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. Nemanja Vidic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    a) Salah Bamford to Kane Barnes -4
    b) Ings Bamford Mee to Kane Davis Rudiger -8

    1 FT 0.0 ITB
    WC TC and FH available

    Martinez Forster
    Cancelo AWB Stone Mee Couf
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Raphinha
    DCL Bamford Ings

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

      Neither IMO

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

      B

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

    Martinez
    Dallas, Stones, Cancelo
    Gundo, Salah, Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Watkins, Bamford
    Pope, Soucek, Coufal, Justin
    1FT and £5.8m ITB

    Will do Bamford -> Kane and then take a -4pt hit for Justin to A) Reguillon or B) Digne. Would then bench Dallas.

    Thoughts please. Thanks!

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B, but I would look at Shaw

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

    A) Digne + Raphinha
    B) Shaw + Barnes (-4)

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

      B

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

    Goalkeeper advice needed...
    Currently got McCarthy and pope... thinking of downgrading pope to Martinez... but it would be for a -4 as already made transfers for Kane and DCL... any thoughts? I’d be playing pope this week in the hope of save points.

    1. flynner25
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you need Martinez long term..............I think it's just about worth doing

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

      Gave you this answer in the previous page. 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.

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

        Cheers lad

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

      Not worth a -4

      Pope could get a clean sheet you never know, and is guaranteed save points and might get bonus. I don't expect Villa to keep two clean sheets

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

      Thanks for your thoughts

  5. flynner25
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping to play Bench Boost but need some work

    Martinez
    Keane, Stones, Cancelo, Lowton
    Fernandes, Gundogan, Grealish, Raphinia
    Richarlison, Watkins,

    Pope, Bamford, Dallas, Ward Prowse

    2 FT - 9.1 ITB - FH still available for GW29

    Current option thinking

    Option A - Bamford+Grealish+Dallas to Kane+Son+Digne (-4 point hit) and play bench boost with pope (6 Fixtures on bench)

    Option B - basically the same as option A but add in JWP or Raphinia out for Barnes (-8 Point hit). iF i CHOOSE THIS OPTION I Have exact money but i'M ALSO not sure which to ditch because of Southampton Double. (7 fixtures on bench)

    What do you think?

  6. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got 10.6 for Rashford replacement.

    As I already have Son, can't get Salah and also maxed out ManC so keep Rash for double?

    1. flynner25
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      keep

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks flynner

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

    Why Dias over Digne or Stones?

    1. flynner25
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because Man City are so mean at the back that they barely give the opposition forwards sugar in their post match cup of tea.

      Also he is more nailed than stones

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

      Well he's clearly more nailed than Stones. Digne however is a great pick also

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

      Digne a god alterantive if you already have Cancelo, as he's likely to have a DGW28. Then bring in Dias next GW.

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

    Martinez
    Lowton-Dias-Dallas*
    Son-Salah-Bruno-Gundogan
    Kane(TC)-DCL(VC)-Bamford*

    Areola-Holding-Bissouma-Coufal

    Anything worth a hit? such as Bamford > Watkins?
    0.1 itb

    1. flynner25
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think so. your funds are pretty tight so cant upgrade much on Bamford or Dallas. Watkins would be more attractive with Grealish in the villa team. I'd prob just leave it

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

        Thanks mate for the input, appreciated...

  9. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    which one to keep on WC - Dias or Cancelo?

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

      Dias

  10. Chief Break-Everything
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Coufal- Digne -4
    B) Play Dallas

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

    Rank these three in terms of expected minutes for Chelsea in the DGW:

    A) Jorginho
    B) Kovacic
    C) Kante

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

      BCA

  12. 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?

    1. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Watkins on pens?

      1. 1895Reds
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        El Ghazi. If Grealish plays then its him

        1. flynner25
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          el ghazi is always on pens when he plays. (regardless if Grealish is on pitch or not)

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

          Grealish hasnt done penalty since never

        3. Rbyrne95
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cool. Going by form I'd say Barnes. Depends on the rest of your team however.

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

            Martinez
            Stones Cancelo Digne
            Bruno Salah Son Gundo
            Kane DCL

            1. Rbyrne95
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Barnes seems to be the most transferred in. Perhaps back Watkins if you're wanting something a bit different or Barnes on form.

  13. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TC here or BB? already taken a -4. Was originally planning to BB but doubtful now. 0.3 itb.

    Martinez
    Shaw, Stones, Targett
    Sterling, Bruno, Salah, Raph, Gundogan
    DCL, Vardy

    Sanchez, Dallas, Lowton, Adams.

    Unsure whether to captain, DCL, Sterling, Bruno or Salah.

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

    I’ve taken a -8 hit. If I use my wc will the hits be removed ?

