Pro Pundits

My Gameweek 37 Free Hit draft: Triple Everton and Villa + three premium midfielders

We’re at the home stretch now and there are just two weeks to go of what feels like the longest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season in memory. I was questioning my will to play this game when we were in December/January and fixtures were getting postponed left, right and centre but like you, I have persisted and now with the finish line in sight, I find myself limping rather than sprinting.

It’s been difficult to make up ground in the last few weeks. Chelsea have fallen off a cliff, affected by off-field issues. The Double Gameweeks which promised so much have been impacted on by the deep runs of teams in Europe (Leicester City and Liverpool) and the scheduling of the FA Cup during the season hasn’t helped matters, either.

Double Gameweek 37 looks like the last opportunity to make those surges up the mini-leagues and in this piece, I will be looking at the picks I am considering for my own Free Hit side.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford (£4.8m)

Everton have shipped just one goal in their last four home matches and are ranked top for fewest big chances conceded (two) over that data sample. They are ranked 13th for shots on target conceded (18) which indicates that while Pickford is facing a lot of efforts, these are not high-quality chances – which bodes well for his save potential. 

This is probably one of the easiest picks of the week.

Defenders

Lucas Digne (£5.0m) vs Matty Cash (£5.3m)

A Villa defender is a must-have on a Free Hit and a case can be made for both the full-backs, given how much license Steven Gerrard gives them to get forward.

A look at the ‘expected’ data for the Villans’ last three matches indicates the differing roles that the full-backs play: Digne is very much the creator while Cash is the one making the runs into the box to score. To put it crudely, Digne is the Villa version of Reece James (£6.4m) and Cash is the Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) figure.

Above: Expected figures over the last three Villa matches, with Lucas Digne on the left and Matty Cash on the right

Digne has created eight chances since his return to the side while Cash has managed only three. The latter has managed two shots in the box and as many efforts on target while the Frenchman has had just one effort in the opposition area, which landed off target. The high rate of chance creation also means that Digne is favoured for bonus points. 

There are very few Fantasy managers, myself included, who haven’t been burned by Digne in the past, either at Everton or at Villa. So there is a natural aversion towards the Frenchman but I think he is the better option over Cash. 

Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.9m)

The Ukrainian full-back registered his first goal for Everton against Leicester with a well-taken attempt from outside the box. It was his only shot on target over the last six matches but as the below table from the Premium Members Area shows, he is top for chances created (five) amongst Everton defenders over the same period:

Granted, the average of less than one a game is not something to be enthused about but only Richarlison (six), Alex Iwobi (eight) and Anthony Gordon (10) have created more chances amongst Everton players over the aforementioned period. He also ranks sixth amongst their players for expected goal involvement (xGI, 0.84). 

Andrew Robertson (£7.3m)

The Scotland international was rested completely against Villa in Gameweek 36 and there should be no doubts about his game-time for the remainder of the season. That’s not a feeling I share about Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m): with Liverpool playing in the FA Cup final on Saturday and then at Southampton on Tuesday, I fear he could be the one to get his breather next. 

Midfielders


It’s been a pleasure writing for you this season, I hope you have enjoyed reading these pieces and I am looking forward to the next campaign already.

See you then. 

285 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Havertz another one pointer off the bench then ffs

    1. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Havertz a cigar

  2. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    MGM FTW!
    (Meslier, Greenwood & Mount)

  3. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    If Watkins a doubt best option ( not on FH) between

    A Ings
    B Richarlison

    1. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  4. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Need Chelsea to go 2-0 down in the first half so they're forced to bring on Havertz at HT.

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yeh then a hatty of assists from alonso all to havertz for the win…. One can dream

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Gotta dream in this mad game 😉

  5. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    It's one of those Reece James nights.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      0 pointer after conceding 2 plus a YC?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Injury in the first half

          1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Why not both?

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

        Long overdue.

        Just happy he starts

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      RIP LUNA and UST

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Good band, prefer their early stuff

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Picked Krul up. Got 0 points. Had the foresight to put in as my backup, but unfortunately the dropping comes in the middle of the DGW. When your luck's out.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        *Gunn as backup.

        Krul was a crap pick, yes.

      2. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        same

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

        But any news on him? Why is he not playing?

    4. sergioaguero67
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      What team are Watford playing lol?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Everton.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Tbf, besides Foster and Pedro they've gone deep.

        Maybe the manager wants to change the narrative?

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Or taken the bung.

          1. NorCal Villan
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            That sounds naughty

    5. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Maddison, Vardy and Barnes all start

    6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      FH37 managers: what formation are you going for?

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        541

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Richarlison up top?

