Pro Pundits - Lateriser

India’s reigning FPL champion answers Double Gameweek 26 questions

Fantasy Premier League managers are always full of questions whenever there’s a Double Gameweek and this week we face the biggest in the game’s history.

Given that my season is down in the dumps, I thought I would take some of these questions and try to help you guys instead.

Let’s get started…

QUESTION ONE

Who are the Bench Boost enablers and cheap defensive options? Also can you look into how defence is the only differential currently in the game as the template grows stronger?

(from @fplmasalah)

Hi Nehal, thank you so much for the question. When it comes to enablers and cheap defensive options for the Bench Boost, there are lot of options that have come to the fore recently. 

Two teams that have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26, and have displayed some really strong performances of late are Fulham and West Brom. 

The Baggies have a great run of fixtures in the next three Gameweeks where they face Brighton and Hove Albion (home), Everton (home), Newcastle United (home) and Crystal Palace (away). 

Sam Allardyce’s men are 11 points off safety at the moment and what this tells me is that in these next four games, they have to go the win and try to accumulate three points. 

The way West Brom played against Burnley while they were down to ten men really caught my eye. I have been really impressed by their new forward Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) who seems to be getting a big chance every game he’s playing.

In the last four Gameweeks, out of all the players costing £6.5 million or less, Diagne is top of the table for big chances and xG non-penalty. I like his fixtures, his underlying numbers and the recent form for the team. I also prefer Diagne to Fulham’s Josh Maja (£5.5m) primarily because of the fixtures Maja has after Double Gameweek 26 where he faces Liverpool (away) and Manchester City (home) in Gameweeks 27 and 28 respectively. 

In defence, I quite like the look of out-of-position defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) who is finding himself in the box very often for this West Brom team. He could have easily had a goal and assist in the Burnley match.

Gameweek 21 Scout Picks features another Man City triple-up

Fulham’s defensive numbers have been very impressive as well which is why Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) is my favourite budget goalkeeper option for the Bench Boost. 

In the last six matches, Fulham are amongst the top five defences in the league for shots in the box conceded. They have kept four clean sheets in the last seven games and, in general, have tightened up at the back. In addition, Areola has a match in Blank Gameweek 29. 

Fulham’s motivation cannot be questioned at the moment. Scott Parker has galvanised his troops and they are in the midst of a very interesting relegation battle. They are going to treat each match as a cup final which is why I like the budget picks emerging in defence and in attack.

With regards to your comment where defence is the only differential in the game at the moment, I strongly disagree. Son Heung-min (£9.5m) is owned by 51% of the game and has scored only one goal in his last eight Premier League starts. The likes of Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) and Kevin De-Bruyne (£11.8m) are still owned by under 20% of the game. Harry Kane (£11.1m) who has a good looking Double Gameweek in 26 and some decent follow up fixtures is still under 30% owned. 

While I agree that there are a lot of good differential picks emerging in defence and that it has been very difficult to beat the template this season, it is not the only place to make ground.

QUESTION TWO

How the top 10k FPL managers set their teams up for Double Gameweek 24

What is the best time for using the Free Hit Chip?

(from @m7mdi_Rm)

My Wire co-host and fellow Pro Pundit Zophar has looked at this in detail. You can read that by CLICKING HERE.

QUESTION THREE

Double Gameweek 26 Scout Picks built on Man City and Everton assets 3

Rank these defenders considering fixtures: Marcos Alonso (£5.7m), Lucas Digne (£6.1m), Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), Luke Shaw (£5.1m), John Stones(£5.2m)/ Ruben Dias (£6.1m)

(from @FPLfrasier)

There is a lot of interest in defenders at the moment which is why I thought I would take this question on. So here’s what I think. 

First up, I would have one of the Manchester City defenders as my pick. Despite Pep Guardiola mentioning that he’s going to constantly rotate his team, Dias looks fairly nailed-on and is still very cheap for what he offers. 

The way Manchester City are playing at the moment, it will be a surprise if they don’t keep a clean sheet. They have four games in the next two Gameweeks and you would expect them to shut their opponents out in at least three of them. 

I really like Shaw right now. I have been talking about him for a long long time. The Manchester United man is the cheapest defender of all those you have mentioned and his underlying statistics are off the charts. 

Salah and Fernandes blank again as focus shifts to defensive assets 8

In the last six matches, Shaw is second for chances created among all outfield players in the league not. Not just that, his delivery has a lot of quality, he’s on set pieces and in the last two games in particular, he’s been coming a lot closer to goal. I would not be surprised to see Shaw get a goal as well very soon. I’m not particularly worried about his rotation threat either. 

My third preference is potential out of position Pereira. He looked great against Aston Villa and there is a lot of upside with this pick playing on the right-wing for Leicester City. They have good follow-up fixtures after the Double Gameweek as well. 

My fourth preference is Digne and surprisingly Alonso is my least favourite option primarily because of what I saw at the weekend. Thomas Tuchel was visibly not happy with Alonso’s performance in the draw with Southampton and if we are to jump on Alonso, I think the right thing to do would be to judge his performance in two very difficult games in Double Gameweek 26 and if he comes through that unscathed. Chelsea have good fixtures after that so it’s a matter of one or two Gameweeks where Alonso could move from my fifth choice to first or second based on how he does in the over the next few days

QUESTION FOUR

What should I do with Danny Ings (£8.5m)?

(from @tanyasharma)

It does not look very encouraging for Ings at the moment does it? Personally I think there is enough upside in removing him for Double Gameweek 26 considering one of his two fixtures in Double Gameweek 27 is against Manchester City.

The moves to make would be either an upgrade to a trigger-happy Harry Kane (who is a real captaincy option for me) or a downgrade to a fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) who has a very good set of fixtures in Double Gameweek 26. 

That’s it from me for this round of The Burning Question. I hope you enjoyed this article.

For more discussion, you can watch the latest episode of the FPL Wire linked below where we had both Tom Freeman and Zophar on a Wildcard, which made for a really interesting episode.

804 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking of holding Grealish and upgrade Coufal to bench Jack:

    A) Digne
    B) Ricardo
    C) Shaw
    D) TAA

    Other option is to just go Jack to Bale as something wild, or lose Bamford for Kane

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

      I like Jack to bale! Riccardo for me out of that lot.

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

        Me too. I love the stuff.

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    no doubt asked a lot but...

    a) Sterling + Ings
    b) Sterling + DCL -4
    c) Sterling + Rich -4
    d) Gundogan + Kane -8

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

      B

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

    Which Spurs-defender to go for?

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

      Regu

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This

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

      Reg

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

        Thinking that too. He should be starting this weekend, right? Might go for Mee to Reg for a hit this week and prepare for GW29 at the same time

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

    Pick one?

    A. Rashford, Maddison, Antonio to J.Rodriguez, Barnes, Kane -8pt hit
    B. Rashford, Maddison, Antonio to Lookman, Barnes, Kane -8pt hit
    C. Maddison, Antonio to Lookman, Kane -4pt hit

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  5. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) A.Barnes to Watkins (-4)
    B) A.Barnes and Fernandes to Kane and Barnes (-8)
    c) nothing

    1. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me, certainly not B.

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      C

  6. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best option out of these on WC?

    A) Digne & Struijk (4/5*)
    B) Pereira & Struijk (4/5*)
    C) Reguilon & White (6*)
    D) Shaw & Rudiger (4*)

    * = Number of GW29 starters

    Have Cancelo, Dias & Burn as my other defenders.
    Will be using my next 3 transfers for GW29 players.
    Although Option C has 6 GW29 starters it leaves me with 6 blankers (triple Spurs & City) for GW33 which is worrying.

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

      C or D

  7. hustler7
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you keep Cavani with no guarantee of 2 starts? Surely he at least makes the Palace game? Can see them scoring 0 against Chelsea.

