Pro Pundits - Tom

Free transfers and no chip: How I’m approaching FPL Double Gameweek 22

Five-time top 1k FPL finisher Tom Freeman on Calvert-Lewin, Wolves and his Gameweek 2 plans

Following this morning’s announcement that eight top-flight sides will play twice in Double Gameweek 22, I’m going to note down some initial thoughts on players and chip strategy.

Firstly, the fixtures:

However, before we start, a word of warning. These added fixtures are still at the mercy of FA Cup postponements, with any outstanding ties due to be played in this free midweek instead.

As a result, start planning, but remain flexible and, of course, wait till closer to the deadline before committing to any transfers or chips.

For my own team, here is how I’m currently set up, with only Robert Sanchez (£4.6m), Antonio Rudiger (£6.2m) and Josh King (£5.8m) playing twice:

Despite only owning three ‘doublers’, I actually think my team looks pretty solid, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if any of my West Ham United trio – Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m), Jarrod Bowen (£6.7m) and Michail Antonio (£7.8m) – plus Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m), Diogo Jota (£8.2m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m), outscore many of those who play twice.

I also have the prospect of bringing in Son Heung-min (£10.7m) for Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) using my free transfer, so on first glance, I’m not so sure using the Free Hit chip makes much sense, especially as I used my first one back in Gameweek 19.

For those of you, like me, who are not deploying your Free Hit chip, we also need to consider the ‘bigger picture’. And by that, I mean looking beyond Double Gameweek 22.

For example, bringing in anyone from Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea and perhaps even Leicester City, probably doesn’t make much sense given the fixtures to follow, which in some cases, involves blanks in Gameweek 24.

That means targeting players from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, which I’ll touch on briefly below.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 19?

With three Premier League wins, one draw and one defeat, it’s been a mixed start for Ralf Rangnick at Man Utd, given that they have been second-best in at least a couple of those ties against Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Newcastle United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

At the back, defensive issues are still apparent, and with Luke Shaw (£5.0m) suspended for the first match of their double-header, I’m not convinced bringing in the next-best option, Harry Maguire (£5.4m), is worth it, especially for a hit.

Further forward, I see rotation, with Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) suspended for the win over Burnley and only brought on as a substitute against Wolves.

Elsewhere, can we really rely on Mason Greenwood (£7.2m), Jadon Sancho (£8.9m) or Marcus Rashford (£9.4m) to start both games? I’m not so sure.

However, a constant through all the rotation has been Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m), who will understandably be a popular captain pick. I’m just not sure he works for my team, as it’ll mean losing a good forward with a good fixture, for a hit. For that reason, I’m less enthusiastic about bringing him in, at least for now.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

FPL Gameweek 15 Scout Picks: Liverpool, Man City and Spurs double-ups

Son Heung-min and Harry Kane (£12.2m) are the obvious best options here, though I’m wary of doublingup, given that they take on Chelsea, Wolves and Manchester City in three of their four games to follow.

That’s probably enough to put me off defensive investment too, but if I were to go down that route, I’d pick one of Sergio Reguilon (£5.4m) or Emerson Royal (£4.9m).

Lucas Moura (£6.5m) is another intriguing option, but it’s hard to place him ahead of either of the attacking options mentioned above, whilst he may also be prone to a bit of rotation.

WATFORD

Mbeumo delivers as Dennis maintains fine form: FPL notes from Brentford v Watford 2

Defensively, it’s hard to get too excited about a team that has failed to keep a single clean sheet all season, despite coming close against Spurs last weekend.

In attack, I already own Josh King, and though I could add Emmanuel Dennis (£6.1m) into the mix, for the reasons outlined above relating to Ronaldo, taking one of my current forwards out for a hit seems unwise.

The schedule is also worth considering here, given the tight turnaround between fixtures:

  • Sat 15 Jan – Newcastle United (a)
  • Tue 18 Jan – Burnley (a)
  • Fri 21 Jan – Norwich City (h)

However, an advantage that ‘Free Hitters’ will have, is that they can essentially forget about what’s to follow and build a squad for Double Gameweek 22 alone.

It remains tricky, with good single Gameweek fixtures for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham United and Everton, but if I did pull the trigger, it would probably look something like this:

Before I sign off, in the run-up to Double Gameweek 22 it’s important to remember chip strategies depend on your team and your team alone. For some, playing a Free Hit this week will be the correct call, whilst for others like me it isn’t, and that’s the beauty of the game.

Also, a final word on the Bench Boost chip. In the current climate, it’s risky, and not something I’m particularly keen on myself. As a result, I think it’s best saved till later in the season once Covid outbreaks have hopefully slowed down.

So, enjoy planning everyone – which let’s be honest, is the best part!

