Pro Pundits - Seb

How to use ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ to make FPL decisions

A bat and a ball cost £1.10 in total. The bat costs £1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

On this week’s Scoutcast, Joe raised the idea of unfairly unfashionable players; a group of players that we often overlook to our detriment. This led me to thinking about what it is that can bring us to making poor snap decisions, holding onto outdated impressions for too long and eventually back to a book I believe everyone should read.

For those unfamiliar, ‘Thinking, Fast And Slow’ is a best-selling 2011 book by Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate and psychologist Daniel Kahneman. The book focuses on our decision-making and uses two characters to describe how our brains generally approach this: System 1 and System 2.

  • System 1 – is fast, automatic, exerts little or no effort and is engaged involuntarily. This makes up about 98% of all of our thinking and is the “thinking fast” of the book’s title.
  • System 2 – is slow, deliberate, effortful and must be consciously engaged. This makes up about 2% of all of our thinking and is the “thinking slow” of the book’s title.

Like physical effort, mental effort is hard. It consumes calories, puts us under stress and must be actively opted into and maintained.

If you were asked ‘What is two times two?’, you would likely find this quite straight-forwards. You probably did not even have to calculate the answer, arriving at four by instinct. You probably recognised the problem as something you had solved before and produced the answer from memory without ever having to do any mathematical calculations. You also have no control over this, the answer of four came to you whether you wanted it to or not. Not dissimilar to the famous ‘Don’t think of an elephant’, which immediately and involuntarily causes you to think of an elephant.

If you were asked, ‘What is 59 times 73?’, you would likely find this considerably more difficult. You may require pen and paper, you may have to recall multiplication methods taught to you at school and you most certainly will have to put effort in. You do have control over this one, the answer will only come about by way of you choosing to find it and will not appear otherwise. Give it a go.

  • 2×2 makes use of System 1.
  • 59×73 requires System 2.

You will likely have felt the difference between engaging each of these systems and you will almost certainly have felt the effort required when System 2 was called upon. Your heart rate will have risen, your blood pressure increased and an outside observer paying close attention may have noticed your pupils dilating. These are all sure signs of mental strain.

It is for this reason that System 2 does not get involved much in our every-day lives. It comes with a cost. Our brains prefer System 1.

Most every-day problems do not require difficult computations to solve. We have evolved to rely on System 1, in fact our survival depended on it, and it generally does a very good job. Taking the time to work out if that oncoming mammoth stampede is going to flatten us or not would have resulted in our extinction. Walking at a comfortable speed, chewing food, reading the words written here. All of these are done automatically and effortlessly by System 1. Even if System 2 has to get involved, for example in choosing where to walk, what to eat or whether to open this article, it probably quickly delegated the decision making back to System 1; I’ll walk where I normally walk, I’ll eat something I’ve eaten before, I only open articles written by Simon March.

It is also possible for something that previously required System 2 to transfer to System 1, in fact this is key to learning and mastering skills. At one point, you did not know the answer to two times two instinctively and had to work it out. That is no longer the case. Similarly, most of us are capable of a basic game of chess but almost all of us will have to give each move some thought, especially as the game progresses or competent opposition is encountered. A master chess player, however, would defeat us with very little effort at all. They are experienced to the point that recognising and responding to a vast number of chess moves is automatic. They identify the game state and deploy the required strategy from memory without having to consciously examine and determine this cause of action before doing so.

Fantasy Premier League is a game of decisions. Understanding how we make these decisions and identifying the context around those is key to success. Many of us fall into the trap of believing we are using System 2 – the thoughtful, deliberate side of our brain – for these decisions when we are in fact using System 1.

Answer this, ‘Is Harry Kane (£11.7m) a good goal-scorer?”. The answer is clearly yes. If you were asked why you answered in this way you would be able to start producing reasons such as his finishing ability, movement and impressive goal-scoring record. You did not, however, think of these reasons before you answered, the answer simply came to you instinctively. You were using System 1. When pressed, you then fact-checked with System 2. But even then, do you know what his goal-scoring record is? You may well still be using System 1. You recall he has a good record, but you probably do not know what this is without either giving it some thought, estimating from memory or looking it up. It is in this way that we can very easily believe we are making conscious, deliberate and well-reasoned decisions when we are in fact not.

