Pro Pundits
9 February 2021 1059 comments
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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. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Start cresswell or rudiger?

    1. Kuzser
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Cresswell

    2. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Cresswell for his last clean sheet for a while haha

  2. Kuzser
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Will appreciate your thoughts guys on what to do with 2ft and 2.6itb? Scared of going Gundo-less.
    1) Barnes Dallas/Coufal -> Rash Taylor/lowton. Keep current 3 City assets
    2) #1 and Sterling -> Gundo for -4 for security of starts
    3) Barnes Cancelo/Stones -> Gundo Mee. Double up on City attack and get Bur def
    4) Sterling Barnes Johnstone -> Gundo Rash Pope for -4

    Team is:
    Martinez
    Stones - Coufal - Cancelo
    Son - Bruno - Sterling - Barnes
    Laca - DcL - Antonio

    Johnstone, Justin, Dallas, Raphinha

    1. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Barnes + Johnstone > Gundo + Pope?

      Wouldn't drop one DGW player for another. Just add more if anything.

  3. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Start Saka or coufal?

    1. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Saka

  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    I've only taking regular notice of these threads in recent seasons and much more so in the last 6 months.

    I started looking at team picks on here around about 2011 or so, then articles then opinions. Only signed up x years back.

    What is key is to spot the inconsistent and poor advice that is regularly offered and to ignore early.

    There's some great people that dip in, spot who is making reliable calls.

    But also loads of noise and regular posters just spouting off. I'd include myself in that recently, but would never say anything i hadn't previously thought through and believed made sense.

    Ultimately a week to week call is subject to so much variance you've got to look season to season overall.

    I'm amazed about the amount of aimless advice just thrown out.

    So I'd say most of all think it through and make your own call.

    Perhaps there should be a separate chit chat thread so those looking to talk simply can. And we can dip in and out of offering advice when thought through.

    I've enjoyed it in lockdown so thanks for putting up with me.

    1. joeydordon
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      I'd also say this what makes me a lurker I'd talk but loads seems irrelevant and I wouldnt do a rmt I can't see the point when I have a strategy already

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Lurker also. I think this place is great for giving me advanced notice on possible dgws etc... however, not everything that glitters is gold. Just take away what you can and always always use your own judgement. At least if it all goes pear shaped you can take responsibility and feel crappy for following others advice

        1. joeydordon
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          I hate myself for the decisions I couldn't pin that to a randomer lol you press the button after all

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      I'm happy to put up with you.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 hours ago

        Thank you

    3. Samwise
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      REALLY insightful, thanks

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 hours ago

        You're welcome Sam.

        You seem so wise!

    4. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Remember that the guys giving you advice are your immediate opponents too....

    5. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Anyone foolish enough to follow my advice probably hasn't checked my biographical info.

      I agree follow your own strategy but it doesn't hurt to ask for different perspectives - particularly about players you haven't watched lately.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 hours ago

        True...

        About to check your bio out now.

  5. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Im still stuck on this...play Son or Bamford or have a dabble for a couple of weeks and transfer Son out for Rashford or James Rod, any advice appreciated cheers.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Play Bamford this week is the logical play.

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Yep, just not very exciting for someone chasing eh

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Switch in Sterling for captain?

          Get rid of Salah.

          What's your team?

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Oh, you have all that in play.

            So. In the words of the prudent player's, hold.

            1. Danno - Emre Canada
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Haha thanks, I would love to capt Sterling helped me and broke me many times but am I just captaining a one week player, will he be rested? Who knows eh...

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Bamford

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Ta, might be the smart play

  6. VaVaVoom14
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Need your help...

    A) Digne and Soucek
    B) Lowton and JamesRodriquez (-4)

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      B

    2. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      A or somehow Soucek > Gundo/Foden. James really has a SGW + 2 points. Wouldn't expect him to do much against city.

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        You could say the same about Digne though.

        1. MidTableFantasy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Definitely, Digne to Lowton could pay off for a punt this GW. But I don't think Soucek to James for -4 will though. If he's planning on getting rid of Digne anyways then yeah now is the time to ditch for Lowton!

          If James hadn't just scored last gw (for only the 5th time this season) he probably wouldn't be considering him for a hit.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      A

  7. DB_00
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Which DGW strategy sounds best? I have BB, TC, WC but no FH.

