FPL Hints - Gameweek 3

Disclaimer: *FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will most likely be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter account.

Transfers:

Ivanovic (OUT) / Lescott (IN)

I projected GW2 to be a low-scoring GW, and so it was.  I ended up with 52 points (post -4 hit), which was enough for me to rise by 50,000 or so places.  In truth I got lucky and will be hoping for better results this Gameweek.

With the international break around the corner, I didn't want to take another -4 hit in case the extra player got injured for his country, thus rendering the hit pointless.  The only change I have decided to make is to sell Ivanovic for Lescott.  This may come as a surprise for some, but Ivanovic has a blank GW3 and has harder fixtures after that.  As for Lescott, he has pretty much guaranteed a starting place for the time being and has two decent upcoming fixtures.

As for the remainder of my team... I have some concerns.  With Bassong potentially back, Whittaker could be shafted out of the Norwich team.  Moreover, Kolo Toure picked up an injury midweek which has made him a major doubt for this GW.  As for Dzeko, despite scoring against Cardiff, he is a rotation risk.  In spite of that, I have decided to captain Dzeko for GW3.  I think he is capable of scoring against Hull, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.

GW Reject:

BENTEKE (AST)

GW Punt:

BEN ARFA (NEW)

GW Hot Pick:

DZEKO (MNC)

Why?

Scored in his last Premier League outing.

He is currently averaging 6 points per GW thus far.

Scores from starting or the bench versus different teams.

FPLH's GW Star Picks:

Jaaskelainen

Lescott

Zabaleta

O'Brien

Ben Arfa

Snodgrass

Morrison

Nolan

Van Persie

Soldado

Dzeko (c)

Subs:

Ruddy

Olsson
Coleman

Coutinho

FPL Hints - Gameweek 38

Transfers: Lukaku OUT / Hernandez IN

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. 
Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter account.

Folks, it's that time of the season again to say adios and goodbye!  

But not just yet...

It looks like my purchases of Theo and Santi worked a treat in GW37, just a shame I captained Theo and not Santi!  I was on a paltry 3 pts before the last two matches of GW37 and they helped propel me to 53pts.  I took a slight tumble in the rankings, but I am still ranked 5kish and still capable of breaking into the Top 2.5k with a decent GW38.

My team looks very decent for GW 38 and I probably didn't even need to make any transfers.  I wish I could afford Sturridge or Coutinho.  But then I thought that a differential is required if I want another jump up the rankings.  With this in mind I purchased Hernandez aka Chicarito.  

My reasoning for buying Hernandez was that he scored last week, after taking Rooney's starting spot.  Moreover, Sir Alex has said prior to his final match v West Brom before retirement that "I want to win this one more than last week's".  This made sense for me to purchase attacking United coverage.  I couldn't afford RVP and Hernandez seemed like the perfect alternative + differential factor.

Last year I had a disastrous GW 38 that jolted me from 73rd to 110th.  Had it not been for Aguero's last minute winner I may have finished outside of the Top 200.  I wanted a decent starting XI without taking any hits, despite my numerous -4 hits in recent weeks.  8/11 of my first team are playing home matches which is a plus.  4 of my players (Bale, Vertonghen, Santi, Theo) still have something to play for which is a double plus!

I feel that Bale has more incentive to do well on Sunday, especially because Tottenham are at home and must bag a win.  Thus I have captained Bale for the final GW of the season.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 38

Gareth Bale

FPLH's Hot Picks XI

Hart

Zabaleta

Luiz

Vertonghen

Santi Cazorla

Walcott

Mata

Bale

Hernandez

Sturridge

Kone

Reina

Maloney

Kompany

Enrique

10/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team

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FPL Hints - Gameweek 31

FPLH's GW 31 Team*

Transfers: Reina and Santon (-4 Hit) OUT / Fabianski and Monreal IN

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Reasoning

The international break is over... and I'm back!  No real lessons learned in the interim, apart from the fact that England crack under pressure and can't keep the ball.  Nothing new there I suppose.  Back to FPL...

With the "real" business end of FPL upon us, I decided to take a -4 hit.  Whilst making my transfers I had GW31 and DGW33 in mind.  I decided to sell Reina for Fabianki.  In truth, I was more keen on financing a move for Monreal, which is why I did the change in goalies and sold the injured Santon in the process.