This can work in our favour. If we had to look up Kane’s entire goal history before handing him the captain’s armband we would likely never make it to the deadline. It is efficient to simply know he is a good goal-scorer and use this information to inform our decisions.

However, the things we “know” are sometimes not as accurate as we think they are.

This piece opened with a question about the price of a ball:

A bat and a ball cost £1.10 in total. The bat costs £1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

The answer is 5p. Over 50% of people will answer 10p.

This is not because they cannot perform relatively simple maths, it is because they did not think they needed to. They allowed System 1 to provide the answer unchecked by System 2.

10p ‘feels’ right. It is roughly the correct magnitude and we know that £1 plus 10p is £1.10. So, we accept 10p as the answer, assuming that the bat is £1. However, the difference between 10p and £1 is 90p, not £1, and so this cannot be the answer.

When we allow System 2 to re-examine the question, we arrive at 5p. The bat costs £1.05. The total amount and the difference between the bat and the ball are both satisfied by this answer.

Many Fantasy managers may tell you they make decisions because they “feel right”, and like crossing the road, chewing or reading, these decisions will often come off without issue. Some managers may be lucky enough to draw parallels with the chess master, where they can make the correct Fantasy decisions without having to engage in the amount of effort the rest of us do. This may be due to a particular aptitude for the game, a successful strategy or a long history of making and storing these decisions, their outcomes and the relevant evidence in memory.

However, as the bat and ball problem illustrates, we cannot and should not allow our decisions to be made on instinct alone, unchecked by more vigorous examination.

The ways in which we can fall foul of this are often described by means of cognitive biases. These are shortcuts that allow System 2 to opt out and rely on System 1 to make our decisions.

Some of these biases are well-known in the FPL community: recency bias, confirmation bias, the availability heuristic and so on. I would like to explore these in further detail another day, but for now let’s return to the inspiration for this, Joe’s original observation regarding unfairly unfashionable players.

These are players that we often assign to the ‘ignore’ category. This is System 1 taking something that “feels right” and allowing it to make our decisions for us.

The most common faulty assumption that leads to this is price: expensive players are good, inexpensive players are not. While this generally holds true, as players with strong points histories and positive prospects are priced more highly than those without, this is not the case for every player and thus can lead to us missing good opportunities.

Players may have been mis-priced or undergone a significant change in fortunes since they were initially priced. As the season progresses and we move further away from that point, this factor becomes less and less correlated with actual quality. This goes for both selecting a player, eg. Matej Vydra (£4.8m) and Rob Holding (£4.2m), and captaining a player, eg. Jesse Lingard (£6.5m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.9m).

The second-most-common of these is holding onto beliefs that were once accurate but have since been proven to be otherwise. First impressions are a big thing and it takes a lot to change them. Paradoxically, once we have then changed these we find it equally hard to adapt again, assuming that because we have now found the ‘correct’ answer, that will continue to hold true.

Patrick Bamford (£6.5m) is a great example of both of these. The Leeds forward had a reputation in the Championship over being poor in front of goal despite a high volume of chances. This was proven accurate by the data and his record. It was not unreasonable to carry this understanding forwards into this season. However, he began the 2020/2021 Premier League campaign with three goals in three matches. This quickly became six in six. The data did not point to this being unreasonable, despite his previous under-performances on the same metrics. Those who identified and adapted fastest to this reaped the best rewards.

However, Bamford now only has four goals in sixteen matches since Gameweek 16. He has accumulated a number of assists in this time, which has helped to keep his points ticking over and perhaps lull those still holding him into believing he has continued his early season threat. Once again, this decline in attacking output has been backed up by the numbers. Leeds have become more defensively solid and less threatening going forwards, with Bamford himself seeing a significant reduction in his previously impressive statistics. As before, those that identified and adapted to this quickly have benefited the most, with Bamford scoring just three goals and delivering two assists in his last ten matches. With improved fixtures from Gameweek 34, could we be due one more shift in his fortunes before the season ends?

