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. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please pick one
    1. Dier
    2. Justin -4

    Justin has two games plus Dier to play pool next gw

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

      2

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

        Have the fund for Chilwell too so should I go for Chilwell or Justin??

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

          Oh. Yeah get Chillwell.

  2. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Mane to KDB(c) for a hit?

    Or would you captain Salah/Mane/Bruno and not get KDB?

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

      Mane is so good. I don’t think I’d be losing him for KDB

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

      If you have Salah then I would do Mane to KDB yes.

    3. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not for a hit... Mane a nice differential this week

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

    Got 38 points last week with only 7 players. Meant only a 50k drop in rank. Could have gone a lot worse and now I'm set really well for the next few weeks. Playing hard into the dgw26 and FH bgw29.

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

      Good score with no fh. I'd be on 5pts if I hadn't fh. Scored 58.

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

        Same - I had only three players so FH in our case was a must

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

    Last week's trap was ruining their FH to get triple arsenal in. This week's one would be getting rid of Son/Kane just to fit in Salah.

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

      If you have Kane AND Son then getting Salah makes sense (I'm doing it)

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

        Son and Kane vs bottom team for a -4 though, both could get double digits.

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

      It seems but if you are bringing in players that you want long term also then it’s ok

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

        His short term fixtures other than the Brighton one aren't good either. It's also getting harder to predict the pool scorers now and they are scoring even lesser goals now.

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

      But Salah is the goat of FPL and he has a dgw. Thats pretty much double figures guaranteed.

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

        The only period this season where it is certainly not guartanteed

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

        I doubt he gets even one attacking return, let alone double figures return

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

          (3+2) x2 is double digits

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

        He couldn't score against WBA and Newcastle. United and Burnley defences aren't jokes and probably much tighter than those 2.

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

      Salah have a curse for both of DGW games. =)

  5. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this squad good to go?

    Johnstone (Mc. Carthy)
    Dias, Stones, Robertson, Coufal (Lowton)
    Salah, Fernandes, Soucek, Foden (Raphinha)
    Kane, Bamford (Adams)

    Or is it too risky to go without de Bruyne?

    Thank you!

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

      Depends on how you would get KDB. I think it looks fine even without him.

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you!

  6. ㅤRising
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still doing bench boost I think.
    Son to KDB is a given. Was thinking of Adams to Antonio(unsure about fitness) or Watkins for a hit? Open for a second hit.
    Any suggestions?

    Pope Johnstone
    Cancelo Justin Robertson James Coufal
    Salah Son Fernandes Soucek Rapinha
    Adams Bamford Rodrigo

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

      That looks to be a good bb. I went Antonio, but for brewster.

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

        I like Antonio and his fixtures, but unsure about him playing both games and already got 2 West Ham players. Maybe the sensible move would be to get Watkins so I have Villa attack covered because they are pretty good this season. Idk.

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

      Like it. Such a shame that Leeds game got moved. I had a similar set up a while ago

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

        A huge shame. This season though. Anyway would you go Adams to Antonio or Watkins?

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

          I would do Antonio

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

    Would love so views here please

    A) None FH team, 1FT

    MARTINEZ
    STONES MAGUIRE Dallas
    Son KDB(c) RASH BRUNO Saka
    Bamford Kane

    B) Use FH

    MARTINEZ
    STONES CRESSWELL TAA
    PULISIC SALAH KDB (C) RASH SOUCEK
    ANTONIO VARDY

    A or B?

    Thanks

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

      A. Just would try to get Salah in and it's good to go

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

        It would have to be Son and Kane out for Salah

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

          Its a tricky decision that could go either way to be honest. Might be best to leave it, but damned if you do damned if you dont.

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

    Every prime captaincy option looks so average that I wish for Cresswell (C)

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

      I have this in mind too

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

      KDB vs Cresswell has been a recurring thought of mine. Currently on KDB C, Cresswell VC

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

        Just checked stats. Cresswell's are bad. KDB stays as C

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

          Not sure about the stats but I see two cleanable fixtures and a fantastic left foot capable of an offensive return. KDB great too and will probably go him in the end but City not as offensive as they've been in previous years

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

      Vice atm. KDB(C)

  9. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going without Salah this dgw? I'd have to sell grealish (other mids are kdb Fernandes son soucek) to buy Salah
    If I don't buy Salah, I'd buy coufal & cancelo/dias for double city defence

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

      Salah or Mane I think are vital

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m going without. Will just cover Liverpool with Robertson!

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

      Don't sell grealish

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He's on 4 YCs
        Also, no other way of getting Salah

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

          Yup I'm praying he doesn't get one against city.

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

      I think I try to get Mane in but not getting Salah. Might end up having just Robertson. Firmino usually does well against top teams.

