Pro Pundits - Sam

How to navigate European and FA Cup fixtures returning to FPL schedule

Fantasy Premier League managers now have to consider a multitude of new problems with the return of European football and remaining FA Cup matches.

How will the restart of the Champions League and Europa League impact team selection? Will players be tired from the travel and additional match time?

When will all of the postponed matches be rescheduled? What will Gameweek 29 look like with the FA Cup fixtures scheduled for that weekend?

There are so many questions and at the moment very little in the way of answers for FPL managers. I’m trying to plan ahead and make my transfers count, not just for the week ahead, but for the long-term too.

I played my Free Hit chip back in Gameweek 18 meaning that, on paper, Gameweek 29 will be difficult to manage. Sheffield United, Everton, Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester City, Leicester and Manchester United have all made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. So when they play their Premier League matches scheduled for that weekend remains to be seen.

We do know that the following matches will be played as planned as these teams are out of the FA Cup:

  • Brighton v Newcastle
  • Fulham v Leeds
  • West Ham v Arsenal

There have also been rumours we might get some fixtures rearranged to this week. In particular, Spurs v Aston Villa, as Spurs will be unable to play additional matches in Gameweeks 27 and 28 if they beat Wolfsburg in the Europa League this week.

However, this is all speculation until we get an official announcement from the Premier League.

So what do FPL managers do while we wait for official announcements?

Transfers at this stage of the season are vital. In most other parts of the season making a transfer for one or two weeks works really well, as it allows us to target a particular player or team for a match or two. But with multiple Double Gameweeks to come over the remainder of the season, we have to try and ensure we use our transfers as best we can, so they work in both the short and long-term.

For me, my biggest issue will be Gameweek 29, as this this is a key Gameweek for me to work towards. I currently own three West Ham players and two Leeds assets:

  • Patrick Bamford (£6.8m)
  • Stuart Dallas (£4.9m)
  • Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m)
  • Tomas Soucek (£5.4m)
  • Michail Antonio (£6.6m)

Having only five players available is not viable for that Gameweek and therefore my transfers have to work for Double Gameweek 25 and Gameweeks 26 to 28 (which may or may not be doubles) as well as blank Gameweek 29.

As a result, I’m targeting certain teams who have nice fixtures and play in Gameweek 29.

Brighton

What chip strategy are FFS users planning for Blank Gameweek 18?

Brighton are currently a gift FPL managers should take advantage of.

Having kept five clean sheets in their last six Premier League matches, they are defensively rock solid and their attacking stats have taken a turn for the better over the last few weeks.

In Gameweek 24, Brighton had 26 shots on the Aston Villa goal and forced Emiliano Martinez (£5.2m) in to nine saves. Were it not for Martinez’s outstanding performance, Brighton would have won the game comfortably, as they restricted Villa to just two shots and no big chances.

Lewis Dunk (£4.9m) has already taken a £0.1m price increase this week, as 56,255 managers have invested in the Brighton defender so far. This makes him the third most popular defensive transfer ahead of Gameweek 25.

In the last six Gameweeks, Dunk has returned 44 points for his owners. He is top of the pile out of all defenders in the game by form, a whole 1.2 ahead of Matt Targett (£4.9m) in second place.

Brighton are not expected to have any Double Gameweeks and this may be off-putting for many FPL managers, especially if you still have your Free Hit.

However, for managers like myself who do not have the Free Hit chip left, Dunk looks like an excellent option.

Over the last six Gameweeks Brighton are now sixth for attempts in the box, just two behind Manchester United and with only in-form teams and Liverpool above them.

Brighton also sit fourth over the same period for minutes per chance, just 0.1 minutes behind Chelsea and Liverpool and 0.2 mins behind league leaders Manchester City.

While Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) failed to return any FPL points in Gameweek 24, he was second for expected goals (xG) underachievers, meaning that he was unlucky not to return FPL points for the 0.3% of managers who own him.