It is in these scenarios that we need to engage System 2 and interrogate our System 1-led assumptions, either proving them to be accurate or learning some new information, perhaps a shift in underlying numbers or a tactical switch, that allows us to assess a player in a new light and, eventually, become the chess masters of the FPL world.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 32 SO FAR…

Check your latest FPL rank LIVE on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

555 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane(C), Son and Lingard yet I’ve dropped from 23k to 30k. Ridiculous

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Forgot to mention the -7

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Don’t remind me

        1. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          @mods delete my comment please

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Life is unfair. Chill out.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And Dawson? That’ll do it

    5. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      But you also took a hit and Dawson's red card?

      You're ridiculous.

    6. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Newbie?

  2. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I get rid of Coufal 3 weeks ago and now he’s assisted 3 in the last 3. Just the luck we love to see

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He barely has gotten any points because they keep leaking goals. Sell.

  3. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Now we go live to Sky Sports and Graeme Souness for his thoughts on Prince Philip's funeral.

    "Of course Philip had a long life but why has Paul Pogba lost his concentration and let this happen".

  4. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    As a Coufal owner that is never his assist right?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why not? He threw it, the player handballed it without any touch in-between

      • Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Foul (handball/arm on head) from a Coufal cross.

        Soucek doesn't actually touch the ball. By the rules, his assist, but a very lucky one.

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

          (throw-in, not cross)

          1. Chrisitis
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            It was a Fredericks cross no?

            1. Chrisitis
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Johnson sorry!

              1. Tommy J
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Coufal took the throw in and was the last attacking player to cross it before Fernandez used his arm to deflect it off Souceks head. I think you are confused about the way the game continued and there was a subsequent cross when Clark got injured before VAR then brought the handball to the refs attention.

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

      So the question now is,
      Do we use our FH now, especially if the popular picks that have been injured so far this week will miss next week. Or try get away next week with FT’s and a -4 and keep the FH for a possible DGW?

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If you still have your FH, use it!

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

          Tempted but guess it ultimately comes down to whether there is a DGW which is as clear as mud!

      2. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Moyes suggested Lingard is only cramp and not a hamstring injury. Kane will play.

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

          Hope so, for both. Still early in the week of course but defs something to keep an eye on and ponder over

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow.
      Wealdstone 2-7 Hartlepool United.
      Onward and upward.

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

        My team just lost 7-0 to our fierce in city rival... this was after losing to them 6-0 earlier in the season. And they’ve always been our little brother

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ouch.
          Promotion back to the Football League is now in our hands.

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

            I don’t know much about the English lower leagues myself, are you a Hartlepool man? I’ve just seen they’re on top by a few points but have played 4 more matches than the team in second, how does that happen?!

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              12th Man may or may not be able to verify this but I have memories of Hartlepool consistently finishing bottom of the old division 4 (the lowest tier) and always being voted back in as there was no automatic relegation in those days.

              Used to have a private joke with a colleague about being sent to Hartlepool - the officially worst professional team in the land.

              1. The 12th Man
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Being voted back in was before my time but yeh we’ve had constant struggles against relegation.
                Tommy Miller,Joe Allen,Kieth Houchen. All Pool greats.
                I remember seeing Peter Beardsley and Norberto Solano playing for us too in their twilight.

              2. SwissWavey
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Other way round, I think. Lots weren't voted out but Hartlepool were, even when not bottom, cos nobody fancied that long journey.

                1. The 12th Man
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Re-election_(Football_League)

                  They were elected a record 14 times between 1924-1986 but were never thrown out.

              3. Gazwaz80
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Monkey hangers, what a great story 😀

                1. The 12th Man
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  ;0)

            2. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Moved there when I was 7. Moved out 12 years ago when I got married. I’ve been to many Pools games.
              The play off final at the MillennialStadium against Sheff United was the highlight for me. Beaten 3-2 aet. So so close to the championship.
              Was all down hill from there.

              Many games have been postponed in the National League this season. All of Dover’s games have been called null and void too. Hartlepool have been fortunate to fulfill their fixtures.

              1. The 12th Man
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                * Sheff Wed in the playoffs

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

                  Twas also 4-2 aet.

                  Drew Talbot in the 120th minute.

                  After being 90 mins from the premier league 5 years ago W e’re back down in league one next season, maybe we’ll see Pool again soon. Could be league 1, could be league 2 the year after the state of the club.

                  1. The 12th Man
                    • 10 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    Ah yes. That last goal. The sending off finished us off in that game.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Good luck.

        2. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Little brothers grow up won't they?

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

            When they are owned by City football group, they do rather fast!

