Pro Pundits
12 May 2023 1193 comments
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Our top team of Pro Pundits and Hall of Famers write about all things Fantasy Premier League (FPL) throughout the season.

Only Premium Members are able to read every single one of these pieces, so sign up today to get full access not just to the editorial content but all of the other benefits, from hundreds of Opta stats to a transfer planner.

Here, two-time Indian FPL champion Lateriser compares Brighton and Hove Albion midfielders and picks some exciting midfield differentials.

The FFS Pro Pundits 34

We’re almost there. You’ve only got 16 more days of FPL thinking to do and after that, you can give your brain a well-earned rest.

The Solly March (£5.3m) injury has definitely dented some plans and I’ve been wondering which is the best route to go. If you ask me, the Brighton asset I’m most convinced about is Julio Enciso (£4.6m) but the problem is that he’s a forward and, given the fixtures, using a transfer on a forwards needs to go on one of the Newcastle United strikers.

I wrote my thoughts on the Magpies’ pair last week and we covered the entire conversation in way more depth than I had predicted in our latest episode of The FPL Wire. We had Pras from Burning Questions join Zophar and me, playing a fun scenario game with regards to Alexander Isak (£7.0m) and Callum Wilson (£7.1m). For that reason, I won’t be covering them here.

JULIO ENCISO

Back to Enciso, I think he’s a really good player on the eye, is always direct and usually places himself in and around the box. I think he’s good for game-time due to his versatility – he can play on either wing or as the number ten – but March’s absence makes me even more bullish on the youngster as I like his expected minutes for the remainder of the season.



  1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2FT and £1.8m

    A March to Mac Allister
    B March to Odeguard and bench Grealish
    C Ederson to DDG
    D Neco to another cheap DEF

    Ederson
    TAA Estupinan Trippier
    Salah Grealish Mitoma Rash
    Haaland Isak Wilson
    Subs Iverson March* Shaw Neco*

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A prob highest upside imo

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A

    3. GRPunk
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nearly identical team. Did A yesterday.

  2. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you play Shaw over any of these?

    A) Botman
    B) TAA
    C) Alvarez

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    3. KDB4PREZ
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

    4. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No, but maybe only Botman if you're already starting Trippier and want to hedge slightly

    5. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe Alvarez at a push!

    6. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers all

  3. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Score predictions?

    Leeds 2-2 Newcastle
    Aston Villa 2-1 Spurs
    Chelsea 1-1 Forest
    Palace 3-1 Bournemouth
    Man United 2-0 Wolves
    Southampton 1-2 Fulham
    Brentford 4-2 West Ham
    Everton 1-3 Man City
    Arsenal 2-1 Brighton
    Leicester 2-3 Liverpool
    Newcastle 3-3 Brighton

    1. Always a Red Devil
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds 0-3 Newcastle
      Aston Villa 1-2 Spurs
      Chelsea 2-1 Forest
      Palace 2-2 Bournemouth
      Man United 5-0 Wolves
      Southampton 0-2 Fulham
      Brentford 2-2 West Ham
      Everton 1-2 Man City
      Arsenal 1-2 Brighton
      Leicester 2-1 Liverpool
      Newcastle 3-2 Brighton

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds 1-0 Newcastle (Isak OG)
      Aston Villa 3-0 Spurs (Watkins x2)
      Chelsea 1-1 Forest (Chilwell, MGW)
      Palace 3-1 Bournemouth (Zaha x2, Eze, Billing)
      Man United 1-1 Wolves (Rashford, Shaw OG)
      Southampton 2-2 Fulham (JWP, Walcott, Mitrovic x2)
      Brentford 3-0 West Ham (Toney x3)
      Everton 1-2 Man City (DCL, Foden, Grealish)
      Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (Saka)
      Leicester 2-2 Liverpool (Maddison, Vardy, Gakpo, Jota)
      Newcastle 3-1 Brighton (Joelinton, ASM, Schar, Ferguson)

      1. gart888
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        chaotic evil

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't Grealish have to play to score?

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Comes on for the last 10 minutes

      3. Samsonite
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I feel like you probably had a bit too much joy in writing those out lol

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          I even forgot to put Watkins hat-trick down!

      4. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Oooo Toney hattrick!

