Pro Pundits

Gameweek 15 thoughts on budget FPL options, Bowen and the Manchester clubs

We’re beginning to get into the thick of the festive fixture congestion and things are moving very fast in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) world. We saw a ton of muscle injuries in the midweek round of games and this just reinforces the need to have at least two playable options from the bench.

FPL managers don’t have much time to process information and make decisions, either. With this article, I am just going to make note of a few of my observations and some of my thoughts in this fast-paced period.

Take note that I am writing this article on Thursday, before the final two games in Gameweek 14.

BUDGET-FREEING OPTIONS IN DEFENCE AND ATTACK

Watford's Dennis: Ronaldinho was my idol but I switched over to Ronaldo and  Hazard | Goal.com

A lot of us are sitting on Tino Livramento (£4.5m) at the moment. It was interesting to see that Ben Johnson (£4.0m) was deployed as left back in the game against Brighton and Hove Albion, adding to his versatility. Southampton are in the bottom half of the Season Ticker when sorted until Gameweek 20 whereas West Ham United rank fifth. Should you need funds to upgrade other positions in your team, this defender spot looks like a good place to generate £0.5m in budget.

Speaking of generating funds, while Emmanuel Dennis (£5.4m) might be heading for the Africa Cup of Nations soon (he’s in the provisional squad for Nigeria), he does have some juicy fixtures before leaving. After the tough game against Manchester City, he plays Brentford, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Wolves, which look like a healthy set of four fixtures. I would keep monitoring the Nigeria squad situation but the Watford attack is promising and rank fourth in the league for expected goals (xG) when filtered by the last four or the last six Gameweeks. If you can’t quite stomach the risk of Dennis going to the AFCON and want a more long-term solution, Joshua King (£5.7m) looks like a good bet, as he is one of the few strikers ahead of Dennis’s xG over the last six Gameweeks.

GET ON THE MANCHESTER CLUBS

Richarlison to miss Gameweek 13 as Cancelo keeps up fine FPL form

I am talking a lot about wanting to generate funds only because I feel like there might be a need for them soon in our team given the fixtures that Manchester City, West Ham and Manchester United have in December.  

It would be quite prudent to invest in a Manchester City midfielder or two given their favourable schedule starting this weekend and it obviously depends on what Pep Guardiola has to say in his Friday press conference, given their injury situation. One player that does look good for this period, given how important he is to the team, is Bernardo Silva (£7.3m). He now has three goals from his last four games and, while he’s played a lot of minutes, I do expect him to play the majority of matches in December. For me, this is the main factor regarding Man City midfielders.

I fully expect him to get rested in next week’s Champions League game because Manchester City have already sealed top spot in the group and it is an opportunity for Guardiola to hand breathers to the important players in his squad who have been accumulating a lot of minutes.

Manchester United’s fixtures look very good and I don’t want to speculate in terms of who might turn out to be a good asset under Ralf Rangnick but I do know that, if someone emerges, I don’t want to waste much time before jumping onto them. Given how strong the template is, you want to get as much gain as possible from the good fixtures of some low-owned assets. It will be interesting to see what Rangnick has to say in his first press conference and I will be keenly following the Man United situation hoping to quickly jump on a good asset or two.

JARROD BOWEN IMPRESSES

Eight FPL returns in seven starts for Bowen and hope for Antonio despite  blanks | Best FPL Tips, Picks, Statistics, and Team News from Fantasy  Football Scout

West Ham have very juicy fixtures in Gameweek 18-22 and if you’ve held Michail Antonio (£8.0m) so far, I certainly wouldn’t sell him. In fact, I haven’t owned him since Gameweek 8 and am looking to bring in at least one (if not both) of him or Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m) in the next few weeks. Only six players have accumulated more npxG (non-peanlty expected goals) than Bowen over the last six matches and three of those are Liverpool assets. He certainly looks like the go-to player if you’re in the market for a West Ham midfielder. This was further strengthened by my eye test after watching David Moyes’ team against Brighton and Hove Albion, where he looked very involved.

