Dugout Discussion

Son and Grealish absent as Bale is benched for final Blank Gameweek 29 match

Son Heung-min (£9.4m) and Jack Grealish (£7.5m) will both sit out the final match of Blank Gameweek 29, while Gareth Bale (£9.7m) begins this evening’s clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur on the bench.

Kick-off at Villa Park is at 19:30 GMT.

Bale’s demotion from the Spurs starting XI is a blow to the legions of Fantasy Premier League managers who bought the Welshman ahead of Gameweek 29.

The winger was the subject of more transfers in (771,282) than any other player ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The most-sold FPL asset of the round, Son, hasn’t recovered from the muscle injury that forced him off in the north London derby last Sunday.

Son and Bale are among four players in Jose Mourinho’s Gameweek 28 line-up who miss out this afternoon, with the benched Matt Doherty (£5.6m) and the absent Toby Alderweireld (£5.4m) the others to make way.

Spurs confirmed that Alderweireld and Serge Aurier (£5.2m) both miss out through illness today.

In come Carlos Vinicius (£6.9m), Japhet Tanganga (£4.9m), Joe Rodon (£5.0m) and Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m).

There’s no rest for Harry Kane (£11.5m) after his 120-minute run-out on Thursday: the England striker, captained by over two million FPL bosses tonight, starts.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has made two changes following his side’s draw with Newcastle United over a week ago.

Matty Cash (£5.0m) and Morgan Sanson (£5.5m) start, with Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.3m) and Jacob Ramsey (£4.5m) dropping out.

Despite the positive noises about Grealish in Smith’s pre-match press conference, the Villa talisman misses his sixth successive league match.


Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Luiz, Sanson, Traore, Watkins, Trezeguet.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Tanganga, Sanchez, Rodon, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Ndombele, Vinicius, Kane, Moura.

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1,164 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    79k ovr without hits left.
    Is top 10k still possible?

    1. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Of course it is..

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah . Need to get it right most weeks though.

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I have been stuck around 60 k for months. So my guess is no tbh.

    4. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Probably not. But if it was need to take a lot of calculated captain risks.

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Possible, yes. Likely, not. Depends on chips left also.

    6. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      KDB jumped me from 66k to 12k in 2 weeks, one was tc mind you, but if the main hitters don't return and you get a (c) that does you'll fly up the rankings
      All down to luck

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Sorry meant without chips left*

    7. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Just oppose the popular captain each week and you have a chance. Stay away from Bruno and Kane next week.

      1. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        It’s funny that you say that as that was my exact thinking this GW by putting the C on Lingard

    8. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      certainly possible, certainly tough.

      between now and the end of the season there'll be up to say half a dozen relatively lightly owned teams who have a noticeable uptick in form, you'll probably have to correctly call more than half of these right to make top 10k.

  2. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Anyone know the top 100k avg?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      48 I think

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Thanks

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Might have to go Lingard and Antonio on wc. Guess West Ham creating that much against city should have been an indication of how strong their attack is.

    1. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      City?

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Created 2xg against Man City

  4. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    GW 31 Wildcard seems quite promising. After a pretty static template for nearly 10 GWs it finally feels like the fixture turns and european fixtures will shake up the template quite massively. Looking forward to the run in

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      It does. But I am considering benefits of delaying it, especially if bgw:s and dgw:s are not announced.

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I think playing it too late will give too little time to catch up. Sure, you might have one very good DGW but Im not sure that would outweigh the benefits of an earlier wildcard. The fixture swing in GW31 is too good to ignore imo

        1. POKE JOHN BALLS THE SECOND
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          I agree with this

  5. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    1 FH and 3.2 ITB.

    Looking to use BB providing everyone is fit, would appreciate any thoughts.

    Martinez
    Shaw Stones Dallas
    Bruno Gundo Son Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio Kane

    (Pope Lingard Coufal Dunk)

    Would use my 1 FT on Dunk, possibly to a Chelsea defender but could be anyone with WC planned for GW31.

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      * 1 FT

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Son > Kdb. Gotta start Lingard btw

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        So no thoughts on BB? Hoping Son is OK after IB, sounded like he's every chance.

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Ah! Yh BB not a bad shout

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            ..and agree best to wait for news on Son

          2. waldo666
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Cheers, mate.

  6. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Bale ➡️ Lingard?

    Have Antonio/Dawson

  7. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Last Man Standing GW29 (325 teams)

    Safety score = 43
    Top score = 87
    LMS average = 52.91 (-1.97) = 50.94

    67 teams to be removed, 258 through to GW30.
    Up to 25% or minimum 65 out next GW.
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  8. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Is Mendy best keeper for the run-in?

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Hard to look elsewhere

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Mendy - Sanchez Rotation is what Ill probably go for

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      In think so

      Chelsea been very solid even with some tough games (Spurs, Pool, United)
      Probably not many save points but should be a steady 6-7 most weeks

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I'd say so.
      But Chelsea's cs record is looking very precarious last few games, downright lucky actually not to concede, I've a feeling everyone jumping on a double or even triple Chelsea defence WC might be disappointed

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah. Hopefully getting him for BB GW30.

