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 Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench DCL or Bamf?

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

      Dcl

  2. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo TC anyone?
    The guy is in the form of his life, has brilliant underlying stats, is absolutely nailed, on pens and plays against teams which have been fragile defensively recently, the last example being the 5-4 in the FA Cup.

    Thinking this might be a great opportunity as many will consider these fixtures tougher than they really are imo, and once the champions league resumes, rotation could hit us harder, especially with KDB back.

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

      decent pick

    2. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you’ve got the feeling them go for it.

    3. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Minutes will be managed, risky

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Also probably won't be on pens.

        1. LE CHARO
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Who would? I don't believe for a second Ederson will take them, and Sterling's record is terrible. KDB was still on pens after he missed against Liverpool earlier this year

  3. We ain't got no histor…
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help me bench one Gents:
    A. Robbo
    B. Coufal
    C. Soucek
    D. Grealish

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Have 4 dgw players
    Digne, Cancelo, Rodriguez, Lookmann.
    Should i captain 1 of these players or Salah, Bamford, Kane??

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

      Of those options, Cancelo

      1. tom2224
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        TC Lookman

  5. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which is Better?

    A. Attack the double gws and use FH in gw29. Use the wc in 33

    B. Get Leeds & arsenal players for 29 then wc after. Use the FH for a smaller dgw

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  6. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Mark didn't play aggressive and kept double ManCity def over Sterling, sensible with a good rank i guess. Az probably goes ahead and scrambles his ManCity assets?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like he brought in Rashford and captain Gundo.

  7. Forcella Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick 2 from these 3 ?

    A)Cancelo
    B)Sterling
    C)Foden

    Got Dias already.

    1. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A. B

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A and C, but only C because of using funds for Kane next week.

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

      AB
      Why not Gundo

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

        Prefer Foden tbh but could throw Gündogan in there.

        Wilson’s injury causes me a problem. So thinking of 3-5-2 for this week.

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

    Anyone else captaining Dwight McNeil?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Errm nope

  9. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good enough to bb?

    Mccarthy - wolves home
    Kwp - wolves home
    Dallas - arsenal away
    Raphinha or soucek -arse a/sheff utd home

    1. Matsy123
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nope but looks a great bench boost next week with raphinha

  10. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1

    A Mitchell (can see a 0-0 against Burnley)
    B Coufal (no Ogbonna in the team)

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal

  11. fridge
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Dias. Stones. Lowton. Coufal
    Salah. Gundo. Bruno. Soucek. Son
    Antonio

    McCarthy. Bamford. Dallas. DCL

    2FT, 2.1 ITB

    A) Son > Rash
    B) DCL > Rich and start over Son

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      We have the exact same team except I have cancelo instead of Stones (even same bench order). Posted it below asking for advice. I thought against B, I wouldn't have Richarlison in my team normally so why put him in when although they have fulham. their next 2 are Man City and Liverpool. Son to Rashford isn't a bad shout

    3. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Bam, sub Son

  12. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Bamford or DCL? will it matter?

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

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

      DCL

  13. tim
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start

    A)Dias

    B) Soucek

    Cheers!

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

        A

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

      Dias of course

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  14. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1?

    A. Soucek (SHU)
    B. Rudiger (NEW)
    C. Son (MCI)

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

      A

    2. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  15. Mattador
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need Some advice. Is this team GTG? or would you make another change with a FT or change the bench order?

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Lowton Coufal
    Gundo(C) Bruno Son Salah Soucek
    Antonio
    Bench: Bamford Dallas DCL
    1 FT 1m ITB

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

      Thanks for the comment above, I think saving the FT is probably worth it, never know what Son might do ...

  16. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain?

    A) Gundogan
    B) Fernandes
    C) Grealish

  17. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G
    Pope (c)
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Tark (vc)
    Grealish Salah Fernandez Gundo
    Antonio Bamford

    Martinez, Soucek DCL Dallas

    Is the bench in the right order???

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

      Nice captain.

      Not sure about Coufal over Soucek but I can see the logic to it.

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be tempted to play Soucek over Coufal.

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

        Might change him then, did see West Ham getting a clean sheet though

  18. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any transfers need to be made or do I roll free transfer (0m in bank), cheers!

    Martinez,
    Stones, Cancelo, AWB, Coufal
    Sterling (C), Salah, Bruno, Grealish
    Antonio, DCL
    (Button, Bamford, Soucek, Mitchell)

    1. jernej93
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Soucek or Bamford over DCL because he won't play first game and than he has City ...

      Coufal to Lowton? 🙂

  19. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 2:

    1. Creswell
    2. Antonio
    3. Bamford

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

    Who’s everyone’s captain then?

    I’m stuck between Cancelo and my shiny new Gundogan

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

      Gundo just on double, form and hopefully still pens to go with some fks

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

      Going Fernandes over Gundo myself

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Same, sneaky feeling Gundo won't play all of both games. He could be off pens now.

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

      Pope...

  21. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How long is Justin out for? Worth just benching?

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

      The season.

    2. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Knee problem and so I shipped him out as he's probably out for a while

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

      ACL = season over

  22. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL or Dallas first bench?

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

      Dallas for me.
      DCL should be back for mci but chance he starts on bench, and it's the best defence in the league.
      Dallas playing midfield against a slightly shakey Arsenal.

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

    Need to use a transfer.
    Thoughts on Coufal -> Davies (play Bamford) to build for Spurs doubles (when whu and burnley have tough fixtures, and gives me an extra player for GW29).
    Or just Coufal to Lowton (triple Burnley)? Or burn the FT?

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

    McCarthy Bamford Dallas DCL

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Bam or Dallas over Coufal imo.

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

    Bench 1 of these?
    A) Grealish
    B) Antonio
    C) Soucek

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

      Oof. Antonio due to his flag, but v tough.

  25. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    gundo or bruno cpt?
    thinking gundo could be playing deep in place of rodri
    thanks

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo

    2. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

  26. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Son or Soucek?

  27. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins (have Grealish) or Bamford on the bench?

  28. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA+DCL+Justin to Ings+Cancelo+Tarko - 4.... yes or no?

    Any other suggestions? ....All chips still available(im really sttuggling to deicide ho to use them!!)

    Martinez
    TAA* AWB Justin*
    Salah Sterling Gundo Bruno Grealish
    DCL* Antonio
    2FT...£0.6itb
    Steer Alioski Mitchel Decordova

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

      yes.
      Keep your chips if not sure. Team looks good so I wouldn't be panicking 30 mins before the deadline and using one.

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

    Gtg or change bench? Son to bench?

    Pope
    Tarkowski, cancelo, coufal
    Sterling, gundo, Bruno, soucek, Son
    Bamford, Antonio

    Martinez, Dallas, robbo, dcl

  30. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench who (have Antonio starting):

    1. Coufal (SHU)
    2. Soucek (SHU)
    3. Robertson (lei)

    Thanks.

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

      I think 2