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Wildcard activation tips

 PLAYER ANALYSIS FROM EACH TEAM

Starting from Arsenal, their defence never really looked good on any of the two matches. But Ainsley Maitland-Niles particularly impressed going forward with an assist in the first GW showing potential for points. And especially it was a home debut to remember for Ceballos who recently joined from Real Madrid on loan. His spectacular performance showcased the missing piece in the Arsenal midfield. He almost got himself a goal if it wasn’t for Pope’s diving save. With his couple of key passes and excellent dribbles that could open any defence, he is absolutely worth that bargain £5.5 with excellent fixtures starting from GW5.

After losses in both the opening GW’s for Aston Villa, there were some positives in the form of Heaton after they spent more than £100m in the summer. But apart from him, it was Elmohamady who caught the eye due his claim of maximum points despite conceding twice in the 2nd GW. With some good fixtures around the corner, he could be a gem to fantasy managers who is currently owned by only 2.0% of the managers. But seeing the way they play, it seems like we should be focusing our attention to their forwards rather than defenders as it feels they are going to get a lot of goals rather than a couple of Clean Sheets. After seeing McGinn scoring the opener in the game vs Spurs, He made his claim by constantly moving forward firing in 6 shots, 3 of which were on target. He is undoubtedly on my radar with Ceballos being the only competition in that price range.

After the match against reigning champions, Bournemouth have a kind run of fixtures which could provide some FPL points. The cheapest route into their attack comes in the form of loanee H. Wilson who has had a fine season with Derby County. And in the forward role, nothing can be better than £6.5m rated penalty taker King.

Things quite turned out like a dream for Brighton after that away win at Vicarage Road. But it didn’t turn out that well from the FPL perspective due to the uncertainty in the attacking line-up. But the save points from Ryan could serve you well. While it was Dunk who caught the attention of most of the FPL Managers, it was Burn who was a threat in the opposition box and could be a Duffy if he can keep his starting berth. Talking about attack, all the goals were scored by the substitutes who didn’t lineup in the 2nd GW. And if Trossard could keep his starting place, then he can prove to be a differential considering the fact that Brighton have created the most chances this season.

Talking about Burnley, it’s all about their defensive prowess and goalkeeping magic that has been attracting FPL Managers since some seasons ago. And that’s exactly what Nick Pope has been doing pulling off some excellent saves. And there is some forward interest in the form of Barnes who has been lively in front of goal.

After the loss for Crystal Palace to Sheffield United and the frequent red marks on the difficulty rankings, it will take quite a brave manager to turn to them for points except for Kelly who can be used as an enabler to bring more premiums to your teams.

The team with the easiest fixtures that has failed to impress is Chelsea. Probably, they have the easiest fixture of all the teams in the long run. But it will be hard to pinpoint a single player from the team for success. However, managers who want to take a risk can turn to Emerson who can prove to be a new Alonso at a reduced price.

At the end of GW2, there is only one team that hasn’t conceded a goal, Everton. But problems certainly persist in their attack after a singular goal that resulted in their only win. The go-to player is surely Digne, who is currently owned by about 25% of the managers and this is surely likely to increase.

If any outsiders can break into the Top 6 ahead of the favorites, then it’s going to be Leicester. The response they gave after a quiet first half against Chelsea was superb and reminiscent of what they can do with Maddison being the focal point of almost every attack that builds up around them. Another player that managers should consider is £4.5m rated Söyüncü who is the cheapest way to get into their defence.

Before the start of the season, the most owned defenders and goalie were from Liverpool. But it is FPL, and things almost never work out as we think. That’s exactly what has happened with Liverpool after injury to Alisson. They didn’t manage to keep a Clean Sheet in any of the two matches. But the efforts from TAA going forward was highly appreciable as he was moving high up the pitch. Other things apart, who can ignore a goalkeeper from a team that is fighting to win the league title and priced at a mere £4.5m? And the attacking trio of Mane, Firmino and Salah is the deadliest in the league. Nobody can afford all three of them but one of them is a must-have – no matter who you pick, they are going to get you points.

