Fantasy Football Tips Gameweek 30
Welcome to Fantasy Football Tips Gameweek 30. I don’t think I’ve ever written a Tips article before; not recently anyway. I’ve always thought of it as being incredibly difficult to write for two reasons: (1) given my evident inability to write succinctly, the Tips article brings with it the risk of writing a short book and simultaneously boring every unfortunate reader; and (2) the real fear that Init will hang the writer out to dry the following week if their Tips amass a collective score of ‘poor to embarrassing’. Uh oh, better rein in my use of parentheses, again.
In recent weeks, Init has started to dissect the Captain Picks article, gleefully reporting on failed choices and turncoats. For full disclosure, then, I have several of the players listed in the ‘Gameweeks 30, 31 and 32’ section and none of the players listed in the ‘Gameweeks 30, 32 and 33’ section.
It could well be that my projections and tips matter very little come the weekend as Manchester City v Arsenal became the first game of the season to be postponed due to the Coronavirus. Frustratingly for me (although not particularly frustratingly in the grand scheme of a pandemic), I had already ‘tipped’ a certain Arsenal player before the breaking news. It went something like this: “Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures may just warrant holding onto your double gameweek gamble.” It would now seem that Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures are at risk given that a ‘number of players met with the Olympiacos owner immediately after the game’ and are now in self-isolation. The club haven’t confirmed names or the impact it will have on the game against Brighton, although the club statement does suggest that it will go ahead as planned with the self-isolation period due to expire before the match. Given how little we know, I have decided to leave in a trimmed down summary.
If you’ve kept your chips in hand, you’re probably looking to either play your Free Hit next week – in which case this week’s Tips need to focus on building your squad with Gameweeks 30, 32 and 33 in mind – or you’re looking to cover Gameweek 31 with your current squad and Wildcard in the near future – in which case these Tips need to look at Gameweeks 30 and 31 and potentially also Gameweek 32. Hopefully, you find yourself drawn towards one of the above approaches. If not, there should still be something of use to you below given that I am looking at all of the fixtures across the next four gameweeks.
It should be clear from the foregoing that these Tips will therefore be split into two – one for the teams not blanking in Gameweek 31, and the other for those whose players I expect to score well in Gameweeks 30, 32 and 33. Perhaps with the exception of the first name on the list below, I’d be happy to have any of the Gameweeks 30-32 names in the second half of this article but they aren’t repeated. It is for this reason that I currently do not intend to use my Free Hit in Gameweek 31.
Gameweeks 30, 31 and 32
(Photo by Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Right. Good. I’m finally into the meat of the article. Goalkeepers with a fixture in Gameweek 31. What a bunch to choose from. Clutching at straws and looking purely at the fixtures, I was close to suggesting Hugo Lloris before last night’s timely reminder against RB Leipzig (without cheating, who can tell me what the ‘RB’ stands for?) of how poor Spurs look at the moment, including Lloris.
I therefore find myself in a strange situation. No, I’m not leaving you without a goalkeeper. However, in order to avoid doing so, I find myself turning to Rui Patricio. Wolves’ number 11 (the purist in me still doesn’t like it) had kept just four clean sheets until the turn of February. I can recall numerous articles in which I have suggested that Wolves aren’t any good for a clean sheet and to put your money on both teams to score. In a strange turn of events, the reliably leaky but goal-happy side have recorded three 0-0s and kept a further clean sheet since the start of February. Strange. This has seen Wolves’ left winger, sorry, goalkeeper, amass a whopping 33 points in just five games, including four bonus points and four save points. Impressive for a goalkeeper. On the assumption that Wolves have realised the importance of not letting the opposition score, their fixtures over the coming weeks are good enough for me to considering bringing in the Portuguese international. Gameweek 30 sees West Ham entertain Wolves. The Hammers failed to score in the reverse fixture and have failed to score in four of their last nine fixtures. Granted though, that period has included ties against Liverpool and Manchester City. Gameweek 31 brings Bournemouth to the Molineux who have scored just two goals in their last six on the road. That includes the rather dubious goal they managed to score against Liverpool at the weekend. Bournemouth instead failed to score against Brighton, West Ham, Norwich and Burnley. I don’t much fancy their chances against Wolves then! An away tie versus Aston Villa rounds off the trio of upcoming fixtures and, whilst the Villans have only failed to score on one occasion at home this season which was way back in September against West Ham, they are on a four game losing streak and have failed to score in both of their last two matches.