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds 1-1 Newcastle
      Aston Villa 1-1 Spurs
      Chelsea 1-1 Forest
      Palace 2-1 Bournemouth
      Man United 2-0 Wolves
      Southampton 0-1 Fulham
      Brentford 2-0 West Ham
      Everton 0-3 Man City
      Arsenal 3-1 Brighton
      Leicester 2-2 Liverpool
      Newcastle 2-1 Brighton

    4. Scratch
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds 1-3 Newcastle
      Aston Villa 0-0 Spurs
      Chelsea 2-2 Forest
      Palace 2-1 Bournemouth
      Man United 1-1 Wolves
      Southampton 2-2 Fulham
      Brentford 1-1 West Ham
      Everton 1-2 Man City
      Arsenal 3-0 Brighton
      Leicester 1-3 Liverpool
      Newcastle 2-1 Brighton

    5. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Leeds 1-2 Newcastle
      Aston Villa 2-2 Spurs
      Chelsea 2-0 Forest
      Palace 2-1 Bournemouth
      Man United 2-0 Wolves
      Southampton 1-1 Fulham
      Brentford 1-1 West Ham
      Everton 0-3 Man City
      Arsenal 3-1 Brighton
      Leicester 1-3 Liverpool
      Newcastle 2-2 Brighton

  4. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Kepa or Steele?

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele

      1. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

    2. KDB4PREZ
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele

  5. KingZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed

    Rashford + Toney + March —-> Willock + Isak + Mahrez (-8)

    Worth it?

    1. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No. Just do the Toney > Isak switch

    2. KDB4PREZ
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not for me

  6. KDB4PREZ
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Completely lost at what to do, if could go any advice would be great.
    The prob I have is leading ML by 25-50 points and chasers all have double Newcastle defence, wondering if I should block it but my defo suits my plan better to go Wilson (If he starts)

    A) Watkins > Wilson (already own Isak)
    B) 2 transfers to get botman (already own Tripps)

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

      Would stick with your plan. Even if they get double CS that won't be a 25-50 point gain for chasers.

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

    Who to play?
    1) Ederson
    2) Kepa

    A) Estupiñán
    B) Shaw

    1. Rhysd007
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ederson and expect a bench so Kepa comes in.

      Who else do you have in defence? I would say there is better bench options that those two?

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

        TAA, Trippier, Schar - those three are going to play I'm afraid.

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

      2B
      Who is ur C ?

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

        Thanks. Currently on that, although annoyed Ederson hasn't panned out.

        Haven't decided my (C) yet. Most likely will be whichever of Wilson/Isak I bring in tomorrow (I'll wait for leaks).

        Although honesty, Salah vs. LEI is not to be overlooked!

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers dude good luck currently am on Salah as C and still not decided who to get but maybe Wilson

  8. Lionac
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Which scenario would you prefer:

    A)
    GW36 Get Mac10 for March, bench Shaw
    GW37 get City defender for GW37 and bench Isak (LEI)

    B)
    GW36 save FT play Shaw
    GW37 get City mid (Mahrez/Grealish) and play Isak (LEI)

  9. Gunners in Haaland
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play Shaw or Estu?

    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I'm playing Estu. Shaw 1st bench for Rashford.

  10. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Bench order correct:
    Watkins, Shaw, Stones?

    Starting Rashford just in case but very likely first sub comes in.

    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Gtg.

  11. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Am I G2G here guys?

    Steele
    Taa - Botman - Trippier - Shaw
    Mitoma - Salah - Mac10 - Mahrez
    Haaland - Isak (c)

    Raya - Watkins - Rashford - Zinchenko

    1. Kodap
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Just swapped Rashford out and Shaw in with his 25% chance to play.

    2. gart888
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Super template, but great.

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I can't decide whether to have watkins or Shaw first sub to cover Rashford. Feel like Watkins has a higher ceiling but he's a bit off form. Don't trust utd to keep a clean sheet though either.
      Who you sticking the VC on?

  12. Aye
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Start Grealish or Rashford?

    1. Rhysd007
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I'm keeping Rashford in. Likely both don't start but Rashford 90 or bust. Greal likely 20 max

      1. Aye
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Good shout! Rhys

  13. Branch Warren
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would anyone consider a FT for Toney or Watkins to Enciso?

    1. Aye
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

  14. balint84
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Why Fernandes isn't popular? Next week doubles

    1. gart888
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      What's a next week? Only 36 matters right now!

      1. gart888
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        (He's in my 11 though)

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Comparatively expensive, hasn't been scoring points and not particularly well liked by opposition fans.

    3. Vjm6891
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      he's due a high scoring week....

    4. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Used my two FTs bringing in Mac and a Newcastle striker.

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

      Think it's more that people are not prioritising him this GW due to the lack of a DGW.

      Still a good pick.

    6. Snake Juice
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Already have him

  15. cfc_andrew4
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Raya
    Shaw, Trippier, Estu
    KDB, Grealish, MacA, Mitoma
    Haaland, Wilson (c), Isak

    Iversen, Rashford*, Chilwell*, Zinchenko*

    Thinking of the following so I have bench/rotation/injury cover

    A) Chilwell to TAA (-4)
    B) KDB to Salah (-4)
    C) neither

    Or do.

