Pro Pundits

Why looking at fixture runs after the expected Double Gameweek 26 is important

Three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser talks us through his Wildcard thoughts.


The Wildcard button is calling me and all I’m waiting for is the confirmed rearranged fixtures before I activate it – although I’m not sure if I’ll go through with it if we don’t get an annoucement before the Gameweek deadline.

This seems like a good time to step back and process information as a lot of us are going to make some key decisions in the next few weeks. With this article, I write about some players and trends that have gained my attention in the last few Gameweeks.

First up, let’s talk about Marcos Alonso (£5.7m). He looked a lot like his old self in the game against Newcastle and mustered five shots, four of which were from inside the box. He is definitely in my Wildcard thinking right now but I very well know that he isn’t exactly nailed. If you do want to roll the dice with Alonso, it is advisable only if you have a deep defensive bench. I get the feeling that he could drop a 15-pointer in any game if he continues in the same attacking vein. It looks like Tuchel is going to persist with the 3-4-3 formation and his comments with regards to Alonso seems particularly encouraging.

There are a couple of other reasons why I like this pick. Outside of a potentially difficult Double Gameweek in 26, Chelsea have a good run of fixtures around it. On top of that, they have posted strong underlying numbers in defence in the last few Gameweeks with only Manchester City conceding fewer shots in the box and big chances in the same period. It is worth mentioning again that if you decide to roll the dice with Alonso, a deep bench in defence is needed. There are safer, more nailed picks like Antonio Rüdiger (£4.6m) in play in case you’re not one to indulge in punts which are not nailed.

One mistake that all of us make is having a Double Gameweek tunnel. More often than not, you will find yourself with a team entirely focused on Gameweek 26 and the players you have picked might not have good fixtures afterwards. Keeping that in mind, I have pasted the Season Ticker below for Gameweek 27 and beyond which might help with some decisions.

There are a few key factors here that should influence your thinking. First up, it is likely that Southampton have a Double Gameweek in this period. Also, it is worth noting that their fixtures after Gameweek 26 are really good as well, which makes me pay closer attention to assets like Danny Ings (£8.4m) and Jannik Vestergaard (£4.7m) despite their poor form. I personally expect a better performance from the Saints in the coming weeks because I rate their manager and a lot of their good players are back fit.

A lot of people are not sure about Ings at the moment. For me personally, based on the eye test, he has looked very sharp in the last three Gameweeks and has been fairly unlucky as well. In addition, I still like the Leeds fixture for an attacker, which is why it is worth going there in my opinion.

I have already spoken about the Chelsea fixtures around the potentially difficult Double Gameweek above. In addition to defence, Timo Werner (£9.2m) has been accumulating points at a good rate playing in his preferred left-forward position.

It is also worth noting that Leicester City, Liverpool, Leeds and Aston Villa have decent fixtures post-Gameweek 26, which allows you to carry their assets after the Double Gameweek. The advantage with Leeds players is that they have a good fixture in Blank Gameweek 29. It is possible that Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa could play in Gameweek 29 as well which is something worth considering while making your transfers.

Personally, I am even looking at cheap defensive assets from Brighton and Hove Albion because of two factors. They have good underlying numbers in defence and have decent fixtures in Gameweek 26, as well as Gameweek 29.

For those that are not Wildcarding in Gameweeks 25/26, there is a decent fixture shift in Gameweek 31 and it is potentially a good time to Wildcard then. The notable fixture shifts are as follows:

  • Aston Villa sit bottom of the Season Ticker in the period from Gameweek 31 to Gameweek 38 and a lot of us will be on at least two Aston Villa assets in that period.
  • Arsenal and Wolves have a great run of fixtures from Gameweek 31 onwards and not many of them are in our squads at the moment.
  • It is also worth noting that Spurs, Manchester City, Fulham and Southampton will have a Blank Gameweek 33.

Before ending this article, I want to bring to your notice a few player stats that have caught my eye in the last four Gameweeks:

I hope you find this article useful and it helps you plan better in this very important stage of the season, as every transfer we make needs to be very carefully thought through.

Good luck this Gameweek!

What is FPL Upside Chasing and how can I implement it in 2020/21?
1,354 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nice article.

    Good luck playing up to bgw29.

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

    The big news is back to back home Man City dgw26 and dgw27 with West Ham and Wolves followed by Man United and Southampton.

    Guess most are triple up on Man City.

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

      Pep roulette though.

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

        I have total of £17.3M invested in three City assets. I’ll live with the occasional benching.

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

      Most already are and imagine done have transfers to waste shuffling them around, just have to play the ones you have an hope for the best

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

        Yep.

        The doubles can be seen the other way. At least your Man City players will likely play some part.

        Most will focus on the bench time tho unless there's a haul as a sub?

  3. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best dgw captain option for this week? I'm tempted to punt on Raphinha.

    A) Bamford
    B) Raphinha
    C) Ings

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A due to pens and ownership. B after that.

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A then B
      Ings isnt very good and SOT are awful

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

        Ings is very good but Southampton are in woeful form.

        Which means we’ll all ignore their assets and then they’ll pull off two great results this DGW.

    3. ASOUSA12
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A) because Bamford backs himself up on FPL, so he would want to do well and also on penalties.

      B) Raphinha doesn't tend to do very well on bonus and doesn't seem explosive enough

      C) He will probably be the highest points scorer, but the problem with Ings is that he is as likely to come out injured in the first match...

      A) for me

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No hits required? 2.3 ITB

    Martinez
    Alonso Cancelo Stones
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Gundo
    Bamford Watkins

    Forster DCL Coufal Kilman

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. All good.

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

      G2G

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

    GTG & bench correct?

    Martinez,
    Dias, Mee, Maguire, Dallas
    Salah, Foden, Bruno, Gundo, Son,
    Bamford C,

    Johnson, DCL, Watkins, Coufal,

    4.8

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd actually play Watkins over Mee tbh but it's a close call either way. Certainly have Watkins #1 on the bench tho.

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

        Ta

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

    Foden + Antonio --> Raphinha + Ings ? Only other DGWer is Bamford.

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

    BB is the biggest liability of a chip... had set up to play it this week but can’t with so many yellow flags in my team.

    Taking hits to correct this feels very wrong, can easily get caught up in BBing and end up with less points than not using it at all

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

      Took a -8 to get 31 points off my bench last week on BB. 124, gwk rank of 12k. It is possible to get right. This week is not the one to do it on though, only a few teams with tricky fixtures. I really wouldn’t be that surprised if Leeds blanked twice in these games which is why I have captaincy on Bruno currently.

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

        Well played. Do you really expect Leeds to score 0 goals in 2 games though? They will always attack opponents which is one of the reasons Bamford (c) looks so good with pens aswell

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

          They haven’t won many pens this season. No I probably expect them to get a few but I wouldn’t be overly surprised if Wolves (being wolves with clean sheets) and Southampton beat them

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Played it GW1 this season and I'm gonna to the same thing next season.

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

        Makes sense but there's always some fixture uncertainty.

        Did you get 15 x 2?

        Oh... A few team's didn't even play did they in gw1.

  8. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Happy double gameweek fixture announcement day everyone! 😀

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fingers crossed!

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

      Happy get trolled again day everyone

  9. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If money wasn't an issue, would you go for TAA?

    EVE, she, che, FUL, wol in the next 4 GWs.

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no

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

      TAA is more exposed defensively with Salah in front, so i guess TAA has a lot to do down that flank.

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

        True but he'd actually looked dangerous recently.

      2. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fair. But he's been showing insane underlying stats offensively. If Fabinho or Davies come back by DGW26, their defense and offense should improve immensely since that would take Hendo back to midfield.

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

      Money will suddenly become an issue when the likes of KDB and Salah start firing again

      1. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Already have Salah and not interested in KdB with Gundo and 2X defenders locked in.

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

          What happens when Gundo turns into his old self then?

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

            Can't see it somehow Gundo on fire at moment, but if he does then Silva or KDB steps forward. City may save Gundo for CL

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

              Only on fire since kdb’s injury, now he’s back it will likely change his position.

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

                That’s a myth, he started firing 6 weeks before that

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

      From Digne to Trent 😉

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

        Was thinking this but kept it cheap for now and got Dallas in, he’s been trolling me all season and happy to finally own him for his next attacking return!

  10. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one from:

    A) Dias (Ars)
    B) Lowton (WBA)

    And

    1) Gundogan (ars)
    2) DCL (Liv)

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

      I’m on B1 myself

  11. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Looking to WC, team value 103.6

    Trying to fit KDB in is tricky, dont want to set up a team and be left without a route to get him! Not sure which player needs to from the Mids tho

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Honestly wouldn’t bother - he will rotate in his return to fitness and city have CL to consider too

      Salah has good fixtures has returned to form
      Bruno consistent returns
      Gundo great value
      Barnes/madds great fixtures/form
      Grealish- 2 dgws to come

      No room imo

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

    Best move for the week with 1 FT? Plan to WC30...

    A. Grealish -> Raph
    B. Coufal -> Webster/White

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

      A

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    Who do you think will be a better option going forward if you take into consideration the price difference too:

    A. Vardy
    B. Harvey Barnes

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

      B Harvey Barnes

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

  14. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Back three for GW25 fixtures:
    Wan-Bissaka - Mee - Stones - (Dias - Cresswell) ?

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

      It’s a difficult decision. I would think Dias will stay in the team and Stones rotate with Laporte if there is any rotation. Stones will be fresh this week though so probably right team on balance. I currently have Cresswell on bench to and previous times I’ve done that he’s got an assist!
      Mines Pope Stones Mee Dallas (Cresswell Lowton). Don’t want to risk triple Burnley this week as the WBA striker looked really good last game.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I brought in Mee for his dgw, but as with my other dgw selections he only played the once.

        I don't expect to hold Mee long term so if I don't play him against WBA, I'm not sure if I'll ever play him. Also I fear Spurs against West Ham so for this one time I'll bench Creswell who has been great in my team all season.

  15. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez (Sanchez)
    Cancelo Stones Dallas Lowton (Coufal)
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Son (Soucek)
    DCL Watkins Bamford
    1 FT, 4.9 ITB

    A) WC GW25 and BB GW26
    B) GW25 - Raphina IN - Soucek OUT and GW 26 DCL > Kane and TC Kane.
    C) Occasional hits to navigate through the doubles and BB in 26 due to players brought from hits.

  16. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How does this wildcard team look? More likely for GW26 than this week....already used BB and FH

    Martinez. Forster
    Cancelo. Rudi. Dallas. White. Target
    Salah. Bruno. Gundo. Grealish. Soucek
    Bamford. Kane. Werner

    Could also do ESR and Vardy instead of Soucek Werner

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

      I’d go for raphinha ahead of Soucek personally but otherwise looks good

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agree on this

  17. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there anyone else thinking Ings is a trap?

    As one of the podcasters mentioned (I forget which one) his first DGW includes Chelsea so it's more like a 1.5 match DGW. But then the second DGW has City away -I believe- which is more like a 1.1 match DGW with their form, and SHU away are not the pushovers they have been for most of the season. Throw in the fact that Southampton aren't playing particularly well at the mo, Ings' well-documented injury troubles (can he even play that many games in such a short period?) and that a significant number of us (including myself) have to remove DCL (who has a great DGW) for him makes me think I should just pass.

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

      Ings is a trap as he’s made of glass and he always plays for a trap of a team in Soton. Avoid at all costs

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

    In two minds whether to start Martinez or Meslier now. Was all set for Meslier and got him in specifically for this week but now I just don't know. Marty has rarely let me down this season.

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

      I’m starting Pope over him if that helps

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

      Has to be Meslier. Don’t be afraid of a Marti miracle, it won’t happen every week

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Villa fan here. I have Martinez and Pope and am playing Pope, we've been riding our luck recently (Brighton) or keeping cleanies against teams that are currently a bit of a mess (Southampton, Arsenal). When we come up against a team that is well-organized we tend to get beat (City, Burnley, West Ham). Leicester are firmly in the latter category, and I think we'll struggle to keep them out, I'd take a draw right now.

