Football Index

The best Football Index players to consider this weekend


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We spoke to Adam from Football Index Trader to get the latest tips and advice ahead of the weekend’s action


The football calendar is causing havoc with Fantasy Premier League teams right now, and has definitely had a big impact over on the Football Index too.

The erratic fixture calendar plus some important recent changes to the way we win dividends on Football Index has my brain working overtime. Something I am sure anyone trying to navigate recent gameweeks on FPL can understand! 

On Friday January 8, Football Index announced that “In Play Dividends” were to be removed and replaced with an as yet unknown win mechanic that should encourage more medium to longer term trading.

In Play Dividends were a simple mechanic that meant players got payouts for goals, assists and clean sheets (for a period of 30 days from purchase).

Suffice to say, as attractive as In Play was, it has contributed strongly to some short-term trading behaviour in recent months that wasn’t good for the market overall. I am hopeful that whatever FI come up with to replace it will be better for the longer-term. 

But changes like this do mean a strategy adjustment, which is worth considering…

FI Strategy

Does early FPL team news really provide an advantage?

A good tip for sustainable success on FI is never to stray too far from the original concept of the platform. FI is designed to be a longer-term, slower burning alternative to traditional betting. 

In my opinion, it is more intellectually satisfying than punting on a goal at the bookie or backing a horse. In the same way getting your Captain choice nailed on in FPL feels great – FI can be full of those deliciously smug “I told you so” moments. And they reward us with real money, not just bragging rights.

Trends come and go on FI. In recent months a combination of factors ranging from COVID to the fixture calendar to FI doubling our payouts caused many people to chase short term rewards and move away from that longer term, slower burn approach.

Those trends can (and when backed by good research – should) be leaned into. But completely reworking our player choices and extending too far away from that original purpose of FI is always very risky. It is likely that at some point FI takes steps to reinforce the original purpose of FI in those situations as they did last week.

My second tip for sustainable success would be in a similar vein – stick reasonably close to real quality players that are actually relevant to the FI scoring system and are at a reasonable price.

It’s often very tempting to chase hyped “wonderkids” or similar, and people will do this often based on little to no evidence that they are in any way suitable for FI.

This can be good whilst people are in that kind of mood, and I definitely participate when I can see an advantage, but we need to be aware that in any market turbulence such players are likely to struggle.

At least when you have quality players at value prices – you know that even if the price dips temporarily – you have a bet that is worth something solid as they can win you dividends.

We can’t always predict what the market will do week to week – but we can put ourselves in a strong position by holding good quality players. And the key to that is great quality research – something good FPL managers are no stranger to.  What FPL managers and FI traders are looking for is a bit different – but the skillset is very much the same.

My suggestion when thinking of building an FI portfolio for the months ahead would be to focus on some of the proven quality players that are strong in the existing FI scoring system and win mechanics. Many of these are at surprisingly good value prices right now. 

There is currently no need to go chasing the 16 year old “next Messi”. 

What we want is big ticket players with a Champions and Europa League campaign ahead, and ideally with a spot at Euro 2020 too.

I hope that such players benefit from the new win mechanic that FI will introduce, at least on some level. We don’t know exactly what that is yet. But given that these players should already offer value, if we happen to be putting ourselves on the right side of any new way to win, we’re doing ourselves no harm.

Example Players

Let’s pick out a few examples of players who would fit that description, and examine the reasons they might succeed or fail. To make things easier, I’ll focus mainly on a few that will be familiar to FPL managers.

Harry Kane

Werner, Son and Kane kept quiet as FPL's two best defences impress again

Strengths

The appeal of Kane for media dividends as we head towards Euro 2020 is obvious. Many traders are very short-sighted and simply getting in early whilst the price is suppressed has an obvious appeal.

In FI performance scoring terms, he’s ok, but is frequently beaten by slightly more FI suitable players. But he’s not too far away from wins as it is, and if we do see a new win mechanic that lowers the winning bar slightly it could benefit him strongly. 