  10. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was originally on TC kdb, still considering as has two home fixtures & he should take the next penalty
    thoughts?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looked tired at the end of the last game which is why he gave the pen to sterling. MAY have his minutes managed V palace.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, city doesn't seem to be able to smash teams specially those who're sitting deep & defending

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would too risky for me. In his last games he got 3, 4, 5, 3, 13 and 6 points.

  11. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Adams -> Wilson worth a -4?

    Thank you!

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

      I wouldn’t - just cos Newcastle are dire

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you!

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

      no

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

  12. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    8 hit to bench boost 13 players worth it?

    1. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      13dgw 1 sgw, 14 in total

  13. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you?

    a) Bruno -> Salah (-4pts)
    b) Son -> Salah (-4pts)
    c) stay with Son and Kane (no Liverpool assets; and with triple ManC)

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

      I feel like those moves are very sidewards... is there another way you can bring Salah in? Personally I’d only have either Son or Kane so choose one to drop but it’s hard when they have Sheffield

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

    Is this team good enough for a BB?

    Martinez Forster
    Dias KWP Justin Dallas Phillips
    Son KDB Fernandes Salah Stephens (will be Soucek soon)
    Antonio Watkins Bamford

  15. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB19 looks good ?

    De Gea Areola
    Cancelo Stones Cresswell Coufal Justin
    KDB Bruno Son Saka Smith-Rowe
    Vardy Wilson Antonio

    12 DGwers + Son, Saka et S-R.

    And team in good shape for GW20-22 !

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

      I like this squad.
      I’m worried about going without Salah though. On any given game he can get a double figure haul

  16. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you play bamford (BHA) or Lowton (whu, liv)?

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford. Probably Lowton will get 3 points (2 + 1) and Bamford 6.

  17. Birdman77
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey all, any news on Fabianski that I have missed? Tough to follow from Aus

  18. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Salah or Fernandes? Thank you!

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah... Fernandes looming suspension puts me off him

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you!

  19. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Exact funds for

    DCL Burke Dier to

    Antonio Soucek & Stones

    Y or N -8

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

      Leaving aside Soucek id do the other 2. Not sure bout Soucek

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

      Sounds good West Ham have ok fixtures next few too

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

    Thoughts on this team for 19? FH intact.

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

    Dallas Stephens

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

      Looks good

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

    Is McCarthy back or will Forster be in goals?

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think that Mc. Carthy will play.

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

      Imo there were news that he is training at least. But Forster kept CS, and if McCarthy not fully fit then Forster might continue.

  22. Lazaretti
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Very difficult to decide who to transfer out? This is to fund upgrade elsewhere.

    A)Kane
    B)iSon

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

      Son might be better value in general but Kane is in better form. Looking to get players like Mane, Mount, Antonio or Chelsea or Pool defender... Not sure yet and what I can afford.

  23. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do -8 to get this team and use bench-boost?
    Fabianski, Johnstone
    Dias, Dallas, Chilwell Robertson, Cancelo
    Soucek, Salah, Grealish, Fernandes, Lookman
    Vardy, Antonio, Bamford

    Moves are KWP, Branthwaite, Kane->Antonio, Robertson, Cancelo. Could also drop Robertson/Cancelo to KWP, and only take -4.

    Hurts to not own KDB of course...

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

      One alternative is to do Grealish, Kane->KDB, Antonio/Watkins and drop BB. Would then bench Lookman.

    2. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team is a bit bottom-heavy.. looks like a major benching headache! I would drop Robbo but not sure about KWP as a replacement.. fixtures are iffy going foward

  24. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to transfer in for Calvert-Lewin?

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

      Antonio. Cant really say without knowing rest of the team

  25. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Choose one trio (for a -4 hit)

    A) KDB + Vardy + Bowen

    B) KDB + Antonio + Son

    Please help

  26. 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

  27. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Meslier and Bamford have destroyed by plan of having 11 DGW players. Would you bring someone in with a free transfer to have 10.

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

      Nope. They are still good for the dgw

  28. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Justin Dias Coufal
    Mane Grealish Salah Fernandez Soucek
    Bamford

    Bench - 4.0, Wood, Dallas, Adams

    Should I
    A) keep it as it is, no chip
    B) keep it as it is, play BB
    C) Watkins for Adams (-4) play BB
    D) Johnstone for 4.0 gk, Antonio for Bamford Watkins for Wood (-12) play BB.

    Sorry for repost, really struggling with this one...

  29. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many more DGW's do we think there will be?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leeds, Soton, Spurs(x2), Villa, Fulham and Everton for now.
      Maybe more teams after GW 29? Plus the Covid uncertainties?

  30. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Either transfer worth a hit?

    A) Kane to Vardy
    B) Dallas to Coufal

    Normally I wouldn't be afraid to take the hit in a DGW, but both Dallas and Kane have great single fixtures and have proved they can score big.
    Both have DGWs in the future, possibly a Triple for Kane.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks.