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. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    B

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oops, reply fail to Kiwi Don last page!

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

      BBs?

  2. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I bring in Sterling or Cancelo??

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      There is so much further context needed to answer that

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

        But is there?

        1. Casual Player
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Depends if you want a considered answer

          Otherwise, I’ll guess and say get Sterling

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo

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

      Cancelo

  3. Kiwi Don
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cheers, no bench boost available.

  4. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL for a hit or just play Justin?

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

      Justin

  5. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What are the cons of captaining Grealish?

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One of your players with a better fixture gets more points?

    2. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He blanks and man city beat Shu 5-0

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal scoring is good thing for Villa for Grealish

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's more to do so with Southampton being awful in defence right now

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He doesn’t get any goals or assists is the major con

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah thats my only worry right now

  6. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg? 🙂

    Johnstone
    Dias Stones Justin
    Son(C) Bruno Salah Raph Grealish
    DCL Antonio
    (Martinez, Bamford, Dallas, Coufal)

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

      yup

  7. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which ft to make this week
    1) Bamford to dcl
    2) soucek to gundo

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

    3. Rex Lapis
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

  8. GREEN JUMPERS
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who the heck to captain? I've no idea:

    A) Gundo
    B) Son
    C) DCL
    d) Salah

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently I'm on A, with B vice.

      1. GREEN JUMPERS
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Two guaranteed penalty takers, I suppose. And one plays for a free-flowing team atm.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m D atm. Witch doctor approved 🙂

  9. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you take any hit here which could payoff over the next few weeks??? (8.1 ITB)

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Digne
    Gundagon (c) Salah Bruno Grealish Soucek
    DCL Wood
    - Mitchell Coufal Brewster

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

      Depends on strategy tbh

  10. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start between Martinez and Johnstone?

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh Johnstone but probs wrong

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

      Id go Johnstone but its really close

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hate trying to pick GKs on fixtures, so I’d just have Martinez every week

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

    Choose (c)aptain
    A) Sterling
    B) Gundogan

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

      A

  12. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best 4.5 defender??

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rudiger?

  13. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Robbo Justin Dallas Cresswell
    Moh Bruno Son Soucek
    Bamford Watkins

    Bench: Vardy Coufal Anguissa

    I have 2 transfers but I want to do so many things what do you lot think I should do ?

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get some city defence

  14. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to keep 1st on bench?

    1. Holding
    2. Dallas

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dallas IMO. At least has some attacking upside

    2. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

  15. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If someone had told me in September that Gundogan would top the captain poll in GW 21, I would have thought the world had gone mad. And yet I am probably going to captain him too.

  16. pratul09
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez/McCarthy
    Dias, Dier, Rudiger, XX
    Son, Rashford, Grealish, Salah, XX
    Bamford, DCL

    Q1-
    A) Play Bednarek in 442
    B) Play Soucek in 352

    Q2-
    Play Martinez(SOU Away) or McCarthy(AVL Home)?

  17. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit for this lot? Did the popular Kane to DCL transfer this week.

    DDG
    Stones Dias Dallas
    Saka Salah Bruno Soucek Gundo (C)
    DCL (VC) Bamford

    4.0 Cresswell Coufal Brewster

    A) GTG
    B) Dallas/Coufal to Digne -4
    C) Dallas/Coufal to Chilwell -4
    D) Soucek to Son -4
    E) Soucek to Barnes -4
    F) other?

    1. pratul09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

  18. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Going to get a reasonable idea on dead teams this week - how many captain Kane and the % captain difference between 10k and Overall for Salah probably covers most of them

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

    Start Soucek or Dallas?

    1. MessiPlus10
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve own Soucek for a while and every time I start him he blanks and when I bench him, he hauls. A word to the wise, I’m staring Soucek tomorrow...

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can we persuade you to bench him this weekend?

        1. MessiPlus10
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Either start him or Coufal. Hoping for a curse breaker...

          1. Disco Stu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm actually benching Soucek for Bamford. Figure Bamford at least has a shot at a penalty, but Pool missing both CenterBacks could make it a lot easier for Soucek to head one in

            1. RedAlpha10
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Im benching Bam for Soucek, so bad luck to you

            2. MessiPlus10
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              True. I also own Bamford and I’m starting him. That’s what I’m hoping for from Soucek, he seems to always sneak in and exploit mistakes.

  20. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Everyone is capping Gundo, now he will surely blank

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

      This is what I fear tbh but he always seems to get something, when a man is on form in the best attacking team in the league it’ hard to argue against it i guess.

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That's my fear. But if I don't captain him, I will feel pretty silly if he gets a brace.

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

    Kane & Soucek out for -4; HBarnes & DCL in. Rolling the dice but this feels so so template and uninspired. Though I had the same feeling with KDB > Gundo last week. Fingers crossed

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just Kane out

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

        Already done mate. Needed a strong 7th attacker with good fixtures. Hoping for the best now

  22. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rudiger worth a punt?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wait

  23. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm not a fan of Sterling as a footballer but if can deliver on my captaincy for the second GW running, I'll not say a negative thing about him again...promise...I think

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I agree 100%. I think these gundogan captains are going to get a taste of reality

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A Gundo blank would be lovely mate

  24. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I be worried that Salah/ Liverpool played on Thursday and WHU last played Tuesday ... have two days more rest?

    Seems subtle but on 3 days rest MU was beat by SHU

    That extra little rest

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

    Salah C this GW ftw

    Who is with me ?

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

      I was but chucked out after all of like 1 hour lol

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

        for who ?

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

          Captaincy on Gundo and will probs stay there 🙂

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

      Gundogan's 18 point haul says hello

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

        I don't own him. Could've wwnt simple Bissouma to Gundogan but decided to do Werner to Kane before his game.

    3. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Salad -C but worried about having 2 days less rest than WHU

      LFC played Thursday night

      WHU last played Tuesday

      Not worried about a benching, just general team fatigue

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

        He seems like a differential this GW so I'm going for it.

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

      Captains will be all over the shop this week, so good opportunity to gamble... by selecting a 12.5 MID who has been the best fantasy scorer for the last few seasons

  26. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any other Americans here? I would watch PL on NBC networks and on Peacock (which sucks), but I recently cut the cable cord.

    Just curious how/where others are streaming the games. YouTubeTV? Sling? NBC Sports Gold? Some other way? Thanks in advance

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I see only basketball for tomorrow. I'm guessing it updates day-of?

        1. Ibralicious
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          yeah or just look up fight pass and then the fixture you're looking to find

    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      YouTube TV for the NBC games and I downloaded the Peacock app onto my Firestick

  27. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Areola
    Cancelo Maguire Targett
    Sterling(C) Bruno Son Gundogan
    Firmino DCL Antonio

    Martinez Mitchell Burke Coufal

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

    Martinez
    Stones - Robertson - Dias
    Soucek - Son - Gundo - Salah - Bruno
    DCL - Bamford
    _______________________________
    Forster: Dallas: Holding: Brewster

    Is it worth a hit to do Soucek to Barnes?
    Forever missing Soucek’s points whereas Barnes is the only one I can see a hit being potentially worth it?

    Or just stick?
    Cheers fellas.

  29. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to score vs a Ndidi-less Leicester on my bench, here we go

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Bamford sellers were hasty. Especially those that moved for Kane early lol

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benching justified depending on team though

  30. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain?
    A) Salah
    B) Cancelo