    1. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Roll FT.

  16. Solly The Seagull
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    A) Pope+Gross+Watkins
    B) Steele+Mitoma+Isak

  17. pablo discobar
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    No 530 game. Why. Eurovision. That's why

    1. fusen
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      The championship play off game is the 5:30 game, that's why it is on at that time and not 3pm

  18. balint84
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Schar?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Could be a fun punt. Feels like he has score another goal sooner or later. Might be some safer options though.

    3. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If you're trying to hunt down a ML leader then maybe, but not worth it IMO

    4. yeahbuddy
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Go hard or go home

  19. HD7
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2 fts ; 0.4 itb

    Guys, what would be your moves here:

    A) Kepa Watkins to De Gea Isak
    B) Stones Jota to TAA Isak
    C) Stones Watkins to White Isak
    D) Jota Watkins to Isak Wilson

    Steele 

    Trippier Stones Shaw
    Salah Rashford Martinelli Mitoma 

    Jota Haaland Watkins

    Kepa Grealish Estupinan Henry

  20. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play Kepa or Steele?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        The 50% bookies Chelsea CS odds feel very generous to me

        1. Jebiga
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          So kepa is better pick?

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele

  21. theshazly
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Steele / Iversen

    Stones TAA Botman Dalot Bueno
    Rashford Salah Mitoma Odegard Son
    Haaland Wilson Enciso

    Who to bench ?!

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Bench Iverson, Bueno, Dalot, Rash.

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Iversen, Rashford, Dalot, Bueno

  22. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    March and Stones to Shaw and Macalister worth - 4 hit?

    1. pablo discobar
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Why sell stones

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Do you have to do the stones move?

      1. Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        0.2 short to direct transfer march to Macalister

        1. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Then yes.

        2. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          If this is the only method then yes.

  23. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Bench order OK?
    Stones and Guéhi have good fixtures but all my other defenders double, and presumably Rashford will either start or not play at all so should he be benched below?

    DdG
    Trippier² Estupiñán² Botman²
    MacAllister² Mitoma² Salah Martinelli
    Haaland Kane Watkins

    Kepa Rashford* Stones Guéhi
    0FT £0.7M

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I think they're the correct calls - nice team!

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Could do with Wilson this week but I'm averse to a hit this late in the season. Rashford news got rid of my benching headache between Watkins/Martinelli.

        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Isak owner but can't really fit Wilson in but I'd get Wilson out of the two if I could atm.

          Think you're good as it is with those doublers and the rest of that team.

          1. Sheffield Wednesday
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers. Good luck.

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

    Newcastle captainers, beware of the Gandhi rule...

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure it applies in a double game week.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        as a Leeds fan I'm not sure even Gandhi can help this week. Will have to rely on Big Sam rather than little Mahatma.

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Who you going for instead then?

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Just means you blank in the first game, but you get a second chance

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If I remember rightly Newcastle have a very poor record in the Saturday 12:30 slot.

  25. Tactical Nous
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Enciso or Ferguson…who would you pick?

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Quite fancy Enciso

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

      Maybe wait this GW to see who is gonna be fit and ready for DGW 37

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Good call. See how they set up following defeat and March injury

  26. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Raya or Kepa?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Kepa

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

      Raya

  27. simong1
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Play Stones, Grealish first on bench
    B) Grealish > Mahrez (-4), play Mahrez. Stones first on bench.

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I've taken a hit to bring in Mahrez for Grealish. Couldnt help myself. So he'll blank now. Who are your other subs?

  28. Maxwell6
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play Ederson or Steele?

    -4 for Grealish out to Joelinton, yes or no?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele
      No

    2. GREEN JUMPERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele, no

    3. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Steele and No.

  29. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2FT - not sure where to go. Botman --> 3.9m if anything as can't see him starting for me again?

    Steele
    TAA -- Trippier -- Estupinán -- Shaw
    Salah -- Martinelli -- Mitoma
    Álvarez -- Haaland -- Isak

    Iversen -- Grealish -- Rashford -- Botman [2FT + 1.9m ITB]

  30. Little Frank
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who to bench first in case of a Rashford no show:
    a. Shaw
    b. Ferguson

    Leaning towards b. given he has a double although minutes far from guaranteed.

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I think I'd go Shaw. Ferguson probably won't play much over the two.

    2. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw. He could be back on the wing and I cannot see Wolves offering much attacking threat

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw. Hard to see anything but a CS for Utd this week.

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

      Shaw

    5. Indpush
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B) Ferguson

    6. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw. In fact I would start Shaw over Rashford.

    7. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B. Going with the attacker is more exciting