Pro Pundits

The best Antonio replacements ahead of West Ham’s fixture swing

Despite Michail Antonio’s (£6.6m) recent form, West Ham’s fixture swing means I am considering who to replace him with for Double Gameweek 25.

In Double Gameweek 19 he delivered 18 points for managers who decided to gamble on his fitness but there are alternatives with better fixtures now and I think this is the correct timing to part ways with Antonio.

So, in this article, I will take a deep look at the pros and cons of the players I identified as the best Antonio replacements and the two possible strategies I am considering. But first, a quick recap of how Gameweek 24 affected my team and my overall ranking…

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 24 REVIEW

Can Jesse Lingard follow up on his West Ham debut FPL haul 10

As an alternative, I considered getting Danny Ings (£8.4m) for Antonio, who was recovering from injury and was considered a doubt for his home match against Sheffield United. I decided against this option because it was too risky to sell Antonio ahead of such an easy fixture and I wanted one more week to assess several forwards before deciding who would be the best option to replace the West Ham striker. 

Regardless of how impressive Antonio has been lately, a lack of Double Gameweeks coupled with tough fixtures and recurrent injuries, means he is one of the weakest links in my team at the moment. Considering that his ownership in the top 10k was roughly 60% in Double Gameweek 24, I assume many other Fantasy managers are in the same boat, so let’s take a closer look at some of the best forwards available right now.

harry kane fpl injury return spurs west brom gameweek 23

HARRY KANE (£11.0m) – The main appeal of Kane is the strong possibility of an excellent Double Gameweek 26, when Tottenham Hotspur will face Burnley (home) and probably either Fulham (away) or Southampton (home). Many managers are already planning on using their triple captain chip on the Spurs striker and it will be a scary proposition to go without such an explosive asset when his ownership will be so big.


However, in my case, going for Kane is only possible if I decide to downgrade one of Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) or Son Heung-min (£9.5m), which is something I am reluctant to do. After all, these three players will also probably play twice in Gameweek 26 and every single one of them can easily outscore Kane. All in all, I do not think I am willing to perform major surgery in my squad just to fit Kane in unless, of course, some of my players get injured between now and the Gameweek 26 deadline.

JAMIE VARDY (£10.1m) – Just like Kane, Vardy might be a bit too expensive to fit into my plans without compromising the rest of my squad too much but after watching another stellar performance from the Leicester City legend at the King Power Stadium against Liverpool, in which he accumulated an impressive total of 1.27 expected goals (xG) from five shots, he deserves at least to be considered for the third spot in my forward line.

However, with two away matches against Aston Villa and Brighton in either side of a potential Double Gameweek 26, there is not much else in favour of Vardy other than his impressive display against the defending champions. Will he and the Foxes be able to carry their form going forward? It is impossible to know and I think I am not willing to pay Vardy’s hefty price to find out when there are several other cheaper options with better short-term fixtures.

 1

DANNY INGS – There is a decent chance that Southampton will have two Double Gameweeks in the near future and possibly even three. As usual, whenever the Saints’ schedule looks appealing, Ings is the player to target considering how miles ahead he is in terms of attacking threat when compared to any of his teammates. Che Adams (£5.8m) was a notable exception in the first half of this season but he does not seem to be nailed anymore so everyone’s attention is back on Ings.

Looking at his schedule and the possibility of several Double Gameweeks, it is hard to argue against Ings as an option but in 2020/21, he hasn’t quite reached his levels of last season, both in underlying statistics and actual output. However, his form seems to be improving after three good performances in the last few weeks (including a goal in the FA Cup at the Molineux Stadium) and he is someone I am strongly considering as my Antonio replacement.

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (£7.7m) – After missing the last two matches due to injury and with the Merseyside derby scheduled for Saturday, Calvert-Lewin is not on my plans for Gameweek 25. Although, there is the option of benching Antonio this Gameweek and then getting the Toffees’ striker for his possibly amazing Double Gameweek 26, in which he will have two great opportunities to add more goals to his already impressive tally of 13 for the season.

There is also the chance he will get another Double Gameweek before Gameweek 29 and if it is confirmed, it will be hard to ignore the young Everton star.

PATRICK BAMFORD (£6.9m) AND OLLIE WATKINS (£6.5m) – They would be my top priorities to replace Antonio if they were not in my team already. Bamford will be my captain this week and I am happy to hold Watkins given his kind pricing and the fact that he always plays 90 minutes for an exciting Aston Villa team.

CONCLUSION

If I decide to sell Antonio this week, Ings seems to be the obvious choice. Kane and Vardy would require a downgrade elsewhere and Calvert-Lewin has a tough fixture at Anfield Road while Ings plays twice and the match against Leeds United on Tuesday seems destined for goals.

However, I am not sure Ings is the best option to hold after Gameweek 25, so there is still the possibility that I decide to keep (and probably bench) Antonio one more week and then switch him to Calvert-Lewin, Kane or Vardy ahead of Double Gameweek 26.

This will be a late decision for me, since there is still the chance that future Double Gameweeks are officially announced before Friday’s deadline. At the same time, press conferences can always throw some curveballs at us, so it is hard to know what the best course of action is at the moment I am writing this article.

If I would have to guess, I would say it is likely I will gamble with Ings this week and then try to switch him next week to Calvert-Lewin but, as we know, planning transfers beyond the current Gameweek rarely works so I will have to give this option a bit more thought.

1,460 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm tempted to do Gundo to Raphinha for -4, but is it worth it?

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

      No

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im debating the same. Pep being unhelpful as always

    3. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m doing it. Gundogan only has trained one day and with CL next week and KDB he surely will be rested.