Arsenal haven't been fantastic this season.  Having two defensive Arsenal players could be seen as risky.  But I think it's worth the punt, especially with 2 on form players.  Monreal in particular has shown his defensive and attacking prowess.  If all else fails I still have my wild card at hand which is a plus!

This GW I have decided to captain Suarez.  He may not have scored last GW, but he should be able to cut through Villa's defence like a knife separating butter.  My vice-captain is Bale.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 31

  Nacho Monreal

 FPLH's Hot Picks XI

Fabianski

Monreal

Clichy

O'Brien

Cazorla

Mata

Maloney

Coutinho

Bale

Berbatov

Suarez

Subs:

Hart

Riether

Baines

Benteke

8/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team

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FPL Hints - Gameweek 28

FPLH's GW 28 Team*

Transfers: Walcott & Pogrebnyak OUT / Sissoko & Lambert IN (-4 Hit)

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Reasoning

Before I waffle on about how lucky I got with damage limitation last week and this GW's team I must say...

TRUNCATED GW29 ALERT!

Due to FA Cup fixtures, the likes of Everton, City, United and Chelsea will not play Premier League football.  8 teams will be affected in total.  Some of them could play in a super-extended GW29, but that is unlikely.

As for GW 27, it was disappointing.  My Tri-Reading connection failed with Pog getting sent off.  Lamps missed a penalty which further diminished my score.  Buy my recommended player/one-time bogey player didn't let me down - Bale's brace and Joey O'Brien's assist bailed me out on Monday night and doubled my score from a paltry 19 to 38! #damagelimitation

For this GW, I almost thought of selling RVP, due to his injury and no-show for GW29.  In addition, with United's involvement in the FA Cup and Champions League, his PL impact will be limited.

I decided to sell Walcott as I felt that he is being drowned out by the likes of Cazorla, Wilshere, Podolski and even Giroud.  Walcott may have shown form in December and January, but I feel the time is right to sell him.  

I decided to draft in Sissoko this GW with GW 29 also in mind.  His stunning form since joining Newcastle can't be ignored.  At sub-7.0 he is a steal.

I couldn't stand relying on one striker, even for one GW.  That's why I decided to cut my losses with Pog and bring in Lambert.  12 PL goals, with 2 goals and 3 assists shows his calibre.

I believe Lambert will be the reason why Southampton will avoid relegation.  Their match v QPR is like a Cup Final and I think he will once again shine.  Southampton are also due to play in GW29.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 28

  Marouane Fellaini

de Gea

Rafael
Baines

Cahill

Bale

Sissoko

Mata

Fellaini (c)

Suarez

Aguero (vc)

Lambert

Subs:

Hart

Michu

Zabaleta

Shawcross

6/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team

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FPL Hints - Gameweek 27

FPLH's GW 27 Team*

Transfers: Gerrard - OUT / Bale - IN

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Reasoning

I was 5 short of a ton during DGW 26.  The lows and highs I felt of Liverpool's two matches must have been a FPL microcosm!  If only Gerrard didn't miss the penalty... If only I captained Suarez... If only I captained Michu... Meh, overall I can't complain.

In GW 27 we see the absence of Liverpool and Swansea players, due to their fixture being played a week in advance.  Luckily I have enough players to field a starting XI without taking a -4 hit.  It means that I am playing all three of my Reading players who have a decent-ish match v Wigan.  

I decided to sell Gerrard for Bale, in part due to various Liverpool attack-orientated players hitting form. The emergence of Coutino and solidification of the Suarez/Sturridge combo could push Gerrard into a less attacking role.

Despite Bale's form, I have captained Walcott due to Arsenal's easy fixture at home to Villa.  They may not have had much luck in the FA Cup and Champions League, but will be wanting to prove a point or two to their detractors.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 27

  Gareth Bale

Szczesny

Evans
Harte

Debuchy

Bale

Sissoko

Santi Cazorla

Walcott (c)

Fellaini

Podolski

Van Persie (vc)

Subs:

Federici

Pogrebnyak

Zabaleta

Hangeland

7/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 26

FPLH's GW 26 Team*

Transfers: Begovic - OUT / Reina - IN

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Reasoning

I am pleased that my risk of benching Suarez paid off last GW.  It was just a shame that my other outfield subs bagged 12 points between them and that my last minute captain switch from Fellaini to Walcott minimised my overall points haul.  Either way, 70 was a good tally for last GW and I shouldn't complain too much.

