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FPL Daily: What Leicester and West Ham’s European exits mean for FPL

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points of the day in FPL Daily, a series that generally services weekdays where there is no press conference round-up or Premier League match – but we’re bringing you this European special tonight.

For a round-up of the day’s stand-out team news from Thursday’s pre-match pressers, click here.

CITY TO FACE FULL-STRENGTH WEST HAM IN GAMEWEEK 37?

West Ham United’s exit from the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League could be significant for the title race and owners of Manchester City assets.

The Hammers will face Pep Guardiola’s side in Gameweek 37 but had they beaten Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs, they would have had a Europa League final to contest three days after the City game – so we’d have surely seen some key players rested in the league.

Now, however, West Ham are free to focus their minds on the Premier League again and a push for either UEFA Europa League or Conference League qualification.

And David Moyes’s side potentially being at full strength in Gameweek 37 would, perhaps, make Free Hitters think twice about tripling up on City assets, particularly when five teams (of admittedly lesser quality) elsewhere are doubling.

LEICESTER’S ‘DOUBLE DOUBLE’ MORE APPEALING?

Not many Fantasy managers will be interested in West Ham assets at present, given their lack of a Double Gameweek, but Leicester are a different matter altogether.

They ‘double’ in both Gameweek 36 and 37, play four of the bottom six in the run-in and face Chelsea five days after the Blues have been in FA Cup final action.

Ongoing involvement in the Europa Conference League would have perhaps seen Brendan Rodgers handle some of his key assets carefully during the final three Gameweeks but the Foxes were dumped out of the competition by Roma on Thursday, so the focus now switches back to domestic matters.

A European qualification spot remains a long shot – they can, just about, still catch West Ham – but Rodgers is nevertheless intent on finishing the season strongly.

“Over the last couple of seasons, European football will have opened their eyes. A lot of them had never experienced that before. Especially this season, coming deep into a European competition is great experience for them.

“They’ll be reborn again next year with that notion that they can look to qualify for Europe and have many more nights. You lose, but you really learn, and I’m sure the players will learn tonight.

“We want to finish the season as strong as we can, as best as we can. We wanted to reach the final… we haven’t done that, but every game now is very, very important for us and we’ll look to show a good reaction and finish the season as high as we can.” – Brendan Rodgers

Managed minutes may still be the order of the day for some players this weekend, with the Everton game taking place less than 72 hours after this one, and it may be the case that injury-prone assets like Jonny Evans (£5.4m) are still handled carefully for the rest of the season.

After the Everton game, however, a Wednesday-Sunday-Thursday turnaround for the second part of Gameweek 36 and all of Double Gameweek 37 is fairly generous and should ensure plenty of game-time for James Maddison (£6.9m) and co.

Maddison and Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) both got lasted the full match in Rome, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.4m) handed 77 minutes.

FOXES’ DEAD-BALL WEAKNESS

As any Leicester fan will tell you, defending set plays has been a real problem for the Foxes in 2021/22.

No side has allowed more chances to be created from dead-ball situations, while their expected goals conceded (xGC) tally from set plays is also a league-worst.

True to form, the goal they conceded against Roma was from a corner.

The ongoing fallibility and Rodgers’ rather defeatist comments about fixing it will perhaps be of encouragement to owners of Anthony Gordon (£4.6m), the corner-taking budget midfielder whose Everton side face Leicester on Sunday.

“The corner’s been an Achilles heel for us all season to be perfectly honest, so to concede the goal in that manner was hugely disappointing.

“It’s been an issue for us all season. We clearly lack physicality. The courage is there for the players, but clearly, within the team, especially with Wilf [Ndidi] missing, we don’t have the physicality in the team. That has been a problem for us all season. We’ve tried man-marking, we’ve tried zonal, but it’s too easy to score.” – Brendan Rodgers

414 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How my free hit looking?

    Schmeichel
    TAA, Cancelo, Alonso, Mykolenko
    Salah, KDB, Mahrez, Diaz
    Richarlison, Nketiah

    Only playing subs Fofana, Brownhill

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Arise, Sir Tinkerman!

    2. tankle
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Some tasty differentials in there! Great if chasing

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I am

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        If Mane were the one to be rested recently I would go him over Salah, but feels slightly too risky

    3. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not brilliant

  2. tankle
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who scores more points for the rest of the season (no FH):
    A) Son
    B) Cancelo

    And is Sa to Schmeichel worth a -4? (also have Foster)
    Y/N?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      If I could only have one I’d probably take Son for higher ceiling, but both ideally. I wouldn’t take a hit for a keeper I don’t think. Just play foster this week and Sa next v Watford

      1. tankle
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thx. Leaning this way too

  3. George James
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best option this GW

    A) Sanchez + White*

    B) Sanchez + Tavares -4

    C) Foster + Digne -8

    D) Foster + Matip -8

    E) Schmichael + Tavares -8

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not look amazing so I’d be tempted to avoid the hit, white is supposedly injured though

  4. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Evening all. Bench boost set. Worth a transfer anywhere? 0.3m ITB. Taveres for fofana? Cheers.

