Pro Pundits - Zophar

An FPL Q&A with seven-time top-10k finisher Zophar

One of the world’s best Fantasy managers, Zophar, is on track for an eighth Fantasy Premier League finish inside the top 10,000. Here he tackles some of the most debated FPL issues of the week.


With just five games played so far in Gameweek 32, I figured this would be a good time to take questions from the FPL community on Twitter.

Q. Is Mason Greenwood a legitimate choice over Bruno Fernandes? (@UnderstandingF8)

Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) took his total to four goals in as many Gameweeks with his brace against Burnley. Yes, his second goal was fortuitous and a result of a massive deflection but he has been posting impressive numbers now for some time.

That’s all for now, do let me know if you enjoyed this format and if you want to see it more frequently.

Good luck with the rest of the Gameweek!

The arguments for and against using a Wildcard in FPL Gameweek 3 1
335 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Have 2fts and 0.2itb

    Mendy
    TAA Coady Rudiger Holding
    Salah Bruno Lingard Jota
    Nacho Kane*

    Forster* Son* Dunne Davis

    Thinking to swap Son -> Greenwood to have full XI and save the second ft. Any other thoughts?

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

      Yeah no other issues I can see, just wait and see if Mendy suddenly loses his GK spot.

  2. The Son-dance Kid
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Florenrino Perez in his press release said the ESL is justified because Real Madrid lost $400m in the last two years...

    Bloody hell mate take a look at your own backyard! Not hard to see why, with the amount they spend on player wages. Paying Bale god knows how much to sit on Tottenham's bench.

    Ya muppet

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If I were to choose an actual muppet, I'd plump for Beaker.

    2. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He also said that the super league is to bring back good quality football!! like if football had a better quality 30/40 years ago...

    3. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Also in the statement he would be the Chairman of the European Super League. He will be impartial of course.

  3. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth a -4?

    Raphinha+Laca>Greenwood + Bamford

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep rapha

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

        Rapha is an odd one

        He still has fewer points and now fewer returns on the season than Jack Harrison

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just Laca>Bamford if he's out?

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

      Bamford isn't on brilliant form.

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain:

    A) TAA (NEW)
    B) Salah (NEW)
    C) Iheanacho (CPA)
    D) Maddison (CPA)
    E) Greenwood (lee)

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

      DIfferential: TAA, Maddison or Greenwood
      Safe: Salah or Ihenacho(imo)

      So you wanna keep your ML lead/OR rank go for the safe choices(Nacho will probably give you bigger rank jump than Salah, but still more safe/template than the others.

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

      C or E.

      Greenwood is from Wibsey on the edge of Bradford so he may have a good Leeds rivalry in him too and Manchester United v Leeds can be a cracker.

      If chasing punt on Greenwood!

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

      C

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

    Which 2 would you pick?

    Callum Robinson
    Cavani
    Vardy

    Or someone else in attack on a wild card?

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

      Cavani and Vardy.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Last two

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

    Do you think Creswell will play against Chelsea?

  7. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team for next week. 2fts and 0itb

    Mendy
    TAA / Alonso / Rudi / Holding / Fofana
    Jota / Bruno / Salah / Lingard
    Nacho

    3.9 / Vydra / Kane / Son

    Quite fancy Maddison for one of Son or Bruno. Any suggestions? Cheers

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

      nice team! If you want a differential I guess do Bruno to Maddison.

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

      I have same team (other than goalies). I am thinking based on fixtures Son to Greenwood this week and then Bruno to Son following week. Let's me have Bruno then Son for decent fixtures

  8. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Up to 11k OR, best rank I've ever had in my life (best finish was a 54k OR rank 2 years ago).. would love to stay around here & possibly improve, what changes could I/should I make here for the next GW if any? Got 1FT and 0.3m in the bank.

    Mendy
    Coady - Trent - Rudiger - Veltman
    Jlingz - Salah (c) - Bruno - Jota
    Nacho - Vydra

    Bench: Forster - Coufal - Son - Kane

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

      Great rank that well done

      I wouldn't do anything this week. Having 2 FTs in the run up to 35/36 looks to be a smart move.