Liverpool have a fixture in Gameweek 31. Does it really matter what fixture they have? They’ll no doubt win it. For what it’s worth, it’s the away leg of the Merseyside Derby in Gameweek 30 followed by a home match against Crystal Palace. The Etihad welcomes the Reds for Gameweek 32, but it’s got to the point where I wouldn’t even be concerned about owning three Liverpool players for the trip. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the obvious pick of the defenders, although he comes with a hefty price tag now. I still think he is worth the investment over the other Liverpool defenders whilst he continues to average a goal or an assist almost every other match.
Matt Doherty is my second defensive pick. Yes, a double-up on the both teams to score specialists. I think I’m probably asking to be hung out to dry here. However, not only are the fixtures good from a defensive point of view, as outlined above, Doherty’s back to his offensive best with a goal and two assists in his last three matches. If you’re a fan of xG, the data suggests he was unfortunate not to add a further two goals to his tally for the season in the six games before that. I’m sensing a few Alan Partridge shrugs among readers now so I’ll move swiftly on. Suffice it to say that their opponents over the coming three weeks have kept just nine clean sheets between them home/away respectively in 42 matches this season, conceding 2+ on 23 occasions.
Watford teeter on the edge of the relegation zone. Their goal difference is currently the only thing separating them from the drop. However, Ismaila Sarr is a diamond in the mud. For starters, the Senegalese winger is averaging close to a goal or an assist per start and his inspired display against Liverpool should have done enough to consolidate his starting berth. His xG + xA stats are on a par with the likes of Aubameyang and Heung-Min Son. Watford have scored 2+ in five of their last six home matches so home ties against Leicester and Southampton in their next three increases the appeal.
Completing a trio of Wolves players for their favourable string of fixtures, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota are worthy of a mention. Despite three bore-draws over the last five matches, Jimenez has still managed to score 39 points in his last seven and Jota 34 in his last five. Fearful of being accused of contorting the stats to fit my analysis, I feel it necessary to note that Jota played a combined total of 37 minutes across the preceding four games, such that adding the two points he amassed over that period seemed somewhat of a disservice. With West Ham conceding 2+ in 8/14 home matches and Bournemouth in freefall, conceding 14 in their last six away matches and accruing no points in the process against fairly mediocre opposition (as noted above), I expect Wolves to get back to winning and scoring ways quickly.
Oh, and it goes without saying that Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are worth having.
Gameweeks 30, 32 and 33
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
I’m about to tip two Manchester United players. I have almost certainly been blinded by that victory in the derby. However, David De Gea is a player I have frustratingly ignored for too long recently and is feasibly a set and forget keeper until the end of the season. Over his past ten matches, he’s averaged 4.7 points per game with six clean sheets and four in his last five matches. With a fixture against a severely depleted Spurs side up first followed by Brighton and Bournemouth (the latter having scored just two goals in their last six away from home), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manchester United’s rich vein of defensive form continue. Spurs have won just one game and drawn two more in their last eleven matches without Kane and Son.
Perhaps Danny Rose’s attacking appeal has faded in recent years, but I’d be happy to take a bit of a punt on him with Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures. Since joining, Rose has racked up two clean sheets in four starts and Newcastle have four clean sheets in their last six home matches. Two home ties and a trip to Bournemouth in their next three looks promising. First up sees Sheffield United take the trip further north. The Blades have scored just three goals in their last five on the road (although granted, that includes blanks versus Liverpool and Manchester City). Bournemouth are usually good for a goal at home, although their frailties at the back could give him the chance to start notching up attacking returns. West Ham rounds off the immediate list of fixtures; with six losses and three blanks in their last six away from the London Stadium, Newcastle will hope to continue their strong defensive form at home.
After a period of finding himself out of favour or injured, Marcos Alonso is finally back in the Chelsea side and a legitimate option for your fantasy team. Following a straight red card in the Champions League last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich, Alonso’s suspension for the upcoming second leg may well have cemented his Premier League starting role for the foreseeable future. Defensive duties aside (which, let’s be honest, Alonso rarely cares about either!), he has scored four in his last six matches.
Problematically, Alonso’s attacking exploits are, unsurprisingly, far more impressive when he plays as a left wing-back in a back five. For example, in his last five matches, he has averaged just 0.5 shots per game playing in a back four and 4 shots per game in the advanced wing-back role. Lampard is clearly still experimenting so it is unclear quite where Alonso will end up playing over the next few. Of the next three matches, I’d expect Chelsea’s best chance of a clean sheet to come in Gameweek 33 against Watford. Chelsea have two clean sheets in their last five at Stamford Bridge whilst Watford have only scored in just over half of their games on the road, blanking in their last two.
