Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Wolves
We look at the reigning Championship winners Wolves who lit up the second tier of English football by winning 30 of their 46 games, scoring 82 goals and conceding 39. This saw them finish on 99 points and so close to breaking the 100 mark. The Wolves ownership have been showing their intent and ambition in recent seasons with the big-name signings of Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho so a similar season to last wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. This team is full of youth and is led by Nuno Espirito Santo, a Portuguese manager, who has organised a well-oiled machine and I would hazard to call them the poor man’s Man City (no disrespect intended!). What I mean by this is Wolves are a side that plays attractive football and if they can make a smooth step up in class to the Premier League then they could easily be finishing in the top half of the table.
Rundown of how they set up –
This well-organised team is set up in a way we have gotten familiar with in recent weeks, that is they set up like Gareth Southgate’s England. A 3-4-3 formation with 2 wing-backs but instead of one sitting midfielder like Henderson, Wolves have two. This offers a very solid midfield that protects the back three and makes it easier for the wing-backs to focus on supplying the front line. Everything I have read about Nuno Espirito Santo makes me compare him more and more to a Pep-mould manager. He wants attacking football, where his team keep the ball on the ground and keep possession. As long as nothing changes and with the new signings that Nuno has brought in I can see Wolves doing very well.
Players to look at –
Rui Patricio – 4.5 mil
This was a massive, MASSIVE coup for Wolves as the turmoil in the Portuguese capital has been a blessing for the English team who have snapped up a World Cup starting goalkeeper who also won the Euros only two years ago. What more could you ask for?! Patricio and Wolves start the season against Everton, West Ham, Leicester and Man City so four games which could prove rather tough but if Patricio does not keep a clean sheet you can definitely count on him grabbing save points and maybe even bonus points. If you are looking for a rotating keeper, he is one I would keep an eye on; his stats in Portugal show 23 clean sheets out of 56 games in all competitions so that is decent going. He is unproven in England which we all know can prove difficult for new goalkeepers trying to get used to the physicality of the game but being proven on a European and International stage makes me feel a bit more confident about him.
Defensive assets
Ones to keep an eye on in the Wolves defence are Ryan Bennett and Matt Doherty who are priced 4.0 and 4.5 respectively. Doherty and Bennett are cheap options into this team with Doherty being a right wing-back and Bennett being a 4.0 starting center-back but keep an eye on the transfer window in case Wolves bring in a new CB. Bennett was brought in and a lot felt he would rot in the reserves and was only there to make up the numbers but last season he was amazingly solid and even grabbed a few goals so he definitely feels like the best 4.0m option. Wolves have also just signed Jonny Castro Otto on loan from Athletico Madrid and he can play RB or LB which should see him playing on the left to replace Barry Douglas who many felt was Wolves best defender. Otto has played 222 times in Spain scoring 5 goals and getting 13 assists in that time so has both an eye for goal and a team mate. Wolves seem to have brought in a very experienced youngster here so depending on his price could be a nice way into the team. If he is 4.5 or less I would consider him.
Helder Costa – 5.0 mil
The Wolves midfield options for FPL are absolutely stacked! With the likes of Cavaleiro, Costa, Neves, Enobakhare, and Moutinho. It may be difficult to know which players may actually start in that midfield so keeping an eye on the pre-season friendlies is absolutely essential! You may be surprised I didn’t select Ruben Neves here as the only reason I got selected for this article was that I said how amazing he was and I’m not wrong! Neves is incredible to watch and really should be playing in the Champions League he is that skilled, but it just shows the ambition this Wolves side have! Without Neves, Wolves would be lost! He is the lynchpin, the dynamo, the magic in the centre, the… you get the idea. I have ranted about him but now for the reasons against and that is the fact he is a defensive midfielder who can be quite the card magnet. For this reason, I am suggesting Helder Costa for the same price. Costa plays as the right winger but from what I understand he is very much a form player so if he is not in form he might be dropped but will tend to come on as a sub. I wouldn’t be too mad to go for a Wolves midfielder due to the uncertainty over who plays in the middle but the one exception to that is this next man…
Diogo Jota – 6.5 mil
This one has caused some raised eyebrows in those who know the Wolves team as Jota plays as a striker or as a left winger and was the top scorer for Wolves with 17 goals yet the powers that be at FPL have listed him as a midfielder. This is very good news as it gives us a very nice OOP player in an attacking promoted side. Anyone who is reading this could have a step up on their rivals that don’t know about the strange decision by FPL and bring in a “fourth” striker. At 6.5 he may be a bit outside the bargain range but if he was classified as a striker, would you turn down a striker that banged in 17 goals and has the talent that he does behind him? This season also sees him getting a partner in Raul Jimenez who some may recognise from his exploits with Mexico in the World Cup. This partnership could lessen Jota’s goals but may increase his assists or it could flip and actually increase his goals. It is one to keep an eye on to see who is the main man with the other being his supporting act but a gut feeling could see Jota permanently move out to the left wing with Raul Jimenez taking the central role, but we shall see!
