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

    Anything you would do here for a hit?
    *=sgw

    Martinez
    Robbo Taylor Cancelo
    Salah Son* Bruno Soucek
    Vardy Bamford* Adams*

    Ramsdale* Ayling* Anguissa Holding*

    A) Adams to Watkins -4
    B) Ayling to WBA def -4

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

      Maybe Adams to Antonio

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

        0.1 short, 0.1itb

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

      A for sure

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

        Thanks i like it too.

  2. oi no professionals
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL replacement:
    A. Tammy
    B. Antonio

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

      B
      Not sure if Tammy will play both fixtures

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

      B

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

      B

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

      b

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

      Tammy or Hammy then, i'd go Antonio

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

      is Antonio definitely starting?

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

    How does this FH team look? I'm assuming villa has only 1 game

    Fab (is fit ?)
    Robbo chilly cancelo stones coufal
    Sterling/kdb salah Bruno rash
    Antonio

    It could be soucek instead of antonio as well

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

      Shouldn't Villa now have two games?

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

      AVL should have 2 games.

  4. 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

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Dallas Taylor*
    KDB Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Antonio

    Johnstone Adams Bednarek Bissouma

    A. Taylor -> Cancelo/Stones -4
    B. Bissouma -> Soucek -4

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

      A and B and play over Dallas

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A -8 you think?

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

      b

  6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chris Wood's Premier League record over the last 3 seasons for Burnley vs. West Ham :

    - 6 Appearances (3 Starts, 3 subs)
    - 7 Attacking Returns (6 Goals, 1 Assist)

    WTF

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

      Kane had 16 returns in 10 appearances v Leicester. Look how that turned out!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True dat!

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

    Who scores more in DGW19?

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

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

      B

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

    Should i play 4-5-1 and just do Salah to KDB with 1FT and 1.8m in the bank?

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Robertson Dallas
    Salah Grealish Son Fernandes Soucek
    Bamford

    Forster DCL Adams Ferguson

  9. _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

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

      Yes

  10. southernrocker1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Advice please FOR THIS GW ONLY:

    A or B

    A
    Dallas & Foden

    B
    Stones & Romeu

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

      A

  11. zelio78
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What is your percentage that the City vs. Villa game will be called off as well?

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

      Very unlikely. Training ground back open over weekend

  12. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have $7.2M for a striker (DGW 19), who would you buy?

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

      Antonio or Watkins

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

        Antonio, whu fixtures

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

          yes, agree

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

      Might be tempted by Tammy

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

        Tammy too risky, I believe is between Wilson, Watkins (Antonio its also risky).

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

    A) Dias + Grealish
    B) Chilwell + Foden

    1. zelio78
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

    Anything you'd do here for a hit? Potentially thinking about my BB, at the moment I have 9 DGW players in my team.

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

    Bench: Meslier - Dallas - Coufal - Anguissa

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

      Save the BB, play Coufal over Holding

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

        cool, would you TC KDB or keep that chip too?

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

          Tricky, unlikely to see many better doubles fixture wise for the rest of the season. Still not 100% convinced he and City are back to top form though.

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

    On a wildcard

    A) Martinez Dawson Dias

    B) Ederson Shaw Targett

    Have Stones, Pieters, Strujik/Mitchell

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

      Tricky one maybe B

  16. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, can I get some feedback on this team? Feel like I need KDB for his DGW and maybe even TC on him but no idea how to get him in??

    ITB; 0.3

    Team;

    Martinez
    Robbo Coufal Stones
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Maddison
    Kane Bamford

    Subs; Steer Adams Dier Mitchell

    Only way I can get KDB is downgrading Kane or Robbo and shifting Son?

    Any advice much appreciated!

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

      Enough to do Kane & Maddison to KDB & Antonio?

    2. zelio78
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It would certainly have to be Spurs assets for KDB and Antonio/Watkins. The issue is that Kane and Son may bury Sheffield in one game alone. City's second fixture against Villa may also get called off.

      I'd wait until tomorrow and reassess. See if any more news comes along.

