Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Cardiff City
We start our look at the promoted teams with a trip across the Severn Bridge to Cardiff. Neil Warnock’s men finished second behind Wolves in last season’s Championship which sees them return to the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 2014. The Bluebirds kept 19 clean sheets in 46 games last term, with 11 of those coming at home where they won 16 out of 23 matches, losing just three. The Welshies scored 69 goals with only midfielder Callum Paterson reaching double figures. Junior Hoilett and Kenneth Zohore both scored 9, while interestingly defender Sean Morrison scored an impressive 7 goals.
Fixtures
The fixture computer has handed Cardiff a straightforward looking introduction into the Premier League as they are pitted against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Huddersfield in GWs 1-3. And then the computer bites back, with a vengeance as they then face Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Burnley, Spurs, Fulham and Liverpool over the next 7 game-weeks. Ouch!
They then face a comparatively simpler task until the end of March when they face a tough run-in. Not nice for Warnock and co but for us FPL managers this may play into our hands somewhat because Cardiff last season were very much a team that were able to go on long runs of positive results. They started the season with five straight wins and then recorded eight straight wins in February and March. On the down side they lost four successive matches over the Christmas period.
If these trends continue then it may give us a clue when to hop on and hop off Cardiff assets.
Fantasy assets
Given that Cardiff conceded less goals than anyone else in the Championship last season it would seem fair to assume we should be concentrating on their defensive assets rather than their offensive ones. I’m not sure that’s completely the case however as FPL has been its usual mean self and priced star defender Sean Morrison at 5mln, which values him alongside the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Bertrand, Shaw, Keane, Douglas and all first-choice Burnley defenders, while proving more expensive than Daniels, Cédric, Tomkins, Zabaleta, Duffy & Dunk. Looking at those comparisons I’m not sure I want to pay 5mln for Morrison just yet but maybe he is worth a look from GW11 onwards or indeed for the first 3GWs if you are planning a very early wildcard. For those Morrison fans that need a convincing argument to hold onto him despite the fixtures it may be worth pointing out that the defender had a goal attempt at a rate of one every 66.6mins better than any Premier League centre half last season.
Cheaper budget options in defence are Joe Bennett and Lee Peltier. Both are priced at 4mln and if they can secure starts then either could prove to be great enablers. Don’t expect much in the way of attacking returns – the pair returned one goal and five assists last season, hence their FPL price. Be aware that Bennett faces competition from the more expensive Greg Cunningham.
In goal Neil Etheridge is priced at 4.5mln and could offer an interesting combo with Wayne Hennessey as the pair would give an early fixture run of fulham, NEWCASTLE, huddersfield, SOUTHAMPTON, huddersfield, NEWCASTLE, BURNLEY, WOLVES, FULHAM, ARSENAL, LEICESTER, BRIGHTON, everton, WOLVES, brighton – not the worst if you are looking for two cheap, rotating keepers. Though be warned that Etheridge could miss up to 5 weeks in January to play in the Asian Cup and could also face competition from new signing Alex Smithies.
Midfield sees two obvious FPL potentials – namely Joe Ralls and Danny Ward.
Ralls is Cardiff’s playmaker and is on set pieces, including penalties. Loved by Warnock, the manager said of him last season, ‘he’s the first name on the team sheet. I’m running out of adjectives to describe him.’ Ralls scored seven goals last season and created four assists and has come through the ranks at the club. Priced at 5mln the left footed midfielder is as rotation proof as you get with Warnock and will be fundamental to the Bluebirds’ chances of creating enough chances for his team mates.
Despite being named as a midfielder by FPL, Ward plays higher up the pitch, usually on the left of a front three and has scored four goals so far in pre-season, albeit against fairly ordinary opposition. Ward has the no.9 shirt for the Bluebirds and missed three months of last season with a knee injury which curtailed his scoring to just four league goals. Priced at 4.5mln he could well be the cheap OOP we have been looking for if he can get enough game time with the likes of Reid, Murphy and Hoilett all jockeying for spaces up front.
Striker Bobby Reid joined Cardiff from local rivals Bristol City in a £8mln deal this summer. Reid scored 19 goals in the Championship last season and attracted interest from the likes of Bournemouth and West Brom before agreeing terms with Cardiff. Warnock has been impressed with both Reid and new signing, winger Josh Murphy, in preseason but is managing their minutes as he deems them indispensable for the GW1 kick off vs Bournemouth. At 5.5mln Reid certainly comes under the budget options but is likely to be a ‘wait and see’ to see if he can perform in the top tier before attracting significant FPL interest.
