Pro Pundits - Lateriser

‘Enjoy the ride, adapt and stop planning’ – FPL’s reigning India winner says to focus on the short-term

The Double Gameweeks are here.

But it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have had so many unexpected detours (a lot of off-roading) on the way, but battered, bruised and with a lot of dents, we’re finally here.

Just know that you are not the only ones facing these twists and turns. It won’t be the last time unexpected rescheduling happens either.

FPL managers all over the globe have been meandering their way through these unexpected times and you’ve just got to enjoy the ride and adapt. It’s the only option you have really.

So what do I intend to do differently? First off, stop planning. Be more short-sighted. Normally, when making moves, I look at the next five to six Gameweeks.

Instead, I am going to play for the points available and have a more short-term approach when planning my moves.

This means I’ll likely look at the next three Gameweeks when making my moves and no more than that.

Why? We could literally have unexpected cancellations and changes (Double Gameweeks) at any time. So planning mid-term doesn’t have much value in my opinion.

Secondly, and I have said this multiple times this season, I’m all for wanting to chase price rises, but honestly, I can’t say it enough, this is the season to delay your transfers as far as possible.

The fantasy landscape is changing daily and new bits of information are appearing on a daily basis, which might drastically affect your transfer strategy.

You might think that your transfers might not be affordable the next day, but when you look closer, there is always another way.

Has the recent Double Gameweek news for Aston Villa and Newcastle and the lack of a double for Leeds United and Southampton changed my plans?

FPL Transfer Traps Gameweek 6 1

I currently own only Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) from the two teams and before Blank Gameweek 18, I sold Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and Che Adams (£6.0m).

I had heard murmurs of the Leeds vs Southampton game being called off and I just don’t trust the fitness of Villa’s players and the lure of two premium Manchester big hitters was too much for me.

It was a gamble and it won’t be the last time I’ll need to roll the dice this season.

It just seems like a season of difficult decisions given the sheer number of consistent big hitters but it is what it is.

Just a small note on Aston Villa, the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at the time of writing and we don’t necessarily know how the squad has been affected.

It is a very thin squad that is very reliant on 10 to 14 players and if the majority of the first team squad is affected, I don’t know how much I’d trust them.

Keeping this in mind, their players come into the don’t buy/ don’t sell category for me until we know more about them.

Auto Draft 1

Speaking of difficult decisions, one big decision that FPL managers will likely be making this season is whether to sell Son Heung-min (£9.8m) or Harry Kane (£11.1m) for a premium Double Gameweek asset in Gameweek 19.

The one thing I’ll say is if you’re doing it to get in a premium big hitter like Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) or Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) who are genuine captaincy options, then it makes sense to me.

If not, it becomes a very difficult decision (one that might not necessarily be the right one) given their fixture in Gameweek 19.

Then it comes down to gut and the kind of FPL manager you are.

If I was to hold one of Son or Kane, at the moment I’d lean towards holding Son primarily because of the price difference.

I see a lot of people selling their Arsenal and Leeds United assets for Double Gameweek players.

It is important to not have the blinkers on for the doubles because both of these teams in addition to Spurs have very good games in Gameweek 19 and it might not be the smartest thing to sell them just to buy additional minutes in the Double Gameweek.

You need to look at the next couple of Gameweeks while making these decisions and then make the call.

A few things I have noticed in the last few weeks is that players like Son, Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and KDB have looked very tired in the last 30 minutes of games and I feel like in comparison, Liverpool and Chelsea both having some time off will play into their hands.

I’m personally expecting an upturn in performances for both of these teams in the coming weeks.

Having some time on the training ground with the full team without playing games can be underestimated and I think that will show.

It is worth noting Chelsea have all their players fit now including their full-backs and it’s easy to forget that when they, along with Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) were fit, Chelsea were creating chances for fun.

They have a decent looking Double Gameweek (both Leicester and Fulham are in the worst five teams for big chances conceded at home this season) and I quite like their fixtures in the mid-term as well.

There are some good picks in that team both in attack and in defence should you fancy it.

Some of you are wondering about whether you should Bench Boost or not.

In my opinion if you have players from the likes of Leeds who have a good Gameweek 19 fixture, I’d still use the chip and play the Bench Boost.

The case for you to Bench Boost is even stronger, especially if you have used your Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18.

I say that is the case because if you wildcard in Gameweek 25 for the Double Gameweek in 26, your bench spots will need to be likely focused on Blank Gameweek 29 and that is something to consider while you’re making your decision.

Otherwise, one of the prime advantages of having used the Bench Boost chip is so that it’s out of the way and you can focus funds on your starting 11 (plus two bench spots) rather than spreading them over 15 players.

It is very difficult to give an answer with regards to this conundrum because it is very team dependant but generally when it comes to using your chips, there will be many more mini Double Gameweeks in play the way the season is going, so there are going to be more opportunities than you think for chip deployment.

