Champions League

UCL Fantasy: Tuesday review and Wednesday preview

Matchday 5 of UEFA Champions League (UCL) Fantasy got underway on Tuesday but managers still have the opportunity to make changes to their teams and improve their fortunes, be it via the captaincy or by bringing in a substitute or two.

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY TEAM HERE

There are eight more games this evening, so it’s time to take a look at what we learned from last night’s fixtures – including excellent wins for Chelsea and Manchester United – and what to expect from tonight’s matches. 

You can read our suggestions for Wednesday captaincy, differentials and teams to target/avoid in our first UCL Fantasy piece of the week.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED LAST NIGHT

UCL Fantasy: Tuesday review and Wednesday preview
Chelsea still might be the team to beat in this season’s competition

Juventus just didn’t have a chance. Last night’s 4-0 win was comprehensive and was Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea at their very best. The brilliance of their performance raises the question (say it quietly) that, like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Chelsea may be a better side without a recognised striker, especially in the big games. Reece James was brilliant throughout and the goal was the least he deserved, as he was constantly popping shots off from threatening positions. If they continue playing like this, Chelsea will have a good chance at retaining the Champions League trophy. 

…but very closely followed by Bayern Munich

This wasn’t a vintage Bayern performance on a snowy night in Kyiv but it was a solid response to their shock defeat at Augsburg. They’re clearly missing Joshua Kimmich’s presence and passing in the midfield, but they still beat Dynamo Kyiv without really breaking out of a walk. Robert Lewandowski’s overhead kick was the perfect demonstration of how brilliant he can be and Kingsley Coman’s goal had the distinct feel of ‘oh, alright then, I think it’s time for another goal. Watch this’. Five wins from five without really finding second gear is a scary thought for the rest of the competition. 

Signs of life for Manchester United?

A good performance? No. Better than the last few months? Just about. United looked like they at least knew what defending was as they limited Villarreal to only one really solid chance in a game which was pretty drab until Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford came off the bench. United still looked pretty clueless going forward, with their goals coming after a defensive error and a last-minute counter when Villarreal had thrown most of their team up chasing an equaliser, but it will at least bring a touch of feel-good factor back to Old Trafford. 

Barcelona improve but still have a long way to go

Xavi Hernandez’s first Champions League game in charge of his former side was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws I’ve seen recently, but still a long way from actually being impressive. If Haris Seferovic hadn’t mentally logged off once he rounded Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona would’ve ended up with zero points from their two games against Benfica. Unless they can manage a win at the Allianz in two weeks’ time, Xavi will be managing Barca into the Europa League. Of course, it was a massive improvement on the 3-0 loss on Matchday 2, but it’s hard to see Barcelona in the knockouts in February.

All to play for in Group G

Just three points separate the four teams in Group G coming into Matchday 6. A win for any of the sides will see them into the last 16, and it’s very hard to predict who those teams will be. Currently third and fourth in the group, home advantage may be enough to see Sevilla and Wolfsburg topple Lille and RB Salzburg. 

Five things to expect tonight

Ajax to rout sorry Besiktas

Ajax are free-scoring and dominating every team they come across. They’ve conceded just four goals across 17 league and Champions League games and have scored 56 at the other end. Besiktas, on the other hand, are ninth in the Turkish Super Lig and have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions. Even though Ajax may rotate having already secured first place in Group C, they’ll still have too much for the Turkish side.

Liverpool to rotate heavily but still beat Porto

The highest-scoring team in a strong Premier League, this is one of Jurgen Klopp’s best Liverpool sides of his six-year reign. As with Ajax, Liverpool have already qualified first in their group, so it’s hard to see Klopp playing a full-strength side. However, the Reds beat Porto 5-1 in the reverse fixture in Portugal and are in electric attacking form, so it’s hard to see anything but another home win at Anfield this evening. 

Out-of-form Club Brugge to beat RB Leipzig

Club Brugge are without a win in their last three games but home advantage might be all they need against RB Leipzig. Still without a win on the road this season in the UCL or Bundesliga, Jesse Marsch’s side were very poor in a 2-0 loss at Hoffenhein this weekend. Brugge have acquitted themselves quite well in this season’s competition so far, significantly beating RBL in Leipzig on Matchday 2. Although Leipzig have come a long way since then, their away form is still yet to show any signs of improvement. 

PSG to be distracted by Pochettino rumours?

