Pro Pundits

The best teams to target for a hectic FPL schedule

Double Gameweek fever will often take hold of even the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. Once it hits you it’s hard to think about anything else, and we often forget to plan for the future.

The Gameweek 20 deadline begins on January 26 and we’ll have the Gameweek 23 deadline on February 6. That’s four Gameweek deadlines in just 12 days.

In this article I want to look at which players and teams we should be targeting over the coming weeks, given that we’re not going to have a huge amount of time to react to between deadlines.

Leicester City

The Fixtures: Everton (a) | Leeds United (h) | Fulham (a) | Wolves (a)

With all the talk of the Premier League title race being between Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, we have Leicester casually lying in 3rd place, ahead of Liverpool. Not that it matters much I suppose, Leicester couldn’t possibly win the league could they?

In terms of the upcoming fixtures there’s a lot to like for targeting Leicester attackers.

Wolves, Leeds and Fulham are all in the bottom six for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the last four matches, although it is worth noting that Fulham have played Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in that time.

In terms of players to target, Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) is always an obvious pick, with 10 shots in the box over the last four Gameweeks, you’d expect him to cause these defences problems.

He’s also a great option to swap to Harry Kane (£11.1m) in Gameweek 23 when Spurs play West Brom as well.

Vardy does have this hip impingement which has caused him problems so we should expect his minutes to be managed where possible, and we should be careful between the Leeds and Fulham game where there is about 48 hours between kick-offs.

Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) and James Maddison (£7.1m) are the other considerations in attack.

Barnes isn’t far behind Vardy in terms of shots in the box with eight in his last four, however Maddison comes in at just three, and it’s always his lower goal threat that puts me off.

He’s creative as we know, but if I’m going to take up a valuable midfield spot with someone right now, I want them to be someone who’s regularly threatening the goal.

My only issue with backing their defence right now is trying to find value.

James Justin (£5.0m) is the standout but if you don’t already own him it feels like a big investment when you can get the likes of John Stones (£5.1m).

Now that Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) has made an appearance in the league, it’s difficult to know exactly how they’ll set up going forward.

It feels like Justin has done enough to keep his place, but whether that’s at right-back, left-back or even a right centre-back in a back three, it’s difficult to know.

Until we see another game I wouldn’t read too much into Pereira playing right-wing as a substitute, I think that might have been to provide a bit more defensive stability to see the game out with Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) both playing down Chelsea’s left side.

Manchester City

Stones produces season-high haul as City keep another clean sheet

The Fixtures: West Brom (a) | Sheffield United (h) | Burnley (a) | Liverpool (a)

If you don’t already own a double or triple up with Manchester City players then you’re probably sick of hearing about them. However the fixtures shouldn’t be ignored, and it’s not too late to jump on.

In West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and Burnley they face the three lowest scoring teams in the league so far this season.

This is on top of an already impressive defensive record which has seen them keep seven clean sheets in their last nine league games.

With an xGC of just 13.41 so far this season, the number of clean sheets is no fluke for City.

If you want absolute safety in starts (or at least as close as you can get with Pep Guardiola in charge) then Rúben Dias (£5.8m) is the one to target.

John Stones has formed a formidable partnership with the Portuguese centre-back, and looks to be nearly as nailed on.

It would be difficult for Guardiola to break this partnership even if the other centre-backs at the club were fully fit.

There’s always a chance of rotation but for £5.1m Stones is looking like a bargain.

It’s worth noting that he’s only had three shots in the box since Gameweek 10, so don’t expect double-digit hauls too often.

João Cancelo (£5.8m) feels a bit like the forgotten man right now, but in that same time period he’s had eight shots, four of them in the box and created 10 chances as well.

When you watch Manchester City in attack he’s often found in midfield and it feels like a big haul isn’t too far away, but you have to expect him to miss more minutes than the other two defenders mentioned.

In attack, I’m finding it hard to back anyone apart from Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) at the moment.