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

      Otherwise would be a Robbo out like you said to make up the extra

    4. MRBOROFC63
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hi, Im in exactly the same position, tried multiple combinations but it looks like a minimum -8 to acheive KDB for the DGW

    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo > Dawson
      Son > KDB

  17. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT and £0.7m in the bank. Plan was to BB but will probably skip that now, would take -8 and still not a decent enough bench.

    Martinez*
    Robbo*, Dias*, Coufal*
    Salah*, Mane*, Bruno*, Grealish*, Soucek*
    Bamford, Watkins*

    Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Adams, Balbuana*

    A) Balbuana to Stones or James (bench Bamford)
    B) Mane to KDB
    C) Balbuana & Adams to £4.9m def(Shaw?) & Antonio (-4, benching headache though)
    D) Save

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

      A

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

        Cheers. Stones or James?

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

          Stones for me. Good luck

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

            Cheers mate

    2. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B or D. Depends if you’re desperate for KDB?

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

        To be honest I think it's more the missing out if he hauls as a lot will have him. Think Mane could easily match him.

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

      Is Adams injured or just the 1 game?

      Adams to Antonio no hit and bench bam?

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

        Would love to do that but got 3 hammers (damn Balbuana!)

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

          Missed that sorry

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

        Just the 1 game for Adams, I think he'll play.

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

          How much to play with if you sold balbuena and peacock-Farrell?

          9.1?

          Worth getting 2 4.5s for them and bb?

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

            Yeah if just those 2 out, if Adams to Antonio as well for -8 would take me down to £8.9m. Been tickering and best I can do is Areola and Lowton.

            BB would be Areola, Lowton, Dallas, Bamford. Not sure it's worth it for -8

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

              No it doesn't look it alright

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

                Shame Balbuena lost his place and Saints-Leeds got postpones. was set up nicely! Cheers for your help

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

    A. JOHNSTONE, bamford, dallas, raphina (bb)

    B. JOHNSTONE, bamford, dallas, raphina (no bb)

    C. JOHNSTONE, bamford, dallas, FODEN -4 (bb)

    leaning C

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

      Yeah C

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

        Cheers Pukki!

  19. xJontyx
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Advice please Y or N

    kane -> Antonio
    Son -> Grealish
    Saka -> Salah

    -8

    15 DGW players and BB

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

      Like it.

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

      Looks fun, go for it

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

    Anyone one El Ghazi?

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

      Considering him

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

    What to do here?

    Bench: McCarthy, Justin (DGW), Bamford, Struijk

    A) BB
    B) No chips
    C) Take another hit (-8) to improve bench and BB

    Starting team (-4):
    Martinez
    Zouma Stones Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Soucek
    Watkins Antonio

    Thanks!

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford to Antonio?

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

      Yes

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

      No. Bamford could easily outscore Antonio with one game

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

      Yes

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

      I did dcl to Antonio so easy call... not sure on bam.

      Prob would if free and rest of team ok

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

      One player I would avoid selling as he would cost an extra 0.4m to buy back
      Want Bamford for the NEW match in gw20

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

      bamford might outscore antonio

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT:

    Mccarthy
    TAA Holding Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Maddy
    Wood Bamford Kane

    Fraser Taylor Bissouma Mitchell

    A) Salah to KDB; Wood to Antonio (-4)
    B) Son to KDB; TAA to Stones; Wood to Antonio (-8)
    C) Son to KDB; TAA to Stones; Wood to Antonio; Kane to Vardy (-12)

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

      B just coz u don’t want to lose Salah or over do the hits

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah im also heading B mate

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

    Is son and raphinha to KDB and Soucek worth a - 8 hit?

  25. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane > Vardy -4 worth it?

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

    Have this crazy change in mind-
    Kane+son++Mitchell for a -8
    To Salah+Antonio+castagne
    Shd I?

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

    Would you rather have Zouma or James ?

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

      Zouma (james owner)

  28. hogree
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone looking at Mendy in goal?

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

    Is Antonio definitely starting?

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

      Most likely

  30. southernrocker1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A
    Foden & Coufal

    B
    Stones & Coufal

    ?

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

      B