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Wolves. This article was written by Matt
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Fantastic article Matt. Know so much more about Wolves now.
May get Jota as a ‘third’ striker.
I get the feeling Wolves will do best out of the promoted clubs.
+!. Thanks, both to you and AT, for the detailed analyses. They’re particularly valuable to folks from away, as we don’t get the Championship coverage we’d like.
No worries, Ki!
How does it look guys? How to get Kane in is giving me headached already. May be Kun + Erik to Kane + a 7.5m MF like Mkhi/ others. Don’t want to waste a transfer to bring KDB in. Hence, he’ll be in my team from the start.
Looking good. Having two attacking players from promoted teams may be pushing your luck a little bit but people seem very hot about Jota. I’d want to see a bit more of Wolves and Cardiff first before jumping into them, but an out of position mid is always a great thing. How nailed is the Kamera guy, do you know?
Yeah I’m not sure on Jota could go either way. Think he will play on the left and not down the middle. Kamara will only get a few minutes off the bench and won’t start
@Kralin. Kamara’s game time must be very limited i believe. Especially, when Mitrovic is onboard.
I like it Constant. Not much I would change there.
Thanks Matt. I’m just not decided on the formation yet. If it’s going to be a 3-4-3, then the plan might change a bit. But for now, this is the best I can do.
Yeah I’m similar to you. I think I’ll start with a 4-4-2 that can rotate into a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3. I have a bad feeling this season will start off with a load of punty options picking up the points!
I like this team Constantine. Not sure on Jones/Bailly
Cheers Smash. Yes, Jones or for that matter the entire backline(except Robby) can become anyone until the deadline. Pressers shall play an important part here.
Very nice team this! Only issue is the bench if WB isn’t a starter (and even if he is at first, he could be demoted at any time I guess with Ward breathing down his neck), Kamara definitely isn’t so you’d only have one playing bench player which is a bit tough…
@Zed. I understand that and i believe that this is going to be the situation for the rest of the season with all of us. I mean, we won’t be able to fit 3 playing/starting subs ever i guess. Unless we get some new options in coming weeks.
Yeah, maybe, and at first it’s not so important as we’ve got the WC, but during Christmas you really need a good bench (a lesson I learned last season a bit too well) 🙂
Salah and Kane are to be blamed here. Hope Kane doesn’t start the first week and his price drops a little. Hehe
Question for you guys. Started tinkering with my side again, what do you think of these two options?
A. Patricio and a scrub, Steve Cook, Fabregas, Keita and Arnie. 0.5 itb to save for upgrades elsewhere.
B. Ederson and a scrub, Doherty, Fabregas, McDonald and Firmino.
B but not by much, mainly because of Ederson and Firmino.
Cheers Kralin that’s what I currently have but I’m just looking at trying to strengthen my midfield a little bit.
B for me, although I’d probably have both Ederson and Arnie and use the 2.5m to improve Fabregas maybe, or any of them really…
+1
That is something I looked at and wanted to have Eriksen instead of Fab but I am 0.5 short of that.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/mourinho-next-man-utd-manager-14970073
Will Mourinho be the first one this season? :woot:
Yeah I’m going to look at the odds for him to be sacked first. I’d be surprised if he is still manager by the end of the season.
I hope he does though. We need a manager that brings back the pace that utd used to have. Not some passing maniacs trying to defend a one goal lead.
I agree, even though I’m not a United fan, I’d much rather watch Man United play entertaining matches (they show a lot of United matches in Finland) rather than these boring defensive showings from the past few seasons…
Great article, thanks Matt!! Wolves looking like they may have a few gems in their side if they can hold their own in the PL. Bennett as a possible 4.0 starter in defense is interesting and not a name I’ve seen talked about as much as Obi Wan-Bissaka and Peltier.
Cheers Red! How are you mate?
