Rate My Team

FPL Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

The next Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline is less than 24 hours away, so there are transfer decisions to be made for millions of us ahead of Gameweek 35.

The questions on player purchases, captaincy picks and chip strategy are coming thick and fast in the comments section, with this week’s Double Gameweek 36 announcement concerning Manchester City presenting another challenge to our medium-term planning.

And so we’ve again asked five-time top 1k finisher and Scout’s Deputy Editor, Tom Freeman, to answer some of your posers over the next 60 minutes.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up.

If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

As ever, you can chip in with your own opinions on the raft of RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, feel free to ignore the article subject matter and talk about any other wider FPL topics that you’d normally be musing on.

Don’t forget that, if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

333 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RMT Surgery with Tom
  2. badger1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Foster
    Laporte Robertson James
    Son Saka Zaha Kulusevski Salah
    Laca Toney

    Sa Jiminez Bednarek Digne

    Hi Tom, what budget recommendations would have you have for the two forward options to replace the underperforming yet pricey Laca and Jiminez? My plan is to use the freed up money to find a space for KDB.

    Thanks

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I'd be fine starting Jimenez this week, but for the run-in I like Watkins, maybe Richarlison too given the extra fixtures.

      Cheaper options Pukki and Nketiah.

    2. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Watkins or Richarlison an option Badger?

  3. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Captain:
    A. Salah
    B. Son

    1. roll FT
    2. Havertz/Mount > Coutinho

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      B1

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      A 2

  4. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Havertz to coutino or foden?
    Or
    Werner to Watkins?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Chips?
      If none, havertz to foden

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robertson Cancelo James
    Salah Havertz Kulusevski Ramsey
    Kane Nketiah
    // Foster / Mateta / Tavares / Maddison

    Think I may bench Maddison this week given Ramsey has a decent fixture (NOR), and more assured minutes.

    Worth benching Havertz (for Mateta)? Iffy perofmance last night. Can't tell if a benching is coming or the comments are to encourage him to come out firing next match.

    Also on the fence whether I should sell one of those two for Saka/Coutinho. What do you think?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Havertz to coutinho may be for me.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I'd be more interested if Villa hadn't looked like absolute toilet for weeks now 🙁

        Of course if I don't do for him, he'll no doubt begin a run of form out of nowhere!

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I wouldn't bench Havertz on he basis of his performance as he was getting in good positions. Missed a few but DDG was good too. Equally unsure how to interpret TT's comments though...

      Might be a minority opinion but I would sell Maddison for Saka. Have you seen the predicted WHU defence?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Problem is if he is benched, hi output for the next two may not be great. Just not sure. Probably won't sell as FT valuable but who knows.

        Considering buying Saka but not sure for which of the two. Aware the West Ham defense is dodgy, but Araneal aren't fab at breaking down teams; have Nketiah already. Do like him as a pick though.

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      The problem with Mateta is that Palace have stuttered again in attack

      They're a decent side but far from consistent.

      Are you considering Manchester City from next week?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        In terms of attack Foden is the only one I could do easily. He may not start this week.

        I don't think it's worth a hit this week for KDB/Jesus given UCL & fact Spurs (Kane a makewieght) with a good fixture.

        Palace have stuttered, yep. Aware SOU give up big chances, but would rather Havertz if he started of course.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Of course, I agree that Foden is a week away and KDB too, he could be benched too.

          Sterling is the Manchester City punt again it seems.

          Chelsea should come through again, you'd know better than me for their selections.

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 12 months ago

            Haha, wish I knew RE: Chelsea. Didn't watch the game last night as was out in the evening.

            Saw he made quite a few chances & took quite a few shots but nothing came off (well, 1 assist!) - partied with Tuchel's comments.

            Can't tell whether it's suggesting a rest or to come back next week as encouragement.

            From what I heard the game really got away from us towards the end (not too late after Havertz was subbed) & Lukaku was quite poor again.

  6. Monty123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Do you think James and Mount will play this weekend against Everton and be rested against Leeds pre FA Cup Final?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Rest against Leeds a strong possibility.

  7. FPL_Hen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    RMT on my WC:

    Ederson (Foster)

    Davies - Robertson - TAA - Cancelo - (Johnson)

    Saka - Salah - Coutinho - Son - (D. Luiz)

    Watkins - Nketia - (Kamara)

    1.1itb and planning on doing Son to KDB next week.

  8. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Best move here? FH37 Cheers

    A Werner -> Jesus
    B Raph -> Coutinho
    C A and B -4
    D Doherty/Raph -> Cancelo/Ramsey -4

    Sa
    James TAA Laporte
    Salah Son Saka Mount Raph
    Werner Mateta

    Dubravka KWP Hwang Doherty

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Hmm B or D. Do you have BB?

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        No mate already used it. cheers.

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Probably B then

          1. _Ninja_
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 12 months ago

            Thanks bud

  9. FredrikH
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Evening. Start one out of:
    Mateta
    Dennis
    Pukki

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Mateta

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Pukki

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Dennis

    4. Surfreak
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Pukki

  10. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    If you had Barnes (LEI) would you bite the bullet and get rid or hope he gets a few run outs in the PL in 36 - Benchbooster here

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Would like to hear some thoughts on this too.