Premium Members Area table showing xG underachievers for Gameweek 24 after Monday evenings fixtures

Welbeck, alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister (£5.3m) Leandro Trossard (£5.7m) and Neal Maupay (£6.1m) are all huge differentials in FPL. Of the four, Mac Allister has virtually no ownership at 0.0%, with Maupay having the highest at 3.0%.

Even at Maupay’s level of ownership, he is still a huge differential and is heading in to a run of fixtures against sides who (aside from Leicester) have been susceptible to conceding goals. They could all be excellent picks to cover you all the way through, and potentially beyond Gameweek 29.

  • Gameweek 25: Crystal Palace six conceded in the last three Gameweeks
  • Gameweek 26: West Brom five conceded in the last three Gameweeks
  • Gameweek 28: Southampton 14 conceded in the last three Gameweeks
  • Gameweek 29: Newcastle six conceded in the last three Gameweeks

These defences could allow plenty of opportunities for the Brighton forwards to score FPL points.

Leeds

Bamford and Raphinha star in audition for Double Gameweek 25 2

Unlike Brighton, FPL managers know Leeds will play twice in Double Gameweek 25 and their assets are already high on their wish lists.

Alongside this double there is the potential of Leeds having another Double Gameweek over the next few weeks too. Couple that with them having a fixture in Gameweek 29 and Leeds look to be the perfect fit for FPL managers.

Patrick Bamford (£6.8m) is already owned by 53.7% of the game. He is also currently the most transferred forward with 144,991 new owners so far, ahead of his double in Gameweek 25.

Obviously Bamford will be owned by the majority of FPL managers by the time we arrive at Gameweek 29, but there are still plenty of other great options.

Alongside Bamford I currently own Stuart Dallas (£4.9m) and he came off my bench for a -1 when Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) was ruled out. Despite his negative return, he is still a great option.

Dallas is the most transferred in defender ahead of Gameweek 25 with 152,148 managers bringing in the Leeds defender.

While Leeds haven’t kept a lot of clean sheets recently (just one in the last seven Gameweeks) Dallas has returned a seven and a 12 point haul in that time. He did this by scoring a goal in Gameweek 21 and registering a clean sheet, and created an assist and brought in all three bonus points in Gameweek 23.

Depending on Double Gameweek updates beyond Gameweek 26, I will probably look to bring in a third Leeds option. Raphinha (£5.4m) is the stand-out for me currently. He has now returned in each of the last five gameweeks, accumulating 38 points made up of two goals, four assists, five bonus points and a clean sheet point.

 1

At just 3.6% ownership, Raphinha is a great differential option. He is on a fantastic run of form, a guaranteed Double Gameweek and has a match in the blank Gameweek in 29 so there is a lot to like about him as a FPL option.

Think long term

Right now, planning ahead and for the present is key. Leeds offer the perfect blend of Double Gameweeks and playing in the Blank Gameweek too.

Brighton have a great fixture list of single Gameweeks as well as a fixture in that all-important blank Gameweek 29.

There are other clubs I am keeping a firm watch on too. If Spurs make it through to the next round of the Europa League then there is an increased chance of Aston Villa and Spurs playing each other in their rearranged match in Gameweek 29, as they are both out of the FA Cup.

If this does end up happening, FPL managers will breathe a sigh of relief as this will give us access to options such as Harry Kane (£11.0m), Son Heung-min (£9.5m), Ollie Watkins (£6.5m), Jack Grealish (£7.8m) and the Aston Villa defence during Gameweek 29 – something that would be incredibly helpful to FPL managers at large.

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

532 Comments Post a Comment
  1. myteamissheeeeeeeet
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry busy one today. Is a Kane fit to start?

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

      Looks like it from Jose's chat last night

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

        Cheers pal. Worth this do you think?

        Sterling & Antonio to Raphina & Kane -4?

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

    Pick 3 defenders to play this week:

    A) Dias (ARS)
    B) Stones (ARS)
    C) Dallas (WOL, SOU)
    D) Bednarek (CHE, LEE)
    E) Mee (WBA)

    Cheers!

