Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice to Double Gameweek 24

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Double Gameweek 24 ahead of today’s 11:00 GMT deadline. A small double in which only four sides – Everton, Manchester City, Burnley and Fulham – are playing twice.

Following the FA Cup results and quarter-final draw in midweek, the Fantasy landscape has shifted once more. 

We now have a better idea of how the upcoming Gameweeks will shape up and, unfortunately, those cup ties have handed us a few injury blows to contend with.

Team News

The Double Gameweek 24 announcement at the start of February thrust Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) high up on our list of targets – he was even spoken about as a potential captaincy candidate by Hall of Fame No 1 Fábio Borges and five-time top 1,000 manager Tom Freeman.

However, such plans have since been shelved with Carlo Ancelotti confirming that his main striker is set to miss Sunday’s encounter against Fulham, along with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (£4.8m):

Both (Calvert-Lewin and Pickford) will not be available for the game on Sunday. We are looking for the next game on Wednesday where we think both of them will be available. I think (Calvert-Lewin) stopped [playing] before the problem [developed]. He only had a sensation, a feeling that something was not good and he stopped. He has a little problem, he can play on Wednesday.

– Carlo Ancelotti

One match against Manchester City is much less appealing than a double that includes Fulham.

And there was worse news for owners of James Justin (£5.2m), the most-popular defender in FPL, with the Leicester City full-back ruled with a long-term injury:

Elsewhere, Callum Wilson (£6.7m) faces at least six weeks on the sidelines, while Michail Antonio (£6.7m) isn’t certain to be available when West Ham United host Sheffield United on Monday. Although David Moyes did say his striker is “doing well” and would “hopefully be close” to being involved against the Blades.

On a more positive note, fears that Nick Pope (£5.5m) and Rúben Dias (£6.1m) were set to miss the Double Gameweek have been allayed. Both were reported to have trained ahead of the weekend after missing out in the FA Cup. 

For a full recap on the latest press conferences, read David’s round-up and check out Neale’s Predicted Line-Ups

Fixture Fun

Neale looked at the possible implications on the fixture schedule resulting from the FA Cup. 

At the moment, just three Premier League matches are confirmed for Gameweek 29, when the quarter-final ties are due to take place:

  • Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United
  • Fulham v Leeds United
  • West Ham United v Arsenal

The other seven matches from that round of fixtures will therefore have to be rescheduled – the option of moving them to midweek isn’t possible as Gameweek 29 is followed by an international break. 

The most likely destination appears to be Gameweek 26, which would make it the biggest Double Gameweek of the season. But with four other matches also needing to be rearranged, a fair amount of juggling is expected. 

Legomané updated his ticker, which includes non-Premier League matches.

(click on image above to enlarge)

As Neale explained in his article, there’s a balancing act for Fantasy managers when it comes to planning for Blank Gameweek 29 as the six teams with a confirmed fixture are unlikely to play twice in Gameweek 26.

Managers with their second Wildcard and Free Hits chips still at their disposal will be at an advantage. But if you are trying to navigate the fixtures without them, all is not lost.

Every FPL boss will receive three free transfers between the Blank and Double Gameweeks and, combined with a judicious use of bench players, this should help us field a respectable side.

And the FPL Gods may spring a surprise with additional fixtures in Gameweek 29, a possibility for teams already knocked out of the FA Cup.

Pro Pundit Plans

Tom, who has a full set of chips to choose from, is considering the following strategy:

  • Gameweek 25 – Wildcard
  • Gameweek 26 – Bench Boost
  • Gameweek 29 – Free Hit

The only downside, he noted, is that because Gameweek 25 is a Double for Leeds and Southampton, his Gameweek 26 Bench Boost would include players who play once. Not ideal.

The alternative he is considering is to use his Bench Boost now, followed by a Wildcard in Gameweek 26. Although with the injury to Calvert-Lewin, he might be reconsidering. 

Az was having similar thoughts before the news of Calvert-Lewin’s injury. Faced with a benching dilemma between West Ham duo Tomas Soucek (£5.4m) and Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m), who enjoy a home game against Sheffield United, playing his Bench Boost now seemed a good solution.

But speaking on the latest episode of FPL Black Box, Az mentioned the possibility of switching Calvert-Lewin to Richarlison (£7.9m) and saving his Bench Boost.

Although fellow Pro Pundit Seb isn’t convinced: “Richarlison doesn’t particularly interest me, I wouldn’t have considered him before DCL was out, the latter’s absence doesn’t change that.

Instead, he’s potentially joining Pro Pundit Lateriser in moving to Danny Ings (£8.4m) as his Calvert-Lewin replacement. 

When Seb shared his thoughts 12 hours before the deadline, the Saints striker had found a place in his XV. Although with his Wildcard active, that is subject to change:

I’m not sold on Ings but the Calvert-Lewin injury has forced a front-line rethink. He is the best suited to my plans due to his upcoming doubles and ability to be converted easily to a number of other strikers in due course. He has missed a lot of big chances recently (four in two matches), which can be read in two ways: he’s been poor or he’s been unlucky. My reading will probably be decided by if I pick him or not!

