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. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Save and then Sterl, Antonio to Gundo, Kane? 1FT 0.3itb

    Martinez
    Dias Mee Dallas
    Salah Son Bruno Raph Greal
    Bamford Ings
    (Johnstone, Antonio, Stones, Justin)

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

      Good to go. Save it.

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

    Doubled up on Villa and Burnley defence.
    Choose two starters:
    A) Pope, Lowton
    B) Martinez, Targett
    C) Martinez, Lowton
    D) Pope, Targett

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      D

  3. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    0.6 ITB 2FT’s
    Martinez
    Cancelo | Dallas | AWB | Mee
    Salah | Bruno | Gundogan | Son
    Bamford (c) | DCL

    Johnstone Stones Antonio Grealish

    Need to downgrade either son salah or bruno to get Kane for DGW26

    What to do with 2FT’s this week

    Thank you alLlll

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

    FPL site down for anyone else?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only for you

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

      Don't believe you.

      *proceeds to check anyway*

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

    uh oh rumours of a Grealish stress fracture in his shin now

    not pictured in any training photos

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

      sold long time

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

      A lot of people have him transferred out anyway to Rapinha I suspect. He has a big outbound circle on the FPL Stats Trends page http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/Home/Relationship?dts=M

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

      😯

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

      Sauce ?

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

        villa's website for pics

        rumours just word of mouth for now

    5. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Source?

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

      Say sike right now

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

        sike!

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

      Must be those massive calf muscles putting his bones under too much strain. Either that or he got a kick which his childrens sized shin pads did not protect him against.

    8. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      WTF

  6. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Im hoping not to have to WC this team at all in GW26 eventhough i have all 4 chips left.

    Does that look possible? Will have 1FT next week. Kept Kane all the way through. Dont mean to own Pope. Brought him in for GW24 and just holding for another week or two.

    Pope
    Cresswell Rüdiger Stones
    Son Fernandes Gündogan Salah Raphinha (c)
    Bamford Kane

    Martínez Watkins Cancelo Mitchell

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

    Worth a WC? only have 1ft and not a lot in the bank.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Lowton
    Salah Sterling Bruno Grealish Hames
    Richarlison Watkins

    Forster; Coufal, KWP*, Brewster

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

    5 mins to go!!!

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

      To what?

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

    Scenes

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

    Still hoping they aren't released till Monday...cos that would be fun.

  11. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    7 more minutes

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For what?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        New fixtures apparently

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

      I need to my clock

      1. space mercenary
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hope that isn't a typo.

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

    Repost - Fixtures not out yet I know but looking at two different options:

    Martinez / Forster
    Mee / Dallas / Stones / Cancelo / Coufal
    Saka / Salah / Sterling / Fernandes / Son
    Bamford / Antonio / Watkins

    2 FT, all chips

    A) Sterling & Antonio to Gundogan & Kane and TC Kane GW26
    B) WC to get in KDB, Kane, Raphina, Barnes, Dias, Sanchez etc. and BB GW26

    Not sure if it's worth doing Stones to Shaw/Dunk as well as Laporte and Aké are coming back for City

  13. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just to confirm the deadline is still 1.30 hours away right? All the countdowns are getting me a bit nervous.

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

      1.36 mins

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

      2 and a half hours

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Phew. Thanks

  14. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wc gtg? 1.5itb for raph to barnes for BB26

    Martinez areola
    Stones shaw targett holgate rudiger
    Salah Bruno son gundo raph
    Kane bamford watkins

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

      nice

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

      Think Ings over Kane is worth it. -4 to swap back

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

        Not for a hit. Southhampton are still terrible/unpredicatable.

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

      Ings over Watkins

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

    Is Raphinha worth 8 points more than Saka this game week?

  16. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Gundogan to Ward-Prowse for this game week only?

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

      Punty

  17. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to settle on my WC as my final defender? I can probably bring the second in next week anyway:

    a) Rudiger

    b) Lowton

  18. Coufal, So Good
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo to JWP/Minamino for free for a 1 week punt? Planning to activate WC after tonight's deadline

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

      JWP could play rb with kwp out and not sure on Minamino yet. If Gundo was 100% out then yes but it's a no from me.

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

    Who is best Leicester option?

    A...Barnes

    B..maddison

    Thanks

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

    Play Rudiger or Dias?

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

      Me the same. Look above for my team. And answer.

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I fear for fpl site

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

      I haven't made my moves yet

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

    GTG?

    De Gea
    Cresswell, AWB, Cancelo
    Gundo, Bruno, Salah, Maddison, Raphinha (C)
    Kane, Bamford (V)

    Martinez, Antonio, Dias, Targett

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

    Cavani or Antonio to Ings (-4)??

  24. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ings or Raph for captain

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

      Of those 2, B.

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

      By the way, I posted a potential BB bench of Pope, Lowton, Rudiger and Lookman and asked posters should i do it. You said to go for it. I didnt. Cost me 41 points. Would have almost gotten a world high as i ended up with 103

      Still licking my wounds over it.............

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

        In GW24 I should add

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I told you mate 🙂 owel

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

    A) Rudiger
    B) Vestergaard

    Planning to BB and don't have McCarthy

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

      A

    2. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't like the probable Chelsea DGW fixture and waiting to hear SOU fixture, but those were both on my shortlist. Probably going with Shaw if we don't hear anything this afternoon

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

    Shotgun loaded, satnav programmed - all set to shoot the messenger

  27. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who seems more nailed for the DGW....Stones or Foden ?

  28. im1974
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is that the beautiful smell of napalm or wildcards burning...

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

    Start Gundo or DCL???

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

      Have the same issue but went with DCL over Gundo

  30. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Twitter rumour breaking (unconfirmed) that Grealish is out with a shin injury

    https://twitter.com/FPL__Raptor/status/1362791098440167445?s=20

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

      Oh already posted - sorry!

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

      Whaaaaaaat

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

      Will actually make my DGW26 puzze much easier:
      Grealsih -> Raphina to allow £ for Son + Kane