He not only has the most shots out of all the City attackers over the last four Gameweeks, but he’s also created the most chances too. He’s about as nailed on as it gets and the next three fixtures look appealing.

Elsewhere, you’re trying to bank on minutes and it’s difficult.

Even when playing, the likes of Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) haven’t impressed.

I thought we might see a resurgence from Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) as well but he hasn’t quite been at it recently. Just four shots in the box over the last four Gameweeks, and two chances created. It’s not a lot of potential with such a high price to pay, at a time where we’re already struggling to fit premium players into our squads.

The only other attacker I think I’d look at right now is Ilkay Gündogan (£5.5m). At his price he doesn’t pose much of a risk, although he does take up a potentially valuable Man City slot. He’s had the same number of shots in the box as De Bruyne for less than half the price, and has created a few chances as well. We should forget thinking about him as a deep lying player, he’s getting into the box as much as anyone else right now. It’s just whether you want to take the risk over him being guaranteed minutes, but right now he seems to be.

Aston Villa

andys-gw17-article 7

The Fixtures: Burnley (a) | Southampton (a) | West Ham (h) | Arsenal (h)

It’s quite easy to forget about Aston Villa right now considering they haven’t played in the league since New Year’s Day where they lost to Manchester United 2-1.

They’re a bit of an unknown right now, not in terms of how good they’ve been, but how good they’ll continue to be.

This whole season is setting new precedents and giving us new challenges. Seeing how a team copes with forced lockdown and training ground closures has still only happened a handful of times.

Luckily we’ll get to see their fitness against Manchester City and then how good of a performance they can put in against Newcastle before we have to start buying their players again ahead of a fairly good fixture run in Gameweek 20.

It’s also worth noting that like Manchester City, they have fixtures they still need to rearrange, so at some point they’ll have more Double Gameweeks, although we can’t say exactly when yet.

In terms of value I think they still offer lots. At the back their defensive numbers are some of the best in the league. Their average expected xGC per match is 1.14. To put that into perspective, Manchester City have 0.79 and Chelsea have 0.94.

Matt Targett (£4.6m) is the cheapest way into the defence, however he’s only created two chances in his last four matches, compared to Matt Cash (£5.0m) who’s created six. If you want to back the clean sheets though and save some money you could do worse than Targett.

In attack Jack Grealish (£7.7m) is still the standout. Even after missing Gameweek 18 he’s still the fourth highest scoring midfield by both total points and points per match this season.

No player has created more chances so far this season (55), nor has higher expected assists (xA) at 5.02. This includes De Bruyne who has played just one minute less than Grealish. Even for shots in the box, he stacks up with 31 so far. That’s 11th out of all FPL players.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) is another player that was popular before the enforced break for Villa, but I do worry about what might happen once Ross Barkley (£5.9m) is back.

Barkley was a mainstay in the team until injury and if he comes back into the side it could be El Ghazi who misses out.

We will likely get some kind of indication of this in the Manchester City or Newcastle games. If El Ghazi did miss out, Villa will be looking for another penalty taker and unless Watkins has found some confidence from somewhere they could fall to Barkley, although this is only speculation on my part.

Up front I still think Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) provides lots of value. With some doubts over Dominic CalvertLewin’s (£7.6m) fitness we are perhaps starting to run a little low on cheap forwards, with Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) and Michail Antonio (£6.3m) being some of the other popular ones.

Watkins has provided plenty of frustration to owners after missing some decent chances, but his movement is key, being able to get into great positions so consistently and having Grealish behind creating those chances. In fact, Watkins’ expected goals (xG) per 90 is 0.51 so far this season, that’s the same as Kane and higher than Danny Ings (£8.3m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) who are 0.41 and 0.40 respectively.

Who Else?

Mitchell benefits from Palace's first clean sheet since Gameweek 1

Crystal Palace face West Ham (h), Wolves (h), Newcastle (a) and Leeds (a) over the next four weeks. With Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) looking to have won the left-back spot back, he provides great value for our squads and potential good cover when needed to be called upon.

