Going Big: Bringing back the top players
Stay for VR football going brilliantly wrong
***GAMEWEEK 13 DEADLINE: SATURDAY - 11:00 GMT***
So Salah let us down again when we needed him, but thanks to top bloke Neco Williams, who got a clean sheet on the week he made loads of teams. Lovely stuff. It’s a quick turnaround until Saturday’s deadline and as I mentioned last week, British politics is having a totally normal one - so my day job is busy. Luckily, this week is really straightforward for most managers - get Man City and Arsenal players back in.
THIS WEEK: Refocusing on the best sides, the Saka vs Foden debate, new strikers emerging, a Wildcard, considering Bruno for the Watchlist - and some top content showing football players attempting a virtual reality game. The keeper is something special. PS: Please help me recruit new lifers: by sharing
Transfer dilemma? Crushing sense of existential dread? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
We can back the best teams again
Here are the four fixture rounds until the World Cup, when we all get infinite transfers (essential, a Wildcard you have to use that week). As you can see, Man City and Arsenal are now right up there, as are Liverpool. Bye bye Trossard, basically (he blanked against Forest and has Man City next). Fixtures sorted by difficulty:
Foden or Saka is the big debate this week
The two mid-priced midfielders have been tearing it up this season, so there’s a debate about which one to go for if you have neither - some taking a hit to get both in. I can see justification for that given they have a good set of fixtures, but obviously it *depends who you’re taking out* to do it. In most cases, one at a time prob best.
In terms of their underlying data, Foden is ahead this season - a good measure is expected goals and assists excluding penalties, per 90 minutes (xGi, non-pen). Foden: 0.62. Saka: 0.43. BUT Saka has been on fire lately (points in last five: 7-9-2-15-9) and has the better fixture this week. It’s very close.
Nuñez and Jesus could also be options
Saka looks great, but if you have Salah etc and only have one free midfield slot, Jesus still looks a good option upfront for Arsenal. His number have been good, even with a run of tougher fixtures.
Nuñez has amazing underlying numbers when he plays - but that’s a bigger “if”. Liverpool have injury issues, though., so his minutes may increase. His xGi per 90 is 1.18. Then again, Firmino has been the one bringing home the FPL points, and they played together in the last game. Nuñez is a risk/reward play if you’re up for it. As ever, WAIT FOR LATE PRESS CONFERENCE NEWS on these two.
The story of the last six weeks
A great chart here that shows the teams, plotted in terms of attack and defence - you want to be in the top left. We all know the best team, but the “comet tails” show progress over the last six weeks. Newcastle on the charge. Liverpool back a bit, but still right up there. Some teams clearly emerging as ones to target fo goals against (Forest, Southampton, Bournemouth, Leicester). Also target Wolves to get a clean sheet (obv).
Trippier appreciation post
As is well established now, Big At The Back is caput, dead, it is an ex-tactic. Those expensive attacking defenders haven’t done it. But loads of us have been rescued by Kieran Trippier, who is now the top scoring defender after his 9-pointer vs Everton (though I think Cancelo has played one fewer game). As far as defenders go, Saliba still looks good value, too.
A great week to Wildcard
Anyone with a Wildcard has a great advantage this week. You can bring in all the big teams, get rid of the dross. Go Big until the World Cup. Here’s a decent effort. I like Trent - he can’t underperform forever. Jesus, KDB are the obvious omissions.
Is Bruno good again?
He was once the FPL King, but Man Utd’s status as the Banter Club has taken him off the table for some time. But, whisper it quietly, Utd looked good against Spurs this week and after Chelsea at the weekend, they have three decent fixtures. I’m whacking Bruno on the Watchlist.
I’d watch this on pay per view
It’s good to see from this that Virtual Reality is still shit. Also, you’ve got to admire the effort from the keeper.
Please get in touch with any FPL dilemmas or general football internet gold. Remember the DEADLINES and see you next week! I’m on Twitter here. Please help me grow FPL Is Life by sharing… thanks!