Pro Pundits

How Double Gameweek 19 fixture changes have affected my FPL chip and transfer strategies

Like most Fantasy Premier League managers, I am finding it very hard to plan for Double Gameweek 19.

In light of Thursday’s updated fixture list, here is my latest plan for transfers and chip strategies ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

But, you could not have caught me in worse spirits about the way this season is going. Oh, Raz, what have you done to me. 

I know it really shouldn’t matter with everything going on, but Raheem Sterling’s (£11.4m) penalty miss has to go up there with one of my worst ever moments in FPL. 

My Free Hit team was built around him being my key differential, and not content with a spot on the bench until the 82nd minute, Sterling had to go and make things even worse.

Using the brilliant “what if” machine over at LiveFPL.net, I worked out that if Sterling had scored, I would have been catapulted into the top million ahead of my Arsenal contingent facing Crystal Palace.

Even if Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) had shaken off his fatigue and scored, I’d have still gone up a few hundred thousand places. If ever a moment summed up my season, it happened last night.

With the pain of the miss still fresh in my mind, I now have to turn my attention to planning for the upcoming Gameweeks. We have never known anything like it. Double Gameweeks have dropped off the table, with both Leeds and Southampton now only having one game. There go four players that I had in place ready for Double Gameweek 19.

Aston Villa v Everton is off now too. So, there goes Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.7m). Dean Smith’s men have earned a fixture back though, hosting Newcastle at the back-end of the Gameweek, although we still don’t know which of their plays have been dealing with coronavirus (COVID-19). And let’s not forget that top target Jack Grealish (£7.7m) is on four yellow cards. Another one against Manchester City and he would miss the second Double Gameweek 19 fixture.

Let’s add to that problem. Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) is also one booking away from a ban and faces what is likely to be a fiery encounter against Liverpool to come, before playing Fulham. Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is off form. Manchester City are proving rock solid in defence but a bit of a lottery in trying to work out how many goals they will score, even against so-called ‘inferior’ opposition. Are they back, or were good performances against Newcastle and Chelsea just the result of playing teams in poor form?

I am finding it very hard this season and I know I’m not the only one. It feels almost impossible to plan for things when so much is in flux. But, we must try. I’m not going to give up hope, but I am looking at this season through the lens of what it is. No matter what rank I end up with, I will know what went on. I am allowing myself this season as a freebie, whatever happens.

I think I want to have a bit of fun at this stage. I want to give my squad a bit of a freshening up once Double Gameweek 19 is out of the way. I am interested in Percy Tau (£5.5m), mostly due to my Brighton bias, but also because he presents an intriguing cheap option as a potentially out-of-position option. 

Let’s face it, with competition such as Neal Maupay (£6.1m) it’s hard to imagine Tau won’t feature – and his most natural position is as an attacking midfielder. I expect to see him cementing a regular spot in the team going forward, given our lack of real goal threat over the last few months.

Barring any drastic news from the West Ham camp, I am going to finally make a move for Michael Antonio (£6.2m). West Ham have the best Double Gameweek schedule of the lot, hosting Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. 

The reason why I am so keen is because the Hammers have sold Sebastien Haller (£, his only direct competition, to Ajax. While I don’t expect a full 180-minute outing in Double Gameweek 19 for Antonio, it looks like he has returned from injury at a good time, and got minutes in the FA Cup. With Sterling’s penalty miss making one of my low points of FPL, Antonio’s four goals against Norwich was certainly my high point. If he can get close to replicating this then I’ll be a happy man again.

Speaking of West Ham, this seems a great time to invest in their defence. I know a lot of people have got Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) and he seems a great option for the double – but a double up with Aaron Creswell (£5.4m) could be gold. I’d back West Ham for at least one clean sheet and Creswell has already registered 6 assists in the league.  No defender has got more. Historically, defenders are often great picks in Double Gameweeks with the likes of Branislav Ivanovic, Aymeric Laporte and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) all registering huge returns in seasons gone by. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a West Ham defender as the top-scoring player for the Gameweek.

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

Another strong consideration for me is to double-up with Manchester City defenders. John Stones (£5.0) has finally come into my reckoning due to the consistency of strong performances from himself and the rest of the backline. 

At this point, I don’t think the extra £0.8m is worth it for fellow centre back Ruben Dias (£5.8m) and I think not only does Stones keep his place, but he matches the Portuguese internationals points from now until the end of the season. 

That said, I am very glad to have moved for João Cancelo (£5.8m). I am completely and utterly convinced that this man is going to hit a double-digit return soon. Could it be this week? Is he actually an outside captaincy option with other big-hitting players flattering to deceive?

One player who I think I will be keeping is Son Heung-min (£9.8m). His 62.5% ownership means that I’m not getting much benefit from his returns, but it feels amiss to be selling him before a run of games that includes Brighton, West Brom and Sheffield United. 