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo - Robbo - Laporte
    Coutinho - Saka - Salah - Mount - KDB
    Nkeitah - Mateta

    (Foster) - Pukki - Matip - Fofana

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Arise, Sir Bobby Baggio!

  5. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    BB36, FH37. 1ft and 1.2itb

    Ederson Foster
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James White*
    Salah Mount Saka Kulusevski KDH
    Watkins Pukki Dennis

    If White* is out White -> Alonso sound good? If he is fit I might KDH -> Odegaard.

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount and Dennis awful. Would bringing another Spurs player, Richarlison and have Pickford instead of Ederson to give you some extra cash.

  6. Eugeniekwh
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    James, Havertz, Kane, Broja > Laporte, KDB, Richarlison, Dennis.

    My thoughts for GW 36. Taking a -8

    Dennis can also be pukki.

    Still have 0.9 ITB any suggestions.

  7. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best 5.1m defender to have for the double?
    Ramsdale Foster
    Taa Cancelo Robbo Alonso Amartey*

    Looking to ship out Amartey for a double hit.

    Thanks.

    1. Juza
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      mykolenko for a punt

  8. Fpl_Ludwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What should/can i do here?
    0.3 itb

    Pickford / Steele
    Robbo / Laporte / Cancelo / Cash / Alonso
    Salah / Foden / Son / Coutinho / L.Diaz
    Nketiah / Pukki / Jay rod

    If i take out anyone, who should i get instead?

  9. George James
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Would you bench boost this.

    Yes or No?

    Sanchez / White* / Davies / Ramsey

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No

    2. trick9
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No.

    3. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yes.

  10. el polako
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    So are we all going back this Salah with captaincy this week ?
    Personally I need to risk it so thinking maybe City defender, like Laporte ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Dias or Richarlison for me

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KDB or Son

  11. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On a 34 point chase. Rival has similar players! No chips, willing to take hits. Any suggestions? 1.9ITB

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Alonso
    Ramsey Salah Son Saka Coutinho
    Watkins
    Dub Broja Schar Gelhardt

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Fpl Review loves Coutinho Gelhardt > Richarlison Gordon

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Who?

  12. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Have exact cash!

    Keane+Weghorst+Cucho >>> Tsimikas+Richarlison+Gelhardt(-8)?

    Keane and Cucho both not playing.
    Will give me 11 DGW players in 36.
    Will give me 5 DGW players in 37(plus a FT.)

    Thanks.

  13. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anything worth knowing about KDH or Schmeichel last night? Injuries etc

  14. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Pick one - currently siding with A

    A) Diaz, Kulu,
    B) Thiago, Madison

    Cheers!

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Now that Leicester are out I like B. But combo A has more to play for.

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        That's where my dilemma is - cheers mate

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  15. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Getting Richarlison in this week, of course I am. Final decision is the below, what are your thoughts lads?

    Start one from
    1) White
    2) Ramsey
    3) Gordon for a 4 point hit for Ramsey (1 week effectively, I'm free hitting next week)

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      2

  16. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Good morning chaps. I’ve decided on a free hit hit undecided on which option is best. Can you help?

    A) Mings and Coutinho to Laporte and Gordon

    B) Coutinho and Broja to Gordon and Richarlison

    C) Mings and Coutinho to Holgate and Foden

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  17. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    2

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Reply fail to Merlinho above

  18. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who to play:

    A. Coady (che, MCI)
    B. Keane (lei, wat)

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Obviously b

      1. mdm
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Still B, if you consider Coady is nailed while Keane is not?

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Will Keane play both?

      1. mdm
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I think no

  19. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best Weghorst replacement Max 6.8?

    Nketiah or Dennis maybe?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      N

  20. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any changes here:

    Schmeichel
    Dias Matip Alonso
    Salah Mane KDB Son Gordeon
    Richarlison Nketiah

    Lewis Davies Gelhardt Scarlett

    Thanks!

    1. mdm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Looks very good, but maybe Matip and Mane to TAA and Diaz/Mahrez/Foden will make it even better. Will allow also possibly Dias to Cancelo

  21. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Richarlison or Laporte the better pick this week guys ?

  22. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Broja and havertz to jesus and gordon for -4?
    Triple capt sterling or jesus?

  23. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    GTG? I have 1ft

    Foster
    TAA Robertson Cancelo James
    Salah Son Mount Saka KDH
    Werner

    Guaita White Weghorst Broja

    1. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Who you guys do Werner and Broja to Richarlison and Nketiah?

      1. BlzE_94
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Would you*

      2. RomeluAndJuliet
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        100%

  24. chrisw333
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    1. Can do Kane > Richarlison and either Mount / Kulu to KDB (who can become Son in GW38). What do you think? (FH 37)

    If I do this I need to keep Sa (or take a hit)

    2. Otherwise planned move would be Sa to Schmecial and Kulu to Foden.

  25. RomeluAndJuliet
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    For two FT:

    A) Foden + Son
    B) KDB + Kulu
    C) KDB + Kulu + Gordon + Richarlison (-8)

    1. chrisw333
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A