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

FPL Hints - Gameweek 11

FPLH's GW 11 Team*

Transfers: None

*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, I admit I had a bad GW10 and shouldn't have left Fellaini on the bench.  However, that doesn't warrant panic changes.  In fact I have bought no reinforcements for GW 11 as I would prefer to have a free transfer at hand for GW 12.  The reason being there will be international football in-between the next two GWs and I would prefer to have a free transfer at hand in case of injuries.

Fellaini has been an enigma for me this season.  When I play him he doesn't do well, when I bench him he does do well.  Ouch!  I am hoping to buck that trend by playing him at home to Sunderland.  Not only that, but he is my vice-captain.  Sterling loses his place and is demoted to sub 1 as he faces Chelsea at home.  Aside from that Davies and Demel swap places on the bench.

My captain for Gameweek 11 is the man of the moment - Robin Van Persie.  He has bagged 8 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League so far this season.  He only made a substitute appearance (and scored!) yesterday which hopefully means he will definitely start against Villa.  United would not want to muck about, especially as they currently lead in the Premier League.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 11

Robin Van Persie 

He has scored or assisted in 8 out of 10 league matches this season.

Scored 30 goals and assisted 13 in the league last season.

He may be expensive (13.5) but is definitely worth it!

By far the most consistent forward in the league.

 

Premier League Heavyweight

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 11

  Begovic (STO)

  Huth (STO)

Baines (EVE)

    Rafael (MNU)

Cazorla (ARS)

Michu (SWA)

Fellaini / vc (EVE)

Hazard (CHE)
  

Ba (NEW)

Van Persie / cpt (MNU)

  Crouch (STO)

Subs:

  

dea Gea (MNU)

Kompany (MNC)

Cahill (CHE)

Lallana (SOT)

7/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 11 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 10

FPLH's GW 10 Team*

Transfers (OUT): O'Brien and Podolski

Transfers (IN): Huth and Defoe

*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 did it!  After four Gameweeks of having an extra transfer at hand I have finally used it.  I wanted to get rid of O'Brien and mulled over many defensive options.  I wanted an attacking defender and was close to signing Baines.  However that would have been pricey.  Instead I went for Huth, which could be a risk as I am doubling up with Begovic.  But the fact is that Stoke's fixtures are reasonable for the next 8 weeks or so (see previous post).  Moreover Huth possesses a formidable attacking threat.  He may not have scored this season, but I am confident he is due a goal - his league strike rate for Stoke is 10% + which would make any central midfielder or winger proud.  

As for the other transfer that involved ditching Podolski.  Despite being listed as a striker he has been playing as a de facto midfielder at Arsenal, with Giroud as the out-and-out striker.  That was a put off and his performance v QPR was the final straw.  Thus I decided to replace him with an on-form goal poacher, step in Jermain Defoe.  He on the other hand has been fantastic this season.  A regular run in the first team has meant that he has bagged 5 goals and 3 assists in 9 Gameweeks.  I was close to buying him last week at 7.8 but in the end forked out an extra 0.2 for waiting a week later.  So far this season Defoe has proved he can score against small teams, big teams and in derby matches.  With this in mind his upcoming juicy fixtures are of interest as follows:

GW 10 - Wigan (H) - High goal scoring potential v a leaky defence

GW 11 - Man City (A) - Mild goal scoring potential v an inconsistent defence

GW 12 - Arsenal (A) - Moderate goal scoring potential v an inconsistent defence + derby

GW 13 - West Ham (H) - High goal scoring potential + derby

GW 14 - Liverpool (H) - Moderate goal scoring potential v transitional defence

GW 15 - Fulham (A) - High  goal scoring potential + derby

Wigan have conceded almost 2 goals per away match this season, which means that I will captain Defoe.  As for the vice-captain's armband I have decided to give that to RVP following his heroics against Chelsea.

Minimum ideal gameweek 10 points:

50

Potential ideal gameweek 10 points:

70

Recommended Player for Gameweek 10

Jermain Defoe

(Tottenham)

Why?

Scored 5 goals in 9 league matches this season

Is currently Tottenham's main striker

Priced at a cheap 8.0 - Bargain!

Proven attacking threat

Attacking Assassin

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 10

  Mignolet (SUN)

  Walker (TOT)

  Riise (FUL)

  Rafael (MNU)

Mata (CHE)

  Bale (TOT)

 Morrison (WBA)

Sterling (LIV)

  Defoe / cpt (TOT)

Van Persie / vc (MNU)

  Fletcher (SUN)

Subs:

  Begovic (STO)

  Olsson (WBA)

  Huth (STO)

Hazard (CHE)

8/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 10 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 9

FPLH's GW 9 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Cech

Transfers (IN): Begovic

*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

Following a bumper Gameweek 8 you would think that my team selection for Gameweek 9 would be easy?  Well no!  After much toing and froing I have decided to only make one transfer, which may come as a surprise to some.  I have sold Cech and brought in Begovic.  Despite Chelsea being top of the league they haven't kept many clean sheets.  With Terry's suspension I don't think that task will become easier for them.  Thus I decided to cut my losses and bring in a cheaper alternative.  Begovic appealed to me due to Stoke's dogged defensive "park-the-bus" system.  Moreover their upcoming fixtures are fairly kind to them as follows:

Sunderland (H) - High clean sheet potential

Norwich (A) - Moderate clean sheet potential

QPR (H) - High clean sheet potential

West Ham (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

Fulham (H) - High clean sheet potential

Newcastle (H) - High clean sheet potential

West Brom (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

Aston Villa (A) - Moderate clean sheet potential

Everton (H) - Moderate clean sheet potential

I can't stress how much I pondered over the second free transfer.  Defoe was an option, but I was worried he might tire after his European encounter.  Berbatov, Ben Arfa, Crouch, Aguero and Lennon were of interest too but I wasn't fully convinced.  I really want to get rid of Podolski but have decided to give him one more chance v QPR.  Fellaini has also lost favour with me, but I will bench him for now.  I then thought of beefing up my defence, but the overall lack of clean sheets this season was a put off.  In the end I opted to maintain the free transfer, despite the lack of captain options in my first XI.  I decided to captain Van Persie (even though he will face up to Chelsea), as he is a big game player.  Remember his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season?  I doubt I will score 80 points again for Gameweek 9, but never say never...

Recommended Player for Gameweek 9

Asmir Begovic

(Stoke)

Why?

Has kept 2 clean sheets from his last 3 matches 

Stoke play a very dogged defensive system

They have generous upcoming fixtures

Priced at sub 5.0 - Bargain!

Stoke's Solid Metal

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 9

  Begovic (STO)

  Vermaelen (ARS)

  Riise (FUL)

  Kompany (MNC)

Nasri (MNC)

  Bale (TOT)

  Ben Arfa (NEW)

Sterling (LIV)

  Defoe / cpt (TOT)

Van Persie / vc (MNU)

  Aguero (MNC)

Subs:

  Mannone (ARS)

  Mertesacker (ARS)

  Lowton (AST)

Nolan (WHA)

5/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 9 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 8

FPLH's GW 8 Team*

Transfers (OUT): S Taylor

Transfers (IN): JA Riise

*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

After a few below par Gameweeks you may think that I would radically tinker with my team.  Not so.  I am confident that I can bounce back in Gameweek 8, especially due to the fact that 9/11 of my first team players are at home.  The only change I have actioned for this week is to sell S Taylor (a doubt) with dodgy upcoming fixtures for the ever attacking JA Riise.  He may not be a prolific goalscorer from defence as he was at Liverpool, but his attacking prowess still exists.  In fact he has assisted in his last two league matches.  I am confident he can obtain more FPL points in the upcoming weeks due to the aforementioned fixtures:

GW 8 - Aston Villa (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 9 - Reading (A) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 10 -  Everton (H) - Mild clean sheet potential

GW 11 - Arsenal (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

GW 12 - Sunderland (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 13 - West Brom (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

Despite Suarez diving a fair bit and failing to score versus a dogged Stoke, I have decided to captain him again as he faces Reading's leaky defence.  The vice captain is Michu as I feel that he too can take advantage the Latics touch and go defence.  Let's hope for the best this time around!

Recommended Player for Gameweek 8

John Arne Riise

(Fulham)

Why?

 
Has assisted twice in his last two league matches

Is Fulham's first choice left back

Capable of scoring free kicks

Solid defender

Lethal Left Foot

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 8

  de Gea (MNU)

  Rafael (MNU)

  Riise (FUL)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Nolan (WHA)

Hazard (CHE)

  Michu / vc (SWA)

Sterling (LIV)

  Suarez / cpt (LIV)

Van Persie (MNU)

Rodallega (FUL)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

Johnson (LIV)

  Baines (EVE)

Bale (TOT)

9/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 8 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 7

FPLH's GW 7 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Mertesacker

Transfers (IN): B Davies

*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

Last Gameweek saw a mild improvement in fortunes for the FPLH Blog Team, with a third consecutive net points increase.  The Suarez transfer proved a masterstroke as he bagged 20 points, if only I dared to captain him.  As for Gameweek 7, I didn't wish to tinker too much as the international break will be shortly upon us once again.  I was looking to replace Mertesacker, who is no longer a first team choice, for a cheaper alternative.  Ben Davies of Swansea came to mind, especially due to his team's upcoming fixtures:

GW 7 - Reading (H) - Clean sheet potential

GW 8 - Wigan (H) - Clean sheet potential

Swansea haven't kept a clean sheet since August, but I believe they are due one soon against teams that do no travel well.  Ben Davies has had a look since Neil Taylor's long-term injury and I believe he will provide value for money.  As for my starting XI, it is almost the same, but I have ditched S Taylor to the bench as Newcastle face Manchester United and have given Ben Davies his place.  The choice of captain was a tough call between Suarez and Hazard, but I felt form was on Suarez's side thus I opted for him.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 7

Luis Suarez

(Liverpool)

Why?

Liverpool are due a home win, Stoke have yet to win away

Has no major rivals for his position in the team

Scored 5 league goals in 6 matches

Is a natural goal poacher

On form

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 7

Cech (CHE)

  Davies (SWA)

  Walker (TOT)

Kompany (MNC)

Fellaini (EVE)

Hazard (CHE)

  Bale (TOT)

Michu (SWA)

  Torres (CHE)

Suarez (MNU)

Aguero (MNC)

Subs:

Friedel (TOT)

Baines (EVE)

  Nolan (WHA)

Davies (SWA)

8/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 7 Team