For this GW I have decided to make only one change.  I sold Begovic for Reina, due to it being a DGW for Liverpool and Swansea.  Reina has had much stick of late but he is due a few more clean sheets and good matches.  In addition the combo of Reina/Federici seems to be potentially viable for the next two months.  I already have Gerrard, Suarez and Michu so didn't need to take any hits.  I didn't want to go over-board with Swansea players as I think some of them may be rested with the League Cup final due soon.

As for the captain's arm band, I decided to give it to Gerrard due to his good form.  Suarez was an option but I feel he has been cancelled out by Sturridge and Michu hasn't done well of late.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 26

  Steven Gerrard

 FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 26

Reina

Davies
Evra

Cahill

Lampard

Mata

Gerrard (c)

De Guzman

Michu

Suarez (vc)

Van Persie

Subs:

Begovic

Martin

Dawson

Benteke

7/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 14

FPLH's GW 14 Team*

Transfers: Nolan (OUT) / Sessegnon (IN)

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Selection Reasoning

Ok folks, guilty as charged, I shouldn't have sold Defoe!  Murphy's law and all that.  To be honest it was a low scoring GW and I got lucky to score higher than the average and rise in the rankings.  You may be astounded as to why this post is going out now, if you haven't already realised, GW 14 starts tomorrow!  

I have made one change.  I have sold Nolan for Sessegnon simply due to the fact the former's fixtures will become more difficult and the latter's are more interesting as follows:

GW 14 - QPR (H) - Very High goal/assist scoring potential

GW 15 - Norwich (A) - Moderate goal/assist scoring potential

DGW 16 - Chelsea (H) & Reading (H) - Very High goal/assist scoring potential

GW 17 - Man Utd (A) - Low goal/assist scoring potential

GW 18 - Southampton (A) - Very High goal/assist scoring potential

If I am not mistaken, Sessegnon operates in the hole behind the striker.  He is capable of both scoring and assisting.  Despite having a barren spell for most of the season he has finally hit some form.  1.4% ownership (differential), good upcoming fixtures and his proven attacking pedigree are the reasons why I signed him. 

I was gutted that Valencia was sidelined last GW, despite buying and championing him.  He probably won't play this GW either, but just in case, I have kept him in my starting XI with Sterling as the auto-sub.  Other than that, I have subbed Riise (facing Chelsea) in place of Davies (at home to WBA).  I expect neither to keep a clean sheet, but think Davies may have a slightly better chance than Riise.

I have decided to captain Sessegnon due to the potential rewards available if he succeeds, with RVP demoted to vice-captain after his fail against QPR.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 14

  
Stephane Sessegnon

Scored twice and assisted once in his last two matches

Listed as a midfielder but plays as a de facto striker

  Sunderland have good upcoming league fixtures

At £7.3M he won't be listed any cheaper!

Sess est Magnifique!

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 14

  de Gea (MNU)

  Cuellar (SUN)

Kompany (MNC)

    Rafael (MNU)

Bale (TOT)

Michu (SWA)

Silva (MNC)

Sessegnon / c (SUN)
  

Tevez / vc (MNC)

  Van Persie (MNU)

  Fletcher (SUN)

Subs:

  

  Begovic (STO)

Huth (STO)

  Lallana (SOT)

Clyne (SOT)

7/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 14 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 13

FPLH's GW 13 Team*

Transfers: Fellaini & Defoe (OUT) / Valencia & Fletcher (IN)

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 Team Selection Reasoning

My GW 12 team ended up with the same score as my GW 11 team - 63.  Benching Ruddy, Defoe and having no City or Arsenal players didn't help my cause.  Nonetheless with 2 free transfers I thought it best to shake up my team for GW 13.  I have sold Defoe, as Adebayor's return from injury seems to be getting him more game time.  I was looking for a "sole-striker / sole-goal threat" to replace him and decided to bring in Fletcher.  He is Sunderland's top goal scorer this season and has some interesting upcoming fixtures:

GW 13 - West Brom (H) - High goal scoring potential

GW 14 - QPR (H) - Very High goal scoring potential

GW 15 - Norwich (A) - Moderate goal scoring potential

DGW 16 - Chelsea (H) & Reading (H) - Very High goal scoring potential

GW 17 - Man Utd (A) - Low goal scoring potential

GW 18 - Southampton (A) - Very High goal scoring potential

Sunderland are due a few more goals and the next few GWs sets up the perfect opportunity for Fletcher to achieve that.  He is only owned by 5.3% of gamers which almost makes him a differential.  Moreover, GW 16 in particular stands out as a bonus due to it being a DGW for Sunderland.

