***GAMEWEEK 18 DEADLINE: THURSDAY - 18:30 GMT***
FPL Is Life is basically red flagged this week - I’m under the weather, but rather than miss a deadline I’m going to hit you up with a few decent links. Don’t get caught out this week - the deadline is Thursday evening. Yes, we’re in weird deadline season.
PS - Gameweek 17 is technically still going. As a result of the awful scenes with Tom Lockyer, which led to Bournemouth vs Luton being suspended, we still don’t know what is happening with FPL points from that game.
FPL question? Can’t believe Wales didn’t get that pen? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
Man City and Brentford don’t play
No game for these two - it’s a “Blank” Gameweek for them. It’s why a load of people got rid of Haaland this week, and he still doesn’t seem 100% now, so we can’t guarantee he’ll be back for Gameweek 19. One to watch. Also, this guy could be back soon, just in time for key players (Son, Salah) going away for international games.
With no Haaland, you have a captaincy decision
Watkins vs Sheffield Utd will probably be the most popular option. Son just behind.
The data points to Villa this week
The highest Expected Goals and the highest cleansheet odds for Villa. Pau Torres got a knock so before you transfer him in, check on that - Konsa may be the safer cheap option at just £4.5m
Porro delivered again
I’ve been writing about him a lot. Is it too later to pick him up now? Well, £5.5m still looks cheap for what he’s delivering. Everton next us suddenly not an easy fixture, but he’s been delivering even without cleansheets. essentially, he’s up against Trippier & Trent as a pick and it feels like the template may be moving towards more money in defence.
Nuñez can finally leave
The data remains good, the finishing still more like a blindfolded puppy with a rocket launcher. The Watkins to Nuñez transfer that many did a few weeks ago has been a total disaster. Arsenal next. You could keep him for when Salah goes to Afcon…. I guess. Solanke/Watkins are the easy moves. Alvarez has no game this week.
Players disappearing to Afcon/Asian Cup
A terrific graphic from a top FPL tweeter that looks at the FPL-relevant players that we’ll lose. Have it in your mind, but don’t obsess. We’ll obviously focus on this soon. Salah and Son are the biggies, but others too - eg, Mbeumo, Kudus (who’s looked great), and Mitoma.
Someone has made an FPL Ceefax
I’m absolutely here for this content - you’ll find updates, including (I’m afraid) a doubt over Anthony Gordon for this Gameweek, as he took a knock in the EFL Cup. Richarlison looks tempting…
‘90s players messing up - Merry Christmas
Ray Stubbs, a Christmas soundtrack, and Gordon Strachan gradually scoring an own goal. Lovely.
Please get in touch with any FPL dilemmas or general football internet gold. PS - I’m on Twitter here. Please help me grow FPL Is Life by sharing… thanks! Typos entirely deliberate, but thanks for noticing.