I had earmarked a swap for him to De Bruyne, but with Pep Guardiola citing fatigue as the reason he didn’t take Manchester City’s penalty – combined with the fact that his side are still playing without a recognised striker AND that he only has one goal from open play this season, decimating my team and taking out the number one point scorer in the game just feels a bit of a luxury transfer when there are other moves I could be making to try and climb the rankings.

So, with fixture rescheduling putting any plans I had for a Bench Boost on hold, I am considering which chip I should use if any. With Fernandes on four yellow cards, I don’t feel confident enough captaining him this week – which makes Salah the obvious choice. 

The trouble is, I’m just not sure how the Manchester United game is going to pan out. I think it might be a very cagey affair. While I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have the firepower to put a dent in Liverpool’s title charge, a point would suit them. 

Do I really think Liverpool’s incredible home record of 53 wins and 11 draws in the last 64 games will come to an end against United? I’m just not convinced. At this point, I am strongly considering not using a chip at all and saving them for a bit later in the season. There is the guarantee of further Double gameweeks, and maybe a player will emerge as a stronger Triple Captain option on paper then.

Whatever you decide to do this week, good luck! Double Gameweeks are always something to get excited about. My advice is don’t be afraid to chuck a few hits to bring in some more players and make the most of it. 

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

4,296 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good lad that Tierney taking the night off. On you come Mitchell. 😆

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      nice jam!

      Had him on my bench just in case.

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

        I'll take it. Deserve a bit of luck.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wish I could have that jam

      • Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That’s lovely jam! I got Clark’s 2 pointer!

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What a manager Roy Hodgson is. Imagine what he could do with a budget.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nothing much..
        He's this. Average teams manager. Vut great one at it !

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          How can you be an average team manager?? Surely it takes an excellent manager to deliver results from a poor to average team?

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Next thing you'll be saying that Guardiola only does well at clubs with established quality players and a load of cash.......

      2. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        would love to see him manage Liverpool, England and Inter Milan one day

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Imagine the things he’d achieve!

      3. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Took us to an europa league final so I would say he’s a great manager

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He should have left Konchesky where he was when he went to Anfield.

    4. davewg59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio or Watkins??
      (Have Martinez Coufal and Soucek)

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Watkins

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

        Watkins I'd say. Don't fancy the triple up.

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

        Antonio

      4. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Got to be Antonio. Watkins could have covid...and he’s a nightmare to own anyway!

      5. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don’t love either. One isn’t great and the other is made of glass!

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

      Soooo I think it's clear I should bench my Arsenal mids next game. What do you think?

      Martinez
      TAA Cancelo Stones Tierney*
      KDB(c) Bruno Son*
      Antonio(v) Martial Bamford*

      McCarthy* | Saka*, Smith Rowe*, Mitchell*

      0FTs. 1.6 ITB.
      * = SGW

      1. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Decent looking team. Triple city should do well. No TC?

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

          Thanks. Don't think so. Concerns over KDB's minutes are enough to scare me away.

      2. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Aren't you scared of having no Salah?

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

          I have owned Salah for about 1 GW ever. I just go without and see what happens. Not working out well this season, but worked quite well in his first 2 seasons at Liverpool. He's just so expensive and there's often so much you can do with money saved.

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

        3 too many Arsenal players, as you said.

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

          Not sure why. 2 of them are on the bench, and that'll usually be 1 or 2, depending on the fixture and my confidence in them that week. Partey and Tierney back will make a difference, Martinelli too. And they are cheap af

    6. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      fav song atm?

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

          Will become a classic the way we're playing atm...

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Eminem - Zeus

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

      Vardy is -103.9 on fpl statistics but also on a triple blue (plus) arrow! Go figure. Can late buyers stop a price drop? Must have been the scout article with everyone listing him as top striker this week.

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

        Out of curiosity what does the triple blue on fpl statistics mean?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Have a guess

    8. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who to bring in between these two? This is for my BB team, though there's a chance Holding outscores Lowton even with the single GW here?

      A) Holding (NEW-H)
      B) Lowton (WHU-A, LIV-A)
      C) Any other sub-4.5 defender

      Cheers!

      1. FPL Bargain
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dawson at WHM is an option. Seems to have taken Balbuena ls place, plus Balbuena is isolating.

    9. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      6 points from Bogle might be the weirdest points I'll get all season

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

      Kane to vardy for free? No son

      1. stevehaigh84
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Kane is a sit and set player for me.

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’d say no mate

      3. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Kane decent fixture...Vardy may only start one game , likely Rogers won't want to risk an injury!

    11. stevehaigh84
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is it worth playing my triple captain on KDB this week?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hasn’t looked worthy of a TC recently

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

      Better combo for this week and going forward.

      A. Soucek and Kane
      B. Grealish and Son

      Thanks.

