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. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane and Son to Werner and KDB for a minus 8 is madness right? Right?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah Werner as a part of a -8 is madness

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

      I am considering the same but for Salah and Vardy

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

        But wouldn't do it for Kdb and Werner

      2. Patson Dabaka
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm 0.1 off this but it's the move I want to make (if a random opinion sways you at all!)

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

          It does, this site is alll about random opinions

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

      It is

  2. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can't decide on this - thoughts appreciated. No City cover otherwise

    Robbo+Raphinha+Kane > KDB+Dias+Antonio -8

    A. Yes
    B. No

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Go for it

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

      DGW Robbo out for a hit not for me

    4. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I know - not ideal but Robbo funds Dias and enables KDB who is essential now I think. Antonio is a total punt for everyone. Rap and Kane only one game. Tough call.

  3. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Already used my FT - should i settle on this or make further changes for a hit??

    McCarthy (LEI)
    Justin (DGW), James (DGW), Coufal (DGW),
    Rashford (DGW), Fernandes (DGW), Salah (DGW), Maddison (DGW)
    Kane (SHU), Bamford (BHA), Antonio (DGW)

    Bench: Ryan (LEE), Taylor (DGW), Lookman (DGW), Dallas (BHA)

  4. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any 1 going for FH?

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

      keep it for later BGW

  5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please pick one. Have Stones and Coufal as my DGWers

    A) Kane + Dawson
    B) Vardy + James for -4
    C) Vardy + Cresswell for -4

    Thanks a lot!

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

      c

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

      C

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  6. Roysgotnoboys
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio worth a punt?

    DCL & McCarthy > Antonio and Ederson -4

    Means I’ll have all 11 doubles and will TC as my bench is awful

    1. Fero1905
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he is a option for starting line up, than yes

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

      He's worth a punt but would not buy Ederson. Ruins you for future weeks.

      Buy Johnstone or Areola as your 2nd keeper to play this week. McCarthy has future doubles stored up.

    3. Puyol Self Together
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just got in Antonio myself, so here's hoping!

      Who you planning to TC?

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

    How is this -8?
    Mant to KDB ( have Salah)
    Wood to Antonio
    Bednerak to Stones

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

      Mane*

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

      Pretty good tbh

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

      Looks good

  8. Fero1905
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Antonio is now a option for for the starting lineup after haller joining Ajax? If yes, would you do

    Son + Vardy to
    KdB + Antonio

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

    -12 needed for bench boost might be too much hmm

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

      Plenty are taking -8's for just their 11.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Na, live a little.

      Forget a total of -12.

      Look at each -4 transfer in isolation.

      I was on a -12. Then looked at raphina to Barnes and did that on top to -16. Couldn’t care less about the total, looked at each transfer individually.

      Dgws are fun, enjoy the moment!

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

    g2g?
    Son, Adams > KDB & Watkins (-4) leaves 0.0 ITB

    Forster
    Konsa, Justin, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, KDB, Soucek
    Vardy Bamford, Watkins

    McCarthy, Dallas, Phillips, Bissouma

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

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

      What if Watkins was the last player back in training after covid?

  11. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0FT, 1.9 ITB

    Martinez, Johnstone

    Robertson, Dias, Dallas, Coufal, Mitchell

    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Raphinha, Anguissa

    Kane, Antonio, Bamford

    A - Start Martinez or Johnstone?
    B - Raphinha to Soucek for a -4?
    C - If no to B would you start Anguissa with a DGW or Raphinha?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A - Mart
      B - Yes

  12. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G or needs city? Debating wildcard
    Martinez
    Konsa Holding Mari
    Salah Son Bruno Soucek
    Firmino Bamford Kane

    Steele Saka Mitchell Kilman

    Cheers

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't wildcard

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

      Need at least 1 city defender without a doubt

  13. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Dias Coufal Dier
    Bruno KDB Rashford Son Raph
    Lacazette Bamford
    2.2 itb 1 ft

    Dier/Lacazette > Stones/Vardy -4 a good move?

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bench is 4.0 Holding Brewster Mitchell

    2. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seem sensible

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

    Bringing in one City defender... Cancelo of Dias?

    Or save 0.8 and go Stones?

