Pro Pundits

Five-time top 1k FPL finisher Tom Freeman on Bale, the Free Hit and GW33 captaincy

The Hall of Fame number 15, who has five top 1,000 Fantasy Premier League finishes to his name, addresses some hot topics ahead of Blank Gameweek 33.



“It is not a sport if success is guaranteed or if it doesn’t matter when you lose.”

Pep Guardiola

After one of the most hectic starts to a week ever in the game, football matches have felt a little irrelevant in the shadow of the European Super League.

However, as I type this, clubs are exiting en masse from the group and it does at least feel like there is hope that the project is now finished.

So, in this, my latest column, I’m going to press ahead and discuss Tottenham Hotspur and a player who I think may benefit from José Mourinho’s exit. I’ll also touch upon my own plans for the Free Hit chip, and then have a look at a couple of alternative captain options for Gameweek 33.

GARETH BALE

Despite seeing just 10 minutes of action during Spurs’ last four Premier League matches, the player who I think could benefit most from Mourinho’s departure is Gareth Bale (£9.1m) – especially if new interim head coach Ryan Mason goes with an attacking side.

The pair know each other well from the Welshman’s first stint at the club, and the schedule (see below) could allow him to thrive, given the longer rest periods between games.

If he can get enough minutes, I’m convinced Bale can become an option again. 

Amongst midfielders, his 0.48 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes is second in the Premier League, only behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.5m). His ‘big chances’ per 90 minutes average also ranks fourth. It’s a small sample size (562 minutes) from which to draw conclusions but we have seen what the 31-year-old is capable of between Gameweek 25 and 27, when he bagged 39 FPL points.

The match (and goal) against Southampton was a positive start and the clash with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final will further allow us to scout the new set-up before they take on Sheffield United in Gameweek 34.

Dele Alli (£7.4m) is worth monitoring, too. Mason played alongside the 25-year-old under Mauricio Pochettino, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if we see him starting games again soon.

WHEN TO USE THE FREE HIT?

The Free Hit chip is probably my favourite of the lot, as it allows us to think outside of the box and target some differentials. 

Gameweek 33 presents an opportunity to use it with four teams blanking, but for my own squad, I’m not convinced it’s worth it. For context, here’s how I’m currently set up, with one free transfer and £2.0m in the bank:

If I were to Free Hit, I would bring in a new goalkeeper given the uncertainty surrounding Edouard Mendy (£5.2m). I may also add a Wolverhampton Wanderers defender and possibly Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) or Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) for Jesse Lingard (£6.6m). However, my frontline looks okay, and I think I might gain more by saving it till Gameweek 35.

In this scenario, which has been put together by the awesome @Legomané, we would see eight teams double in 35, with four of those sides then blanking the following week. That would obviously be ideal, but let’s see how things play out once the schedule is confirmed.

GAMEWEEK 33 CAPTAINCY

Salah is probably the best captain option this week but it’s worth noting that Newcastle United are unbeaten in three matches and have lost just one of their last seven. Now up to 15th in the table, they have a nine-point cushion above the bottom three and are clearly benefitting from switching to a 3-5-2 formation back in Gameweek 30 (see below).

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) has been putting up some good numbers during that time, too, with seven goal attempts and eight chances created in just 116 minutes. 

Newcastle’s form probably won’t matter to a player as good as Salah, but what if you don’t own him or fancy looking elsewhere?

An alternative option, and one that I’m quite fond of, is to captain one of Leicester City’s frontmen. The Foxes’ forwards head into Gameweek 33 in wildly contrasting form, with Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.1m) on ten goals in seven games and Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) on just one since the turn of the year. However, Vardy has been unfortunate not to return more, with a -3.13 xG delta during that period, and I wouldn’t hesitate to hand either of them the armband against Crystal Palace.

FORM TABLE

Before I sign off, I’ll leave you with this Premier League 2021 form table, which focuses solely on results from Gameweek 17 onwards. I found it interesting, so I thought I’d share it here so you can have a look too:

So, thanks for reading all, and best of luck this week.


633 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hello

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Morning

    2. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Shine em. On the pitch too.
      Bobbys Teeth.

      1. Bobby's Teeth
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha, tbh, considering his form, would want him and his shiny teeth either on the bench or in the mid with Jota ahead

  2. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    RMWCT
    Martínez Johnstone
    TAA Alioski Castagne Dunk Digne
    Salah Greenwood Trossard Jlingz Raph
    Vardy Nacho Kane

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Very good. Is Raphinha fit?

    2. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not fit for this week. I will bench him but definitely good to go from next week and the Fixtures look tasty

  3. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I can currently get 10 players out this GW although that includes Jota and Creswell.