It’s a small bet on the outcome of the announcement here but I don’t think it’s a reckless one because even without this help the current price would be reasonable.

Spurs also have a tasty Europa League Round of 32 match up on the way and could go far in that competition. Those late stage knockout games can be very lucrative on FI as they come with big payouts and a high chance of winning because only a few teams are competing that day.

Weaknesses

He is far from the world’s most suitable FI player and will usually need more than just one goal to get a really competitive score. But he can be explosive and is also adding a lot of assists this season.

Value

For the current £3.29 to £3.65 there are a lot of positive factors in his favour with the Europa and Eur’s on the way. Obvious media appeal. Still just 27 with years ahead. And a factor not to be underestimated on FI – just a plain old obvious name traders (and new traders) are just going to be familiar with and want.

Memphis Depay

Football Index

Strengths

Well in range of FI performance wins at Lyon. Has a potentially good move on the table possibly to Juventus or Barcelona most likely at the end of the season which could combine nicely with optimism for him as Holland’s leading man at Euro 2020. 

Weaknesses

Not many, still just 26. He’s playing below his potential right now yet is still in contention. He’s fine at Lyon, a move to Juventus or Barcelona probably only improves him.

Value

Fantastic value at £1.48 to £1.74, with the only dampener the lack of European competition this season. But you don’t always need to tick every box, just enough. Euro 2020 gives a nice late season reason to hold.

Mason Mount

Mount has massively improved this season in underlying FI numbers. In the past on FI, people were far too optimistic well before he was ready. Now? They are likely too pessimistic. And he looks ready.

Strengths

Looking very strong for FI scoring these days. We have seen one performance win this season but he’s unlucky not to get more. Poor Chelsea form hasn’t helped, and his goal output needs to improve. He gets plenty of chances though, far more than his current scoring rate would let on.

Weaknesses

If he can just improve his finishing he could be a regular FI competitor. And such players at big EPL teams and in the England set up are rare. And potentially very valuable.

Some uncertainty around a possible new coach coming in, but it would seem harsh to sideline him after good performances this season.

Value

Still young and available between £1.18 to £1.34 I think he is a bargain. There are of course risks – what if he doesn’t start finishing the chances he gets? What if Lampard is sacked and a new coach doesn’t fancy him?

But if he did reach his FI potential as a Chelsea and England regular I don’t think he’d have any problem clearing £4. So a good balance of risk reward here in my view.


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800 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Loving my team this week but is Romeu back? I see McCarthy is back in training.

    Either way stick or switch to Anguissa or ESR for BB this week and future bench fodder?

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

      ESR looks good value for a fodder, the next Soucek? 😆

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

    BB with Meslier Bamford Mitchel and Lookman ?

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

    DCL/Taylor -> Antonio/Dias -4 and BB this?

    Martinez Johnstone
    Stones James Coufal Dallas Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    DCL Kane Bamford

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

      100%!

      Would you take a -4 for Kane and Brewtser to Vardy and Antonio and BB this?

      Johnstone Meslier
      Justin TAA Maguire Dias Coufal
      Salah Bruno Son Soucek Gundogen
      Bamford Vardy Antonio

      1. boombaba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        YES

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

        Cheers and Yeah i would mate, for sure.

    2. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quite like it tbh

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

        Cheers

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

      YES

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

        Cheers

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

    Best replacement to Zaha long-term for 7.3 million?

    A) Foden
    B) Gundogan and save a lot of money ITB
    C) Maddison
    D) Barnes
    E) Mount
    F) El Ghazi and save a lot of money ITB

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

    Dbl WHU defence , Cresswell & Coufal? Yes or No

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a bad shout.

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

      yes

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

      Think it's a good option.