            1. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              🙂

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Slightly odd the Dawson ownership is so low really - he wasn't far off Stones for points since he came into the side and was dirt cheap. He was simply amazing value. I feel almost lucky I decided to go big on Cresswell in 29 and not cheap.

      Should have split the difference of course 🙁

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I was going to bring him in this week for Lowton, take it he’s banned now?

        I too was surprised he was only 4.5, best CB in the league for goal threat along with Zouma

    5. Hypnos
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      been out of the loop recently but somehow still climbing to 100k

      any plans re the WC? I know a lot played last GW, but are there any DGWs in the run-in to consider?

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Congrats - still gw35 - Plug-in to Ben Crellin over on Twitter for the latest update

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Why gw35?

          If you have lots of Spurs and Man City left this week makes sense too.

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

            If the fixtures get rearranged so every team gets a home game with fans, there will have to be a medium/big DGW in 35, apparently. Exact composition depends on FA cup finalists.
            We’re also guaranteed a DGW between Villa and Everton as they have a fixture to make up.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably best played this week or save for the final game into squad players?

    6. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That article is a tad system 2.

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        More System 1 no? Building system 2 into his decision-making is a seamless part of system 1

    7. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good article. I enjoyed reading. I'd like to see Seb get involved a bit more in the forum during an article post to refine concepts to fpl. I have no doubt he's an intelligent person and pragmatic thinker, but I'd like to see a little more interaction within these articles/forums with other intelligent thinkers.

      Again, we need separate threads to capture the thinking. I enjoy this site, but reckon it can be improved. There is potential for an fpl centre of excellence (Not proposing myself; I know my own level & expectations from fpl), but I think this site is missing a potential step forward to outgrow other fpl competition.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lateriser has always done that. We need to remember to thank him for that.

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lateriser has always done what? Get involved in the forum, post article? If so, true and thanks to LR for the additional input. He get's involved, but it doesn't equate to challenge on strategy with a clear measure to alternative strategies.

          Purely a thought to make this a better site rather than just the humdrum. Have a good gw!

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Unfortunately all the good posters went to private forums some time ago, and everyone else was lured by the Twitter "likes" (even many still on the FFS payroll). You get the odd good article still, but FFS is never going to be the centre of FPL excellence like it was.

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

          Well said.

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Hope you’ve done the survey to help them improve.

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

        Hey! Consider this me getting involved.

        Admittedly, I used to post here a long time ago but unfortunately find it harder to follow and interact with the discussion via the comments system now, which is perhaps tailored to a different style of conversation. I do try to keep an eye on the comments following an article I've been involved in where I can though!

        Az dropped a site survey recently, definitely worth having your say there.

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Will do. Thanks for getting back. I must have missed the survey article. I'll be sure to add my thoughts.

          Again - good article! Bol for the gw

    8. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      People owning same template players that every man and his dog does and then whining about red arrows when they haven't used their TC this week and have even taken hits. This is exactly the way this game is supposed to work. Check livefpl and try to understand, even though it must be difficult for you. Please ladies and gents(?), do grow up!

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Too right people are so bitter on here,

        Wanting cs blank or capt fails

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Would be nicer atmosphere here if everyone hoped some "small luck" for others and better luck for themselves. I don't like this wishing of injuries, red cards, own goals, blanks etc.

          1. Tango74
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yes and pipe up when the the player scores.

            People can’t accept that they picked the players that blanked or dropped and blame pep for rotating.

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

      3. Casual Player
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You mean old mate at top of page that finds it ridiculous he’s gone backwards with a hit and Dawson?

      4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly

        People make the exact moves as everyone else and make kane captain knowing very well he's the player most will captain this week and then complain when they get a red arrow for captaining him.

        99% of this place has no balls and are too scared to take a risk. Happy with the mediocre 1k, 10k ranks every season. Players like lateriser, Andy, and the old Andy are ones who take risks and are willing to throw it away for that once chance of glory. Otherwise it's just the same old crap

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I’d be happy with a mediocre 1k every season...

        2. I Must Break You
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          1k is mediocre? A few of those in a row and you're top 10 HOF, no?

        3. A-L
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Wow at the contempt here

    9. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's clear to me that the 4 best PL teams to cope with both CL and PL football are Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool. With Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester next best and therefore suited to the EL.