While a lot of FPL managers are likely loathe to invest in the Chelsea attack, we shouldn’t ignore their defence. As mentioned above they have some of the best defensive numbers in the league.

They’re not going through a great period right now but they do have some fixtures which should see defensive returns. They play Wolves (h), Burnley (h), Spurs (a) and Sheffield United (a) over the next four. Apart from Spurs, the other sides are all in the bottom seven for xG this season.

If Reece James (£5.1m) can prove his fitness he still looks to be a bargain, although right now Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) possibly provides a more reliable option, especially with the risk that Kurt Zouma (£5.8m) may have now lost his regular centre-back spot.

With fixtures to rearrange we shouldn’t completely forget about Fulham. They face Brighton (a), West Brom (a), Leicester (h) and West Ham (h) in the next four.

We have seen some signs of defensive improvement from Scott Parker’s team, although given the difficulty of fixtures over the last four, we will have to wait and see exactly how that plays out in the next few weeks.

Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) offers a cheap back-up goalkeeper opportunity and Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) offers a very cheap midfield option as a 4th midfielder or more likely a bench option.

He does have some competition from Bukayo Saka (£5.3m), Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) and Raphinha (£5.5m), but with Double Gameweeks at some point in his future he may be the one to opt for, especially with West Brom to play soon.

1,029 Comments Post a Comment
  1. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Salah wtf. All work for nothing.

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

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

      source ??

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

      Will come on for a haul like last time, don't worry 😀

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

      Sauce or get out

    5. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Idiot

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

        Seems legit

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

    Martinez
    Dias - Stones - Coufal
    Salah - Bruno - Rashford - Grealish - Gundogan
    Kane - Antonio
    (Johnstone) (Bamford - Bednarek - Dallas) - 1 FT

    Anything worth changing here or is it good to save transfer? Seems like a trap to bench Bamford, but don't have anyone better to drop. Cheers!

    1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      save it

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

    Salah rested ??

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

    Would be so annoying if Salah is indeed benched. Took a hit for Son to Salah, against my gut instinct.

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

      Last time he was benched he came on and got 2 goals and 1 assist in 30 mins. He'll destroy tired legs if that's actually the case!

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did the same move but wouldn't mind it. EO over 120% so his points will hurt my rank. Especially after KDB captain fail.

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

        I know. But then what was the point in us getting him then? Just a sad end.

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          At least we can keep him for the upcoming fixtures. Expecting Pool and Salah to be back in goalscoring form soon.

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

            Maybe. But this was the week to bang.

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

      Did the same took a hit and did Son to Salah but I would be happy as many in my main ML has captained him.

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am the only one in my ML who has him as captain!

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

    Lol, Salah ending my season early if he is indeed benched.

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Triple captain?

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

        Nah. Got Mane and Robbo as well, so slightly OTT.

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

      If true, pretty much everything I expect from this wretched season.

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I Tced him ffs

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same here mate

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

      This is just so sad. I feel empty.

  6. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench:

    a) Trent
    b) Wood

    Don't ask....

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

      Lol
      B

  7. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Going to grab popcorn...

  8. DGW Sane TC Fail....
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bets on what minute Matip hobbles off if he plays. Am going for 37

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Harsh! I’ll go 55 lol

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

    where is fplrockstar when you need him

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team is above

  10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Mane, Watkins -> Foden, Kane -4?

  11. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    SCENESSSSSSSSSS

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

    Zambian Witch Doctor was right alll along

    Absolutely nowhere to hide for Salah Capper now

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      'Nowhere to hide' starting to make it's way up there alongside 'we move' and 'you love to see it.'

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

      He’s a magician.

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

    People posting supposed lineups, please provide a source

    1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      wait 8 mins 🙂

  14. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Being 0.1 short for Salah and having to go for mane could work out great

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      sAME! Mane (C) Robbo TAA here!!!!

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ooft nice, brave going mane (C) hope it works out for you mate

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah benching confirmed.

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

      Sauce?

