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. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With everything to play for at this stage of the season I'm playing TC but which to go for... Salah or KDB. Don't think i've ever had a good TC since the chip was introduced.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb

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

      Not sure its the best time to use that chip atm

    3. Kloppen Schloppen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mo

    4. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    5. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

  2. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL+Kilman+Verrips are all going out for a -8 to allow me to play a Bench Boost.

    But for who? 1.2m ITB

    1) Cavani + Dawson + Johnstone

    OR

    2) Antonio + Chilwell + Johnstone

    Team would be

    Martinez Johnstone
    Cancelo Cresswell Dallas Lowton *****
    Mane DeBruyne Bruno Grealish Bowen
    ***** Watkins F.Silva

    Cheers.

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

      2

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

      I’d prefer option 2 from those

    3. L S P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Close but 2

    4. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks everyone!

  3. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don’t think taking hits left right and centre for the sake of a DGW is going to pay off...

    considering a bunch of teams still have games in hand to be rescheduled, holders will could be rewarded with extra games down the line, presumably soon to prevent a possible fixture pileup

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

    Suggestions for this FH team?

    Mendy, (4.0)
    Dias, Cresswell, James, (Mitchell, Struijk)
    Salah, De Bruyne, Fernandes, Soucek, Grealish
    Vardy, Antonio, (4.4)

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

    Son & Grealish > Bruno & Foden (-8)

    Worth the hits?

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

      Risky moves with Bruno on four yellows and Foden not guaranteed to start both games. I'd personally consider it for -4 but -8 seems a stretch

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

        Cheers mate

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

    Reece James to a city defender for a -4? While he is back in training, he could be rotated with Azpi so not guaranteed two games. I could bring back James or another Chelsea defender in Gw22 for the BUR tot shu NEW fixtures

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

      Not worth -4
      Who knows that city defender is rotated too

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

        Yeah good point. I'd feel comfortable with Dias for both games but slight risks with Cancelo or Stones

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

      Probably bench him instead?

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

        My backup options are Dallas (BHA) or Targett (mci NEW) so feel that James is still a good starter if fit enough

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

    Thinking of BBing now even with a -4 and Brewster as it'll be out of the way and I don't have to worry about it when I wildcard.

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

    Who should I swap out for Salah? Son looks better but Rash has a double

    A) Rashford (Liv, Ful)
    B) Son (Shef)

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

      hold salah

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

      Son

  9. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    in GW18 I had 4 players and an FT so I have FH

    moved from 110K to 78K .. FH was worth it?

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

      Yup, you probably would have falled about 100K as well so yes

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        a swing in 150K+ ranks then?

    2. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Plug your team and potential move on what if of livefpl and check

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

      For FH:

      1. Chilly & Rash
      2. Zouma & Vardy

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        2

    4. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How’s my FH DGW19 team looking?

      Martinez
      Chilwell Cresswell Dias
      Grealish Salah KDB Bruno Soucek
      Antonio Werner

      Forster Strujik Davis Mitchell

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

        Like it. Considering getting Werner myself think he could be good with a bit of confidence in behind the Leicester defence and on pens so I think he’s worth the gamble

      2. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Id have Vardy over Werner but could be a good differential. Probs double CIty defence as well

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

      Re dgw later on, we won’t have the same amount of time to plan transfers ahead so the best use would surely be wc followed by BB. However you may not want to keep a number of these players post that BB week.
      If that’s the case, is it better to just take a couple of hits and field the best BB this week?
      So confused as to when to use it....
      FH18 fwiw

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

      To bench boost or not to bench boost?

      Johnstone
      Robertson Coufal James
      Salah Fernandes Son Lookman Soucek
      Kane Bamford
      McCarthy Dallas Targett Adams

      A) No bench boost: Kane + Son >> KDB + Antonio (-4)
      B) Bench boost: Kane + Adams + McCarthy >>> Vardy + Antonio + Martinez (-8)

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

        A for me

      2. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        None of the above

    7. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      any 5.9m or less striker a good pick? already have rodrigo lol

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There’s no hope then

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

          hahah yup thats what i thought too— was hoping son adams > kdb ___ but i think im gonna have to settle for son taa > kdb chilwell for -4pt instead and bench adams

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

        Bobby Reid at Fulham could work, tough fixtures but at least he has a dgw

      3. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Benteke’balls

    8. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Okay ive rephrased my previous post. Any help is much appreciated thanks guys.

      Which move do you think pays off more this GW?

