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

    What to do here chaps?

    Martinez*
    Zouma* Pieters* Stones* Coufal*
    Foden* Salah* Bruno* Son
    Kane Bamford

    Forster Dallas DCL Romeu

    2.2m ITB and no FT

    A) DCL ➡ Firmino/Jesus -4
    B) Martinez ➡ Flappyhandski -4
    C) DCL ➡ Antonio -4
    D) Romeu ➡ Soucek -4 (bench Bamford)
    E) No hits

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

      C

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

      DCL to Jesus or Antonio

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

      E

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

    Best move here?

    A. Kane > Vardy
    B. Adams + Taylor > Watkins + Dawson(-4) and BB.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Konsa
    Salah Bruno KDB Raphinha
    Kane Bamford
    Meslier Adams Anguissa Taylor

    1 FT 0.1 ITB

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

      B

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

      I'm in similar boat. B

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

        Do you think its a good enough bench to boost?

        Also means no Vardy, who is a nice differential to have for this gw.

        Alternately could WC 25 BB 26

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

          Yes. BB is a hard chip to play. You'll be downgrading players for weeks to come anyway

    3. Ruud000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Taylor should be back, if that affects your thinking.

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

        May not start the first game and don't like their chances of cs this week.

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

    1 FT, 1.2 ITB

    Meslier
    Roberson Dias Justin Coufal
    Salah KDB Fernandes Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    A) Meslier > Fabianski / DGW GK
    B) Kane > Vardy / Antonio
    C) Both for -4

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

      A

  4. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm thinking of doing the following moves on BB this week. Currently have double Liverpool defence and no city coverage. TAA, Son and +/- Adams out for...

    A) Cancelo + KDB -4
    B) Stones + KDB + Antonio -8
    C) Cancelo + Sterling + Antonio -8

    Which option do you prefer? Or am I mad to take out the players mentioned?

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

      A tbh. B could be a great move but not sure its worth the risk

    2. Ruud000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m weighing up exactly those same moves. With a plan to bench boost.

      Thinking I want to punt on B.

  5. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FA Cup draw for PL sides is quite important. Because some teams (Man City, Wolves, Chelsea, Brighton, Spurs, West Ham, Everton) can probably afford to put out their second teams and still win.

    Liverpool, Man Utd, Southampton (if they win), Arsenal (if Southampton win), Fulham, Burnley, Leicester have much tougher ties.

    Sheffield Utd only have a SGW so they have enough rest time to do what they want.

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

    What would you go for?

    A) Ayling -> cancello, Salah (tc) and leave bamford points on the bench

    B) Ayling, Bednarek, McCarthy -> Cancello, Shaw, Johnstone (-8) BB Johnstone, Shaw, Dallas, Bamford

    TIA!

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

      B but keep McCarthy instead of Johnstone

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

        Thanks for the reply.

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

    Dier -> TAA for -4?

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

      Dont think so

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

    El Ghazi --> Foden a good move?

    Foden's in good form but I'm worried about placing my chips on Pep roulette!

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

      I would keep El Ghazi

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

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Coufal Robertson
    Salah De Bruyne Fernandes Soucek
    Antonio Wilson

    De Gea Bamford Smith-Rowe Yedlin

    I took a -8 but have 13 DGW players,

    Son/Tierney/Lacazette to Salah/Robertson/Antonio...

    Bench boost ready to go!

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

    Justin / Coufal / Maguire
    Bruno / Mane / Salah / Son / Soucek
    Bamford / Wilson

    Dallas / Taylor / DCL

    0,6£ ITB

    DCL & Son --> Vardy & Foden (-4)

    Yes or no? Or other transfer(s)?

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

      Antonio/De Bruyne???

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

        Good opinion! =)

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

        0,4£ short for this

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

    Which move has the highest upside?

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

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

      I reckon Kane may surprise a few people this GW.

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

        I find it hard to agree both he and Son have diminished in the last few weeks under Jose. I don’t see it improving any time soon.

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

          Hasn't Kane scored 2 goals and an assist the last 2 games? That's more than Salah and Vardy combined.

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And son

  12. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Ings back from Covid?

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

      No

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

        Bugger, ta.

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

    Ho to get Kdb in there ? 0.6 itb

    Martinez
    Robbo Dias Zouma Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Button Raphina fodder fodder

    A. Son Robbo to KDB Stones -4
    B. Kane Son to KDB Werner -4
    C. Bruno Zouma to KDB Stones -4

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

      C

    2. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

    Hi guys, 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

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably downgrade Robbo to get the funds for Vardy

  15. zon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still planning on playing BB and taking a hit to strenghten the team:

    Johnstone McCarthy
    Dias Robbo Coufal Dallas Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Anguissa
    Kane Bamford Adams

    A) Salah + Anguissa -> KDB + Soucek (-4)
    B) Dallas + Raphinha -> Stones + Soucek (-4)
    C) Raphinha + Adams -> Gündogan + Watkins (-4)

    Leaning on C atm because it means dealing with Adams and getting City attacking coverage (gündogan threatening again vs Brighton)

  16. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost.