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

      ACE

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

        Hmm and bench Bednarek despite the double?

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

      BCE

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

      I think you have to play C and D with the doubles then I'd probably go with Dias

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

        Finding it tough to decide between D and E. Much higher CS chances for Burnley.

    4. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah ACE

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

        Cheers!

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

      Arsenal score. Bench the city def

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

        But high ownership tho

    6. Jack.Armstrong96
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ACE, because that’s the exact 3 I’ve got haha

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

        Thanks, good luck then haha!

  3. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Areola
    Dias Shaw Dallas**
    Salah Bruno Gundo Son Rap**
    Bamford** Dings**

    Martinez Watkins Cancelo Coufal

    ** - has DGW
    0FT 2.8ITB
    No WC or BB. FH & TC still intact.

    Gtg? Think my bench order ok?

    Enough ITB next turn to get Kane if he’s fit for a DGW

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

      Looks good.

  4. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain? I have both

    A. Bamford
    B. Rafinha

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am on B

    2. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  5. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not enough in the bank to do Antonio to Bamford so will have to take a hit. Think i'm going to save WC for later in the season. Leaning towards A as Grealish likely to have at least a couple of doubles coming up.

    Pope
    Dias, Stones, AWB, Dallas
    Gundo, Salah, Son, Bruno, Grealish
    Watkins

    Martinez, Antonio, DCL, Coufal

    A) AWB & Antonio to Shaw & Bamford (-4)
    B) Grealish & Antonio to Raph & Bamford (-4)
    C) Grealish & Antonio to Raph & Ings (-4)
    D) Grealish, DCL & Antonio to Raph, Bamford & Ings (-8)

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

      B looks solid for this GW

  6. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Je suis McCarthy

    Not in the Captain’s Poll, but Martinez

    #freethebeast

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

      *is

  7. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Meslier
    Dallas dias cancelo mee
    Salah bruno gundogan
    Dcl kane bamford(c)

    Steer* grealish Soucek justin*

    Got 2ft and not sure what to do

    A - justin & dcl to burn and ings
    B - justin to shaw
    C - justin & steer to

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ahhh...

      C - justin & steer to burn & mccarthy and play BB

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

      I like A. Solid move for this GW IMO

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  8. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any Meslier owners worried about him being dropped?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Constantly

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If we had a better back up he wouldn't even be playing but we don't.

  9. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ok locking and loading this. GL all

    Pope
    Tark Shaw Dallas
    Mo Bruno Son Gundo Raph
    Bamford C Vardy

    Martinez Stones Lowton Watkins

    Deeply unconvinced by Bamford C but recent captaincy record can't really be worsened!

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

    So in summary- captain Bamford to play safe, captain Raphinha if you’re chasing (like me)??

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

      *captain Bampot if you’re chasing and don’t want to loose more ground

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone is chasing bar one

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Things wildcarders gain:
    - Getting rid of WHU assets
    - Getting rid of BUR assets
    - Son & Kane
    - 15 players in gw26 (if BB left)
    - Navigating gw29 easier

    Hope it's worth

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

      Luckily I can do all that stuff without WC

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You could add bringing in Leicester and Chelsea who are both on a roll and have fixtures. Ings too has simply glorious fixtures bar the extra DGW ones.

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

        disagree with ings

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

          Check the fixtures - the non DGW ones

          leeds
          everton
          shu
          BHA
          Burnley
          ----
          wba
          Palace

          Not sure it could be better bar absence of Newcastle

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

            they do look good, but check the form table of the last 5 games. Saints are bottom of the league. I decided to plump for Vardy.

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

              Likewise 🙂

              Went WC last week. Last decision was Vardy Ings - would really want both but just a tad out of budget right now unless I go wild in 26 when I move on from Burnley defence

      2. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Had a look on Chelsea but they have not got good fixtures for defenders and I think their attackers are not smashing it atm. Leicester great fixtures, would love to buy a defender but I don't know who is nailed atm cause Fofana will be back in 3 weeks and I need someone to keep for the season. Ings too difficult to predict, fixtures seem great for him though.

