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 Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help guys...
    DCL >
    A. Cavani
    or
    B. Ashley Barnes

    WC soon in GW25 or GW26...
    So, 1-2 week punt only

  2. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Anyone spot any huge flaws in the plan? Cheers and good luck everybody!

    Areola
    Cancelo AWB Tarkowski Lowton
    Gundo Sterling(c) Rash Bruno
    Watkins Kane
    (Martinez Bamford Raphina Dallas)

    GW25: No transfer (play triple LEE)
    GW26: 2 transfers (Rash + Tarkowski > Son + Rudiger/Targett) and Bench boost

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

      No, looks like a decent plan atm

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

        thanks

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

    TC Sterling if only one of my 6 rivals has him in ML and I’m fifth, so could be a nice boost? 70 behind leader who defo doesn’t have him.. I’m tempted..
    A Yay
    B Nay

    Cheers!

    1. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have some fun

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

        Yes that’s my thinking. As the the season progresses it’ll be harder to have a decent double Captain rivals don’t have so I may just go for it.. esp as Spurs n Everton are weaker down the left and he normally plays the tougher games ..

  4. Nibbsy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will KDB be back for GW26?

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

    Play Cresswell or a Bamford?

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell

  6. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For DGW 26, which combo is optimal?

    A) Salah Bamford (SGW)
    B) Grealish Cavani -4

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

      A

  7. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench?
    A. Bamford
    B. Antonio
    C. Soucek
    D. Coufal
    E. Grealish

    1. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

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

        No way bench Antonio home to Sheff U... madness imo.

        1. Gleys11
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          But I wouldnt bench any of the others either.
          Antonio could hardly walk last game.

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

            Agreed but if he’s not fit he won’t play at all is my theory? If he’s fit he could easily haul. Who knows though I guess..

    2. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    McCarthy,
    Stones, Cancelo, Coufal,
    Salah, Gundogan, Bruno (c), Son, Soucek
    Antonio, Bamford

    Forster, DCL, Robertson, Mitchell

    2ft 2.4itb

    Robertson, DCL, Forster > Tarkowski, ings, pope -4. Then use the BB.

    Would anyone else do this? Thoughts please.

  9. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth doing Holding to a Burnley defender or save a transfer?

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

      Do it. Get a doubler in

    2. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do it. Probable double in 26 as well

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

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

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

      C

    2. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  11. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bench boost this lot?

    Pope, McCarthy
    Dias, Digne, Cancelo, Lowton, Cresswell
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Soucek, Gundogan
    Watkins, Antonio, Bamford

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

      Probs

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    3. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would in theory. Just unsure about Digne.
      Have we had any news yet?

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, Digne, Antonio and Dias are making me nervous. As it is I’m taking a minus four to get rid of DCL, Chilwell and Taylor for Watkins, Cancelo and Lowton.

        1. Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          That’s if I bench boost. If not I’ll just use my two frees and not get Lowton.

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

    10K ownership
    Gundo 59%
    Sterlo 31%

    Guess the EO ?

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

      100%
      50%

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

      100 55

  13. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So who is everyone putting the armband on this GW?

    Also curious who your VC are too.

    Cheers

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

      Gundo (c)
      Bruno (vc)

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

      Gundo C, Pope vc

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very tempted by Pope. Probably bottle it and go Bruno though. My minileague rival has one DGW player and I know he’ll captain Bruno.

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

      Sterling C or TC
      Bruno VC

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      cheers lads

      Stirling C
      Bruno VC

      GL all 🙂

  14. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Saka, Antonio or Kane? Feel like Arse Leeds could be a goal fest somehow

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

      Saka

  15. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bookies have Gundog mostly likely scorer (11/10) Vs Sterling (11/8)

    I also think he is more likely to start both.

    Gundog has better form and better stats.

    But all 4 scouts and the FPL scout have gone Sterling.

    Am I missing something?!

