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. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench will be:

    Mccarthy Dallas Raphina Brewster

    A. BB
    B. Save BB
    C. Take hits then BB a better bench

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

      B or C for me

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

      B

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

    With Villa’s training ground due to reopen Sunday, will three days be enough training even for those who are fit to face Man City? We’ve already seen the lasting effects of COVID on players. Also is it safe to assume Man City’s double game week goes ahead?

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

      The prem wont let them delay another game. They'll have to play the City game.

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

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

        Cool

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

    I have 5 DGW players in midfield (Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Soucek, Bowen) and no city coverage. Also 6 players in the cancelled Leeds/Soton fixture. Do I?

    a) get Jesus
    b) get double city def and sit behind the sofa
    c) take hits to replace a dgw midfielder for Kev

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

      Id go Grealish to KDB

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

      Imo leave the midfield alone

      B

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

      Thanks both for your thoughts

  4. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, DCL and Bissouma to
    KDB, Antonio and Brewster? (-8)

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

      Anyway that it can be someone that isn’t Brewster?

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        With 5.1 ITB hardly

  5. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son, Kane and Welbeck > KDB, Jesus and Antono (-8) worth?

    I'll loose 0.3m on kane...

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

      lose Kane , yes but not for Jesus.

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

      It could pay off

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

    Son to KDB gives me the team below. Probably won't play any chip. Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Justin/Cancelo/Robo/Coufal
    Soucek/Bruno/KDB(c)/Salah
    Vardy/Bamford

    Martin/Dallas/Adams/Stephens

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

      solid

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

    -12?
    Chilwell,TAA,Raphinia,Kane >> Yedlin,Stones,KDB,Vardy

    gives me
    Martinez
    Dias,Stones,Coufal
    Salah,KDB,Fernandes,Grealish,Soucek
    Vardy,Watkins

    Johnstone,Yedlin,Bamford,Dallas

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

      -12 is excessive

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

        no, -24 is excesive.

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

        * excessive

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

      I’d try and keep DGW players

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

      Is it necessary to move Chilwell?

      Think i will take same route (-12) but no sure yet. Kane, Son, Holding, Saka to Salah, Grealish, Watkins, Zouma.

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

        I could hold off the Chilwell >> Yedlin move if I went Kane >> Antonio instead of Vardy.
        Yedlin however gives my squad better balance going forward and an easy way back to Kane if needed.

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

    "West Ham manager David Moyes is a huge fan of Mipo Odubeko - the former Man United starlet they snapped up little over 12-months ago. He is set to make his Premier League debut this weekend and could be the long-term answer up-front for The Hammers, they rate him that highly."

    - @GraemeBailey journalist

    Not getting Antonio in then?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think he still starts both.

  9. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Love this, utter chaos, so many different teams and strategies. Which chip to use? Who to C? TC or BB?

    The template is broken, long live the chaos...

    1. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I joined this site a few months back and it seemed everyone was showing off their KDB, Salah, Bruno, Son, Kane combination, only problem was the dross surrounding them to make that line up possible.
      Not seeing so much of that no lol

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

    I'm ready for this DGW

    Martinez
    Stones, Dias, Chilwell, Coufal
    Soucek, Salah, KdB, Bruno, Grealish
    Antonio

    Bamford, Alioski, Adams

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

      how many hits ?

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

        Just a -4 to get Stones in

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

    Who to put as first bench player, Saka (NEW) or Dallas (BHA)?

    Currently starting 2 SGW players Kane and Bamford and other 9 DGW

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

      Saka

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

    I've gone from having 10 players with 2 games to only 7 players. What to do here? 1FT and £0.2m ITB

    Martinez*
    Dier, Cancelo*, Alioski
    Bruno*, Son, Salah*, Grealish*, Anguissa*
    Kane, Bamford

    Forster, DCL , Balbuena*, Kilman

  13. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BBing this week...

    Son + Saka + Holding > Grealish + Barnes + Chilwell (-8) worth it?

    Also, is El Ghazi being ignored?

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

      No imo

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, any thoughts here? Looking to BB...