    A. Son > Salah (c)
    B. Creswell > TAA
    C. Gundo > Greenwood

    Scared of going without Salah this week as so many will captain him.

    1. Bobby's Teeth
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't you want Son back for the next GW and Salah would be away to United anyway?

      1. Steve McCroskey
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, was thinking the old hokey pokey and bringing Son back in!

        1. Bobby's Teeth
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Costing you two transfers though 😉 and then post the United game, you would want Salah back, wouldn't you? 😀

    2. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A definitely

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

    Martinez
    Azpi / Cress / Dallas / Dunk
    Jota / Lingard / Raph / Salah (C)
    Nacho / Bamford

    Pope / Stones / Son / Kane

    Is it worth a -8 to do Son > Greenwood (C) and bench Cresswell or Raph? Would also want son or bale in 34 against Sheff hence the -8 to get one of them back in,

    Need to catch 40 points in my Mini League! Thanks

  5. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best moves here with 2ft and 0m itb. Will FH in either 35 or 36.

    Mendy --- Forster
    Rudiger Shaw Veltman TAA Holding
    Salah Bruno Lingard Jota -- Son
    Nacho -- Kane Davis

    A: Son >> Greenwood
    B: Jota (if inj) + Shaw >> Greenwood + Saiss
    C: Something else?

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

      would you want Son back for 34 vs sheff united?

      Also wouldnt look to be loosing liverpool assets at the moment,

      Maybe use 1 FT to sort your keeper problem, if there is one

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can you just do jota -> Greenwood? Confident in mendy starting.

      Your team looks pretty good for the double already so maybe look to bring in more doubles and plan for a blank 36 FH

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

      C: Bogle

  6. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy* Forster*
    Alonso*, rudiger, TAA, Shaw, veltman
    Salah, jota*, Lucas*, lingard, son*
    Kane*, nacho, vydra*

    1FT, 2.4M ITB

    going to struggle to put out 11 this week. Who out of the starred players absolutely must go?

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

      I'd say Lucas needs to go or sure. Not even nailed.

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

        Alonso out

        Jota out if injured

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

    Is jota injured?

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A slight knock and also didn't get pictured in the training too

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

        God dam it. Thanks

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

    Dallas or Fofana?

    Will likely get Dallas for the last few anyway

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas.

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

    Hey guys, how does my team look like?

    Sanchez
    TAA Cresswell Coady Konsa
    Fernandes Jota Lingard Raphinha
    Watkins Iheanacho

    Ederson Kane Son Reguilon

    0.1 ITB
    0 FT

    Is it worth getting rid of Cresswell for a hit? Any prime candidates I should consider or just leave it?

    Thanks!

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You will have only 9 players playing this week so might as well ship out Cresswell.

      Castagne is your man

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

    Play ESR or Rudiger?

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

      Rudi

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rud

    3. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rud. don't see any side scoring

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

    Hmmm thoughts on what to do? 1ft and 0.5itb. Considering even rolling a transfer to prepare for possible blank and doubles.

    Martinez
    Digne Azpi Rüdiger Konsa
    Bruno Salah Mount Saka
    Nacho Brewster

    Fabri; Kane, Son, Reguilon

  12. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota(if injured) to Greenwood for free no brainer right?

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

      Yes

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        thx MS which move do you fancy more:
        a. Jota to Green
        b. Stones to Veltman

        thing is I really wanna keep Jota for his run in for the rest of the season

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

          A if injured- just bring back when he’s fitc

          1. Cojones of Destiny
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            gracias

    2. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes. You can even go Trossard for the one week punt too.

  13. Donny_Rover
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcarded in 31 and decided to go Vardy over Iheanacho. Having watched Leicester’s last few games I think it’s impossible to ignore him; trouble is I have Maddison & Fofana as well. Best move to get him in?

    A) Maddison & Vydra -> Iheanacho & Lingard (yes, I ignored him as well)
    B) Fofana & Vydra -> Konsa & Iheanacho
    C) Fofana & Vydra -> Holding & Iheanacho
    D) Stick with what I have and hope that Maddison comes through as a differential and Fofana continues to play...

    Rest of the squad:
    Mendy Forster
    TAA Shaw Semedo Rudiger Fofana
    Salah Jota Son Maddison Neto
    Kane Vardy Vydra

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

      I'd stick personally, but if I had to chose then A

  14. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best option for the rest of the season?

    a) Meslier
    b) Sanchez
    c) Get Sanchez and take a -4 to get Meslier in for 36-38.