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

          Look beyond 26 and the defensive fixtures are plum surely?

          Things have changed with exit of Lampard but the record against top 6 from memory is tight low scoring scores. Can see a nil nil at some stage in 26 if the DGW happens

          1. Shark Team
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Failed answer below

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

      -Getting Triple Leeds
      -Kane, Son & Vardy Party
      -Used BB already so finally getting rid of the previous BB rubbish - ie Johnstone!

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy(?) Over Salah or Bruno?

      2. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The fixtures are great after the blank gw for their defenders.
        Look at who they played under Tuchel so far:
        Burnley (without their strikers)
        Tottenham (without Kane)
        Newcastle (without Wilson)
        Wolves (awful offensively but still hit the post with Neto)
        and conceded to SHU.

  12. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Looking to bench boost GW26 so need to improve Mitchell next GW, which puts me off Ings in this week
    Still got WC, BB and TC

    Pope,
    Cancelo, Dias, Lowton, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Grealish
    Bamford (C), Antonio

    Martinez, DCL, Soucek, Mitchell

    2 FT 6.8 ITB

    A) Antonio + Soucek > Kane + Raphinha
    B) Antonio > Kane
    C) Soucek > Rafinha/Son
    D) Other.

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    % chance following are fir to start the GW:

    A. DCL
    B. Gundogan
    C. Antonio

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

      95
      75
      60

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

        Cheers

        A. Will bench and comes on if Gundogan no show
        B. Will start with DCL in the wings
        C. Will sell for Ings

        Sound good?

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

          Yep

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

            Cheers Holmes

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say Dcl starts.
      Gundogan doesn't.
      Antonio fifty fifty.

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

        Cheers Minnion

    3. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        58
        60
        72

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

        DCL 75%
        Gundogan 75%
        Antonio 75%

        Source: FPL site

    4. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bottomed

      For those who want to understand liverpool's plight this season.

      Two biggest factors are unprecedented injury crisis AND blatantly bad decision making from officials particularly VAR. Virgil injury ticks both boxes but the sad thing is it has been season long issues from officials and injuries. Some might call this excuses others facts. You decide.

      VAR overturns (net score)

      Chelsea +3
      Everton +3
      Brighton +2
      Burnley +2
      Leeds +2
      Sheffield United +2
      Man City +1
      Newcastle +1
      Southampton +1
      Aston Villa 0
      Crystal Palace 0
      Fulham 0
      Leicester 0
      Man United 0
      West Ham -1
      Wolves -1
      Tottenham -2
      Arsenal -4
      West Brom -4
      Liverpool -5

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

        That varcical.....

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          😆

          Sad but true

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Excuses. Stop crying and play football. 16 pts behind
        16.

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You sir fall into category 1.

          I agree with you bottom line. We cant change it, so just keep going. But for analysis purposes it is insightful.

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

        Are you saying VAR was wrong in those 5 instances? Or you're sore that Liverpool didn't benefit from a referee mistake?

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Var has been wrong in some of those decisions and the argument that refs are slowing down liverpool particularly early in the season gathers strength. I wouldn't be surprised if they eased up on us now. Damage done right?

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

            Sounds like you're salty. Liverpool just aren't good enough and have deserved to be where they are.

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Wow what a convincing repost. Will take time to work through the wonderful info you have supplied

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

                not sure if you mean riposte or repost? Anyway, good luck.

      4. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Isn't their form simply consistent since first lockdown and slightly before? They weren't tearing it up last third of last season.

      5. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Amount of injuries are not unprecedented. They've been unlucky in that central defenders heavily affected.

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Please find a valid comparison. Dies not have to be centre backs. I want to know if 5 players for one position have ever been injured at the same time and if the if those were fir the majority of the season. When you find it, I will recant unorecedented

          1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Three injuries season ending from first third of season or earlier

          2. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Which 5 are you referring to?

            VVD, Gomez, matip are injured. The fact liverpool sold a 4th centre back without replacing him is not bad luck.

