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. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please help
    Should I BB?

    Martinez
    Dias Dallas Justin
    KDB Salah Son Fernandes Soucek
    Antonio Watkins

    Forster, Bamford, KWP, Phillips

    Unsure if Phillips or Forster will play and I’ve already taken a -4 should I do:

    A) Forster > Areola (-8)
    Or
    B) Phillips > Coufal (-8)

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

      Great starting XI, save BB imo

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

      Wouldn’t BB that with hits

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

      Save BB. But switch KWP and Phillips?

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

      No to BB

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

    I am thinking of getting Foden instead of KDB, so that i can get Kane to Vardy. Thoughts?

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

      Captain?

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Foden will only start once imo

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB more important than Vardy personally

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

        Thanks for the replies. decided to go with KDB

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

    Is this good enough for a bench boost?
    McCarthy, Adams, Dallas, Raphinha

    If not, thinking of these moves for -12 (effectively -6)?
    A) McCarthy to Martinez
    B) Adams to Watkins
    C) Raphinha to Foden

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't bench boost with that.

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

    Think I'm getting Areola for BB team. Only 5 goals conceded last 6 games and 2 CS

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself. Johnstone looks a better bet to me

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

        I’m with the OP, West Brom are just dire

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

        Johnstone no CS 16 goals conceded last 6

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

      Gonna go McCarthy > Areola I think, good fixtures for the next few games

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

      Areola great for save points too

  5. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My team atm. 1FT 1.7ITB

    Martinez
    Justin Coufal Taylor
    Salah Grealish Bruno Son Raphinha
    Kane Bamford

    Brewster KWP Mitchell

    Which would you choose? Thanks
    A. KWP + Son > Struijk + KDB
    B. Taylor + Brewster + Stones + Antonio
    C. Taylor + Grealish/Raph > Stones + Foden

  6. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option for DGW 19:
    A. Vardy + Son
    B. Antonio + KdB (-4 pts)

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

      A

  7. gart888
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boost with Johnstone, Bamford, KWP, Adams on the bench?

    More direct question than the last way I phrased it. 🙂

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

      Yeah I probably would. Such a shame the Southampton Leeds game was cancelled

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yuuuuup. I'd have had 15 DGW guys. 🙁

        So much planning to get to a borderline BB position.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Na.

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why not?

  8. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I've already taken a -8 to do Lowton, Son & Kane -> Dias, KDB & Antonio.

    Is Dallas -> Cancelo worth an extra -4?

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      would you be playing dallas otherwise?

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm assuming you're bench boosting, right?

      It probably narrowly pays off this week, yes. Unless pep roulette. Would you rather own Cancelo long term?

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

    Bottomed on previous page, sorry.

    A. TC (Salah)
    B. BB (McCarthy, KWP, Dallas, Raphinha)
    C. Save chip

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

      C

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

      C, unless you hear more about the Leeds game potentially being moved back.

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

      C

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

    Took -4 hit to get KdB. GtG?

    Johnstone
    TAA-Dallas-Dias-Coufal
    Soucek-KdB-Bruno-Salah(C)-Raphinha
    Bamford

    McCarthy-Adams-Davis-Balbuena.

    Cheers everyone.

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      looking good best of luck

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

      Nice side 🙂

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

      Cheers everyone and GL to you too

  11. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone (McCarthy)
    Coufal Robertson Lowton
    Raphinha Fernandes Sterling(TC) Salah(VTC)
    Werner Wood Bamford

    1st Sub: Anguissa
    2nd Sub: Dallas
    3rd Sub: Balbuena

    Here goes nothing!

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

      Nope

      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        glad we can both wish each other luck

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

          Sorry mate. Reply fail

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

      Pretty differential team. Like it

  12. Olig38
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Someone needs to help me out, I’ve got 1 free transfer this week and my squad is as follows:

    McCarthy 1 game
    Martin

    Cancelo 2 games
    Cresswell 2 games
    James 2 games
    Walker Peters 1 game
    Branthwaite injured

    Mane 2 games
    Son 1 game
    Grealish 2 games
    Maddison 2 games
    Riedewald 1 game

    Bamford 1 game
    Kane 1 game
    DCL injured

    Do I use wildcard or 2/3 transfers and if so who?

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

      You need to write your team more normal 🙂
      McCarthy
      James cancelo cress
      Mane son grealish maddison
      Bam kane and do dcl to Antonio

      No hits and play away

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

        You cant have them all

        Guessing you want kdb?

