FFS International

FPL planning during the international break and assets to target in the run-in

For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers around the world, the international break is a good opportunity to take stock and plan for the final nine Gameweeks of the season.

We caught up with the members of FFS International to ask them about how they use the downtime to help with FPL planning as well as the players that they are targeting for the run-in.

How do you use international breaks to help your FPL planning?

FF Titan

FPL has been running on consecutive weekends since Gameweek 9. This international break is actually a welcome break for us folk at FF Titans. From a players’ perspective, it will be an interesting fortnight as qualifiers will not be played on some continents such as Asia and South America, whereas those representing European countries will face three matches in quick succession. Our key focus over the international break is therefore to keep a lookout for any injuries suffered by the players, as this will help us have a team ready for Gameweek 30 and beyond.

FF Titan

FPL Side Net

With an international break now upon us, we will be using the time to take a little break from the constant drip-feed of football we have had this season. It’s important to always look after yourself, and I know personally, using the time to mentally switch off from FPL always does wonders for me and can really help in the run-in towards the end of the season. Being based in Australia, it also means a weekend of good sleep without having to watch football in the early hours of the morning! Having a break means coming back to FPL stronger for these closing weeks of the season.

FPL Side Net

FPL Froggies

The international break is a high variance period, with a lot of parameters you can not control. Of course, we try to stay informed of injuries and played minutes. But we are not overthinking it: yes, it’s safer to acquire a player who did not play three hours or more during the international break but investing in the best assets (like Harry Kane ahead of the Newcastle trip) remains the main focus whatever their international activity.

FPL Froggies

FPL Rabbi

Firstly, I try to have a little breather from football for a few days, especially in this congested schedule we’re in. I find it helps make clearer decisions later on. I don’t place much emphasis on how well the players did with their countries but rather their minutes. Naturally, I also try to target those who didn’t travel at all, hoping that just like us FPL managers, they’ll utilise the much-needed rest.

FPL Rabbi

Fantasy Football South Africa

During this specific international break we will be targeting players based on four requirements.

Firstly, players that have something to play for during the run-in (European spots).

Secondly, we will focus on teams that have postponed fixtures that result in a Double Gameweek.

Third, target players that didn’t report for their international teams.

Fourth, hone in on players with easier fixtures.

Fantasy Football South Africa

Bendito Fantasy

We’re doing this in Spanish. So you can practice your reading a little bit with this!

Luis: Las fechas internacionales funcionan mucho dentro de una planeación de FPL. Por lo menos en algunos casos es un pequeño descanso de jornadas dobles y blanks que permita cuestionar los próximos movimientos. También para los jugadores es desconectar un poco del “mindset” competitivo y preparar la fase final de la temporada. Con muchas cosas en juego para los equipos y también para los entrenadores de FPL los partidos internacionales son una alerta de lesiones constantes. Tenemos preocupación por los grandes jugadores FPL como Harry Kane (£11.6m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) o Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) que seguramente jugarán varios partidos con sus selecciones. Creemos que las jornadas internacionales nos dan para analizar mediante eye test en la mayoría de los casos, ya no solo ownership o stats como xG o xGI. Jugadores como Pedro Neto (£5.7m), Diogo Jota (£6.7m), Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) pueden regresar muy bien de sus compromisos. Y atención a jugadores no convocados con sus selecciones que pueden tener un descanso necesario y empezar a repuntar con sus equipos (Sergio Aguero (£10.3m), Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) y muchos otros).

Gera: Los parones internacionales suelen ser un momento de aburrimiento para muchos managers; no hay juegos ligueros y FPL entra en un aletargamiento extraño en el que incluso hay poco movimiento en cuanto a precios. La estrategia que normalmente adopto durante este periodo consiste en darme un descanso del análisis de datos. El fin de semana intento ver algún juego de selecciones en el que alguno de los activos de FPL participe. Lo hago con el simple objetivo de disfrutar de fútbol y dejar descansar la mente, ya que es muy fácil saturarse de datos que pueden oscurecer el juicio en lugar de aclararlo. Mi recomendación es: desconéctate un poco sin perder de vista lesiones, jugadores clave y posibles convocatorias sorpresas de alguno de los jugadores de la Premier League.

Bendito Fantasy

Which players are you targeting from now until the end of the season?