Manchester City can batter anyone on their day, no matter which team they are. In addition to that, the sea of green on the fixtures can get no better. After firing in 19 shots on target in the first 2 games of the league and they don’t seem like stopping anytime soon. Truly, I think they are the only team in the league of which investment of three players is worth it. The cheapest route into the City defence, being Zinchenko, is the most favorable option at the back. And the return of De Bruyne back to his best assisting Raheem Sterling cannot get any better. It is worth it to invest in both of them unless one of them slows down provided the frequent rift between Aguero and Guardiola hampering his game time.

It was absolutely nothing Manchester United and de Gea could do about that stunner by Ruben Neves. But if he can build anywhere near his 18 Clean Sheets which was achieved 2 seasons ago, he would be a bargain regarding the no. of saves he makes each game. But it was particularly Wan-Bissaka who impressed in the game against Wolves constantly going forward to test the defence. He was really unlucky not to get a couple of assists in the game thanks to poor control from Lingard. And regarding the attackers from United, a guaranteed forward who is classified as a midfielder in FPL at £7.6 at the time of writing can’t be ignored considering the threat he provides.

One team that will be surely fighting against the relegation this season will be Newcastle United. After two consecutive losses, I can’t see them improving soon with the fixtures being against them.

Even after being battered by Liverpool, Norwich didn’t seem to change their playing style which is good news for FPL Managers. They proved they were right against a weak Newcastle side. There is a plenty of options in the team, starting with Hanley at £4.0m and Cantwell at £4.5m. The former can be a enabler but latter is no-brainer after attacking two straight games in an attacking position with a fine display. The man no one can go wrong with is Teemu Pukki who did put on some fine displays against Liverpool and Newcastle United and currently is the joint top scorer of the league along with most shots on target.

Despite being everyone’s favorite tipped for relegation, Sheffield United are living their dream in the Premier League but it will be hard to continue this with the Top 6 sides coming to haunt them in the next 11 GW. However, John Lundstram has been on everyone’s lips since before the beginning of season due to being used as a midfielder despite being categorized as a defender who is available at the price of only £4.1m at the time of writing.

There haven’t been any positives from Southampton in both attack and defense. So, it is worth waiting for a while if you are considering to move for any Saints player.

Tottenham hasn’t had the perfect start to the season after getting lucky lately in both the games. However, the way Kyle-Walker Peters moves forward has caught my attention and being the cheapest defender from the side, he is worth a punt. When Pep Guardiola calls a team as great as Spurs “the Harry Kane team”, then you must know why. Given that his price has declined to £11.0m after the release of game, he is a no-brainer for any manager given he has already played against City away from home.

Being at the bottom of the table is the worst feeling one can have,  regardless of the time. But Watford are not a side that anyone expects to get relegated this season. So, keep an eye on them during their resurgence and pounce on them at the right moment.

West Ham almost never live up to the hype created by their super signings in almost every summer. The case is same again. Powered by the attacking philosophy of Pellegrini, we haven’t seen enough from the Hammers to consider any of the attackers. At the moment, for the kind run of fixtures, Lanzini is the best attacking option after he recovered from the injury that kept him out for most of the previous season. The only points we can expect in defence is from Fabianski who is praised for no. of saves he makes each game.

Wolves are a nightmare to play against for Top 6 sides and they showed why. But considering the tough fixtures they have ahead of them, the only player worth considering in the team right now is Leander Dendoncker due to his price. I still think Cantwell is a better option unless you are considering both of them to have a team full of premiums and enablers.

42 Comments Post a Comment
  1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Firstly a LFC defender is still on the shopping list.

    1. The Legend of Casiraghi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ironically I just sold all my Liverpool players with the WC. Feels like utter madness, but they're such poor value. 7m defenders who can't keep a clean sheet. Top premiums in midfield who rotate points. Firmino is maybe the exception, but is still expensive and prone to peaks and troughs.

  2. The Real Big Vern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    WC team at the moment

    Pope - 4m
    TAA AWM Zinch Lund Kelly
    Sterling, KDB, Martial, Trossard, Mount
    Kane Pukki Barnes

    Good to go?

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

      Looks good! Thinking 343 or 352?