    Current team:

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Rudiger
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo
    Cavani DCL Bamford

    McCarthy Dallas Soucek Mitchell

    0FT 2.4 ITB. Current plan is Soucek to Barnes and maybe Mitchell to Konsa (no FH for 29) and bench boost? This would be a -8.

    Best option? Still have TC and WC too. Thanks guys! Good luck!

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same quandary. Prob bench cavani as used my free transfer already

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

    Would you bench boost this bench?

    Pope Bamford Dallas Rudiger

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think I would actually although I just want to get rid of mine at this stage but can't.

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes!

    3. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah boi

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

    A) Raphinha & Dallas.
    B) Raphinha & Keane (-4)
    C) Barnes & Struijk (-8)

    Go sensible with A) or take some hits?

    Cheers

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

      A out of these options for me

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

        Cheers

  10. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thats it decision made and button hit.
    Sterling Cavani Antonio > Son Kane DCL -8

    Leaves me with only 1 Man City player (Dias) however for me owning Kane was more important. I have also activated the TC on the main man Harry Kane who will be hungry for goals!

    Only have 8 DGWers but there you go.... roll the dice and count it thrice!

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

    After -4 0 ITB
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    Salah Raphina Bruno Gundogan Barnes
    DCL Kane (TC)

    Johnstone Bamford Dallas Mee

    No FH or BB left
    GW 29 players: Martinez, Kane, Raphina, Bamford, Dallas

    Dead end into 30 then WC31

    How does it look/Sound?

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

    1) Raphinha to Barnes (-4)
    2) Forster to Ederson (-4)
    3) Both (-8)
    4) Neither

    Ederson has two DGWs and the blank GW doesn't matter to me as I will use my FH. Likewise, Leicester have some nice fixtures coming up too. I intend to use my wildcard after GW29 to have the best team possible for the last run of games so these really are short-term picks.

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

      Who is your current #1 keeper?

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

        McCarthy - had him from the start and although Southampton are shite these days, he does have a DGW next week so if something happens to Ederson (red card or injury) this week, I could still field a DGW keeper

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

          If the 0.5m might be important I'd just shift McCarthy.

          Fine logic otherwise.

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

            But you'll have to spend another GK transfer on 29 too.

            So why not just go for Martinez/Sanchez/Areola?

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

            Money is not an issue as I have £5m in the bank so could get Kane or Vardy but only by selling another DGW player which doesn't make much sense and feels too sideways. Plus I have Son (also had him since the start) and I think a Spurs double up in their current form is too much.

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

      Which other GK do you have? 2 looks alright

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

        Yeah that is the one I am leaning towards too! McCarthy is my current first choice - had him from the start and although Southampton are shite these days, he does have a DGW next week so if something happens to Ederson (red card or injury) this week, I could still field a DGW keeper

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

    McCarthy
    Dias (x2) - Targett (x2) - Dallas
    Salah (x2) - Fernandes (x2) - Son (x2) - Gundogan (x2)
    Kane (x2) - DCL (x2) - Bamford

    My two free transfers are going on Kane and a 5.8m midfielder to initially bench:
    (a) Raphinha, Saka, El Ghazi, Saint-Maximin or Lookman?
    (b) Can Kane be trusted with TC?
    (c) Start Dallas (AVL) or Lowton (tot+LEI)?

  14. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Be interesting to see if McCarthy stays in net for Saints or gets dropped for Forster. Think he was at fault for the raphina and dallas goals mid week.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think I'm going to downgrade Pope to Forster instead of Fabri in the off chance McCarthy does get dropped. Main GK is Martinez

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

        I’ve got a similar problem. Currently McCarthy and pope... thinking of downgrading pope to Martinez... but it would be for a -4 as already made transfers for Kane and DCL... thoughts?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I would probably take the hit. I don't fancy Burnley keeping a CS from 26-28 and they don't have a game in 29. Martinez has a decent double in 26, potential double in 28 with Newcastle and Everton and has a game in 29.