FF Titan

At some point, we expect Manchester City to wrap up the title and shift their focus to the Champions League and FA Cup. We should thus concentrate on players from teams that have a lot to play for. Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) is our top pick for the rest of the season. His form since joining West Ham has been sensational (56 FPL points in seven games). The Hammers are genuine challengers for the top four and Lingard himself needs a good run of form to cement his England spot for Euro 2020. 

FF Titan

FPL Side Net

the-case-for-diogo-jota

Sitting atop of Fantasy Football Scout’s Season Ticker for the remainder of the season are Liverpool. While their form of late has been very scratchy, the timely return of Diogo Jota (£6.7m) serves as a friendly reminder of what the Portuguese forward can offer.

Jota is playing ‘out of position’ in FPL terms and Liverpool only face one team in the top four for the remainder of the season (Manchester United in Gameweek 34). With Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) failing to deliver with his big price-tag, a sideways move to his teammate could be a wise choice for managers looking to take a calculated risk. 

FPL Side Net

FPL Froggies

Welbeck ready to profit from Brighton's appealing run of fixtures

At this stage of the season, it is more important to focus on teams with something to play for rather than just looking at the fixtures. I would target, for instance, Brighton (trying to avoid relegation) and Chelsea (playing for the top four).

Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) is one of the most rotation-proof assets among a very solid Chelsea defence. Having only missed one match since his arrival, Rüdiger has helped transform Chelsea’s backline into one of the best in Europe.

Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) is a fun player to own as a third striker. Whilst his xG involvement stats are not as good as some of the other lower priced forwards, but he is a proven talent and his Premier League experience could be key as Brighton will have to battle till the end to secure their Premier League survival.

FPL Froggies

FPL Rabbi

Owning Marcos Alonso (£5.7m), with his 13 goal attempts (10 inside the box) and 10 chances created in his last six matches, is probably the biggest rush you can get in FPL today – especially as he’s only 2.5% owned.

I have owned him since Gameweek 23 and considering Chelsea have conceded only once in their last six matches, topping the league for expected goals conceded (xGC) despite playing Man Utd, Liverpool and Leeds, I can’t help but feel a big haul is imminent.

After being benched for those tougher matches and the fact he’s not with the Spanish national squad, it looks promising for his minutes after the international break.

FPL Rabbi

Fantasy Football South Africa

Jack Grealish (£7.5m) looks set to be fit and available for Aston Villa again after the international break. With Villa desperately needing their talisman to provide an attacking spark and having two postponed matches which need rescheduling, Grealish looks like a great option as the Villans try to re-find their form.

Conor Coady (£4.8m) is about to benefit from Wolves’ fixture swing ahead of Gameweek 31. With appealing matches and his new-found attacking threat, he could be a great differential. With team-mate Willy Boly (£5.4m) back in the frame, the Wolves defence should be back to their formidable selves – therefore the potential ceiling for Coady’s points looks great until the end of the season.

Fantasy Football South Africa

Bendito Fantasy

 1

Kai Havertz (£8.2m) 
El mediapunta alemán cuenta con compromiso internacional lo que nos garantiza una carga de minutos que lo pueden ayudar a generar ritmo de competencia. Va a ser importante para Tuchel que se integra más en este ritmo para incluirlo en la famosa “Tuchel Roulette”. Havertz está condicionado por la amplia selección que Chelsea tiene en esa zona del campo (Mount, Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner). Pero con solamente 2.8% de selección puede ser considerado un diferencial; el cual está empezando a complacer nuestro “eye test” desde su partido vs Atlético de Madrid en UCL. Confiamos en que Havertz puede tener un último tramo de temporada similar al que su compañero Pulisic la temporada pasada, recordando que Chelsea está en la pelea del Top 4 y que muchos de sus jugadores están llamando mucho la atención en FPL

Bendito Fantasy

What’s happening in the world of FFS International?

FF Titan

FF Titans will cover the international break from an Fantasy perspective alongside their regular coverage around UCL Fantasy and FPL. You can find this content here.

FPL Side Net

March was a very busy month for the FPL Side Net podcast, with lots of content in the lead-up to the Double and Blank Gameweeks. Pete also joined Sam from FPLFamily for an episode of Scout the Gameweek, where they discussed FPL Side Net, their content and the challenges of FPL managing in Australia.

FPL Froggies

FPL Froggies continue to publish one podcast per Gameweek. Their unique selling point is that the podcast is in French, so if you are a French-speaking FPL player or if you want to learn the language by listening, you can find their podcast episodes in all platforms.