Be sure to keep an eye on Cardiff’s pre-season friendlies and any clues as to who Warnock prefers in goal and at left back and as to whether Ward and Peltier can nail down a starting berth.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Cardiff City. This article was written by Cookie
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Usually we run an article and ask people to get involved and cover the friendlies with any info they can gather. And it’s usually fun but in all honesty it’s usually also a bit messy and difficult to refer back to. This season we have one link that you will need need for all such info, courtesy of Mito –
Here you will find all the pre-season info you could ever wish for in one place – line-ups, scorers, assists, match info, sarcastic comments….
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
(It’s scrollable btw, just swipe left or right)
FIXTURE TRACKER LINK
It’s been a busy summer already with Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Chelsea appointing new managers, Manchester City adding to their already dominant squad, Man Utd continuing to splash the cash and Liverpool trying to protect Karius by beefing up their midfield. Spurs may even have a new home soon.
And FPL wise, this is the place to discuss strategy, learn about the promoted teams and their players while in the days and weeks to come we’ll have plenty of articles, interviews, player analysis, Bore Offs, Tips, etc, etc.
So be sure to get involved in the discussions, the RMTs and the banter as we look forward to another season of Fantasy fun!
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In your e-mail could you please supply:-
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Hey guys.. here’s my first RMT for the season. Can’t wait for the season to start. Am not very connected to the news and updates lately, hence pardon if there’s a blatantly foolish pick in here. How does it look? Cheers
Hey Constantine how are we mate nothing wrong with your first 11 really solid picks your bench is a bit weak but who cares as long as they start.
Can see why you have picked those players. I think it’s pretty solid.
Hey guys.. Ive been tinkering and tinkering and just when I think I’ve got it.. I start tinkering some more.. currently shifting between two drafts and really really would appreciate any feedback (before I lose my mind).. thanks in advance
2nd draft
Hi RVP1. Essentially, you have Aguero/Mkhi + a decent defence vs PEA/Sane + a weaker defence. The other players around are fine. I’m more drawn to the second option.
Keep an eye on pre season as Lovren might be rested for the first couple what with him being one of the best defenders in the world following his WC exploits!
Will do thanks Red
I quite like both. However you might have problems in defence. Bellerin has competition now so may not start, yedlin and Kenedy have a horrible run of fixtures, I like Lovren long term but he will be back really late so may miss a few games to begin with. I think Huddersfield May have a tough season and don’t think Suttner plays
Good points.. cheers smash.. more tinkering I guess
Hey rvp1 not sure Lovren starts because of WC I thk team two I would also be concerned as to whether Spurs will start well a lot of players at WC
Yes team two for me bench a bit weak but a good effort
Cheers Silvers I was leaning toward draft two as well.. good point about Erikson.. but there are a few options instead of him so not too much of a headache
Here is my latest draft. Looking at 3-5-2 mainly because Arnie has a tough start and don’t like the alternatives if things start badly. There are a few players I am keeping an eye on Pedro, Lamela in midfield as they could start the season. Luiz, Bailly, Lovren and a Chelsea keeper at 5 million would interest me.
As for my team not sure on Leno, would prefer someone else as hoping for a 5 million keeper.
In defence Shaw is a risk but he could start the season as Young late back with Valencia maybe injured. Cédric offers good value at 4.5, as does Doherty as long as he still plays (would prefer Douglas but risky). Peltier is just cheap and should start. Robertson is obviously popular and an easy downgrade if require cash to TAA or Lovren.
In midfield Mahrez offers City attacking coverage and should start the season before rotation kicks in though would prefer KDB. Salah is a must have at this stage I think. Richarlson is cheap now he’s signing for Everton gets in the box a lot so could be a bargain. Mkhi seems cheap for potential, there are doubts if he will start in new Arsenal line up and has tough two fixtures. Jota rounds it off could be playing out of position and could be their top scorer, with Mourinho and Neves pulling the strings in midfield Wolves could go well.
My strikers have not really changed Firmino seems good value in a very attacking Liverpool team. Aguero has Jesus in background but think he’s first choice. Man City should win the league and have a very soft opening. Jesus came back late and don’t strike me as being in form. Could go for Auba instead but I’m a bit put off with him playing on wing despite his record. Kamara is an issue as will only get odd points and bench option is worse in a 3-5-2 compared to 3-4-3.
Looks a pretty decent team to be fair Smash.
Pickford if you don’t fancy Leno? Has great fixtures for the first 10 or so gameweeks.