      1. stevehaigh84
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

    13. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Original -> 32
      FH -> 53

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        K

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

        Good result

      3. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

      4. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Original 20 (literally just KDB cap, Bruno and Mitchell!)
        FH 57

        1. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Well done

      5. Darnell Nurse
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not worth FH

    14. pol
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Worth -8: Son + Grealish + Taylor > KDB + ERS + Cresswell

      Team after changes:

      Johnstone
      Cresswell Target Justin Cancelo
      Salah Bruno Soucek KDB(C)
      Vardy Watkins

      (McCarthy Bamford ESR Dallas

    15. Earwicker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Knocked out of cup by one point due to Mitchell bonus. Savaged.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oof!!

    16. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      the following bench, FH or not?

      Adams Dallas Coufal (4.0 keeper)

    17. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In your opinion what is the 10.5m best DF combo for the next few GWs (bearing in mind DGW19 especially) for this back 7

      Martinez Johnstone

      Coufal Dallas Holding xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

      Any ideas would be welcomed

    18. jcr1997
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No FTs remaining

      McCarthy
      Coufal, Dias, Dier
      Son, Bruno (c), Grealish, Zaha
      Wilson, Lacazette, Vardy

      Stefan, Neco Williams, Targett, Neto

      Thoughts on transfers? Prepared to take a -4 hit if needed
      Wilson has been poor recently but DGW so Inclined to hold on.
      Thinking Zaha/Neto to Foden?

    19. Muscout
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      31 > 61 on FH
      Would have had 2 FT and not sure who I would have got but happy with that!

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

        Think that's a good result!

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

          Cheers!

    20. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Foden is City’s top scorer with 8 goals across all competitions this season

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

        Better than KDB

      2. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        shocking

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Imagine not picking him this week

      4. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In great form

        Stellar differential for me this week. Gonna be even bigger one in the DGW

      5. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A steal at that price.

      6. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He’s coming in for DGW19

    21. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gravitating towards this FH team a lot.

      I have got the big template players covered and then I have the big differentials in Vardy, Werner, Foden and triple hammer defense.

      Fabianski
      Stones - Coufal - Dawson
      Salah - KDB - Bruno - Foden
      Vardy - Werner - Watkins

      Thoughts? 🙂

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Think Bruno is almost certain to get booked against pool and KDB shattered

        1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Trying to decide whether to FH myself

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don’t get Watkins

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

        I’d lose Watkins and go four at the back, boost Dawson to a Cresswell maybe?

        1. pundit of punts
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hmm

          Nice idea

          Watkins + Dawson > Cresswell + ?

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

        Feel like dropping Bruno on FH but doubt I will

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

      How would you fit MCI players in here? 1 FT 0itb

      Martinez

      TAA Chilwell Taylor

      Salah Bruno Son Soucek

      Vardy Bamford Adams

      Subs: McCarthy, Dallas Mitchell Bissouma

    23. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      37 non FH with only 6 players. Il take it. Not been overtaken by rivals in MLs and dropped 20 points at most on leaders.

      And fully loaded for the double all chips intact. Happy enough.

      Now do u want Kdb or Salah that is the question?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good going mate. I only got 6 more points on FH! Lol

    24. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez (Martin)
      Chilwell Robbo Coufal Justin (Ayling)
      Bruno Son* Salah Barnes Soucek
      Vardy (Bamford Adams)

      1FT & 0.8 ITB

      Team needs some City....

      Son Barnes & Robbo -> KDB Foden Cancelo (-8)

      Y or N? Ta!

    25. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Balbuena > 4.5

      Holding, Alioski/Ayling or Taylor/Lowton?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dawson

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What about Dawson mate??

    26. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If only Leno didn't save that shot from Benteke... 56pts and a green arrow, I'm happy.

    27. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez
      Robertson Cancelo Coufal Dallas
      Salah KDB Fernandes Soucek
      Vardy Bamford

      Forster Raphinha Brewster Ferguson

      0 FT, 0.6 itb

      1. Dallas >> Stones (-4)
      2. Raphinha >> Gundogan (-4)
      3. Bamford >> Antonio (-4)
      4. Hold

      Thanks guys

    28. SmackMyBilicUp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane, maddison OUT
      KDB, Antonio IN

      -8. That is the question.

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes for me

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

        Pep said KdB was exhausted and Antonio is not even back to full fitness. Could work but feels risky

    29. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH team 58 points
      Non FH 12 points
      850k to 550k
      FH success or not??

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Success
        But the non-FH points is irrelevant because depended on team strategy

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Of course yes

      3. Darnell Nurse
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No, you are back to a very bad team. With 12 points you don't have a single MC player (except maybe Sterling) before DGW , no Kane, Rashford, MU and Arsenal defence, etc and now without FH. Red arrow incoming

    30. popcoin
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Generally speaking, how many extra points do people hope/expect to gain from the Free Hit chip when deploying it?

      Would you be happy if the Free Hit brought you 15 more points extra than your team would have otherwise done?

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think 20 is a reasonable target

      2. Darnell Nurse
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nope, at least 25

    31. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      57 with FH

      non FH team only had Son, Kane, Bruno, Lowton so would have been 22 with Kane cap

      good I guess, but rivals got 45-50 with no FH!

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's not even halftime yet Ali. Miles to go before this season sleeps.