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones or else Cancelo

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

      Stones

  15. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Fabianski play? If so what do you think of this BB for 1 hit?
    Fabianski Coufal Bamford Brewster (dont have money to upgrade Brewster)

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

      I’ve brought him in on wc so hopefully he plays haha, reports said he should be back

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you think he plays, I'd BB

  16. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, BB this? Y or N?

    Martinez Bamford Dallas Holding

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

      Yes

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

      wouldn't to be honest.

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

        😆

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

      I would for sure

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

        Sorry double post

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

      Ofc

    5. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, that's an expensive bench. Get rid of the BB and offload the cash

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Only Bam is expensive the others bought cheaply

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

      Yes good bench, what do you think of my "not as good" bench above?

    7. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Strong bench really - I mean you could end up with people playing twice and getting less points. So would go for it.

  17. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Cresswell Dias Dallas
    KDB Fernandes Son Soucek
    Kane Lacazette Bamford

    Steer Pieters Mitchell Anguissa

    1ft
    2.5 itb

    A). Lacazette to Vardy
    B). Lacazette and Mccarthy to Vardy and Martinez - 4
    C). Lacazette and KDB to Vardy and Salah - 4

    Cheers

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Kane to vardy for free?

    Don’t own son, no value tied up in Kane

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

  19. Shawcus
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need help guys on this.

    My last two spots in my team will be either:
    Mane and Kane (kdb captain)
    Salah and Lacazette (Salah captain)

    A poll from you guys would be great!

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

    Johnson
    Robbo/coufal/Dallas/kwp/targett
    Salah/son/Bruno/soucek/rafinha
    Kane/bamford/wood

    How on earth do I get city into this team? No free transfers and 0.2 in the bank. Bruno to kdb and kwp to Mitchell for a -8??

    Thanks

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm pondering Kane, Raf and Robbo to KDB, Antonio and Dias -8.
      Not sure yet though - but solves the City problem.

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't ditch Bruno that's for sure

  21. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son Laca Kane --> Salah Antonio Vardy (-8)

    Does this make sense to you legends? I am split.

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

      I think it does.. 6 points already back in appearance points only

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

      I like it

  22. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option?

    A. Son & Cavaleiro to KDB (c) & Smith Rowe (-8)

    B. Son & Cavaleiro to Sterling & Lookman (-8)

    C. Keep Son & Cavaleiro, captain Salah (c).

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

  23. humar816
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current DGW team:

    Martinez*
    KWP Dias* Coufal*
    KDB* Bruno* Salah* Grealish* Soucek*
    DCL Kane

    Need to get rid of DCL but not sure who, thinking Antonio but is 3 West Ham players too many? What about a -4 to do DCL - Antonio and Soucek- Saka

    Thoughts?

  24. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are Grealish owners keeping or selling?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keeping

  25. FredrikH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8: Kane, C. Taylor*, Nathaniel Phillips -> Vardy, Dawson, Stones

    Would give me this BB:
    Martinez Meslier
    Stones James Dallas Coufal Dawson
    El Ghazi Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    Bamford Firmino Vardy

    Any of it worth or just WC? 😀

  26. pstokes2010
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed here? Have 11 players playing a double. Worth bringing in another City defender?

    Johnstone
    Chilwell Cancelo Justin Cresswell
    KDB(c) Fernandes Salah Soucek Maddison
    Wood

    McCarthy Bamford Dallas Adams

  27. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you prefer in a draft game?

    A. Gundogan
    B. Neto

    1. Arthur Shelby
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neto.

  28. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you get rid of any of these:

    Tierney
    Holgate
    Wilson

    For any of these?

    Justin
    R. James
    Coufal
    Antonio

    Only have 1FT and thinking of BB so Holgate out is a must.

    Thanks.

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

      consider Antonio and Coufal--good upcoming fixtures and West Ham are having a good season

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

    Best option here?

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

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

      Do you have another SGW player to sell? Bamford has DGW looming so you would want him back, and he has good fixture now. If you have to then B

  30. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boosting Martinez, Lowton, Raphinha, Adams isn’t mad is it? Probably the strongest bench I’ll manage and then can start taking money out of it

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd agree - strong bench and gets it done.