Pro Pundits

My plan for FPL Double Gameweek 19 amid ever-changing fixture list

Fantasy Premier League managers must bide their time as the Double Gameweek 19 situation continues to swirl around them like a hurricane.

I have laid my plans for the bumper round of fixtures but am always keeping one eye on my shoulder.

In this article, I will go over my current set-up in light of the upcoming fixtures and my response to Leeds v Southampton getting postponed.

In the last week Fantasy managers have had to deal with the uncertainty surrounding potential fixture postponements and rearrangements and I must admit, it came as a relief to finally see the Blank Gameweek 18 deadline approach to take any further decisions out of my hands.

However, further chaos is just around the corner with the first Double Gameweek of the season starting just two days after the final fixture of the current Gameweek.

I have been preparing for this bumper Gameweek since I played my Wildcard back in Gameweek 16, so I thought now would be a good time to go through some of my selections and plans looking ahead. 

My plan has always been to activate my Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19, but I think it’s worth mentioning that in this ever changing environment it’s important to remain flexible and open minded to any potential changes to the football scheduling. I certainly won’t be activating any chips or making transfers until as late as possible. Information is far more important than catching any price rises for the time being. 

I also believe that now more than ever there is a fair amount of luck involved, so don’t get too downbeat if any fixture amendments go against you.

The situation has changed somewhat since I prepped my squad in anticipation of Bench Boosting in Double Gameweek 19. The biggest problem I am faced with is the lack of Manchester City assets. Not only have City been handed a tasty looking Double Gameweek, with home matches against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, but they have arguably returned to their brilliant best. 

After brushing Chelsea aside in Gameweek 17, and a great performance at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, a nice run of fixtures means City assets are well and truly back in our thinking. 

Like many others, I decided to triple up on Manchester City as part of my Free Hit in Gameweek 18, so I am hopeful for big returns in tonight’s match against Brighton. However, since welcoming back my Gameweek 17 team I don’t see a single light-blue shirt in the squad, and this is something I am keen to address with my transfers this week. 

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s favourable run continues in the three fixtures following Double Gameweek 19 as they travel to West Bromwich Albion, host Sheffield United and visit Burnley. I am not rushing into any decisions but I feel multiple hits could be on the cards in order to get two or three Manchester City players in prior to the Double Gameweek and as part of my long term thinking. 

So, let’s go through some of my selections and how I may decide to use my transfers.

GOALKEEPERS

I wanted to pick Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) as my goalkeeper going forward after the arrival of Sam Alladyce at West Bromwich Albion. I felt sure he would come in and tighten up their defence but heavy defeats against Leeds and Arsenal do not bode well for my decision. 

Hopefully, two weeks on the training ground since their last fixture will help improve clean sheet potential for the Baggies. 

I paired Johnstone up with the cheapest of the Double Gameweek 19 goalkeepers in Fulham’s Alphonse Areola (£4.5m). My expectations are low here but Im hoping with a combined four fixtures between them, they can at the very least rack up some save points for me.

DEFENDERS

My main issue I need to address in this area is the out of favour Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m). With two favourable fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, home matches against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion) I felt the Paraguayan could prove good value. 

It seems, however, Craig Dawson (£4.5m) has firmly locked down a place in the West Ham back-four, so Balbuena is almost a certainty to make way for me this week. This spot could be ideal to bring in the likes of John Stones (£5.0m) or Ruben Dias (£5.8m).

MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS

Werner, Son and Kane kept quiet as FPL's two best defences impress again

On paper, my selections back in Gameweek 16 still look alright for Double Gameweek 19. 

Harry Kane (£11.1m) was my only current single Gameweek player, although Patrick Bamford (£6.6m), Raphinha (£5.5m) and Che Adams (£6.0m) have joined that list now. 

Either way, with a difficult fixture run on the horizon from Gameweek 20, when Spurs host Liverpool and Chelsea either side of a trip to Brighton, Kane could be the fall-guy for me in order to fund signing the Manchester City assets. 