    5. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Thanks all - think he'll be my sub for gw30

    6. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      People might do well to remember earlier in the season when Chelsea had gone on a nice run of CS - many sold Martinez for him and were punished heavily.

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Can't see Villa making more than 3 clean sheets from now until the end. Dobule gamweek is nice, but not enough to justify saving Martinez on wildcard with that fixtures.

    7. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah

  9. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Fallen out of the top 100k again after taking 14 weeks to get back into it.

    It’s tough trying to hang in there with all these high scores from chips ... but with FH & TC captain left for the remaining blank & doubles things should swing back 🙂

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I have just entered top 100K first time this season, hope to get to 50K but it seems that it could go the other way around 😛

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I hit the top 50k in GW11 and have been bobbing around 100k to 300k ever since ... now 120k again after getting up to 70k a few backs back but hopefully can aim for top 100k or better 🙂

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Is Azpi worth the 1.2 more than Rüdiger?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Probably not

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Ta, thought so

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yes

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      At this stage of the season money shouldn't be too much of a problem, and a nailed starter is far more preferable to someone who is cheaper but might get rotated.
      For that reason I'd go Azpi, but if you're using him more as back up then Rudiger

  11. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Who to prioritise getting rid of first?

    A. Son
    B. Bale

    1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      The guy warming the bench from now on ..

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        You think he’s fallen out of favour with Jose?

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          He was never really in favour with Jose. He has done 10x more in his career than the likes of Lamela, Lucas, Bergwijn etc but still doesn’t play. They probably won’t sign him after the loan either.

          1. Bleh
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Yeah something isn’t quite right. Will probably ship for Lingard/Jota.

        2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Mourinho: To be ashamed I always think is a man's reaction. Don't care, don't give a sh*t is not for men."

          I'd have replied earlier but the response above was blocked ... presumably for the word 'sh*t'.

          Is this a grown up forum or not ... yeah thought so

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Bale has risen in value but not seen many points so far!

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Easy B

  12. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    So my 2 FTs in Cresswell (0) and Bale (0) went exceptionally well. Anyone do better?

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Bale and Reguilon

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Bale(C) Auba(VC) here went rather well lol

    3. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Auba / Cresswell when I was very close to doing Dunk / Lingard

    4. The_FF_King
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      My two free transfers were Dunk and Lingard 🙂

    5. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Trossard and Reguilon

  13. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Gw 31 team:
    Pope vs New
    Alonso(?) vs CP
    Dias, Stones, Gundo vs Leeds
    Salah, Jota vs Avl
    Digne + DCL vs Bha
    Son + Kane vs Mun
    + 2 ft:s and over million itb. Raphinha, AWB and Watkins ditchable as well as Martinez.

    How much is WC going to get me extra pts?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Atm I could afford yo get Jesse and Antonio for Raphinha and Shtkins. There is naturally Pep risk. What are your WC 31 drafts? I also fear that if the WC 31 fails, therr is no room for recovery.

      1. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I might keep my WC till 34 now, hit the last few games with exactly the squad needed.
        If you don't think it'll make too much difference in 31 then don't play it. Looking at your team I'd be tempted to hold as well

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          If the dgw:s aren't announced come gw 31, using WC a bit later might give decent advantage .

          1. Gross Blank Point
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Leeds, West Ham and dare I say it Liverpool all have really excellent last 3 GW's, load up on them and it could be a real differential.
            Might not work obviously, but if it does.....

  14. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Anybody knows what happens to De Gea?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      He is on paternity leave. I guess he will find another club next summer.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Any possible return after IB? I still have him 5.3M sitting on my bench for Martinez but they rotate fine till end of the season.

  15. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Would you do these moves closer to deadline after IB break?

    a. Auba & Dunk > Jota/Salah & Rudiger - 4

    b. Auba > Jota/Salah. Free.

    Leading my ML by about 40pts.

    Cheers.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Probably B unless you're being forced to play Dunk frequently.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Nah dunk would be on my bench. Well at least for the next 3 games.

  16. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Alonso has missed 3 of the last 4 league games. Is Alonso -> Azpi/Rudiger the priority here?

    Martinez
    Alonso Shaw Keane
    KDB Bruno Lingard Raph Gundo
    Kane DCL
    (Areola Dias Dunk fodder)
    1 FT, 3.3 ITB, no chips left

    Could also try to get Son in -- Lingard to Son is just barely possible once Lingard goes up to 6.2 (Raph/Gundo -> Son not possible without making another move). Plan was to eventually use the money to get a 3rd premium mid. Or could just roll and do a double move in 31 with 2 FT.

    1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Defo roll a transfer.

      Quite a few are looking to bring Alonso in for those easier fixtures.

  17. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Week after week I ask myself why am I even playing this game. And return to tinkering with my team, checking stats etc. This game is strange.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      An international break will be good for many of us, I think.

  18. New Article
  19. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Jumped from 600k ish to 300 k ish on FH. Hoping to break the 100k by end of season.

  20. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Soucek on 9 goals from 29 games...

    Carrying on the Moyes legacy of defensive midfield target men i from Cahill to Fellaini now to Soucek