Although PSG beat Manchester City on Matchday 2, it’s got to be considered whether the rumours strongly linking their manager to Manchester United may affect the Parisians’ preparations. Guardiola and City will know that a win will secure them top spot in the group, as well as the mental advantage if these teams meet again later on in the competition. PSG weren’t great in the two games against RBL on Matchdays 3 and 4 and have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight competitive games, which arrived in the 0-0 draw with Marseille. 

Madrid to avenge Sheriff’s shock at the Bernabeu 

If I were Carlo Ancelotti, Karim Benzema or Thibaut Courtois, Sheriff Tiraspol wouldn’t have gone too far from my thoughts since their shock 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. Real will be out for revenge and have the form for it, having won their last four games in all competitions and not lost in their last eight. Vinicius Junior and Benzema will be crucial in seeing Real through to the last 16. 

202 Comments Post a Comment
  1. POGON 1948
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Tierney played 182 minutes in the IB, he's fit to start vs Newcastle at Mikelinho's discretion correct?

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Should be. Tavares had a poor game, too, at Liverpool.

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

      Yes

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Don't take away the music

    4. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I’ll be playing him. Expect him to start after that Tavares disasterclass

  2. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    How is this transfer plan looking

    Havertz, Benrahma to Jota, Gundogan -4

    Sanchez
    Taa, James, Cancelo
    Salah, Son, Havertz, Raphina, Benrahma
    Antonio, Wilson

    Livramento, Amartey, Scarlet

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Havertz to Jota too simple?

  3. I am 42
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Foden Jota Mbeumo Gilmour
    Kane Toney

    Sanchez Antonio Livra Johnson

    any transfer worth a hit?

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Probably not though I beg you to play Antonio over Gilmour

      1. I am 42
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        most likely I will change my mind and play Antonio

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        You see Antonio scoring v City? I see West Ham well up for it alright.

    2. Cheeky Onion
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing for a hit

    3. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not for a hit no, all good

    4. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      thanks all

  4. Cheeky Onion
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    With a flag on Havertz and his underwhelming performances since deputizing fro Lukaku, what would you do with him this week?

    A) Havertz > B Silva/Jota
    B) Havertz + Veltman > B Silva + Alonso (-4) assuming Chillwell injury
    C) Havertz + Veltman > ESR/Gallahger/Saka/Zaha + James (-4)

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Havertz > Jota

    2. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'm ditching this week too, already got Jota though so I'm downgrading to Gallagher and upgrading def to get James.

      I like B for you though if Chilly out for a while, otherwise C

  5. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Starting to be some reports that Chilly may be out for a long while: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/16836128/chelsea-chilwell-acl-knee-injury/

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not believe anything The Sun reports

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Fulchester Jr still has Alonso I think.
      He has been playing the long game.

    3. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      F*** the s**

  6. Sun God Nika
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez

    Taa James Rudi Cancelo
    Galla SmithRowe Raph Salah
    Toney Vardy

    Steele - Antonio Benny Liva

    Already brought in Cancelo and Smith for 2 FTs

    Recommend any changes, tempted to get rid of benny for cornet/hjorberg but they would be on my bench unless I bench toney instead.

  7. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hey all,

    Any moves worth making here or roll the FT?

    Sanchez/Steele,
    TAA, James, Cancelo, White
    Salah, Son, Foden, Raph
    Antonio, Wilson, Toney

    Antonio, Livra, Brownhill

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Oops, Antonio mentioned twice, but you get the idea.

    2. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'm starting Raph as well, should be good to go

      https://twitter.com/BerenCross/status/1463460693290725378

    3. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe Antonio to a 4.5 and Brownhill to Jota if you can afford?

      1. Grande Tubarão
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry misread as you having 2fts - think you’re good to go

      2. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, are there any 4.5m forwards worth having?

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Roll with it

  8. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Salah/Mane dbl up is so tempting, I know Afcon is incoming but both on fire atm

    1. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'd rather have Mane than Kane

    2. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Good call I just want to spread the funds. Could easily hop off and do so when it comes

  9. BigCoupes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    No need to panic on Chilwell, if he’s out just bring in alonso problem solved

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I’ll bring in Reguilon

      1. BigCoupes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Over Alonso? Surely not

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Release funds

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Fair enough. What's the target move with the extra cash?

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I understand where your coming from though

  10. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Guaita Foster
    TAA Chilwell James Cancelo Livra
    Salah Foden Son ESR Brownhill
    Antonio Toney Hwang

    Assuming I bench Chilwell this GW and save FT, which move looks best for GW14?