The flag on Adams is also something I need to keep an eye on too, especially as he only has one Double Gameweek 19 match now. The possible replacement players in my thoughts for forwards are Michail Antonio (£6.2m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.1m). Although I will be hoping for assurances on both Antonio’s match fitness and the COVID-19 situation at Villa Park before bringing in either player.

My current plan is to take a minus-eight or minus-twelve to bring in Antonio, Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) and one or both of Dias and Stones. I feel this would leave me with a very strong bench boost side and in good shape going forward. I’m not usually a big advocate for taking hits but the beauty of rebuilding my squad within a Double Gameweek is I feel there’s a good chance the hits will be paid back with interest over the course of the two games. 

Having said all that, the situation has changed once again following my initial plans with Leeds and Southampton down to one match in Double Gameweek 19.

My first response to that is probably to bench my Saints assets and consider the Triple Captain chip instead but there is still plenty of time for this Gameweek to change again before Saturday’s deadline so I don’t want to commit just yet.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your plans.

1,819 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Probably will skip BB, would you do Son to KDB or Stephens to Foden ?

    Martinez
    Justin/Cancelo/Robo/Coufal
    Soucek/Bruno/Son*/Salah/Stephens*
    Vardy

    Martin/Bamford/Dallas/Adams

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

      Son can still haul. Stephens won't. Get Foden is what I'd do.

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

        Of course wouldn't play Stephens but Bamford

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

      If Foden means benching Bamford, I'd get Kevin

  2. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Son and Zaha to Bowen and KDB for a -8? Current team is

    Martinez
    Dias Robbo AWB
    Bruno Son Grealish Foden
    Bamford Antonio Kane

    Mccarthy Justin Zaha Holding

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

      Not really keen on that. Is there any chance of getting KDB for a -4 instead?

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The only way is Bruno to KDB, which seems wrong

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

      Absolutely not. Have a look at Crystal Palaces fixtures after City. Zaha could be one to keep

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

    Cavani now nailed ?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't think so, expect more rotation.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Apparently Martial injury not as bad as first feared

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

      Not at all. Martial injury doesn’t sound as bad as first feared plus Rashford or Greenwood can easily play up front as there are plenty of other players that can fill their places out wide.

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

    My plan for FPL Double Gameweek 19 amid ever-changing fixture list:

    Bury my head in the sand and hope the season gets voided.

  5. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will have 9 DGW players and need to bench one of the following SGW players:

    A. Son (shu)
    B. Laca (NEW)
    C. Bamford (BHA)

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

      That's a difficult one.

      I have nothing.

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

      Bam

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

      Laca

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Laca

    5. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Whatever you end up doing, you just know it'll go horribly.

      Draw out of a hat.

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

      Use BB

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

    We need to talk about Antonio!

    How many minutes do we think he gets over the double? How has he looked previously when back from injury?

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lack of other strikers now Haller has gone makes me think at least 60 in each

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

      If you get him in I'll know to stay away 😉

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

      Him managing 90 last Sunday is a good sign to me, agree at least 60 in each

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

        Agreed. Did anyone watch the game to see how he looked?

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

          He looked knackered and probably shouldn't have played the full 90 but the pitch was dreadful and would have explained some of the heavy-leggedness of his performance.

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

            Cheers, can't really draw conclusions from that match then

        2. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He was rated 5 by a few papers

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

      60+60 minimum. They have no other forward. He was at best average in the FA Cup game, had two chances and didn't even shoot because his first touch was pretty bad, he looked slower than usual also. Decent 30mins against Eve though.

  7. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio or Watkins

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

      Same dilemma, currently on Watkins, because I want to keep him long term and I am concerned over Antonio's injury record and game time.

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

        Watkins has been so poor though. I kept him for all his blanks and it was pretty frustrating

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

      Watkins. Antonio's fitness a concern

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

    Any idea what I can do?

    Martinez, DDG
    Cancelo, Stone, Coufal, Tierney, Mitchell
    Son, KDB, Bruno, Soucek, Saka
    Lacazette, Kane, Bamford

    0.1 ITB, 1 FT

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

    Would you wildcard if you now only have 5dgw players for gw19?

    Is using my WC this early gonna do more damage down the line? I could take a -8 and field 8 dgw players.

    It would be... Son, Raphinha, DCL -> Soucek, Sterling, Watkins

    Would really appreciate thoughts, cheers!!

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

      I would make my peace with a red arrow this week but make it up in the future big DGW (forget which week it was exactly). I would like to keep the WC for the future. I would consider that -8 you have suggested as well.

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

        Cheers

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -8, not sure about Sterling, Antonio instead of Watkins

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

    I hate Strawberries ❗

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zip

    2. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Strawberry jam > Raspberry jam worth a -4 all day

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You haven't tried English summer strawberries

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

    Hi all,

    Would you do Son + DCL > KDB(C) + Brewster for -4? Leaves me with:

    Martinez(2)
    Chilwell(2) - Coufal(2) - Dallas
    Salah(2) - KDB(2) - Bruno(2) - Grealish(2) - Soucek(2)
    Vardy(2) - Bamford
    £1.5 itb left

    0.1 short of getting Watkins over Brewster and benchin Bam, so may as well get fodder Brewster.

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

    Mitchell, Son, Kane to Cresswell, Watkins, Salah (C) for -8?

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

      I think Son and Kane can do better than others even in a SGW

  13. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Up to 50k after my FH with three to play tonight!

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice.

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

    Is Kane + Ampadu to Vardy (C) + James for a -4 ok?

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

      My only concern is if James will play both games. If yes, I'd do it.

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

        I will monitor what Lampard says. As of now, he is training and might be fit to feature on Saturday. I have 5.4 to spare. The other option is Creswell but I have Coufal too. Dont like doubling up on defenders.

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

      Your other defs?

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

        Coufal, Stones, Holding, Mitchell

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

          Man U def if you like

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

    Cresswell or Antonio as my third West Ham player?

    Have Coufal and Soucek

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

      Creswell

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

      If you don't get Antonio what are you fielding for the double?

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

        Watkins

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

          Nothing wrong with Watkins. Stick with him.

  16. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do these moves ?

    Kane, Son, Saka to DGWers of Salah, Antonio, Grealish for -8?

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

      Are you copying Andy haha?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Didn’t know he has same players haha

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

          Andy
          @LetsTalk_FPL
          ·
          1 ч
          Kane + Son to Salah + Antonio is on.

          Saka to Grealish for -8 total is so tempting...

          It's a good shout though.

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

      YEY! Maybe try to keep one of Spurs.

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

    Hey fam! Son, Balbuena & Adams to Grealish, Dias & Antonio for -8?

    Gives me this BB team

    Johnstone McCarthy*
    Dias Justin Coufal Targett Dallas*
    Salah(C) Mane Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Antonio Wood Bamford*

    * are SGW players.

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

      I’d lose Salah or mane before son ngl

  18. Couch Potato
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many YCs for Bruno?

    Yesterday was showing 4, now 3?!

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

      4

  19. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still considering going ahead with BB. 0 FT.

    DeGea mendy
    Stones Cancelo Coufal Dier* Dallas*
    Bruno Rash KDB Son* Raphinha*
    Wilson Antonio Bamford*

    Main reason is Have 2 playing keeper with DBL - I doubt if I’d have it in future. And Bamford, Dallas, Raphinha single gw against Brighton is not bad.

    To BB or not?

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

      I agree. I’ll be bb with Johnstone, and same three Leeds

      1. No Salah
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Unless further surprises come up - going to BB 🙂

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

    Feels wrong to bench Bamford.

    Martinez
    Cresswell Dias Zouma Cancelo
    Salah Grealish Bruno Son KDB
    Antonio

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

      Great team

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

        -8 tough...Maybe TC Salah/KDB will cover the hit.

