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

    i am 0.1 off Son & Kane >> to >> Salah & Vardy. annoying.

    Like most on here i have had my plans ruined - i had 12 DGWers before my transfers... now i'm down to 6. (triple leeds and triple saints all gone)... worst thing was i wanted Foden last deadline and only realistic option was Raphinha - (who i wanted to keep for the DGW so decided against and then he bangs.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mane and Vardy?

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

      Son is gonna haul. I can sense it

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

        oh no don't say that. I'm so torn

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

          Sorry dude, but I'm keeping. But I already have Vardy so that makes it easier

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

    Current team:

    Mccarthy
    Dallas - Justin - Coufal
    Son - Salah - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    Bamford - Kane

    Martin/Mitchell/Dunne/DCL

    1 FT, 0 ITB,

    Please, please help

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

      Gtg.

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

      i haven't been on here a while, so not sure if you'd want my advice... but you could do with one of Vardy or Antonio... (for Kane or DCL) or both for a hit!

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane + Grealish --> KDB + Antonio

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

    How many minutes do you think Cavani will get in the double gameweek?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ~100

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      120 mins

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

    Do I play Martinez or Johnstone?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Johnstone surely

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

      Martinez

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

      I would play Martinez.

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez

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

      If Martinez misses one, it'll be the first game. I'd still think New (H) is a great fixture even if he only has that one so I'd go with Martinez personally. But can see why you'd go Johnsone.

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

      Martinez

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

      Johnstone should rack up save pts even if he can’t keep CS

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

      No good unless it's unanimous

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

      Martinez easily

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

    Play Dallas or Lowton? Already playing Meslier.

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

    Liverpool's last 4 PL games

    CRY 0-7 LIV
    LIV 1-1 WBA
    NEW 0-0 LIV
    SOU 1-0 LIV

    I can't decide whether to (C) Salah or (TC)

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

      Just C for me, Clive

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

      TC..I'll probably risk it too

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

      playing against clubs who likes to park the bus against the top clubs have its effect, against MU it will be more open

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

    Apols for repost - bottomed. I think I've narrowed it down to this. Any help would be much appreciated!

    A) Mahrez, Firmino, Kilman > Sterling (c), Antonio, Mitchell -8 (allows me to hang on to Son)

    B) Mahrez, Firmino, Son > Sterling (c), Vardy, Soucek -8

    C) Mahrez, Son > KDB (c), Soucek -4

    D) Something else of your choosing!

    Martinez (Forster)
    Dias, Stones, Justin (Coufal, Kilman)
    Salah Bruno Mahrez Son (Bissouma)
    Bamford Firmino Watkins

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C, as it doesnt involve Sterling captain

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

        Ha ha. You don't like that punt? I'm miles behind in MLs and need a bit of a differential...

  8. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1 please:

    A) Justin (SOU, CHE)
    B) R James (ful, lei)
    C) Stones (CRY, AVL) (-4 hit)

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

      Justin has attacking threat. Stones might get some rotation with Fernandinho.

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

      Between B and C but probably just C.

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

      B..100%

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A, Justin has been in great form. James is solid but Chelsea are in poor form especially away from home, Stones is good too but with 2 doubles there I wouldn't take a hit for it.

      1. FPL Doctor
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

        But unfortunately it would mean benching either one of James or Justin.

        Could play them ahead of Bamford or Son - what you think?

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'd bench James easily personally

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

    Start Raphina or O’Shea?

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

      Raphinha - higher ceiling.

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

        Raph

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

      Raph

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

    What to do here? 1FT 2.3ITB

    McCarthy
    Justin, Cancelo, Targett, Mitchell
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Soucek
    Bamford, Kane

    Subs: Button, Stephens, Taylor, DCL

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

      Gotta be Son > KDB/Sterling at the very least, no?

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

        Can only do Sterling because KDB is 11.8 and the maximum transfer I can do for Son is 11.7

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

          Ah right. Personally think Sterling is a great shout for the double but others may disagree.

          Failing that, Son, Taylor > KDB, Balbuena could be decent if you can do that?

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

            Could be an interesting option because West Ham have DGW too. Thanks mate.

