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. Nibbsy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio to Ings worth a hit this week?

    Would then do Ings to Kane next week.

    Or just play Antonio and save the hit?

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

      Not worth a hit for just one DGW, just get Kane in a week early?

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

        Need to downgrade Pope to fund it, so would be -8 to get Kane this week.

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

          Ings could be worth the hit if you keep for more than one GW. But yeah, -8 isn't worth it. Play Antonio

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Worth it

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

      Ings could be worth the hit, especially if they have 2 more doubles on the horizon, but seeing as you would swap directly for Kane the following week- perhaps it won’t pay off, so I would flip a coin

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

        Yeah it's definitely close. If only it wasn't Chelsea in the first game it would be an easier hit

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

    Is Cancelo likely rested we think for Sunday?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      More likely than Stones anyway

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

      Probably, since he will almost for sure play CL

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

        I think so, thanks.

  3. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Antonio or Richarlison??

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

      Rich

  4. 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

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

  5. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will there be a better opportunity for bb than 26 and when will the fixtures be announced?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I really don't think so. It's the only reason why I've clicked WC noe

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

        Thanks, I will also.

    2. Tiki-Taka
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I WC'd this week for BB 26 and almost feel like I got to stick to it now because is it really maximised if I don't have at least 14 DGWers? Leeds DGW25 is annoying though, because you need 3 of them and then need to jump to 26.

      I feel like I'm going to regret not TC Kane for 26. I guess that's the issue, not knowing exactly what future opportunities will exist for the chips

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm wc in 30. Tc Kane as you say in 26

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

    Is this worth wc?

    martinez
    cancelo robertson tark
    salah raph bruno gun sterling
    dcl bam

    subs, forster, coufal, mitchell, brewster

    I took a punt with sterling last week but he is taking up alot of funds, so I could take him out and upgrade?

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

    Dier nailed to start?

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

      No. Have owned him for a while and has been annoying.

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

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

      Long term owner here. Definitely avoid him, can't wait to get shot of him personally.

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

    Bed time for me. So quickly:
    Captain:
    Bamford
    Bruno
    Salah
    DCL

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford and pray

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

      Bamford

    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      bruno

  9. lewis1290
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lads I’ve just done TC raphinha , thoughts??

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Guaranteed to beat my TC Salah fail. Good luck

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

      Ballsy

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

      Always a risk but could be a good decisio. I would have gone for a safer option (premium asset) in Week26 or another DGW e.g. fernandes, Kane, etc.

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

        Brave. Will prolly outscore my Sterling TC last GW

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

      This

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

        I would not go punt on triple cap

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

      Expect to see a red arrow in your future

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

      I hope it goes well as I have him too, but a popular Fudgy quote springs to mind.

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

        Fudgy has quotes?

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

    Start 2:
    A Watkins
    B Greaish
    C Gundo
    D Stones

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

      BC

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

        BC

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

      The first two will start. So then.

  11. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ive completely lost track of potential fixtures coming up. But for now - mahrez for Raph or for ward prouse?(have no sou cover at moment)

  12. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone punting on Castagne or Pereira?

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

      Going with Pereira. Too early for Castagne, Rodgers tends to try and ease players back after injury so even if he starts this weekend there's no guarantee he'll play both fixtures in 26. Keeping my fingers crossed with Pereira that he'll be back to full fitness and play both in 26.

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

    Thoughts on this WC team? Will be Bench boosting DGW26

    Martinez
    Dias / Targett / Maguire
    Bruno / Salah / Grealish /Gundo / Raphinha
    Kane / Watkins

    Bench: Pickford , DCL, Coady, Struijk

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      4 villa?
      Howwwwwwwwww

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

        Not enough Villa

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

      Nice. Happy with 1x City defender? glad i dont have 4x Villa though. 😉

    3. jbenny1107
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Downgrade Maguire to Shaw. Get rid of Pickford. Grealish to Barnes. Coady has MCI as part of DGW.

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

      I would get Bamford and Captain him this week; then sell him for DCL in 26.

  14. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think Bamford EO will be in top 1m?

    130%

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      150%

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

      140%

    3. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      (plenty of TCs too)

  15. HarryS
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have Stones & Cancelo one of them out for Shaw yay or nay?

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

      yay

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Please. Ideally both out for Dias and Shaw. For the nailed on ness

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

        Exactly what I just about to say think I'll swap Stones for Dias & Cancelo for Shaw

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

      yep, Stones on bench

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stones will start, cancelo will be rested.

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

    which 2 to start from Antonio Grealish Cavani

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

      Grealish Cavani

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

    Rashford+Antonio -> Raphina+Kane look ok?

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

      Yes

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

      defo

  18. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On WC and BB next week...what do you think??

    Ederson (Mccarthy)
    Stones - Dallas - White
    Salah - Fernandes - Gundogan - Barnes
    Bamford - Ings - Kane

    Mccarthy - Targett - Taylor - Lookman

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

      I’m doing same strategy but have dropped Salah and more Spurs and Villa in anticipation that they get that GW29 fixture, as I don’t have a FH. Just be careful not to leave yourself too short for GW29

      1. Millie7
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thanks mat e

  19. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best of 10

    captain Bamford or Ings

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

      Bam

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

        How does that work??

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

          First to 6 perhaps?

          Optimistic about their popularity either way

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

            Wouldn’t that be best of 11??

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      bam

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

    On the 'The best Antonio replacements ....' article, how has the screenshot of his team show the previous five points gained. Is this possible in the members tools or is it a separate app?

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

      App called FPLTools

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

        Thanks - How can I do it on the laptop

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

          Browser add-on. I use Firefox

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

            Thanks again, I'll give it a go

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

            Thanks Andy - All done

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

        We are all fpl tools

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

          We are indeed 🙂

  21. Shteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What's the latest time we could expect to get the dgw fixtures announced, if they are announced today? 5pm?

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

      Thinking after the deadline

  22. 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

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

      A

  23. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play?

    A- DCL
    B- Gundogan

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ikay

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

      Gundo. If he doesn't play have DCL as 1st sub

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

      B

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

      Same guestion and im leaning towards Gundo.

  24. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dier for 4.9m with a double and a likely fixture in gw29 a decent option?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My worst pick ever

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        oh really fancy a spurs defender, ben davies was appealing but will be losing his spot soon...

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

      Not nailed

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        hes missed one game all season?

        1. dansully3
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I still have him somehow but my good god he's atrocious

  25. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    It's only 18 minutes

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

      *17

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        *15

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

          *14

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

      Until nothing

    3. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      First sub in case Gundo doesn't play:

      A - Watkins (LEI)
      B - Stones (ars)

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

        Watkins

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Olieq

  26. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Grealish or DCL?

    (Keeping Jack all year regardless of this weekend)

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC ready, BB for the mega DGW (whenever it is announced)

    Martinez/Sanchez
    White/Dallas/Stones/Shaw/Rudiger
    Salah/Gundogan/Fernandes/KdB/Raphinha
    Bamford/Ings/Maja

    2.0 ITB

    KdB to son & spread the funds around?

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

      That BB is quite mediocre.

      Sanchez, Dallas, Bamford, Raphinha.

      Not liking it much. Ings might even have a SGW of eve.

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

        you make transfer in 26 obviously

      2. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        raphinha will be barnes, Sanchez has WBA in GW26, Ings could have 2 DGWs in next 3 GWs

  28. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo to rapinha for free or sterling to rapinha?

  29. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    First sub in case Gundo doesn't play:

    A - Watkins (LEI)
    B - Stones (ars)

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

    Son or Gundogan for DGW26?

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

      Both

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

      Son by a mile.