Pro Pundits

Five-time top 1k finisher on Double Gameweek players, captaincy and chip strategy

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, reveals his team plans for Double Gameweek 24 and beyond.


Gameweek 23 has drawn to a close and it went pretty well for me, as I ended on a total of 76 points.

However, with the fixtures coming thick and fast, focus has already turned to the forthcoming doubles. We’ll find out more once this week’s FA Cup fifth-round ties are complete, but for now, we at least know who will play twice in Gameweeks 24 and 25.

With all of my chips still intact, it’s going to be pretty exciting, but I’m also fully aware that it’s a pivotal stage of the season which I need to get right.

So, in this my latest column, I’m going to note down some thoughts on the teams involved in this week’s Double Gameweek and also outline my plans moving forward.

For context, here is how I’m currently set up, with two free transfers:

1,059 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are Mark Noble and OGS friends or something?

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

      Top post and I am not native English speaker or writer... But they walked together to the tunnel like old friends or team mates. Just something that was catching my eye 😉

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

        I saw it and wondered if he was being warmed up for a coaching role.

        If he leaves London for the Cheshire set!

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

      Replace vidic lol

      1. joeydordon
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Matic

  2. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option for this gameweek?

    A) Double Burnley defence
    B) Antonio > Ashley Barnes
    C) Soucek > Cavaleiro/Lookman

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

      Getting rid of Soucek before Sheff Utd?

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

      None, if any A

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

      A
      Neither of Burnley or Fulham will score many

    4. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C has disaster written all over it. Soucek plays Sheffield. Keep.

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

      None, but A if I have to pick one.

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

      A

  3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed

    Martinez
    Coufal Stones Dias
    Soucek Salah Bruno Gundo
    Antonio Bamford WILSON

    Bench: Meslier Son ROBBO Dier
    1 FT, 4.4m ITB

    A) Wilson > DCL
    B) Robbo > Mee and bench Wilson
    C) Robbo + Wilson > DCL + Mee for a hit and bench Coufal

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

      A

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson to DCL. But maybe wait till closer to deadline now. Wilson price dropped a Sunday night and DCL price rose last night.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, definitely unnecessary to catch price rises

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

      A

  4. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Which 3 strikers are people planning to have for DGW26?

    I’m thinking Kane, DCL, Watkins but that would mean needing to transfer out Bamford after GW25 which seems is questionable as I'd probably look to get back in for BGW29

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

      Kane, Ings and Bamford if Sou have a double double.

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

      Ings DCL Watkins, money in midfield Salah Bruno Son Grealish/Gundo

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      will wait until dgw confirmed

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

      If Saints have consecutive DGWs then Ings. Besides him, Watkins and Kane.

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

        When do we hear who has DGW26?

    5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL, Bamford, Watkins

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

    I’m being incredibly thick and need someone to help me.

    I have 5 players from Leeds/saints

    Shall I bench boost on GW25 and not 26? If I play with 11DGWs and transfer out/bench my Leeds assets on this week (keeping them for 29?)

    Does this make more sense??

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

      Which week do you have a stronger bench?

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

        I don’t really like Leeds vs Villa in 26, and would be happy to bench a few. I don’t have FH left so I need to really leave them in my team so I suppose BB25 makes sense

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

          I don't have FH left either, I'm probably just not going to use my BB yet.

  6. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What move seems best here?

    A Grealish to Sterling
    B Pereira to Foden
    C Targett to Lowton (want to keep money in defence low)

    Current team:

    Martinez
    Cancelo/Mee/Targett
    Salah/Fernandes/Grealish/Gundo
    DCL/Bamford/Antonio
    (Johnstone/Dallas/Pereira/Justin)

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B all day

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

      A

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not convinced by Rashford performance for a while including tonight even with WBA (A) ... Son > Rashford is a NO I guess?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      only worry is if he is rotated. he has been on my radar for a while for this game. all the ingredients are there for a haul imo

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

      With Kane back I don’t wanna lose Son, even against city. With Kane there he can score big at any moment

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Son.