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s because Sterling plays as an inside forward, an old FPL bias which I’m also going with this week - Raz (TC)

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

        Fwiw I am on Sterling (c) too but more as a differential than expectation

    2. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If Rodri and Fernandinho are both out then he'll need to sit a bit more. I know he's still scored whilst playing deeper but Sterling obviously a lot further forward. Gundogan might be off pens after that last effort

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

        I thought Rodri was back.

        Plus my gut feeling is Gundog will still be on pens till KdB back based on Pep's comments, saying he is a good taker. Obviously someone else might have come forward behind the scenes

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

          I've been let down so many times by Sterling in the past but he's in good form and should start the Spurs game given his FA Cup minutes. Spurs full backs are a weakness that I think he can exploit. Gundog could easily outscore him but as you say above I think it's worth captaining Sterling due to the lower ownership

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

            Yeah, that's it mate.

            Just going to roll the dice on this one with Raz. It's only a game after all, right? 😀

            Good luck

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

              You too

  16. Beeson123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start DCL or Bamford?

    1. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford.
      DCL only 1 game and its against City

  17. Jason M
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on:

    Areola
    Coufal, Dias, Digne, Mee, Shaw
    Bruno (c), Gundo, Raphinha,
    Watkins, Antonio

    Martinez, Son, Maddison, DCL

    Scary looking bench, would you switch anything? Gut is also telling me to captain Bruno over Gundogan.

    Thought appreciated. Cheerd

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

    Pope
    Konsa-Stones-Coufal
    Salah-Bruno-Gundo-Sterling C- Soucek
    Antonio-Bamford

    (McCarthy-Dallas-DCL-Holding)

    1ft 2.4m ITB

    Is this GTG?

  19. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start

    A) Digne
    B) son

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

      Digne

  20. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Didn't want to BB but its tempting

    Pope Martinez
    Coufal Cancelo Dias Digne
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo
    Bamford Antonio

    Martinez Barnes Watkins Dallas

    Save it for 26 and the two keepers having doubles?

  21. cuppatea78
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you start?
    A) Konsa Vs Brighton Away
    B) Barnes Vs Liverpool Home

  22. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Gundo C24, Kane TC26
    B) Gundo C24, Bruno TC26
    C) Gundo TC24

    Which are you going?

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

      A

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

      None of the above.

      But maybe A

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

    G2G? 1 FT, 3.0 ITB

    Areola
    Cancelo - Stones - Mee
    Gundo (C) - Salah - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford - Antonio

    (Martinez; Coufal, Son, Dallas)

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

      GTG

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

    Take a guess.

    What percentage Antonio starts?

    Remember match is Monday so he still has a couple days.

    I say 70%

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      25%

  25. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Guiata
    Stones Mee Maguire
    Foden Gundo (c) Bruno Salah
    Antonio Bam Watkins

    Mccarthy Son Targett Dallas

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

      G2g

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

    1) Play Maguire or Pieters
    2) McCarthy/Soucek/DCL to Pope/Sterling/Brewster (-4) - yay or nay?

  27. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which One?
    A) DCL to Rich (-4) and start him
    B) Smith-Rowe (no hit)
    C) Coufal (no hit)

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

      C

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

      C

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

    Expecting Pope's 10 pts this week:
    A. Easy
    B. 50/50
    C. Difficult

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B as well - owner

    3. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh wow people not too confident on BUR this week, ta folks

      1. Gleys11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I take my answer back. I 100% think they will get at least 1 clean sheet which i suppose is already 8 points plus a likely bonus.
        Does that count as “A” 😉

  29. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Areola or Martinez?

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

      Areola easy

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Happy with Emi

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

      I am playing Areola

    4. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Areola.

      Everton missing DCL and Burley match could be a 0-0 affair

  30. BooYaKasha
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which 2 to start:
    Saka
    Son
    Antonio

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      S&S

    2. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one, I do like Saka this week and then maybe Antonio.