Fantasy Football South Africa

Watch Fantasy Football South Africa’s latest offering below:

Bendito Fantasy

Esta semana tendremos un episodio especial hablando del factor miedo y de como atacar con todo la recta final de la temporada. Recientemente hemos superado los 300 seguidores en Twitter y estamos muy felices por esto. También subimos episodios semanalmente como:
nuestro episodio semanal en spotify. Cápsula de capitanes.

Y constantemente en instagram y twitter compartimos datos sobre jugadores, nuestra liga, algunos memes, clips sobre nuestros episodios y una cápsula en IGTV llamada “Free hit” donde presentamos 15 jugadores claves previos a las jornada por venir.

Queremos que la comunidad en habla hispana de FPL siga creciendo y seguir generando contenido sobre Premier League pero sobre todo ir conociendo personas en el camino y aprender de su forma de ver FPL en sus vidas. 


Find out more about FFS International here.

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

116 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Play up international break!

  2. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Will u trust Jota. Stats for 4 last matches not so good.

    Quit ok for 6 last matches.

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Yea I’m gonna ditch Bale for him. Fixtures too good and he’s levels above Firmino

    2. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Yeah I think so, he's still getting back to speed but looks better than the others on the eye test at least

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Tempted but a bit wary of how much he'll be rotated in the next few games with the CL matches in and around them and assuming Firmino is back

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    How stupid is it just to plan 1-2 game weeks at a time and just target teams like shef United for goals

    I still have my free hit, rank about 350k and hasn’t moved for weeks

    For example next week I could do a solid ‘long’ term move like veltman to rudiger but a move like bale/souceck to raphinia seems to have a lot more up upside in the short term at least

    Is it fine at this stage of the season to just look a game week or 2 ahead? It is still my first ‘proper’ season

    1. ANGRY PERSON
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      On most cases you need to look at the next 3-4 week at least while making a transfer. Otherwise you have to make too many transfers and it's just not worth it. This is my first season too. At the beginning I used to make too many transfers without looking at the bigger picture. Something I have learned along the way.

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I remember my first season in fpl was 2003 , I was crap. Picked all the star players andband wagons. Then you learn about scoring defenders and set piece takers.

      Now with so much info we dissect to much like paternity leave or if someone is missing is affects other premium players.

      I now look 4 games ahead and the red matches for hard games, unlike others I don’t use EO , I pick who I think will do well as capt

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        I did Telegraph one at school 93/94 (I was a very boring child and grew up into a deeply boring adult).

        Had Gunnar Halle playing OOP for Oldham, don't think anybody else ever realised, but we'd be all over it now if Joe Royle had even just thought out loud while in Tesco, "Gunnar's not bad on the ball, might try him a bit further forward."

        1. Tango74
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          I bet every year you said I’m not making that mistake again or I’m never removing him as capt ever?

          I think I did the sun in 93.

          Le tissier, Robbie Earle warhurst and Bruce

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 days ago

            Paul Warhurst ultimate OOP; young Chris Sutton too. Shame we don't get centre-half/centre-forwards anymore.

            This kind of thing plus Wulfrunian's post below make me fear I might disappear into a jumpers for goalposts youtube wormhole for the rest of the morning.

        2. Gazwaz80
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          Haha, you’re not that boring mate 😉

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I don’t think it’s a stupid idea but I can’t see many players with guaranteed points so the points gained don’t necessarily outstrip points /transfers lost; it’s a high risk strategy. Given current uncertainty, the sensible strategy is probably to map out the next six or so matches and transfers. There may only be 9 more transfers left at this stage of the season so easier to draft something out (notwithstanding changes for injuries etc).

      However, SHU seem so at sea at the moment that targeting their matches doesn’t seem the worst thing to do. I’m contemplating a few hits myself (not sure it’s wise or not but in a 50/50 situation, it seems more fun to do some team tinkering). Getting Raph in for SHU, even if transferring or benching the week after is not the worst idea.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      it’s a great idea, go for the mismatches and chase the upsides ... been doing it all season outside of the doubles and blanks and it has worked very well in general, means you get bit of a lop sided squad at times, you need a few hits and you have to be prepared to take out a big hitters every now and then

      it’s actually great fun too and very positive way to play the game

  4. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    A) Watkins to Werner
    OR
    B) Targett to Rudiger

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Wait to see when Villa's double gets announced first?

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Oh thanks for that

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Do we know what the best guess is for which week Villa get the DGW ??

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      B

  5. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    With wc31 on the cards, anyone else bring in Auba in 29 and already looking to reverse the transfer in 30?
    Hold or jump....?

    1. ANGRY PERSON
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Might as well take a punt on someone for 1 week if you got ft

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      He looks lost, horribly out of form and way too much money...........Lacazette is the one attacker I would pick.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Well it’s the midfield spot I’d need to fill
        Contemplating Chelsea defender even though they will come in for 31. Also waiting to see if I need to replace Son with ft

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I'm very much considering a Havertz punt (or even Lingard) to fill my Auba spot.

      But, I think when all is said and done, I may just do a boring Holgate > Rudiger transfer and hold on to Auba until after he's played Sheff Utd.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Depends if you want to bring in a midfielder as punt for 30. If not, just bench him then WC31

  6. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    What to do with this lot;

    ................Martinez
    ....Shaw - Stones - Cresswell
    Bruno - Auba - Gundy - Son - Raph
    ..........Kane - Bamford
    Bench: Watkins - Holgate - Veltman
    1FT & 1.5 ITB

    A) Holgate > Rudiger (bench Cresswell)
    B) Auba > Havertz/Mount
    C) Auba > Salah (no rush for this though)
    D) Auba > Jota
    E) Auba > Lingard
    F) Save FT
    G) Another suggestion...?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Any chips left?

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        FH & TC chips in the sky rocket

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          I would priorities a Chelsea player. Is Rudiger, Havertz and Mount all way on international duty?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 days ago

            away*

            1. thegaffer82
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 4 days ago

              I think they all are yes.

              I'll wait on any transfers though until after IB is done and dusted

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Jesse seems most exciting, Jota might be too.
      Mount probably decent moving forward.
      Chelsea def?

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        I’ve got rudiger

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        For my part, my head says Lingard, heart says Havertz, and common sense says Rudiger.

        I have no idea tbh 🙂

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          Spoiler alert: Auba gets a brace.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Thanks Wulf - lovely stuff, looking at the mud and agricultural football, difficult to believe it was as late as 95/96.

      Extra point for Dennis Coath right at the end

    2. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Bull with a hattrick and an assist, lovely.

      I had that shirt as a kid - my mam took me to a shop called Winners and they had cheap footy shirts it was either the Wolves home kit or Bradford City away kit and I chose Wolves. Bizarrely, despite growing up on Tyneside, both me and my dad's first kits were Wolves kits, although he had to make his own back in the 60s!

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        My first memory of a replica kit was a boy at school having the full Spurs kit inc. shorts and socks (I guess his family must have been from down south originally), it just seemed so cool.
        I've never owned one from the team I actually support.

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          Who do you follow?

          I have had - and still have - all manner of kits. The only Carlisle kit I had was our semi-famous deckchair kit of the mid-90s which had orange, gold, green and white stripes from memory!

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 days ago

            Boringly Man Utd so nothing to see here, but fond memories of following Stockport County as young man and, as a no longer young man, Fulham is my local team now.

            Jimmy Glass...

            1. Hangman Page
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 4 days ago

              Apparently, he lives in Bournemouth working as a cab driver now, Glass.

              Nowt boring about following United - best away fans in the country IMO.

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 4 days ago

                Possibly your most famous player of "modern" times and only made 3 appearances.

                Used to love going to a new ground for an away game or even random games that just happened to be on nearby wherever I was.

                Kids and million percent above inflation increase in ticket prices put paid to that.

  7. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Please, somebody, make the FPL Twitter handles stop.

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I love him, but as soon as you see theres an FPL_Potnoodle you know its gone too far 😛

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Lol.

  8. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Anyone with Bale tempted to take him out this week? I know it's Newcastle, but the noises coming out about him don't sound good, and it's very plausible that he doesn't start.

    Thinking about a until on one of Mount/Havertz/Ziyech. Thoughts?

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I think it depends upon your bench and who'd come in if he didn't play. There's a lot of great fixtures about so you may have a good first sub and therefore you could keep him and cross your fingers that he starts? Newcastle were so bad v Brighton..

      I am not sure its not just out of the frying pan into the fire if you go for a Chelsea midfielder - not looked at the minutes they are getting in-depth but my perception is they are all rotation risks.

    2. MHG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I'm tempted to switch Bale for Bruno for Wk30
      I'm then wildcarding in Wk31

      I still have Kane and Son for Newcastle match.

