Gameweek Guide

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Triple Gameweek 35

Gameweek 35 of the 2020/21 season will be etched in our memories forevermore – the Fantasy Gods have thrust a mythical Triple Gameweek upon us.

The Premier League’s most successful side, Manchester United, will be playing three times. But the burning question is, with the Red Devils cramming their three fixtures into five days:

Do you let this Treble – which probably will be a Double for most of the players – completely destroy your plans and blinker you to the potential of the Double Gameweek players?

– Mark, FPL BlackBox

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool and Southampton all play twice. 

We have a Friday deadline of 18:30 BST to finalise our teams.

The Fixture Ticker

Here’s how the schedule currently looks

Notice that four teams blank in Gameweek 36, including Man United, while five teams play twice in this round of fixtures and also have a match next Gameweek: Liverpool, Southampton, Everton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa – could these be the sides to target for those without a Free Hit chip or Wildcard?

Recovery times between matches is likely to have a big say in team selection, and arguably performance too. In the past, Pro Pundit Zophar has noted the impact on injuries:

Recent research has shown that muscle injury risk increases by almost 20% when recovery time is reduced from six to three days. It concluded that fixture congestion and insufficient recovery time between matches are two of the major risk factors associated with injuries and suggested that players should have at least 96 hours between matches in order to recover fully. Beyond the 96-hour period, there were no significant gains observed.

– Zophar

With a day’s rest between each of their three fixtures, caution is advised with Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s troops.

Although, as Neale observed, is the silver-lining of playing three matches in a week that there’s a greater chance of two or more starts for most of United’s key players, even allowing for a benching along the way?

Andy certainly thinks so:

It’s unlikely any of them play three times, the only thing I would say is you kind of guarantee two games for most of the main players whereas … Jota for example or or even Mané potentially – and I know not everyone’s really got him in their team right now but some people might be thinking about it – I don’t think anyone will guarantee two games for them whereas Bruno, Luke Shaw they’ll definitely play twice.

The other question to consider is how good are the fixtures for the 13-time Premier League champions?

And given their current position in the table, when they arguably only need three more points to secure Champions League football, how can we expect them to approach their fixture triplet? 

They have, on the whole, been cautious when facing the ‘big six’ teams and Leicester City. Since the 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Tottenham Hotspur in early October, they’ve failed to score in six of their nine matches against this elite opposition (Man United’s score first):

  • 0-0 Gameweek 6 v Chelsea (H)
  • 0-1 Gameweek 7 v Arsenal (H)
  • 0-0 Gameweek 12 v Man City (H)
  • 2-2 Gameweek 15 v Leicester (A)
  • 0-0 Gameweek 19 v Liverpool (A)
  • 0-0 Gameweek 21 v Arsenal (A)
  • 0-0 Gameweek 26 v Chelsea (A)
  • 2-0 Gameweek 27 v Man City (A)
  • 3-1 Gameweek 31 v Spurs (A)

Fantasy Football Scout founder Mark declared yesterday on FPL BlackBox:

I’m quite happy having no Bruno.

– Mark, FPL BlackBox

He outlined his reasons across a couple of videos:

Do you United need to risk it? They don’t need to beat Leicester and Liverpool do they? And they probably think they can get something out of Villa with a weakened team … Both Leicester and Liverpool need to get results, so they’re going to be tough games, I think … Even if physically some of the [Man United] players won’t have played three games in five days mentally, as a team, they’ve got to prepare for three games in five days. That’s going to take its toll.

In recent weeks we’d analysed a slump for Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m), and even questioned if he was a viable premium for our FPL squads.

But his underlying stats have improved, as Jan highlighted in his Captain Sensible article:

The Portuguese international has dominated underlying statistics among midfielders in recent weeks. No midfielder has registered a higher figure for expected Goal Involvement (xGI) over the last six matches.

Tom Freeman picked up on the stat, explaining that his expected goal involvement (xGI) delta stands at -1.73 over the last six Gameweeks – no midfielder has underachieved more in front of goal during that time.

For Jan, there’s only one captain option:

Even in the scenario where Fernandes only starts in two of those three games, he is comfortably the most likely player from Manchester United to provide big returns in Triple Gameweek 34 according to his underlying statistics.

– Jan

And, despite having some reservations, Zophar feels that the first Triple Gameweek since 2005/06 is an opportunity that should not be passed up:

In five years’ time, I don’t want to be saying that I had only two players when Manchester United had a Triple Gameweek, irrespective of the outcome.

– Zophar

Harry Maguire (£5.5m) is widely considered to be the most-nailed of all United players, having failed to miss a single minute of Premier League football since moving to United at the start of 2019/20. 

However, that run is likely to come to an end:

But there have been encouraging quotes from Bruno Fernandes, even if he’s unlikely to play all three, his words give hope to his backers:

Advantage Liverpool and Leicester

Given the rotation we expect for Man United, could the real winners be Liverpool and Leicester?

Unlike many of the teams around them in the Premier League table, Liverpool have neither FA Cup, Europa League or Champions League involvement as a sideshow distraction. The sole focus is on securing a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would likely reduce the risk of rotation from now until Gameweek 38.

– Neale

The risk with Liverpool’s attacking quartet is that, following a very open game against Newcastle, Klopp may be unwilling to start all four again. So we could see Diogo Jota (£7.0m), Mohamed Salah (£12.7m), Roberto Firmimo (£9.0m) and Sadio Mané (£11.7m) eat into each other’s game-time during the run-in.

Perhaps Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) could be a safer option, David even mooted him as an option for the armband on the Captaincy Video:

The assist potential of Alexander-Arnold was very high, so in the last six matches he’s created 16 chances … but also the quality of it as well, so he’s created four big chances.

Finally, Everton were tipped by Lateriser in his latest column piece:

I looked into the numbers and 46% of the big chances that they have created this season have fallen to him. Despite their perceived lack of form, only five teams have created more big chances than Everton in the last six matches (2.33 per game). It is also worth noting that Everton’s next four opponents conceded 2.45 big chances per game on average in their last six matches, which bodes well for Calvert-Lewin. He could have easily had a brace against Aston Villa in Gameweek 34, as well.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

Elsewhere, Neale previewed finals of both the FFS Open Cup and FFS Members Cup, and RedLightning brought us his regular update on the community competitions.

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 35 can be found below. 

The scores and tables update every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,069 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which duo would you prefer on free hit?

    A: Digne and Mendy
    B: Robertson and Guaita

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

    Shaw or Maguire?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Shaw

  3. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which one?

    1. Castagne & Robbo
    or
    2. Soyuncu & Trent

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  4. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Son + Vydra + Rudiger > Bruno + DCL + Phillips (-4)

    B) Vydra + Rudiger > DCL + Digne (Go without Bruno)

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  5. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Playing Bench boost

    Thoughts on son + vydra + coady + Mendy to Greenwood + Watkins + digne + guiata (-8)

    Guiata will cover Forster no show next gw

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would cut down to -4

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Quick everyone...

    It is getting close to make your mind up time.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Loss of time yet! 🙂

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      My mind has been made up for days. If you've left it this late better to pull the trigger now. Don't want a FPL site crash to derail your plans.

  7. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What are Holdings chances of playing both games?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      50/50

    2. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think quite high

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

      Think Luiz is training

  8. Boxwoods
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play

    A. Rudiger
    B. Mitchell

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      A

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Final check folks! Anything worth another FT or even a hit here?

    Martinez
    TAA - Ward - Shaw
    Jota - Lingard - Bruno (c) - Son - Salah (vc)
    Kane - Nacho
    ____________________________________
    Fabri: Dias: Dallas: Davis

    0.8 ITB, 1 FT

    Cheers guys!

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      6.5/10 g2g this gw

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers Driz!

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

      Lingard to Greenwood if you can

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        0.1 off unfortunately, otherwise would have to be for a hit elsewhere.

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

    Lingard > JWP for free?

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not for me

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

    Final call for Zaha or Greenwood? No chips left.

    Zaha seems but most logical but it is Palace...

    1. Ginola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same, I still haven't made a decision. Because of Zaha fitness doubts think I'm going for Greenwood.

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

      Greenwood

  12. chrislt4
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Bring Maguire in for -4 & play 4-3-3

    B) play lingard (no hits)

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  13. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Guaita or Henderson? Rashford or Vardy?

    ?
    TAA / Digne / Castagne
    Salah / Bruno / Greenwood / Zaha
    DCL / Iheanacho / ?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Assume you're on a FH since 36 with that team is threadbare. So Hendo and Vardy for me.

  14. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Shaw Kabak Holding
    Salah Fernandes (C) Jota Greenwood Lingard
    Kane Nacho
    ____
    Fodder Reguilon Bamford Dallas

  15. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Benching Kane vs Leeds... This is definitely gonna end well haha.

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Better to sell so you don't see all those points sitting on your bench

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That is a huge mistake

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I think it's the most rational decision considering my team.

        It's FanTeam for one so forwards don't get bonus points. That makes Son a preferred option to Kane imo. And all the other players I have are DGW or TGW players. Ugh tough to do though...

    3. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      One way to make certain he scores 😉

    4. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I had actually considered that for a split second.

      Not happening though.

  16. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bamford > DCL for -4 or just keep bamford? On BB

    Cheers

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Keep bamford?

  17. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play
    A) Rudiger
    B) Kane
    Cheers

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  18. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play Martinez or Mendy? Also starting Rudi

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mendy

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers lads

  19. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    G2G?

    Leno
    Shaw Kabak Rudiger
    Bruno (c) Son Jota Ward-Prowse
    Kane Vardy DCL (v)

    Forster Lingard Coady N.Williams

  20. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Catasgne
    B) Shaw.

    Doin my head in ha

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I feel like A could do better. If both get two games I like A against Newcastle and a tired United team.

  21. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Good to go? On a -4

    Martinez
    Taa - Maguire - Digne
    (C)Bruno - Jota - Salah - Greenwood - Lingard
    DCL - Nacho

    (Forster - Bamford - Coufal - Struijk)

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      gtg

  22. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chasing in ML and I am sure he will also BB this week, leaving us both all out of chips.

    Both have Salah, Bruno, Nacho, etc

    Do I captain
    A. Salah
    B. Bruno
    C. Go rogue with Nacho or Greenwood?

    He will prrrrooooobably percentages (hell, he sometimes CHOOSES to play 5 at the back) and go Bruno.

    Cheers guys.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Salah_Fingers
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How many points are you chasing?

      1. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Fair whack- 34. But captain aside I'd back my team to outscore him a little this week anyway.

        1. Salah_Fingers
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Go B

          1. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Thanks people.

  23. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1. Martinez, Maguire, Havertz
    2. Mendy, Castagne, Greenwood

    Which option is best?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  24. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GTG?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Rudiger Mitchell
    Bruno Lingard Mount Salah(vc) Greenwod
    Vardy Na(c)ho

    Forster Antonio Coady Masuaku

    Nacho captain madness or should I play safer with Salah?!

    GL!

  25. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start Rudiger or Son?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. upforgrabs
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  26. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sell Coady or Reguilon for Digne?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      Coady.. Rather have Reggie next gw

  27. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which to get? Already have Shaw.

    A) AWB
    or
    B) Maguire

  28. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play one please:
    1)Holding
    2)Coady
    3)Bowen

  29. GoonerGirl
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What should I do this week? I have 2FTs

    Option A)
    Jota > E Gazi which then allows me to do
    Coady>Digne

    Option B)
    Keep Jota and do Fofana >Philips
    Dallas>Digne
    Then take out Shaw to bring back Dallas for the next GWs?

    Thanks

  30. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez*
    Azpi* - Maguire** - Castagne*
    Bruno** (c) - Maddison* - KDB - Lingard - Pereira
    Kane - Watkins*

    Areola - Vydra - Burn - Dawson

    Got this out with five doubles and two triplers for a -8 so far. Anything worth a further hit with 0.2m itb? Chasing in ml at this stage.