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

      yep

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

        do you where in rules it says this mate

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

      Yes if in the same week.

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

      Yes

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

        where does it say this in the rules?

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

    Would you BB or TC this?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Digne Dias
    Barnes Gundogan Salah Bruno Son
    Watkins DCL(TC)

    Steer Dallas Bamford Mitchell

    Could also do Mitchell -> Reguillon/Shaw for -12 BB.

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

      think i would use tc, to many hits i think for b boost, none playing keeper

  16. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    thoughts on ings to
    A watkins (leeds sheff) also gw29 fixture
    B richarlson (sou w brom) possible gw29 double?)
    also have dcl
    cheers

  17. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft

    Martinez
    Digne Dias Cancelo
    Salah Bruno Barnes Gundo
    Kane DCL Watkins
    3.9 Raphinha Rudiger Struijk

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

    With Stones rested in UCL... Would you go him over Dias on FH?
    Or still Dias?

    1. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends what the extra 1 million can improve your team

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Dias plays both still, I think he was only on the bench for the Spurs game because he had an illness that week, Laporte could play in place of Stones in the 2nd game in my opinion, only my thoughts tho

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think in order of nailedness it's:

      Dias
      Cancelo
      Stones

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

    Would you use a transfer to bring in Gundogan for the value he offers?
    No idea which city attacker is the one to own
    Considering the switch to Kane as the fixtures post gw26 look good too

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

      Wow. You must be the only one without him.

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

        I don't have him 😉

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

        Went sterling instead when Kdb got hurt
        Cost me everywhere
        Just wondering if sterling to gund, Ings to Kane is worth the -8 even if it doesn’t pay off straight away??

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good differential. 😉

  20. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Currently got 10 DGW players plus Bamford, so...

    a.) Play Bamford
    b.) Bamford to Diange (-4)
    c.) Bamford to Watkins (-4)
    d.) Coufal to Maitland-Niles, bench Bamford (-4)

    ???

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

      Just play Bam

  21. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Bamford
    B) Barnes (-4)

  22. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which players are you most worried about not owning for the DGW?

    No Everton here, I think DCL and Digne could both be in for hauls

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

      worried about picking wrong TC

      Player wise, yeah, Dominic and Watkins might hurt

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne and KDB.

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

        I think KDB's ownership will still be relatively low and he might have his minutes managed so I'm not too worried about him.

        Great differential option though for those with a spare city spot

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Good point about ownership.
          Harvey Barnes and Rashford could also score big.

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

            I'm not too worried about Barnes. Arsenal don't concede many these days and Burnley away hardly screams goalfest.

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

      No Everton here as well, felt lucky to get away with it in their last double, not sure that'll hold this time.

    4. Chief Break-Everything
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL could hurt. But I cant get him in without losing Bamford for a -4. Rivals also have Bam.

  23. wattalowz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed is Regulion?

    Likely to start both DGW26 games do we think?

  24. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which team please?

    A) TC (-4 - moves were Ings + Son > Kane + Barnes)
    Pope
    Stones - Mee - Dias
    Gundo - Bruno - Salah - Raphinha - Barnes
    Kane - DCL

    (Mccarthy) - Bamford - Coufal - Alioski

    B) BB (-12)
    Pope
    Stones - Mee - Dias
    Gundo - Bruno - Salah - Raphinha - Son
    Watkins - DCL

    (Areola) - Bamford - Pereira - Digne

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  25. Hktrader88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Son+Bamford to Kane+Barnes worth a -8?

    Planning to BB and have 0FT 2.4itb

    Martinez
    Stones Dias Digne Shaw
    Bruno Salah Son Gundo
    DCL Watkins
    BB McCarthy Dallas Bamford Raphinha

    Will FH29 so don't need Leeds players

  26. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Stones,Mee,Wan-Bissaka
    Salah.Gundogan,Son,Bruno(VC)
    Bamford,Watkins,Kane(c)

    Peacock-farrel, Dallas,Rapinha,Mitchell

    Already did -4 hit

    Peacock-Farrel to Pickford for another -4 and BB.
    Y/N..?

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

    Best Grealish replacement up to 8.0? A- Mount B- J.Rodriguez

    Barnes already in my team

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

      i think i'd perfer a punt on Pereira than mount who doesnt have the best fixtures and jrod who cant play twice in a week

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

    Does anybody have any inside info/news/indicators about McCarthy being dropped for Forster? I have both and want to bring in Ederson for one of them

  29. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Triple captain Kane?
    Yes or no?

  30. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Stones TAA Tarkowski
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Kane (TC) Bamford
    (Pope Soucek Coufal Brewster)

    A) Bamford -> DCL
    B) TAA Brewster -> Digne DCL (-4)