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Fabinho and Ben Davies

              Fabinho injured after establishing himself no 1 fron who's kedt

              1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Left

      6. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 1 month ago

          This list doesn't have any context to it

          You could argue that the refs tried to cheat for Liverpool 5 times on the pitch and thankfully var was there to make the correct decision

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Indeed. Maybe they've been getting away with it for years and it should be looked at retrospectively.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I've watched every pool game, can't say I recall any massive var injustice, there were the usual offside armpit goals but every team has those

              1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                How many?

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    I didn't count, but this is your post so I should be asking you, how many did var incorrectly rule on against Liverpool, and how does that compare to other teams

                    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      liverpool have had more goals disallowed than any other team. Some of those decisions are subjective. One person rules them out another does not

                2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  If a team has 1 offside or 100 they both qualify your statement but are not necessarily treated equally

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      So you've got the data that shows Liverpool were incorrectly ruled on by var for this specific thing more than any other team?

                  2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Pickford?

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        That's one instance Liverpool suffered from VAR not spotting something but doesn't even count as an overturn, not like Pickford was sent off, and then VAR intervened and didn't send him off

                        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          Was it offside?

                          If not pen.

                          If yes goalie still sent off in the first half of a game we dropped points in.

                          Then mane has a goal disallowed because of a name badge in the same match.

                          This us just 1game that contributed to these stats

                          1. @persecuted_by_mods
                              3 years, 1 month ago

                              How old are you? Pointless debating someone so biased or someone that can't understand simple concepts

                              VAR overturning something is what your post is about, but surely your point isn't that every single VAR overturn has been incorrect? The mane offside many teams have had that, if you give that goal to Liverpool every team can be given one goal for a marginal offside

                              Pickford non red was a mistake, but again VAR was the only way to even spot it in the first place, the ref clearly had no clue what was going on and that isn't an overturn, he didn't give Pickford a red and VAR went no red. VAR gave the offside which it was and didn't know they could still send Pickford off so they made a mistake

                              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                                  3 years, 1 month ago

                                  I like klopp, I like Liverpool, no injuries and they win the title for me but there's no var cheating or conspiracy, sorry. It's just a statistical quirk

                                • MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                                  • 6 Years
                                  3 years, 1 month ago

                                  I didn't think virg was offside and I dont think offside is as cut and dried as they make it seem. When you are dealing with fractions of a second and millimeters subjectivity comes in when you freeze the frame. Someone is still subjectively making that call. Most of my issues with var thus season has been offside. I do not agree with you that the right decision was made by VAR in this case.

                                  My point is more often than not when VAR get involved we lose out. Some of those are correct decisions and some are not but in a league where everything evens out we are coming last and it feels that way to me when I am watching. Having said all that our biggest issue is injuries followed by loss of form. I dont think that the refs have cost liverpool the title by any means. But I do think it has been a factor in us dropping to 6th. Hopefully we start to get the rub of the green. It certainly helps

                      • MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        If it showed just liverpool I agree. But the comparison is between everyone and liverpool is last. Fact

                        1. how now brown cow
                          • 9 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          But your fundamental point seems to be a "var overturn" is wrong somehow, rather than in fact correcting a wrong decision.

                          1. @persecuted_by_mods
                              3 years, 1 month ago

                              This lmao, he's treating every overturn as an incorrect overturn for some reason

                            • MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                              • 6 Years
                              3 years, 1 month ago

                              I never said it was wrong. Multiple times I said some of these are wrong and yes that's true for every team. But the final stats do show something other supporters are happy to ignore when they write us off as you are doing right now

                              1. how now brown cow
                                • 9 Years
                                3 years, 1 month ago

                                I'm not writing anyone off. I just really dont get your var point.

                                By your argument spurs are hard done by too. I'm not complaining because I understand it's not the reason we are underperforming.

                      • Epic Fail
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Butterfly effect...

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

                        Clutching at straws a bit. The Virgil thing's huge, I agree, but there are deeper problems at play than VAR I think.