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

    The little Pom Pom on top of your hat was used by men who were below deck on a low ceiling ship. The Pom Pom would stop them from banging their head.
    Traditionally men with earrings would wear them on the left. This comes from men in the navy and pirates who would not want the kick back from their muskets ripping out their nice earnings.
    The term proof comes from way back in the 1500’s. To determine whether alcohol was particularly high or not, the pirates or taxman would soak a pellet in booze and gunpowder. They’d strike a match and if it lit it was ‘proof’ of the strength. It’d then get taxes accordingly. This also came about as all Navy ships required gin of a certain strength to fight of illness.

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

      Thanks for that

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

      Which is how we come to have "Navy Strength" Gin nowadays. Nice post, thanks for the day-brightener there 🙂

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

        Yeah. Has to be a minimum of 57.1%

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

      So you're saying the DGW's will be announced soon, is that what I'm reading?

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

        It proof. 😉

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

          He's at least 57.1% certain.

      2. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        what if I told you they were already announced?

    4. thegame983
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tell me everything you know about 'peg boys'.

      My favourite naval oddity.

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

        Well they’d have the earrings on the other side for a start.

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

    Who's likely to bring in more points this week? Ings or Raphina?

    Also, leaning towards Bruno captain over Bamford despite DGW ... thoughts?

    Cheers

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

      Raphinia.

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

      Go with your gut - (B)runo will probably be something of a differential this week

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

      I think Raphinha outscores Ings, and I think you should captain Bamford.

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

    Play Watkins or Grealish?

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

      Watkins.

  5. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Schmeichel and Dias
    B) Ederson and Soyuncu

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

    On a WC which goalkeeper would you choose to pair up with Martinez?

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      pope probs

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      how much money do you have to spend? And are you planning to BB in 26?

  7. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BB Played

    Thoughts on .... Bamford TC this week, FH GW26, 11 playing in GW29, WC 30.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good.

      1. Maarrrr17
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Man I hope you are actually Paul Scholes.

    2. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You can't BB and TC in the same week!

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

    Play DCL or Antonio?

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

      DCL

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

    Who should I start--Stones or Jesus?

    Currently on:
    Pope
    AWB Robbo Mee
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha Son
    Jesus Bamford

    Button Stones Targett Brewster

  10. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Grealish or Antonio?

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

      Grealish

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

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

    Thoughts on my WC team (BB in 26):

    Martinez Areola/McCarty
    Dunk Shaw Dias Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Gundo Bruno Barnes Raphinha
    Bamford Ings Watkins

    Money itb for Bamf -> Kane (c) next week.

    Any suggestions please let me know!

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

      Almost identical to mine!!

      Waiting on fixtures before deciding Areola/McCarthy too 🙂 My defence is slightly different to yours

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

        Who did you go for in defence out of interest?

  12. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which of the following moves for a hit in my BB25?

    A) Coufal --> Dallas
    B) Coufal --> Shaw
    C) Rashford/Barnes --> Raphinha
    D) Gundo --> Raphinha
    E) None

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

      A

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

      E)

      Also depends on the rest of your squad.

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

    Does Grealish take penalties for Villa? I've lost track

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should be Watkins, when El Ghazi is not on the pitch

  14. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What doubles are happening next week? I haven't used my wildcard yet, I feel like I should've used it this week so that I can use BB next week?

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

    For WC, BB26...
    Best cheap (under 4.5) defenders for this strategy?

  16. Koroko990
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope or Mccarthy (2 games)

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope

  17. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better combo for this week and next

    A. McCarthy and Dallas

    B. Martinez and Struijk

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

      A

  18. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    any leeds fans have an opinion on how long Strujik is likely to keep his place for?

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

      This please

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

      If Phillips is out he will play CDM, but i think he started a few before that at CB, as Llorente is injured.

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

    WC played.
    I'll sue you Ben Crellin if the Villa-DGW26 not will confirmed next week.

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

    Play DCL or Grealish?

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

      Grealish for me.

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jack

  21. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone getting KDB for the DGW?

    If yes, who are you going to sacrifice to bring him in? Mo? Bruno? Other?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not getting him

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

    Bottomed:

    Am I good to go for this game week? Captain choice & bench order okay?

    Pope
    Dias - Stones - Shaw
    Salah - Bruno - Gundo - Raphina
    Ings - Bamford (c) - Kane

    Bench order: Martinez - Soucek - Coufal - Dier

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

      G2G

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

      I'd be tempted to get Dier up that bench. If Antonio doesn't make it I'd fancy a Spurs shutout

  23. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Jack or Antonio?

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

      Antonio

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tony

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

    A) Play Cavani
    B) Sell Cavani for Ings -4

    If I keep Cavani and he doesn’t play then Gundo on bench

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

      A

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one, no comments

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

        lol

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

      who is behind gundo on the bench?

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

        Pieters* Coufal

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

          in that case, I think Ings.

  25. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    assuming who were fit which 2 would you start from

    Cavani Antonio Grealish and Digne?

    Gonna ket autosubs kick in

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

      Jack Cavani

  26. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys?
    Play Cancelo or Dias?

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

      Cancelo for me

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

      Cancelo all day long.

  27. Ch0udini
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mendy
    Cancelo Cresswell Dallas Lowton
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Bamford Ings

    Johnstone-DCL-Soucek-Stones

    Is this correct bench order?

  28. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Southampton wont have a DGW26 then?

    Mou didn't mention it in his presser.

  29. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better captain, Ings or Bamford?

    Don't care about ownership, rank etc. Just who will score more points...

    1. Ch0udini
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam for me

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

    For me, a partial training session doesn't bode well for Gundo minutes