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

    Mane and salah have almost identical (very average) stats over the last 4. Which of the two should I sell for KDB for DGW19 onwards?

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

      Mane

      1. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        this

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

      Neither for me

  2. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What is your thoughts guys?

    A) Justin - Podence** - DCL ** -> Stones - Foden - Antonio (-8 + 0,3 ITB)
    and play
    McCarthy
    Robertson - Dias - Stones - Coufal
    Grealish - Fernandes - Salah - Foden
    Antonio - Kane

    B) DCL + McCarthy -> Antonio + Ederson (-4 + 0,1 ITB)
    Ederson
    Robertson - Dias - Dier - Coufal - Justin
    Grealish - Fernandes - Salah
    Antonio - Kane

    C) DCL + Podence -> Antonio + Foden (-4 + 0,6 ITB)

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

      C

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

    Bottomed.

    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.

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

      Tough. I'd maybe keep both

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

        Yeah probably a good idea. I am not convinced Vardy or Coufal can make up the hit with those single fixtures.

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

    Which move to take a hit for?

    A) Kane, Saka -> Salah(c), Brewster (Bench)
    B) Kane, Taylor -> Vardy(c), Cancelo
    C) Kane, Rashford -> Vardy, Sterling (c)

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

      B, if you captain Vardy.

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

        And if I captain Vardy in C?

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who plays in A if Brewster is benched?
      B looks good too.

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

        It's Salah (-4) or Kane then

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm doing the same, although another transfer is Zaha>Antonio. I'd say A is good for damage control, B is more interesting but risky.

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

            Thanks

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

    Play 1

    A. Dallas
    B. Adam
    C..Anguissa
    D. Balbuena

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      With no Ings, Adams.

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

        Cheere

  6. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pleasantly surprised to beat the cup opponent of OR 23K with FH team, with my non FH team 48 to 54.

  7. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ready for BB ?

    Martinez

    Zouma Cancelo Stones Coufal
    KDB Bruno Rashford Soucek
    Antonio Wilson

    Areola AWB Bamford Son

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

      Yes

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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

      One of the better BBs I've seen here

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

      No question

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

    Benchboost this makes no sense:

    Mc. Carthy, Dallas, Raphinha and Adams.

    Thank you!

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

      Depends what chips you have left

  9. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current team
    McCarthy, merslie
    Chilwell, Justin, Kwp, alioski, balbuena
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Saka, soucek
    Kane, Calvert Lewin, bamford

    Who to transfer in for Calvert Lewin? I’m thinking of bench Boosting as well

  10. POGBOOM KEBABOOM
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hye guys

    Son + Robbo > Kdb(C) + Coufal (-8)
    Yay or Nay?

    My Current Team for DGW19

    Martinez
    Holding Robbo Stones
    Foden Salah Son Fernandes
    Bamford Kane Vardy

    Subs : Steer Mitchell Bissouma Douglas
    0 ITB.

    1. POGBOOM KEBABOOM
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or just save transfer?Anyone..

    2. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Roll

  11. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Morning guys.
    Who to bench.
    1, Dawson home to WBA, BUR.
    or
    2, Bamford home to BHA ??

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

    Forster Bamford Dallas Mitchell

    BB?

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

      I think no. Forster has only one game and can not play. The other players has also only one game.

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

      I'm in a similar position with Leno instead of Forster, and I'll be saving. I still have all my chips so that helped me with the decision.

  13. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Never taken a -8 before, but thinking about this one:

    McCarthy, Targett, DCL > Martinez, Cancelo/Stones, Antonio

  14. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not usually one for a -8 but thoughts on this

    Kane / Son / Saka >> Vardy / Salah / Soucek

    Yay or nay?

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

      I'd just do Saka to Soucek. I think Kane & Son + 8 could beat Salah/Vardy given the fixture.

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

        How about Son + James >> Salah + Mitchel -4

        Keep Kane and play Saka

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

      As gambles go, this is a favourable one

  15. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Morning

    last night was disappointing. Went into the last match with a 4 point lead on the cup with Smith-Rowe and Laca to play.

    Rival only had Saka. He then gets Mitchell 8 pointer off the bench....

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

      Chin up

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Then he had Saka and someone else to play also

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Late to the party but Mitchel you legend juuuuuhuuuuuu, CS and Bonus pts yeaaaaahhhh, saved the FH. Good call by me selling Justin for Stones not him. I think we spend too much time in celebrating good calls and we spend too much time in complaining and revisiting bad calls.

    once again juuuuhuuuu Mitchel you 3.9m absolute fpl legend 😉 🙂

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

    Would you FH this team or just do Kane + Son > Salah + Davis for -4? Leaves enough in the bank for Wilson > Vardy.