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

          Tempting, but I would personally rather hold the TC for a Son/Kane DGW

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

      Wow your team is stacked. Your team value must be insane.

      I can field similar but I'd have Zouma James Stones Coufal instead. Your defense is way better.

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

        Thanks! 🙂
        106.3m i allways try to maximise tv first half of season.

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

    Son downgrade doesn’t sit right with me. How does Robo, McCarthy, Adams to Dias, De gea, Antonio (-8) look ?

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

      Looks good for next GW and for the future. Il do it.

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

      Not sure on that. Simply because a -8 feels like too much of a risk. Do you have any ideas in your head involving a -4 that improve your team? If so, share them as they may work out better

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

        Nah not really. Need to downgrade a premium to upgrade others. Unless I did Adams to Antonio and Justin to stones but means keep McCarthy on a bb. And I think Justin does well :/

  22. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you lose vardy to get in kdb for the dgw? Vardy saka > kdb Brewster?

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

      Nah, keep the party going

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

      no I wouldn't make that move

  23. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8 for this, still OK for a BB right?

    Johnstone
    Dias Coufal Justin Targett
    Salah (c) KDB Fernandes Soucek
    Antonio Watkins

    McCarthy, Son, Bamford, Dallas

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

      Just about may work with BB and -8. My personal preference would be to avoid a -8

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

      What’s the moves

      1. Amans94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        DCL, Brewster and Balbuena to Antonio, Watkins and Targett were the moves.

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

          Looks good. Not sure on targett though

          1. Amans94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Not 100% on him either, but only have budget for a 4.6m defender and the options aren't great. He has decent long-term fixtures and extra DGW's down the line which swayed me.

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

    Lads, it would be very useful if you post a question to try and answer a few as well.

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

      This.

  25. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A . Grealish to foden for a hit
    B. Mitchell to stones for a hit (I will play bb with this move)

    Currently only have cancelo for City coverage.

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

      B easy

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

      B is a good move
      A is not

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

        Thanks. I will be left with benching issues down the line but that is future me problems haha

    3. Amans94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    all are -4s

    A) Adams + Mee > B.Reid + Cancelo
    B) Adams + Allioski > Antonio + Shaw
    C) Adams + Button > Watkins + Johnstone

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

      Not really keen on any tbh. What’s your team? And will you bb

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

        Mccarthy Button
        Dias Mee Coufal Allioski Mitchell
        KDB (c) Salah Maddison Bowen Grealish
        Kane Bamford Adams

        1ft 0.7itb

        no wont be bb own too many leeds/s'ton

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

      b

  27. LikeItLoveIt
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got 10 mill for a foward if i do this -8

    Son / Keane / DCL -> Foden / Cancelo / ???

    Who would you have?

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

      Probably still Antonio/Watkins, the forward options are not good.

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

        Just dont trust either of them to do anything - the options are pump

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

      Firmino or martial if fit. Maybe Stones over cancelo and go for Vardy?

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

        oooh love the vardy shout!

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This article makes no sense. Is the guy bench boosting and taking a -12 to bring in city or benching players this week?

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

      I guess bench boosting?

      Seems weird.

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

        ha yeah not very clearly written!

        How's your double team looking Camzy?
        Mine is in tatters with Bamford Raphinha and Meslier now. Will probably be benching them all

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

          Fine. Probably not BB'ing as I still have Davis. There is a -8 BB option but I'm not fully convinced. I'd need confirmation that Grealish and Martinez are both fit before I commit to that.

  29. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is KDB essential? He is looking so tired? The plan was Son to KDB but unsure now

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

      Mentioned this myself on a previous article, but now have changed my view and also considering Son to KDB for a -4. KDB with a DGW seems like the way to go in FPL terms... who knows

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

      I think he is. Those fixtures are too good...+ DGW

  30. machickenz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have activated my wildcard.. If you were to pick one midfielder from