As already mentioned above, Spurs are struggling and injury-battered at the moment. In contrast, Bruno Fernandes has taken to the league quicker than anyone could have expected. It should come as no surprise then to see the Portuguese international in this Tips article who has as many goal contributions in as many starts (five). Mourinho’s men are without a win in their last five matches, conceding in them all. Gameweek 33 brings Bournemouth to Old Trafford. Eddie Howe’s side are without a point in six away from home, conceding 14 in the process. Sandwiched in between is a visit to Brighton. Whilst Brighton don’t concede by the bucket load at home, I wouldn’t let it put me off bringing in Fernandes who has the right fixtures either side of it to continue his fine form.
Arsenal are still pretty naff away from home; they have close to double the number of points at the Emirates. You therefore might question me tipping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Arsenal facing two away games in their next three. However, the Gabonese striker has six goals in his last eight matches and a home tie against Norwich splitting up ties against Brighton and Wolves – which you’d expect Arsenal to score in – may just warrant holding onto your double gameweek gamble.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Tips Gameweek 30. This article was written by AT.
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So every cup game comes down to a virtual coin toss if you’re still left in (I’m not). That would be annoying getting this far!
The cup is a nonsense anyway igy.
Interesting the game is continuing as is. May as well use the free transfers each GW. Still have WC, FH and BB. I may also consider a WC on a dead week if we get a definite go ahead at some point. If things get pushed back it could be that all remaining games are played in GW38, with WC37 and BB38.
Yeah you can make transfers still.
However, on the chip plan, I think that is being very optimistic Stone Frog. I’m planning to write-off this season personally.
I suspect the euros get bumped to next year and they try and finish over the summer.
The optimist in me agrees that will be the aim but with this outbreak not to peak in this county to (estimate) mid-June, then I’m thinking the summer could be out the question as well.
Why would it peak so late if it peaked in China in less than a month? Why would it peak in three months from now? Because of no strict quarantine like in Hubei? I am a bit more optimistic than that, based on what happened in China…
Purely going on the estimate given in yesterday’s PM update Zed.
Ok, I was just wondering how did they end up with that estimate… Well, only time will tell, let’s hope it peaks a lot sooner than June!
Think I’m going to use the free transfers for the next few weeks as a mini wildcard. Just in case the season ever starts again. I think you could change 4-6 players with no hits.
Think I’ll do similar Gear.
Yeah I think that’s a good plan! Cheers!
Yes, though it will be a miracle if the season gets going again.
To remind listeners that the UK, or rather England, is making no effort at all to contain the spread of the virus.
Anyone fancy an impromptu book reading of The Plague ? No – On the Beach then?
The picture starts to form… They are saying it’s gonna peak mid-june (which would be ridiculously late given China, for instance, peaked a lot faster, as did Korea actually – don’t even get me started on Singapore) but then again it’s logical given they do absolutely f all to deal with the virus spreading…
The government’s strategy may come to a shuddering halt pretty soon and we may see some u-turns.
Remember that they would have been fine about the league carrying on this weekend*. Bet they won’t be as sanguine this time next week.
*Where essentially their decision to carry on as normal was ruled out by VAR.
Well, Singapore and Hong Kong didn’t even peak…. They should have done what those two did, although, of course, now it’s too late…
I just had a look at my team and may just leave it. For all we know the players we move out may end up in an immediate DGW situation if things restart.
I’ve a feeling we won’t be restarting. I hope I’m wrong.
For what it’s worth, and I know no more than yourself, I think we restart in about a month. The Euros being cancelled will help and it’ll just mean a slightly readjusted calendar for a bit, maybe even with the Milk Cup being suspended next season as a knock on. Later finish, later start but a few more midweek dates free to catch up. UEFA and their CL cash cow complicates matters though.
I’m thinking a month too… Although I’m not sure if you don’t suspend schools and day cares and all that, China peaked within a month, or so, but with the largest quarantine in history of mankind
I really hope so.
It will, in an intellectual sense, be interesting to see how money interests react to the possibility of long-term closure, etc.
A lot will depend on how badly we cop it here.
It already reacted, the stock market was in a real downturn yesterday, more to come on Monday I think… There’s nothing the companies can do, some will bankrupt no doubt…
Sorry Zed I was thinking of UEFA, and the more powerful and rich clubs (and the poor relations).