Yeah Wolves really do have a few brilliantly priced players in their squad. Bennett may possibly have lost his spot since writing this to Saiss but it is a wait and see. I hope he starts but Obi Wan is probably the safest bet. I’m thinking there may not be any starting 4.0 defender this season sadly.
I’m thinking there are 3 van Bissaka, Peltier and Bennett but we will see
Yeah they are the only 3 that seem to be anywhere close to starting but as you say we will see.
I’m doing great Matt, thanks for asking. Just starting to wade through all the information and articles and start thinking about putting a team together. Most seasons I’m tinkering a lot more before deadline but I just haven’t had the time or motivation to start early this year. And maybe it’s because I pretty much only follow FPL related accounts on Twitter, but it seems like there’s way more info than I can even digest this season! Hope all is well with you, great to see you and Smash and all the FPL crew on the boards!
Great to hear mate! Yeah I usually don’t spend as much time on my team but this year I have way too much time on my hands and am constantly tinkering with the bloody drafts haha
Don’t sugarcoat it, Matt; we’ve spent so much time on it because Init has us sweeping the site’s floors for him
Yeah that’s the real reason! Init’s a tyrant and won’t let AT and I go. He has us taped to out laptops and we can do nothing but fantasy football. SEND HELP!!
Well, it’s good to tinker and read as much as you can. Information is everything in this game, you need to stay on top of it to be competitive. Did I see above that you’re thinking of going with a 4-4-2? I’ve had good luck playing 3-5-2 the past couple years, but with some decent mid-priced strikers available and Salah’s price tag I may start off with the traditional 3-4-3.
Great to see you Red, hope you and the family are well, my friend.
Yeah I’m currently on a 4-4-2 but I want to have a good rotation to 3-5-2. I actually don’t think there is much value at the bargain striker role. I would look at King for 6.5 as the lowest but even that isn’t too appealing. Now is Mitrovic comes in at 5.5 or 5.0 then I might go with him!
Cookie!! Didn’t think I’d catch you online this time of night but I’m always swamped with the kids earlier in the day. Good to see you as well! How’s your team shaping up? I’m nowhere close, lol.
Matt, I’m thinking more along the lines of Arnie, Zaha and Wood. A couple of those mid-priced guys along with Aubameyang or Aguero to start.
I do have a draft with PEA, Zaha and Arnie and it’s probably my second favourite draft so may go for it but I don’t know yet.
Red, I’m well thanks mate.
As for my team, much will only be decided after the Community Shield and closure of the transfer window.
The only defos in my team are Salah & Robertson, everything else is up for grabs.
Can’t decide on keepers though at the moment I’m thinking Fab or Patricia and a 4.0 nobody.
In defence i like all Palace options….WB is cheap, PVA scores, Schlupp OOP, Sakho bonus magnet & Tomkins cheap, plays and scores a bit. Mendy but will he play GW1? Azpi but is there cheaper Chelsea to be has.
In midfield i want KDB but see Mendy. What about the 6.5mln options – Jota, Richarlison, Pedro etc etc?
Is Mane on pens all of a sudden?
Up front I’ll prob start with Kun.
Lots to be revealed!
Basically avoid United!
Great thoughts, thanks Cookie! Kinda loving that the transfer window closes before the FPL deadline this year, but like you say that means that we really can’t finalize anything with our teams until then. I have a feeling that’s going to be a long night!!
@Cookie re Mendy. I’m thinking about Davies GW1 and transferring to Mendy thereafter. I know it uses a transfer but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Other option would be to start with Mendy but bench him GW1/allow a sub to come on for him.
@AT This is what I was thinking of, start with Davies and switch for Mendy, now that I’ve decided to (probably) start the season with KDB, I allow myself 1 planned transfer for the start!
Ahh, you’re going with KDB then? I really want to, just need a sign! Haha
I thought even if he doesn’t start GW1, he’ll probably start GWs2-7 which are great fixtures and I want KDB in those, so don’t wanna start with Mahrez/Sane and then use the first FT on KDB! KDB starting GW1 would be a bonus
That’s fair. I can’t help but think Mahrez is a better fpl option if he plays every week. I just don’t know which spot he could bolt down.
It makes sense I guess. I’m going to WC in GW5 and buy all the cheap successes and use the spare cash to buy the premium stars, so I’m now t too fussed with my first few transfers. Just want a relatv Rly safe team with as few punts as possible.
