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. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Woth -8?

    Kane Son Dier OUT

    Mane Roberston Watkins IN

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

      Nope

    2. LWO23
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

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

      Yes

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

      Not for me.

    5. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      Ok thanks all

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

      No

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

    McCarthy, Chilwell & DCL to
    Ederson, Cancelo & Antonio for -8?

    A. Yes
    B. No

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

      I'm confused, have I missed some news on Chilwell?

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

        No he’s fine just think Cancelo has better games and Chelsea are toss at the min!

    2. LWO23
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -8 is tough, but I like it longer term ... so yes from me.

      But you could do Chil to Cancelo next week

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agree with this, think it's a long term one but for -8 seems too much

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

          I should make the -8 up though with the DGW

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

      Antonio is a hard pass for me, especially as part of a -8.

  3. LWO23
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Son and Brewster

    to

    Foden and Antonio

    Worth it on bench boost? Not sure it is.

    Thanks!

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

      I would. Son has Liverpool gameweek after. Foden has WBA and Antonio has CRY

      1. LWO23
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Good point.

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

      I genuinely think there's a good chance that Son outscores Foden and Antonio combined in a single game compared to their 4 games.

  4. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT + 2.6ITB

    Johnstone,
    Dallas, Robbo, Balbuena,
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, KDB, Raphinha
    Bamford, Watkins

    subs: McCarthy, Adams, KWP, Taylor

    A) Adams --- Antonio (-4)
    B) Adams + Taylor --- Antonio + Coufal (-8)
    C) Taylor --- Stones (-4)
    D) Adams + Taylor --- Brewster + Cancelo (-8)

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

    0FT 1.8ITB

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

    Johnstone Adams Bednarek Bissouma

    A. Taylor -> Cancelo/Stones -4
    B. Bissouma -> Soucek -4
    C. Both above for -8?

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

      I'm doing A for the below, are you BB or TC?

      Martinez
      Coufal Dias Dallas
      Salah KDB Bruno Son Grealish
      Bamford Antonio
      Johnstone Holding KWP Brewster

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

    Martinez* Johnstone*
    Coufal* Dias* Stones* Robbo* Holding
    Salah*(c) Bruno* Soucek* Foden* Mount*
    Antonio* Kane Bamford

    *DGW

    I’m still bench boosting this right?? 3SGW players but great fixtures for them

    1. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, I don’t think you’re going to get a better opportunity.

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

      Do it.

    3. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely, like the squad m

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

    What would you do with this?

    Martínez
    Cancelo | Coufal | Cresswell
    Soucek | Salah | Fernandes | Son
    Kane | Firmino | Bamford
    ------------------------------------
    Steer | Dallas | Raphinha | Mitchell

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

      Kane, Son to KdB + someone

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

        BB?

  8. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on how i can get KDB in here?

    Martinez
    Robbo - Dias - Coufal
    Son - Salah - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    4.0, Zouma, Raphina, Mitchell

    A) Bruno, Zouma > KDB, Stones (-4)
    B) Son, Robbo > KDB, stones (-4)
    C) Kane, Adams, Raphina > KDB, Brewster, Antonio (-8)
    D) Something else

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

      Not sure you need to...the hits might cost you more.

      1. M2.0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        His new role + decent DGW is so tempting though!

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

          With Pep you never know how long his "new role" will last.

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

      A or B, probably A

      1. M2.0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers for your input, I think i’ll rule out C ad it’s costing me too much

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

          I just think Kane's a season keeper, hard to get him back at that price point and with no similar priced forwards. Son you can still get to quite easily if you have Salah/Bruno/KDB

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

      Im thinking to swap Bruno for KDB for a while, because he just one step away to one match ban

      1. M2.0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I wad thinking the same however the yellow cards reset GW20 anyway

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

    Is vardy going to play both games this week?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

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

        Maybe a kane to vardy (I have son) is on the cards

    2. LWO23
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably

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

        Thanks

    3. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      90% yes. From what Rodgers said today, he'll play. Plus he's absolutely essential for us.

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

        Good to hear, if missed playing the game cup last week he should be ready to play both

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has to, Ihenacho was awful when he started against Palace, he's rested up anyway and they have an extra day's rest compared to then

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

        Fair do’s, thanks

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

    Doing Son, Grealish and DCL to KB, Soucek and:
    A) Antonio
    B) Cavani

    Also considering one of these
    - McCarthy > Fabianski (wouldn't be able to have either striker though) or another DGW keeper
    - Dallas > Stones

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

      Jay’s FH = success

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

        Saved by Mitchell!