I am not talking about Liverpool in this article because, if you don’t already own three of their players, you are doing it wrong. They are the best attack in the league by a distance and if you don’t have three spots filled there, that would simply be my priority.

DEFENCES TO TARGET FOR FPL HAULS

FPL Gameweek 14 round-up: Tuesday review, injury news and the things we learned 1

For teams to target against, Everton, Newcastle United and Watford would be top of my list given their recent defensive performances of late. All three teams are amongst the top five for expected goals conceded (xGC) during the last six Gameweeks (along with Leicester City and Man United).

That is it from me this Gameweek, as timelines are moving fast and we still have a bunch of incoming information from the press conferences. I will see you next week.

Until then, just a word of advice on how to negotiate this busy period when life comes in the middle. It is very useful to rely on stats in this period because it might be difficult to watch a lot of the games and highlights. If you, like me, need that eye test reassurance, filter your targets through stats and the fixture ticker, only watching highlights of games that feature the players who are on your list. It definitely is helping me in what is a busy period.

Good luck next Gameweek!

 

861 Comments Post a Comment
  1. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one please.

    A)Rudiger
    B)Toney
    C)Raphinha
    D)Antonio

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Antonio

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      D

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

      cheers all

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

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso
    Salah Jota Son Raphinha Gallagher
    Antonio

    Foster Jimenez Livramento Davis

    1FT 0.6itb

    1. Jimenez >> King / Dennis (would be first on bench)
    2. Save FT

    Thanks

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      save and put livra first on bench

  3. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    When do we think we’ll hear about James? Got 2FT & thinking about livra & James > Lamptey & Alonso for free.

    Not sure what else to do, any ideas? 0.1m itb

    Sanchez
    TAA - Cancelo - Rudiger - James
    Salah - Son - Jota - ESR
    Toney - Jesus

    Steele - Antonio - Livra - Sissoko

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

      James shouldn't miss more than one game even if he is out.. would probably keep him

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I thought so, just the livra > Lamptey move? Means I don’t burn a FT

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lemme try Dennis out since I just bought him 😀 GTG?

    Guaita
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso
    Salah Son Jota ESR
    Wilson Dennis

    Carson Gallagher White Antonio

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No. Swap Dennis for King.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      same here still deciding weather to play him vs that depleted mci defense

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

    Which option is better-

    A Antonio to Watkins
    B Antonio to Jesus
    C save ft, keep Antonio

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Keep antonio mate you are keeping him for so long one more week and his fixture will turn around

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      frankly dont like Jesus as pick considered him many times and thank God never transfred him in too exp for his returns

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

      It’s too late to sell Antonio now.

  6. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale
    James Taa Cancelo Reguilon
    Salah Jota Foden ESR
    Antonio Kane

    Livra gallagher davis

    G2G?

    1. winchester
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      looks good. who will you captain?

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Cant’t go against salah.. just can’t

        1. winchester
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          think that's wise. if you watched spurs yesterday, kane didn't look that attractive tbh.

    2. DagheMunegu
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Great team !

      You must have big tv.

      Have same team with Alonso and King for Reguillon and Antonio !

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        106

  7. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    morning lads! 2ft and 0.4m itb. What moves should be done here? scary without jota. which one of watkins or dennis or king?

    ramsdale
    taa - cancelo - james - reguilon
    salah - raphinha - gallagher - son
    antonio - vardy

    (foster - livra - hwang* - gilmour)

    a) raph+antonio -> bernardo+watkins/dennis
    b) raph+vardy -> bernardo/gundo/jota + ? (max10.3m)
    c) galla+vardy -> jota/bernardo/gundo+watkins
    d) something else?