    A) -4 Over 24,25,26 to get 4DGW24, 3/4DGW25, 11DGW26 + TC Kane, WC30, BB whenever
    B) -8/12 Over 24,25,26 to get 4DGW24, 3DGW25, 13 DGW26 + BB, WC30
    C) WC 25 to get 3DGW25, -4 in 26 to get 15DGW26 players + BB, YOLO 29/30

    1. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      AAAAAGGGHHHH

    2. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      D) Go for a walk outside

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Leaning towards C myself

  8. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Stumped on what to do for next week though tbh. 6DGW already, but 5 are defenders. Probably Gundo(c). 2FT 4.5 ITB. Antonio/Watkins to DCL? Anything else/extra? Thanks as always guys!! 🙂

    Areola (Martinez)
    Cancelo Stones Digne Mee (Dallas)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan(c) (Soucek)
    Antonio Bamford (Watkins)

    Feels tough benching any of the front 8 this week, and getting DCL not gonna help with that (particularly if I sell Watkins)

    Have WC and TC left

    1. Mdhammer70
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Nothing wrong with 5 defenders, are they not top GW scorers most weeks recently? Pep will cause havoc, only Ederson guaranteed to play both DGW.

  9. Champions League Varane
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    BB26 is TC Sterling a good option this week??

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      also tempted with this one. wiith BB26, have no idea when the best gw for TC

    2. ivantys
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      No better DGWs for city with UCL coming up.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        That's interesting.

        Without the chit chat you could be right that this is going unsaid.

        But Spurs at home and Everton away aren't straightforward wins.

        1. ivantys
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          This is the last week before UCL which will be loads of rotations afterwards and the city mids wouldn't be worth capping.

  10. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne: "He is getting well. He is already training, not with the team but alone but is moving well. I cannot say [whether he will recover for the Champions League last 16]. It's day by day. What’s important is he is feeling very good."

    #FFScout #FPL https://t.co/Ir1WrFiwPf

  11. Taegugk Warrior
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Which will give more points..?
    A. Sterling, Bamford, Pope
    B. Son, Jrod, Pope
    C. Sterling, Jrod, Bamford

    1. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      A.

  12. King Drogba11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Salah and Stones to Mee and Sterling (C) for a -8 ?

  13. AbsolutelyNoIdea
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Totally confused on what to do this week
    Have a couple of decisions to make

    A) Roll the 1FT or MCCarthy to Pope
    B) play Antonio or Bamford
    C) play Maddison or Grealish or Salah
    D) Salah to Sterling & Coufal to Dallas (-4)

    Martinez
    Stones, Mee, Cancelo, Digne
    Salah, Bruno, Gundogan, Grealish
    Bamford, DCL

    McCarthy, Coufal, Maddison, Antonio

    Any thought?

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Roll the FT
      Antonio
      Grealish
      And No, you'd have 4 City.

      1. AbsolutelyNoIdea
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Cheers
        Yeah I meant Cancelo to Dallas as worried he will be rotated

  14. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    If you own 3 city is it best to stick with what you have or chase the upside on double attack?

    Own sterling dias stones currently and looking at:

    Stones to Lowton --> Soucek to Gundogan
    Then Mitchell to Dallas next week

    plan to play dias coufal awb this week, room for one more defender if Antonio doesn't play

    Is Gundogan "essential" if i'm planning to captain sterling or the EO is going to hurt too much if he hauls?

    Keen for a few opinions here, thanks
    Team linked

    1. FCSB
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      When will you WC?

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        unless things turn ugly quickly. probably straight after the 29 blank, so gw30/31

        currently 2FT 2m itb

        1. FCSB
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Same plan as me... do you have BB in tact for 26 and how many DGWers will you target ?

          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            No, used it unsuccessfully in gw19
            Just wc and tc left

            5/6 dgw this week then need to reassess and take a closer look at 26 schedule

    2. waldofeen
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      After reading your suggestion I decided to do stones >>pieters
      Soucek>>Gundo

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        interesting. who are your city players?

      2. sunzip14
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        watch Stones get 2 CS and Pieters dropped for Taylor 😛

    3. Bounce
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      "Chase the upside" lol.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        glad you enjoyed it 🙂

        1. Bounce
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Have you taken your eye tests yet?

          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            feel free to offer some advice whilst you're there

  15. Ragabolly
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: Pogba (7.6) Townsend (5.5) Caballero (4.6) McCarthy (4.5) Brewster (4.4) Balbuena (4.2)

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Thanks mate

    2. HammersFan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Balbuena could be a good pick now depending on the injuries to ogbonna and diop

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        True

      2. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Come on mate, as a west ham fan too, you know how important Ogbonna is to our defence. I was set to play Coufal this weekend v Shef but without Oggy I’m looking to play Watkins over him now.

    3. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Cheers big guy

    4. waldo666
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Cheers Ragabolly. Gee, Brewster caught me by surprise.

