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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Lacazette out for a month?

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

      Think so - pulled his hamstring and that'll take a while to recover from sadly

      1. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry I purchased him for this week......but not unexpected.

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

    Genuinely think the super league will be boring.
    Let's say Arsenal lose their first 5 or 6 games.... whats the incentive then for the rest of the season?

    1. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Exactly - there's no jeopardy for teams doing poorly, can imagine a lot of games being pretty meaningless as with CL group stages.

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

      They dont have any incentive even if that happens in EPL 😉

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Incentive to not get relegated? Get a European place?

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

        Can't wait for a non-founding club to win the ESL only to be immediately relegated

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

      Will there be a press conference from Tottenham today?

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

        Doubt it

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

        We need some Kane news!

      3. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          See below from maddocio

      4. Maddocio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ryan Mason is doing a press conference which is due to start at 1330 bst, will likely clarify the situation with Kane

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

        Got fh chip left but dgw35 doesn't look appealing. Thoughts about using it next gw instead?

        Would probably do following changes:

        Kane -> Vardy
        Son -> Greenwood
        Sterling -> Salah
        Stones -> Pereira
        Lingard -> Mount / Havertz

        Martinez
        Taa-Targett-Pereira
        Bruno-Jota-xxx-xxx-xxx
        Nacho-xxx

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

          The moves look good imo, altough is 36 rumored to be a blank week?

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

            Thanks. Gw36 shouldn't be problem to navigate in case it is blank gw.

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

          I'm debating this as well... I just can't decide!!

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

          Although im not sure if the players you are transferring in are worth the FH except Salah.

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

          The proposed changes all add up to me - also looking at a Chelsea mid as a possible.

          I suppose the downside as a FH is that the Greenwood Mo moves are either template or onto template players and so upside there is limited.

          Think I'd get Dunk in defence for the assured 6 pointer and I'm not sure he has much lower prospect of an attacking return.

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

            Dunkinho is great shout. thanks

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

          Bearing in mind Hazz's post (top of page) I wouldn't get Pereira.

      6. All For One
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Martinez
        Dias* Lownton, Shaw, Dallas
        Jota, Lingard, Bruno, Mount
        Bamford, Ineacho

        Pope, Kane, Son, Stones

        1FT 1.8 ITB

        Dias>Holding

        Any suggestions please was thinking of making a transfer of Bamford> Laca but now that's off since he's injured.

        Thanks guys

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

          The way Leeds played last night and the way United defend I'd keep Bamford

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

          Hold Bamford imo

      7. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        People going at Gary Neville because they’re getting hurt from his jabs at Arsenal and Spurs. Absolute fairies. Both dead clubs that are run by owners who don’t care about anything other than money stop defending them

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

          I don’t know why our fans are so touchy with it. We haven’t been in the CL for 4 years and are 9th in the league after 32 games with a decent squad. Now somehow we deserve to automatically earn the right to compete with Europe’s best.

          People are so blinded these days.

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Many folks are finding it extremely uncomfortable being on the wrong side of Neville at the minute - see also - Klopp’s impromptu live melt down about him last night

          It was impressive the way Neville just calmly dismantled his arguments afterwards - same with his criticism of Arsenal and Spurs

          He’s been perhaps most vociferous in his criticism of Man Utd as well - what he said about the lack of investment in Old Trafford was hard hitting

          1. HashAttack
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            No point in investing in infrastructure at Old Trafford .. in a couple of years the Red Devils franchise will be based in America and playing their matches anywhere except Manchester

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              He stopped just short of saying that

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

        Contemplating Wellbeck for next week. Any views?

        He'd be a makeweight but the fixture couldn't be better and stats over the last 4 are handy as are 2 goals and an assist. Prefer him to Vydra in any event I think.

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

          Who you selling, doesn't seem like Welbeck has massive upside

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

            Kane 🙂

            I'm currently fairly happy at no Mo and he'd be the one coming the other way. It all depends on Kane fitness of course. Thinking over possibilities.

            No great upside likely of course.

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

              Selling Kane for Welbeck just doesn't read right to me, sorry.

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

                As I say it's all injury dependent - if he doesn't make the cup final then I may well pull the trigger and lose him this week. Relatively straightforward to get him back in 34 as a minus 4 but if things are still opaque then I may duck that too.

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

          Doesn't seem the worst choice - I need to sell Laca and am not sure who to get

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

        If you can field 11 players this week, would you FH later on?

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

          Thinking the same. Currently leaning towards free hitting now mainly because my rivals teams looks fairly weak for gw32 and they probably take few hits.

          Altough I'm half tempted to save it for dgw35

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

            Think im gonna save it, the only 2 players worth getting in are Salah and TAA for this week IMO.

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

              Alsto triple Leicester not bad option to have next gw.

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

          Dgw35 might be better option

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

          Thinking about this also, think i'll be able to field 11 but no bench, which isn't ideal. Considering waiting for a DGW but also thinking I'll use my TC then so in a tough spot. Are the fixtures good enough this week to field a team worthy of a BB?

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

          Depends on the 11.

        5. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Saving it - that was a side benefit of WC in 31
          Have 12 starters, including Laca, and 2FT - will probably swap Son for Maddison or Greenwood

      10. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Afternoon

        Just wondering best move here and looking for some inspiration...

        Replace Cresswell maybe? Appreciate any suggestions.