      My gut is leaning towards punting for Foden or Coutinho this week. Planning a BB in 36 as well. Ill FH in 37 or 38.

  11. L S P
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Hi Tom:

    Which transfer do you like:

    A) Mount->Coutinho
    B) KDB->Son (C)

    If A, would you captain him this week? I'm outside Top 20k hoping for Top 10k still with BB36 and FH37 left to play.

    Cheers.

  12. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Would you lose Mount or James from this team? It's the only way I can get to more City (Foden/Laporte).
    BB36/FH37

    Sanchez
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James
    Salah Mount Saka Ramsey
    Kane Mateta
    (Foster Martinelli Broja Doherty)
    1ft, 0itb

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I'd prob save this week, good team. Not sure Foden starts which is putting me off.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Cheers mate

  13. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Best move here. 1 FT and £0.1m ITB. Will play BB in GW36 and probably FH in 37.

    Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, Laporte, Alonso, Cash
    Salah, KDB, Mount, Kulu
    Werner

    Schmeichel, Pukki, Joao Pedro, KDH

    A) Werner to Watkins
    B) Kulu to Saka
    C) Mount to Saka
    D) Joao Pedro to Nketiah
    E) Save

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Or Mount to Coutinho?

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I'll prioritize Saka so C

      1. Surfreak
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Saka is flagged so slight risk

  14. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Quick captain check appreciated guys:

    a) Salah
    b) Son
    c) Kane

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      b > c > a

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Thanks. Not sure about Son though - he's one of those players that always blanks when I captain him. Prefer Kane I think

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Ary

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      C

    4. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      C

    5. Surfreak
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Kane

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Thanks guys, Harry it is.....

  15. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Which transfer to target this GW?

    A. Havertz & Schar >> Coutinho & Cash for -4
    B. Mount >> Saka
    C. Havertz >> Saka
    D. Broja & Schar >> 4.5 & Cash for -4

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      C

  16. @FPLStrategist
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Hi Tom, which of the four would you have as your lone striker in a 5-4-1 until end of the season...

    - Nketiah
    - Watkins
    - Richarlison
    - Pukki

    ....or someone else (not Kane).

  17. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    0.8m ITB - 1FT - BB36

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Laporte
    Salah Saka* Kulu Ramsey
    Kane (C) Pukki

    Foster - Raph Doherty* Cucho*

    Roll FT, Doherty + Cucho > Konsa? (max 4.9) + Nketiah next week for the BB?

  18. LT74
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Plan to Free Hit in GW36.
    Thoughts on Reece James + Martinelli --> Cash + Kulu? Cheers.

  19. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Who’s a more important sell, Werner or Havertz?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Probably Werner but I didn't see him as a solid buy, personally.

      Unless you were on him at Southampton.

  20. lewis274
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    start jacob ramsey or white ?

    

raphinha -> saka or white -> cash for a free ?

  21. JohannaAdams10
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Play A or B?

    A) Maddison (away Spurs)
    B) Dennis (home Burnley)

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Beh

  22. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    save FT & then go hard with doublers in 36?

    Ramsdale/Krul

    TAA/Robbo/Cancelo/James/Alonso

    Saka/Salah/Kulu/KDH/Ramsey

    Weghorst/Kane/Broja

    Also bench who? KDH, Broja & who else?

  23. jay01
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Start Ramsey or Martinelli?

    Already have Coutinho, no saka but not sure on Martinellis minutes

  24. winchester
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Hey there! 1ft and 0.2m itb. FH&BB left. Bbgw36? What moves could be done here?

    ramsdale
    taa cancelo white alonso
    salah saka havertz mount
    kane weghorst

    (dubravka broja targett ramsey)

  25. lewis274
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    raphinha to saka for a free ?

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Sure

  26. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Worth a hit to bring in a Villa?
    Or just accept they have no form at all, and stick?
    .1 ITB
    Pickford
    Laporte Robbo Tilva
    KDB Barnes Saka Mount
    Kane(c) Richarlison Adams

    Dubravka Raphinha Justin Holgate

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Any Thoughts Here ?
    Foster
    Cancelo Robbo Chalobah
    Salah Son© Maddy Mount Saka
    Werner Toney
    (White Schär Chuco)
    0.4 M itb no FT

  28. Surfreak
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Not many picking Ronaldo (C) this coming game week?

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      If I owned him I'd be tempted. I stuck 20 quid when he 1st came on getting the golden boot, but had kind of given it up as lost cause.

      After his double hattricks, back in with a shout. Another hattie this weekend and gets interesting!

  29. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Sterling Capt too much of punt?

    Chasing 77 point lead, and sitting at 30k

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      your leader is going some then...

      too much of a punt for me, but needs must

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        yeah, i tried it last GW as well, so didnt go as planned

  30. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    think I'm set on Livra and Broja to Cash and Watkins for -4

    decent enough moves?

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I like them, if no chips left, villa with plenty of games, and broja unsure of minutes

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

      looks good to me

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Yep