    What to do for GW19.....

    Martinez, (4.0)
    Cancelo, Dias, AWB, Holding, Mitchell
    KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Son, Jones
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    1 FT, 0.4itb

    Should I:

    A - DCL to Antonio
    B - DCL & Jones to Antonio & Soucek (-4)
    C - Kane & Grealish to Salah & Antonio (-4)
    D - Grealish, Son & DCL to Salah Soucek & Antonio (-8)
    E - Any other suggestion

    Cheers

    1. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B out of those looks best

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

    How this look for dgw. I am on (-4)

    Johnstone
    Diaz robbo coufal
    Salah soucek son bruno
    Antonio vardy bamford

    Is this -4 will be pay off by vardy and antonio.

  18. Toothless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So, this sums up GW18 pretty well:

    My highest scoring player on my FH team was my bench goalie, Ramsdale.

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

    I think I'm all set for this gameweek...

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, Dallas
    KDB (C), Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Antonio

    (Forster, Bamford, Bednarek, Douglas)

  20. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    how likely is Foden to start both of Man City's games? and how regularly do you think he will start in general?

    also, tough to decide--is Kane --> Vardy a good move for this and the next week? (Vardy of course has the 2 games; Tottenham play Liverpool after the Sheffield Utd game)

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

      Foden is one of those players I just couldn't put myself through the will he won't he week in week out. Life is for living not worrying.

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I need to make a decision about this as well. Foden in great form so logic would say he starts most of the upcoming games. However, it's Pep and no disrespect intended but you're p*ssing in the wind asking on here - nobody really knows.

      Kane has a reasonable record against Spurs - 6 in 11 games but I'd probably do that move. Leicester well rested.

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        *against Liverpool

  21. Shalom
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have to get a goalkeeper and forward to build bench boost team for DGW19, these are my options:

    A Watkins + Fabianski

    B Antonio + Ederson

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B looks better for both spots

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

        Thank you Lucky Z, I was thinking the same

  22. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one? Will bench Reguilon regardless

    A. Laca => Antonio
    B. Son => Rashford
    C. Reguilon => Cresswell
    D. Laca + Reguilon => Vardy + Srtuijk -4
    E. Laca + Grealish => Antonio + Rashford -4
    F. Laca + Son + Reguilon => Antonio + Salah + Coufal -8

  23. shapply
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    which is better? both -4

    A) Bamford + Taylor -> Antonio + Stones
    B) Dier + Taylor -> Coufal/Shaw + Stones

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

      B. Bamford could still get double figures against Brighton and Antonio could be a fitness risk. I’d also go Coufal above Shaw - Shaw is playing well but in and out of the team

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

        thank you!

  24. WG010692
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How can I get KDB in this team guys, or would you go without;

    Current DGW team 0.0 ITB

    Mendy** (4.0)
    Coufal** Cancelo** Justin** (KWP Alioski)
    Grealish** Salah** Bruno** Son* Soucek**
    Vardy** Watkins** (Bamford)

    Thanks!

  25. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best DCL replacement of the following?

    A). Antonio
    B). Cavani
    C). Watkins
    D). Wilson
    E). Giroud/Abraham

    1. WG010692
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A (If he can play 2 games and not get injured)!

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

      Short term or long term? Cavani’s a good ST punt with Martial injured, Watkins better LT option. Antonio & Watkins both good choices for this week if they’re fit. Would steer clear of Wilson (Newcastle are dreadful) and Abraham/Giroud (too much rotation risk)

  26. Donny_Rover
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Kane & Bruno -> Vardy & KDB (-4)
    B) Kane, Bissouma, TAA -> Watkins, KDB, Justin (-8) BB
    C) Kane, Bissouma, TAA -> Antonio, KDB, Justin (-8) BB
    D) Kane, Bissouma, TAA, Adams -> Antonio, KDB, Justin, Watkins (-12) BB

    Current squad:
    Martinez, Meslier
    Robbo, TAA, Dias, Stones, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek (Bissouma)
    Kane (Bamford, Adams)

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

    Morning.....Who is the best defender up to 4.8m to bench boost this weekend? Can't be West ham or dallas.

    Options seem to be slim.....

    A....holding v newcastle

    B....shaw v liv and fulham but potentially rotated for fulham

    C.....lowton v West ham and Liverpool

    D....someone else

    Thanks

  28. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you guys do this for -8? Currently no City players

    TAA, Son, Adams > Coufal, KDB, Antonio

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

      Could Coufal become Stones? Think I’d do it either way.

  29. adams_6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know the average score amongst free hit teams?

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

      At a guess 50ish

      A fail IMO

  30. h3nh3n
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    was going to BB, but with uncertainty on fixtures, I'm using my TC...