      The alternative is to keep Bale for Wk30 and perhaps bring in someone for Soucek - maybe Mount. I have £6.1m in the bank but still can't stretch to Soucek to Bruno.

      I guess what will give me the most points:
      A. Bruno & Soucek
      or
      B Bale & Mount (or some other non top premium midfielder)

      A or B ?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuno

  9. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    1FT so think of either of these moves;

    a. Aubu > Salah
    b. Auba > KDB (have Gundo & Stone)
    c. Auba & Dunk > Salah/Jota & Rudiger for - 4

    These moves would be closer to deadline.

    Cheers

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Salah is "safest". Rudiger might be worth the hit.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        leaning to salah - thanks

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      If you have to sell Auba, I'll pick A.
      Or just Dunk to Rudiger

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        i was think of just doing Dunk > Rudiger but i have def cover so could do that next GW.

        Might just do Auba > salah

        1. Kabayan
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          Save FT is an option 🙂

  10. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Bench boost this or wait for better chance? Have Wildcard in hand as well.

    Forster, Stones, Coufal, Jota (or Neto)

    Thanks.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Why not? Stones is the obvious issue. Prefer Jota to Neto I think, Wolves so uninspiring this year.

  11. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    How come part of this article is in Spanish?

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      FFS International post bud

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Nice, I didn't realise there was such a thing

    2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      coz it makes no odds?

  12. City cameos
    FPL Froggies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    City cameos

    Hi all,

    While, generally at this time of the year, the FPL manager with his second Wildcard still available struggles to find the budget to squeeze all the premium in for the run-in, it seems that, this year, the number of budget options available who have a super-high point ceiling offers another route: spreading the fund.

    I acknowledge the downside of it like for instance the problem related to EO when it comes to premium captain options but this is not what I would like to discuss here.

    Fund spreading is a viable option but to be effective, you need to prevent your team from players cameos. This strategy particularly is true when it comes to City assets.

    If you pick up a City premium, this will hurt your bench so you can’t really afford to have him benched by Pep.
    Taking into consideration City mid-budgets options, this year, reach the same point ceiling than premiums, the route would be to go for them and build your bench so as you can handle the roulette.

    One big problem remains though. The plan is fine, until your players get plenty of cameos which screw your auto-sub.

    I have decided to look into City cameos to get a better picture of it. I have taken into consideration ALL games (PL, UCL, EFL, FA cup) city played this year and have compiled the number of times the player played less than 60 minutes IN A GAME HE TOOK SOME PART IN (this does not include being benched and starting on the bench). It does not also take into consideration Pep sub policy but also knocks/injuries during games or returns from injuries.

    Number of less than 60 min displays / number of games the player took some part in - percentage

    MIDS:
    KDB: 6/31 19%
    Gundogan: 7/34 20%
    Mahrez: 9/38 23,50%
    Bilva: 5/35 14%
    Sterling: 6/33 18%
    Foden: 10/37 27%

    Of course, this gives you a rough picture but does not factor in how lethal a cameo could be depending on the game/player profile. For instance, a Bilva display of 75 min could be less lethal than a 15-min Mahrez or Sterling sub-in appearance.
    Mahrez and Foden are risky picks if your strategy is to cover Pep rotation with your bench. They tend to get more cameos and looking in details, those are short cameos.

    DEFS:
    Dias: 2/41 5% (the two happened during FA cup games)
    Stones: 4/26 15%
    Cancelo: 5/34 15%
    Zinchenko: 4/22 18%
    Walker: 4/32 12,50%
    Laporte: 2/21 9,50%

    No surprise about Dias.
    Cancelo is a bit surprising though. Maybe too much talk/whine about him got us to think he gets a lot of cameos but that is not true.
    Walker and Laporte are quite differential at this stage, but are good shields against cameos.

    If you can build up a solid bench, Cancelo and Stones still represent very good value and kind of protect you from cameos.

    So basically no real surprise here, if your strategy is to spread the funds and build a solid bench, it is probably better to look at the back when it comes to City. You have more chances to get an auto-sub as the players have a bigger tendancy to either completely feature or not at all.

    Gundogan is probably the hardest case to assess. Incredible value at his price, does not get more cameos than KDB, enables to spread the fund and arguably have the same ceiling than KDB. Gundogan’s case is probably linked to Aguero’s one. If Pep gives more game time to Aguero in the run-in in a system with a real 9, if probably will affect Gundogan’s appeal.