– Seb

Lateriser was slightly more upbeat:

It might even be a good idea to jump on Danny Ings, who has a decent looking fixture against Wolves in Gameweek 24 before his Double Gameweek in 25 … I particularly mention Ings here because, to me, he looked really sharp against Newcastle and got a lot of shots off which hasn’t been the case with him normally.

Seb’s Wildcard

This week’s Scoutcast used Seb’s Wildcard plans to structure debate around a number of key talking points ahead of Gameweek 24. But, given that it was recorded before Everton’s thrilling 5-4 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, it included the now stricken Calvert-Lewin.

To bring us up-to-date, Seb has kindly revealed his revamped Wildcard squad as it stood on the eve of the new Gameweek:

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that nothing has changed, aside from the introduction of Ings for Calvert-Lewin.

As Joe was quick to observe last Tuesday, Seb has answered the “Which Man City trio?” question by doubling-up in attack.

The Raheem Sterling pick allows Kevin De Bruyne back in the future with ease. Or a simpler return to Mohamed Salah (whose absence does concern me; we’re all casting him off very easily, especially with Fulham in Gameweek 27). I’ll miss the extra City defender, but there are plenty of other options in that department over the coming weeks.

– Seb

It’s a move that was first mooted on site by Camzy ahead of Gameweek 23 – and which proved to be correct with Ilkay Gündogan (£6.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) combining for 21 points against Liverpool. And last week’s Scoutcast also promoted the England international as an option for our midfields.

This week, David and Jan have put their weight behind the switch to double attack.

Part of their reasoning has to do with how poor Man City’s upcoming opponents, Spurs and Everton, have been of late. Especially at the back. Over the last four Premier League matches they feature among the worst defences in terms of expected goals conceded (xGC):

On balance, it looks as if Spurs and Everton are both much more likely to concede, maybe even heavily, against Manchester City – than struggle to ask questions of their own going forward.

– David

Gündogan and Sterling top the expected goal involvement (xGI) for Pep Guardiola’s troops in the last six matches. And Sterling’s position on the left of Man City’s attack could be crucial given a weakness down the right flank for both Everton and Spurs.

Over the last six matches, only Southampton (27) have given up more chances down their right-hand side than Jose Mourinho’s men (25). Everton have conceded 22 chances there, the seven-worst in the Premier League, and more than they have given up through the middle or the left.

– Jan

This vulnerability sees Sterling favoured narrowly ahead of his team-mate in Jan’s Captain Sensible article. 

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

You can now enter the Fantasy Football Scout Cup competitions, qualifying will get underway in Gameweek 25.

A total of £300 in prizes is available across the two tournaments, entry is free for the open-to-all Fantasy Football Scout Cup but only Premium Members may sign up for the Members Cup.

RedLightning rounded-up the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions

For those participating in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. There’s been a small tweak this week by Mat (aka matzi11a) to the fixtures and results displayed on that page.

From now on, the main page automatically shows the current Gameweek rather than requiring a manual intervention each time. The final scores will therefore be available quicker at the end of the Gameweek.

The fixtures for Gameweek 24 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

3,176 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    From now to GW 26
    A) Shaw
    B) Lowton

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

      Shaw

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have the same dilemma, and I’m edging towards BuR. extra fixture plus there’s surely a slim chance Telles gets a run out in one of the two easy fixtures?

  2. Dee Lixon
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Bam or Watkins?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam

      1. Dee Lixon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

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

      Watkins

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam

  3. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1 FT and 5.5 ITB

    Having second thoughts, would this be worth doing to BB? Struggling to bed down my chip strategy.

    Mitchell and Brewster to Stones and Richarlison/Cavani - 4

    Pope
    Shaw Dallas Cancelo
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio

    (McCarthy Coufal Mitchell Brewster)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Otherwise Mitchell to Stones/Dias and play over Dallas.

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

      Stones or Dias in seems wise

  4. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    De Gea
    Cancelo - Stones - AWB - Mee
    Salah - Gundogan (c) - Fernandes
    Bamford - Antonio - Ings

    McCarthy - Coufal - Son - SmithRow

    My bench feels so wrong...

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

      Looks good, maybe Coufal ahead of Bamford? Wouldn't worry too much though

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No way!

  5. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Dawson Mee
    Grealish Fernandes Sterling (TC) Salah
    Antonio Watkins

    Subs: Son, Dallas, Brewster

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Reckon I'd play Son over Dawson.

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

        Just have this feeling that Dawson will score a header...

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Always a threat. Id keep him playing over Son.

        2. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          That's fair enough, does have good goal threat.

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

            Just checked. West 2nd most set piece goals, Sheffield United conceded second most!

