Smart ways to gamble at the end of the season
Stay for a vision in Green
***GAMEWEEK 35 DEADLINE: SATURDAY 13:30 - HAVE A LIE IN***
I don’t think we’ve really discussed Haaland much on FPL Is Life - in terms of FPL, there’s not much to talk about. There was a week or two to go without him on the basis that he *probably* wouldn’t outscore players with three times the games. Even then, I wasn’t sure. Anyway, he scored again last night and is nearly on the all-time FPL Points leaderboard. It really shows just what an insane season Salah had when he got 303 points in 2017-18. How much will Haaland be next season? £14m at least - and we’ll all still buy the guy.
This week: The most popular players with top FPL managers, preparing for Newcastle’s Double Gameweek, another look at Brighton, Alvarez and Pep trolling, alternative strategies, differentials if you must, important injury updates and… a glorious moment for the Greens.
Pep Rotation Sickness? Football trivia? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
Top squads have switched to 3-5-2
Time for one of our regular updates on the most popular players in Top10k squads (the top mangers by rank at the moment). The presence of Greenwood, the cheap striker from Leeds, tells us loads have switched to 3-5-2, with so many top midfielders to pick from. Apart from the Brighton lads, Salah was the big Transfer In last week, and then there’s Rashford . The big one missing is Bruno from Utd, but he can probably be used as a cash cow now after his successful Double.
Trent is also now back in for the big teams and he delivered in the Double Gameweek - just don’t expect too many clean sheets.
Hold a transfer and go for Newcastle
A lot of people have all the obvious options at this point - Brighton, Utd, Haaland, Salah etc. So a good option for many teams will be to roll a transfer this week and save up two for next - when Newcastle have a Double Gameweek. Both Isak and Wilson look great. There’s been a bit of online debate about whether getting both is an option. It’s a bit dangerous for me as rotation will continue to be an option. One of those big plays to try if you’re chasing. It’s Isak for me, Clive.
Quick note on Trippier - he’s been poor for ages and has blanked (no FPL returns) in 11 out of the last 13 games. But he has that Double soon, so probably hold at this point. Botman is an optional third Newcastle. As for a cheeky differential, what about Joelinton? 45 points over the last six Gameweeks and no one is really considering him.
A look back at the Brighton midfielders
Quite a weird sight to see Brighton smash in six goals and for the holy trinity of Brighton mids - March, Mitoma and Mac Allister - to get a point each. That’s FPL. But taking them out in frustration doesn’t make much sense. Still two Double Gameweeks ahead. Is there any point moving to different Brighton players? Well, Steele is cheap in goal, but transfers are precious - no point wasting it on a keeper. As for the three Ms, over the last six Gameweeks, it’s tight. I’d stick with what you have.
March - xG: 0.24, xGi: 0.58, FPL Points: 26
Mitoma - xG: 0.3, xGi: 0.45 FPL Points: 21
Mac Allister - xG: 0.41, xGi: 0.52, FPL Points: 16
Honestly if you still don’t have three, they’re a possible transfer in. Estupiñan, too.
Alvarez did the business
We did say it last week - a nice little punt if you went for him. Rotation is now a huge issue and even Ederson got done. He managed to score one point in his Double Gameweek, immediately installing him as my FPL Troll Of The Season. Think I’ll do my annoying FPL XI in the next couple of weeks. Yes, I’m looking at you, Ben Chilwell. Who to bring in from City if you had to? Well, Alvarez will continue to get minutes, but Grealish seems to have emerged as Pep’s guy this season.
There are plenty of alternative strategies now
I loved this tweet from @FlapjackFpl because it shows just how many routes you can go down if you want to roll the dice int he last four Gameweeks. It’s all about figuring out who you want to bet against. Kane is a great shout - in a terrible Spurs team, he keeps delivering - if you dared going Kane over Salah, that’s an interesting move. Likewise, Arsenal - we saw vs Chelsea that they have huge FPL potential still, even with Newcastle ahead. Most top managers have got rid, so Saka et al. could be good moves for those chasing - perhaps ditching eg Rashford. Brave but not mad.
A good Lampard tweet
Apologies to Chelsea-supporting readers, but there is now some real tragicomedy to the Lampard/Boehly era. This tweet summed it up… the Lampard record in all its grimness is here.
Some more good differential targets…
If you are going to make a move, quite apart from the lads in the Top 10k graphic, there is a good list here for each week reaming. Zaha is an interesting shout next week, when most will be targeting the Newcastle Double.
Andreas is out for the season
Bad luck for Andreas Pereira owners - he’s been an FPL gem this season. Other players to watch - KDB was out again vs West Ham. Unlucky for anyone on Free Hit, who probably would’ve gambled on him.
You’re all honorary Greens
Good things don’t happen very often to us Plymouth Argyle supporters - we managed to play in a cup final earlier in the season and lose 4-0 - so allow me a moment of celebration that my club (which has failed to win anything in 137 years) has been promoted to the Championship. We’re still some way off featuring in FPL, but we have managed to get 97 points with a game to go, up against much richer clubs. Come on you Greens.
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!