        Martinez Areola
        Stones Cancelo Shaw Coufal Holding*
        KDB Bruno Rashford Saka* Son*
        Antonio Wilson Bamford*

        Would like to get 2-3 more DGWers

        1. That Was Easy!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Rashford + Son > Grealish + Salah could be an option too

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

            This is the one.

            1. That Was Easy!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Tough to have 3 SGWers on the BB, but think Salah in is worth it.

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just do Saka to Soucek and bench boost Son and Holding, that's what I'm doing

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, definitely considering it. Now thinking I need Salah, however.

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

    Martinez
    Coufal - Robbo - Dias
    Salah - KDB(TC) - Bruno - Raphinha* - Soucek
    Kane* - Bamford*

    4.0 - Mitchell - Alioski - Brewster

    Team looks ok? Only a -4 hit so far

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great after -4.

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

    Rate my Triple Captain team- be harsh

    Johnstone*
    Stones*, Coufal*, Robbo*
    KDB(TC)*, Bruno*, Salah*, Soucek*, Lookman*
    Vardy*, Bamford

    Subs: McCarthy, Dallas, Pieters*, Adams

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

      looks good! Wish i had Vardy instead of Kane

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

      Not tempted to TC Mo?

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

        a little especially after KDB saying he's been tired and pep roulette

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

    Do we think this is a good enough team to active the BB chip? Would leave me with 9 DGW players?

    Martinez
    Holding - Stones - Dier
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Soucek
    Antonio - Kane - Bamford

    Bench: Meslier - Dallas - Coufal - Anguissa

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

      Nah, Anguissa is a 3pter, Leeds will concede imo. Play Coufal over Antonio or Bamford and TC

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

        Triple captain?!

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

    A. McCarthy, Dias, Grealish
    B. Areola, Yedlin, Son

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

      On BB

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

      a

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

      A

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

    The Bench Boost and Triple Captain chips can each be used once a season and are played when saving your team on the my team page. They can be cancelled at anytime before the Gameweek deadline.

    The Free Hit chip can be used once a season, is played when confirming your transfers and can't be cancelled after confirmed.

    From FPL rules

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

      Useful- thanks for looking up the rules

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

      Source?

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

    Ahhhh I really like martial and Rashford to Vardy and Dias.

    Martial probably partly fit makes that so risky =[

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

    Currently on
    Mendy
    Robbo, Coufal, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Foden, Soucek
    Vardy, Wilson

    Steele, Konsa, Adams, Lowton

    Not feeling the BB with this lot but dilemma is Dallas vs. Konsa??

    Cheers

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

    Fernandes and Kane > Salah and Vardy (-8) ??

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

    I’m guessing no one (with any sense!) does early transfers these days?

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

      Ooops

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

        I hope it wasn’t Ings! Can see another big player dropping with Covid really soon

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

          Stones and Antonio in for Kilman and DCL. Just couldn't wait anymore

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

            Unlikely to bite you in them moves. But if one of your big players get hit then you’ll need to make hits! GL anyways hope it works out for you

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

      Not me- back in the day, there was this thing called price rises where it could justify an early transfer...now covid-19 has changed everything...

  23. 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

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

      B

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

    A) Kane & Dallas

    or

    B) Vardy & Stones -4

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy and Dallas if free

  25. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, Son and DCL to
    Vardy, KDB and Antonio? (-8)

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

      No for me

  26. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This team GTG for the double? Going chipless.

    Martinez
    Chilwell Robbo Coufal
    Bruno KDB Salah(c) Grealish Soucek
    Watkins Bamford

    Forster Dallas Adams Mitchell

  27. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    TAA and DCL -> Stones and Vardy for -4?

    McCarthy
    TAA*/Coufal/Targett
    Bruno/KDB/Salah/Grealish
    Bamford/Wood/DCL*
    (Forster/Balbuena/Taylor/Riedeweld)

    Triple Captain KDB probably

  28. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does Foden continue to start?

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

      Even if he comes on for 20mins he's dangerous against tired legs

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

      Yes for now

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

    Any Black Box episode before gw 19 ?

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

      Yes should be today

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

      Tonight

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

    Who scores more in GW19?

    A) KDB + Vardy + 4 Points
    B) Martinez + Maddison + Wood + Bamford + Dallas