      Will be interesting to see how West Ham and Leicester cope with the CL if they make it.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Even more interesting how bad they would be in PL in that case imo. I think Everton belongs to this 2nd category when everyone is fit.

      2. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I think both would struggle. And both teams would become less viable as FPL options.

        Remember when Burnley got in Europa and their PL form dropped off a cliff? Also I know it was a few years ago but when Leicester were in CL, they finished 12th in PL. Neither Leicester or West Ham have the squad depth imo.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yes, I was thinking about Burnley and their squad depth. Arsenal perhaps has the squad depth, but they seem to lack quality or something. I don't know what's wrong in the dressing room, but something just isn't correct.

      3. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        WH would get relegated if it qualified for CL.

    10. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Any news on Kane boys?

      1. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He is gonna be fine

        1. KAALI_DAAL
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Theres is a reason he is referred to as The Undertaker's brother. Take a hint lad.

          1. Tango74
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Even ‘the man’ is tougher than Kane

    11. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thats actually 100% not a coufal assist

      1. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nice. Take it off then.

      2. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Looks like coufal is must with that fpl luck. Having awesome season imo

        1. Chrisitis
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Johnson made the cross
          So why is it not removed?
          Maybe VAR took a penalty from earlier?

    12. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Brilliant article, Seb, especially for someone like me who more often than not uses System 2 to question my System 1 decisions (FPL and real life. Wife jokes that I can take 10 minutes to decide what to order at McDonald's!)

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Must be exhausting!

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Congratulations for still having her!

        1. djman102
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lol, thanks. She's put up with a lot from me over the past 30 years.

          1. KAALI_DAAL
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Man thats a lot of FPL and McDonalds

    13. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      People’s top 6 predictions? That’s mine

      1. City
      2. United
      3. Leicester
      4. Liverpool
      5. Chelsea
      6. West Ham

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Says the Liverpool fan!

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Huh? Just my opinion. They’ve by far the easiest fixtures left and no other cup distractions. If all teams had as good a schedule I’d have them 6th!

      2. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Everton.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          7th or 8th for us.

          1. Yankee Toffee
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Decent home fixtures and a game in hand.

            Honestly though maybe EL is not good for us. Time will tell...

      3. djman102
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Several weeks back BBC did a prediction article and I said Liverpool would finish 4th.

        Of course, I also said Chelsea would finish above United in 2nd.

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

        Leicester won't sustain top 4.

      5. I Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        1. City
        2. United
        3. Chelsea
        4. Liverpool
        5. Leicester
        6. West Ham

      6. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not so sure about Leicester

        They haven't looked on it for quite a while. They got thrashed by Arsenal quite recently and very nearly thrashed by WH - the results and performances in between have been fairly average too. I can see them slipping up again and going fifth - their fixtures are mixed.

        I'll be interested to see how Liverpool cope. Fixtures are prime of course but I suspect they get 4th by default as much as anything. Don't think Chelsea will be disadvantaged by CL - if anything it will keep the focus of a successful season going. To me there's some doublethink going on when people say Liverpool losing in the CL is good for the PL.

        City
        United
        Chelsea
        Liverpool
        Leicester

        Below that is anyone's guess. Everton could yet pip WH to 6th for example.

      7. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        1. City
        2. United
        3. Chelsea
        4. Liverpool
        5. Leicester
        6. Everton

    14. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Into the top 500 with Semedo and Coady playing tonight...

      Come on Wolves please get that clean sheet.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well done.

        Possible...

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Quite likely!

        2. Mweene
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks! FFFix has me at around 500th after the game today. Felt pretty annoyed at half time but delighted with the Coufal, Bowen and Lingard points in the 2nd half.

          Luck really going my way this season.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Oh well done on Bowen - rank deserved 🙂

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

              A little disappointed with 5 points really as I thought he could be a great differential. But as I said, would have taken that at half time.

      2. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I come to this site just to read the daily updates on your ranking. Thanks for keeping us informed

    15. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Will there be more DGWs?

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

        Yes

      2. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes Palace/Southampton and Villa/Everton still have to be rearranged. Will be more if the rumoured GW36 and GW37 fixture switch happens.

    16. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      "I only open articles written by Simon March." Haha, that is a good rule of thumb 😉 ...but this is a good article too. The title grabbed my attention because I'm reading this one at the moment.

