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. KnightSlayer
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Curtis Jones ?
    Or play a Single game week player Rodrigo

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

      Single gameweek. Why do you even have Jones?

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

    Team for this week, this is good enough to BB right?

    DDG
    Coufal, Stones, Dias
    Salah, Soucek, KDB, Son, Bruno
    Watkins, Antonio

    (Martinez, Bamford, Holding, Lowton)

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes id be tempted to swap holding/lowton for Dawson if you haven't made a transfer already

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

        Can't have 3 West Ham

        1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          oh yh lol g2g then

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

        I personally wouldn’t risk bb this week.

        With that squad, I’d definitely be tempted. One of the best I’ve seen.

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

      G2G any free transfers?

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

        Nope will be using to get Salah in

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

      Yeah good

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

    Went to bed with 15 DGW players (sent weeks crafting the team for BB) woke up with 9. 3 transfers later, have 10 DGW (only way to get in KDB), and a quandry.

    Play McGInn (DGW) or Bamford?

    Also not worth a BB now (McCarthy, Bednarek, Struijk, McGinn), so thinking tripple captain:

    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Antonio?

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

      Personally would just play Bamford

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

        Leaning that way. thanks.

  4. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best replacement for Forster + Neto for 2 hits?
    A) Gundo + Johnstone - 8
    B) Soucek + Johnstone - 8
    C) Any other suggestion?

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

      I'm guessing you're bench boosting? If so B

      1. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, yes bench boosting.

  5. makisss99
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor/Zaha/DCL to Dias/Foden/Antonio for -8 in order to BB good to go?

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  6. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth it to do Dier + Podence + DCL -> Stones + Antonio + Foden for -8?

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    2. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Then I'll have this team:

      McCarthy
      Robertson - Stones - Dias - Coufal
      Grealish - Salah - Fernandes - Foden
      Antonio - Kane
      (4 m - Justin - Bamford, Bissouma)

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

        Are you comfortable with no KDB

        1. thom830g
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Absolutely NOT. But not comfortable without Salah either. Only way to get KDB in without getting rid of Salah for me is basically doing Kane + Grealish + DCL -> Cavani + Antonio + KDB

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

    For GW 19 only, I need to make two decisions:

    Coufal or Stones (already have Dias)

    & Play:

    Holding (NEW) or Lowton (Wham, Liv)

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

      Stones and Lowton

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

      Stones and Holding

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

        Is a West Ham defender coverage not essential?

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

          Coufal has far more upside than Stones - don't waiver get him

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

        Stones and Holding

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

          @Debauchy - he gets the odd assist but what else?

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

    Which option

    A) Son + DCL --> KDB + Brewster (-4)
    B) Kane + Raphinha + DCL --> Antonio + KDB + Brewster (-8)

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

    McCarthy
    Stones* Justin* Cresswell*
    KDB* Gund* Bruno* Son
    Antonio* Bamford Kane.

    A) Son > Salah (-4)? would lose 0.4 value in Son
    B) McCarthy > Fabianski (-4)
    C) McCarthy > Allison (-4)

  10. KnightSlayer
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Charlie Taylor will be back.

    Play Lowton & Taylor

    Bench KWP and Bednarek

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

      i think taylor will be back

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

    I don't have KDB and Kane. Have 1FT and could do DCL to Antonio. Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Coufal Robertson Dias Dallas
    Soucek Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Bamford

    Forster DCL Adam's Ferguson

  12. sufcben
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WC draft G2G ?

    Martinez
    Justin - Dias - Coufal
    Grealish - Son - Salah - KDB - Bruno
    Bamford - Antonio

    Forster - KWP - Brewster - Mitchell

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

      Grealish > Foden

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

      And Martinez to Fabianski

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

    Stones or Coufal for this GW only? I have Dias already.

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

    Son > Salah (-4)?

    Think I'd feel a lot less anxious by doing it.

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

    Martinez
    Zouma, Stones, Ayling
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Bissouma
    Kane, Bamford

    Steer, Mitchell, DCL, Taylor

    As you can see, my bench is messed up. And my starting eleven is not that great.

    1) Salah, Raphinha, Taylor > KDB, Robbo, Soucek for -8
    2) Salah, Raphinha, Taylor, Bissouma > KDB, Soucek, Coufal and Foden for -12
    3) Raphinha Taylor > Soucek Robbo for -4 and going KDB-less
    4) WC

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

    On a -4. FH intact.

    Areola
    Cancelo Cresswell AWB
    KDB(C) Sterling Bruno Son
    Wilson Bamford Antonio

    9 Dgwers with Bamford and Son.

    G2G??

  17. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My actual WC draft for DGW19::

    Martinez - forster
    dallas - cancelo - WalkerPeters - cresswell - struijk
    kdb - fernando - son - soucek - smith rowe
    vardy - kane - bamford

    any feedback for a long term plan?

  18. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son Laca Kane --> Salah Antonio Vardy (-8)

    Does this make sense to you legends? I am split.

  19. gstegnar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you transfer Son - Kane - Wood for Vardy - KDB - Wicham, get -8, BB in DGW19 and have 10 players on DGW?

  20. gstegnar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Foden or Mahrez?

  21. Spoonhead
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone
    KWP, Coufal, Justin
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Soucek
    Wood, Bamford, Kane

    McCarthy, Dallas, Raphina, Taylor

    Original plan was to bench boost but scrapping that now and waiting until after I play next WC. Have no City cover, was thinking Taylor > Cancelo and Kane > Vardy, benching KWP in place of Cancelo. Leaves me with no KDB though. Any thoughts?

  22. Jack.Armstrong96
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Saka or Dallas? Thanks

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

    Bench with Stones well and truly makes up for Leeds blank
    Plus should be ahead of the pack with triple Leeds if they get dgw before gw25 (next wildcard)