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

      A

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  15. LakhaneeFC
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Did Son + Cresswell to Greenwood + TAA for a hit.

    Team now is:
    Martinez (Areola)
    TAA Shaw Struijk (Dias Regulion)
    Bruno Greenwood Salah Jota Lingard
    Kane (Davis)

    Currently planning to play with 10 players, need your views on:
    - Does the team look ok for the next few GWs as well?
    - If Jota is injured, worthwhile to take a -8 to take him out? And who would you bring in?

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

    Alonso,Cresswell,Son, Lacazette >> Dallas,Holding,Salah,DCL -12?
    Gives me

    Mendy
    TAA,Dallas,Rüdiger,Shaw
    Salah, Fernandes,Lingard,Raphinia
    DCL,Iheanacho

    Lloris, ,Holding,Kane,Jota

    Worth it?
    Holding takes money out of defence and is cover for Raphinia this week just in case he doesn’t make it.

  17. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning all. Guess need to get Moira out but to who? 0.2m ITB only. Cheers all

    Martinez
    Dunk - Coufal - Azpi - Alioski
    Lingard - Bruno - Salah - Jota
    Bam - Ihenacho

    (McCarthy) - Kane - Dias - Moura

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

      Greenwood or Siggy

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

        Cheers. Can do Siggy but can't afford Greenwood

  18. AlpoShearer
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do you use free hit on this team or take a couple of hits?

    Martinez
    Philips*-Shaw-Veltman
    Bruno-Salah-Lingard-Raphinha*
    Watkins-Iheanacho-Kane*

    Pope Aina*-Son*-Cancelo*

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd use FH if still available

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

      Why waste FH. Make two transfers for -4 and you will have a playing team

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

        Cheers both, if Philips and Raphinha are out, its -8...

  19. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else considering captaining Iheanacho vs CP next GW? With his numbers he must be the best player in PL currently...

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

      Yeah, Palace are awful and not that much trust in Salah and Liverpool right now. Iheanacho putting up outstanding numbers and gets chances galore, can't see him not scoring vs a defense that I've noticed concedes a lot of chances to strikers recently.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Btw. Ihranacho is even better than Kane in terms of non penalty xG +xA per 90 minutes. Maybe a bit small sample but still

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's my (C) this week (no Salah)

  20. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What would you do here?
    2 FT 0.2 ITB
    No chips left

    Forster Mendy
    Rudiger Philips Fofana Coady Holding
    Lingard Jota Salah Son Bruno
    Nacho Kane Davis

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

    Repost sorry

    Guys need help, don't know what to do here with 1ft 0.0itb

    Mendy
    Taa shaw veltman coady
    Salah bruno lingz jota
    Iheanacho vydra

    Forster Rudiger kane son

    I really have no clue what to do here. TIA

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe just save FT?

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

        Thanks. But gut says need to make a move somewhere.

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

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

    (Fabri Kane! Son! Struijk)

    Thoughts on these transfers?

    If Jota is fit:
    Phillips, Dias & Son ➡️ TAA, Veltman & Greenwood -8

    If Jota is not fit:
    Dias, Jota & Son ➡️ TAA, Greenwood & Maddison -8
    Or
    Dias & Jota ➡️ Saiss/Fofana & Greenwood -4

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

    2 FT

    A) Son to Maddison and Stones to Castagne

    Or

    B) Son to Greenwood and Stones to Fofana?

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

    Best defender up to 5.5 to replace stones?

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fo

  25. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which moves to make?

    A) Dias > TAA
    B) Gundo > Jota
    C) Dias/Gundo > Castagne/Jota
    D) Dias/Gundo > Castagne/Greenwood

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

      A

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

    Morning!
    What should i do with Mahrez?

    a) keep
    b) --> Pulisic
    c) --> Havertz
    d) --> Rodriguez?

  27. Diedhiou See That?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to start:

    A) Alonso
    B) Holding

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

      A bit he won’t start

  28. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is cast price justify that he better choice than fofana...?

  29. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son -> Greenwood a good move here and then bring Son in next GW for another player?
    Or other suggestions? 🙂

    (2FT, 0.3 itb)

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

    Bench: Forster, Kane, Son, Dias

  30. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Possible moves here?? 1ft, 0.4itb

    Mendy
    TAA Alonso Coady
    Salah(c) Bruno Jota Lingard Maddison
    Wood Nacho

    Forster Holding Cresswell Kane

    A) Alonso to Castagne
    B) Alonso to Dallas (start Holding)
    C) Cresswell to Dallas
    D) Jota (not pictured in training?) to Greenwood
    E) others