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. G00LI0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard active. Key decision is de bruyne or Salah?

    Would love both but not feasible when kane and Fernandes are in the team as it would destabilise things.

    Already have gundo but feel de bruyne is being overlooked and Liverpool are off form

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

      i also activated the WC this GW. when are you going to use BB?

      1. G00LI0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I already used the bench boost so I don't have to worry about it

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

      KDB hasn't looked quite with it and takes a few games to get up to speed. Would chance Salah with a fixture against a decimated Blades defence and then hope for something extra vs Chelsea.

      1. G00LI0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I could do that but its sounds v safe. A KDB haul could mean a big jump in rank if salah doesn't deliver

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

    Which scores more this GW:

    A) Raphinha (AVL)
    B) Foden (WHU, WOL) -4

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

      Wouldn't surprise me if its Raph

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

      Raphinha and he's better longer term as well.

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

      You’ll know when the games have been played

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

    Feel like even though I'm playing a chip this week (Bruno TC), I'm expecting a red arrow having taken a hit and still having 3 single gameweek players in my 11 (Dallas, Raph, Bamford).

    1. mwa1t
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you pick the right TC you’re fine no matter what the rest of your team does

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

        I had 10 captain blanks in a row from about week 13 onwards so safe to say I've been a bit off this season. You are right though. Pen in each game and I'm probably looking at 60 points.

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

          Right, that Bruno off my shortlist then 🙄

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone on here seems to be using a chip . May not transpire overall .

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

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Lowton
    Grealish* Salah Bruno Gundo
    DCL Kane Bamford
    Pope - Raphinha - Dallas - Coufal 0.9itb 0ft

    Any move would be a hit. Grealish basically screwed things sadly.

    A. Start him and let a Leeds player come in if needs be.
    B. Bench (and again play both Leeds).
    C. Grealish to Barnes/Traore (-4) but guarantees another move for 29.
    D. Lowton/other defender upgrade (-4)

  5. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    "Smith adds that Matty Cash is back on the training pitches and running." Does this mean that the Elmo punt has derailed?

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

      Im afraid so. Was also thinking to get him but cant do it now.
      But do we trust Smith? He didnt say true about Grealish too 😉

      1. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Issue is, I already have him. Got him on my WC last GW. Would you take hit to remove him?

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

          Naaah. I think he can play at least 1, maybe even 2. Who knows. Defo wouldnt sell for a hit.

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

    Which is the best option?

    A. Dias
    B. Stones
    C. Digne

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  7. mwa1t
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dean Smith saying Grealish injury doesn’t look too bad, Villa assets back on the menu for BGW29

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

      Right. He said all true about him last week too so..

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Didn’t say that at all, I actually think it sounded ominous

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

      I’m still debating Bamford > Watkins (-4).
      Grealish back would definitely persuade me.

  8. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane, Salah and Barnes to all blank and I should have a decent GW 🙂

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

    Worth a BB?

    Pope Bamford Raphina Dallas

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

      I BBd triple Leeds in GW19 for 5 points. Can't go any worse than that, you'd have thought.

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I defo would

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

      What do you think? If you’re not sure don’t do it

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

    Pick one to have in your squad for the upcoming 4-5 weeks: Antonio or Bamford

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford

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

    On a WC and may bench boost in 27 or 28... which do you prefer below?

    A) Stones + Dias + Soyuncu + Salisu
    B) L.Thomas + Cancelo + Dias + Salisu
    C) Cancelo + Stones + Vestergaard + L.Thomas

  12. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one from Lowton, Rudiger, Bamford?

    Double GW rules, right?

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

      Yes, Bam

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

      Coin toss Lowton and Rudiger, I'd personally play Bamford

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

    What's the best option in Spurs-defence apart from Lloris? Is Reguilon a viable option?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      There isn't one.

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dier

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

      Irrelevant...

  14. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm on a -4 already and doesn't sound like Grealish is out for too long. Midfield is Bruno, Gundo, Barnes, Raphinha, Grealish:

    1. Play Raphinha and bench Mee, hold Grealish
    2. Grealish to Son, bench Raphinha
    3. Play Mee and bench Raphinha, hold Grealish
    4. Something else?