      2. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Probably the good old 343

      3. Grande Tubarão
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        4-3-3

      4. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        2112

    7. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Richarlison hattrick tonight

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

        Please

      2. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Nah, he’ll be ejected after the second flare

    8. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Wow my big guns play tonight ,amartey & chabolah- time for points!

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Chalobah could do well.

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Should have captained him over salah !

    9. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Didn't expect Havertz to be benched both DGW games.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah, thought he'd have started the last one tbh. Being benched today as well expected after Lukaku's showing last game but still sickening.

      2. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Tuchel is a child so not that surprising

      3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Certainly a surprise, I wonder if Lukaku impresses again tonight if it might give Tuchel food fir thought on going with him over Havertz for the final. Presumably it's a combination of wanting to rest Havertz and needing to give Lukaku matches to try to integrate him, but Havertz not starting a game for nearly 2 weeks before the final might not be great preparation for Havertz if he's to start.

        1. Philosopher's Stones
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Yeah, if Havertz is to start in the final, feel he definitely gets about 30 minutes tonight.

    10. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Watford seem to have accepted that cheque from Moshiri with open arms then . . .

    11. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Pulisic has been way overlooked!

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah, quite capable of a touchdown any game, tbh.

        1. NorCal Villan
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Snapped hammy far more likely

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

      Is Holgate nailed for the double?

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Started 17 out of Everton's last 20 games. I'd say he's quite nailed.

      2. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        probably because mina not expected back until gw38 and godfrey unlikely too

    13. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Next season BB will be played earlier in the season
      GW36 is a trap

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

        My bench have more points than my starting XI

        Foster cash richarlison nketiah (bb)

        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          But that wouldn’t have been your bench
          I have Robbo, Justin, Mount, TSilva all 1 game only

      2. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Played mine in gw 1, didn't get the full benefit as needed a bench in the winter, but will play it early again.

        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Good idea

    14. dshv
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      FH37 Draft for 10k rank???

      Pickford
      Cancelo cash Taa
      Son salah kdb gordon zaha
      Richarlison Ings

      Si or no

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

        So template

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        No

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Like it!

      4. shaunyjames
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Like it aside from Gordon but nothing else in that price range

      5. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Kane smashing it 37!

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Ve’s might due

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

          So kdb or kane ?

    15. shaunyjames
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Unless they all get red cards my -12 BB has actually paid off - Toney Richardson Werner & Schar to Nketiah Richarlison Holgate & Watkins. Amazed

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah. Sa, Doherty, Targett, Bruno, Broja -> Kasper, Laporte, Matip, Foden, Richarlison (-12) here

    16. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Why haven’t Watford sacked Woy?

      He was having a right old laugh when they got relegated last week and now he picks that dogsh*t team. Burnley and Leeds going to be fuming.

      1. shaunyjames
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        He is leaving at the end of the season, must be to save some pennies he hasn't gone yet

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        They’ve probably already sold most of the team.

      3. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        They have, they are lining up a lower league manager.

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

          What I mean is he won't carry on but there is no point paying someone to do these last few games.

      4. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Last night we watched Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence. In addition to several references to both Fulham and Arsenal, their was this gem— a secret operation called Sirwoy (Sir Woy), named after you-know-who

    17. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not to jinx it, but first time in about 5 seasons my BB has got anything more than 10 points(32 so far with 3 still to play). Happy days.

    18. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      KDB tonight
      A- Start
      B- Bench
      C- not even on bench

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        A

      2. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        B

      3. putana
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        B

    19. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Rip Amartey starting again. Feck

    20. putana
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      if i knew watford would play their B team i would have started gordon

    21. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Damn Havertz + Werner fail again...hope Mahrez finally starts

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Oops

    22. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Amartey > Fofana (-4) still going well

    23. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      If you bench Mahrez again…I will hunt you down Pep!

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Ask him what he uses to shave his head.

        1. NorCal Villan
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          A shiv

    24. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mahrez and Jesus benched

      Ffscout_Luke

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Foden?

        1. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Starts

        2. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Starts

          1. Philosopher's Stones
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Cheers lads

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

        i dont understand what happened with mahrez, scores against madrid and hasnt played a minute since.

        maybe has an injury

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

          I am speechless.

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Pep has shown time and time again that he takes each match as it comes and bases his tactics and personnel individually based on the opponent

          • NorCal Villan
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            He mouthed off to Tuchel

      3. putana
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        only have two players playing tonight. anyone here have less that that

      4. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Ederson; Cancelo, Fernandinho, Laporte, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Sterling, Bernardo, Foden.

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

          My Sterling to Mahrez not looking like my best move.