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

        Ace thanks mate.

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

      Son to Greenwood or Maddison and start them over Veltman?

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

        I like the Greenwood move, not convinced on the Maddison one just not sure he gets 90 minutes.

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd probably save

    4. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You can happily roll a transfer here, having 2 transfers will be invaluable moving forward.

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

    I suppose Bale must be close to a live differential option from 34 again if he starts or features heavily in the games this week.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not for me.

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

        Could go any way of course.

        But in the games he has featured in recently he's done nicely of course. He was a threat in the EL match just before he got dropped. One move the interim manager may make is to reinstate him to reverse the Mou negativity - do that and he could be a prospect in 34 and 35 anyway.

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

          Bale's lack of professionalism and his questionable work ethic combined with his I don't give a f@ck attitude is the source of the "negativity".

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

            Works both ways that one

            When Bale is loved he performs. When he is confronted he doesn't. If the interim manager puts his arm around him then he could (bold underlined) be an option for returns.

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      he cant even play 90. I'll pass

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

        It'd be contingent on his starting this week of course

        But Jota (who I've had since 30) is a similar risk that many/most have taken. Starters at Liverpool are now tricky to pick. presumably that was the one rest for Mo but the other 3 could continue to rotate here on in. Problems at United too beyond Bruno. Just a question of balancing risk and reward.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Have to wait on more Kane news. Everyone will have a lot of budget to play with if Kane is out for several weeks!

  10. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Quite a funny poll going on there.

    Clearly most of us are too competitive to let a silly thing like principles get in the way of how we play this game.

    I'm willing to boycott any Man Utd products, tickets etc... until they sort their fricking heads out.

    But I will bloody well buy Mason Greenwood for my fantasy team if I bloody well like!!!

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

      It's pointless in some ways because it shouldn't happen so should be no impact.

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

      Yeah same thoughts here tbf and I know damn well that my ML rivals won't "protest" by doing anything like that.

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

      Also does it mean that you transfer them all out?

      This is a game...

    4. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Got mates in my minileague who refuse to have players from certain teams. It’s not for me, no room for emotion in FPL. Got to be ruthless.

  11. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current team for this week, 1FT.

    Mendy
    Rudiger / Coady / TAA / Holding / Masuaku
    Salah / Jota / Bruno
    Ihenacho / Davis

    Forster / Neto / Son / Kane

    Neto needs to go, was thinking Maddison or Greenwood. But feels like i need to do another one as Davis and / or Masuaku might not play. any suggestions?

    i go go greenwood I have 0.5 left, maddision 0.3

  12. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So are we expecting a Mendy benching then?

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

      I have him so most likely

  13. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Raphinha > Greenwood?

    Would give front 8 of
    Lingard, Bruno, Jota, Son, Greenwood
    Vardy, Kane, Wilson

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      if lingard is out (not sure how serious was his hammy) then yes

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lingard was more cramp than hammy on first viewing but we'll see what moyes says

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            hope you are right!

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

            Problem with Moyes is he was far from straightforward with either Cresswell or Antonio. It'd need to be a very clear response if I decide to bank on a Lingz start. Anything remotely opaque and I'll be organising a strong first bench anyway.

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son to Greenwwod for -4?

      Son blank and sheffield but maybe with kane out they can threaten less?

      Greenwood with leeds that can go either way and then Pool?

      thoughts?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Is kane definitely out?

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            For southampton yes, but I guess is an ongoing injury and Euro is coming so not sure if he will rush into the action soon

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

              How do you know he's definitely out?

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

                He missed training yesterday

                1. Well you know, Triffic
                  • 13 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  He may just be resting it. Not 100% that he's out tbh.

        • pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It'll be a popular move but not sure it's worth it over the 33/34 looking at combined fixtures. Rather depends on your bench options and general set up.

      2. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Any news on Lingard's injury?

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

          There is no injury

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

        Got TAA and Salah. Who to get for the third Liverpool slot?

