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. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saints are without KWP, so What do you guys think of the prospect of Targett in this match? He should have lots of joy on that side as we saw against BUR against Pieters.
    So, should you start him for Soucek this week?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

    Captain Salah or Gundogan?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G

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

      G

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

      G

  3. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Sterling or Salah?

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

      Sterling

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

      Sterling

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

    Start one:

    A) Soucek
    B) Dallas

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You got to go A.

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    A) Rashford -> Rodríguez (Wood benched)
    B) Rashford -> Barnes and Wood -> DCL (-4) (Either Lookman or Bamford benched)

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

      Hold Rashford till 25

  6. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo likely to play the next 2? 4 matches in 13 days with the last being Liverpool. Walker back and pep praised zinchenko

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cant really predict, having a bench cover is an easy solution.

      They need his creativity I guess, less chance of benching.

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! If I didn’t already have 3 city I’d definitely get him. More thinking if whether or not Dias to him is worth it and maybe even captaining

        His creativity has helped city but they should be able to win without him so he can be rested for Liverpool

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3/4

  7. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford Dallas to DCL Digne?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      Hell yes

  8. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start
    A) Wilson
    B) Soucek

    Already starting Antonio

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably A

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just need a pen or Pickford blunder. Liverpool has still been fairly good defensively and soucek won’t be able to get into the box as much

        1. dark91
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fair enough. Thanks

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A. Striker and on pens.

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

        A

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Going by Ancelotti's comments is he set to revert to his original formation? It would mean Digne no longer oop.

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Link?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Team news and tweet section.

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

    Repost:

    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. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell ahead of Dallas and GTG

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’d start dallas. No vardy and very attacking

  11. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help please 🙂

    Martinez
    Dias, Robertson, Cancelo
    Salah, Fernandes, Grealish, Gundogan
    Adams*, Bamford, Antonio
    Johnstone | Mitchell, Coufal, Bissouma

    A) Good to go
    B) Bench Adams play Mitchell
    C) Adams -> DCL (-4)

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

    Which Arsenal defender will partner Holding against United?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Luiz fit?

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think it'll be Luiz. Started the last 3 and has looked pretty solid.

  13. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Holding it Chilwel for -4?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Or*

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Other defenders? Depends on if it would also be helpful for future gws

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Likely long term Cancelo Stones Robertson other defs

        Kane starts but he prob won’t play

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It’s a tough call. That’s a lot of money in defense if only playing 3 atb most gws so probably not although Chilwell does have great fixtures coming up

          1. Clintymints
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yep prob not worth the hit but Kane ain’t playing, cancelo will miss one and Robertson ain’t keeping a cs

            Lots of angles

            1. Bad Kompany
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Some good points. I’m now starting to be convinced it is worth it. The extra money isn’t a problem now but it could be down the road

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

    Pick one to play

    A. Bamford

    B. Soucek

    C. Targett

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      A

  15. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain:
    A) Mane
    B) Gundogan

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundogan

  16. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cresswell or Kilman as 1st sub?

    Would you do Dier to Digne or hold Dier till WBA game atleast?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dier has to go. For Chilwell or Digne. If keeping Dier i'd start Cresswell.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, I do have cash for Dier to Digne. Just not sure whether dropping before Brighton and West Brom game is a good idea.

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Id do it. No attacking threat whatsoever. 6 pointer if anything.

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell first sub. Hold dier.

    3. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably we have the same defense. I've done Dier to Cancelo

  17. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo captain. Really... we're all doing this? Tells us so much about this crazy season ... fear of missing out by not captaining a 5.5m mid ... brilliant stuff ... I'm looking at my team and thinking WTF ... C Gundo it is.

  18. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dier gone asap after last week

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Re: Holmes

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      why? poor defending?

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Very

        Plus their star Defender Kane isn’t there

  19. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Wood or Bamford?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam

  20. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    A) Dallas
    B) Bednarek

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  21. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundog captain
    Switch it to DCL?????????????????????????????

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      aaniyaaaaaaa

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

      Yessss

  22. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chilwell or Digne?

    Leaning towards Chilwell.

    1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tuchel may prefer Alonso in WB role

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

    Cap

    A. Gundo
    B. Sterling

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raz

  24. tyron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo (c)
    Sterling (vc)
    Or the other way around?

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

      You have it right (Cancelo better shout than Sterling if you have him)

  25. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    A: Holding
    B: Coufal

  26. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy | Forster
    Cancelo | Dias | Coufal | Alioski | Ferguson
    Salah | Sterling | Bruno | Son | Soucek
    Bamford | Antonio | Brewster

    1ft and 1.9 itb.

    Pick one:
    A. Soucek to Barnes
    B. Ferguson to Mitchell
    C. Alioksi to Targett/Digne
    D: Bamford to DCL

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry Digne. Improves side for next few weeks, not just this one.

        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers. Yeah I'm mostly between Digne and DCL.

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  27. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one of these
    a) Justin ( Leeds H)
    b) Antonio (Liv H)
    C) Ings (Villa H)
    Thanks

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

      C

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  28. Somnus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kane to Watkins
    B) Kane to DCL

    1) play Mitchell
    2) Bissouma to Grealish (-4)
    3) Bissouma to JRod (-4)
    4) Bissouma to Barnes (-4)

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B4

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

    Captain Salah or DCL?

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

      Salah is 1.91 to score anytime, and DCL is 1.83. the extra point for Salah for a goal and potential clean sheet is a factor. Both out of form - it's a tough one to call. Salah looked better than DCL in the last game for me

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

    Rashford to who this week?

    Have 3 City, so no city options. Money not an issue.

    Have Salah, Soucek, Gundo, Bruno

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes/Maddison or James

    2. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha

    3. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes Maddison Grealish Saka are the 'obvious picks'
      If you want a punt tho, Tuchel loves Pulisic, who wasn't 100% fit to start on Wednesday, looked good when he came on, and they have decent upcoming fixtures.

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

        Yeah the usual suspects, was leaning Barnes/Maddison, just cus of their fixture for the next 2 GW's, but chelsea could be a good option/deferential.