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. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lindelof & C.Adams ➡ Dias & Antonio / Watkins (-4) worth it?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias and Antonio. Yes.

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

      Looks good but worry about which players are hit with COVID for Villa?

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

      Yes with antonio

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

      Yes with antonio

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

    Martinez (Forster)
    Cancelo, Stones, Bednark (Dallas,Douglas)
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford (DCL)

    With 1FT and 1.3 itb which should I do?

    A) Bednarek > Cresswell
    B) DCL > Antonio
    C) Son + DCL > KDB + Antonio (-4)

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who are you going to bench if you go C

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

        Probably Bamford

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

    Considering McCarthy > Fabianski for a hit, is it madness?

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

      is fabianski fit to start ?

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

      No. I think WH will do well. Is Fab fit though?

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

      Fab not injured?

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

        Back from injury apparently.

  4. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here for GW19? Please help 1FT 1.8m in the bank

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Robertson
    Salah Grealish Fernandes Son Soucek
    Bamford Adams

    Forster DCL Dallas Ferguson

    1. Zlatan F.C
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thoughts are

      a) Robertson and DCL to Stones and Kane
      b) DCL and Grealish to KDB and Brewster

      1. Zlatan F.C
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ?

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

        A

  5. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son and DCL to KDB and Antonio for -4?

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

      yeah

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same Moves below. Or do it with Che Adams and bench DCL and ditch the BB.

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can't afford it with Che Adams unfortunately

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

    Tierney => Zouma/James ( if fit ) for -4

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    2. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it

  7. 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

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends if you will captain Kev. I’d go B if so. Else A

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Whats wrong with getting Son back for 0.4M more expensive?

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

        Absolutely nothing if it gets you points.

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

      1

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

      Tough one, thanks all, probably will start with (c) decision for DGW 😉

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

    And Klopp?

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at Son+DCL >> KDB+Antonio (-4)? If so would you then BB this? 10DGW players* PLUS the 2 Soton & 3 Leeds. (Yeah I got screwed out of all 15!)

    Johnstone*
    Robbo*, Dias*, Lowton*, Coufal*
    Salah*, Bruno*, Soucek*, KDB*
    Antonio*, Bamford
    (McCarthy, Dallas, Adams, Raphina)

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

      I'm in a similar BB quandary. I've got McCarthy, Justin, Bamford, Struijk.

      Not convinced but then when would be better?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have no idea. I really can’t be a*send to try work it out after spending time building towards this only for the FA Cup to sh!t all over my planning

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

          That's the thing, isn't it? I've planned for this for weeks as well. Son was meant to be my only SGW player. Argh!

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            DCL for me. Had saved money back to do Son >> KDB and everything. Genuinely no idea whether to BB, TC, or neither! What a mess of a season

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

    Is Charlie Taylor likely to be available for DGW19?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might not play both if he is. Don’t buy, don’t sell

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

        Would you bb with him raf?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Difficult to answer not knowing the rest of the team

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

        I'm selling.

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

      Can't see him getting anywhere near 180. More likely 30 - 60 mins. Always caution with a hammy

  11. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth a -4?

    McCarthy, DCL > Ederson, Antonio.
    I have no other City.

  12. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth it to do DCL > Watkins for a -4? Would only do it if using BB

    Or forget BB and just use Triple Captain

    Martinez*/McCarthy

    Stones*/Justin*/Targett*/Holding/Strujik

    Bruno*/KDB*/Salah*/Son/Soucek*

    Bamford/Antonio*/DCL(Or Watkins)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      not for Watkins unless we get confirmation who is covid ill

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

        Can't really find another DGW Forward in DCL's price range

  13. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Help me bench 1

    Cancelo CRY (H), AVL (H); Stones CRY (H), AVL (H); Dallas BHA (H); Maguire LIV (A), FUL (A)

    Fernandes LIV (A), FUL (A); Son SHU (A); Soucek BUR (H), WBA (H); De Bruyne CRY (H), AVL (H)

    Rashford LIV (A), FUL (A); Bamford BHA (H); Kane SHU (A)

    Thanks,

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

      Dallas

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

      Dallas ?

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

      Soucek

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

        No chance

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

          Dallas will out score him for sure

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

            Shur we'll see

      2. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol

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

      Dallas

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks all, hope he doesn't explodes

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

    Any help/thoughts on what to do with this lot now please?
    1ft 0.8 Itb
    Don’t mind a hit or 2!

    Martinez
    Taylor Zouma Coufal
    Salah Bruno Grealish Bowen
    Vardy Kane bamford

    Button Lookman Dallas kwp

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

      Bam to Antonio
      Taylor or kwp to Stones?

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

        Keep Bamford

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

        Cheers that is an option but I am inclined to keep bamford, really I need to downgrade for funds to bring in some doubles i think.

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

    Sterling -2 cannot believe it. Foden got me out of serious trouble.

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

    Might sound trivial so apologies in advance

    If I activate Triple Captain, can I still cancel it before the deadline or is it like the Free Hit where that's not possible?

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

      I believe you can with triple cap

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

        Thanks man

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

          No worries

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

    Desperately need Laca and Saka to blank tonight to save my season. Please be a fraud tonight Arteta...

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Unlucky pal

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

    Use the TC chip here? (on a -4)

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Stones / Justin
    KDB / Salah / Fernandes / Grealish / Saka
    Antonio / Bamford

    Subs: Button / Bednarek / Taylor / Brewster

  19. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play:
    Lowton(whu,liv)
    Or,
    Bamford(BHA)

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

      Bam

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

    Anyone else Wildcarding for gw19? If so I'd love to see how your teams shaping up.. I'm in a pickle

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

      What's the pickle? Unlimited transfer is the most exciting part of the game. Why not spend some time to come up with something you think is awesome? Looking at other people's teams will only restrict you before you've really considered your decisions.

  21. 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 Watkins and 4.0 to areola for -12 be worth it if I plan on using bench boost?

    Sorry for repost

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

      Someone just told me to hold off on Watkins because no way of knowing AVL's Covid players

  22. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oh How I wish Kane to Kun and Captian 😀 but well .... World has changed

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

      Saaame

  23. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is no City crazy?

    I’m not sure TAA to Dias or Salah to KDB is worth a hit.

    Anyone else considering saving the chips and saving transfers?

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

      yes.

  24. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH side:

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Coufal
    Greal KdB Salah Bruno Soucek
    Vardy Antonio
    (Steer Dallas Mitchell Brewster)

    GTG?

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

      I'd do Dias, Grealish > Justin/Chilwell, Foden

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah this

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

    Only 6 DGW players

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

    Fabianski, Soucek or Antonio for a hit?

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

      Posted this 4 times no response..

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

      What moves are you considering?

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

        Fabianski, Soucek or antonio - would probably drop Laca or bamford

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

          Im probably getting rid of McCarthy and DCL > Ederson and Anotiono for -4 if that helps...

  26. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    James or Cresswell?

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

      Cress

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

    Sell whom for Antonio? BB this week!

    A. Wood
    B. Adams

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

      B for me by some distance

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

        Cheers

  28. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start 2 of these

    A. Konsa (mci & NEW)
    B. Raphinha (BHA)
    C. Taylor (whu & liv)
    D. Anguissa ( CHE & MUN)

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

      A & B

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

      a and b

    3. Jason M
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A and B

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

    Taylor->Cancelo/Dias and BB?

    Martinez Johnstone
    Stones James Coufal Dallas Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    Antonio Kane Bamford

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

    Fabianksi Fit?

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

      90% likely from reports.