      The book certainly is worth a read, along with a few others like 'The Signal and the Noise' and 'The Black Swan'. 'Superforecasting' is a good one, too. All very FPL relevant!

    17. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What a poor weekend of football to be off work for

    18. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't see the game yesterday but head Kane got a knock? Will he play the 2nd fixture this GW?

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

        No- one knows yet. Should get more news at press conference on Tuesday- has to be big doubt though with cup final next weekend

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Bugger....

        2. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Maybe Son cap will pay off...sure hope so!

    19. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal is the first player in FPL history to score 4 points in three consecutive weeks

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

        Except he won't finish on 4 as wasn't his assist. Has to be removed. No idea why it was even given to him in the first place

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Why not he took the throw in and was the last attacking player to cross it before Fernandez used his arm to deflect it off Souceks head. I think some are confused about the way the game continued and there was a subsequent cross when Clark got injured before VAR then brought the handball to the refs attention.

    20. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Werner and Ziyech starting LOL

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

      Looks good for an Alonso start on Tuesday now

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Feel free to tell the news.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yes, naturally 😉

    22. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo bench!!!!

      Start Vs villa looks likely now!!

      Buzzing is an understatement.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wow... Did not see that coming, have him on my bench, but Dias starting lineup who will probably be on the bench against Aston Villa, so Gundo coming on anyways, I guess.

        1. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I have the same. I wish Pep was that predictable but hopefully you’re right, Gundo in for Dias would be fine

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Benched him this week so will haul 100%

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Punishment for benching him!

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

        Was hoping Sterling to sit out this aswell 🙁

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          A bad performance might mean he okay villa and benched for the final lol

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          At least Stones feels promising for us - key one pointer again probs of course.

          I've had him paired up with Ederson since 26 for a rather tasty 2 clean sheets from 9 appearances between them 🙂

        3. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Given recent form you’d expect Mahrez on the pitch before Sterling? It feels like Pep is saving key players for the league

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Villa is important match. If they lost to villa and united beat Burnley the points difference is 8 but played.a game more.

            I guess he has to play a decent side against villa as the team against Leeds didn’t get the job done.

      4. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably, after I’ve sold him, KdB and Cancelo as part of a -12

    23. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looking good for Stones to start vs Villa. Like it.

    24. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Big whispers circling around that Kepa starts today... where we hiding Mendy owners?

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why is Kepa starting?

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

          Mendy must be getting full rest

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Maybe the show against West Brom and conceding to one shot in the Palace game

        3. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thought the cup game was a PL game for some reason, think I’ve lost my mind

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Bad news still, cup game vs City arguably more important for them than any league game now

            1. Gemma817
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Yeah I mean if Kepa is starting this one, expect him to start a few more down the line

            2. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Is that why Steffan is also starting for City? Kepa is a cup keeper at best

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Surprised at the Ederson rest actually, that one is strange

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

                  Surprised that either team thinks it can afford to leave its keeper out.

    25. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane is my captain, I mean he is almost everyone's captain. But LiveFPL says Kane scoring will drop my rank (Spy). What's the explanation behind this? He's been TC'd a lot or sth?

      1. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah lots of triple captains is doing it

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Damn that must be a lot of TCs. I guess last proper chance at TC and everyone jumped on it. Well good on them, rewarded handsomely.

          1. A-L
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah as the choice was pretty much limited to Kane and Son this week anyway and Kane was the clear choice of the two, nobody's getting any benefit out of a regular captaining

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        In short...very high EO

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Crazy man, at least you'd expect to not be losing ranks when your cap gets points. Maybe not too crazy as I'm not fully aware of these scenarios, my first season after 4-5 yrs.

    26. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can’t wait to unleash my secret weapon Mr Trent Alexander Arnold tomorrow!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The streets don’t forget X

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

        Who's he? Never heard of that hidden gem.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          🙂

      3. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hoping for a TAA masterpiece tomorrow. Looked good against Real at Anfield. Fingers crossed, really need him to show up big.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah he looks menacing atm, trying to prove a point to the England camp.

          It’s a real shame it’s taken that to get him going

        2. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Unfortunately liverpool won't play tomorrow

    27. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Even Ederson rested for this one