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. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this Wildcard team?

    Ederson

    Cresswell / Stones / Targett

    KDB / Salah / Bruno / Soucek

    Vardy / Antonio /Watkins

    Bench: Forster, ESR, Ampadu, Mitchell

    I don't know if I'm completely missing something here?

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

      GTG!

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

      if the hammers win every game you're laughing

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

    How nailed is Foden?

    A) DCL + Oriol > Soucek + Antonio(-4)
    B) DCL + Oriol > Foden + Antonio(-4) ( should I be affraid of Pep's rotations? )

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

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Stones Dias Coufal
    KdB Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Watkins Wilson
    (Forster CTaylor Brewster Mitchell)

  4. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah TC for me this week, alot of rest and two decent home fixtures. Anyone with me?

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

      A lot might be ye

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's the plan for me as well at the moment.

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

      I beat every score except GW 17 I got 33 not 34 so does that mean I cannot enter?

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

        yes

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

        ah surely let me know over 1 point 😉

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

          If you had a grav after 11 years, I'd think about it 😛

    2. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Apparently you've banned me from entering, does that mean I did enter and then failed the criteria one week?

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

        Very likely.

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

        I am banned too!

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

    Alright I think I'm fairly set now.

    Martinez
    Zouma James Stones Coufal
    Salah KdB Fernandes Son Grealish
    Antonio
    (Johnstone Bamford Dallas Davis)

    I can get this lot out for free just by doing Adams > Antonio. How likely is it that Moyes comes out tomorrow to tell us that Antonio has had a setback and is out for 2 weeks?

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good Camzy. Your BB could be an option next gameweek.

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

      Gtg

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

      I have 8 out of those 11. Antonio could prove to be a great asset this GW if he can stay fit.

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

      Nice one, looks good. Are you playing any chips?

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

        Probably not. Maybe TC on Salah or KdB. But my instinct is no.

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

          Cool. Good luck!

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

    Kane or Vardy, for GW 19?

    1. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      V

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

    Which dgw forward for Max 8.6, next to Antonio?

    A) Wilson
    B) Watkins
    B) Abraham

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

      None seem appealing. Maybe just Ings for a longer term pick?

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Out with COVID

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

      B

    3. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins IMO

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

      Wilson

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

    TC Vardy Party

    Just putting it out there. I can feel it in my bones.

  9. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone considering triple City defence long term considering their attacking assets aren't setting the world alight and arguably more prone to 'Pep Roulette'? I'm thinking City will play Cancelo Stones Dias Zinchenko for the foreseeable, with the odd game for Walker and Mendy.

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

      Considering yes, but to ditch KdB for Cancelo doesn't sound like the best solution.

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't see why Walker wouldn't come straight back in unless he's got long term effects from COVID, which is a hard thing to call. Zinchenko and Mendy would then be ready made rotation options for Cancelo for when the fixtures come thick and fast, which they already are. Dias and Stones are basically safe though.

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

    Anyone on here like me who TC Mane last year for 1 point (3) fancy it again this year in the hope he repays us???

    Mane (TC) 😉

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

      No thanks! That Mane TC was season ruining and cost me hundreds.

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

        haha fair

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chances are he'll beat last year. Whether that's good enough though is a different question entirely :p

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

    Hope arsenal win 8-0 tonight so I don’t have to worry about losing any of them

  12. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This continual chat of rearranging DGW fixtures has really screwed up my plan to BB this week. As it stands I still will I think (with 10 potential DFW players)

    Would you?

    Leno - Areola*
    Shaw* - Robbo* - Ogbonna* - Stones* - Cancelo*
    Saka - Son - Bruno* - Soucek* - KdB*
    Cavani* - Laca - Bamford

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

    I could do Smith Rowe to a 5.3 mid for free who has a dgw. One of the Fulham or w brom mid worth it ? Or save transfer. Thanks and gl

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

      Soucek is exact money but I'm guessing you have him already.

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

        Yes I do thanks camzy

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe Lookman

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

        Cheers

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

      What about wijnaldum?

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

      Have a look tonight mate see how he’s looking, I’m in a similar position but reluctant to get rid if we have a nailed 4.4 mid with lots of threat

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

        Yep he s a great option for the weeks to come. Am reluctant to sell to be honest . Thanks.

  14. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth BB this team with a -8?

    Martinez
    Coufal Cancelo Stones Cresswell
    Bruno KDB Soucek Salah
    Vardy Bamford*
    (Johnstone Raphinha* Rodrigo* Holding*)

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

      I would

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, need to think it over.

  15. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane or Salah?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

  16. AlpoShearer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play?
    A. Justin 2 games
    B. Bamford 1 game

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

      A, surely.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prob Bamford

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

      A

    4. AlpoShearer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cheers

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

    Which option is better?

    A. Grealish Son (Brewster on bench)
    B. Soucek Kane (Saka on bench)

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

      I like B

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

      B

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    To fund McCarthy, Adams to De Gea/Martinez, Antonio (-8)

    A) Son to Grealish
    B) Robo to Dias

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

      B

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

      Probably B as Robbo isn't great value at 7m+

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B - Grealish has 4YCs and 4 games until it extends to 10YCs

  19. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Abraham will start?

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

      A bit of a lottery really

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No idea so not worth the punt

  20. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mendy (Johnstone)
    Dias Coufal Justin Robertson (Ayling)
    Salah Bruno Soucek Grealish (JWP)
    Vardy Bamford (Wilson)
    For BB,
    1)JWP and Wilson to Mount and Antonio(-8)
    or
    2)Wilson or Bamford to Antonio(-4)

  21. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    Dias Cancelo Coufal Tierney
    Salah De Bruyne Fernandes Soucek
    Lacazette Bamford

    Martinez Wilson Smith-Rowe Yedlin

    BB
    BB Wilson —> Antonio-4
    BB Yedlin —-> Dawson -4

  22. Wielki Mateo
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling + Antonio + Saka in
    Son + Abraham + Benrahma out

    Good idea or stupid move?

    1. Wielki Mateo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -8 of course

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

      S

    3. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son could easily outscore any given one of those players you're planning to bring in this GW

    4. Wielki Mateo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys

  23. SweepaKeepa
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just floating it out there... anyone fancy Soucek for captain?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd rather put it on Stones for 12x2

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

        Also considering this. Soucek seems the more positive move though.

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

        Tell me you did it?!

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I don't even have him 🙁 brought in Dias instead. Captained Salah

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

            Oh, shame!
            I, at least, bought him. (Admittedly only because I couldn’t afford Dias.)
            Captain Soucek not looking so clever at the midway point.

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

    Danny Ings (COVID-19) is out of this weekends' game vs Leicester.Maybe i will keep Adams.

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure Adams benefits from Ings being out, he's their best player

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

        Adams was injured so with Ings out i think they need him.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah they do but doesn't mean he'll do anything

  25. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are people's thoughts on bringing in City players please?

    Is it too much of a risk considering they play Villa and their DGW might become a single?

    Thanks all.

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

      Villa game should go on

  26. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    5 DGW players now. Playing BB later in season having saved FH.

    Saiss to Coufal FT or save?

    Will there be more then 2 GWS? as I don’t want to use TC this week

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

      Plenty

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, I’ll just Captain Salah. Not sure Saiss to Coufal

  27. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is triple City defence (Ederson, Stones, Cancelo) for the next few gameweeks madness? Can't get to KDB so not fussed about attack.

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It gives me eleven DGW players plus Bamford, Raphinha and Son. Is that worth a bench boost do you think?

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

        And your 2nd gk without a hit being?

        1. Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Button, unfortunately.

          I'm actually thinking of just saving the bench boost for later.

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

      In that case not.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would try and get Foden instead

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh you have no idea. I had Foden from gameweek three till gameweek sixteen and got virtually nothing from him. In fact, in the two gameweeks since I sold him he's scored more than he got me in the whole time I had him.

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

    Who scores more ?
    A) Robbo
    B) Bamford +4

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

      Not selling Bamford

  29. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    bench boost?

    McCarthy* Fabianski**
    Cancelo** Stones** Coufal** AWB** Mitchell*
    Grealish** KDB** Salah** Bruno** Raphinha*
    Watkins** Antonio** Bamford*

    bench would be McCarthy* / Mitchell* / Raphinha* / Bamford*