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

      Yes

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son over Dawson imo

  6. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning.....good to go here? 1ft. Thanks

    Plan...24 Antonio and soucek to bamf raphinha

    25...bamf to kane

    Thanks

    Pope (martinez)
    Cancelo dias Lowton (dallas coufal)
    Salah Bruno grealish gundog soucek
    Antonio Watkins (dcl)

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

    Stephens Wilson > Lookman Adams for free?

    Although benching Adams this week. But he has a double next.

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

      Wouldn't bother with either. Adams a doubt and Lookman trapped in a negative team

      1. Jersey Boy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Adams a doubt?

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

    DCL to Cavani or Ings ?

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

      I’m holding but Ings as he has more doubles

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

      Punt on Cavani could be fun, but Ings might have a few DGWs coming so safer

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

    Link to CS odds?

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

    Crazy to be considering playing Robinson (FUL def) over Lookman?

    Robinson attacking and i quite like Fulham defence lately?

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

      Robinson been awful last few games. Unlikely to be dropped but I'd be wary. Andersen seems very good for bonus points.

    2. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounded good in the differential article

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

    Got 1 FT and 7.3m itb

    My teams is:

    Martinez,Meslier

    Cancelo, Stones, Cresswell, Mee (Mitchell)

    Salah, Grealish, Bruno, Gundo, (Romeu)

    Bamford, Antonio (DCL)

    DCL to Kane and bench Antonio

    Or

    Romeu to Rasford and bench both Antonio and DCL?

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

      Kane

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

        Thanks

  12. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have DCL, Son & Bamford.

    1FT & £3.7ITB WC Next GW

    A) Son > Sterling (c) lose 0.3m
    B) Kilman > Dias (bench Son)
    C) DCL > Cavani (bench Bamf or Son)

    1. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You sure Dias is ready? Id think about Cancelo

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

        Already have Cancelo

    2. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I went with Sterling (c) for Son.

  13. scubasmithy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can only play one, which do you think I should start?

    A) Antonio
    B) Raphina

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Antonio

    3. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  14. nims076
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Order in which to play?

    A. Soucek
    B. Coufal
    C. Son

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      BCA

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CAB

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CAB

    4. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ABC

  15. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you start?

    A. Antonio
    B. Son

    1. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

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

      A

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. SteJ
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So many flags on my team today. This could be another disaster week!

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hows the bench?

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

        Bit firm could do with a paint

  17. SirT83
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC and have a couple of questions for you all. Team looks like this at the moment.

    Areola- Martinez
    Mee- Lawton- Keane- Dias- Dallas
    Bruno- Gundo- Sterling- Raphinha- Grealish
    Richarlison- Bamford- Kane

    A: Richarlison, Keane (as it is)
    B: Richarlison, Walker-Pieters (will make it possible to get Cancelo in for Dias)
    C: Watkins- Walker-Pieters (can change Watkins for DCL when he fit)

  18. Nogzinho
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Keep DCL or take a -4 hit to bring in Richarlison?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep not worth hit

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not for a hit.

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

    1) Antonio to Richarlson
    2) antonio to ings
    3) play antonio ( coufal 1st sub)

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3

    3. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to say when we dont know anything about your team. But isolated id say Ings.

  20. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you start Ings or Soucek?

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

      Ings

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

      100%

  21. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Current squad, 2 fts and 3.7m itb.

    McCarthy Pope
    Stones Justin Coufal Targett Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Saka
    DCL Antonio Bamford

    2 out of

    A. Son to Sterling
    B. DCL to Cavani
    C. Justin to Dallas
    D. Justin to Lawton ( Taylor to Dallas next gw)

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

      D.

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I can do 2

    4. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have a similar team yesterday with 2FT.

      I did Son>Sterling C yesterday

      Currently pondering whether I should also bring Lowton but that will then cause a benching headache.

  22. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    D

  23. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Cresswell or Antonio?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I assume that means Antonio

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one, with doubts on Antonio I’d start Cresswell

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers KK!

  24. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    A) Soucek
    B) Coufal
    C) DCL?

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

      B

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

      B

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

      Soucek

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Does the Sheffield game suit Soucek?
      Do they conceded many headed goals?

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

        He only scored 3 out of 8 with head

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

    Repost on new article.
    Best Zaha replacemant for this gwk only? Up to 7 mil

    A) Saka
    B) Mount
    C) Lookman

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gamble on Lookman if 1 week punt.

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

        Cheers,yes it's a one week punt

  26. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1 out of:
    A) Antonio
    B) Bamford
    C) Soucek

  27. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think Mount is going well under the radar

  28. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please pick one to bench:

    A - Raphina
    B - Son
    C - Bamford

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  29. United20
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Save or changes required?

    Pope
    Coufal Stones Digne Maguire
    Gundo (C) Salah Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Antonio

    Martinez Son Dallas DCL

  30. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need to use a transfer - any help?

    1. DCL > Ings
    2. Coufal > Lowton/Shaw
    3. Stones > Cancelo

    Pope
    Stones Cresswell Coufal Pieters
    Salah Bruno Sterling Gundo Soucek
    D-Reid

    Bamford Dallas DCL