Obviously Shaw and Mahrez could become issues come GW3 but they should be easy swaps once other options become available.
Why do you say Douglas is risky?
Yeah I might even go Pickford to be honest. I’m hoping Cech or Schmeichel goes to Chelsea. Yep that Man City midfield is a mine field but they just thrash everyone. It’s more the fact it’s 5 million for a Wolves defender his stats last season are crazy but can he do that in premier league. I’d love to fit him in just not sure how
I like this Smash a lot of thought gone into this & very well written out
I thk you have a strong 11 with bench enablers I like the Jota Mahrez & Robertson picks
I thk Salah, Firmino & Kun are musts from the start
Not sure Shaw is a starter & Richarlison could be gold with Eve start
Good stuff mate
Thanks Silvers. Yeah Shaw is looking at he might start but don’t know for sure at this stage. Could be Bailly or Luiz possibly but would need 0.5.
Hi Smash.
Looks fine for an early draft, and you’ve already identified a few of the early season issues.
I think Morata might be worth a punt at the start of the season as Giroud won’t start and Chelski have great fixtures. Kun to Morata could mean Mkhi to Silva and a keeper upgrade (I think we’re all hoping Courtois leaves and Kasper comes in!)
Thanks Red Robbo. Yeah it’s still early always changing. I did have Silva previously but downgraded to get Robertson in there. He’s a good shout. You are right about Chelsea still waiting to see who’s there they might all stay. As for Morata as a Chelsea fan I just can’t stand him so doubt I’ll go there. Hoping we sign someone. I think Courtois is pretty much done to Madrid it’s who Chelsea bring in
Evening all.
How is this draft looking? I’m drawn to a premium defence to start the season as a lot of the top attackers played a lot of WC, and I think that defences get organised faster than the time it takes midfielders & strikers to gel together. This is a 4-4-2.
Ward & Mir are doubts for gametime but I’ll wait and see if they continue having good pre-seasons before the inevitable change of Ward to a defensive MID
. If I think he starts, I’ll probably also do Valencia > Mendy with DDG instead of Ederson.
Also, interested on your thoughts on WC and squad management as I’ll be off-line entirely for GW’s 9 – 12. I think my best bet is hold the wildcard until I get back in case it’s got messy, and make sure I have subs who are certain to start (meaning I can’t have the usual £4.0m enablers). ANy thoughts?
Cheers
Robbo
I get the formation just not my taste. Just think you need an 11 million forward to give you scope for movement
Cheers Smash. I hadn’t noticed how hard upgrading to a top striker would be until you mentioned it. Back to the drawing board (unless one of my earlier drafts fits the bill)
@Robbo, Mir has already left Wolves out on loan.
Thanks Mito
Stones returning early?
Still wouldn’t have him in my team even if he is back early!
I don’t have a clue when he returns but I personally wouldn’t have him. I don’t even know if he’d start in all honesty!
Just can’t see Stones being regular enough in that City defense… There are many better defenders at 5.5m imo, the Arsenal boys, PvA, Coleman, even Bailly or Jones I reckon have a better chance of being sure starters than Stones…
Evenings everyone. While there seems to be a few people on I want to do a small poll or something to see what formation people seem to be leaning towards as I have seen 5-3-2, 5-4-1, 4-4-2 etc which is a big departure from the tried and trusted 3-4-3. I am personally leaning towards a 4-4-2 that is fluid enough to become 5-3-2 or 3-5-2. What are people generally thinking? There is still plenty time for all this to revert back to the 3-4-3 obviously haha
Currently on a 4-4-2. I’ve essentially ruled out a 5 back despite the stats just because it feels so wrong to line-up so negatively. Nothing stats-based about it, I just like goal scorers not clean sheet getters aha. I’m on a 4 and not 3 though because I’m struggling to get on board with the cheap midfielders this year. Expensive defenders are attracting me more. Could all change.
Hi Matt.
I’m looking at 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 as my main options. I think the potential returns from wing-backs outstrip the low-mid priced midfielders and attackers and as more teams are playing with them now – last season especially, 4/5 at the back looks much more appealing than previous seasons
There don’t seem a great deal of options for a 3rd forward. So leaning towards 3-5-2 as there seems to be loads of mid priced midfielders. I can see why people would go 4-4-2 as well this season I just prefer attacking players
Cheers AT, Robbo and Smash. There’s are exactly my thoughts like the attacking mid priced players seem to be from the promoted teams and I’m not sure I want half my team to be promoted players. 442 or 433 will probably be the way I go. Just glad to see I’m not thinking alone.