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

    who to bench for barnes?

    madders, salah, bruno, gündo or son?

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A bit late to decide.

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

        went with Maddison.

    2. Ejaaz11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      bench barnes

    3. Come on you Kante
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d go for it I have him he was rested ha Brighton full of energy vs pool could be a surprise point haul

      1. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Told you 🙂

  2. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bednarek has minus form

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

    love this time of the week

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So good!

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I know. I came in at about 10:15 and there were 1,300 posts. It’s doubled in 45 minutes

    3. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't like the half an hour between deadline and line ups

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

      its like the altimeter on a crashing plane heh heh heh

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

      Agree, Miss Mark's legendary preambles mind. Pulitzer prize winning stuff.

  4. Davros
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pens down

  5. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden(c)

    😎

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I whimped out, GL, at least I have him 🙂

  6. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bingo

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

    Good luck all!!!

    And PANTY HOES DOWN!

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

      GL

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s batting very well. Really taking it to the spinners.

  8. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck everyone!

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benching Coufal did not sit right so Maguire can sit it out!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Had the same thing, I’ve benched Coufal

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        One of us will be right 🙂
        RMT settled it for me playing Coufal 😉

  10. Goodricke
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In 10 mins C went fro Cavani to Bruno to Sterling. I now expect all 3 to flop

    1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling seems sensible

  11. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I’ve got a good feeling about areola

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't we all. 🙂

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can I have a lick?

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

      yum

    4. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mods might be around.

  12. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I feel like it's a GW fail already.

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

      mine is a massive one!!

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

    Pope(c)

  14. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GL all played like a chicken

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sometimes the best moves are the ones we don't make. GL!

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You miss 100% of the shots you never take

        1. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          - Wayne Gretsky
          - Michael Scott

  15. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno captain over gundo and son benched for Soucek uh oh

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Crazy stuff.

  16. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well jumped on here for 2 mins and got swayed by all the Antonio love...

    Swapped him in for Watkins. You better get on that pitch Michael!

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you mad?

      1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Swapped him in from the bench.

        Might still seem mad! I blame Rupert the mythical

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

      im playing him over kane!!!

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That's daft.

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

          i have my reasons...

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

    No hit, defensive move for DGW ah well

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gotta be done for the greater good, the greater good.

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

        Thumbs up

      2. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Greater good

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I banked a transfer!

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

        Injuries impact 😉

      2. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Me too!

  18. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gündoğan(C) because why not?

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

        Popey here. First ever time capping a keeper

        1. Party time
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Brave

            Good luck buddy 🙂

          • toerag
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            good luck!!

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        united and chelsea players being ignored for doublers. Big mistake in my opinion. Likes of Shaw, Cavani, Alonso, Werner all for me have a good chance of outscoring the doublers

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thank you for waiting until deadline to post this, really helpful, doughnut

        2. mad_beer ✅
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Both teams are very inconsistent. Have Bruno is enough for now for me.

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

            my thoughts too

        3. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Chelsea have United and Pool in the DGW. I’m good.

          1. Hulk Smash
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            He means this week

        4. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Don't trust Tuchel yet in terms of who he's gonna start.

        5. beric
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah ok Chelsea. Would've liked cavani but let's face it, he's no Ashley barnes 😎

        6. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Shaw could outscore Burnley players imo
          Very high single CS chance and some of the best attacking statistics in the league

        7. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          None of them will get 2 x 90 imo

        8. Mweene
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          My transfer this week was Justin to Shaw so hope you're right!

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

        Swap Cresswell with Bamford at last minute..
        Becareful everyone, this is will not happy ending

      4. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        STERLING (C)

        Anyone else?

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

          Hell yeah. Now is our time!

        2. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          o/

        3. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          TC!!!

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

            really?? nice

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

          o/

        5. Come on you Kante
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          TC here

        6. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          o/

        7. Goooo Rickie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes!

        8. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Haven't Most?

      5. Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No hit this gw. Now I can relax & laugh at those who sold Salah

          1. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Salah seller here, no feast

          2. YEAH PITCH!
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Bookmarked lol

        • Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          RMT tool playing mind games by recommending Pope (c)! Also suggested benching AWB vs wba.

        • Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Triple City, double Burnley (-4)

          Couldn't see any sense in blowing a chip.

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

            Triple city, triple Burnley -4 here

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

            triple city , double burnley no hits.

            Fail this week then.....

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

          We need a meme of Robert Duval "loving the smell of pants down in the morning" !

        • g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Bottles Foden C last min 🙁

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

            whod you go?

            1. g40steve
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Gundo, kicking myself for changing!
              I even benched him last week, FFS 🙁

        • Shultan
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So many decisions to make every week
          Cant get every single one right
          Let's just enjoy come what may

        • FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cmon Raheem(TC) teach those Gundo casuals

        • 272MK
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Wait a min. Leeds wont have double fixture 26?? Dayyum. I read some info wrong then

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

            Thsts why im off using bb in 25 instead. 3 leeds, 3 saints.

        • Luton_Fan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thinking tc on kane in 26 or will there be a better double gw after 26 to use tc on?

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            If no other chip to use in 26, that's the best time imo