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. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    DALLAS, Stones, Dias
    RAPHINHA, Bruno, Salah, Gundogan
    Kane, BAMFORD (C), INGS

    Areola, Jorginho, Dawson, Keane

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

      Good to go

    2. disarrays11
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice! GL!

  2. disarrays11
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1:

    A) Gundo (away vs ARS)

    B) DCL (away vs LIV)

    Cheers

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

      A, but I dont think he starts

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

      I'm on A

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

      B as think Gundogan will get cameo from bench

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

    Which of the following moves for a hit to BB this week?

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

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

      Dallas

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

      A

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

    Play Stones or lowton?

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

      Both

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones. If he doesn't start he won't get a cameo. But his aerial threat vs. Arsenal is tempting.

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

      Yep I’m starting both

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?

    1. Tarko Robo to Dallas Shaw -4,
    next week Stephens Antonio to Barnes Kane -4

    2. Robo Stephens to Dallas/Shaw Raph -4,
    next week Raph Antonio to Barnes Kane -4

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

      2

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

    As a Dias owner, do I double-up and start Emerson or play Martinez instead?

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm tempted to avoid a city double (stones on bench) myself. I think Martinez is always a safe play so I'd probably go him... and maybe sell Ederson to raise funds?

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

    Would you do Rash > Raphina for a hit?

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

      Mmmm flip a coin

  8. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Time to put my feet up and open a ice cold beer

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

    Afternoon addicts
    I’m undecided
    A Meslier double v wolves and soton poss cleanie and save points
    or
    B Sanchez banker v palace

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

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

    Grealish to Raphina madness??

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

      no

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

        Okay to do it? Worried about Villa getting dgws

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

    Bench 1

    A Tarkowski
    B Watkins
    C Grealish

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

      c

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B, but it's really close between all three.

  12. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why is Stones in the scout picks, I'm thinking about benching him

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same, think I might start Dias instead

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Vestergaard Maguire and Dallas must be better than Stones

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because he's cheaper than Dias, and i they both start its pretty likely they score the same.

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, but when Arsenal score, they will only be worth 2pts each

  13. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How many City would you go on WC? Thinking Ederson Dias and Gundo?

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I can't see any reason not to go 3 city. The question is which ones.

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

    Is Soyuncu nailed?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Seems that way, will know more when Fofana returns.

  15. gart888
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dallas Dias Robertson Mee
    Raphinha Salah Bruno(VC) Gundo
    Bamord(C) Kane

    Johnstone Stones Grealish Watkins
    0 FT

    Good to go?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd put the defender last on the bench, but he could outscore the Villa duo. Otherwise gtg

  16. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC? BB next week.
    Only double City, can't stand the Pep rotation headache.

    Martinez - McCarthy
    Shaw - Stones - Dallas - Lowton - Targett
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Gundogan - Raphinha
    Kane - Bamford - Watkins

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

      McCarthy may be dropped.

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

        ...Wait, really? May have to go Areola then.

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

          Talk of it. He’s awful

  17. wantsharptv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you sign ings for either Antonio or Cavani as both are doubts?

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

      For Antonio yes, not for Cavani who could do well if starts.

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio to Ings is a great move if you have the funds. Antonio about to have bad fixtures for a while, and Ings will probably have a bunch of games the next 3 GW.

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

    Not enough in the bank to do a straight Antonio to Bamford swap so will have to take a hit. Saving WC for later in the season. Leaning towards A as Grealish likely to have 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. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A is a good long term move.

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

    Reckon gundog will be benched at weekend......who to start?

    A.....gundog
    B....watkins (already starting grealish)

    Currently plan to start A as 10 or 20 mins of gundog could still be v fruitful! Thanks

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me.

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

      A

    3. fpl_tp95
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I pretty much have the same dilemma, except I'm it's between gundo and grealish and I'm starting watkins.

      I think I'm going to go grealish to start because I'm scared of a gundogan 1 pointer off the bench. It's very tricky though.

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

        Very tricky.....think I'm sticking with starting gundog...

  20. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Plenty food for thought there. Would you consider altering the make-up of your City trio in the light of KDB's return?

  21. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone cap Son?

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

      DGW26 yes not this week

  22. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT

    Three slots left, help me out.

    Martinez McCarthy
    Dias Cancelo xxxx xxxx xxxx
    Salah Son Barnes Gundo Raphinha
    Kane Ings Bamford

    A) Dallas Pereira El Mohamady
    B) Dallas Targett Shaw
    C) 15.3 mil for three defs. Want a Leeds def, probably a Villa as well.

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

      B. Then your team is same as mine apart from I have ederson and dunk v martinez and dias

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B. But depends what chips you have left

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

          Playing BB 26. FTs for 29

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

        Why are you tempted by Shaw? They’ve got a pretty tough schedule imo. I’d rather have Pereira every day

  23. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which option is better:

    A. Saka to Raphina for -4 and bench Gundo
    B. Play Gundo (first sub Saka)

    Thanks.

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd gamble on the double with A. Gundo is currently on my bench.

  24. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one for DGW26?

    A) Grealish
    B) Maddison
    C) Barnes

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

      What's the news on DGW26? Missed it

      And B

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

      Tough..grealish just

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

    Bench one:

    a) Gundo (ars)
    b) Son (whu)
    c) DCL (liv)

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

      c

    2. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  26. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Did Saka > Raphina. Should I do Antonio > Ings for -4?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      Yep

  27. Olee
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT, 2,2m ITB

    Martinez
    Dallas-Cancelo-Dias
    Salah-Bruno-Gündogan-Son-Rashford
    Bamford(c)-Antonio
    Forster-Mee-Targett-Brewster

    Thinking Rashy+Antonio to Raphina+Kane? Then G2G?
    Thanks!

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd do it.

  28. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Dier or Digne?

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

    If there's no DGW news in 35 minutes FPL will go into meltdown

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

      Ben Crayon will meltdown

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

      And if there is news, it will explode

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

      The game of prediction, including fixtures 😛

  30. Ode
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Those with TC left, when are you using it?

    Thinking of TC Bamford this gw as i’m going to bench boost next week