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

      Playing Meslier, no doubt in my mind about it. Villa have been lackluster defensively recently, Martinez can't keep bailing them out every week and I expect Leicester to be more clinical.

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

    Stones and Zinchenko will play at Arsenal, Laporte to get rest. Cancelo knee not great after Rodrigues kick on it

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

      Yeah

      Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko looks likely

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

    Who to bench this week?

    A. Dias
    B. Cancelo
    C. DCL

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

      Cancelo should get a rest.

  21. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning chaps. % chances of the following starting v Arsenal at the weekend?

    Stones
    Gundo
    Sterling
    Foden

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

      Stones is very likely to start. The other are 50-50 imo

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

      Likelihood of starting is in that order

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

      Who knows. Pep probably hasn't decided himself.

      He said new team so if rested yesterday much higher chance of starting on Sunday.

    4. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all

    5. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      90%
      50%
      60%
      40%

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

    Maybe not Gundo, extra rest? The other 3 will

  23. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How is this wc draft? No button pressed yet

    Martinez, Areola
    Cancelo*, Stones, Dallas, Rüdiger, Konsa
    KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Raphinha, Jorginho
    Kane, Ings, Bamford

    Plan is to BB gw26 when Raphinha and Dallas -> Barnes and any good 5.0 dgw defender. Also have my FH left.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Salah is too scary for me personally.
      But I like it!

  24. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I do enjoy this guys articles, one of the ones I actually read in full ;D

    How is it after 113 points this week i still feel disappointed, mainly because of what could have been if I captained gundo over sterling although I know im not alone.

    Now what to do, not really happy with my team. Strong bench but feel like I'm missing some assets for the DGWs...

    Martinez/Pope

    Lowton/Dias/Dallas/Cresswell/Digne

    Gundo/sterling/bruno/salah/raphinha

    Dcl/antonio/bam

    Any advice much appreciated!

  25. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Slipped a few points behind in my minileague after benching nightmares and the damp squib of last night. Trying not to panic and hit wildcard, but I am concerned (main rival has already used WC and FH).

    My initial plan was just to do TAA > Dallas, though wondering if Antonio > Ings might be a good shout too for -4.

    Martinez / Pope
    TAA / Cancelo / Stones / Bednarek / Shaw
    Salah / Fernandes / Grealish / Gundogan / Saka
    Bamford / Antonio / DCL

    Finding it quite difficult to commit to a plan due to fixture uncertainty but unless there are disasters, I want to save the WC for GW30.

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

      Just do Antonio to Ings and hold.

      1. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        How will he do that without freeing up funds?!

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

    Is this bench right for this GW? Banking on Foden getting a rest after starting last 3 and Champions League after, and Tarkowski seems OK to cover Gundo if he doesn’t play?

    Had considered bench boost but feel like I have too many uncertainties this GW..

    Pope
    Dallas* - Robertson - Dias
    Raphina* - Son - Fernandes - Gundogan
    Bamford* (c) - Ings* - Barnes

    Martinez - Tarkowski - Foden - Digne

    * = DGW

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

    Is it worth trying with Struijk on wildcard? Should keep his place for the double? Thanks

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

      Double yes. Beyond that no.

  28. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with this team?

    Areola
    Mee Dallas* Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Foden
    Kane Ings* Bamford*

    (Sanchez Gundogan Stones Targett) 1FT 0ITB

    A) Foden -> Raphinha
    B) Gundogan -> Raphinha
    C) Save FT

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

      C. No point removing City they have 2 DGWs coming

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate!

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

    Think I’m going to TC Kane in 26 and BB another time, can’t build a BB team I’m happy with, any draft I make just looks like a train wreck disaster

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

      Train wreck disaster like your entire season?

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TC Kane against that stubborn defence of Burnley's?

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

        They usually do well against Burnley

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like a plan

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

      But you are wildcarding this week, you won't get a better bench for the rest of the season

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      its in ur name so knock urself out buddy

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

    Sterling to Salah this week or next?

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

      Never

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I frankly would think he ll get a coupld gainst that weak defense