Maxing out FPL's biggest Gameweek
Stay for the worst VAR decision ever
***DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 37 DEADLINE: SATURDAY - 11:00 GMT***
Was it confirmation that you need to follow the data? Or did it prove a stopped clock is always right twice a day? Either way, Nico Jackson got a load of FPL points at the weekend, at a time when a load of people own him because of Chelsea’s Double Gameweeks. His underlying data has been good for a while, but that never stopped Darwin Nuñez. In other news from the week, Haaland scores goals and Man Utd are still terrible, though this time they were terrible and actually lost. Anyone who kept hold of Palace players after their recent Double Gameweek have really cashed in. Bruno wasn’t in the squad for that game - he is one of a few injuries we’ll have to discuss for this week’s EPIC DOUBLE GAMEWEEK. Yes, it’s the big one. Loads of people are Bench Boosting this week, so injuries are a real pain…
Got a transfer dilemma? Begging for the end? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
Here’s the Double…
The biggest one of the season - some people get a double tonne in weeks like this, so we can dream of a season changer. The teams doubling are Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man City, Brighton and Man Utd. These are the sides that our hopes and dreams rely on. Yes, even Man Utd. A lot of people used the Wildcard in Gameweek 35 to set up for this, so are pretty sorted apart from injuries to Schar, Van Hecke, Maguire and Gusto. The obvious picks this week are Palmer, Haaland, Son, Gordon, probably Isak - the next rung down are Jackson, Porro, Foden… so we won’t waste much time on them.
Defence is hard this week
Finding defenders has been an issue for a while outside of Arsenal - going Gabriel and Saliba/Raya, even on the Wildcard a couple of weeks ago, has proved a good move. Of the Double Gameweek guys, the stand out defence is Man City, but we know how hard it is to pick the right one. Gvardiol is probably the best bet - or Dias if you have cash. Just don’t blame me when they don’t play.
Who are the other Double Gameweek defenders worth punting on? If Gusto is back, then he’s a good bet for attacking returns - Cucurella has been playing as an inverted left back, so he’s now an option. There’s Porro (though he plays City as part of the Double). Dalot is the United guy, though it has pain written all over it. If I had to pick five Double defenders, they would be:
Gusto (if fit) 2. Porro 3. Gvardiol 4. Burn 5. Cucurella
Spurs - Richarlison is back in the mix
He came on in the Liverpool loss and scored - his return also improves Son, who will move back to the left where he is more effective (it just hasn’t worked with him through the middle). As a lot of people who Wildcarded won’t have Richy - because he was injured at the time - he is a fun transfer in if you’re covered on the obvious picks. He’s also in the mix if Bruno is out and you need a replacement. Spurs play Sheffield United on the last day, so it’s also a good move for next week, too. Outside Son and Richarlison, Porro is really the only defender with attacking upside. Maddison is there, but it’s hard to make an argument for him based on form and the alternatives. Johnson’s underlying data is good, but surely too much of a minutes risk now.
My picks: 1. Son 2. Richarlison 3. Porro
Newcastle update - Livramento punt?
Newcastle also have a good game on the final day - Brentford - and there has been a bit of news to shake up their team. It sounds like Schar, popular a few weeks ago, is out for the season (unconfirmed). There’s an easy sideways move there to Dan Burn. The big question is whether Trippier will return - huge upside there if we get news. Likewise, with Livramento if Trippier is out. If we get no news, all the fullbacks feel very risky, but Livra feels the most likely to haul. Up front, Isak is still the guy but Callum Wilson’s insistence on being good when fit - and taking penalties - does slightly diminish Isak as a transfer in this week. Definitely keep the guy if you have him already, though.
Points per start champions
The best player for points per start must be Palmer or Haaland, right? Wrong! It’s Michael Olise. Imagine what he could do if he stayed fit. If they carry on this way, Palace could be a real FPL team next season if they come in at a good price (and don’t lose their attacking players). Special shout out to Ollie Watkins, who’s had a great FPL season throughout, even when we all ditched him on the Wildcard.
A Free Hit draft for this week
This Free Hit, from the Let’s Talk FPL channel, gives us a good sense of the transfers to be looking at - and if you’re on a Bench Boost (bench points count) there are also a few good cheaper players here to bench. As you see here, De Bruyne is an amazing differential if you can get to him - especially with the doubts about Bruno’s fitness. It’s hard to find a decent keeper, especially if you don’t want to spend the cash on Ederson. There’s always the chance the Spurs defenders get negative scores vs City given AngeBall…
Bruno a doubt - differential alternatives
Even if he’s back, you may conclude United are so bad that you don’t want the guy anyway. I’d say his data is great, given United’s season, so he’s a keeper if fit (8th for Expected Goal Involvement over the last 6 Gameweeks). So *wait for news on him*. But if he’s out, a lot will switch to Richarlison now he’s back (a MID in FPL, playing up front). We all know the obvious guys (see the Free Hit draft), but how about differential replacements? Well, De Bruyne if you have the cash. there’s also a lot of Madueke chat recently. He has two double digit hauls in the last three games. Away from the Doublers, Saka remains Saka, and a great option.
Is this the worst ever VAR decision?
A bit of a cheat, because it’s actually the ref in France deciding not to reverse his red card decision after VAR sent him to the screen. Quite amazing stuff. As you have to say on these occasions, the game’s gone.
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