    1. FPL Froggies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      * erratum*
      this does not include being benched and starting on the bench --> this does not include being benched and STAYING on the bench

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Cheers Froggies. Useful stuff as always.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      When I looked at Mahrez I saw a rather different pattern.

      Yes there were 4 cameo appearances but 3 of those fell between GWs 13 and 19 - a period when he was out of favour and only got one start.

      Either side of that spell he has benched 4 times and had one cameo. This is much the same pattern as Gundo. He plays or he doesn't.

      1. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Indeed this covers the entire year and does not highlights the dynamics but it gives a rough idea.
        Your Mahrez statement is true so as Gundogan ongoing appeal being rocketed by an aguero purple patch

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          Yep - it gives a really solid outline of the position.

          Kun is a rogue factor when looking at City attack generally. So too I think is Laporte in defence. Both have been historically key components of Pep's A side. Both also give him options in set up. Kun as a bona fide cf and Laporte as 3rd CB in a formation where Cancelo switches between defence and midfield. My guess is Laporte is closer to becoming integral in the run in but that could of course be way off.

          More generally I'm more sceptical than most on here that Pep will rotate much more heavily than usual. By this time last season the league was done and dusted too and there were just the cups to play for - on a similar sort of schedule. From memory there wasn't absurd levels of rotation then. The difference this time I suppose is that there hasn't been a 3 month lay off ahead of the run in.

          I'm also thinking City are the one team you can rely on goals for. Since GW18 or so their output has matched previous seasons - the comparatively low total for the season is skewed by weeks 1-17 or so when they weren't scoring at any rate at all.

          1. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 days ago

            My instinct is Mahrez too, because I have come to the conclusion that City are un-captainable and that therefore cuts KDB and Sterling out of contention; you can't hold a 11.5m+ player hoping to captain them on the odd occasion when you are sure they will start.

            People are generally failing to consider the Europe effect (or minimising it as 'an inconvenient truth'). The QFs begin during GW30 and they will have a big impact, like it or not. In Liverpool's case, the CL is all they have left to win and it's likely their easiest route to CL qualification for next season too, they would have to overtake 3 teams to make 4th in the PL. At United, OGS is reaping the reward of having run his players into the ground; unless he prioritises the EL they will win nothing (again) and he'll be left claiming an 'improvement' that doesn't exist, as if a United manager shouldn't be expected to win trophies. 😆

            Arsenal must probably win the EL if they are to take anything from the season, though they might be able to make a late run for 7th. City are going to be a rotation nightmare in FPL because the PL is as good as won (though they still need a few wins) whereas the CL is the holy grail and they will never have a better chance at it. Chelsea might be problematic too, though CL qualification through league position is very realistic for them and that gives them the incentive to make the PL at least an equal priority with the CL and FAC.

            It's also worth noting that European football appears to be catching up with the involved teams. Both United & Chelsea were poor last weekend and both TT and OGS referenced tiredness; the contrast between United & Leicester couldn't have been sharper. Arsenal were extremely sluggish in the first half against West Ham, though they improved later in the game. City were competent but hardly sparkling against Everton and Pep has a huge squad which he can rotate, so it's clearly not just a matter of minutes played; it's the mental challenge of getting ready for a vital European game and then for a domestic game shortly afterwards.

            Seems to me that a great deal of realism is needed. My inclination is certainly to favour teams - Leicester, Wolves, West Ham - that will have a singular focus in the PL. Deciding what to do about the Europe teams and their rotation is heavily bound up with squad structure too, which is why the OP is very good. But any wildcard now that doesn't take a position against some heavily-owned teams/players and for some less heralded options is a waste in my view and runs the risk of playing the 29 weeks already gone rather than the 9 in front.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 3 days ago

              Agreed with pretty much all of that - bit dubious about Wolves as I'm unsure what focus they have beyond getting to top 10.

              I'd add Everton into the mix. The fixtures are mixed but contain enough good ones to look them over anyway - most of them are cheap enough to bench if you need. They are fresh and very much in the hunt for EL anyway. Going there puts quite a lot of faith in the manager and his general track record and James is also perhaps key. Thought it was interesting how Ancellotti said he was holding James back for the run in. Big question of course if he can stay fit.