                        You only have to watch them of late - the spark, for whatever reason, has died down. And it's easy to say as a none fan, but sometimes you need a dip in form to shake away any cobwebs.

                        They've lost their mojo, pure and simple.

                        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          This is one of three factors, injuries being linked to it and the main reason we are where we are. I am simply saying refs have not been giving pool decisions all season l, on the pitch or in the booth, and that has added to our problems. If we finish middle of this table by the end of the season then I think we get top 4. If we stay bottom of this table then it is likely top 4 is gone as well.

                    2. bitm2007
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      The Grealish price drop has given me a few more options.

                      A) Martinez, Guaita, Vestergaard (will switch to Rudiger after DGWs)
                      B) Martinez, Pickford, Vestergaard (will switch to Rudiger after DGWs)
                      C) Lloris, McCarthy, Konsa (to cover the Villa CS)

                      I'm planning to BB26, FH29, all options potentially give me 5 DGW's in GW25, 13 DGW's + 2 Leeds in GW26, and 5 DGW's in GW27.

                      I'm very tempted by C given that Spurs have 3 fixtures that need to be rearranged.

                      1. Ian Davis
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        I’d go B

                    3. STILL ILL
                      • 3 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Ederson Button
                      Dallas Struijk Mee Robertson Cancelo
                      Salah Bruno Gundo Grealish Son
                      Bamford Ings Brewster

                      0 FTs, 0.0 ITB, chips left: WC, BB, TC

                      I can't see more than 3 transfers here to prepare for DGW26 (Robertson, Brewster, Button to Watkins, 9.0 GK+DEF). Surely that -8 is not worth the wildcard (??, the minus transfers would also prepare me for BGW29), but is that team even worth BBing or should I just go with Bamford and 10 DGWers and save the chips for later? Of course this is much easier when the fixtures are announced, but I am in full panic-mode already 😀

                    4. Ian Davis
                      • 14 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Current WC team, any obvious changes needed?:

                      Martinez / McCarthy
                      Cancelo/Dias/Shaw/Rudiger/Dallas
                      Salah//Bruno/Gundo/Maddison/Raphinha
                      Kane/Ings/Bamford

                      1. bitm2007
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Rudiger has a poor potential DGW26, but if your planning to bench him looks good.

                        See my question above.

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

                          Rudiger has great fixtures around the double, and in a great defence since TT arrival. It's not all about the dgw

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

                            That said, I wouldn't go near McCarthy at all even with all his doubles

                            1. Ian Davis
                              • 14 Years
                              3 years, 1 month ago

                              Who do you think would be a better option for a BB in DGW26?

                              1. bitm2007
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 9 Years
                                3 years, 1 month ago

                                Slim pickings if nothing ITB. McCarthy/Rudiger to Pickford/El Mohamady (who should be nailed with Cash out) is an option. Than Dallas to Rudiger in the future.

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

                      Any news on Cavani? I don't know what to do with him as there is no Ole press conference today but maybe he said something yesterday?

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

                        just came on here looking for the same answer
                        i'd be ok doing Ings -4 if he's not fit but are we going to get some info??

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

                      Who do you see scoring more points this GW:

                      A) Bednarek (CHE, LEE) or
                      B) Mee (WBA)

                      1. how now brown cow
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        B

                    7. vova
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Pope
                      Maguire Stones Lowton
                      Salah Fernandes Son Gundogan
                      Ings Bamford (C) Watkins
                      Martinez Dias Mee Anguissa

                      G2G? Not sure who to bench as Dias/Mee can both start and get a clean sheet IMO.

                    8. AdamJ91
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Thoughts on this WC team?

                      Martinez - Fabri
                      Cancelo - Dias - Konsa - Burn - Strujik
                      Salah - Fernandes - Son - Raphinha - Gundogan
                      Bamford - Ings - Kane

                      1. bitm2007
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Nice I can't afford that. You've got a lot tied up in the keepers. I'd be tempted to downgrade Fab and use the MITB to upgrade Konsa or Burn to Shaw.