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Currently you’ll have a benching headache between Trossard, Mount and Barnes. I would get one 4.5 midfielder and save the change for a rainy day 🙂

      1. The Real Big Vern
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        i really like the flexibility of a team i can choose from each week. For example Barnes will be on bench this gw

      2. Fit of Pique
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Agree. Maybe have a play around and see what you can achieve with that extra 1.5m

        1. The Real Big Vern
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          1.5m from where?

          1. Fit of Pique
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            From downgrading one of Trossard, Mount or Barnes for a bench player and reinvesting the 1.5m saved back 9n the first XI

    3. The Legend of Casiraghi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Very similar to mine. So you've given me some comfort!
      I've got Rashford instead of Barnes, as he's second only to Pukki atm. Bagging up the bonuses. However it does mean Soyuncu instead of TAA. With Liverpool leaking goals, I'm not sure he's worth 7m.

      Also McGinn and Ceballos instead of Trossard and Mount. Digne instead of AWM,

      And Ryan instead of your 4m.

      Considering moving McGinn to Cantwell, to give me the money, esp. as he could be benched many weeks anyway, with the front 3 all starting.

    4. BEARZINHO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Without stating the obvious - what do you do when mane / salah score big... no pool seems a high risk low reward strategy imo

      1. The Real Big Vern
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        hide?

      2. mik-hail-tal
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Personally I'm going without Salah and Mané on my wildcard. It's IMO not the biggest risk because I have Sterling, KDB and Kane. I'll move the armband from Kane to Sterling untill Christmas at least so I wont captain Salah or Mané. I squeezed Firmino in so when Wilson or Vardy start showing form I can get them in. Kane is there to swap to Auba if needed. Other than that I also have a pretty good defense including Robertson. Martial is also in there and Ryan-Button in goal so I wont have to worry about my goalkeepers for the next 6 months.

    5. Futbol Heritage
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      8 starting attackers means, youll bench one of them every week but maybe you like that flexibility.

      Very similar to mine otherwise so ofcourse I like it.

  3. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Nice read, cheers!

  4. BlzE_94
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Digne AWB
    Sterling Mane Son Martial Perez
    Pukki Jota

    Bench: Button, Greenwood, Montoya, Rico

  5. POLSKA GOLA
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Excellent

  6. llopesso19
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I was going to De Bruyne instead of Sigurdson for the games 3 and 4. But Maddison instead of Dendoncker looks very nice!

  7. llopesso19
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Complete this team:

    Pope, Button;
    Robertson? , Walker, Digne, -, Rico
    Sterling, Salah, Martial, - , - ,
    King, Jota, Greenwood;

    1. The Legend of Casiraghi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      How much does that leave you?
      In mid you've got McGinn, Ceballos, Cantwell, Trossard. All good cheap options.
      At the back Kelly or Lundstram at 4/4.1.
      Although that frontline wouldn't worry many defences. Rashford, Firmino, Kane, Pukki. At a min. you've got to have Pukki!
      Would rather have Cantwell at 4.5 in mid, than Greenwood for Utd. He's a waste of a place, Cantwell plays and gets points.

  8. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Great summary!
    I’m now considering keeping Pérez for 2 weeks then possibly moving him to Ceballos
    That will give me funds to do Jota or King to Pukki
    Can rotate McGinn and Ceballos as 4/5 mids

  9. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Start for this week..?
    Lundstarm (lei h)
    Cantwell (Che h)

    1. The Legend of Casiraghi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Norwich may well score against Chelsea, but for Cantwell to be involved too seems less likely than Lundstram to get a cleansheet. So I'd go Lundstram.

  10. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Ceballos a worthy pick?
    Or is there any strong reasoning for him to be benched/rotated frequently?

    1. Deanamo Jammy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ceballos' first assist to Lacazette was a flat corner kick that Laca worked magic to put in the net. His second assist to Auba was an ordinary toe poke forward that Auba turned into a goal. Neither was what you could call a "playmaker" pass (think KDB or David Silva), though the toe poke WAS the result of great hustle. I frankly think he's getting a lot of credit for NOT being Mezut Ozil - he ran all over the field, box to box, worked to get the ball back, made max effort.