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

        This.

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

    G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno KDB Foden Barnes
    Vardy Antonio

    (Steer, Dallas Brewster Mitchell)

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

      Yeah strong starting XI

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

        Cheers

  14. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any chance of a triple game week

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

      Never say never.

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

      This season has taught us to not rule anything out.

  15. Crouch Potato
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi there,
    To enable Son to Salah (own Kane) would you prefer?
    (a) Grealish to Foden,
    (b) Konsa to Mitchell,

  16. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which scores more?

    A) KDB, Stones & Watkins -8
    B) Son, Dallas & C. Taylor

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

      A

  17. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    About to lose another 0.1 on Grealish! Bought him at 7.8. But might as well keep, right?

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

      Yes keep

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

        cheers

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

      Keep, could do well this GW.

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

        cheers

  18. SuperHam
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pulisic
    Maddison
    Raphinha (+4)

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

      + 4 points? Hell yeah!

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

    What move would you make with team below please? Really going around in circles on this one!

    A) DCL and Adams > Vardy and Antonio -4*
    B) DCL > Vardy
    C) Son, DCL, and Bamford > KDB, Vardy and Brewster -8
    D) Son and DCL > KDB and Antonio -4
    *And play BB

    Martinez, Forster
    Chilwell, Robbo, Cancelo, Coufal, KWP
    Salah, Bruno, Soucek, Son, Raphinha
    Bamford, DCL, Adams
    (1 FT; £3.1M itb)

    (Excuse repost, pages moving fast tonight!)

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D, A, B, C in that order

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

        Thanks mate - very helpful, was thinking D myself.

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

      Between A and D for me. Would lean A but both look good moves I think

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

        Thanks for reply (just pulled trigger on D), and good luck with your team!

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

    Point predictions for this gw BBing?

    Meslier, Fabianski
    Robertson, Stones, Justin, Coufal, Alioski
    Salah(c), Bruno, Rashford, Maddison, Soucek
    Firmino, Bamford, Giroud

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

      You want ppl to go through your players and predict all their points... GL with that

      74

  21. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think I should use BB here folks??? Areola, Saka, Holding, Dier

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

      Yes

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate!! I’m going for it!!! Hahaha

  22. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would you do

    A. Get 2 City Defenders
    B. Get 1 City defender + Foden

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo & Dias/Stones

  23. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Johnstone
    Zouma James Stones Coufal Dallas
    KDB Salah Bruno Son Grealish
    Adams Bamford Brewster

    Ok normally I've my transfers figured out but I'm really at a loss this week and need all the help I can get.. down to 3 options

    A) Save Ft (Start Bamford)
    B) Brewster/Son to Soucek/Antonio (Prep for DGW23)
    C) Adams/Brewster to Antonio/Davis

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

      Davis from Villa?

      1. Dexters Laboratory
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep.. straight to 3rd sub

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

          Waste of Villa slot if form picks up again

  24. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    ANyone think Sterling will play both games in DGW?

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes. He's had his rest.

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes I do

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cheers both

  25. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you take a hit to replace Justin with Stones?

    Feel like Stones could easily get 12, where as I'm a lot less confident with Justin / Leicester's cleansheets

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

      Jesus no

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, I’d keep him. I do own Stones (and Justin) though, so easy for me to say.
      Justin has 2 home games and is nice and attacking

  26. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any FH suggestions? Settled on this.

    Areola
    TAA Dias Stones Ogbonna Dawson
    Salah KDB Mane Soucek
    Vardy

    Xx ESR xx xx

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

      Like the defender approach. I’ve not fully committed to it, but I’m on:

      Mendy
      TAA Stones Coufal
      Foden Salah Bruno KDB Soucek
      Vardy Antonio

      Thinking of switching Foden to Cancelo or Dias.

  27. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any love for a Ziyech punt? Three hauls in a row when he initially returned to fitness earlier in the season.

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

      I'd rather Mount. Chelsea punt could be massive

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

    Read 2 or 3 comments and you're a page behind ..... some amount of traffic tonight

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

      pages FLYYYYYYING

  29. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you feeling a little bit punty, could Benrahma be a good shout?

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

      No way. Want players likely to play both games. He might get 1 start

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

        Ok thanks

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

    Chances of Leeds conceding tomorrow? Got Meslier and Alioski and that will decide if my BB will be worth..