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

    Best defender for £5.6m or less? Other defenders are Dias, Stones, Shaw and Dallas.

    A) Keane
    B) AWB
    C) Reguilon
    D) Aina
    E) Other suggestions (Soy, Targett?)

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

      I quite like Targett

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

        Can't see a cleanie against Leeds and not sure about Villa without Grealish

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

    Damn. Just noticed I’ve lost 0.2m on Grealish.

  17. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Mee to Targett (sensible but already have Martinez)
    B) Ings to Watkins (worried about no Grealish)
    C) Ings to Maja (bit of a punt, saves some money)
    D) Son and Ings to Barnes and Kane (-4) (seems stupid to take Son out)
    E) Mee and Ings to Digne and Watkins (-4)
    F) Save ft

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

      B

  18. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Shaw Rashford Watkins

    B. Digne Lookman Vardy

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

      B

  19. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cavani+Grealish+Bamford -> Kane+Barnes+DCL (-8) worth it? Yay or nay?

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

      Oh yes

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

    A) Shaw + Barnes (-4)
    B) Digne + Raphinha
    C) Robbo + Raphinha + 1FT

  21. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which move to get Kane in and captain him?

    A) Son to Barnes & Bamford to Kane
    or
    B) Keep Son and do Maddison to Raphinha, Pope to Pickford & Bamford to Kane for -4

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on your plan for 29

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All the PL experts, rank these three in terms of expected minutes for Chelsea in the DGW:

    A) Jorginho
    B) Kovacic
    C) Kante

  23. Cheshire Duck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'd like to transfer in DCL
    for who :
    A) Bamford
    B) Watkins

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

      A

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A) Bamford

      watkins has the double this week, so if you're gonna do it, keep watkins (could have a double week 28 too).

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A surely

  24. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anything else worth a -4? 2.0ITB

    On BB

    Areola Martinez
    Shaw Cancelo Stones Digne Rudiger
    Bruno Gundogan Son Barnes Raphinha*
    Kane DCL Bamford*

  25. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which would you prefer: Leicester defence or Midfield?
    So its a choice between Jonny Evans and Barnes

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

      Haha lol, Barnes ofc

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I know but Barnes not as easy to bring in

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy Barnes

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

    Who holds the record for the biggest minus pointer in a single gameweek?

    Is it Bednarek?

    And has anyone ever captained such a stinker?

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

      Yes Bednerek.

      Was Jon Walters with -4 previously. Bednerek's record may hold for a while...

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

      Yes

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

      I had Son (c) when he got a red, probably not worse than that

  27. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Highly tempted to go Bale over Son on my FH. Such a nostalgic pick. Having said that Bale has looked the best creative Spurs player in their last 2/3 games.

    Thoughts??

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Perfect for a free hit punt imo

    2. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      think KDB's gonna be my outside premium this week, but go for Bale if you fancy it. He's looked great the last few appearances, will he keep it up?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is KDB going to start 3 games in 8 days? And that third game is against Man United... So you could guess he misses Wolves(2nd game)...

        Cant second guess Pep!! The wolves and Hammers game dont really scream goals to me tbh..

        1. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          City can hammer anyone on their day, I prefer a double attack than defence to be honest, even though the defence points have been great so far. And 11.8% ownership, I can take him missing a game if the returns come in
          Most players will have to have a major reshuffle to get him back, this'll be a straight swap for grealish.
          As for Bale, I might get him in for Son in the next few weeks, see how it goes

  28. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pro Tip for long double gameweeks:

    Don't check your live rank during the week.

    1. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easier said than done though right!
      Especially as it is so freely available (to a granular level) with LiveFPL now!

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

    Watkins vs Barnes, on a WC..

    I've been on Barnes all week, but Leeds are never great defensively and Sheff U have their 3 best CBs all as doubts/injured

    Watkins may also double in 28

    Got a FH so 29 doesnt matter..

    Thoughts??

  30. All about the galacticos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bring in
    A) Barnes
    B) Riccardo Pereira