My other transfer may surprise some as it involved me selling Fellaini.  He has been fantastic this season, but with his suspension I had ample time to assess his upcoming fixtures which seem more difficult.  I decided to replace him with Valencia.  This was in part due to United's injuries in midfield (Kagawa and Nani seem to be out) and United have some interesting upcoming fixtures:

GW 13 - QPR (H) - Very High assist/goals potential

GW 14 West Ham (H) - High assist/goals potential

GW 15 - Reading (A) - Very High assist/goals potential

GW 16 - Man City (A) - Derby match/anything can happen

GW 17 - Sunderland (H) - Very High assist/goals potential

In my estimation Valencia will start United's upcoming league matches but could be subbed off during the second half of matches to allow game time for Giggs or others.  At the very worst Valencia will be used as super-sub which isn't too bad, but I think he is more likely to start and capitalise on the upcoming fixtures.  Valencia is more likely to assist than score.  Surprisingly it is the first time I have ever owned him.  I didn't pick him last season when he had a good run of games, opting for Nani instead.  Valencia is currently owned by 3.4% of gamers, which in my books makes him a differential.

Captaining Van Persie v QPR is a no brainer despite his fail v Norwich last week.  My vice captain is Valencia.

As for City or Arsenal players, I still don't have any of them in my team...

Recommended Player for Gameweek 13

  
Antonio Valencia

Assisted 14 times in the Premier League last season

Will be key in midfield with Kagawa and Nani out

United have good upcoming league fixtures

At £8.6M he is definitely a bargain!

Fast as Lightning

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 13

  Howard (EVE)

  Cuellar (SUN)

Baines (EVE)

    Rafael (MNU)

Cazorla (ARS)

Sterling (LIV)

Valencia / vc (MNU)

Sessegnon (SUN)
  

Fletcher (SUN)

  Van Persie / c (MNU)

  Suarez (LIV)

Subs:

  

  Begovic (STO)

Huth (STO)

  Michu (SWA)

Caulker (TOT)

9/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 13 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 12

FPLH's GW 12 Team*

Transfers:Vorm (OUT) / Ruddy (IN)

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Selection Reasoning

I'm back. I am pleased to say that International football is over for a good few months now, just enough time to recover from Zlatan's wonder goal!  Back to real fantasy football... 

I have only made one change this GW. In doing so I have saved £0.5M, with £2.2M in total banked.  I sold the injured Vorm for Ruddy.  This move may come as a surprise, but he has kept 4 clean sheets (joint 2nd best).  I intend to have him as a back up to Begovic but may use him as my first choice keeper in GW 15 (Home - Sunderland) and GW 17 (Home - Wigan) respectively.  I don't intend to make any changes to my goal keeping combo till at least GW 20.

With my other spare transfer I was very tempted to shop around for a striker to replace Defoe.  But then realised that GWs 13 and 14 are only separated by two days, which could result in players being rested and the transfer being wasted.  Moreover, My 5 midfielders seem to have good upcoming fixtures this GW and with Defoe being a doubt I thought it best to go 3-5-2 and give them all a run in the first team.

On a side note, I was recently reminded of an old FPL ace transfer tactic - The Differential.  I will explain more about it in my FAQs page shortly.  But I think now is the time to shop around for differentials as FPL teams look more and more similar.  Narrow margins will be the difference between you winning your private league or finishing mid-table, thus look out for Premier League footballers that are not owned by many!

Recommended Player for Gameweek 12

  
Luis Suarez

Wigan have conceded 1.6 goals per game in the league so far

Suarez has scored 3 & assisted 2 in his last 4 PL matches

At 10.0 he is still cheaper than other top forwards

 Remains Liverpool's sole de facto goal threat

Generates Headlines

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 12

  Hart (MNC)

  Kompany (MNC)

Baines (EVE)

    Rafael (MNU)

Cazorla (ARS)

Sterling (LIV)

Fellaini (EVE)

Ben Arfa (NEW)
  

Ba (NEW)

  Tevez / cpt (MNC)

  Suarez / vc(WIG)

Subs:

  

Schwarzer (FUL)

Johnson (LIV)

Michu (SWA)

Riise (FUL)

6/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 12 Team