I intentionally decide to just talk a little bit of macro-philosophy with this article ahead of the Double Gameweek but all of you are aware of the numbers and the good picks so I thought it might be worthwhile to outline a few things that might not have caught your attention.

I’ve been making steady progress with my season after a terrible start.

Despite having games called off for my Manchester City and Spurs assets and despite not deploying my Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18, I’ve climbed from a 3.1 million Overall Rank (OR) in Gameweek 12 to a 1.54 million OR at present.

I was very happy to get a 300,000 sized green arrow in Gameweek 18 despite taking a hit, owning nine players and not deploying the Free Hit chip which tells you that quality matters over quantity.

If the odds are stacked against you in a particular Gameweek in terms of numbers of players, it still isn’t the end of the world because if you have the right players, you could still climb up the table.

Also, it is worth mentioning that Zophar & I had the pleasure of interviewing the creator of LiveFPL.net recently and it was a pleasure getting to chat with Ragabolly.

He’s a PHD in quantum physics and still claims to not be a genius.

He’s a very humble guy and it’s an interview worth watching if you haven’t already. You can see it here.

We also did our standard podcast of The FPL Wire where we talk about Double Gameweek 19 in depth which you will find below. Thanks for reading and good luck this Gameweek!

5,989 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Could someone please confirm price changes are at 01:30 GMT (just under an hour away)?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FFS, I reckon I've made about 100 posts in the past couple of hours and this is the one that gets top post...

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Correct

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Indeed it's that time

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all

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

    When is the Leeds vs Southampton game likely to go ahead?

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

      Still rumours it could be this GW

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

      Ben reckons GW23 is a good candidate, but it is just his well educated guess.

      https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1350127923089592320?s=19

      Unfortunately he doesn't make the decisions, haha.

      1. All about the galacticos
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        has been pretty good, wouldn't lose any leeds players

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

      no one knows, all speculation at this point.

    4. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well that's a joke if we have Bamford and Dallas on the bench coz they are single gw players at the moment?

      What do we do?

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

    FT
    Dier to
    A) Coufal.
    B) Cresswell

    Is aaron worth the extra wedge?

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

      Ogbonna if u want to save on Cresswell

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

        hmm, not that I want to save - I guess I have 5.4 exactly, and Cresswell in theory should be the most likely of the west ham defence to get attacking returns.

        Can always sell him down the line ( 5.4 seems alot for a hammers defender!)

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

    Factoring in upcoming gameweeks also, what's the consensus on Kane > Vardy for -4 (with no value tied up in Kane)?

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

      You have son - maybe.

      No Son - nope

  5. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost the following:

    McCarthy Dallas Raphinha Adams

    Thanks

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

      Not the strongest BB.. Leeds could do well though.

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

      I think atleast two of them shoud have DGW so No

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

      10-20 pts I reckon, happy with that?

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would be over the moon with 20

    4. boroie
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guessing you were pissed about the Southampton Leeds game being off. Have you any transfers? Adams to Antonio and I’d probably BB then

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Already done Kane to Antonio to fund KDB in

    5. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've something similar and fear not bench boosting, and Sou v Leeds going ahead

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

    Bottomed

    This is my setup:

    Fabianski
    Robertson, Stones, Justin, Coufal
    Salah(c), Bruno, Rashford, Maddison, Soucek
    Firmino

    Meslier; Giroud, Bamford, Alioski

    Should I hit the BB button or not?

  7. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son > Salah -4 hit?

  8. burkeyoa
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno > KDB for a -4?

    Cant get to KDB any other way and given Bruno with 4 yellow cards.

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

      Bit too punchy for me - Bruno could even end up playing more minutes across the two than KDB!

  9. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So stuck... bb tempted but probs means a -8 or -12. 1FT 0.3itb

    Johnstone
    Coufal Justin Robo
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Raph
    Bamford Vardy
    (McCarthy, Dallas, Lowton, Adams)

    A) Save
    B) Robo, Son to Stones, KDB (-4)
    C) Adams, Lowton to Brewster, Dias (-4)

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

      longer term, I like C, Dias is solid option.

      Losing Robbo on a dbl, and Son with his fixture could be rough. (but then Kdb could make it all back)

      Tough call.

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think you had brought up C before - that's a good one medium as said below

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Only thing is bench headache

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

    TC Salah this week or wait for a Spurs/City double in a later single gameweek?

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

      Based on their recent form including salah's, too risky a TC I think

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

        Yeah, hold fire

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

    Sell which one for Kdb? Really stuck

    A) Rashford (bought at 9.5...now 9.6)
    Or
    B) Son (bought at 9.1...now 9.8)

    ...Son looks to be dropping tonight and Rashford close to a rise in price soon

  12. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How do you rate Sterling as a 3xc for this DGW? I know that he's been under the weather lately, but we all know what he can do. He's bound to score at least 15-17 goals this season, and given that he sits on 4 goals at this moment, do you think this might be the turnung point of the season for him?

