Pro Pundits

Is a triple-up on Chelsea’s defence a good idea and do we need three Spurs assets?

Sitting just outside the top 1k heading into the final quarter of the season, Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy looks at a number of burning questions facing FPL managers after the March international break.


Chelsea Defensive Triple-Up

Who are the stand-out FPL assets at Tuchel's Chelsea? 7

Given their recent defensive returns, it’s understandable that FPL managers are looking to double, or even in some cases triple, up on Chelsea’s defence.

Their upcoming fixtures are certainly looking appealing, with West Brom (h), Crystal Palace (a), Brighton (h), West Ham (a) and Fulham (h) to come.

For my own team, I already own Antonio Rüdiger (£4.7m) and am looking to add Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) to my squad. I’d provide a word of caution on the triple-up, though. While it looks good for the next few weeks, and I’m sure it’s something that Gameweek 31 Wildcarders will consider, you also need to think ahead about how to get out of it when the fixtures turn in Gameweek 35. You may not want to be lumbered with three defenders at that point and it might be easier to manage by avoiding it right now.

There are lots of other teams and players with good fixtures both in the short term and up until the end of the season which might work well, without getting stuck on a defensive triple-up on one team (something that also blocks the potential for bringing in an attacker, should you want to).

Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) is someone that I’ve already added to my team. Between Gameweeks 31 and 38, Arsenal play six sides that are in the bottom nine for expected goals (xG) so far this season.

553 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mighty Wings
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you guys bench boost this?

    Martinez Forster
    Azpi Rüdiger Stones Cresswell Dallas
    Bruno Salah Raphina Gündo Son
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Worried about rotation for my City and Chelsea players. And Forster of course...

    Should add that BB is my only chip left

    1. jimbe4mXL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, if they all play, its a great GW to use BB on. IF they play.... :/

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

        Yeah, that's exactly what I don't like, the fat "if"...

        Thanks anyway!

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

      I wouldn't play the BB. Gundo and Rudiger played 270 mins. Stones played 225 mins. I can see these 3 being benched

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

      It's difficult. I feel there are always unexpected benchings after an international break. Some managers aren't as forthcoming as others in their press conferences either.

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

    Who is everyone captaining?

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

      If i was chasing would probably go Bam or Raph, but as im holding going to stick with the majority and go Kane

      1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'm chasing, and trying to hold a 1st place in head to head. Took a punt on Raph last GW and it worked it out pretty well

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

      Last time I looked Kane was the runaway leader but there's a really solid case for either Bamford or Raph.

      Edging towards Raph here but slight concern that the IB will have worked in SHUs favour and allowed them time to steady the ship.

      1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah very true and Leeds are just an unpredictable side in general. Score 5 the one week and ship 5 the next

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

      Been on Raph all along. Took the calculated gamble to avoid Kane (c) last week despite the mega EO and try and force my way up the ranks.

      I don't think the cases for avoiding Kane are as clear cut this week (despite Newcastle fighting for their lives), however I am guessing that Bruno captainers will take a fairly decent chunk out of Kane's EO so the damage Kane can cause may be softened somewhat.

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

    Martinez
    Dallas / Azpi / Cress
    Bale / Raph / Kevin / Gundo
    Kane (C) / Bamdord / DCL

    Pope / Stones / Soucek / Dunk

    0FT 2m ITB

    GW30 - Bale > Lingard + Stones > Tierney or Shaw (-4)
    GW31 - Gundo > Son to have Kane + son for DGW32

    Good plans?

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT 31 | BB unused

    Areola Johnstone
    Cancelo Pereira Coady Rudiger Dawson
    Bruno Son Gundogan Lingard Jota
    Kane Vardy Richarlison

    Low TV, any changes you'd suggest?

  5. jimbe4mXL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Stones - Cancelo - Dallas - Targett - Vestegaard
    Bruno - Son - Bale - Lingard - Raphina
    Kane - Bamford - Watkins

    1ft. Should i play BB this GW? Still have WC and FH, so need to start using those chips, all players have nice fixtures, only concerns are Cancelo, Stones, Son and Bale. What to do with the ft, can even take a hit.