588 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Guys as things stand. Would you fh especially if you can keep Salah? or do a minus -8

    coufal salah broja to reguilon maddison cr7 -8

    Sanchez* 4.0
    Taa cancelo coufal livra white
    Salah son* bowen gray jota
    Antonio king broja

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, I'd probably just do Broja to Dennis

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Gonna play my FH & BB for DGW22

    Bring it on…..

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Triple too?

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

      FH & BB in same gameweek??

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

        9 years on here, come on

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          He's pulling your plonker - he knows alright!

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

    Apologies, repost from last article:

    Have 4DGWers currently, think I'll just take a hit to field 6 + TAA, Bowen, DCL, Cash, and Cancelo, sound OK?

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

    Which move to prioritise for FT this week:

    A) Mbeumo - > Maddison (bench Gray)
    B) Livra - > Royal/Lamptey (bench Cancelo)

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B on the basis that Mbuemo also has a double in 22

      1. Smokey_Lowkey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Would you play Mbeumo (liv, MNU) over Gray (nor)?

  5. MariaBernadette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Think the 2 teams to target, if we are taking a few hits, are Man Utd and Watford as they potentially have the best fixtures in the few weeks post 22.

    Man Utd targets De Gea Shaw Ronaldo
    - next games are: WHU bur SOU lee

    Watford targets 1 of Dennis and King and, god knows, possibly Sissoko as gets his game, is cheap and can be used as bench fodder
    - next games NOR whu BHA avl

    Cannot pick any from the other 6 who i'd want to hold on to a couple of weeks.

    Thoughts.........

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't bother with United aside from Ronaldo tbh. Dennis + King double up looks nice. Outside of that, the options look quite mediocre imo. Son probably worth it.

  6. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hm, only one doubler (King). Think I'll probably FH.

    1. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Eh, one is probably not enough… so yeah FH I’d say

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

      same only dennis and strongly considering to FH its that we really need to nail FH team to make worth it

  7. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you bring in for James? Already got Reguilon and DDG in goal...
    A) Cucarella
    B) Alonso
    C) United defender
    D) Spurs defender
    E) Burnley defender

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

      C or D but tbh none of the options are appealing

    2. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Well I’m thinking Alonso

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

    What are peoples thoughts on Watkins to Dennis for a FT or hit? Already own King.

    Watford fixtures:
    GW22 new (A) + bur (A)
    GW23 NOR (H)
    GW24 whu (A)
    GW25 BHA (H)
    GW26 avl (A)

    Villa fixtures:
    GW22 MUN (H)
    GW23 eve (A)
    GW24 LEE (H)
    GW25 new (A)
    GW26 WAT (H)

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      With Watkins uncertain status, a move to Dennis looks good.

      Dennis is a far better option for gw22 and gw23 than Watkins who may not even play. Can always reassess again before gw24

      I'm probably gonna do the same move myself.

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

        Gerrard confirmed Watkins is available for the FA Cup game this weekend.

        Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says that Ollie Watkins is due back with the team on Saturday
        https://twitter.com/FFScout/status/1479092589617897475?t=y1Mm78SpyRKVUGUhjvhV9g&s=19

  9. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Seems like a waste to BB or FH with this team, especially with injury doubts?

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo Royal
    Jota Madison Bowen Son (c)
    Dennis Kane Antonio

    Bench: Foster, Gray, Kilman, Targett

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

      Definitely not a free hit, team is set up great for this week as is. Think you can save BB too. Risky to play now.

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

    Thanks for the article Tom. I think Tilly could be a good shout for Leicester as he will be on pens while Vardy is out and could play more advanced with doubts over Maddy and Barnes.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, it's a good shout, one of Tielemans or Maddison would almost certainly make a Free Hit side, if I were playing it.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think Barnes and Lookman could be good options as well. Theyd likely partner up front

  11. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Easy to forget with all this DGW fever, that there are still 3 matches left in the current GW!

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

      I know right! 4 to play (3 WHM and 1 EVE here)

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Plus dgw22 may still go belly up if covid wreaks further havoc on the cup games

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

    Any of these benches worth a Bench Boost for -8?

    A) Bachmann Keane Foden Emerson
    B) Sanchez Keane Foden Davies

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bit underwhelming for a BB in my opinion. Certainly not for a -8

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Tricky. Probably worth bench boosting if you have it, but wouldn't take a -8 to get there.

  13. Patron
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mates, I have Son, Reg and DDG, I think I won’t FH, instead bring in someone for a hit or two, what do you think?

    Thanks!

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Need to see the rest of your team, in all honesty 🙂

  14. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I have a feeling ronaldo might cause havoc to my rank. High ownership +dgw but need to take hit to bring him in.

    1. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Won’t hurt you to bring him in for a hit in a DGW is it?

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

      Shocking how much people worry about ownership

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

      meh, Dennis has higher ownership and better fixtures

  15. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost this? Can get to it with a -8 and has 8/15 dgwers. That being said, not expecting Dalot to play both of his fixtures but if he plays at least one I think this is one of the few times this season I'll hopefully have a full playing fifteen.

