***GAMEWEEK 24 DEADLINE: SATURDAY - 11:00 GMT***
Not often you see FPL managers hit a century in a normal Gameweek, but a record number of Prem goals over this round of games meant there were a good few people scoring more than 100 points. So many big players hauled - Watkins, Richarlison, Foden, Gross, Jota all got huge points. Trippier was back in form and Saka scored. Even with defences doing so badly, that was more than enough for big scores - it also meant a good few people benched a lot of points. If that was you, or you missed out last week, don’t worry - that’s what this week is for.
Since we last spoke, Liverpool’s Double Gameweek in Gameweek 25 (the one after this one) has been confirmed, so we ned to take a good look at that.
Here are the Double Gameweek teams
It’s time to start planning with an eye on the Double Gameweek in Gameweek 25 - the week after this week. Liverpool’s double was finally confirmed by the Prem since the last edition of FPLIL. It really means the Liverpool and Man City players, though perhaps the odd Luton player (Doughty looks a bargain at £4.5m and is a main creator at full-back) might enter our thoughts. The Brentford double couldn’t be worse.
Haaland has gone up in price three times…
He played 85 minutes against Brentford and 20 odd minutes before that - he didn’t look his usual self in either, but did get an assist and miss a big chance vs Brentford. But that hasn’t stopped people piling in on him - he’s shot up in price to £14.2m and he’ll have an “effective ownership” (EO*) well over 100% this Gameweek.
*If this hurts your brain, this is how it works. If you own a player, you get 100% of their points, right? If you captain them, you get 200% of their points. Because so many managers will captain him this week, his average EO will be well over 100%. Liverpool do have that great fixture vs Burnley, though, if you fancy going against him.
Defenders have been a disappointment
My lot managed 2 points between them (thanks a lot, Gabriel, for that rare handball own goal), but few others are doing any better. And although Liverpool have that Double Gameweek and a good next game, Trent is suddenly not such an obvious buy - he isn’t getting full minutes at the mo, and the emergence of Bradley may be an issue. I’m not saying he’s a sell at all - but he was once a priority buy, and that’s not so clear now. Van Dijk may even be a better bet just for the minutes he’ll get. One to watch. City are again top of the tree - Walker is surely the guy if you want to go there. Dias seems perhaps the most reliable for minutes.
Asian Cup players are heading home
Son is back, but weirdly (given Richarlison seems a cheaper and great Spurs option playing No9) he doesn’t seem that appealing - and remember, Spurs have Blank Gameweeks coming in Gameweek 26 (ie, they have no fixture). Given Wolves’ form, Hwang actually seems like an appealing enabler.
***UPDATE: I originally said Spurs Blanked in Gameweek 29 - they don’t. They have a game that week, which will be a big Blank Gameweek for some teams.***
Deadline Day nostalgia
It was on a different day (late March) and there were no Sky Sports News reporters standing outside training grounds with umbrellas - but at least Harry Redknapp was still involved. Here’s the old Ceefax page for the 1993 version. What a day for Everton.
Estupiñan is suddenly a doubt
FPL comes at you pretty fast. Estu was an easy transfer in a couple of Gameweeks ago, but he seems to have been a big casualty from Brighton’s 4-0 Luton disaster. He was hauled off in that game and didn’t start in the 4-1 win vs Palace. You can’t buy him now without more info, even though that Brighton run is still good. PS - Gross hauled last week and is the top Brighton pick (I managed to bench him and his 11 points).
Who are the best five midfielders?
There are so many good options at the moment, as the monster scores at the weekend show, that I’ve been taking a step back and asking this question. It’s not just driven by data and fixtures. You have to factor in that extra game for City and Liverpool in Gameweek 25. Here’s my five:
Jota - priority buy for many this week. Burnley, then a Double Gameweek
Foden - seems the most nailed he’s been and profits from a low block
Richarlison - the form player and should benefit from Maddison’s return. Remember he has no game in Gameweek 26, though.
Saka - Slightly unloved, but still producing the numbers and playing 90mins
KDB - A romantic pick. Hard to buy him at the price, but has come back without missing a beat. A luxury FPL option.
Honourable mentions: Palmer, Bowen, Gross, Gordon. But you can’t have them all.
Liverpool - which three?
First of all, remember that Liverpool have a Blank Gameweek soon - Gameweek 26. But given they have an extra fixture the week before, it feels like a good opportunity to attack FPL with one of the best teams. First off, we have no further info on Salah at the time of writing - I think it’s time to start planning without him and change course if things change (I can’t see it). So who are the best three? Jota has to come first for me given his obvious threat. Then, yes I’m going to say it, it is hard to look past Darwin. Remember, if you’re bringing him in for a Solanke or a Watkins, you can always switch him back again in that Blank Gameweek. The third is more tricky - Trent was obvious, but now perhaps worth considering Robertson or VVD. If you’re bringing in Liverpool this week, though, prioritise the attackers.
Keeping up with the Joneses
When it comes to football Internet Gold, you really can’t get any better than the Bryan’s Gunn Twitter account (if you’re not following, what are you doing?). This is a masterpiece. Enjoy.
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.
Hi Michael- great mail. One comment Spurs only blank in GW26