Pro Pundits - Tom

Why unpredictable Wolves formation has me worried about their FPL assets

Tom Freeman has finished in the top 1k five times in his Fantasy Premier League career. He has been weighing up Wolves and Leicester ahead of Gameweek 31.


As we approach the business end of the season, in this week’s column, I’m going to have a look at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have a tasty run of fixtures from Gameweek 31 to 35.

I will also pick out a few players that I’m considering for the run-in, and include my plans for Gameweek 31.

Shall we begin?

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

With eight games remaining, Wolves sit 14th in the Premier League table, nine points above the relegation zone. It looks like they are destined for a mid-table finish, and with seemingly very little to play for, it’s a tad off-putting. 

However, their next five fixtures come against teams below them in the table, and are as good as you are likely to see in FPL terms:

At the back, Jonny (£5.4m) has suffered another ACL injury, and Willy Boly (£5.4m) is self-isolating having tested positive for COVID-19. 

That raises alarm bells, especially given their performance without them earlier this week, but rather than the personnel available to Nuno Espírito Santo, I am more interested in the system he settles on for the remainder of the season.

The 4-2-3-1 formation they used against West Ham United in Gameweek 30 is naturally more attacking, and boy is it fun to watch, but it does leave them open.

Above: Wolves’ average position map in Gameweek 30.

Results like Monday’s, plus the goal-fests served up against West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion back in January, highlight the unpredictable nature of the setup. 

If they are to persist with it, with one eye on 2021-22, Pedro Neto (£5.7m) becomes an excellent FPL option. In Gameweek 30, the young winger provided an assist, created four chances and had five goal attempts, more than any other player on the pitch. 

The 4-2-3-1 does have implications at the other end though, and definitely makes their defensive options less appealing. The current midfielders just do not offer enough protection to a back four, which often leaves Conor Coady (£4.8m) and Romain Saïss (£4.9m) exposed.

However, in their usual 3-4-3 shape, they look more solid and tend to defend much better. In fact, in their past five games using a back-three they have conceded just six goals, and four of those were at Manchester City. In this setup, Coady becomes more appealing, especially now he is going up for set-pieces.

Frustratingly, at this stage we have no idea which formation Nuno will use in the coming weeks. Due to that uncertainty, I’m avoiding for now, but am hopeful tomorrow night’s meeting with Fulham will tell us more, and reveal if I should be targeting Coady or Neto in Gameweek 32.

JAMES MADDISON

Another player I’m eyeing up for Gameweek 32 is fit-again Leicester City midfielder James Maddison (£7.1m). The playmaker recently missed six matches through injury, but returned with an appearance off the bench against Man City last weekend.

He has already scored 11 goals this season, eight of which have come in the Premier League, and as you can see on the graphic below, he has been shooting in better locations, and closer to goal, since the turn of the year.

Above: Maddison’s shots heatmap from Gameweek 1-16 (left) and 17-30 (right).

Everything goes through him at Leicester, as he leads the way amongst team-mates for final-third touches, successful crosses and chances created, plus expected assists (xA). 

Personal motivation could be a key factor, too. The only way Maddison can force his way back into the England setup is by playing a starring role for the Foxes during the run-in, which sees Brendan Rodgers’ side take on West Brom, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle United between Gameweeks 32 and 35.

GAMEWEEK 31 + CHIP STRATEGY

Having used my second Wildcard in Gameweek 26, and Bench Boosting the week after, I’m left with the Triple Captain and Free Hit chips.

I will probably Triple Captain Harry Kane (£11.7m) in Double Gameweek 32, then FH in 33 or 35.

This week, I’m considering selling Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), who will probably be benched, for Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), who I will then hand the armband. I may also look at a defensive move, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) a likely target if I do take a hit.

So, thanks for reading all, and best of luck in Gameweek 31.

1,126 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Martinez or Sanchez?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sanch

  2. Crazy RedDevil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start one among philips, son, Bruno & azpi?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bruno

  3. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Was quite surprised to see goals are expected in TOT-MUN. According to betting sites more goals are only expected than in the City and Pool game. Maybe straight move Son on wc isn't the worst idea?

