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. jai1212
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    B. Traore/Watkins (-4)
    Barnes (-8)

    It's bloody confusing

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

      B. Watkins

  2. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any certainty around the Fulham RB slot?

    I am looking for 0.1m of saving between Aina and Tete/Robinson....

  3. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I bring in Barnes for Maddison for a -4 hit, or start Dier instead?

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

      play Dier

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, Barnes might have the most transferred in curse ....

  4. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    11 DGW players, triple captain locked in...

    I'm going to end up getting 68 points aren't I?!

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

      Dont be too harsh on yourself...Make it a round 70 lol

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

      thats pretty high

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

      Who's got the TC trust?

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

        Kane.

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

    Does El Mohamady cover Martinez?

    I currently have Pope but want Martinez which will cost me a -4. Bringing in Elmo for Coufal for a -4 instead covers Marti and gives me attacking thread...at least in my head that works.

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

      Cash back in training

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

        Is he? Great news!

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

          "Matty Cash is back on the training pitches running. We’ll be guided by the medical department on when he joins in with us."

          Dean @ presser

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            So nowhere near back in the team then

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

      El Mo might only be a short term punt, with Cash back doing grass work. Also i dont think villa are a buy with jack out. I'd look at Aina as an alternative

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

        Interesting alternative. Fulham could definitely get something against Palace

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

    Captain Bruno or Kane?

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

      See below, same question

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

        It would have been quicker to answer him!

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

          I can't answer that's why

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

    Is it worth doing Coufal > Targett (-4), or should I play Dallas? I have 9 DGWs.

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With Grealish out, maybe starting Dallas is preget good.

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

        Yeah, thinking the same thing.

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

    Pope to Martinez worth extra hit? I have only 1 playing GK

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. Just do it for free next gw.

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

      GW29 GK? FH? If none, could be worth it.

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

        I have FH

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

    A bit depressed by the level of 'template' of my team where it seems there is little space to make a ground in ML and overall ranking. Is captaincy (and TC) the decider for this GW? Got both Kane and Bruno and keep switching TC between the two, I know the poll favours Kane but how do you decide on this: stats, guts or anything else?

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

      Form, history, and opposition.

      Bruno has the edge on form.
      But Kane has history (of being a flat-track bully against bottom half teams), and better opponents.

      I'm going with Kane and considering triple captaining him too.

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

        Hmm, Mark made a case in black-box last night on the flat-track bully stuff. The Gareth Bale emerging is the factor that I may ignore the last 4-5 GWs stats.

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        All good and well, but can Spurs be trusted as a team?

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

          They can, Mou approach remains questionable, are they going to be allowed to push the attack when narrowly leading?

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

            *can be

          2. Studs Up
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Debatable, but worth the risk i guess. Mou could well want to prove his doubters wrong.
            Taking a punt on Son TC

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

    Regulion nailed for both DGW fixtures?

  11. Big Al Stankovic
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is this move dgw crazyness and fomo, or am I actually onto something?

    For a bench boost:
    Coufal, soucek, peacock —> Pereira, lookman, johnstone? (-12)

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

      That doesnt look, man, good really

    2. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't take a -12 for a bench boost, as it erodes the chips value.

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently on 10 dgw players, with Kane (TC).
      Maybe just save the bb for another week?

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

    ago
    -12 crazy to get 13 dgw players and BB, and at the same time solve A couple of issues in my team and rigging for SGW 29 without FH?

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

      Depends on players really

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

        Would set me up for this BB team and 7 sgw 29 players already

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

          Sorry 6 sgw players

          Martinez, DDG
          Stones, Dias; Digne, Targett, Dallas
          Salah, Bruno, Barnes, Gundogan Raphina
          Watkins, DCL (VC), Kane (c)

  13. Yasso84
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the most nailed leeds defender apart from Dallas?

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ayling

      1. Yasso84
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks a lot

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

    Having 11 dgw players and playing BB, would you drop any of these for a hit, (No FH or WC left), 1,2 itb: McCarthy (already have Ederson), Dallas, Raphinha, Bamford
    Rest of md/fw: Salah, Bruno, Barnes, Gundo - DCL, Kane

  15. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What is Fulhams first choice back 4? Robinson nailed?

  16. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Week after WC...already considering a hit. BB this gw and no FH for 29:
    A) Burn -> Targett -4
    B) Strujk -> Konsa -4
    C) No hit

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You'd be taking out 2 dgw players, and Villa play Spurs

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

        Burn and Struijk have SGWs...?

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

      Not A

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

    Who would you rather have next 2. Sterling or KDB

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kdb

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

    Captain.....

    DCL
    Kane
    Bruno

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

    Is Justin to Konsa worth a -4 to allow me to get Mitchell over a 3.8m defender?? Or just play Dallas

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

      I would just play Dallas here.

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

    On BB.
    Lowton > Konsa worth -4?

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  21. Fero1905
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should i do barnes for maddison for a hit or play raphinha

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

      Play Raphinha

    2. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Raphina, as Barnes is most-transferred in and he'll probably blank due to this.

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

    Bottomed

    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)

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

    Is Coufal to Maitland-Niles worth a hit?

    a.) Take the hit for Maitland Niles.
    b.) Play Bamford. Keep and bench Coufal.

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B)

  24. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Lowton to Targett for a -4?

    Can't see any clean sheets for Lowton and Targett also has a game in 29

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

      Also a possible double in GW28 is another positive for Target. However transfering out a defender who has alreasy has a double for another (regardless of fixtures..........Not for me. If it involved downgrading to free up funds for a bigger move then......maybe.

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

    Bertrand Traore OR M.Pereira for this week only?

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pereira

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

      2

  26. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?
    (A) Son & Antonio > Barnes & Kane (-4)
    (B) Salah, Antonio & Bamford > Barnes, Calvert-Lewin and Kane (-8)

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn’t want to ship either son or Salah for a hit.

      B) if you must.

  27. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So bunch of ppls not using tc on Kane ?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I cant, on WC. So need to save. Very good option this week though.

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

    Option A - Bamford+Grealish to Kane + Son (0 points hit) Play Bench Boost with Pope, Raphinia, JWP, Dallas (5 fixtures on Bench)

    Option B - Bamford+Grealish+Dallas to Kane+Son+Digne (-4 point hit) and play Bench Boost with Pope, Digne, Raphinia and JWP (6 Fixtures on bench)

    Option C - Bamford+Grealish+Dallas+Raphinia to Kane+Son+Digne+Barnes (-8 Point hit). and play Bench Boost with Pope, Digne, Barnes and JWP (7 Fixtures on bench)

    Probably leaning towards B..........but Barnes would be handy in upcoming weeks

    What do you think?

  29. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does Antonio Grealish and Mee to Kane Lookman and Digne makes sense for - 8?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can you afford Kane and Barnes instead?

      1. Zlatan F.C
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No 0.5m short

        1. Zlatan F.C
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I could just for Kane and Lookman for - 4?

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

      Yes. Or the Kane/Barnes move if possible.

  30. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed is Burn?