        Martinez
        Dallas - Rudiger - Veltman - Cresswell *
        Salah - Bruno - Jota - Lingard
        Watkins - Iheanacho

        Areola / Stones - Kane - Son

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

          (1 FT & £0.5M ITB)

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

          Cresswell -> Dunk

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

          Thanks. Have Veltman so not sure about the double up but it could be great for that fixture.

      11. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mendy
        TAA Shaw Rudiger
        Son* Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
        Kane* Iheanacho

        Forster Holding Vydra Kilman

        0.3 itb, 2FT

        What to do here please, stuck for ideas ?!

        Thanks.

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

          I'd just play Vydra and get someone in for Kane or Son (Vardy or Greenwood perhaps).

          Can then transfer Kane/Son back again next gameweek if preferred.

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

            Agree with this.

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

            I have same problem, what if Vydra does not start like last game?

          3. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks. Like the Greenwood move

            Would you say Vydra starts v Wolves after being rested?

      12. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You know you're old when you realise that many of the players you have owned in FPL are managers today.

        1. ted mcnure
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          ...and Peter´s son Kaspar is middle-aged!

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

          are old people allowed to drive trains?

          1. The Train Driver
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah, like any other job until we retire...

        3. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ryan Mason?

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

        Wow what a sh*t show the ESL stuff turned out to be. Alot of reports going around that certain clubs feel "betrayed" by the "founders". Just hilarious this, hopefully this turns into something that can chase owners like the Glazers away after a while.

      14. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Martinez
        Shaw Rudiger Phillips Dias!
        Salah Bruno Jota Lingard
        DCL Nacho

        (Fabri Kane Son Struijk)
        0.0m & 1 FT

        Out: Phillips, Dias & Son
        In: TAA, Saiss/Konsa & Greenwood

        Thoughts on these moves for -8?

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

          I like it! can you do Coady instead of Saiss?

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yes I can. Actually just reliazed I can only afford Coady not Saiss.

      15. 2OLEgend
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Quick poll:

        Dias to:
        A) Dunk
        B) Coufal
        C) Holding
        D) Rudiger
        E) Other?

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

          D if you don't have Chelsea GK.

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

            Mendy in goal mate

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Prefer Coady/Saiss or upgrade to TAA.

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

            Cheers. Already have TAA and Coady

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Hmm it's a tough one then. Probably Rudiger or Dunk.

        3. Guru Mediation
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          E) Pereira

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

            Not worried about gametime?

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

          Dunk for this week - and I wouldn't be surprised if Brighton don't match Arsenal and WH for cs going forward.

          Depends on rest of defence mostly though and what your plans are for 35/36. Is this a defender you plan to play most weeks? If so I guess Rudiger wins.

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

            Thanks mate. Just posted my defence below. Mendy in goal. The Dias replacement will rotate with Coady and Shaw

            1. Dichio24
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Considering Wolves' last 3 games of the season, I would go Coufal

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

          Current defence is: TAA, Coady, Shaw

      16. Dichio24
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Martinez
        TAA, Veltman, Shaw
        Salah, Greenwood, Havertz, Fernandes, Mane
        Vardy, Iheanacho

        Free Hit-team good to go? Considering Saiss or Dunk for Shaw...

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

        Which scores more this GW:

        A) Salah (NEW) and Maddison (CPA)
        B) Jota (NEW) and Greenwood (lee)

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

          B imo. Hard to say which Maddison turns up after that injury.

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

            Yeah - he looked ropey in the cup semi IMO but others thought he looked great.

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

          A

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

          A imo, Mo captain should be gold with the added determination of winning the golden boot especially with the Kane injury

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

            There is zero evidence that he increases output at the end of the season - he's always in the hunt for the golden boot but the only time he did better was in his mammoth season - variance only.

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

            Mo is not in form, but on the other hand that may change any day IF he finds his booting shoots.

      18. Tinmen
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Guys. Does anyone know when the fixture times for the week after next will be announced ?

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

          Ben Crellin suggested this week - currently the GW 34 fixtures have not been adjusted for TV, and given that is less than 2 weeks away you'd expect at least 34 and 35 to be confirmed soon - hopefully 36 too.

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

            Thx. So it's better not to rush with any decisions about when to use WC. And after fixtures are announced, we are possibly going to be busy.

      19. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Perez, the president of the ‘super league’ has suggested that the length of football matches should be SHORTENED to attract more viewers, ehm, I mean ‘fans’ ..... dear lord.

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Maybe just 4 x 15 minute quarters so that the whole show can be broadcasted in 2 hours

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

          Making the goals bigger and removing goalkeepers from the game will mean more goals so they should probably do that as well........

        3. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          And VAR should be replaced viewers mobile online poll, make it just as a gameshow!

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

          Is he american?

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

            Doesn't deserve A...

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

        Dias & Lucas Moura -> Dallas & Maddison/Greenwood for free?

      21. ZAMUNDA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How long are Laca and Raphinha out for?

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

        Zophar,

        With respect to your article's answers/recommendations:
        - Greenwood + Fernandes
        - Luke Shaw
        - Chelsea attackers

        Perhaps you should have mentioned their potential GW36 blanks.

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

        Sterling and Struijk to Trent and Greenwood(-4)?

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

          Yep especially if you need to find eleven for next week

      24. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Could you imagine if the super league format had been applied back when the champions league started

        Or when the premier league started

        And we’d been watching the same 15 teams playing each other 5 or 6 times a year for the last 25 years....

        Football would be long since dead

      25. hafizmo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        i like this format, so Zophar i suggest can continue with this