    Ederson
    Robertson - Cancelo - Bavies*
    Son* - Jota - Foden - Gallagher
    Ronaldo* - Dennis* - King*

    Kepa* - Saka - Tomiyasu - Dalot*

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      7/15

    2. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No I wouldn't play bench boost with that bench myself.

  16. FPLFoordy
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez*
    TAA / Cancelo / Reguilon* / Coufal
    Bowen / Son* / Jota
    Dennis* / Ronaldo* / Watkins

    Ramsdale / Livra / Bissouma / ESR

    Got the funds for Bissouma -> Maddison to give me 6 DGW players and save the free hit for a (different) rainy day.

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

    For me it Salah/Watkins to Maddison/Ronaldo for a hit

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

      Yea

  18. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Contrarions gearing up to roll their transfer and let everyone know about it before kick-off.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      😀

      I've got Broja -> Dennis staring me in the face, otherwise that would be me

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Watkins to Josh for a Watford double-up for me.

  19. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    2 Ques.
    What to do with the 2 FT I got here?
    Also would you BB this -

    De gea
    Arnold Cancelo Dalot
    Son Bowen Jota Foden
    Ronaldo Kane King

    Gunnarson Duffy Johnson Moder

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't bench boost that, bench is awful.

      I'd probably sell Dalot with my FT, maybe bringing in Emerson, Davies or Dier

      1. Totalfootball
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

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

    Ddg foster
    Cancelo trent reguilon livra cash
    Son foden jota maddison bowen
    Watkins ronaldo davis

    Watkins and davis to dennis and king (-4)? Foden on the bench

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd just do Watkins to one of them and play Foden tbh.

  21. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Son is 10.7 million now. That is pretty damn scandalous!!! 😮

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Fantasy Fair Play never really took off.

  22. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Outside of Watford forwards, Ronaldo, and maybe Son, this DGW looks pants.

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

      Optimistic to include Ronaldo there

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, tbh you may be right. Says a lot that I'd prefer 2 Watford forwards over him.

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      yeah i'll likely only have 7 DGWers, and i'm happy enough with that

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        That's pretty good, only planning on 4 myself

        1. lugs
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          yeah it helps that i had 3 Spurs + Maupay + a choice of DDG or Sanchez already, a -4 for Maddison and Dennis gets me 7, if i were you i think i'd want slightly more than 4, 6 i think would be the magic number 🙂

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Kane looks good I think

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe, not sure I'd have him over the other 3 mentioned

  23. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    This is a bench boost team right?

    Sanchez Bachmann
    TAA* Cancelo* Alonso Livra* 5.0M
    Maddison Jota* Bowen* Son Gray*
    Ronaldo Antonio* King

    Only weak player is Livra but theyre playing Wolves so could easily grab a CS

  24. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why is liv v ars a blank in GW27?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      They are due to play each other in the Cup semi, so one of them will be in the final that weekend

      1. The Gambler.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Doh. Of course, thanks

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

      Carabao Cup Final weekend and one of them must be in the final

  25. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    -4 to do Salah, 4.4 > Brownhill, Ronaldo?

    Means benching Cancelo:

    DDG*
    TAA, Alonso*, Reguilon*
    Son*, Jota, Bowen, Raphinha
    Antonio, King*, Ronaldo*(C)

    Bachmann*; Brownhill*, Cancelo, Livra

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

    Would you use the bench boost and get it out of the way with the following players?

    Ramsdale (tot) - Saka (tot) - Dawson (LEE) - Livramento (wol)

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      Don't use it to 'get it out of the way'. Use it to score points.

      By all accounts, DGW36 is going to be absolutely massive so I'm likely gonna wait to WC35, BB36. Means I have to plan a little more carefully to bring Salah back etc but shouldn't be too bad.

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

    Alas, DGW for Burnley.

    Come on Wood, my ultimate differential! Held you for so long already..

  28. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Stevie G can keep Watkins. Can't wait to get rid of him

  29. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    This DGW is another trap.
    Either rubbish teams, or rubbish fixtures (or both)… plus the threat of Covid postponements and rotation looms large.

    I personally have 4 DGWers, lots of good SGW players (3 WHam & 2 Pool) so pretty much no chance I use a chip. I may just get Maddison & Dennis for a -4 and leave it at that.

    But I would be super torn if I had only 1 or 2 DGWers. I’d probably end up playing FH and being very unhappy about it

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

    Fellow Foden owners, are you planning to hold for the long term? Always feel like he's capable of hauling but the rotation is soul destroying - I'm contemplating a City defensive triple-up when I hit WC with TAA and a Wolves defender.

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Think I'm selling for Maddison if the DGW goes ahead.