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

      Play Grealish with Raphinha first bench?

  15. Wizard of Errrzil
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello!

    A or B?
    A. Ings + Soucek -> Kane + Barnes (-4)
    B. Ings + Son + Robbo -> Kane + Salah + Digne (-8)

    Current team:
    Martinez McCarthy
    Stones - Cancelo - Robbo - Mee - Coufal
    Bruno - Salah - Gundogan - Soucek - Raphinha
    DCL - Ings - Bamford

    In the bank = 5.1

    Much appreciated!

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

    Currently on Bench Boost:

    A. Digne (SOU, wba), Mitchell (FUL, MUN)

    B. Keane (SOU, wba), Targett (lee, shu) for -4

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Which is more nailed, Stones or Cancelo?

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo, but in this double he may be rotated (Stones rested for champions League)

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

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias X
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes Gundo
    Kane DCL

    (3.9 Burn X Brewster)

    A) Digne & Struijk (4/5 GW29)
    B) Reguilon & White (6 GW29)
    C) Shaw & Rudiger (4 GW29)

    Have no FH so I will use my next 3 transfers to get GW29 players.
    B gives most number of GW29 starters but I will have 6 blankers for GW33 which is a worry.

    Thoughts on this WC Team?

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

    Were there updates on Grealish? Tempted to buy El Ghazi if Grealish is out from GW26 to 28 (I can FH in 29)

  20. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Son, Barnes, A Robinson
    B) Kane, Lookman, Mee

  21. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    OR 18k, is not captaining Bruno too risky?

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

    1. Bench boost with: Bamford; Dallas; Coufal
    2. Trip Cap with Kane
    3. Neither

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

    Would you do Maja to Diagne for free?

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      There’s gotta be more exciting moves to make

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

    Ahhh, mind bend. Advice required please - which is the best chip to play in this double whammy game week?
    A - TC - Kane?
    B - BB?

    Martinez.
    Shaw. Mings. Stones.
    Barnes. Salah. Son. Gund.
    DCL. Kane. Bamford.

    Bench:
    McCarthy. Dallas. Dunk. Soucek.

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    I have Raphinha and Rudiger right now.

    Do I:

    A) Play both
    B) Tarkowski > Reguilon -4 (play Raph and Reguilon)
    C) Tarkowski > Reguilon -4 (play Reguilon and Rudiger)

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Why wouldnt you play the two of them out of interest? Its not as if they are bad assets. In fact the opposite. Not sure why you would want to take them out?

  26. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My current BB is Areola Dunk Bamford Raphinha, with no hits.

    Would you take a hit and upgrade any of the singles to a double?

    If so who?

  27. leonickroberts
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Raphinha > Lookman for -8 madness? Scared of losing ground on all the BBers out there if I don't have 11 playing twice.

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You mean -4 for that move?

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

        On top of an earlier FT + -4...

    2. Saka_me_sideways
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would keep Raphinha, he’s on good form.

  28. DARK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    "Thomas Tuchel was visibly not happy with Alonso’s performance in the draw with Southampton" => Do we have any sources ?

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

      General comment: I dont get the Alonso support on this board. He is possibly one of the worst defenders in the PL and it doesnt take managers too long to figure this out. OK, he plays wing back and gets forward but even in that position he will need to defend for a certain percentage of the game. The guy just cant defend. Hence an unreliable FPL asset.

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

    Wish I'd known Ings didn't have a double this week before buying him last week (sort of did I guess). DCL > Ings > DCL feels so stupid and has essentially cost 9 points.

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

      Pretty much did the same with my wildcard... hindsight I guess, felt the right decision at the time especially with DCL nursing an injury.
      Don’t beat yourself up about man.

  30. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On a -8, g2g or consider Mee>Stones, or WC?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Shaw Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Gundog
    Kane(c) DCL Watkins

    Raphinha Mee Coufal Forster 0.8 ITB

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

      g2g