    A. Chilwell to Reg, Brownhill to Jota
    B. Chilwell to Johnson, Antonio to Kane
    C. Brownhill to Jota, Antonio to ASM

  11. NJ MetroStars
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    who would you bench with this lineup this week???????

    sanchez/steele

    taa, cancelo, james, semedo, livra

    salah, son, jota, raphinha, esr

    antonio, toney, pukki

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Pukki and livra

      1. NJ MetroStars
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        then who to start between antonio and semedo?

        1. Sun God Nika
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          semedo against norwich id prefer but thats a personal preference

          1. NJ MetroStars
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            i tend to agree. i also like the idea of an antonio cover and hold for his matchups in a few weeks while people are abandoning ship on him now

            1. Sun God Nika
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Yeah I agree aswell, strange everyone is getting rid so quickly, he always bounces back

  12. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What to do?
    Ramsdale Foster
    Trent James Cancelo Livramento Duffy
    Salah Son Jota Foden Raphinha
    Toney Wilson Davis

    A. Save the FT
    B. Raphinha to Gallagher
    C. Duffy to Reguilon

    1. NJ MetroStars
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C - matchups are great and hes's nailed on

  13. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Guys time to ditch any of following?
    ESr as GW14/15 away?
    Jesus as not scoring?
    Hwang as not scoring?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      ESR keep, Jesus probably play this week (who knows) Hwang is at his price for a reason

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ok cheers

  14. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale (foster)
    Taa james cancelo (livra duffy)
    Salah raphinha esr foden gallagher
    Kane hwang (antonio)

    0.9 itb 1ft. 20k rank

    What to change to be ready to fight to 10k??

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      666k gotta move to 500k.. ok for some, I managed to move 350k places this week..

      I would honestly save!!

  15. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone thinking of getting Lukaku for GW13?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Tempted but will end in tears, think I want mane

      1. CoracAld2831
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Having both Kane and Salah is tempting, but so expensive.

        Especially when you have Jota as a cheaper option.

        1. CoracAld2831
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          *Mane

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I need to see how Tuchel will change his tactics to get the best out of Lukaku. He wasn't great before his injury

  16. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Where do I go with this team and 2FT? 0ITB

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Chilwell White (Livramento)(Omobamidele)
    Salah Foden Jota Raphina (Benrahma)
    Vardy Antonio Toney

    I had a choice between Chilwell and James a few backs and clearly made the wrong choice. Unsure what to do with Vardy and Foden. All advice greatly appreciated.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Keep both for now and reassess

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Surely Benrahma your priority

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Downgrade Benrahma to fund Chilwell to James and roll 2nd FT. Or use the 2nd FT to do Vardy to Kane

    4. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Get rid of benny for cornet or maybe punt on a cheap spurs mid ,

      that's my plans for next week , cba doing a minus this week just for them to be on the bench

  17. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What are your thoughts on the below?

    GW13: Chilwell, Mbeumo and Antonio to James, Jota and Davis (-8) and switching to 442
    GW14: Duffy to Alonso

    1FT 0.7ITB
    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell
    Salah Foden Raphinha Mbeumo
    Kane Toney Antonio
    (Foster Duffy Livramento Brownhill)

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I might -8 this week, tempted

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I'm not against taking 1-2 hits if it sets up the team for at least 4GWs

  18. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    0ft 0itb

    Ramsdale
    James TAA Cancelo
    Esr Salah Foden Bowen Son
    Ronaldo King

    Fodder and Duffy

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Stick

  19. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Brilliantly took a -4 to bring in Chilwell at the weekend (yes, yes, I know, get what I deserve), but, if he's confirmed out for 2 weeks or more, do I wait and take a hit next week to deal with it (as I have another transfer I'll need to do) or just suck it up and take a -8 and be done with it?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I easily reckon over a month

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      2 weeks is about 4GWs. Look at each move in isolation Chilwell + 4 Vs X

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        That's what I'm thinking. I'd shoulder it if it were 2GWs but 2 weeks alone could easily extend to 4-5 GWs so unless it wasn't really any issue at all I feel like it'll need to be dealt with. But thanks, I'll see if I can at least hold off other moves I felt I had to do and see where thar puts me

  20. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed:
    Would love to have any thoughts on my draft situation. I currently have Chilwell, Raph, KDB and Robbo all flagged. What are you thoughts these possible trade?
    A) Robbo, Wilson, Rashford out for Jota, Edouard, Wan-Bissaka
    B) Robbo, KDB and Wilson out for Jota Walker and Edouard
    C) Hold

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    | NEW: Ben Chilwell could miss the rest of the season through injury

    Via @Telegraph

    https://twitter.com/FootballlForAll/status/1463516567073746944?t=kmsz8ANVCQEh73fuVGPv4A&s=19

    What a shame that would be for him.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso full speed ahead could be the way...

