. I’ve set my team up nicely for 18 & 19.

          Then this happens. Plans are now in tatters, and it wouldn’t be a shock if this was just the beginning of a period of pure turmoil with players missing every week.

          May as well just play the national lottery - at least it has a decent prize and doesn’t claim to be a game of skill

          1. Cruyff's Eleven
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Nobody forces you to play I hope.

            Just look at it as an even bigger challenge, rather than "a drag"......

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

              To be fair, I’m not blaming anybody.

              Just having a vent!

              I’d love to see it as a bigger challenge, but it’s literally impossible to plan for. You’re just relying on pure luck to not screw your team over basically.

              That’s not fun

              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Then quit, why play if it's not fun?

                That sounds like a job..

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

              This. Remember we're all in the same boat. Anyway I'm glad you're having problems, gives me a chance to beat you. 😉 It's a game after all. 😀

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

            Adjust your expectations. This is what's dragging you down, not the game

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

            Probably more skill will now be required to plot a course. The game will always have a large amount of variables and lots more luck than many on here admit to. Just have to roll with the punches.

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

          Villa v Liverpool confirmed ON for what it's worth

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Villa are fielding U-23s hardly matters.

            Their game against Spurs is still a huge doubt.

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            That might just obligate Villa to field a team for the Spurs game

            Jose would love to get a gimme against Villa's reserves/U21's

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

              Villa will not field U23 against Spurs. No other team has had to in PL

              1. Here's Tom with the We…
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                This.