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I think you are goos for this week.. maybe just bernardo

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        impossible to do that with one move tho, need to downgrade vardy basically

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

      A with King

  8. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Start Rudiger (whu) or Livramento (BHA)?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Rudi

  9. Walter White (WW)
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Kane’s price is a joke!

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Even considering last season, I was baffled that they priced him 2.5m more than Son. The points difference between them wasn't that high. Should've been more like 1m

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Ciry rumour inflate his pirce

  10. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT

    Ddg foster
    White lamptey walker taa alonso
    Salah jota son esr bernardo
    Benteke denis wilson/asm/wood

    Gw16 moves son wilson/asm/wood -4 to ronaldo bowen

  11. Friday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Morning all, here are the 16 press conferences scheduled for today:

    Bielsa - 8.15am
    Howe - 9am
    Smith - 9am
    Rangnick - 9am
    Hasenhuttl - 10.30am
    Klopp - 12.30pm
    Vieira - 1pm
    Gerrard - 1pm
    Lage - 1pm
    Benitez - 1.30pm
    Tuchel - 1.30pm
    Pep - 1.30pm
    Moyes - 1.30pm
    Conte - 1.30pm
    Frank - 1.30pm
    Rodgers - 2.15pm

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

      Cheers

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        No probs!

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Perfect. Was just about to ask if Tuchel had a conference today.

      Looking forward to Rangnicks' too...

      Thanks Neale x

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        No problem mate. Aye Rangnick's will be interesting!

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like a busy day for you, appreciate the team news video.

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Ah, my pleasure!

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

      Oh great!

      Thanks, as always 🙂

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Never a chore!

    5. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Will we get anything from Arteta?

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Hoping so - he would have filmed his GW15 presser as part of the post-United conference call last night, I'm just not sure what time it's released from its embargo. With it being a Monday game, it could be after the deadline.

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers Neale!

    6. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks Neale. What time can we expect to see the team news vid? 4ish?

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Should be around 3pm, all being well.

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Great! See you then!

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

    Pick one:

    A: Dennis
    B: King

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      King on pens

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      King. More GA, BCs, goals and way ahead on xGI data from last 6 weeks. Better heat map too. You are welcome. 😉

    3. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      King

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

  13. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Livra > Lamptey for free? Avoiding burning a FT this week as I have 2 and want 2 for next week.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If you wanted to free up cash Williams an option.

  14. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Have 2ft, would you do this transfers?

    Hwang>King today (1ft
    Kane, Raphinha > Ronaldo, Bernardo (2ft) tomorrow after deadline

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      King yes; other two - I'd rather wait till after European games. Need to see if Bilva is rested midweek.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes but you can go blind and miss the second deadline if you do too much Hwang-King.

  15. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Read the article above it struck me does Lateriser et all get to watch much full games? Highlights can be misleading when used with stats. Watching games properly never goes out of fashion. It leads to less Adana Traore’

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      And less Mbeumo’s and more Dennis’s!

  16. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    1FT, 2.8 ITB, thoughts?

    Sanchez - Steele

    TAA - Cancelo - James - White - Livramento

    Salah - Gundogan - Raphinha - Mbeumo - Allan

    Vardy - Antonio - Toney

  17. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all, thoughts on the options below? 2ft
    A. Antonio & Brownhill to Dennis & Bernardo
    B. Vardy & Brownhill to Son & Dennis
    C. Vardy & Brownhill to Watkins & Bernardo

    Guaita
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Dias
    Raph, Salah, Jota, ESR
    Vardy,Toney

    Antonio, Livra, Brownhill, foster

  18. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    should I bring in Ronaldo or give Kane 1 more week of grace against Norwich?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Very tempted to sell, just don't know if Ronaldo is the best option...

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Im giving one more week

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      give it another gw

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

    Is it worth doing Jimenez >> King / Dennis this GW, will be either 1st or 2nd on the bench (toss up with Livramention) but may come on if James (injury), Alonso or Canceo (rested)

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

    Who should I sell to get Watkins?