      Worried about Saul who has played LWB in the past for Atleti, along with Azpi.

      1. POGON 1948
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I wouldn't be too worried about Saul, I think the entire reason about his move out was he was sick of playing left flank for Atletico

        1. POGON 1948
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Or maybe it was the right.. Either way he wanted to play central again.

      2. POGON 1948
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        And yeah 100% just doing Chilly to Alonso if this is the case, would be a big shame tho

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Big shame if true. Guess we'll find out for sure in the next few days but to be fair this does just say that they fear this may be the case

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing new here, we all know it could be an ACL injury and still waiting for scan results

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Yep, clickbait (even if it does turn out to be true).

        We'd never do that, of course.

        1. ClassiX
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          😉

  22. Are three strong subs necessary?
    Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Interesting to go back and check how often you actually need your bench.

    This season, I have only had 3 players come off the bench for me. And always only the first sub. 9/12 weeks my entire XI has gotten minutes.

    Getting 3 strong bench players is super overrated. Having at least one of Davis or Gilmour/Brownhill is the way forward imo. You could even go for 2 of them knowing that they will so rarely come on and the midfielder will get you 2 points if that's what your team structure allows.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Totally agree. The exception to the rule though is the holiday period.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Is it really though?

        There will be more rotation, but there are still cameos for players and if you have Livra + one good sub, you should be more than covered.

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          In my memory, I have had times during the holidays where I have ended up with 10 players. This is rarely the case though. I think two and fodder is fine and I almost always put all my money on the starting XI.

          As I've been reading the bench comments above, all I could think was "who cares?" The only reason people are talking about it is because premium forwards aren't producing at the moment so managers have money to spare. Also they are afraid to go 4 or 5 premium at the back.

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

      Agreed

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'm going 4-3-3 with *playing* bench, but not a heavy bench

      4.5 GK | Livra/Johnson Gilmour Brownhill

      I'll take the 2 points off the bench as a blank for my missing first 11 player

    4. King Carlos
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Have to disagree. There are so many mid priced value players that you can easily afford 1+3 regularly playing subs. Foster, Livra (when priced at 4,0), duffy, brownhill won't cost you too much...

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I have a strong player first on my bench then the two cheapest players possible. Also i pick quite a nailed first 11 so they never come in e.g. this week Rudiger was first on my bench and didn't come on.

    6. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I think the ideal bench is 2 playing subs and a fodder, preferably a cheap as possible forward in the final bench spot. (btw I am consistently surprised at how many teams don't have a 4.5 forward rooted to their bench.)

      Sub 1 - A rotating player who you would be happy to play some weeks, e.g. for me, Semedo this week can come in vs Norwich in place of Antonio vs City.
      Sub 2 - Cheap, nailed player (ideally a defender like Livramento, White, Duffy) who has an outside chance of coming in with 5 or 6 points if needed, but will be reliable for 2pts. Could even start the occasional plum fixture.
      Sub 3 - Fodder. Very rare you need a 3rd sub and having a strong 3rd sub for the one time a season he comes in for 2pts is draining funds unnecessarily from the starting 11.

      I do think that having 2 decent subs is important. Traditionally I would have favoured just 1 decent sub with 2 fodders, but covid, increased rotation and less emphasis on team value has made me reconsider. If you only have 1 decent sub or all fodders like Brownhill, it forces you into transfers when a first 11 player gets a little injury, covid or has a tough fixture run. Nobody likes benching headaches but having 2 decent bench options increases flexibility and allows you to use your transfers more proactively than re-actively. Having 3 strong bench options tips the scales too far in the direction of benching headaches. In my experience, fear of leaving hauls on the bench tend to lead to overthinking and regret.

      It is worth noting that the early part of the season is probably the time where demand for subs is at its lowest. There is of course more need for a full strong bench later in the season when BGWs and DGWs roll around.

      Finally though, I think it is incredibly difficult to quantify what an ideal bench is. It isn't as simple as saying something like 'I got a bench player 4 times this season which got me 12pts total.' There are a myriad of opportunity costs and what if's that are almost impossible to define. Did having a bare bones bench force you into taking unnecessary hits? Maybe having a non-playing bench forced you into a transfer that paid off massively and you wouldn't have made it if you had had a playing sub to come in?