              The other team I'm not ignoring is Spurs. They have a fair set of fixtures if you can navigate 33 and no Europe to distract them. I'm not expecting them to trounce teams but Kane Son on GI alone could work. Kane I assume will be entirely generic but Son I'm less sure about - I suspect he may get switched by many to a "sexier" alternative. Overpriced perhaps but I'm at the points over value stage.

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 days ago

                Agree about Spurs (and Son) and about Everton (but only DCL really, not the defence). With Wolves, it isn't a matter of having something to play for; they are a very young team by and large so won't lack enthusiasm. It's more that they are improving, especially defensively. I really like Jonny as an option, and Patricio of course. Time for Martinez to go I think (and I have had him all season). 🙂

            2. Chemical76
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 day ago

              OP?

  13. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Martinez
    Dallas Keane Shaw
    Bale Raphina Son Fernandes
    Bambam CDL Kane

    My team at the moment and they’ve all got decent fixtures but I keep thinking I’m missing out on Chelsea’s plum West Brom game.
    My question is,
    Would you change anyone for a Chelsea player?
    Cheers.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Maybe Bale, but wouldn't change if had a solid first sub.

      Chelsea/WBA smells like a 1 nil to me so not much in point getting in an attacker.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Cheers FNC, was considering getting Mount in for Bale but I’ve got Stones and Gundog first and second on bench....

  14. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Appreciate there's a long way to go until the next game week. Bored at work.

    Benching head ache. Pep/Tuchel roulette may help

    Martinez
    Alonso-Rudiger-Shaw
    Son-Salah-Raph-Gund-Mount
    Kane - Bam

    Areola-Antonio-Stones-Burn

    1FT
    a) Salah > Brun
    b) Save

    What about my bench?
    thanks

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Think as you have held Mo till now seems a strange choice to jump off just as fixtures are about to turn, if you are going to (c) a Leeds or Chelsea option I'd hold.
      Maybe Antonio over Gundo?

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        Thanks.
        Was potentially looking at Jota the week after.

        1. Old Gregg
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          possibly for Son/Gund with 33 in mind

    2. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Yeah, decent move. That or roll a transfer

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        thanks mate

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I’m thinking the same thing. It might be madness to get rid of Salah before his good fixtures but I think Bruno will score more over the next 9 and Jota is fresh and taking an advanced position. Will decide later next week

  15. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    salah > Bruno

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      doh

  16. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    No changes needed? Unless injuries of course...

    Martinez
    Azpi Rüdiger Digne
    KDB Bruno Son* Mount Gundo
    Kane DCL

    Fabri; Konsa, Burn, Brewster

  17. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Which transfer is most pressing? Will likely WC in 31.

    A. Stones > Rudiger
    B. Watkins > Bamford

    Martinez (Fabri)
    Dias Stones Dallas (Coufal Veltman)
    Bruno Son Lingard Raphinha (Aubameyang)
    Kane Calvert-Lewin Watkins
    1FT 0.8ITB

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I'd do A if you WC 31

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      A makes more sense with Chelsea's fixtures and general Pep rotation, but if Silva is back after the break then it's possible Rudiger could face rotation too.

      But I'd actually go for B. I don't think Villa have looked good for a while, Watkins and Villa attack in general misses Grealish a lot clearly and he should be back which will help, but even before he got injured they began to look rather poor offensively. I first thought if Grealish returned before before break Villa in general have a bit of a bounce from it, but I'm starting to think Smith's comment that it's like the rest of the team were just waiting for him to return (rather than try to make up for his absence themselves) is true and that they might just expect things to improve now when he's back rather than on the whole improving their performances. So I do think Watkins will benefit from Grealish being back but I worry about their form, while I think Leeds went through a rough patch recently but looked a lot more confident and more like themselves against Fulham. They've now after SHU got 3 tough games, but they'll be up for them and there will be no expectation on them to get anything from those so I think they'll just go for it. They were very unlucky against Liverpool and probably should have beaten City and will want revenge against ManUtd, and then after that have a great set of fixtures to end the season so for me I'd say Bamford.

  18. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Pope Johnstone
    Canelo stones AWB Lowton Coufal
    Salah, Gundo, Son, Raphinia ESR
    Kane,Bamford DCL

    4 itb and 2 FT

    What should I do with these 2 free transfers? Son to Bruno and Stones to Rudiger?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Sounds like the moves I would do mate

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      1 transfer on the defence, maybe AWB/Stones to Rudiger?