    Antonio, King, Armstrong

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Armstrong

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Frustrating season.
    Chasing points hasn't worked (James)
    Moving early on players before a good run of fixtures hasn't worked (Kane)
    Going for a fun punt hasn't worked (Foden to Gundogan)

    Any suggestions?
    Guaita Foster
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso Livra
    Salah Jota Gundo Raph Normann
    Kane Toney Davis

    So tempted by Kane out this week
    A) Kane and Normann to King and Bruno?
    B) Kane to Ronaldo
    C) Save ft

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      B or C

    2. Exotica
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      i have the same pb with you on Kane but tbh last match he should have some more point either assist or goal. I will give hime another week. I fee like most of budget in your team is on def and mid is a bit weak. I will personally will recommend to have just 1 chel def(Which jame is the best if he's fit) upgrade mid Norman, Gundo -> EMS or bernardo.

  22. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT

    Ddg foster
    White lamptey walker taa alonso
    Salah jota son esr bernardo
    Benteke denis wilson/asm/wood

    Gw16 moves son wilson/asm/wood -4 to ronaldo bowen.

  23. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start?

    A. Gallagher Mun
    B. Livramento BHA

    G does well away and hauled away v City, we are conceding for fun!

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Im leaning towards starting Gallagher over Antonio & Livramento

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Agree I think although Liv could easily haul

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          He could but Soton have been conceding goals lately and I expect Brighton to create chances high time they finish one of them.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Galla

  24. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA James Cancelo Alonso
    Salah Jota Gallagher Sissoko
    Kane Toney

    (Gunn Antonio Livra Brownhill)
    1 FT & 1.7m

    Sissoko to ESR for free?

    Leaves just enough to get Ronaldo for Kane in GW16

    Thoughts?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      yep like that move unfortunate for my team cant fit ESR in but would love to

  25. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Play one please

    A. King
    B. Gallagher
    C. Livra

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Galla

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Galla

  26. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I have tough one?!?!?!

    Jesus&Son to Ronaldo&Jota this week for hit or do it next week for free?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      God no save

    2. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Could backfire quite easily. I'd wait if I were you.

  27. Will Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    As fun as the festive feast of football is, I always find it tiring from an FPL point of view. I miss having time to reflect and ruminate on a gameweek before having to plunge straight into making decisions about the next one.

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You have a whole day to reflect

      1. Will Kane
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        OK, OK... I'm going to start reflecting...... NOW

    2. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bring it on IMO

      If you have a poor week then you can almost instantly have another go, and if you have a good week then you can try and keep it going hoping for some form.

      Best way to play the game I feel, constant action 😛

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

      Agreed, plus this time of year fantasy football isn’t exactly the top priority for most so easy to fall behind with the deadlines so soon after each other

  28. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What we doing with Gallagher then, some decent fixtures after this week - looked to be playing a deeper role but still the most attacking midfielder of the 3.

    Palace with alot of players going to African Nations

  29. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Think this will be my gw16 wildcard team, barring any injuries, bench is pretty thin but always guaranteed a 2 pointer I suppose

    Sanchez
    Taa Cancelo James Reg
    Salah Foden Jota
    Ronaldo Watkins King

    Livramento Gilmour Brownhill

    Anyone care to rate?

    1. Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty good, it's as you have assessed it - a very strong 11 plus a weak bench so don't expect any hauls from it but they all play and will deliver between 1 and 3 points!

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers mate was between this and not going with premium striker and beefing up the subs but can always go Ronaldo to say Antonio and upgrade elsewhere later on

  30. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions please guys :-

    1 FT and £2.1m ITB

    Sanchez (Steele)
    Rudiger White Livramento (Coady Williams)
    Salah Son ESR Raphina (Gallagher)
    Ronaldo Antonio Hwang

    I'm thinking Hwang needs to go......

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Id prioritize losing coady to regu

    2. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Coady to James if fit