  4. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning. Good to go with this wildcard? Thanks

    Mendy (forster)
    Taa alonso holding (coady shaw)
    Salah Sterling (c) Bruno jota lingard
    Kane iheanacho (davis)

    Sterling to Bruno gw32

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You mean Sterling to Son? I'm tired too

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Oh dear.

        No I mean I'm starting with son

        Transfer is Sterling to Bruno

        As below

        Mendy (forster)
        Taa alonso holding (coady shaw)
        Salah Sterling (c) son jota lingard
        Kane iheanacho (davis)

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          V nice will have similar! Not doing the Sterling hokey cokey I think, I'm just not sure he starts after only 2 starts in 6. But as a one week punt it's great and you basically have triple Pool attack (yes TAA is defender but you know).

          So putting the captaincy on Salah almost feels risky if they are meh again (I mean 1 goal in their last 6 home matches) + he could be taken off early with CL in mind?

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers mate. He could be taken off early - but at least he should start!

            I'm pretty sure Sterling starts - and not willing to entertain any doubt over it! Good luck!

            1. Whazza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Cheers, GL to you as well!

  5. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I think it would be useful if Pro pundit articles contained current rank etc so we can see how that influences their thinking.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Team should be linked mate.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Didn't spot that - thanks!

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Struggling a bit this season, can’t seem to get any momentum!

  6. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Good article. I agree about the Wolves defence, I think Fofana is a better option at that price point

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Could be a shrewd pick, fitness issues this season are putting me off. 5 yellows in 19 so also a bit of a card magnet

  7. fpork
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1) Saiss+Leno
    2) Veltman+Mendy

  8. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Have Salah already

    Bring in:

    A) Jota
    B) TAA
    C) Both

    TIA

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

  9. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do we think Iheanacho will keep his place now Madison is back given that Iheanacho and not Perez who was the one subbed off when Madison came on last week? My whole wildcard hinges on this as I dont see any other decent options around the same price bracket if Iheanacho ends up not being an option.

    At the moment, Im holding off on the wildcard until I see the next Leicester starting line up.

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      95% sure he starts myself

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        My feeling is that he starts as well but there is enough doubt there to make me want to hold off on the WC for another week.

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He enables so much on WC though, could have Vydra vs Newcastle instead I assume

  10. maratus
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning lads!

    Currently on WC, i have still BB, close to template but anything to fix?
    0 ITB

    Mendy, Henderson
    Rüdiger, TAA, Shaw, Holgate, Coady
    Fernandes, Salah, Jota, Lingard, Raphinha
    DCL, Kane, Iheanacho

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good. Just missing Son but he’s not exactly in good form

  11. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How to use 2ft?? 0.2 ITB

    Areola
    Cresswell Stones shaw
    Salah Bruno son gundo raph
    Kane bamford

    Martinez targett watkins veltman

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team? Still got BB which I could use next GW.

    Martinez
    Dias. Alonso. Digne. Coufal
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota
    Kane. DCL
    (McCarthy. Raph. Bamford. Dallas)

    1. maratus
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thats pretty damn good team already without WC.

      You are only lacking some more Liverpool, TAA seems to hit form and Salah with those fixtures is quite must. Philips is great budget option.

      Dias in rotation risk.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Save it then? Could do Dias or Digne to TAA for -4?

        1. maratus
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I wouldnt take any hits, if you have WC.
          I would not WC here, but its just personal opinion. You still got 7 time to use your WC+BB next week.

