Our team of Hall of Famers and guest writers are writing about all things Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in 2023/24. Next up, seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar takes his usual weekly FPL Q&A.
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Q: If Eddie Howe is coy on Anthony Gordon’s fitness, as expected, is he a hold?
Q. Would you bench Anthony Gordon, even if we got confirmation from Eddie Howe that he’s fine, considering the number of games he has played recently, the fact that Newcastle United play Chelsea in the cup on Tuesday and the possibility that Alexander Isak can play on the left?
(via @Troy_FPL and @FPL_Cruyff73)
A: There are a lot of questions on Anthony Gordon (£6.2m) this week after the winger was subbed off in the 62nd minute in Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League game against AC Milan. Howe said post-match that it was due to a hamstring issue but he was unsure about Gordon’s availability for the weekend.
“[Anthony] said he had an awareness of something in his hamstring. We’re not sure if it’s an injury because he could still sort of play, but he couldn’t play to the very high level that he has played for a long time. I think he had an issue full sprinting.
“Anthony is a very positive lad, he thinks he’s fine. But let’s see.” – Eddie Howe
Newcastle have a short turnaround with their game against Fulham coming on Saturday, just a couple of days later. Eddie Howe is very guarded with team news in his press conferences so we cannot really rely on him to give us clarity but it is still worth waiting for his presser on Friday. If he is close to being available for the weekend, it would make sense to play or bench him this week with a sub like Cameron Archer (£4.6m) coming on if needed. Newcastle have a couple of good fixtures after Gameweek 17, although their run from Gameweeks 20-22 is pretty bad.
Most of us already have an injury/suspension issue to deal with in our teams so it would mean taking a hit this week, which unless he is ruled out for more than one Gameweek, I am not in favour of. My guess at the moment is that he will not make the weekend fixture against Fulham with the games so close, but might be available for Gameweek 18.
However, if he is categorically ruled out for December, I would rather take the hit. Free transfers are precious and will be required for shifting Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah soon and we seem to be getting an injury to a popular FPL asset every week.
There are some good replacement options, some of which I will discuss in the next question.
Q: Who is the best Anthony Gordon replacement if he is out: Richarlison, Brennan Johnson or Jarrod Bowen?
(via SHOWSTOPPERRR)
A: Richarlison was a player many of us flocked to at the start of the season. As FPL managers, we are always looking for ‘out of position’ assets. But he was disappointing and was eventually replaced by Son in the centre-forward role. News has come out since that Richarlison was dealing with physical and mental issues which hampered his performance and he looked much better leading the line against Newcastle United.
We know now that Ange Postecoglou’s team knows only one way to play – all-out attack – so owning the centre-forward from his team is always a good idea. However, we don’t know for sure yet if Richarlison will continue in that role or be moved out to the left as Son playing wide against Newcastle could have been specifically to target Kieran Trippier. It would be reasonable to assume though that it will be the case against Nottingham Forest, as well, given how effective it was. But if it fails there, will it continue for Gameweek 19?
Either way, Richarlison is likely to lead the line when Son leaves for the Asia Cup, so Postecoglou will probably want to show faith in the Brazilian even if he fails to deliver against Forest. I think Richarlison would be my top pick, with Jarrod Bowen in second. I like the West Ham man more than Brennan Johnson as he feels more like a talisman; the Hammers’ immediate run looks difficult on paper but David Moyes’ side likes playing on the counter-attack against big sides.
Johnson would be in third.
Q; Prioritise Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke with one transfer? The thought is that if you don’t buy Solanke this week, he is less desirable with one of three nice fixtures missed. Are both worth the hit?
(via @lonewolf_AK)
A: This is a question I am wrestling with for my team, as well. I currently own Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Darwin Nunez (£7.6m) in a 3-5-2 with one free transfer. Assuming Haaland is out for this weekend and expected back after the FIFA Club World Cup, I will likely be doing Haaland to Ollie Watkins (£8.5m) rather than Dominic Solanke (£6.6m) even though I feel the Bournemouth man likely scores highest this week.
The reason is primarily the captaincy in Gameweek 18. I am set on captaining Watkins that week and don’t want to book another transfer for Nunez to Watkins given how we are just reacting to injuries every week with our free transfers.
I will be watching the UEFA Europa League line-ups for Liverpool closely. If Darwin starts that one, I am a bit worried about a start against Manchester United with how poor he was against Crystal Palace. That being said, Jurgen Klopp could just play him to get some confidence with goals against weaker opposition – and that would not necessarily rule him out against Man Utd, who are suffering with injuries and suspensions. I have not-so-fond memories of transferring Liverpool players out for a hit before this same fixture last year, so I think I will field Darwin regardless.
Thinking about the hit for Solanke more, if you plan to get Haaland back in Gameweek 19 then Solanke essentially becomes a two-Gameweek move starting at -4. It feels risky with Solanke not traditionally a very explosive asset.
Q: When is the best time to Wildcard if you still have the chip – particularly if I want Erling Haaland, Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah for Gameweek 19 and 20? I had been planning to Wildcard in Gameweek 19 to get Haaland back but now wondering if it’s better to do it for Gameweek 20 to manage the loss of Son/Salah.
(via ODBS1515)
A: The strategy I advocated earlier was to sell your Manchester City/Brentford players for Blank Gameweek 18 and then buy them back in Gameweek 19 for the double that we expected was likely to land in Gameweek 20.
We have had some TV/fixture timing announcements recently and the prospects of a Double Gameweek 20 look extremely unlikely now. There might still be a Double Gameweek 21 over the winter break but my personal feeling is that would be unfair on the two sides with the rest of the league on a hiatus over that period.
Keeping the above in mind, I think this week is a great time to Wildcard.
There are several injuries/suspensions to deal with and there are good entry points for several teams such as Spurs, Chelsea etc. Depending on the Haaland news, I would just be wary of not spreading the funds too much in case you want the Norwegian back in for Gameweek 19. Ideally, you should be able to get to him with two transfers so structure your funds and squad accordingly.
I think the loss of Salah/Son can be managed with free transfers and there are more gains to be made if you Wildcard now.
Q: Excluding Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are the three best defenders for the long term?
(via @GVSubramanyam7)
A: As mentioned last week, I think Pedro Porro (£5.4m) is the third-best defensive asset in the game, so that’s an easy one.
Arsenal’s fixtures improve after their games against Brighton and Liverpool, so either one of Gabriel Magalhaes (£4.9m) or William Saliba (£5.5m) would be fourth.
In fifth, I would go for Pau Torres (£4.7m) from Villa. The Villans have a good run of fixtures now and he has cemented his spot in the squad. There is plenty of goal threat, too, from set pieces.
Q: Which goalkeeper should I buy, excluding Martin Dubravka, if Robert Sanchez is ruled out?
(via @Coleye1977)
A: For those still holding Alphonse Areola (£4.2m), it is worth mentioning that he was pictured back in training and he should get the spot back if he is available.
Looking at alternatives, I think Bernd Leno (£4.7m) and Murara Neto (£4.5m) are the standouts. Both are excellent shot-stoppers, rack up plenty of saves and are always in the bonus points conversation when their sides keep a clean sheet.
Bournemouth’s underlying data has improved massively recently and Neto is slightly more affordable. I do prefer Leno, though.
4 months, 21 days agoZoph - will Gusto get more minutes now that James is out for a considerably period of time?