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Solid

  6. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got a FT, would you move out any of these SGW players? Going to BB

    LENO (Johnstone)
    Dias Stones AWB (Coufal DIER)
    SON Kdb Fernandez Soucek (SAKA)
    KANE Wilson Bamford

    Kane > Vardy can be done for free obviously. I can’t do Saka > El Ghazi or anyone else cheap as only got £0.2m ITB. Anything worth a hit?

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kane to vardy looks good. Can try Wilson to Antonio too. Otherwise a great team for BB

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

      which combo scores more?

      A - Foden Raphinha Werner
      B - Gundog Son Antonio

      1. GS456
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

      2. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

    3. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A) Kane & Son > KDB & Vardy -4?
      B) Just sell Kane and fund KDB in for Romeu?

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

      repost
      DDG Areola
      Cancelo Stones Coufal Lowton (Tierney --> Cresswell?)
      KdB Bruno Rashford Soucek (Son --> Salah?)
      Wilson (Laca --> Antonio?) Bamford

      Assuming Tierney is out:
      A) Son + Laca + Tierney --> Salah + Antonio + Cresswell (-8)
      B) Laca + Tierney --> Vardy + 4.6m def (-4)
      C) Tierney --> Cresswell (FT)
      D) Something else?

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

      Good morning/afternoon (wherever you are in the world).

      Some help please:

      (A) Play Son & Bamford/James (don't think James plays both); Salah (c)
      (B) Son, DCL -> KDB (c), Robinson (-4); play James or Robinson
      (C) Punt: Son, DCL -> H Barnes, Vardy (-4); Salah or Vardy (c)

      Someone please convince me out of C. Just think there is a risk KDB is benched for one and I think Vardy is nailed.

      Cheers

    6. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What's the feeling on Antonio? Is he likely to start both or.....?

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Will start, just dont know if he has the match fitness for x2 90 mins - but we dont have anyone else!

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well know more a bit later.

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

      Still not Confirm but about that ?
      Martinez (Forster)
      James, Robbo Stones Coufal
      Salah © Bruno Foden Soucek
      Kane Vardy
      Mitchell Bissouma Bamford

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

        Help Help Help

      2. Vlekz
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What's the question?

      3. wagner is king
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        will stones play both or shall I just play holding and save the -4 points.
        if he plays both then might be worth the risk as it sets me up nicely long term

        1. boombaba
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          no other fit CBs worth playing so yes

      4. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Moyes press conference in an hour. Waiting on Fabianski and Antonio updates.

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

        Sou(c)ek!!!

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Serious?

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

            70%

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Love it.

      6. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What would you do here? Play BB or TC or nothing?
        Have 3.0itb to afford Kdb for Son/Rashford or any other moves?

        Johnstone
        Balbuena - Coufal - O’Shea - Justin
        Salah - Son - Rashford - Bruno
        Watkins - Bamford
        (McCarthy - Adams - Raphina - Alioski)
        (1FT & 3.0itb)

        1. Marcin the Pole
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Son to KDB, Adams to Antonio and BB.

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

        Can you WC and then BB?

        1. Marcin the Pole
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not in the same gameweek.

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

            ye didnt think so

      8. Marcin the Pole
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Advice appreciated here!

        A) Vardy + Gundogan
        B) Adams + Son +4
        C) Grealish + Antonio
        D) Foden + Martial/Werner/Antonio

        Leaning towards A atm.

      9. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do you think Raphina to Foden is worth a -4? Would have KDB as well

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

          nope

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

            Cheers

      10. SM001
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Is it worth playing BB with this team in DGW19. Played WC in GW16 to bring in these players for the DGW. Now with Leeds having only 1 fixture i'm not sure about playing it?

        Fabianski
        BUR (H), WBA (H)

        JustinSOU (H), CHE (H) / Cancelo CRY (H), AVL (H) / Alexander-Arnold MUN (H), BUR (H) / Cresswell BUR (H), WBA (H)

        Barnes SOU (H), CHE (H) / KDB CRY (H), AVL (H) / Fernandes LIV (A), FUL (A) / Soucek BUR (H), WBA (H)

        Watkins MCY (A), NEW (H) / Vardy SOU (H), CHE (H)

        BENCH
        Martínez MCI (A), NEW (H) / Bamford BHA (H) / Raphinha BHA (H) / Alioski BHA (H)

      11. Invincibles
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        McCarthy
        Stones* Cresswell* Justin*
        KDB(c)* Bruno* Gundogan* Salah*
        Bamford Kane Antonio*

        Any hits or G2G?

      12. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Getting Kdb means losing Son,

        But do I really want to lose a guy who could have scored 3 times even though playing badly as a team vs a good Fulham side, with an ownership above 60%...

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

          Same dilemma
          Don’t know how to get de bruyne
          The only way is to get son or kane out

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

          Same dilemma here...

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

          I sold Son for Salah, I'd rather have the player with 2 fixtures

        4. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          City really doesnt look like scoring a lot of goals lately, and KDB's finishing has been very poor this season. Palce and Villa are quite good defensively as well, but there's always a risk of KDB hauling big.

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

            Need KDB after GW19 anyway, great fixtures

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

              Thats the thing swaying it for me.

              But if I go without KDB I could BB a pretty strong bench for the same hit as getting him.

              If Salah and Liv were in form it wouldnt be so hard and Salah would be easy Cpt instead of kdb.

          2. Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah cant have them all, but Kdb will be a big cpt this gw. Not owning can be damaging

      13. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who will score more points?

        A) vardy grealish foden
        B) antonio de bruyne elghazi

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

          A

        2. Monya Meow Meow
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Tight but A I think

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

        Bamford (BHA) or Wilson (ars, avl)?

        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wilson but not a lot in it

        2. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Prefer Bamford.

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

          Bamford

        4. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bamford

        5. Marcin the Pole
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bamford

      15. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ferran Torres -> Pulisic for -4? hard to predict Torres minutes

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nah.

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

          Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

        3. The Road to Turfdom
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yep cheers guys not a sensible one that on reflection

      16. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Play Ayling or Targett?

        Or ditch one of them for Dias (-4), benching the other?

        Already own Cancelo.

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Play Targett

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            No worries about the YC threat?

            1. Ozzy smith
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Hmmm yeah forgot about him. Tough one that mate, I think each option has merit.

      17. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A) DCL + Son to Vardy + Soucek (-4)
        B) DCL + Holding to Antonio + Stones (-4)
        C) DCL to Antonio

        Any thoughts on selection and bench order would be much appreciated.

        Martinez
        Coufal Dias Holding
        Salah Bruno KDB Son Neto
        Watkins Bamford
        (Steer Dallas KWP DCL)

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

          B

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

          I like B of these.

        3. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you do B who are you benching? Neto?

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Reluctantly yes. He's benched in all options.

      18. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Advice on this lot, was set on BB but with posponement of leeds and southampton I'll have to rethink. Best option for my team ?

        Johnstone*
        Robertson*Cresswell*Coufal*
        Son raphinha Salah*Bruno* Soucek*
        Bamford Vardy*

        Mccarthy Dier Adams Ayling

        A. Dier and Ayling> Cancelo and Stones -4 (use BB)
        B. Son and Robertson > KDB and Cancelo -4 (no BB)
        C. Son and dier > KDB and mitchell (no BB)
        D. Raphinha and dier > Foden and Stones -4 (use BB)

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          B

        2. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          C. Wouldnt remove Robbo.
          And have a feeling cancelo will rest one game.

      19. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cresswell or Stones for the DGW?

        Rotation of Stones bugs me

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

          Stones

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

          cresswell

          Stones wont be rotated, no other CBs

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

          What rotation?

          I prefer Cresswell, but not put off by city rotation in defence.

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

          Stones looks nailed on.

        5. Invincibles
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I have both. Defo cover City defence - cresswell a bonus.

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

        Best goalkeeper going forward?

        A) Mendy
        B) DDG
        C) Fabianski
        D) Martinez