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

      Oh no! Mark mentioned on the pod that the best team this week will probaby have triple Sheffield defence, and there he is with 17 Sheffield defence points on his bench! haha

      I assume this was covered on tonight's pod already but I haven't tuned in.

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

      and the winner is Lateriser - thanks

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jay started with Ramsdale who has 0 clean sheets all season FFS and is getting Mitchell off the bench, shows that it's more about luck than skill

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

    How much is Salah needed for gw19?

  12. JabariParkersEyelid
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mendy
    Dias Robbo Dallas - KWP Mitchell
    Bruno Salah Son Grealish Soucek
    Bamford Vardy - Brewster

    Original plan was a minus 4 to lose robbo and Son for Cancelo and KDB.

    Now I'm just thinking KWP to Coufal/Cresswell and bench Dallas?

    Any help appreciated, what looks better?

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

    Kane and Son to KDB ans Werner -4?

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

      Not Werner feels like you're trying to spend money for the sake of it.

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

    Is there anywhere to find out an average score for free hitters this week?

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

      Don’t know but all of the ones in my group seemed to average 50 after subs.

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

        Much obliged little lady. Very poor but only 12 or so off the average.

  15. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1) Raphina and Che to Foden and Antonio for -4
    or
    2) Son and Che to Foden and Vardy for -4

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

      1. Not sure how matchfit Antonio can be but at least you'll keep Son.

  16. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DGW 19 team:

    Meslier

    Stones Chilwell Coufal

    KDB Salah Barnes Bruno Soucek

    Bamford Kane

    Subs: McCarthy Justin Dallas McGoldrick

    Think that’s the right team selection? Would like an extra city defender but not desperately I suppose.

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

      You've got the right 11 out there.

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

      Looks right to me

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

    My team
    Mcarthy Johnstone
    Cancelo Chilwell Justin Coufal Targett
    Son Bruno Salah Soucek Raphinha
    Vardy Bamford Brewster
    Raphina & Brewster to
    Watkins & Foden -4 or
    Chilwell Brewster & Raphina to
    Foden Antonio & Diaz -8
    Will be BB as well

  18. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son + Adams +4
    B) Foden + Werner/Martial
    C) Gundo + Vardy

    Opinions much appreciated. On C atm.

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

      C

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

    Who scores more in the next 5-10 GWs (assuming fit the whole time)?

    A) Chilwell
    B) Antonio

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

      that's close.
      although you've made the point about fitness, I'd probably pick Chilwell as it is safer.

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

        Cheers

  20. Huddersfield
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal in for

    Ampadu or Ward?

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

      Ampadu, just look at their next 3.

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

    My top scorer on FH cost 3.9m and is last on my bench 😎

  22. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son and Adams for Vardy and Soueck or just Antonio for Adams?

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

    McCarthy
    Holding Targett Coufal
    KDB(C) Bruno Grealish Son Soucek
    Kane Watkins

    Forster Clark Lewis DCL

    0.4m itb, 1FT, FH/BB/WC intact

    What would you do? I'm thinking about just rolling a transfer.

  24. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I hate to be all 'I told you so' but when I questioned Spurs' alarming lack of second half ambition, few ppl on here said yeah well they're top of the league so so what? Yeah well it wasn't sustainable was it guys? Just as I suggested. As you were, anyway.

  25. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I better off WCing to get 11 dgw players than play bb trying to get 15dgwers (which would cost me like -20 lol)

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

      -20 aint worth it... too many risks with resting and covid.. just WC 🙂

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

      Some good sgw players you can BB with - the benefit of the dgw means your starting 11 should all get game time - so none of your subs score unless you BB. In a sgw there is too high a chance of needing some of your bench anyway

  26. WenzelK
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Punted on Mahrez couple of weeks ago.. Dont trust him... plays poorly. dump him for -> Ziyech? Grealish? Anyone else? 0itb
    or -4 with TAA+Mahrez -> Mitchell+Bruno for this gamweek?

  27. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you had to pick one ...Robbo or Trent????

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

      Robbo

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

      Robbo

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

      Robertson on current form.

    4. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys

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

    What do you think is the better option in say a few weeks time?

    A) Salah & ESR (Mitchell also as rotation)
    B) Grealish and Ings

    Cheers.

  29. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8 of
    Son to Puli
    Taylor to Stones
    Balbeuna to Cresswell?

    Johnstone* McCarthy
    Robbo* Taylor* Justin* Dallas Balbeuna(probably ft)
    Salah* Bruno* Son Soucek* Lookmann*
    Vardy* Bamford Wood*