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thx folks

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wolves, Southampton, and West Ham celebrating.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I still can’t get over his decisions in the Villa Southampton game - Martinez literally got an extra 8 points from those decisions (clean sheet, baps, no -2)

      Likewise the Soucek sending off, absolutely catastrophic - he shouldn’t have been directing Mike Dean anywhere near he monitor, and then Dean didn’t do any better when he got there

      Mason is having a bigger hand in the FPL season than most players ever do

      1. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I can only remember the handball non penalty decision in the Southampton Villa game. I think the reason they said it wasn't a pen was because the ball flicked up off his leg before hitting the hand.

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

      Tip of the iceberg, we have the clueless Mike Riley running the show. It is no wonder we have the likes of Lee Mason being protected for so long. It needs an investigation and a complete overhaul. The amount of incompetence is incredible. We once had some of the best referee's in England being picked for major finals.

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

        Thanks, Geoff Toovey!

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

      Anyone doubled-up on Dean & Mason?

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

      football celebrating

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

      Makes sense.

      You've got to deal in facts and objectively he was making mistakes.

      I'm not going to say it was pernicious but it was certainly too much.

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

      For one match?

      Thought it was the season...

      They're dishing out 3 match bans with their duff decisions!!

  8. jshelmo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more over 2 weeks :
    A. Rudiger
    B. Dallas
    C. Coufal
    D. Lowton

    Thanks!

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

      B or D

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

      D

  9. FeverPitch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boost this?

    Martinez, Lowton, Coufal, Soucek

    Only one dgw player but decent options nonetheless

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

      Good enough I think

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

        Cheers

  10. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1ft, exact funds for Antonio > Kane with leeway for Antonio to drop by point one in price.

    I'd like to wait until after MCI v TOT to bring in Kane in GW25 in the hope Antonio plays SHU.
    Kane's price is locked this week according to fplstatitstics?

    Alternative is give up getting Kane and focus on Mitchell > Dallas plus a Southampton striker for GW25 dgw.

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

      Get Kane. If anyone is going to score against City it's Spurs on counter, with Kane either assisting Son, or scoring himself.

  11. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Settled on this for weekend, thoughts?

    Foden, Gundo for C?

    Martinez,
    Dias, Mee, Maguire
    Salah, Foden, Bruno, Gundo
    Bamford, DCL, Watkins

    Johnson, Son, Coufal, Mitchell

    5.8.

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have three players in your team that are candidates for captaincy. Last minute decision this week.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The two mentioned + DCL or Dias?

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          DCL Gundo and Bruno

  12. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Crazy to be considering Auba this week?

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

      Yes. So many better options out there imo. Only if you are chasing like hell and have nothing to lose.

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

      Yes

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

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

    Pope
    Cancelo | Coufal | Mee
    Bruno | Salah | Sterling | Gundogan | Raphinha
    Antonio | DCL

    2 ft., 1.3m in the bank

    a) Justin to Digne (play 4-4-2)
    b) Salah, Antonio to Rashford, Vardy
    c) Salah, Raphinha to Rashford, JRod
    d) another option

    What chip strategy do you recommend to me?

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

      C has the highest cealing, I would go for that.

    2. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think you'll regret selling Salah

  14. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What weeks are Southampton due to have doubles in? Any chance they get one in all of gw25-27 or likely to just be two of them?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, probably will if Spurs beat Everton causing TOT/SOU blank in 29.

  15. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does that mean United will have a double in 26 now folks??

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Most likely, Chelsea and Palace

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

      I think it does

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers chaps!! Thought so!! Both away too suit United better!!

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

    Do these seem sensible holding to mee DGW24 then next week for DGW25 Bowen & Antonio to Raphinha & ings? No hits snd already got pope

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

      Yes, looks ok

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

        Cheers

  17. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Cancelo - Dias - Digne - Mee
    Salah - Bruno - Gundo - Soucek
    DCL - Watkins

    Son - Bamford - Mitchell

    Not sure who to cap and if my benching decision is right....

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

      Sehr gut!

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

      Cap Gundo. He's in form, I feel like he can score against anyone right now.

      1. squ1rrel
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

    James Rodriguez - good option?

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

      Good differential

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had him earlier ; lots of assisting the assister but yes good differential.