  13. Crazy RedDevil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Drop one among philips, son, Bruno & azpi?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Phillips

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Phillips, but Azpi to Rudi if you need cash

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You meant who to bench, yeah Phillips

  14. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current team:
    Martinez, Areola
    Dias, Cancelo, Digne, Dunk, Dallas
    Gundo, Bruno, Raphinha, Son, Lingard
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    Activate WC for this team?
    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Rudiger, Shaw, Coady, Dawson
    Bruno, Lingard, Salah, gundo, Jota
    Kane, Richarlison Iheanacho

  15. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bench 1 from:

    Iheanacho (whu)
    Son (MUN)
    Lingard (LEI)
    Holding (shu)

    Any thoughts?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding

  16. yanky
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    what do you all think? ignoring Lingard...
    plan is do Sterling > Son for dgwk
    leaves enough cash to eventually do Vydra > Antonio / Bamford down the line

    Leno
    RJames Rudiger TAA Holding (Coady)
    Sterling Salah Bruno Jota (SmithRowe)
    Iheanacho Kane (Vydra)

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      son funds could also opens up smithrowe > traore for nice wolves run too

  17. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who'd you lose out of Son Salah Bruno on WC?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Be most comfortable to lose*

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son, as long as you are prepared to bring him in for DGW

  18. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC:

    A) Wood & KDB (will transfer to Son for DGW32)

    B) Laca & Gundogan (will have enough ITB to bring in Son for DGW32)

    1. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B) because KDB seems likely to miss but I am too stumped to know who starts

  19. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Currently on Mane over Salah on a wildcard.
    Is this mad?

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not mad, but not advised. What other pool players do you have?

  20. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) cresswell raph to rudiger jota
    B) watkins cresswell to davis Taa
    C) watkins to davis (next week areola to Forster, veltman to Taa)

  21. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A

  22. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Those with FH still left, any thoughts on when best to use it?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Either gw33 or in dgw

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      33

  23. arkom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas / Requilon / Digne / Gresswell / Dunk
    Rapinha / Lingard / Bruno / Gundogan / Bale
    Kane / Watkins / DCL

    2 FT
    2,6£ ITB

    A) Rapinha --> Jota
    B) Rapinha & Dunk --> Jota & CHE def
    C) Bale & Dunk --> Jota & TAA
    D) Rapinha, Bruno, Dunk --> Jota, Salah, Rudiger
    E) Bale, Bruno, Dunk --> Jota, Salah, TAA
    F) Other?

  24. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is the best Chelsea defender option?

    A) Alonso looking good, but risk of rotation.
    B)Rudiger looks good value for money.
    C) Is there other better options?

  25. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cannot make a decision because I’ve found this so hard? Salah or Jota? Keep KDB or Gundo? Anyone done the same or thoughts on going a -4 for

    A) Gundo and Watkins for (c)Jota and Ihenacho
    B) KDB and Watkins for (c) Salah and Ihenacho

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Haven't had KDB for a long time, but why would you sell him? I think you have to go Fund and Salah or KDB and Jota.

      1. ExpressoMySonny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I am just really scared he will get rotated and then gundo plays? I could just get Jota and put the VC on him in case he doesn’t play

  26. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need to sell Digne to fund Raphinha fpr Jota. Is Philips better option than Christensen?

    Could also do Kdb&Digne -> Jota&Taa

  27. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning All

    I have Salah and Stirling in my Wildcard team.

    Who would you captain?

    A: Salah
    B: Stirling

    Thanks

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

  28. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Haven't had KDB for a long time, but why would you sell him? I think you have to go Fund and Salah or KDB and Jota.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Prob is, if he is benched tomorrow, you’d expect him to start against Dortmund and Chelsea in the cup. Then it’s Villa, then the League Cup final. It makes him very hard to captain, doesn’t it?

      1. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Definitely when you put it like that. But if he plays 60-90 mins in the league fixtures that makes him a good option no? It’s having a crystal ball, whether you want to play it safe or gamble.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah, not easy is it, I just don’t see him getting 60 tomorrow, or against Villa.

          1. kysersosa
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I can tbh. I think he's essential to city at the moment. We will see.

            I assume your a villa fan?

  29. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning,
    Anything worth a hit or gtg?

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Azpi
    Jota(c) Bruno Salah Mount(vc) Raphinha
    Nacho Kane

    Forster Watkins Ayling Tierney

  30. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A-Maddison - DCL
    B-Gundogan - Vardy

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B