Right
Completely different model here Zed, as you obviously appreciate from your comment. They seem to be thinking more of longer term immunity here given that the virus will still exist, circulate and mutate as per any other flu virus, long after this initial phase has ended.
The ‘delay’ phrasing is both 100% accurate but also misleading at the same time. We’ll probably just have a more drawn out ‘panic’ phase as a result before some semblance of normality occurs.
They’ve given themselves a buffer here to see how it develops but in terms of progress of containment we are on about week 1 relative to China moving to about week 4 or 5 at the same rate. Hence we’ve already added about a month to the process.
Not that I’ve given it much thought… but I had to do something between races at Cheltenham
I certainly haven’t given it enough thought
But I find that the problem with this virus is, what seems to be pretty obvious at this stage as it is spreading around the world, that it is very contagious. Unlike SARS, for instance… So the idea is to not let it spread too fast for it to overload the health care system, there are only so many respirators, and so on…
The aim seems to be to infect as many lower risk people as possible. Hence crowds, schools, etc. Once people are immune then they cannot infect others. Therefore the more people infected, then immune, then the risk of infection lowers.
Pondering further, I guess in theory now’s a good time to move out non-players from your side, strengthen the bench etc. I can’t believe I’m writing this.
That’s what I was thinking. My main man Guendouzi left my team tonight :worthy:
GW32 team.
Looks GTG mate :biggun:
Dare I ask the obvious?! :rofl: :wink2:
Good man for posting again, welcome back!
-8pts
I don’t think I need anymore changes if this lot actually perform though.
May be prudent to throttle back a tad at the moment.
Already made my moves, I don’t need anymore.
Sorry for the ignorance people – but in the midst of the COV19 closures here in France (we’ve been sent home from work for 2 weeks in the public sector), the NRL season in Aust. starting (+ fantasy team in that comp, obviously!), I just clambered aboard the old FF247 site to make sure I shouldn’t FH for GW 30 & have discovered a desert! All my friends say I’m so vague that I’m always 6 months behind the latest goss, but this has blown me away!
What do we do? Plan for GW 32, or do our transfers in the next 2 weeks count for some fictitious GW 30 & 31??? I’m so confused and the FPL twitter thing sent me overboard in ‘confusedness’! I was joking with Kralin about Catch 22 situations, but this is defies all logic (or lack thereof!!!). Anyway, I’ll either do nothing, or get in Bruno Fernandes, as that seems sensible! (If 31 actually doesn’t occur!). Bye for now good people!
See the new article!
I did realise that if enough people take hits above me then my OR may, weirdly, improve this GW.
C’mon chaps. Take a leaf out of Terminator’s book. Hits are good. Especially if you’re in the top 10k. In which case lots of hits are very good.
I felt they were a tad hasty / efficient/ kind in removing the FPL info so swiftly. Personally I’d have left it on, sat back and just laughed at those who logged on and cracked on ignorantly. Then again I’m a bit of a t-word like that
Can’t you just tweet out that 100 hits = entering a lottery where the prize is a 4-pack of quilted bog roll?
I had a glance at the shelves in my local supermarket earlier and noticed they’d sold out of Branston Pickle. I was almost moved by that.
I’m finding that at smaller, less fashionable stores there’s bog-roll aplenty. Maybe people shopping there are less inclined to panic buy.
I love Branston Pickle on my cheese crackers at bedtime (as our NFL crowd are well aware; long story!) but even so I’d struggle to do a jar in a month!
And as versatile as it is, I wouldn’t use it to wipe my arse :no: 😀
With all the TP buying, next is a run on toilet plungers.
Yeah. I suspect we’ll be back to mussel shells before this crisis has run its course.
I hope you are keeping safe, Mosc.
The only thing I feel like stockpiling is alcohol, frankly.
I haven’t had BP for a while but it goes a treat with some Red Leicester.
I stockpiled red wine… The shelves were full of it though, just a regular Friday night for me….
I have no idea what’s Branston Pickle (what a pickle) but I really do wonder what’s this thing with the TP, exactly same thing happening in Helsinki…. I’m puzzled!
People who are stockpiling it are probably dreaming about it and worrying that 1000 rolls can’t possibly be enough.
But the fact that the same happens all over the world, so globally, must be something very very innate in human nature, which I find very intriguing
I suspect loads of it will be slung around the terraces when all this is done.
Maybe that’s it.
Hope they use all of their idle time coloring them with all the colors of the rainbow to make it more pretentious
A new-born baby has been diagnosed in London…. That’s some way to come into this world…