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

    Pope Steele
    Trippier Botman TAA Lindelof Zinchenko
    Saka Grealish Mac Mitoma Rashford
    Jota Haaland Watkins

    2 FTs 0.7 ITB. What should I do here?

    A) Botman + Grealish > Dias + Willock
    B) Botman + Watkins > Shaw + Isak

    Anything else?

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

      Having a hard time understanding option A

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

    Jota + Watkins —> Isak + Wilson (2FT) a no-brainer?

    Steele
    Trippier - Shaw - Estupinan
    Salah - Grealish - - Martinelli - Mitoma
    Haaland - Jota - Watkins

    (Kepa) (Henry - Rashford* - Zinchenko*) - 2 FT

    Cheers!

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

      Yeah go for it

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      100%

    3. McGurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      For free, yeah why not. Also by getting both, you don't have the regret of getting the wrong one! Great for the mental health.

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

        Cheers mate

  3. Norco
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Chasing in ML, time to go down swinging.

    Pull the trigger on the below?

    Watkins + March + Grealish > Wilson(C) + Groß + Bruno (-4)

    Gives me:
    Kepa
    Trips Burn Estu
    Salah Bruno Mitoma Groß
    Haaland Wilson Jota

    Subs: Raya | Rashford Shaw Henry

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

    TAA or Estupinan?!

    I feel like most here will say TAA but... Estupinan is the more fun option

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

      TAA

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      TAA

  5. DropkickMurphys
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Do you guys reckon Jota will start? And Steele?

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

      Yes to both

      1. DropkickMurphys
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks man cheer

  6. FISSH
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    huge benching headache:

    play one:

    A) Grealish
    B) Stones
    C) Solanke
    D) Martinelli

    1. DropkickMurphys
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I feel like Grealish wouldn’t start so he’s ready for Madrid match… but he may come on later which isn’t ideal. May be same for stones… So I d start Martinelli

  7. No Kane No Gain
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    If you are already playing De Gea and Rashford, who do you have first on the bench out of Grealish and Shaw?!

    Thanks!

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

      Rashford is out - possible weeks

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        He is only a doubt for tomorrow, not sure where weeks has come from.

        Still doesn’t answer my question on who to have first on my bench …

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

          Haha apologies, pure speculation depending on the injury. I’m in exactly the same predicament, Graelish prob rested but may cameo, Shaw could get a CS and bonus - it’s a tough one! I’m on graelish ahead at the moment

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            I just read the “grealish said himself he was tired after the Madrid match” in the scout predicted lineups…

            So I Just moved Shaw ahead of Grealish on the bench now!

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

              Chairs for the heads up! I’ll do the same

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

    Am I crazy for not replacing March with MacA, and instead going the Ode, Willock, etc route?

    Have Mitoma and Estu, as most do

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

      If you’re leading I’d go MacA otherwise could have a bit of fun with a differential like willock

      1. Pilgrim62
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        This

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

      I am probably doing the Ode move.

  9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Best captain option here folks???

    A- Isak
    Or
    B- Wilson

    Cheers everyone!!

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

      A - more guaranteed minutes

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks mate!! Been on Isak all week so will stick

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

          Yeah same - I’ve been a bit back and fourth myself but locked in Isaac (c) which inevitably means he blanks both games and haaland scores a hatty!

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Hahaha yeah that’s how it works mate!!! That would be typical FPL

    2. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Check points and form for both.

      W. for me no question

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate!!! Yeah I know mate he’s been on fire!! Mmm might switch still!!

  10. Simon69
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    If you had both Wilson and Isak, would you consider (c) Wilson if there's leaked news that he starts vs Leeds?

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I consider W(c) any way

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

    Pope
    Trippier Shaw TAA
    Saka Grealish Mac Mitoma Rashford
    Jota Haaland Isak

    Steele Grealish Zinchenko Lindelof

    Team and bench order GTG? Grealish to come in for Rashford or swap with one of Zinc/Lindelof?

  12. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Still undecided, play one:
    A. Alvarez (eve)
    B. Olise (BOU)
    C. Shaw (WOL)

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      C imo

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

      Olise

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

      Easy A imo

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

    Start Kepa or Ederson?

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

      Ed

    2. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I would play E

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

      Kepa

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

    Start Solanke or Grealish this week?

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      G

      I don’t believe S

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

        Yes S hasn't done SFA for some time. Just concerned Grealish comes in for 1. I suppose that would most likely only be 1 less than Solanke 🙂

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

      Solanke. On form and definite starter, Grealish probs rested

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

        On form? What points did I miss him getting over the last few weeks?

        1. The Mighty Hippo
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          5 attacking returns over his last five games. That's an ok return for a sub £6M striker.

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

            Thanks

  15. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play two:

    Dunk
    Dalit
    Akanji

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

      Dalot and Akanji

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

    Who is everyone transferring Rashford too or are you benching and using subs?

    1. McGurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Benching, as i have a good sub. If not, then a bit trickier, but not a sell if you think he will get fit for the double

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

        Hoping he will be fit for double mate, as its stands I have Jota coming in for Rashford so might just bench him and see what comes of it next GW.

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

      A lot of people play with a one GW time horizon, helped by the FPL website 'Scout' Rashford replacements article right on the FPL homepage (https://www.premierleague.com/news/3341325)

      300k+ fewer owners for when he's fit (hopefully) for DGW37

  17. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Schar taa shaw
    Mahrez salah wiliAn mitoma
    Haaland isak solanke

    Subs steele stones gab rash
    Benching order Ok? And will u do solanke to enciso or just stick

  18. andre_c
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you downgrade Salah to Fernandes or KDB to cheaper city mid to fund other transfers in the team?

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

      Nope

  19. blauriecon
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Rashford>Zaha/Eze?

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

      If can’t bench and don’t want back week then maybe I’d do that

  20. Totti
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who to get?

    A) mac allister
    B) Groß

    Who to bench?

    A) watkins
    B) grealish

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

      get A
      bench A

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A and B

  21. Ragabolly
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Risers: Mahrez (7.4) Mac Allister (5.6) Shaw (5.2)

    Fallers: Diogo Jota (8.7) Watkins (7.4) Ings (6.3) Raya (4.8) Ream (4.5) Travers (4.1)

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

      March no drop!

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

        Or Rashford actually - the two lowest scores on FPLstats (-119% and -114%) .. I think the site probably isn't adjusting for flags that well

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          We'll have one matchday to consider their transfers until they drop at least.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly!

  22. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Grealish to Mahrez for free? Chasing ML by 20 points and they do not have him. Or save and play Dalot?

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

      Solly not droppy!

      1. hustler7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks…haha.

  23. Drogba Legend
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Ederson

    Botman - TAA - Estu
    Salah - Rash - Grealish - March - Mitoma
    Haaland - Richarlison

    Iversen - Shaw - Solanke - Lindelof

    A) Rich > Wilson/Isak
    B) March > MaCallister
    C) Both for a hit
    D) Just A or B and then play Shaw over Richarlison

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ten Hag

      “[Rashford] is doubtful, more than doubtful. So [there is] a big question mark.”

  24. steven8991
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play 1:
    A. Mings
    B. Gabriel
    C. Martinelli

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

      3

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      C

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

      Martinelli for sure.

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

    If leading ML and all chasers have double defence would you prioritise that and cover them or go with Wilson over botman (Wilson move suits my team better)

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Wilson

  26. Yankee Toffee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Play:
    A. Watkins (TOT)
    B. White (BHA)

    Cheers!

    1. Inferno
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    Henry to Shaw worth a -4? Suspect Henry will end up autosubbing in atm due to all of my flags, but the fixture isn't terrible (and why I am playing Kepa over Raya so I don't double up):

    Kepa
    TAA Trippier Estu
    Salah Mitoma MacAl Bruno Rashford*
    Haaland Isak
    Raya Ake* Henry Greenwood

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Might be the difference in LMS 🙂

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

        This is the week I go out regardless I think!

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

      Don't just stop at a -4. Overhaul the whole squad!

      Kepa, Henry, Rashford, Ake to Ederson, Shaw, Gakpo, Botman.

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

        Stopped reading when you wrote Ederson 😉

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Fellow LMSer.

    3. Inferno
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Save it for next week. Henry's fixture isn't bad and there might be other fires to put out.

    4. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Henry has good fixture so keep for another week.. I would only do it, only if i'm doing it anyway next week.

    5. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      "why I am playing Kepa over Raya so I don't double up" I don't understand this. If you are playing for the highest possible OR you should pick the players that you think will give you the highest expected points.

      It's like when people say they don't play defenders against attackers and make a bad decision by benching one of them. Multiple clashes like this are going to happen over a season.

  28. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Not sure who to replace March with for a hit? Not convinced on the MacAllister move.

    1. Odegaard
    2. Martinelli
    3. Mac A
    4. Zaha
    5. Play Solanke (no bench)

    Kepa

    Estupinan / TAA / Trippier / Schar

    Rashford / Mahrez / Salah / Mitoma

    Haaland / Isak

    Raya | Solanke | March | Zinc

    Thanks

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

      Depends on your rank
      If in a leading position, there are a lot of reasons to like Mac and why he is going to be very well owned (pens, 4 potential games in 2 GW, Brighton decent attacking record against stronger teams).
      If chasing, I do really like the Zaha shout. 3 great games for goal potential and strong underlying stats since he has returned.

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Rank is around 45K, just not liking Brighton fixtures, really not sure who to go for. You don't fancy the Arsenal mids?

  29. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Kepa and Raya owners who you are starting?

    Last time i picked kepa over raya he got 1 point and raya 9 pts. Lol

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

      I am probably starting Kepa for team specific reasons (see above), but I do think Raya is probably the better of the two in isolation. Just feel this is like a cup final type game for Forest whereas West Ham had their European game on Thursday and so maybe could rest some players etc. Goalkeepers are tricky though, predicting the saves - both pretty much have the same good save % over the last 6 games or so too. Don't think there is that much in it.

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yes that's easy decision in your case, leaning towards raya too in my case but the fact i'm chasing ML rival who have raya but no kepa is tempting to go with kepa.

  30. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Will stones start?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hit and miss from usual City predictors posted by JumpTheWave on Twitter, about 60/40 split on not starting/starting. My own guess is he starts, I don't think Pep will take many chances with this game and I've actually sold him to free up a City spot for KDB next week as I think he's going to get a rest during the DGW (but that hinges on him playing tomorrow)