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. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane Son Saka

    A. Saka to soucek / Foden
    B. Kane Saka to Salah Antonio (-4)
    C. Kane Saka to Vardy Ziyech (-4)
    D. Vardy Salah Soucek (-8)

    Suggestions?
    Thanks!

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

      You will want spurs players back... B for me.

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

        Currently on that as well

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

      A

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

        Sound option. Just worried about Salah EO

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

          What about Kane EO also.

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

            Its scary. But salah EO is gonna be across 2 games + any option barring D wld have Son in it.

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

              Good point. I think B is a solid option.

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

      Prob not, if any a with soucek or b

      I have a feeling this Dgw will be a disappointment

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

        Given all the hype and then the changes. It must be a disappointment already...

  2. walt_48
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Didn’t realise villa had additional game after Everton game cancelled and transferred out Watkins

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

      No great loss really unless you’re bb-ing

      1. walt_48
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just am thinking of taking a -4 now that I could’ve avoided and I rate Watkins

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins hat trick against Newcastle confirmed.

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

    *DGW

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

    McCarthy, Adams, KWP, Taylor

    BB worth it?

    -4 for Coufal or Stones
    -8 for Cancelo or Coufal + Antonio

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

    Currently have Son, Rashford, Brewster (1FT, 3.1ITB)

    A) Salah, Son, Brewster
    B) Salah, Rashford, Brewster
    C) Son, Rashford, Antonio
    (No Hits)

    All three play, as planning to BB.

    Thanks all

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

      Similar situation... like C if you’re not captaining Salah

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

    This is nuts right?

    Kane, grealish, lowton -> Antonio , KDB , stones -8

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

      Not but I'm thinking similar as I haven't got KDB either

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

        Plus will want him for a long run. City are looking back to normal ish.

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

      If you are sure you won't want Kane and Grealish back any time soon, it's not nuts. But I doubt you would be sure of that, so you could easily get a net loss bringing one or both back in again. Maybe thnk of some alternative moves.

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

        Maybe but this season is the big hitter hokey kokey so KDB for the next 4gw then who knows?

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

          So then I would say it's not worth it

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

      Yes

    4. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb is great but getting rid of grealish n kane as part of -8 doesnt sound good. Think of other ways

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

    Moving forwards (not just for GW19), would you prefer:

    A) Chilwell + Brewster
    B) Antonio + Mitchell

    Brewster & Mitchell would be fodder.

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

      Mitchell is the better fodder

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not convinced with Antonio at his fitness but he is probably worth the risk and the best option in that price bracket. He is the talisman in the team as well

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

      I’ve not seen anything that suggests any of those players are going to explode.

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

        Or any other defender up to 7.2?

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

          Not from Man City or Arsenal

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

            Matip? Or even taa

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

              I own TAA. He's 7.3 🙂 Not sure if Matip is going to start both games in DGW though :/ Would be interested otherwise. Thanks

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

      Thanks both. Concerned that he only scored 3 goals in 6 games at the start of the season when in form, while Chilwell has potential for attacking and defensive returns. Though hopefully Antonio can do better with better fixtures that the season opening.

  7. MMN
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FFFix or FPL stats more accurate for price rises past few days?

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

    Hi....which one of these do I buy for bench boost please?

    4.8m to spend. Already got 3 West ham and dallas.....not much out there......thanks

    A.....lowton (West ham and Liverpool away)

    B.... holding (Newcastle home)

    Thanks

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

      Shaw?

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding or risk Shaw (4YC)

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

        Wow. Shaw could be the man!!

        May only start once tho with telles on the scene??

  9. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth BB this team with a -8?

    Balbuena, Son and Kane to Cresswell, Salah and Vardy (-8)

    Martinez
    Coufal Cancelo Stones Cresswell
    Bruno KDB Soucek Salah
    Vardy Bamford*
    (Johnstone Raphinha* Rodrigo* Holding*)

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

      I'm going to BB and play Son and Kane. They can easily outscore dgw players

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup there's a possibility but Son vs Salah (FT, Kane vs Vardy (-4) and Balbuena vs Cresswell (-4). I can't see Son getting much joy against SHU low block back 5, Kane could outscore Vardy and Balbuena is out the team so cresswell should cover the hit

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

    Which one to play:

    A) Bamford (BHA)
    B) Stones (CPL, AVL)

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

      Stones

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

      Stones easily

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      easy B

    4. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just realised, the real question is which one of 3 to bench. Question below!! Thanks

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

      Thanks all.

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

    Bottom of previous page

    Would you start Dallas or Pieters?

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

      Dallas

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

      Dallas for sure

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

      Dallas, no contest.

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

      Yeah Dallas for me

  12. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would be your top 3 players to own in DGW19

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

      Dias, Cancelo and Bruno

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

      Salah antonio diaz

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

      Stones KDB salah

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

      Salah/De Bruyne/Cancelo

  13. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chaps, On free hit. Thoughts? Going got 11 DGWs to make it more interesting.

    Johnstone
    Dias Coufal JJames
    Rashford Fernandes KDB Foden Salah
    Firmiho Watkins

    Subs Button / Mitchell / Douglas / Randon villa forward at 4.3m

    Any obvious changes? thanks.

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

      Honestly, I'm not keen. Firming, Rashford, Watkins, James all players I'm not sold on.

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

        I like it. Good, solid, different

  14. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Soucek & Vardy

    B) Grealish & Martial

    1. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish on 4 cards worries me a bit

    2. SilentLemonMan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

  15. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A.Dier to stones for free.
    B. McCarthy to Martinez for free
    C. Both for a hit?

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

      A

    2. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Getting 180 mins x2 rather than x1 90 mins cancels out the -4 in my mind plus gives you more potential for upside.

  16. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone getting this error on fpl stats, how to fix it?

    Error: invalid search or initialising table

  17. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Really don't care for the Cup, but I do hope my opponent isn't too bothered either. I go through 58 v 57 lol.

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

      I don’t have the squad depth for a cup run

  18. reo19uk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wasn't sure if free hit was right to play or not but Covid fixtures cancelled forced my hand and it really worked out earning me an extra 40 points!

  19. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Steer, Dunne, Son, Kane >> Johnstone, Dias, KDB, Antonio for a -8?

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

    bottomed

    A- Son + Grealish
    B- KDB + Taylor -4
    C- KDB + Cresswell -8

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

      B. But why Taylor?

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

        It's either Taylor or Bamford and Taylor has a DGW so might as well play him I guess

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

          I would play Bamford.

  21. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell 3rd bench coming in hot for 8 points, knew it was worth throwing an extra 0.1 there lol. Still knocked out of the stupid cup by 2 points, of course Fernandes (c) was my lowest scoring player...

  22. SilentLemonMan
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Harrison > Soucek (-4)

    YAY or NAY

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

      Nay

  23. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2 of these 3:

    A) Bamford (BHA)
    B) Stones (CPL, AVL)
    C) Targett (mci, NEW)

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

      Ab

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

      AB

    3. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Its really tight for A or C. I wld fancy bam to get 1. So it depends whats the chance of a Villa cleanie for newcastle. If you feel strongly for it, BC. But the ceiling for A is most probably higher.

      Thanks for your replies on my post.
      Cheers

  24. Berimbolo
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    De gea
    James Stones Coufal
    Salah Soucek Bruno Kdb
    Vardy Antonio Bamford
    Any tips or it's gtg (2ft)

  25. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB this

    Mccarthy raphinha dallas taylor

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

    Is it fpl suicide going without Salah? Not looked great recently.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      problem is he can explode at anytime too

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

      You can’t bet against salah

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

      If he scores, yes, if he doesn't then it's a good move!

      I got rid of him last week for KDB, will give it a couple of gameweeks and see if it's worth bringing him back

    4. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hard to call. Looked poor of late but always potential to explode and has pens to look forward too.

  27. Phlajo
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Insane to TC Vardy in GW19?

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

      Not insane but probably not the option with the highest ceiling.

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

      Yes. He seems to be a one goal a game. Think there will be gameweeks where players have higher point ceilings.

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

      Yeah you're probably right.

      Think I'm gonna do it anyway.. just feels like a double party incoming, and If he "only" gets 1 goal each game that's still a nice return.

      Gotta live a little right?

  28. AllINeedIsCoffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you're not BBing then you're probably TCing. Which one are you going for?

    A) Salah
    B) KDB

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

      B of those. I'm going Vardy I think

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

      I neither . Was planning on bb but I’d have to take multiple hits to get a full team

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

    Planning on wanting KDB for the foreseeable and Soucek being well worth it.

    Does Son and Raphinha to KDB and Soucek for -8 seem alright? Is it really actually a -4 due to the two games?

    Would have this team:
    Martinez
    Stones Coufal Taylor
    Salah Fernandes KDB Grealish Soucek
    Antonio Kane

    Forster; Bamford, Dallas, KWP

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

      It does

  30. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Foden a solid x2 games player for next week?

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

      Don’t know but he and his mates KDB and Cancelo just walked into my team for -8