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

      Yeah, if they all play, its a great GW to use BB on. IF they play.... :/

      1. jimbe4mXL
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😀

  6. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mo Salah has scored 4 goals in the premier in the last 15 games, if that was any other player, he’d have gone a long time ago in anybody’s team. I got rid 12 weeks ago with not one ounce of regret and a sigh of relief....

    1. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy to say that now

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        People have been saying it plenty... but still get shouted down by the 'he's due' and 'xG' crowds.

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

          You’re right Black Knights, too many people following the crown and living off past glories....

    2. Mighty Wings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And yet now you mention it again. You must be very sure about your decision...

      1. JammySprat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Aha yeah sounds like he's still scared

  7. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan to Jota, and who do I bench for Jota?

    3.2 ITB

    Martinez
    Dallas | Rudiger | Digne
    Raphinha | Lingard | Bruno | Son
    Watkins | Kane | Bamford

    GK: Pope | Cresswell | Gundogan | Cancelo

    1. jimbe4mXL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hard 😀 Do you have only 1 FT? Maybe play the team you already have and roll the ft for next gw...

      1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah only one, so I guess I could do that. Or I could BB, but I'm not sure if there are better opportunities for that ahead.

        Only have BB and WC left

        1. jimbe4mXL
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If so, then i would do the transfer and use BB for sure. Great team for that.

          1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks, I am very tempted. Could also perhaps take Son out for Jota?

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

      Probably Watkins but I dont like it....

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d roll it, you have a good team this week and two transfers always more than doubles your options

  8. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start targett stones.or dawson

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in a similar dilemma and leaning Stones

  9. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G Save FT or Aubameyang to Bruno and bench who for Bruno

    Martinez
    Konsa Dallas Cancelo
    Son Bale Raphina Lingz
    Kane(c) Antonio Bamford

    Steele Stones Aubameyang Dunk

    Have BB but don't trust Stones Cancelo Aubameyang mins and Dunk has poor fixture

    Cheers

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

    Has there been any news on Son at all?

    1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's Jose so we'll probably never know

    2. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ive searched about and cant find anything, hopefully get some training pics before deadline

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

        Cheers

  11. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would u keep bale 1 more week to see if he plays with the double in 32?

    Doesn’t sound great between him & Jose and can upgrade to anyone but would be a shot in the foot to take someone out before a double

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

      No.

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m in the same dilemma but keeping until the double as I have plenty of midfield cover and a decent bench with bigger gains to be made elsewhere, he’s a troll and will score big some time soon , even if it’s only when others are rested before the final my squad can carry him as Spurs have this season

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

    I was planning to WC31 but having second thoughts and seriously considering WC35 (potential big DGW) now.

    Anyone else with the same dilemma?

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Even if it is a big double, won't most of your doublers blank the following week? Seems more suited to a FH if you still have it

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

        Yes, I know. Still there are some (4 according to Ben Crellin) teams who will likely double and play the next week.

        1. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fair enough. It's also making me re-evaluate my WC31 FH33 strategy. Mighty just WC31 and save the FH for 35 or 36

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

            That late FH may be gold. Wish I had mine left.

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

    A) Cancelo > Digne and bench Cresswell
    B) Targett > Rudiger and bench Cresswell
    C) Save FT and play Cresswell (WOL a)

    Martinez
    AWB Cresswell Dallas
    Lingard Bruno Bale Son Raph
    Antonio Kane(c)
    (Pope/Watkins/Targett/Cancelo)

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

      C

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        cheers. GL with wildcard decision, i can't weigh in i'm afraid

  14. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hopefully PL managers are feeling generous and give out clear advice on who will play this weekend so i dont waste my bench boost!

  15. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale & coufal-> Alonso and Havertz (-4) worth a punt before WC 31?

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

      I wouldn't

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only if you’re chasing and need to make up 30 points would I gamble so

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I need to make up about 200 mate. Haha. Might as well just go for it at this point

  16. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BB this week or is there a clear better DGW coming up?