    Martinez - Button
    Dias - Dier - Holding - KWP - Mitchell
    KDB - Bruno - Grealish - Foden - Son
    Kane - Wilson - Bamford

  18. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which transfer to make with my ft?

    A. Justin -> Cresswell
    B. Lacazette-> Antonio
    C. Something else

    Team:

    Martinez
    Robertson Cancelo Justin
    KDB son Grealish Soucek Foden
    Lacazette kane

    4.0 Adams mitchell 3.9

    0.8 itb

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

    TC:
    A) Salah
    B) KDB
    C) Cresswell
    D) Antonio

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

      Would you really triple captain C or D lol

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

        C is a serious contender

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

          Madness

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

          B if you had too.

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

      Too early in the season to take such wild gamble IMO, unless you need to recover a lot of ground that is

  20. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I BB this bench?

    Areola(CHE MUN)
    Saiss(WBA)
    Lookman(CHE MUN)
    Bamford(BHA)

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

      looks like a good BB

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

  21. mrelpea
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any KDB advice would be much appreciated!

    MCCarthy
    Dias Robbo coufal
    Bruno Grealish Salah Soucek Son
    Kane Bamford

    Button Dallas Taylor Davis

    Which one is better:

    A) Son and Robbo > Kdb and Stones (-4)
    B) Grealish > Foden

    B would only happen if there is confirmation that Grealish has had covid and not going to play both DGW games and this would only be a one week punt, he’d be straight back in for GW20

    Cheers!

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

      I think A is an upgrade on both players. so yes

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

        And also I don't think it is worth to sell Grealish just for one gw. Even if he doesn't play City he still has Newcastle in gw19 which is a great fixture. We never know with Foden if he starts or not.

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

          Cheers mate. Yes I think A is the way forward here. You’re completely right that Newcastle is a great fixture even if Grealish misses the city one and does seem a waste to get rid of grealish for one match. Thanks again and GL with this never changing DGW!

  22. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy*
    Robbo, Coufal, Justin, R. James
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek, Son*
    DCL*

    Forster, Ayling, Bamford, Rodrigo

    Best option ?

    A) Son, DCL > KDB, Antonio (-4) and use the 3 Leeds players for BB

    B) McCarthy, Son, DCL > Martinez, KDB, Antonio (-8) and use BB

    Thanks.

  23. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, Adams,Justin to Vardy, Antonio, Stones for -8? No other City players, will leave me with 1.2itb. No BB. Will give me:

    Martinez
    Zouma, Stones, Robbo, Coufal
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Soucek
    Vardy, Antonio
    Steer, Bamford, Raphinha, Dallas

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How was your hit and was it successful ?

    Mine is 12 pt hit success and a green arrow.

    DCL El Ghazi Justin Salah = 0 pts out
    KDB Rashford McGoldrick Stones = 6 + 6 + 1 + 6 = 19pts in

    7pts profit in this case.

    Shows that hits can pay off especially in a blank gw territory.

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I ended up on 49 points, could’ve been a lot better had Bruno, Son, Laca, etc not blanked but without the FH I’d have been on 4 points. So was a success.

  25. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Zouma predicted points in dgw?

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

      Accoding to fpl review 7.4

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

      2

  26. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Those with all chips remaining, when do you plan to use TC?

    Tempted to use it this week on Salah or KDB but not convinced.

    Do we think we will have better options for TC later in the season?

  27. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So with Klopps recent comments on how Utd always get penalties, and Liverpool don't get as many, there is more pressure on the referee to give the 50/50 Penalties.

    So thinking maybe is Salah essential?

    Please help with below:

    A) Son and Tierney to Justin and Salah (-4)
    B) Son and Kane to Vardy and Salah (-4)
    C) Tierney to Robertson free, Ignore Salah, have 2.4 in bank
    D) Son to Mane for free.

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last time for today i promise but 14 greens in last 15 GWs juuuuuhuuuuu 🙂 The only red is when Son and Kane game was postponed right before the game and after the deadline so not my fault 😉

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Counted once again it is 13 greens in 14 games, sorry.

      What is your arrow trend?

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

    Any way to get Vardy in here for DCL? 0.0itb

    McCarthy
    Robbo Dias Coufal Dallas
    KDB Salah Bruno Grealish
    Watkins Bamford

    Forster DCL Bissouma 3.8

  30. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Maguire or Chilwell?

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

      Chilly willy

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

        Cheers