      A) Robbo, DCL TO Dias and Vardy for -4

      B) Chilwell, DCL, Alzate TO Dias, Antonio & Maddison/Soucek for -8

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

        A) easily

      2. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It does make sense but i'm a bit worried about losing Robbo :/

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

      Keep
      A) Saka
      B) Holding

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

        If both are bench players, I'd keep Holding as he can be decent backup, and you can use the midfield slot for someone else

      2. L S P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A’s more fun

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

      Keep or hold Son? Have Kane.

      Thinking either one of these for -8.
      A) Son to KdB
      B) Ayling to Robbo

      Other transfers are Rapinha and Taylor to Soucek and Coufal.
      Any opinions appreciated. Thanks.

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

      Did you see that the top points scorer actually took a minus 44?

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

        What???

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's a gambling thing in Egypt...

        Their playing to win the game week not the league.

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

          Yes correct. It's not gambling per se, it's hoping for fame. Take unlimited hits every week to try to get the best, top scoring team. If you fail, try again next week and so on.

      3. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That’s truly amazing

    12. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guys help will u start dallas or saiss?
      Wolves vs westbrom looks like a cleansheet to me?
      Dallas more attacking?

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

        both very attacking, Saiss has a better chance of a clean sheet though so him

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

        Saiss

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nah, Wolves will win by a couple at least. Far to strong for West Brom.

      4. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Auuuuguuueerrrooo!!!!!

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

      DDG Johnstone
      Cancelo Stones Coufal AWB Dier
      Salah Fernandes Son Smith Row Soucek
      Kane Wilson Antonio

      Playing BB in a Double GW for the first time in three years.
      1 FT and 0 it
      Kane + Son to Salah + Bamford/Watkins for a hit
      yes or no??
      Please advise

    14. akhilrajau
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez, Johnstone
      Robortson, Coufal, Dallas, Maguire, Mitchell
      Bruno, Son, Salah, Soucek, Podence
      Adams, Kane, Bamford
      bank: 0.1m, FT: 1
      Baded on frequent game vhange issues which one you select

      A. Mitchell,Son, Kane, -> Stones/Cancelo,KDB(c), Antonio (-8) 442( Tripple Captain)

      B. Mitchell,Son, Podence, Kane, -> Stones,KDB(c), Barnes/Mount, Antonio (-12) -BB( 3 players have one game only)

      C. Dallas,Son, Podence, Kane, -> Stones,KDB(c), Madison, Antonio (-12) -BB( 3 players have one game only)

    15. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez
      Saiss stones cresswell
      Bruno salah sterling(c) foden barnes
      Antonio bam

      Subs steer dallas kwp dcl

      Gtg? The sterling capt too crazy or jus take kdb better?

      1. Pandastar5
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        personally think kdb is safer option for captain than sterling, but if sterling gets the start both games then he could be a sweet differential captain

    16. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which move would you do to fund Son ➡ Salah??

      A) Kane ➡ Vardy/Werner
      B) Tierney ➡ 4.5

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

        A.

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

        B for me, gotta keep one of Son/kane imo

      3. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        As the saying goes...

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

      Pick one for DGW and beyond.

      A Werner Grealish Dias
      B Antonio Sterling Cresswell +4

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

        ill go B

    18. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which is the best option here?

      A Bamford to Antonio
      B Bamford to Wilson
      C Save FT and play Bamford

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

        C maybe

      2. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        C>A

    19. trafalgarlaw
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will McCarthy start ?

      1. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

      2. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yep

    20. Vasshin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With Mancity’s double game, i think i need some of their players but who should i get or any other transfer i should make?

      I have 0 itb and 1 Ft

      My team atm

      Martinez
      Justin Robbo TAA coufal
      Fernandes grealish Salah soucek son
      Antonio

      Bench: McCarthy Adams calvert-lewin Mitchell

      Thanks

      1. Pandastar5
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        first thing that came to mind for me was dcl + mitchell --> bamford + stones for a hit

        grealish for gundogan perhaps... maybe even foden although he might not start both games this gw

    21. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would you free hit this team?Or -4 and save FH?

      Leno

      Cancelo Stones Holding Reguilon (3.8)

      Bruno Kdb Son Saka Zaha

      Kane Wood Bamford?

    22. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      24 points gain decent enough for FH?

      1. Vlekz
          3 years, 2 months ago

          20+ is always good

      2. Vlekz
          3 years, 2 months ago

          RMFHT

          Fabianski
          Robertson cancelo stones coufol
          Salah kdb bruno lookman
          Vardy Antonio

          Forster | anguissa Davis bernado

          0.0 ITB