Pro Pundits - Lateriser

Which FPL forward should we choose to replace Harry Kane?

It’s been a while since I did the Burning Question format so I thought it would be a good time to revisit it. I asked the community to send me some questions and I’ll be answering a few here. Let’s get stuck right in.

Q1) What is the ideal front three if no budget constraints? @pras_fpl

Hi Pras, thank you so much for the question. Hope you are doing well. The injury to Harry Kane (£11.3m) and the lack of form of Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) has opened up the striker positions. Just a small note on Patrick Bamford, in the last four matches, he sits outside the top 30 players in the league for expected goals (xG). It’s easy to forget that he is still fairly cheap and offers value but he has a mixed bag of fixtures in the next five Gameweeks and doesn’t make my list for the ideal front three. So who does make my list?

Calvert-Lewin and Bamford the Fantasy focus as Everton host Leeds

First up, it’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m). Yes he has had four blanks in a row but it is worth mentioning that his merry men are back and as noted by Tom Freeman in his excellent article, Everton are a different beast when all their main players are playing together. Here is what Tom cited:

“Everton are a different proposition when they can get Lucas Digne (£6.0m), James Rodríguez (£7.7m), Richarlison (£7.8m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all on the pitch at the same time. In fact, in the six league games they’ve started together this season, the Toffees have scored a massive 17 goals.”

Tom Freeman

That is an average of 2.83 goals per game. In the next four Gameweeks, Everton face Newcastle (home), Leeds (away), Manchester United (away) and Fulham (home). Three of those teams are in the bottom six of the league for expected goals conceded (xGC) in the last six matches. Fixtures and the calibre of opposition when they have all their main attackers fit are the reasons why DCL is top of my list of strikers at the moment.

The next two forwards who make up the ideal strikeforce for me are Michail Antonio (£6.4m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.2m). Antonio just makes West Ham better as an attacking outfit and owners were extremely unlucky to come away with just an assist against Crystal Palace.

He should have had a lot more from the game but he looks very sharp on the eye-test, has good underlying numbers, and has a fairly decent fixture run as well. Also worth noting that in the last four matches, West Ham are in the top five in the league for Big Chance Threat (BCT) and for attempts in the box which further justifies the presence of Antonio making the Hammers a much better attacking unit.

The same can be said about Aston Villa who also find themselves in the top five in the league for big chances and shots in the box in the last four matches. They also look like an excellent outfit in attack and are capable of scoring goals against any opposition. Watkins has great underlying numbers as well. He is second among all strikers for BCT in the last four matches and sits third in the league for shots in the box in the same period.

Q2) If someone wanted to take a punt on Chelsea now, with good fixtures and a possible manager bounce, which two or three Chelsea assets would you suggest? (@PierreM80702057)

Hi Pierre. My fellow Pro-Pundit and co-host Zophar always says it is better to be late to the party rather than arriving early and realising it is a dud. As you already know, I’ve been guilty of this crime quite a few times this season and it’s one of the big reasons I’m having a poor campaign.

When it comes to Tuchel’s Chelsea, simply put we just don’t know anything about them right now. I would suggest keenly monitoring them for the next two-to-three games before jumping in because the manager is just getting to know his players right now. Let me quote from this excellent piece on Tuchel on FFScout:

“Whatever system and style Tuchel chooses to deploy at Chelsea, he always tailors it to the players he has at his disposal.”

“My role is that of a service provider, I’m here to help and support the players.”

Thomas Tuchel

It’s very early to tell who is going to benefit from having Tuchel as a manager but I’ll just say that the first game against Wolves looked really encouraging for Kai Havertz (£8.2m) who played a lot closer to goal than under Frank Lampard. That said it is very early to draw any conclusions and I’d urge FPL managers to keenly observe for some time before jumping in.

Q3) Is Man City double defence a risk now with Laporte back and raring to go? (@fpl_saffer)

Hi Kevin, thank you so much for the question and first up huge congratulations for the season you’re having. I know you’re currently in the top 50 Overall Ranking at the moment so you definitely don’t need to be taking any advice from me.

→ How many FPL points did Aymeric Laporte register across Manchester City's three Double Gameweeks?

With regards to the Manchester City centre-backs, I see no reason for Pep to change the partnership he has at his disposal right now which is why both remain good picks. I think he’ll persist with the same two in defence and you’ll probably only see a little bit of rotation due to fixture congestion and that’s about it. I wouldn’t worry about them until Pep actually makes some changes.

Q4) Who are the second best premium defensive assets (with some attacking output) behind the City boys? Liverpool, Leicester, United, Chelsea, Spurs? Or just go budget? (@FPLAlternative)

If you’re looking for a defender to pick outside of the Manchester City names, the one I’d like to recommend is Lucas Digne.

Returning Digne can help Everton's attacking assets return to form in Gameweek 20

Like I mentioned earlier in the article, Everton have a great bunch of fixtures coming up. It is worth noting he was played as a left-winger in the previous game which makes him a very enticing option and even if he isn’t out-of-position (OOP), his numbers this season have been really good.