                        1. Gunners in Haaland
                          • 4 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          Fab is 3.9

                          1. bitm2007
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            3 years, 1 month ago

                            OK thought it was Fabianski.

                    9. DA Minnion (Former great)
                      • 11 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      How's this looking.
                      Good to go?
                      Martinez
                      Mee Shaw Stones Dallas
                      Raphinia Son Bruno Gundogan
                      Kane Bamford c

                      Grealish Watkins Coufal Forster

                      Any changes required?

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

                      Bench Gundo, Watkins or Grealish?
                      Leaning towards Gundo

                      1. Make United Great Again
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        If Gundagon starts you’ll regret benching him.

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

                          Yup but it's a big if

                      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Gundogan will either start or not play at all in my opinion.

                      3. Saka Punch
                        • 5 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Grealish

                    11. Make United Great Again
                      • 11 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      So tempting to captain Bruno. Even with Bamford and Ings..

                      1. jammie26
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Think I'm going with Bruno.

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

                          Me too. Didn't think twice

                          1. Make United Great Again
                            • 11 Years
                            3 years, 1 month ago

                            You own Bamford and Ings too?

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

                              I'm buying Bamford but Leeds will flop

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

                                Best to capt him just to make double sure

                    12. AiAiCaptain
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      WC activated earlier this week, so could really need some feedback on this.
                      Will probably BB 26.

                      GW 25:
                      Martinez (Areola)
                      Dias Cancelo Shaw (Rudiger Konsa)
                      Gundo Bruno Salah Raphinha Harrison
                      Bamford Ings (Watkins)

                      For GW 26 I could do:
                      Harrison + Bamford/Ings --> Barnes + Kane (-4)

                      Only downside is not having Son for the double, but can´t have them all.

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

                      Pope
                      Shaw Mee Alioski
                      Raphinha(c) Bruno Salah Gundo Sterling
                      Bamford(vc) Cavani

                      Johnstone Antonio Cancelo Coufal

                      1 ft., 0.9m itb.
                      What to do?
                      I want Cavani to Ings, but I want have players in 29 bgw.

                    14. Jafooli
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Are the DGW fixture confirmation’s gonna come too late for the deadline?

                      1. Fred54
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        If they are released today, should be before deadline.

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

                          Cheers Fred, normally around 4pm right?

                          Benny Crellin gonna have to work super quick 😛

                          FFS will update the ticker in about a week

                      2. Make United Great Again
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Looks like it.

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

                          Any idea of time?

                          1. bitm2007
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            3 years, 1 month ago

                            4 pm is rumored, knowing my luck it will be 6.31 pm.

                      3. The Big Fella
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Just about to ask this exact same thing - I have kept all my chips but apart from Pep's hint, this isn't confirmed yet. Will you do it anyway?

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

                          Don’t have WC, just need to know if worth getting Ings or not....i.e. do they have further DGWs in 26, 27 and/or 28

                          1. The Big Fella
                            • 7 Years
                            3 years, 1 month ago

                            I'll get him anyway - he at least has a double this week and even if the doubles aren't as we think they are, they should be soonish and I can see Saints turning it around in terms of form soon

                    15. Michelle Davin
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Best defender to get apart from Leeds guys for the upcoming doubles and singles?

                      Thinking Targett

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

                        Or Konsa - slightly cheaper

                    16. Kikofraeuropa
                      • 9 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Pope
                      Rudiger, Stones, Lowton
                      Salah, Sterling, Fernandes, Gundogan, Soucek
                      DCL, Bamford (Coufal, Konsa, Wilson, Forster)

                      I have 1 FT and I'm considering:
                      A) Sterling, Wilson --> Raphinha and Kane
                      B) Soucek, Wilson --> Ings and Raphinha

                      What do you guys think?

                    17. Saka Punch
                      • 5 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      On WC, which one would you pick?

                      A) Grealish

                      B) Maddison

                      C) Barnes

                      ?

                      1. Make United Great Again
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        C

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

                        C