AT, that’s the problem, I can’t see Mahrez nailing down a spot no matter how well he plays, Pep will rotate, like last season Sane and Sterling were rotated during the fall even though they played really well… KDB is the only nailed City attacker so that’s why he’s a no nonsense pick for me!
Yep, get that. Sterling and Sane did gain regular starting spots last year mind, and I can’t see him spending £70m to put him on the bench, but then I guess Bernardo cost a fair bit too!
No one has left of the City attackers, only Mahrez has come, so there are even more players than last season, I’d hope for Mahrez to be nailed, but I just can’t see it! Too many cooks!
Minutes played last season:
KDB – 3073
Sterling – 2584
Sane – 2415
Yeah I agree. Mahrez might takeover D.Silva minutes. KDB is the sensible choice, I just hate downgrading elsewhere when I think Mahrez could be as good. Like Sterling beat KDB playing fewer minutes.
Few questions I just came up with lads. It’s mainly aimed towards saving money in places to upgrade others. What do you think?
Arnie or Zaha?
Tomkins or Doherty?
2 Pool or 3??
PEA or save the money and go with Laca
Should I go with Azpi or go with a cheaper option in Chelsea def?
Ederson or save a mil and go with Patricio?
Arnautovic. Tomkins. I’ve got three. I’m on Lacazette but really will depend on what happens in the transfer window and things like that. I’d go cheaper – wouldn’t be surprised to see Luiz in there. I’d want City defence somewhere GW2-7.
Cheers AT. I’d agree with most of what you said there and it’s what I was thinking myself.
I was thinking if I didn’t have Patricio I’d go with Doherty but Tomkins is probably the safer bet to start with.
Do you think 3 Liverpool might be closing yourself off to other teams or do you think spreading the cover isn’t that important?
What’s happening in the transfer window re: Arsenal?
Matt, Liverpool are the main option for 3 starters in my opinion due to fixtures plus most (that you’d want) are back from the WC or didn’t go in the first place.
Robertson is an absolute must as prob is Salah. Then for me its a case of Mane, Keita or Firmino. Or Henderson :big-lol:
Cheers Cookie, Yeah I have Robbo and Salah as locks in my team but I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth going with Bobby or Keita. I’ve just come up with a team that can include Salah, Eriksen and Sane if I downgrade Azpi, PEA, Bobby and Ederson but I can get Keita in with Salah and co but if I went with only 2 pool I could go with Fab or Pedro for 6.5 and leave Ederson in. I might have to flip a coin and see. Gut says 3 Pool but head is saying spread the cover and go for balance
Heart says Arnie. Head just confirmed Zaha in mine for now. Can see me switching that at some point, probably not before GW1 though.
Tomkins.
Got 2, want 3 but can’t afford it.
PEA for me. I have neither though.
Not got a Chelsea defender either but I’ll wait and see what the CS tells us first.
Ederson.
Cheers Init. What’s made you go Zaha over Arnie? I think I’m going with form over fixtures right now and Arnie has what 5 goals in 5 games preseason or something like that?
Basically the rest of your answers say my current draft is fine so that’s encouraging. As regards the CS, are you looking for who plays or how they play? I haven’t watched Chelsea preseason and really just going off what Sarri did defensively with Napoli but the Italian league is very defensive as opposed to the Prem.
Sarri’s Napoli also scored plenty of goals. I haven’t ruled out Hazard if he stays.
Just like Zaha’s first fixture better. And then Arnie’s in 2. And then Arnie’s in 3. And then Zaha’s in 4…..! Might just get both
Who plays in the CS mainly.
If Hazard stays it’ll be right back to the drawing board but I’ve just seen Barcelona have enquired about him too!
Both of them could be good!
That’s where I’m at, init. I think I may end up going with both of them to start along with one premium striker. They both look good value, are nailed, and have been performing well in the pre-season matches.
Arnie or Zaha – or Wood? I’m currently on the latter due to fixtures (as we have no idea of form yet (pre-seasons can be deceptive)). West Ham’s fixtures aren’t brill and Zaha may not be at CP.
Having said that, if Zaha isn’t there then Sorloth and maybe Ings could swim into view, waving merrily.
3 Pool seems logical, given the startling brio of their play.
I’m on Ederson but if I wanted to save a mil I’d be looking at Fab (those bad West Ham fixtures could = a lot of save points and the occasional CS bonanza).
Arnie for me if I go 3-4-3. West Ham should be better and playing down the middle where he gets a lot more points. Zaha never an option for me as most know on this site lol. Burnley are just pretty defensive for me to have a forward