        A: Jota
        B: Philips

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

          Why would you want a 3rd Pool player after what we saw last night and just in general how they have been playing after new years?

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

          A if any

        3. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Wouldn't get Greenwood

      4. MMN
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        1 FT 0.1m. Only FH left. Any thoughts assuming Lingard is fit and Kane out for one game only? Stones/Gundo seem to be the weak links ...

        Martinez
        Dunk, TAA, Shaw, Konsa
        Jota, Bruno, Lingard
        Iheanacho, Bam, Kane*

        Areola, Son*, Stones*, Gundo*

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

          Gundo might be very important for City going forward if Kdb is out for a while.

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

          Tough spot there with one FT

          I'd hold Gundo as there's no one in his bracket I'd prioritise next week anyway. Son onto Greenwood looks viable. Then I'd think about moving Gundo on in 34 - highly unlikely he gets Palace in a fixture in between two CL games imo. Stones could get that one perhaps.

      5. 2OLEgend
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hi all.
        0.0ITB and 2 FT

        Mendy
        TAA, Shaw, Coady, Dias*
        Salah, Bruno, Lingard, Jota
        Vydra, Nacho
        (Fabri, Kane*, Son*, Dunne)

        A) Dias -> Who? Rudi, Holding, Coufal?
        B) Dias & Son -> One of above & Madd

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

          Dias to Pereria?

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

        Bruno to Greenwood
        Vydra to Lacazette

        2FT's. Yay or nay?

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

          Not for me, no

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

            Thanks

        2. JabariParkersEyelid
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Laca is injured, Arteta said hamstring I think.

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

        Hi.....any advice on what to do here please? Plenty of cash and no chips.

        Thoughts on vydra to Watkins? Watkins likely to double in 35 and plays 36, with wba this week

        Mendy (forster)
        Taa alonso shaw holding (dawson)
        Salah jota lingard greenwood (son)
        Iheanacho vydra (kane)

        Thanks

      8. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hi all.

        Son and Stones > Trent and Greenwood/Jota -4? Sick of taking hits but it needs must!

        Thank you

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

        Laca to Greenwood or Bamford?

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

          *sorry Nketiah not Greenwood

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

          Bamford

      10. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not much to celebrate in the past 15+ years as a Gunner.
        Miss the likes of Vieira, Pirés, Henry, Ljungberg, Campbell & Lehmann. Miss the Vicks VapoRub on the shirts helping them breathing 😀

        And now with the ESL...How about giving 120% fighting for a PL-title?!?! Not like it is gonna be fun to get slapped around in friendly matches against Madrid, City & Juve and as a result end 17 in PL year after year. I might finally just let my old man buy me a Bielsa Shirt (he already bought infant sets to my son anyway :D), and the three generations can cheer together!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Arsenalvederci!

      11. Igz08
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What’s happening with your paid Mini Leagues ?

        I’m a commissioner of one and have been messaged by one of the guys asking we void the season. No one in my other one (with a prize pot of over 1000$) has asked yet, but I imagine a discussion is on the cards.

        Personally, I don’t have a strong opinion on the matter. With 6 weeks to go, the winners are almost decided so seems a bit unfair - on the other hand, 6 teams might have just lost all motivation to perform ?

        1. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I am the "sheriff" for a couple of mini leagues and we are proceeding as normal. Until there is anything official that disrupts the premier league and fpl no changes at all.

          1. Igz08
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers. Leaning towards that too - admittedly, I do have a vested interested as I’m second by only a couple of points in both! So a little hard to be unbiased ..

        2. Salarrivederci
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          First of all paid Mini Leagues are not allowed by the FPL, so should they find out the commissioner and his team this year will be banned by FPL.

          Second thing. To me this ESL is just like postponed matches, injuries, weather conditions and so on. Part of the game and equal to everyone. We all play the same game, and we all had to decide when to play our chips, if we wanted to buy a lot of the players from 'the big 6', triple up on teams, planning ahead and so on.
          Part of the game. Great for the guys yet to play WC & FH. Less great for those deciding not to keep a chip in case of any strange things happened near the end of the season.

          See it through is my view on this.