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

      Also the upside is enormous and he's as good differential as it gets.

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

      I'm TCing him

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

        Good luck to you, I'm also considering that option. It's between "safe" KDB option or thr risky one with Sterling.

    3. Scout15
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wish I would have the guts to do it. A bold move that could go either way...

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

        It's a decent opportunity if you're chasing, for sure. I'm weighing up whether I may actually bring him in instead of KDB (got neither ATM)

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

          I'm chasing like mad. Some 180 points behind from 1st place ib my ML. I might just do that. Cheers

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

        I know, and I'm pindering about it because I'm chasing massively.

    4. Hits Magnet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be worried that the peno miss might mess with his confidence in front of goal which is already quite shaky ..... so its not worth the risk this GW ..... you could lose a lot of ground

  13. Genji3lade
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would gets more points over the next two weeks?

    Son (Shu, Liv)
    Dias (Cry, Avl, Wba) -4

  14. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Surprised KDB is so far ahead of Salah in the capitan debate?

    Is it possible KDB misses a game due to fatigue?

    Or is he safe to capt?

    Or go with Salah (c)?

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

      I don't think that City has an alternative for him. They are KDB-dependent at the moment. I think he'll play both. Maybe Pep will substitute him if City is leading by 4-0 or something. But if the games are tight he just can't afford to play without him.

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

        So who would u capt?

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

    who scores more:
    A) antonio + justin
    B) antonio + james
    C) watkins + cresswell

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  16. Scout15
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) BB with Foden + Gundo
    B) no BB with KDB(C)

  17. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Madness to go without City defenders? Best moves?

    Martinez
    TAA Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes Bowen
    Vardy Bamford

    (Steer, Adams Dallas Mitchell)

    A) Son Bamford Adams ➡ KDB Antonio Brewster -8
    B) Son TAA Adams ➡ KDB Stones Antonio -8
    C) Son Bamford Adams Bowen ➡ KDB Antonio Brewster Foden -12

  18. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Balbuena to Stones for -8 and bench Dallas or

    Play Dallas and bench Balbuena

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What is the other hit for?

  19. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling or Foden, if I can’t afford KDB?

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raz

  20. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final, big call:

    A. On currently:
    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Tierney
    Son Bruno Madisson Neto KdB(TC)
    Kane Bamford
    6 double gameweekers

    Would you stick or FH to this:
    Martinez
    Stones Bailly Shaw Dawson
    Salah KdB Soucek Bruno Sterling(C)
    Vardy
    11 double gameweekers

    Thanks 🙂

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

    TC Whom
    A- Salah
    B- Vardy
    C- Robbo

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  22. the egyptian king
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Robertson & KDB
    B) Cancelo & Mane

    One seems safe one is exciting

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Robbo & Son & Kane > Stones & KDB & Vardy -8?

    This feels stupid with the value that will be lost

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t see that one working out tbh

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

        Yeah I know what you mean. Only way to get KDB in

  24. beso
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Calvert & Balbuena > Antonio & Stones for -4 ?

  25. John78
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone (McCarthy)
    Justin Stones KWP Coufal Dallas
    Salah Fernandes Son Soucek Foden
    Bamford Adams Vardy

    Did Kane & Rapinha to Vardy + Foden (-4), going without KDB, what do you think? going to BB too.
    Mainly because wanted to keep Son

  26. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A lot of faith being put on West Ham here. I've been stung too many times so will probably just go with Cresswell.

  27. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys just need abit of help...

    im doing a wildcard on fanteam but when i change my players and click update team it doesnt mention about a wildcard on the screen after it just lists the transfers that are happening and theres a confirm button.

    Do i need to hit confirm first or something or is there a wildcard button befor i do the transfers?

    thanks

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're not seeing anything because the second wildcard on Fanteam is not available until after GW19 double, it will appear on your transfers page as soon as this gameweek gets underway, so can only use from GW20 onwards basically.

  28. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish/Balbuena to Foden/Stones for a hit?

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish
    Wilson Vardy Bamford

    Balbuena Mitch Bissouma

  29. Sacked in the Morning
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I remove Kane to get KDB? Want KDB long term. Am BB'ing.

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Coufal, Taylor, Dias, Alioski, Mitchell
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford, Antonio

    Thinking Grealish + Kane --> KDB + Wilson?

  30. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Kane, Taylor to Vardy, Stones -4
    B) Kane, Grealish to KDB, Antonio -4
    C) Kane, Taylor, Grealish to KDB, Stones, Antonio -8

    If I do A or C, I would bench boost with:

    Mccarthy, Bissouma, Alioski, Coufal

    If I do B, I would ignore the bench boost