      He's a great player - he played great - but I think the excitement over his two assists is overdone. They just weren't that impressive. I think he's more N'golo Kante than David Silva (or my favorite Gunner, Santi Cazorla). I guess we'll see.

      1. The Legend of Casiraghi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        It's a good point. Still at 5.6m it's not much of a gamble to get him now and see if he continues to get the points.

    2. BEARZINHO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      See my wc team below... i have cebellos at 5.5 and won’t play him till gw6... but then will play him every game from gw8...

      1. Deanamo Jammy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I can see in your WC where Ceballos fits in - you play a minimum of four at the back and four in the middle every week and then rotate Lundstram, Ceballos, Barnes, and Pukki as fixtures dictate. It's very interesting and something to think about.

        I realize Ceballos is on the cheap side and plays for a dynamic side, but what exactly is expected of him from a fantasy standpoint? Would he even be on the radar if not for his two assists which frankly were not all that eye catching?

        In 65 league appearances with Real Betis (2+ seasons), he produced 2 goals and 4 assists, and in 35 league appearances with Real Madrid (2 seasons) he produced 5 goals and 0 (zero) assists. Aren't these the numbers of a 5.0 midfielder? Aren't we in 2018-19 N'golo Kante territory with Ceballos (4G, 4A, 116 points), but 0.5 more expensive?

  11. tmduc
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Of course there's no right or wrong time, but when would you prefer to use your WC if you feel ok with your team:

    GW5 - 1st Intl Break
    GW9 - 2nd IB
    GW13 - 3rd IB
    Dont bother

    1. The Legend of Casiraghi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I made the mistake last year of clinging to my WC. I reached Christmas without using it, and ended up doing it when I hardly needed to. This year I'm going early, to get on the early bandwagons etc. as soon as I feel my team is slipping behind. Which is already now.

    2. PepRoulette
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'll probably get to the first IB and see how my team looks. Still think I will be wildcarding in the first IB, but last year I was able to wait till the second IB (was my best season with a 17k finish)

    3. BEARZINHO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I typically used mine 2nd international break as transfer window was open longer and this was time to see how deadline day signings had settled.. however this season I've played it now... as feel i’ve seen enough to know who i believe is essential long term and feel confident moving early.

      I’d say if you are saving it as an insurance policy that is wrong approach, it should be used when you feel you are confident who you want long term and use it to move for them without hits...

    4. tmduc
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      great comments! cheers!

    5. james 101
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      As soon as you have a feel for which players are going to do well (and rise)

      Steals you a march on others

  12. BEARZINHO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    On a wc - my team is below with 1.2 itb

    Adrian (becomes pope at some point)
    Coleman, Digne, AWB, Zinck, lund
    Mane, sterling, kdb, martial, cebellos
    Pukki, barnes, greenwood

    Cebellos plays gw 6 and then when arsenals fixtures become a sea of red from GW8...

    Dbl eve def.. easy swap one of them to anyone with 1m itb... they have great fixtures and have pool cover with adrian

    I like the balance and flexibility, but would be grateful for your input - what am i missing? Who is must have? Who can hurt me? Thanks all - your the best!

    1. wolvesmad
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I like it especially the Adrian thinking which I also have done. Only problem I have is Greenwood. I'd downgrade martial and get in Rashford for him considering it looks like he will be on penos. Just a thought...

  13. BEARZINHO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hehe - mean when Arsenals fixtures become a sea of GREEN...

  14. LittleD
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    Digne walker p lunds

    Mane stering martial kevind son

    Pukki jota

    ??

  15. Mini Mahouse
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Can't believe how many people are ditching Salah after 1 blank - It's like you don't learn from last season

  16. james 101
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Reckon rash is going up tonight?

  17. Aaron Hickerson
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    KWP, Mount & Cantwell OR
    Mings, Ceballos & McGinn???

  18. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    £11.4m for two midfielders

    Thinking McGinn & Ceballos with 0.2 ITB, even though Arsenal's fixtures don't come good for a few weeks. Any thoughts?

    Already have Salah, Martial and KDB.