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

      35 potentially a big DGW

      1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        BB this or wait until then? Gundogan > Jota

        Martinez
        Dallas | Rudiger | Digne
        Raphinha | Lingard | Bruno | Son
        Watkins | Kane | Bamford

        GK: Pope | Cresswell | Gundogan | Cancelo

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Wait

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

    Start one:

    A) Antonio (WOL a)
    B) Watkins (FUL h)

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

      Tough one. I would probably go with Antonio.

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

      Antonio

    3. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers lads, I agree. GL

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

    Would you bench boost
    Steer , Gundo(lei), Dias(lei) and Dawson(wol)
    If yes, worth taking a hit to get Forster ?

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

      I wouldn’t

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. See Rassi's comment above.

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

    Thoughts on wildcard 31 draft?

    Mendy
    Rudiger Shaw Coady
    Salah Son Bruno Jota
    Iheanacho Kane Vardy

    Forster Coufal Smith Rowe Phillips

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

      Prefer Lacazette over Vardy

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes Laca good differential

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I got Laca in on my WC last week and am loving it

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

    Is this G2G? Right benching order?

    Martinez
    Stones Rudiger Struijk
    Salah KDB Bruno Raph
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Steere Gundo Konsa Lewis

    Thanks!

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2G. Who did you buy?

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

        Nobody. Saving FT.

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

      Risky benching Gundogan but you have boxed yourself into a corner there. Right bench order.

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

        True. But cannot bench anyone else. Thanks!

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo on bench but Leics should score & are solid.

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

        Exactly. Still a risk but nobody else that can be benched I think.

    4. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This is such a thought week for deciding on the bench isn’t it, I think you’ve got it right

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

        Thanks!

  21. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Going round in circles, anyone on the bench who should be playing?

    Mendy,
    Dallas, Rüdiger, Shaw,
    Son C, Bale, Lingz, Raphinha, Bruno,
    Kane, Bamford,

    Martinez, Watkins, Dias, Cresswell,

    4m

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

      All of them potentially of course - it's that sort of a week.

      Think I'd put Cresswell first bench personally. Rate his chances of getting one return higher. We're yet to see whether Watkins is improved by Grealish and Fulham remain pretty solid at the back. Villa attack doesn't really equate to City and Leeds.

  22. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio, Watkins, cresswell.

    What order would you bench those three in?

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

      That order

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Great minds think alike. Cheers!

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cress before Watkins for me

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

      Cresswell first bench for me.

      Wolves attack is way worse than their defence and he's also a key component in WH attacking returns. Fulham defence is solid enough.

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was just looking at the wolves attack, they're hardly pulling up trees

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

          It's worse than it looks if you see that OGs and pens account for 3 of the 7 goals they have scored in the last 10 iirc

          That said Dawson is fast becoming an OG specialist 🙂

          1. Soto Ayam
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers. Thanks for the insight. Enough for me to put cresswell in the starting xi and switch him for Dias. Leicester enjoy scoring.

  23. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who’s number one keeper at Southampton?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Forster I think now

  24. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a Southampton specialist about?

    The fall off in their defence since Christmas has been cataclysmic, Much more than Newcastle WBA and SHU they look to be the defence to target on form since GW17.

    But weeks 1-16 they were a very decent defence. What went wrong? Was it just injuries? Is there an explanation for how they have conceded way more goals than XGC suggests they should have? That is what makes the defence seem so poor - the extra 12 goals or so. If they are now back to something like full strength is it possible they will revert to pre-Xmas form?

    Key fixtures in 32/34/35

  25. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Veltman to rudiger? 1FT 0.2 itb

    Martinez
    Cresswell Stones shaw
    Salah Bruno son gundo raph
    Kane bamford

    Areola targett watkins veltman

  26. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan or Son > Jota?

    3.2 ITB

    Martinez
    Dallas | Rudiger | Digne
    Raphinha | Lingard | Bruno | Son
    Watkins | Kane | Bamford

    GK: Pope | Cresswell | Gundogan | Cancelo

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one of
    Stones
    DCL
    Dallas

    1. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones

  28. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wait for team news

  29. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Martinez or Pope?

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

    Rudiger to start vs WBA?
    Or too risky bringing him in..?