He’s top of the league for assists per 90 (0.49 assists per 90mins) and especially with James Rodriguez back in the team and in form, I think it increases his points potential a lot. Ben Godfrey’s (£5.0m) form also means that he could potentially still be OOP for a while. Only two teams have conceded fewer goals and big chances than Everton in the last six matches so that is very promising as well.

That’s it from me for this week and I hope you enjoyed this article. Our latest episode of The FPL Wire has some more detailed information as well which you can view below in case you fancy it.

3,541 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Stones Cancelo(c)
    Son Gundo Salah Grealish
    Bamford DCL(v)

    Martin Soucek Wilson Kilman

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg?

      1. storr84
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        gtg

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

        come on Robbo!!!!

      3. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ta both

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you confident Chilwell plays

  2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain one

    a) Cancelo
    b) Digne

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neither but A of those

    2. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne if you're looking to captain a defender this week.

  3. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Realistically, what do you think is approximately the lowest rank you could have now and still end top 10k at the end of the season with?

    1. WALOR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lower than mine (I'm afraid to even look after the last 2 weeks)

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      5th

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      250k max

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah higher than that for sure

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So what rank can you be now and still get top 10k? I was 268k in GW20 last season or around that and finished 12k, 6pts off top 10k. Did play quite aggressive though.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I’d say anywhere in top mill if all chips still intact, and with a bit of luck along the way, anything could happen with more or less a whole half of a season left.

            1. Qaiss
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Maybe, just prob have to be quite aggressive in some parts and have luck as you said. But there’s so many better players now than 5/10 years ago, as well as spoon feeding, so much harder to get top 10k in the first place.

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Agree for sure, the game has lost a lot of it’s integrity and enjoyment because of spoon feeding and how widespread it’s covered now, muddied the waters too much.

            2. Alisson WondHaaland
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Top mil seems like a bit of stretch, currently the gap is 160 points between 1m and 10k

      2. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        One mil here and still hoping

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Same

    4. Hits Magnet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I jumped from 1.1m in GW 14 to 300k this week, and my 1200 points is now 99 off top 10k ..... so its achievable

  4. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Soucek or Cresswell?

    Fancy a cleansheet against Liverpool?

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      soucek if you had to play one

      1. kobewan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have to play one. don't think Hammers will be keeping Liverpool Goalless

  5. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Choose 2

    Who to play?

    A) bednarek
    B) holding
    C) coufal
    D) taylor

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A D

      1. kobewan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        goal less draw

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Taylor against chelsea?

          1. kobewan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Burnley inform, Tuchel still figuring things out.

            1. FourLokoLeipzig
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              He’s injured anyway

  6. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek to Barnes?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford to Willian Jose.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        How is this helpful?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lol it’s the transfer I’ve made.

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Jose hasn't even kicked a ball yet

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He played vs Chelsea.

          1. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Ok then! Fair enough. Still not for me unless they looked different than they have recently.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              He’ll score vs Palace. Wait and see 🙂

    2. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    3. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leeds doesn't defend very well. probably a good one

  7. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to Captain?

    A) Salah
    B) Son
    C) Gundo
    D) Cancelo

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

    3. Dwotle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    4. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C just.All good options tbh

    5. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      c

  8. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have the enough funds.
    Saka to:
    Salah or Barnes?

  9. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Transfer who out for Son:

    1. Raphinha
    2. Soucek

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      soucek

  10. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Walker RB, Mendy LB, Cancelo bench. Think we may see this unfortunately and I’m a Cancelo owner

    1. Dwotle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On what basis?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        On the basis that there’s fixture congestion and Pep will rotate

        1. Dwotle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sound.

    2. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not happening

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could very well be against Sheff Utd

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d argue Cancelo and Gundogan are the most critical cogs in Pep’s midfield, when they’re in possession.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes but against dead last Sheffield they’re not so important

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I genuinely have zero doubts on Cancelo being rotated.

          And Sheff Utd will not be a walkover.

    5. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      against Sheffield possible

  11. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please help me pick an option.

    A) Taylor, Breweter to Digne, DCL
    B) Alzate to Zaha (Also DCL)
    C) Alzate to Barnes (Also DCL)

    Marti
    Chiwell Stones Cancelo
    Son Salah Bruno Gundo
    Bamford Antonio

    Alzate* Brewster* Taylor*

  12. deadsquad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This Gundogan articles everywhere make me thinks a lot.

    Harrison > Gundogan for a hit?? Yes or No?

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yes if you want to captain him

      1. deadsquad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I just want to captain Salah though

  13. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which player is better this week?

    A) Digne
    B) Son

    Thank you!

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Newcastle's form is really poor

  14. Nightrain_
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Your thoughts on MCI captaincy :

    A) Gundo (in form but could be a 1-0 so maybe defender is a better pick ?)
    B) Cancelo (recently hauled but will he rested ?)
    C) Dias (nailed and due a goal ?)