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

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

    A) Save FT (Start Bamford)
    B) Son/Brewster to Antonio/Soucek
    C) Brewster/Adams to Antonio/Davis

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

      a

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

    Best option for DGW 19:
    A. Son - Soucek - Vardy
    B. KdB - Antonio - Bamford

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

      B

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

        Tough one - depends who you're putting the armband on

  13. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    gtg?

    Ederson
    Justin Coufal Cancelo
    Salah(c) Kdb Bruno Maddison Soucek
    Antonio Wilson

    Steer Bamford Targett Kwp

    Good bench order? Thanks!

  14. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the re-post - Thoughts appreciated.

    Burke and Kane or Son and Adams to Salah and Antonio?

    Burke is the most annoying fodder oat but Adams will be bench fodder and will cost .6 more to keep also might price me out of future moves.

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

      I think you answered your own Q so

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Burke if whoever you keep between Burke or Adams is gonna be the 8th attacker. Unless you plan to BB soon

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

      Son & Adams out (providing you have better bench cover than Burke)

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

    Best transfer plan?

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

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

      C

  16. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which has more upside for a -4?

    A) Dier to Stones
    B) Saka to Soucek
    C) Do both for -8

    Team:

    Martinez
    Cancelo Coufal Dier
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Saka
    Bamford Kane
    Forster KWP Brewster Mitchell

    Thanks and GL all?

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

      C

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

      c

  17. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So, somehow I've come up with one more combination:

    A. McCarthy + Kane + Lookman
    B. McCarthy + Son + Antonio
    C. Areola/Johnstone + Kane + Raphinha

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

      B

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

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

      B

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all! 🙂

  18. 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?

    thanks guys 🙂

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

      Confirm and then WC option will come up next

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

        Don't know what fanteam is but fpl works like this

  19. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Chilwell Coufal
    Salah (TC) KDB Bruno Soucek JWP
    Kane Bamford

    Steer Dallas JLewis Brewster

    A)Bamford to Antonio/Watkins
    Or
    B) Kane to Vardy

    -4 (other transfer JWP to H Barnes)

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

    How many points to excpect if BB?
    Mendy Coufal Bamford Brewster
    8 8 6 1 fair bet?

  21. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rmdgw

    Fabianski
    Stones cancelo wbissaka
    SalahTC kdb Son Maddison soucek
    Bamford. Werner

    Bench: very risk move. I sold Bruno with 4 yc + Kane and bought werner + kdb

    Ty

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

    Would you bench boost the following:

    McCarthy Dallas Raphinha Adams

    Thanks.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Borderline, probably no due to McCarthy might not play and with Ings out, it makes Adams a worse fpl option

  23. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Cancelo nailed for both DGW games or will Walker start one of them?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think he is nailed for both LB and RB

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Even if Walker starts, Cancelo can play LB.
      But he's played 4 games in the past 10 odd days. So, there may be a rest. But noone can say for sure.

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

      Feeling fairly confident he’ll start both but if he sits one out then so be it

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all. Cancelo it is over Stones and let's hope for the best

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Think I'm GTG here. - 8, BB and captaincy on KDB at the moment.

    Any thoughts here?

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Coufal Cresswell
    KDB Bruno Soucek Salah
    Vardy Bamford*
    (Johnstone Raphinha* Rodrigo* Holding*)

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

    Whats the general strategy then peeps? i have had my team torn to shreds. but that is life....

    we are all in the same boat here. I am going to just plan for next 2 GWs from now on how about you lot?

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

    McCarthy to who for a hit?

    A. Mendy
    B. Martinez
    C. Hold

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

      A

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      I'm holding but he's my second keeper.

      I'd say A if you want to make the move

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

    last decision..

    Taylor + McCarthy > Justin + Mendy on bench boost for -8?

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

      I think -8 makes that just too dear

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No way

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

    Let's have a final consensus here!
    TIA

    YAY or NAY using BB?

    Bench: Meslier, Bamford, Giroud, Alioski

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

      Nah save it

  29. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I take a wildcard or -20pts in hits?

    1. The Alli Way
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wildcard 100%

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

      Wildcard

  30. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas > Stones for a -4? BB

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

      i think so

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

      Close but nah imo