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        yeah I am doing stones to Rudiger with the second FT

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I'd hang on with the Son to Bruno move and see if Son is fit first, Spurs are a mixed bag but Newcastle are consistently poor

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 days ago

        But I do needs Bruno or isn't it?

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 days ago

          It's hard to say no, especially with his record against Brighton. But they do have tough games in the run-in and aren't exactly in great form and Bruno has 1 return in the last 4 (and that was a penalty). It's a tough call, I'm between Kane and Bruno for captaincy this week so I guess going by that I do think you could do with him if you can fit him in

  19. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    best midfielder to have this week, any price? planning on shipping auba, will WC31 so its only for one week

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      also have raphinha gundo lingard and bale.

    2. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      The main man Bruno

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Bruno the safe option - but Brighton defence is very sound really and I find it tricky to believe that United will get more than 2 there. Possible/probable return just on consistency basis.

      Son - if you think Spurs can do to Newcastle what they did to Palace and Burnley but if there's no Bale you're not exactly comparing like with like there - it'd more likely be a case of relying on the Son Kane synergy.

      Mo is always an option. It's not the worst fixture. Presumably he'll fire again at some point and Liverpool have actually scored better or as well in tougher fixtures over the last stretch.. Their last two 3 goal hauls came against WH and Spurs - two not dissimilar opponents.

      Not sure my preference might not be KdB. The fixture looks iffy on paper but I can see City putting Leicester in their place as a warm up to the CL. KdB often takes centre stage in big fixtures and while not necessarily in the league he is finding the goal quite regularly now and that is what made him gold last season. Don't see Leicester defence as being intrinsically stronger than Brighton.

  20. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    I played my Free Hit chip last gameweek

    When using the Rate My Team tool in the member area, upon typing in my ID, I am met with my free hit team and not the actual players I will be choosing from in the coming gameweeks.

    Why does this happen and how do I fix this (apart from manually entering my current players)?

    Thanks

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      I have the same problem and same solution. It’s a bit fiddly would be good to get this fixed

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 days ago

      Amazing that this is still an issue. 😆

  21. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    Thoughts on this wildcard draft? 0.0 ITB, no other chips left.

    Will switch out Dallas after GW30.

    Leno Button
    Stones Dallas Coady Rudiger Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Jota Lingard Burke
    Kane Vardy DCL

    1. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 days ago

      Not for me. I've been tinkering with my WC31 and I only have 4 maybe 5 from your WC picks. Bruno/Kane/Coady and one of either Rudiger/Lingard depending on which way I go in the end.

      1. Steiger
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 days ago

        Mine would be something like this. Playing a 3-5-2.

        Mendy Forster
        TAA/Dias/Shaw/Coady/Strujik
        Salah/BrunoMount/Gundo/Saka
        Kane/DCL/Iheanacho

        Leaves me with 0.5itb

  22. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    England vs San Marino predictions? 😆

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      5-1

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      A win?

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Between 4 and 6 nil

  23. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 days ago

    If you have to captain one of Alonso and Dallas, who would be your pick?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 days ago

      Ooooof

      Does Alonso have any history of minutes off the bench? If not Alonso C and Dallas VC if you're going that way. Cue Alonso benched and Ayling getting one that isn't chalked off 🙂

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 days ago

      Alonso. I think he will start and Chilwell will play Porto because Porto are very pacy in wide areas. But TT may see it differently. 😉

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 days ago

      Cheers, will take loads of motivation to stick with Alonso/Dallas (c), but who cares, time for final push... 😀

  24. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 days ago

    Have people found that it helps improve your FPL skill when you play games with completely different rules?

    For example, in MLS Fantasy, my understanding is that you get unlimited transfers every week, so it's like constructing a free hit team each week. Was thinking about possibly trying that.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 days ago

      Simon March made a fascinating comment in his meet the manager video.

      He said that he reckoned his game would be stronger if he was slightly less conservative. And he theorised that one way to "game" it was simply to add a notional number of transfers to the FTs you got. The idea was to say you started each season with something like 46 transfers and you shouldn't worry if you took a hit. That way there would be less inclination to hold a transfer you thought made sense through fear of a minus 4.

  25. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 days ago

    Correct bench here?

    --Martinez
    --Cresswell--Digne--Dallas
    --Raphinia--KDB--Lingard--Bruno
    --Kane--Bam--DCL

    --Johnstone--Gundo--Targett--Dunk.

    Thanks guys.