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

      Tempted to captain him

  19. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fifth mid spot looking tricky for DGW26. None of Soucek, Saka, or Leeds mids will have a DGW.

    McTominay would be tempting if nailed, but looks like he will still keep getting rotated.

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

      Barkley or even Jorginho if they have double

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hadn't thought of Barkley, great shout!

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you are going to that price, traore is another villa option, but maybe less secure.

          1. jammie26
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Traore more secure than barkley imo.

  20. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Evening.....which 1 to bench?

    A....coufal v Sheffield

    B...grealish at brighton

    C....Watkins

    Brighton are so tight at moment...but feel I should bench coufal.....thanks

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      Coufal out of those

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

        Cheers.....Watkins has 4 goals in 5 games....don't really want to bench him

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

      Watkins is on a hot streak, wouldn’t bench. I’d bench the defender always

  21. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Think Im going to triple captain Sterling this week. Any objections?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You know the risks.

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

        what are the risks here just so I'm clear!

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Random pep benching

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do what you like mate.

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

      All or nothing. Depends how you will cope with nothing?

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Way too worried about a 90 min bench session.

  22. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So if I understand it right, one of spurs and everton will play 29 one way or another.

    With 3x leeds, soucek and kane/dcl that means 5 starters already. Hoping to get 9 or so then WC after.

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

      Are you sure about ’one of Spurs or Everton’?

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

      Think it's more complex than that as involving SOU in FA.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, but if Crellin is right, then Spurs should play Villa in 29 if Spurs don't advance in the cup but Saints do.

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

          Maybe, won't think about it now, got headache already 😉

  23. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any danger of a Pope price rise tonight?

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

      I would also like to know that

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        unlikely but keep an eye on fplstatistics.co.uk

  24. Reddonkeyham 42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pope

    Robertson, Stones, Coufal
    Rainham, Gündogan, Fernandes, Salah,
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio

    Marrinez, Son, Justin, Dallas

    £1m itb

    Appreciate any and all advice, thanks.

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

      Coufal to Tarko, Robertson to Canelo and BB ?

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

      Rainham?

  25. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My gut is telling me to BB in GW24, even though all the pundits are earmarking GW26 for BB. How many doubles are there in 24? Is GW 24 a fair enough BB? My bench would be Martinez, Bamford, Antonio, Son, with 7 dbl gameweek players

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

      Prefer gw26

      1. Booked4Dissent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Are there more doubles in 26?

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

          TBC

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have non-playing GK, Bamford, Dallas, Cresswell on my bench and still thinking to BB.

    3. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go with gut over pundits.

  26. Pandastar5
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    what to do?

    a) coufal --> mee
    b) coufal --> lowton
    c) coufal --> mee, son --> sterling (-4)
    c) coufal --> lowton, son --> sterling (-4)

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal to Lowton. Last season in a Burnley double I got Tarkowski just cos he was higher value and stats suggested he got forward more. In the end a 4.5 Burnley defender I was considering scored

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How about keep coufal as they're playing sheff utd and west ham in good form?

  27. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which plan would you choose?

    1. 24: Martin Stephens to Pope Hamez -4 and BB with Martinez Robo Justin Bamford -> WC 25 -> TC 26

    2. 24: Robo to Lowton -> WC 25 -> BB/TC 26 - save one chip for later

    Or maybe even without WC 25 in both ?

  28. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which Burnley defender to get? Tark, Mee, Lowton or Pieters/Taylor?

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mee

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mee

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

      Tark

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The cheapest for me as will be a bench fodder, Lowton

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

        This.

    5. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's gotta be Mee

    6. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thx you all guys. Mee it is 😀

  29. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are Stones owners getting nervous about his likelihood of being rotated/dropped now Laporte is fit?

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

      Laporte has been fit. He played alongside Stones or sat on the bench. Dias/Stones are the starting pair.

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He'll probably miss one now and then, but not worth losing sleep over.

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guarantee Laporte will start tomorrow.

    4. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's Pep, you know that he will rotate your players more or less, that's why with double or triple City you need a deep bench.

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

      No point to worry about, the risk is inherently there unless you pick Ederson or Dias ...