          1. Igz08
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Wow I never knew that! Guess I should have read the rules haha.

            At the end of the day, I imagine we will put it to a vote and see what everyone in the leagues fancies. But I do feel like everyone is in the same boat here - much like with covid postponement etc

            1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Putting it 'to a vote' is a complete cop out.

              How many are set to win money and how many are set to gain by cancelling?

              Sorry, you really shouldn't be running any type of cash league.

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

            Is that a new rule that paid mini leagues are not allowed in FPL? Fair play either way, there's enough sites encouraging people to gamble. I'm in one anyway more for the banter.

            1. Igz08
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              On a personal note, re gambling. I used to have an awful gambling addiction. Really something terrible and I still view myself in many ways as an addict. Luckily, I started going to group, therapy, etc, and it’s been nearly two years since my last bet now. Fpl is the only “gambling-esque” thing left in my life and it helps me stay on track - I know it’s my one paid commitment for the year. I know someone else for whom it’s the same, but I imagine how paid ML can be viewed as encouraging gambling. What about ML with prizes though?

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

                Fair play IGZ for sorting your life out. My Dad is a reformed alcoholic, going to AA for years. There was no social media in his time encouraging people to buy one drink and get one free like some ', incentives' from betting sites. Not sure that banning stuff is the way to go, rather people should be educated as to the possible dangers of gambling, drugs, alcohol. Banning things make it seem like a challenge for people, especially kids.

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

              It's been a rule since the start of this season & clearly stated in the T&Cs. Lots of noise was made about it.

        3. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          If I was in that league and set to lose money I'd never join again ... just pay out

      12. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Moves here? Should I consider one of Son/Jota/Lingard out?

        Mendy
        TAA/Castagne/Shaw/Rudiger/Holding
        Salah/Bruno/Jota/Lingard
        Nacho

        Forster/Davis/Son/Kane

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

          Nice team 🙂

      13. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haven't had chance to watch any Pool games recently (really wanted to watch last night but had to do stuff with the kids).

        Just wanted to know how Jota has been doing.... Bought a few weeks ago and had absolutely nothing from him since.

        Has there been a change of position? Is he out of form? Or have us owners just been unlucky?

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

          Been a bit unlucky, he was involved quite a bit yesterday and could have scored at least a couple of times. Good allround performance from him

      14. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        https://twitter.com/Wolves
        Official account of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League Champions 2018/19

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

          Brilliant

        2. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I don't get it...

          Is the joke that without the 'big six' (yuk!) they would have won the league that year?

          1. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I think they must have finished 7th that year.

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

          Just seen Southampton are now claiming the 2014/15 PL title

          If we can take it back to 1990/91 Palace get that but I suppose pre PL doesn't count 😉

      15. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why's Mendy not expected to play?

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

          Tuchel: "Kepa very likely to play against Brighton"

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

        Hi all,

        I have a few doubts in Laca, Lingard, Masuaku & Mendy.

        With two free transers it seems to make sense to setup for the possible DGW.

        I believe Man U are part of the dgw, but who else is in that list for a possible DGW 35?

        Thanks

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

          Probably everton and villa, maybe southampton as well

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

            Shaw seems the standout, possibly Digne as well depending on DCL.
            Then Greenwood (+Bruno)

            Ant sign of Greilish?

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

          Villa, Palace, Evertpn, Southampton, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester United.

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

        On yesterday's differential article RE: Pereira:

        https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1384466748389224453?s=19

        "Expect an update on Pereira this afternoon. BR will speak ahead of the WBA game. “He felt a tightness in his calf. It’s going to be a little bit like that for Ricardo. Coming back off a long injury, I don’t expect him to be up to full speed until next season in all honesty" #LCFC

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

          Possibly Matty is a better differential than Ricardo.

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

          F*** me.

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

            Did you buy him?

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

              I have him since my WC.. Got 1,1,1,1,3 lol.. Was hoping for some points during next fixtures.
              The most annoying thing about this year is "differentials"

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

                Ah that sucks.

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

            We've only just met HY 😉

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

          Thanks!