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. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you be dropping DCL to the bench (given City’s mean defence) with Harrison coming on or swap to someone like Ings or Barnes for a -4 (WC next week)?

  2. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start 1 bench 1

    Watkins/Antonio

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

      Play Micky

    2. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Start Antonio. If he doesn’t play you’ve got Watkins anyway.

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

      Brighton very good defensively. I see low scoring game.

      I’d lean Antonio, especially as the game is Monday so gives him an extra day or two to rest

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Start Antonio

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio

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

        * start

  3. United20
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.. thoughts?

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

    Martinez Son Dallas DCL

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

      GTG

  4. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cavani or INgs??

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

      Cav

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

      Ings

    3. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like Ings

    4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

  5. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope*
    Cancelo* | Stones* | Cresswell
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Grealish | Gundogan*
    Bamford | Antonio

    Steer | DCL* | Dallas | Mitchell

    1.0ITB, FTs used.
    Likely WC next week.

    Thanks

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

      I wouldn’t have DCL first on bench. But otherwise a great team as usual

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dallas ahead of him?

  6. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Cavani + Hamez
    B. Barnes + Rashford

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A this week

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

        Cheers! 🙂

  7. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ha even after many years of playing I’ve only just realised I can’t play 5-5-0...

    DCL, Adams and Antonio I would legitimately bench

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

      Wow

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why not start Antonio?
      I think he either starts or doesn’t play at all

  8. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you minus 8 for Maddison to Gundo? Only got Dias and Cancelo

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

      No

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hell no

    3. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  9. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez > pope this week for a free or roll the transfer and use it to prepare for the upcoming doubles?

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

      Keep Martinez. I got rid of my sub GK for him but Matinez is season keeper.

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did this last night, will get him back on WC - but I only lost 0.1 if I buy him back

  10. SirT83
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On WC

    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)

  11. AndyJMac85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current team

    Pope

    Shaw
    Coufal
    Cancelo

    Maddison
    Sterling
    Fernandes
    Raphina
    Gundogan

    Bamford
    Antonio.

    Which striker would you replace DCL with
    A) Cavani
    B) Barnes
    C) Ings
    D) Richarlison

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

      Ings, have him for double next week and switch back to DCL.

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlson

    3. Mr Johnson
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison

    4. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

    5. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

  12. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 2 week punt for ESR for a -4 (bench boost this week)

    A) lookman
    B) siggy
    C) someone else

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D) no hit

  13. The SK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which City asset to lose for Foden? (Will WC next week)

    A) Dias
    B) Cancelo

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

    New article..
    Should I BB for a -4?
    Forster, Kilman, DCL => Areola, Lowton, Cavani

    Current team:
    Martinez, Forster*
    Dias, Stones, Digne, Coufal, Kilman*
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo (C), Grealish, Son
    Bamford, Antonio, DCL*

  15. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holding and Wilson to Mee and A Barnes for free?

    1. Stinglikeabee
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  16. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where can I find CS odds please?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hot topics

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice, thanks

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

    sterling in salah out and Rodriguez in Zaha out and play this team for a - 8 hit

    Pope
    Cancelo Creswell Dias Shaw
    Rodriguez Fernandes Soucek Sterling
    Watkins Antonio
    Bench, McCarthy Barnes DCL Mitchell

  18. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’ve concluded that I want the following for GW26:

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones _
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Gundogan
    Kane _

    It basically makes BB impossible that week. As I have a decent bench right now (Bamford Raphinha Coufal) I think it’s best to just BB now and then be able to do away with my bench.

    GW29 becomes an issue though.

    1. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team would be fine for 29 assuming Spurs v Villa is added

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

      I'm in a similar boat, but bench boosting with all sindle fixtures including 2 Leeds away to arsenal just feels very wrong to me.

      If stick with a BB26 then would need to go without Grealish and probably have a few Leeds against Aston villa. Not ideal but preferring that option, and team not far off so planning to hold back wildcard to GW30 to set up for the run-in

  19. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones or Cancelo? Which one is more nailed for both games this DGW?

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

      Difficult but Stones I think

      1. Bank$y
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        K cheers. Tough for sure b

  20. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Transfers made - Are starting 11 and bench look correct set up? (Have Raphinha starting over Grealish as Brighton been looking so decent defensively)Thanks

    Pope
    Cancelo Tarkowski Coufal
    Sterling (c) Bruno Gundogan Raphinha
    Watkins Bamford Cavani

    Martinez Grealish Robertson Dallas

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

      Also benching Martinez Grealish per my post below
      I mean your bench, geez something surely will backfire

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      G2g

  21. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start 1:

    a) Cresswell (Sheffield Utd)
    b) Soucek (Sheffield Utd)
    c) R. James (Newcastle)

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

      Cresswell

    2. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      James for a big diff

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

    Any changes needed for the bench?
    Always scary benching Martinez and Grealish...

    Areola
    Dias AWB stones Coufal
    Sterling c Bruno vc Salah Soucek
    Cavani Antonio
    Martinez Mitchell Grealish Rodrigo

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

      Agree with bench. Yes scary benching Grealish ( I am too I think) but Brighton been pretty solid in defence so perhaps see 0-0 or 1-0 win for Villa

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

        I’m more hoping for a Fulham cleanie someone to better Martinez
        1-1 Brighton match would be a good result

  23. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Team for GW with 1FT left

    Pope (Martinez)
    Cancelo Stones Shaw (Dallas Kilman)
    Son Bruno (VC) Salah Gundogan (c) (Barnes)
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    1 Play one from Dallas, DCL or Barnes

    A Stick
    B Kilman to Lowton (bench DCL)
    C Barnes to James (bench DCL)
    D DCL to Ings

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  24. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This week only

    A) JRod
    B) Tarkowski (have Mee)

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

      j rod

  25. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Cresswell
    Salah Bruno Gundo(c) Grealish Soucek
    Bamford Antonio

    Martinez Dallas White DCL

    A) DCL to Cavani, bench Bamford
    B) DCL to Watkins, bench Bamford
    B) triple cap Gundo, bank FT
    C) Bank FT

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Messed up those ABCD...

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

      Bank FT

  26. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1) Anyone planning on putting the TC on Gundo.. Is this madness I am already planning to BB GW26?

    2) Start Son or Watkins

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No saving it for Kane

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Son

  27. KrisMCFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pope,

    Dias, Cancelo, Tarkowski, Shaw, Coufal
    Sterling (C), Fernandes, Raphina, Soucek,
    Bamford

    Subs: Mesilier, Son, Dcl, Wilson

    Correct captain, and bench? Gtg?

  28. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka & DCL > Sterling & Watkins for a -8 hit. Worth it?

  29. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So where can I find the most plausible dgw26 fixtures

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

      Ben crellin on twitter

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

    Gtg? 1FT | 0.5 ITB

    Martínez
    Cancelo | Shaw | Cresswell | Digne
    Salah | Bruno | Sterling(c) | Gündogan
    Bamford | Antonio
    ==============================
    Johnstone | Soucek | Maguire | DCL