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. KieranKA
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Will this be a good team for GW22?

    Sánchez // Foster
    Trent Cancelo Reguilón // Coufal Livramento
    Son Jota Silva Bowen // Brownhill
    Ronaldo Antonio King

    Transfers: Salah to Son, Watkins to Ronaldo (–4)
    Remaining funds: 0.2

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, it’s fairly template

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

    Repost(bottomed)
    Best DGW replacement for James? (have Alonso and Reguilon already)

    1. KieranKA
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Might have said this before but Shaw, Varane, Emerson are the most obvious options

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You wont buy another Chelsea def cause u will need to get rid of them soon, ManU defs are all sh*t but if u want one of them get Varane, I think the best other defs to own are TAA ofc and then someone like Dawson

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I cant see Spurs keeping cs this DGW

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

      Could go cheap and get a Burnley def.

      They have the most fixtures in hand too.

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      There is a lack of standout options.
      Maguire if fit?

  3. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench for the double?

    Craig Dawson
    Laporte

    1. KieranKA
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Laporte

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson haul imminent vs Leeds

  4. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I have my doubts Ronaldo will pay back a -4 hit
    Not having Ronaldo has been the reason for my success this season...

    Anyone?

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Difficult one, for me he is the best captain option even with Uniteds poor form

    2. Clint Dempsey
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Im thinking of transferring him out for -4 😮

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

      I would have to sell Kane for -4 and make a downgrade to afford him. Nope, not for me. I wouldn't be surprised to see him rested. Well perhaps he doesn't need a rest, since he doesn't like to run and press.

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

      Guess depends who taking out as I would be doing benteke to ronaldo which seems a no brainer

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

    Hey all

    Do you think this team looks ok for the DGW? I'm reluctant to FH as all my SGW have good fixtures (Cancelo aside).

    DDG
    Trent - Cancelo - Alonso
    Son - Jota - Bowen - Gray
    Dennis - King - Antonio

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good

      Only threats from FHitters will be Ronaldo/Kane and I don't fear them at all

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

      If I transfer (free) Broja to Dennis, which is definitely in the cards, that would almost be my team. Only difference would be Saka for Gray.

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

      Thanks. Ron's ownership is still quite high- thats the concern.

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Similar to mine. I have Ronaldo instead of Dennis and will likely lose Salah to bring in Son

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

      I could bring in Ron but would involve a hit which im not keen on, especially with United's current form.

  6. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    So most are only going 5-6 DGW players and using no chips?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Looks it mate.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm bench boosting, wildcarded last gw. Team not super but happy to hopefully ensure a green arrow.

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think some may change their minds closer to the gameweek

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

      Only have DDG, Rudiger, Son, Kane and Dennis.

      Feels defensive going into A dgw with just those 5 + another for FT

      DDG
      RUDIGER, Coufal, TAA
      Foden, Jota, Son, Bowen
      Dennis, Kane (C), Broja

      Subs: Steele, Bilva, Cancelo, White

      1.4 in the bank

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Are you happy to have White long term? I might sell him for Emerson and bench Coufal. Not saying it's worth doing, but something worth considering I guess.

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Lookd like it:
      DdG
      TAA, Reg, Keane
      Madds, Son, Jota, Bowen
      Kane, DCL, Antonio
      Bench: Sanchez, Gray, Cancelo, Cash
      For BB I would have to sell Cash at least for Cucurella or Lamptey. I don't like the idea. Benching Gray vs Nor isn't funny, but there will probably be time when BB is good excuse to take some hits that are good for long term.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Looks like it... Absolutely zero reason to use my only FH with this team. All my sgw players have good fixture except Cancelo and Cash. I am not willing to sell either atm. Antonio to Dennis might be worth considering, but could easily backfire. So I really don't think this dgw is good for aggressive approach. On the contrary, this is close being a "school example" of time when dgw fever may hurt.

    6. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I can get to 5 with -4 although feels like need to use the extra FH soon if got other chips left

    7. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Might BB- with 8 double week players and got Sanchez Gray Dawson Cancelo as likely ben

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        * bench

  7. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do?

    A. Son for Salah
    B. Dennis for Antonio
    C. DGW defender for Dawson
    D. Any suggestions????

    DE GEA
    taa dawson ALONSO cancelo
    bowen jota gray
    antonio RONALDO KING

    FOSTER BROWNHILL livra salah

    1. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A looks good

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

      Just A I think.

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A for me

  8. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    On both fpl stats and fix Antonio price suddenly on decline - any known reason for reverse? Surely not being sold with decent run of fixtures albeit no double

  9. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Interesting article. I have the same frontline and will not be selling any of them.

    In your position Tom it seems like 3 options (if you don't play FH, which it seems like you're leaning against). And obviously these plans all depend on fixtures remaining as there are:

    a) As mad as it seems you could roll the FT. Negative is no Son. Positive is your team is set up well without him, you already have Salah ready for GW24, and an extra FT next GW.
    b) Salah to Son. Negative is you used a FT, and I'm guessing you want Salah back soon. Positive is you can captain Son, bench Coufal.
    c) Take a hit, and play BB. Something Like Salah + Luiz to Son + Dewsbury-Hall/Maddison if you can afford. Obviously this would depend on Livra being fit. Negative is obviously COVID could screw up a BB, and Livra/Guita could be stronger. Positive is you still have a decent bench, and then you don't need to factor BB into future plans.

    I'm guessing you pick option b, but I wonder if you have written off the BB too easily. Not tempted to go that way?