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

    "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"

    Does anyone actually proof read these articles?

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

      Quantity over quality

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

      Nope. And it was written before the match. Or what do you mean?

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

      It was obviously written yesterday. It's not a big deal.

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

        So article just posted on the wrong day.... Cheers

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

          Feel free to offer your services for proofreading.

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

            Nah I don't get paid to work fo this site. I actually pay them 🙂

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

              Imagine doing such a thing!

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

    Heard this? 🙁

    BREAKING: Ralph Hasenhuttl on injuries ahead of #LCFC trip: "Danny Ings is out now. He is in self-isolation. He may have been contagious against Liverpool. We have had no other positives since."

    https://twitter.com/TomLeachHL/status/1349718676866527234

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

      wow

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

      This new strain can probably spread on the pitch. So there goes TC Salah, he is immune, but others aren't.

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

        Long shot, but was anyone marking Ingsy tight at corners etc? It might throw some doubt on Liverpool - hopefully not.

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

      I might need to make myself a banner to hang above the computer to not make any transfers until 30mins before the deadline. Planning is almost pointless!

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

      Anything about adams?

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

      Time to check heatmaps who was furthest away from Ings in that game.

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

        If any Liverpool player caught it off him, it'll have spread through the squad. Very unlikely though - hopefully regular testing is being done at Liverpool.

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

    Who scores more in GW19?

    A) Bamford + 4 points
    B) Watkins

    (Not selling Bamford)

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

      A

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

    Bottomed
    Who scores more ?
    A) Robbo
    B) Bamford +4
    Not selling Bamford

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

      A imo with bigger upside

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

    All, who is the best defender under 4.6m for DGW19? Balbuana at West Ham?

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

      dawson

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

        Is Dawson nailed for both games?

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

      Tempted by Yedlin to Dawson for BB

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

        Luxury transfer. Yedlin has a dgw. Dawson might not play both anyway, wouldn't bother

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

      Questionable whether he starts. Dawson seems to have taken his place at 4.5. Otherwise Lowton from Burnley, or Clark from Newcastle probably

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

        Cheers it sounds like Dawson then as Newcastle and Burnley got tricky games

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

    bottomed. bench boost?

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

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

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

      Probably. Mitchell makes it a little weak, but I think I'd take that.

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

        thanks. would u upgrade mitchell to anyone 4.6 or lower for a -4?

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

    Kane, Taylor -> Vardy, Dias/Cancelo

    For a hit, makes sense?

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

      100%

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

      Definitely. More so for Dias imo, as he is surely nailed for both games.

  8. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Son and raphinha -> KDB and Soucek for (-8)?

    Would have:
    Martinez
    Stones Coufal Taylor*
    Salah KDB Fernandes Grealish Soucek
    Antonio Kane

    Forster; Bamford, Dallas, KWP

  9. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone worth considering for TC this DGW? dont think I can get a full squad with playing subs without -8

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

      Not without caveats. KdB and Salah (Rashford, Bruno and Mane)

  10. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current Team 1 FT 0.4 ITB

    Martinez Areola
    Stones Cancelo AWB Coufal Tierney
    KDB Son Rashford Bruno Saka
    Wilson Bamford Antonio

    Saka + Tierney => Zouma + Soucek (-4)

    Gtg for bb
    Any better suggestions ?

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

    Martinez // Button
    Robbo Dias Coufal // Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes Grealish Soucek // Stephens
    Kane Vardy Bamford
    0.1 ITB 1FT

    Who to sacrifice for KDB? Was set on selling Jack but his double looks decent now

    A. Grealish and Kane to KDB and Antonio (-4)

    B. Robertson, Vardy, Stephens to Stones, KDB, Brewster (-8)

    C. Ride it out without KDB

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

    Just a quick sense check, Vardy's yellow flag isn't anything to be worried about right?

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

      Rodgers has just confirmed both him and Maddison have recovered

      https://twitter.com/RobTannerLCFC/status/1349720986526994433?s=19

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

        cheers!

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

      Nah, he has a bad hip. He was just rested. He'll be back in but possibly minutes managed if they go 3-0 up.

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

        unlikely with those fixtures but if they do he'll have been involved haha

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

      I’d imagine minutes managed if the games are wrapped up.

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

    My team currently is
    Martinez 4.0
    Cancelo Dias Justin Coufal Dallas
    Mane Grealish Salah Fernandez Soucek
    Bamford Wood Adams

    Would Bamford to Antonio, Wood to Antonio and 4.0 to areola for -12 be worth it if I plan on using bench boost?

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

      I mean Wood to Watkins

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

    Which one would you have for DGW?

    1) Son and Foden
    2) KDB and Bamford

    Just bought Son for 9.0, now he is 9.8, so not sure about losing him

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

    FanTeam WC draft.

    Martinez Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Dias Fofana Mari
    Salah KdB Fernandes Soucek Grealish
    Rashford Watkins
    (Sanchez Fofana Mari Hirst)

    This is likely what I'll go with. Maybe Antonio over Watkins.

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

    Reposted...

    DDG
    Dias Cancelo Coufal Yedlin
    Salah De Bruyne Fernandes Soucek
    Wilson Bamford

    Martinez Lacazette Smith-Rowe Tierney

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

    Help please, I’m heavily tempted by Dawson and play Wilson who could score within the 2 fixture..

    Not sure I’m going to get a better bench all season

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

    Captain this week?

    KDB - Due a rest was exhausted
    Bruno - 4 yellow cards
    Salah - United, and not in good form (United fans can’t captain)

    Thoughts?

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

      KDB - rest should come in the Cup

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

      I might go Mane.

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

      Liverpool fan Salah will score.. But I know what you mean.. haha

    4. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB/Salah, Salah two games at home, KDB against Palace screams points...well...on paper.

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

      Vardy

  18. 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 to Antonio(-4)

  19. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The Athletic reporting that Danny Ings has covid

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      back in training soon but will likely miss Leicester game

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

        And may have been contagious vs Liverpool...

  20. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys I can't see any comments here anything to do to resolve?

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

    My team:
    McCarthy Martinez
    Coufal, Alioski, Cancelo, Targett, Reece James
    Salah, Zaha, Bowen, Pulisic, Rodriguez
    Bamford, Kane, Ings,

    Should i set Bench Boost???

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

      Ings is out and Everton don’t have a game

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

    I’ve got a headache with this lot any help much appreciated! I’ve been building for a bench boost but have 2 Leeds 1 saint button and Taylor.

    Martinez
    Taylor Zouma Coufal
    Salah Bruno Grealish Bowen
    Vardy Kane bamford

    Button Lookman Dallas kwp

    Could do with a cash cow to take a couple of hits to get my bench boost back on or scrap the bench boost.

    0.8 Itb 1 ft

    Maybe Grealish Taylor button ➡️ Foden stones Johnstone -8 though.
    Or Kane downgrade

    Cheers all pulling my hair out!

    1. Kroneek
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think Taylor should be fine though if that helps?

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

        That would help a bit Dyche is up a bit later isn’t he. Maybe Dallas or kwp then to someone with a double. Really don’t know what to do!

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

      Grealish has a DGW too - so leave him?

      Guess you should downgrade Kane

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

        Have toyed with the idea it just feels wrong up against shef Utd!

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

          Maybe Kane ➡️ Antonio and bring in 2 city defenders for Dallas and kwp and button to a double keeper but would be a -12

  23. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT + 2.6ITB + Play BB?

    Johnstone,
    Dallas, Robbo, Balbuena,
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Son, Raphinha
    Bamford, Watkins

    subs: McCarthy, Adams, KWP, Taylor

    A) Son + Adams --- KDB + Antonio (-4)
    B) Son + Adams + Taylor --- KDB + Antonio + Coufal (-8)
    C) Son + Taylor --- KDB + Stones (-4)
    D) Son + Adams + Taylor --- KDB + Brewster + Cancelo (-8)

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

    No point planning anything really this season.... just wait 2 hours before deadline and then discuss??

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

      Most planning works out tbh

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

      Pages flying then

  25. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best laid plans an all lol . Happy with FH but gw 16 WC although bore fruit has not set me up well for the DGW after the changes .
    Thinking wtf as much as you wanted to save the 2nd WC with 3 Leeds, no Villa and no Man City bite the bullet and WC live for the day , thoughts ?
    Would like to get the BB done and dusted too

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

      A or B perhaps

  26. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only 6 DGW players now.

    McCarthy
    Justin* Stones* Cresswell*
    KDB* Bruno* Gundogan* Son
    Kane Laca Bamford

    A) Any moves for a hit to get one more in? Im tempted by Antonio/Soucek
    B) Who to drop/sell?

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

    Thoughts on the combinations, can’t afford to have the more expensive pairing.

    A) Stones and KDB
    B) Cancelo and Sterling

    Likely captains and maybe even triple captaincy candidates.

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

      A) from me. Sterling is always risky, especially for captaincy. KDB is the most nailed City player, hopefully back on penalties as well. Cancelo has higher ceiling than Stones but rarely proves it.

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

    Tick the show replies box - @Showstopper

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

    Balbuena or Dawson?

    Which one plays both games in gw19?

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

      It is difficult to say, Dawson is an older player so could he play twice in quick succession? Unclear...

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

      Would appear Dawson but who knows these days

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

    Take a punt on:

    A) Foden
    B) Maddison
    C) El Ghazi

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A definitely.

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

      That order

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

      Foden