    Thanks

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias least likely to blank but least likely to haul

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C other than KDB is nailed but won't captain him..

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All about your risk appetite

  15. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wood to DCL -4 and bench Bamford worth it?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not

  16. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL for free?

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      gtg

  17. Hits Magnet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With teams playing 3 games in 8 days I'm expecting carnage and tears with these lineups tomorrow and midweek .....

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Managers got planned everything already I think who plays and how many minutes, Gundogan for example was sub off 51 mins. last match..

      1. Hits Magnet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have Chilwell and I see people transfering him in but there could be a dufferent Chelsea 11 tomorrow ... don't know why anybody would risk transferring in one of their players with so little info ...

        At least with Gundo we know he starts this weekend ..,, and we can worry about the midweek game later

  18. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Out: Zouma + Bamford
    In: Chillwell + DCL (-4)

    Worth the hit?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And when Chilwell is benched for Alonso will you take another hit?

      1. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I didnt know this was a thing, thanks for the heads up. Have plenty of cash from KDB to Gundo, who is your recommendation?

        I have:
        Dias / Stones / Coufal/ Mitchell

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I’d probably go Zouma to Digne

  19. TopCorner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    You scores more this week
    1. Son
    2. Grealish
    3. Barnes
    4. Maddison
    5. Rodriguez
    6. Saka

  20. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane and Soucek to DCL and Son -4? Seriously don’t wanna get rid of Soucek tho especially after playing him for every one of his hauls.!

  21. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    guys which one would you do? Thanks
    a. Kane > Antonio (FT)
    b. Kane > DCL (FT)
    c. kwp > rudiger (FT)
    d. save and play coufal

    1. llmja
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

    2. Dwotle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  22. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    C on Barnes. Wish me luck 😀

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      John Barnes an excellent choice but it's the 21st century now, Woy. Feel free to join us!

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Try some new jokes old man!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          What do you call a camel with no humps?

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Humphrey
            A horse
            Skinny Freak

  23. llmja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Sterling (-4)
    B. Gundogan (-4)
    C. Mane (-4)
    D. Save and play Zaha

    Thank you

  24. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick one:
    Who to start:

    A) Martinez (Sou a)
    B) Johnstone (Ful h)

    Cheers

    1. swobe
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm torn too. Martinez atm but wish I had the guts to go with Johnstone.

    2. Dwotle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. leeboy104
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Johnstone has marginally better CS odds, but I'd still start Martinez.

    4. Hits Magnet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just can't trust WBA at this stage, their confidence must be low and I don't know if they can play for a draw at home .... the game could be 2-2

  25. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this bunch?

    Martínez (Forster)
    Stones, Cancelo, Robertson (Coufal) (Dallas)
    Grealish, Salah, Gündogan, Fernandes (Soucek)
    Watkins, Bamford, Antonio

    1 FT, 6.3 in bank

    a) sell Soucek
    b) sell Bamford
    c) sell a defender
    d) save
    e) something else

    Cheers

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford to DCL or Save

    5. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe:

      Dallas -> Digne,
      Soucek -> Son or Leicester midfielder,
      Bamford -> Calvert-Lewin

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

    7. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hey TM, so many options with money swilling about.

      Ive done Robertson + Bamford to Digne + Willian Jose. There’s DCL if WJ is a punt too far.

      Didn’t fancy Mané this week but can bring in for Brighton perhaps.

      I’d look to lose Bamford if making just the one transfer.

    8. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      As boring as it is, I would probably do Bamford to DCL with your team.

      I’ve kept Bamford and will be benching him this week. I think people are being a little harsh on an FPL asset that started at 5.5m, playing for a promoted team.

      Could do that move, or Dallas to Digne/Chilwell.

    9. jesus jesus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team - hold - hard to pick a better team on wildcard.
      Took a punt this week on my namesake - hopefully 120mins outa 2 handy matches.

  26. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which transfer is better?

    A) Dallas ->Digne or
    B) Raphinha -> Son

    Thanks!

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on if you play Dallas/Raphinha otherwise

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If I will do the Digne transfer Digne and Raphinha will play
        If I will do the Son transfer Dallas and Son will play.

  27. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GtG lads? Biggest concern is 3 Leeds

    Johnstone
    Dallas-Cancelo-Dias
    Sterling-Soucek-Raphinha-Salah(C)-Bruno
    DCL-Bamford

    McCarthy-Coufal-Davis-Balbuena

  28. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saiss owner, what u guys doing about him?

  29. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ok, Chilwell to Digne?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Huhh? Lol why? Chilwell vs burnley..

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        General sentiment is he is now droppable and also Chelsea are crap

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Nah. Keep him

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  30. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?

    A) Cancelo
    B) DCL
    C) Salah
    D) Son

    On Salah right now...but DCL with Digne, Richarlison and Rodriguez looks juicy. Everton are a good team with Ancelotti.