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

    ffs knew it i shouldt C egyptian fraud

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He can still haul from the bench.

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

        lol right

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well the Belgian wasn't much better.

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

      KDB cappers are trolling here eh 🙂

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Witch doctor is about tonight at Anfield?

  18. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please let Pool concede tonight.... and please let the Salah benching rumours be true 😀

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Robertson own goal followed by sending off would be beautiful.

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

        The dream....

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

    Triple City defense looked tasty even before the KDB injury. Now it looks almost too good to pass on.
    Watching their games they are by far the best defensive team, and I would start all three (Stones, Dias & Cancelo) in all GW's to come as long as they look as focused at the back throughout the whole match.

    They could win 1-0 against Pool, and can't see other teams scoring against them at the moment.
    I get why people are thinking about Sterling, Gundogan & Foden, but the wealth of good midfield options just puts me off a bit.

    Thoughts on triple city at the back going forward?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, yep and yep. Worth a hit this week? is my question though.

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

        I think it is. I am without Cancelo, and I don't think I have the nerves watching another match without him in my team 😀

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cool. Would you captain one is question 2?

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

            I actually think Cancelo is a decent (C) for next GW.
            Bruno looks a bit meh.
            Salah looks a bit meh and have Spurs.
            Maddison/Vardy have Everton
            Need to see Grealish against Newcastle, but Burnley will sit deeeeeep.
            Kane/Son got Pool.
            Don't trust Gundogan with (C) nor do I trust Sterling.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3 easy fixtures remaining

      Then it’s a tough run with added pressure from CL

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

        That's true. But I guess we'll be fine if Dias/Stones/Cancelo misses the odd game now and then if the becnh players are good.

        Not like you NEED all three to start every week, but you'll have 2-3 every GW if going 3 City defenders.

  20. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would you change in that team?
    Kdb to Son/Gundo na obvious transfer?

    Martinez
    Coufal/Justin/Cancelo
    Kdb/Fernandes/Salah/Grealish
    Watkins/DCL/Bamford

    Bench: Forster/KWP/Anguissa/Dier
    1ft 1.6 itb

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundog

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As a non captainer of Salah probably better if he's benched although he came on against crystal palace and hauled.

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

      Same here. Only annoying thing is I sold KDB to Mane before the week

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

    There is more injury news to come from Liverpool in 10 minutes. #awlfc [@MattCritchley1]

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Someone is going to get knobbled in next 10 mins?

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

    Holy cow, is Robbo benched as well? Rockstar has that in one of his replies.

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

      Check the account name. One too many of the letter 'a'

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

        Oh phew. Cheers bud. What is up with these fake accounts.

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Noooooo

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah.... Nothing for 10 hours

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

    Never wrote about sauce so much as tonight.

    Feeling I may as well have something saucy for dinner

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What kind? I like bread-sauce.

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

        I like heat so chilli is good

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which is your favourite sauce?

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

        Well the irony is I don’t add much sauce to my food, can’t go wrong with Nandos garlic sauce though

  25. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    4 mins...

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      'til midnight?

  26. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With all the TC fails (myself included) thought I would reminisce of better times. Favourite TC?

    Sanchez with one assist in game1 and hobbling about waiting for the ball to go out to be subbed....somehow scores on one leg (13pts). Gets subbed with possible injury and miraculous recovers for game2 to score a brace for another 16pts. Stuff of dreams 🙂

    1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      just check my name ...still hurts lol

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

        That was a sore one. Same as Mane season after....or dare I say it Duffy? Hahah

  27. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Main ML rivals have salah TC and I have Mane(C) Robbo TAA.

    WEEEE RIDDDDEEE

  28. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are the rumours coming from Rockstar??

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

      Yes

  29. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah benched.. Fpl_rockstar

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Official

      But if he can't be rested at home to Burnley in the winter schedule when is he rested?

  30. The Orienteer - find me in …
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BBC - 'Got some interesting team news for you shortly.' ?