      1. Casual Player
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        After 19 GWs of holding him he finally drops 2 days before I plan to sell. Classic

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          This is the week he will score his only goal for the season lol

          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            nah he'll save that for when he faces liverpool

  16. waldofeen
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Antonio, Maddison, Sterling
    to
    Werner, Son, Gundogan.
    Worth a 4 point hit next week?

    1. MidTableFantasy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Personally I would get Kane, DCL, Bamford, or Watkins before looking at Werner... but could be a good differential.

  17. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Is Antonio to DCL the move? Alternatively could lose Watkins (already on my bench), though that means benching one of Bamford/Son this week....

    Team linked or above. WC/TC available

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Yes

    2. Johan Queef
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Is Antonio injured again? Not really following the news but seen a lot of moves involving him out.

  18. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    If Antonio is a doubt would you still save ft and play saka? 2.6m itb

    Martinez
    Digne stones Mee
    Salah bruno Sterling gundo
    Digne bamford Antonio

    Forster saka coufal Dallas

    1. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Digne so good you have him twice 😉 yeah I probably would with that team bro, strong.

      Help above?

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Cheers. One of the dignes is dcl

  19. Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Is Barnes nailed for both games, or he rotates with other forwards? Don't know why he didn't play 3 games in last 4, injury or just shite?

  20. bigdip
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Mcarthy (FORSTER)
    Pieter Rudiger Cancelo (Justin, Lewis)
    Salah Fernandes Gundo SON (Soucek)
    Antonio Bamford Dcl
    (0 ft and 3.8mn itb)

    Any option below worth a -4 hit? Any other suggestions welcome

    A) Forster to Pope (Play Pope DGW 24 and Mccarthy DGW 25)
    B) Son to Sterling

  21. Boomerang V
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Play:
    Coufal SHU
    Maddison LIV
    or
    Bamford ars
    ?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      coufal
      bamford
      maddison

  22. Gabbiadini
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Is it worth doing Antonio to DCL for free?

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      y

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        is Antonio definitely out?

    2. Sweetboi
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      If Everton beat Tottenham in the cup, definitely.

      1. Huddersfield
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        What' s the outcome of the FA cup game has to do with bringing DCL in?

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          yes I am interested by this also?

        2. FPL Theorist
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Would give Everton another DGW in 26.

          1. Huddersfield
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Everton can still have a DGW even if knocked out of cup.

    3. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      I reckon it s worth it especially if Antonio out vs Sheffield Utd.

  23. beso
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Pieters to start both games even if Taylor returns ?

    1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      No

  24. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    26 is gonna be the one innit!!!

    West Ham lads all become Leicester and Spurs assets, play BB..

    Pope and Martinez

    Salah

    Vardy DCL Kane

    Salivating!

    1. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      And not a chance in hell I'll need to use WC!

      1. Huddersfield
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Not with Brighton progressing in cup

        1. Stupendous
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          How has this changed things?

          Genuinely asking here.

          Thx

          1. Huddersfield
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            If Brighton beats Leicester, Leicester will have a single game vs Arsenal in DGW26.

            1. Stupendous
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Well Leicester will win

              Secondly I'd still BB and own Vardy for that fixture

              1. Huddersfield
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 2 days ago

                A single gwer in a BB after a WC? interesting.

  25. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Do we expect the official announcement of rearranged fixtures in GW26 before deadline of GW24?

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Yes.

      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Thank you. That would be helpful.

  26. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Not really sure what to do with this team, any thoughts?

    Pope (McCartthy)
    Dias Stones Coufal (Justin, Dallas)
    Gundo Son Bruno Salah Soucek
    Antonio DCL (Bamford)

    2Ft and 3.4ITB. Maybe bring in another Burnley defender?

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Antonio > Watkins if hes out or Soucek > Grealish. I would play Bamford over Soucek or Son!

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      your team is well stacked, just look at the bench
      can see liv v lei being 0-0 haha
      wouldn't bring in another burnley defender
      watkins in for antonio makes sense if no grealish
      Soucek to Raphinha/Harrison next week especially if planning to wc soon

  27. De Gea is GOAT
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    What is this talk about Antonio being out? Have i missed something? Thanks all

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Flagged in FPL 75%

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        true that. Thanks. Has Moyes mentioned anything else apart from fatigue?

        1. Huddersfield
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          No. but didn't sound optimistic.

          1. De Gea is GOAT
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Thank you

    2. Aster
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Wondering the same

  28. Sloane426
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Lose Raphina or Grealish this week for Sterling? Will prob wildcard 25

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Depends on who's ur keeping in wc , their SP and CP.

  29. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Play Anguissa (GWer) or Bamford?

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      If sure about Anguissa starting the 2 games then him.

  30. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Bench one of:

    TAA, Watkins, Son

    Was originally benching TAA but then remembered his last game at the KP...