      For example, a few weeks ago, Manager A might have had a bare bones bench and therefore have been able to afford Saka. Manager B may have almost the same team but with funds spread around the bench. Manager B couldn't afford Saka so he went with ESR instead. Now, neither A nor B may have needed a sub at all over the last few weeks, but because of the bench structure, B went for the on paper inferior option but ended up with more points. Similarly, manager B might have ended up benching ESR for the likes of Mbuemo and lost out on ESR's points as a result of benching dilemmas.

    7. zes
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      adding to this more often than not your sub gains you only two points when they do play. I could only field 9 players a few weeks ago because of injuries and still managed a green arrow

    8. Rossendale Rover
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes I agree with you. I always play with a 4.5 non-playing forward and a 4.0 sub goalkeeper, every season. I don't like playing with 3 forwards so suits my way of playing. Would rather invest my funds in a strong first 11 and a strong playing sub, just in case.

    9. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      You've made me reevaluate my bench usage. The 3rd sub is just never used so why not go for a £4.5m forward. Just looked at my time and it frees up a tonne of cash for the first 11.

    10. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Seems to be missing the point that the greatest advantage in a strong bench is not that your hand will not be forced into fielding your bench through misfortune. It's that you can play reactively to capture form and fixtures, calmly ignore injury/rotation doubts while you plan for more important things. You can also prepare for great rotations, something that's seen me claw back a million places using players like Cornet and Pukki, to a respectable position while the content creators league (that I glance at as a barometer) largely stagnated.

      I'm not saying it's THE way to win, but there's times in the game where it's a better approach imo we've been going through them more frequently than in the past. We've been in one for most of this season imo when you consider that Salah is totally locked C, other premiums do not inspire confidence and a huge rotation of budget mids and strikers have been going on great streaks

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        my bench is currently Antonio, Wilson and Livra. So I'm not just talking chucking in an extra 0.5 here btw. My 4 green arrows have come from planting maybe an average of 16m on my outfield bench

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

      4-4-3 is the way to go for me. The benefit of a 7th attacker added to my 4-3-3 means I can swap out players with poor fixtures like Antonio this week and Mbeumo next week. You haven't considered that alongside the bench players, of which I've had 6 players come off the bench this season and had to play a lot of players with a higher risk of benching. At 25k so it's going fine but I'd definitely invest in a stronger bench if I could revisit my WC.

    12. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I do think a strong bench has advantages
      You're not forced into transfers when have an injury or suspension (like I have many times season) you can focus transfer on out of form players. You can bench a player with difficult fixture that GW
      With Salah perma Cap & premium fwds not firing, there's a lot of money freed up to get a decent squad of 15

    13. Winners900
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I usually agree with this, but not this season or this period. I dont find players "missing" in my team because of lacking 1-2m. Most of the premiums are not worth it right now like Kane, KDB, Auba, Bruno etc so for me its better right now to spread the money instead when I dont find decent upgrades anyway.

    14. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      This hot topic should be reposted after this gw events. I wonder if people still think the same.

  23. POGON 1948
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Early call but Buendia potentially back on the menu with SG? Playing a RF of sorts, he's into my wait&see pile

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I like McGinn personally

  24. Stewarts11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    best price change prediction website?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Fplstatistics

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      or FFF

      1. Stewarts11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        cheers lads!

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Raphinha back! Woohoo! o/

    1. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He's most likely to haul when flagged

  26. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Chose 2 To bench :
    A. Havertz
    B. Chilweel
    C. Raph
    D. Livra

    Currently A&B on bench

    1. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A&B might be inevitable, Raph should be good to start

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Bench B D

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      If you're keeping Chilwell, be sure to start him 😎

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Don't see why you'd keep him though when you've to start Livra and then still have Chilwell to deal with next GW...

      2. Taegugk Warrior
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        0FT

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      BD

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Best replacement for Chilwell?

    Have only 6.0 ITB and can't afford R.James

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Rudiger, Reguilon & Alonso will be the popular ones.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Lonzo

    3. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      James is only 5.9

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        For you he is.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        6.1

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso

  28. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Chilwell to Reece or Alonso? Might not be as obvious as it sounds, since Alonso might be more nailed than James with Chilwell out.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      R.James for me.

  29. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso or Reguilon as Chilwell replacement?

    Have Rudiger

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso