Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Double Gameweek 19

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Double Gameweek 19 ahead of today’s 11:00 GMT deadline.

The fixture schedule has shifted once again. Like a surreal game of Grandmother’s Footsteps, it’s moved every time you turn to look at it. 

Aston Villa lost and regained their Double Gameweek in a matter of hours, although they now face Newcastle United instead of Everton in addition to Manchester City. But the clever fixture juggling did not extend to Leeds United and Southampton, with their upcoming midweek game postponed to accommodate Southampton’s rescheduled FA Cup tie.

During these testing times, we can expect further changes with little warning.

In a letter sent last week, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters alerted clubs that they should plan for more matches being postponed or rearranged at short notice. And a joint statement from the Premier League, FA and EFL, restated the desire to complete the season in May.

So, who knows what twists and turns await? Could we yet see Leeds vs Southampton rearranged for Gameweek 19?

Shrewsbury, already without their manager Steve Cotterill for Tuesday’s tie, may suffer more ill-effects from coronavirus (COVID-19), or, by some miracle, could the Shrews beat Southampton on Tuesday? However unlikely, Leeds and Southampton would then both have a free weekend slot.

But that might be taking ‘Fantasy’ football a step too far. Sticking with what we know, here’s Legomané’s updated fixture ticker:

‘TBA’ fixtures Possible Gameweek Slots
Aston Villa v Everton24-to-28, 30-to-34, 37
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur 26, 32, 37
Burnley v Fulham24-to-28, 30-to-34, 37
Everton v Manchester City24, 26, 27, 32, 37
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur26, 32, 37
Leeds United v Southampton24-to-28, 30-to-34, 37
Manchester City v Southampton24, 26, 27, 32, 37

Triple Gameweek Scenario

Future Double Gameweeks, and possibly Triple Gameweeks, await Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

The two sides contest the EFL Cup final (coinciding with Gameweek 33), and are both still in the FA Cup and European competitions: should they progress to the latter stages, Spurs will potentially have to squeeze five matches into three available Gameweek slots, and Man City would have to fit five games into five free slots.

So no COVID-19 leeway and additional fixture shenanigans could lie ahead.

To Bench Boost or not to Bench Boost?

After the latest changes, a question facing many managers – and one tackled by our Scoutcast trio of Joe, Seb, and Karam – is now that Leeds and Southampton don’t have two matches in Gameweek 19, is it still worth using the Bench Boost?

The thing is, if you already Wildcarded in Gameweek 16, and you set up your team to Bench Boost, you need something bigger than this to back out from it. Because it’s one of the chips that if you don’t do it now, you will wait for another chance [and] you might have a lot of funds remain on your bench.

– Karam

Leeds-fan Seb added:

Ideally I want to be Bench Boosting all 15 players for double, unless someone crazy has got a great fixture, [but] often they might be more expensive, so typically you’re going to have medium to cheap assets on the bench, that’s the goal … On Leeds, so I think if you’ve been forced into this a little bit and you still want to use that Bench Boost, it’s not terrible. They’re playing Brighton at home … if you’ve got Bamford, Dallas, and Raphina on your bench maybe that is a Bench Boost – Bamford could score three!

However not all managers feel the same. Pro Pundit Az has been reduced to eight Double Gameweek players, scuppering any hopes he had for using the chip.

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.

Instead the co-host of FPL BlackBox is contemplating using his Triple Captain. But Manchester United go to Liverpool with Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) a booking away from a one-match ban, and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is out of form. Although both sides have favourable second fixtures against Fulham and Burnley respectively.

Buying Manchester City Players

The other challenge facing Az and those like Pro Pundit Darren Wiles, who used their first Wildcard late to set up a Gameweek 19 Bench Boost, is how to accommodate Manchester City players?

The Citizens didn’t feature in Darren’s original plans, given that they had just a single Gameweek before their fixture with Aston Villa was rearranged.

But they’ve since come into form with an eye-catching 3-1 win away to Chelsea, and Pep Guardiola’s side have now kept six clean sheets in their last eight matches, giving them the best defensive record in the league.

Ahead of enticing homes matches against Crystal Palace and West Brom, Jan Sienkiewicz sides with the captain poll in backing De Bruyne with the armband:

De Bruyne is a truly world class player and it should be only a matter of time before he matches his outstanding underlying statistics. With two home games against non-top-six sides, Manchester City should continue their winning run and De Bruyne is expected to be at the heart of the action.

All this leads Darren, in his latest article, to contemplate a minus 12 to bring in Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m), Rúben Dias (£5.8m), John Stones (£5.0m) and Michail Antonio (£6.2m) for Harry Kane (£11.1m), Marcus Rashford (£9.6m), Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.8m) and Fabián Balbuena (£4.4m).

I am not rushing into any decisions but I feel multiple hits could be on the cards in order to get two or three Manchester City players in prior to the Double Gameweek and as part of my long term thinking.

– Darren

But the Live Hall of Fame No 2 remains undecided on whether to use the Bench Boost as it would include players like Che Adams (£6.0m), who is available for selection after recovering from concussion.

Tasty Transfers

In direct contrast to Darren’s multiple hit, Former FPL Champion Simon March used Marshmallows to demonstrate that patience is a virtue.

A graduate in behavioural economics, Simon referred to the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment in which children were given the choice of eating a marshmallow now or instead being given a second marshmallow in 15 minutes.

When they followed up 10 years later, the scientists found that the children who delayed gratification and waited for the second marshmallow, had scored better in their SATs, performed better in school generally and even had healthier BMIs.

Pro Pundit Simon likened this to wise FPL managers who save their chips for later in the season (traditionally the better time to play them), and the benefits of rolling a transfer.

Aside from giving you more flexibility in who you can sign, potentially shifting funds to different areas of your team, it also buys you an extra Gameweek of information and more thinking time.

Fantasy Favourite

A player both Darren and Az are tempted by is Michail Antonio. West Ham enjoy an appealing pair of fixtures in Gameweek 19, at home to Burnley and West Brom, but the question mark, as ever, is over Antonio’s fitness.

Ted Talks FPL offered some encouragement, observing that:

With Haller joining Ajax, West Ham must be confident that 1.9% owned Antonio must be back to full fitness, certainly in the short-term. He looks to be an excellent pick for Double Gameweek 19.

Pro Pundits Tom and Andy agreed, giving the Hammers striker the nod:

Michail Antonio is a bit of a favourite of mine and now he’s fit and got through 90 minutes I can’t leave him out. He’s averaging 0.47xG per 90 minutes so far this season. It’s down on 2019/20, but still excellent given his price. – Andy

I’m also backing Michail Antonio. Though he looks short of match fitness, he needs games, and as West Ham United’s only recognised striker, should see enough minutes across the two fixtures. – Tom

While Big Man Bakar, who was looking dashing in pink on the latest installment of The FPL Wire, reminded us of Antonio’s excellent early season form, despite the tricky start.

But is it too soon to take the plunge?

Team News

Frustratingly, as Colm Hayes noted in his press conference round-up, David Moyes did not provide a specific update on his injury-prone centre-forward, leaving Fantasy bosses wondering what to do.

In other news, Anthony Martial (£8.8m) and Pedro Neto (£6.0m) are doubts after suffering knocks in Gameweek 17. But both may still feature this weekend.

And Joel Matip (£5.4m) could return to Liverpool’s backline depending on how well he does in the next two training sessions.

Finally, new Fantasy Football Scout writer Jamie, ran the rule over Manchester United’s latest signing Amad Diallo and assessed the impact Robert Snodgrass (£5.7m) could make under Sam Allardyce at West Brom.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning rounded-up the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions in a hot topic yesterday.

The January to May League, which started scoring in Gameweek 17, remains open for those who want to track their progress until the end of the season. The code to join is h62bh1. The current leader is Denville Tyrell, who has risen from 29,903rd to 5,121st in the last two Gameweeks.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 19 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

5,142 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fpl_tp95
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son and Robbo to KDB and a dgw defender for an overall - 12. Worth doing?

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

      No

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

      Ew

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -12 to get rid of a dgw defender and son seems crazy to me

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

      Only if you are on BB

      1. fpl_tp95
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good, I agree haha, but very worried about not having kdb. Will be bench boosting with 12 dgw players

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

      never take a -12

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

    Grealish, DCL, Bissouma > KDB, Soucek, Brewster for -8. Yes or no?

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

      Yes but can you not do better than Brewster, he is shocking or is that all the funds allow you?

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

        That's all funds would allow unfortunately. If anything, he'll not be part of the starting 11.

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

      Yes

  3. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Your help is needed please

    For the next few GWs pick 1 pair

    KDB & Smith-Rowe
    Rashford & Saka

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      A

    2. D1B
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB & Smith-Rowe but I hope you don't have to play SR every week

  4. D1B
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's up peeps. Gonna BB this week and looking at 3 different options for transfers.

    A) Shaw, Anguissa, Werner -4
    B) Cancelo, Anguissa, Martial - 4
    C) Cancelo, El-Ghazi, Watkins -8

    Rest of team is:
    Martinez, Forster (Could swap to Johnstone for another -4 with A or C)
    Chillwell, Stones, Cresswell, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, KDB, Soucek
    Bamford, Wilson

    Thanks for the input. Open to other suggestions too, especially on El-Ghazi replacements for < 7.2 in C

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

      I wouldn’t do C - not sure how the Villa team have been affected by Covid and also Watkins just isn’t a good pick - he’s not producing enough even if he’s getting chances.

      1. D1B
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I really don't like Watkins either, but can't get Antonio because already have 3 WH

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

          Not a fan of Fulham players and Martial is also being monitored.. maybe one to hold?

          1. D1B
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cavani is an alternative to Martial but I have a feeling Martial will start

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

    Vardy will party this week

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

      Its possible

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

    Would you BB with 3 single GW players of Bamford, Dallas and Adams, with no playing goalie ?

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

      Nah save it.

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

      No

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

      Prob not

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

        Thanks all

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get in WH GK and then I would

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

    No salah or soucek I am pooping my pants

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

    Would you BB this Team? 😀

    Johnstone

    Zouma Chilly Dias
    Salah(c) Son Bruno Soucek
    BamBam Vardy Antonio

    McCarthy Coufal Targett Raphna

    Thanks

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

      I’d hold mate

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

      No

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

      Ripe for a WC 😉

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

        😛 you BBing jaf?

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

          Played my WC....team was a mess 😛

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

            using TC? had planned for DGW 19 4-5 weeks beforehand but the cancellation of Leeds and soton games have ruined my team... this season is pure luck... took some hits to remove adams,taylor and playing BB 😀

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

              can't TC.. my bad... as yah already used one chip..

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

              Good luck, Chucko, yeah this season is pure lottery 😛

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

      No KdB 😮

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

      No Kane 😯

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Greally 😮

    7. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

    8. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Double CHE def 😯

    9. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Ollie Watty 😯

    10. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Your team looks good, but save BB

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

        using it.... Raphina monster haul inc...

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

    Chasing and decided to punt with Sterling (c). He’s also only city I own, tell me this won’t end in tears.

    McCarthy
    Robbo Dallas Justin
    Salah Sterling ElGhazi Bruno Soucek
    Bamford Vardy

    Button Targett Balbuena Davis

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      At least he wont take the penalties again.

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

        that’s good, I’ll avoid those minus points then

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

      If it makes you feel better, I’m pretty certain he must be guaranteed two starts in a row now after being rested last game. Should start both fixtures.

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

        frankly this is the reason having him instead of KdB who’s looked exhausted

  10. h3nh3n
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    bench Grealish for Bamford?

    Don't trust him on 4 yellows...

  11. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain

    A) Bruno (4 yellows)
    B) Salah (bad form)
    C) Cresswell (left-footed Shane Duffy)

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

      Salah

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The little dancer

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

    What do u think guys?

    Bruno-> KDB for -4 ?

    Yay or nay

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

      Nay. Can see KdB getting a complete rest one game

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      Yes

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

      never

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

      Not for 4pt hit, he is a risk Bruno on suspension. KDB may not play both matches

  13. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones or Reece James?

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      James for long term only.

  14. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi will Gundogan play both games this week & good pick ?

  15. Crazy RedDevil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kdb TC?

    1. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would worry that if he was too tired to take a penalty he may be too tired to play two games.

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

      Or vardy TC?

  16. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you Bench Boost this?

    McCarthy Dallas, Raphinia, Adams

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

      Similar problem and thinking if I'm in doubt, hold...

    2. D1B
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends if you want to sell some of those soon. With 4 playing players I think it's worth it, but depends on your future transfer plans

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

    Would you BB this?

    Areola, Tierney, Smith-Rowe, Kilman

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

      Nah

    2. D1B
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

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

    Had planned to BB before Leeds v Southampton pp. Would you still do so with this bench. 1 ft and 0.7 in bank.

    Meslier / Holding / Smith Rowe/ Walker Peters

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

    1) Bench Boost
    2) TC on KDB
    3) Save Chips

    Team:
    McCarthy
    Justin, Stones, Coufal
    KDB (c), Son, Bruno, Soucek
    Bamford, Wood, Vardy (vc)

    Subs: Ramsdalex1, Dallasx1, Lowtonx2, Sakax1

    1. D1B
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3

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

      3

  20. dandalf
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you Take - 4 and take Mitchell out for Reece James and Bench boost this?

    Martinez, Bamford, Dallas, Adams,

    I Could also take - 4 and bring in Cancelo/Dias and use bench boost for this:

    Martinez, Bamford, Adams, Mitchell,

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

      First option looks better, if we have to choose between the 2 above.

  21. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A : Cresswell, Cavani
    B : Chilwell, Antonio

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

      B

  22. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more?
    A. Saka
    B. Barnes -4

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

      B

  23. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Starting 11 and bench ok?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Konsa
    Salah KDB Bruno Soucek
    Vardy Bamford
    Meslier Anguissa Adams Taylor

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

      Who captain?

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mo

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

    Start 3...
    A - Son (shu)
    B - Bamford (BHA)
    C - Soucek (BUR, WBA)
    D - Targett (mci, NEW)
    E - Watkins (mci, NEW)

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

      A C E

  25. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Reguilón starts?

  26. Steager
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB ;

    Areola, Bamford, Lowton, Smith-Rowe

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

      Y

  27. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My ranking is 2 million, Ziyech TC? Nothing to lose at this stage

  28. Ejaaz11
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My bench is

    Johnstone. Holding. Bamford alderwiereld

    Should I bench boost?

    Is it worth transferring out for a hit alderwiereld for Justin?
    (I can't yet another city, United or west ham defence)

  29. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are the chances of Shaw playing twice lads?

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

      50%

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

        Ha - ideal

  30. Davidwes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son and TAA to Reece james and KDB for a -8?