All things BGW29
Hello! After a break last week, the Digest is back. This post brings you FPL advice from this week’s free podcasts:
Topics Covered
🎙️ Team/Players Review
♟️ BGW29 Strategy
🎯 BGW29 Players to Target
👑 Captaincy
🎙️ Team/Players Review
Below are some of the brief reviews of a handful of teams.
🐔 Tottenham Hotspurs
For some reason, the FPL community was very bullish on Spurs/Kane decimating Arsenal. But it came all crashing down like the Tulip Mania of 1630s or more recently, the GME short squeeze (which, to be honest, was successful to an extent!).
Spurs had a really poor match for the most part. They didn’t press a lot and just seemed to lack the motivation to win. However, after the red card, they improved a lot, and Kane was unlucky to not get a return.
Bale didn’t have a great game and was also called out by Mourinho in the post-match interview, which cast some concerns over his starting spot. Continue to monitor the mid-week Europa league tie to see how it pans out.
Son’s injury was a dampener and also reduces the potency of the Spurs attack. However, his injury doesn’t seem to be as serious as thought before, and he may be back after the international break.
🦁 Aston Villa
They continue to look poor in absence of Grealish.
Watkins was starved of good service and El Gazhi hogging the ball didn’t help them either.
🐦 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton may have finally overcome their curse of all xG, no goal! They finally got a win, albeit a jammy one.
It’s worth noting that their xG and xGC stats at home are at par with, or superior to most elite teams. Their assets should be seriously considered for the upcoming BGW29, especially if you are planning to free hit.
However, they have always had these kinds of stats despite lacking results, and Newcastle also seems to be on a bit of resurgence. So be mindful before making your transfers.
🦚 Leeds United
It’s borderline unbelievable that Leeds has not scored a single goal in their last three games. It’s a bit worrisome and makes us wonder what happened to the free-flowing, attacking team that we have come to know and love!
Well, some argue it’s because their last three games were against good defenses. And others counter that their upcoming fixtures have similar defenses too. Regardless, your Leeds assets should be closely monitored going forward.
However, all pods still had high praises for Raphinha and are inclined to hold him.
🔵 Chelsea
In a nutshell - Lack in attack… Immense in defense!
Mendy looks like an easy pick and if you are wildcarding soon, you should do the unthinkable - bring him in instead of Emmi ‘The Goatkeeper’ Martinez.
⚔️ Sheffield United
It’s not an over-exaggeration that their 5-0 loss could have been much worse!
However, despite languishing at the bottom of the table, they have not really lost by this big a margin this year. The Wire folks believe it might be due to low morale after the sacking of their beloved manager of five years. So, don’t expect them to lose this badly frequently.
🦊 Leicester City
Leicester continues to play well, and with the imminent return of Maddo and Barnes, they should only get better from here.
While Iheanacho seems to be a popular transfer target, thanks to his haul, it remains to be seen the impact of Madd and Barnes’ return on his game time. So for now, hold ‘em knees, and stay away from him.
🏙️ Manchester City
The Wire folks had an interesting discussion around City fixtures.
They highlighted that City has highly congested fixtures coming up. While they have had this most of the season, the quality of opponents and stakes at this point will be much higher. This means the likeliness of rotation may be much higher.
Holding Dias makes the most sense as he seems to be as nailed a player as one can get in Pep’s team. For others like Cancelo and Gundogan, you can consider selling them if you fancy other options, or keep them with a good bench to cover.
🐝 Burnley
They have really good fixtures after GW30.
While we are used to only looking at their defense, their attack is the one to monitor to see if their recent attacking successes can continue.
🍬 Everton
DCL had a really good game.
Everton started the game with Richarlison and DCL as the front two, but that didn’t seem to work. Once they switched to only DCL up front, they had a much better game. It’s worth monitoring if Ancelotti persists with this, which may make DCL a viable option once again.
♟️ BGW29 Strategy
Just in case you are living under a rock, or spending too much time in the real world instead of FPL (who does that!!) - next week, only 8 teams are playing i.e. Fulham, Leeds, Brighton, Newcastle, West Ham, Arsenal, Villa, and Spurs. Also, there will also be a blank week in GW33, when 4 teams will not play.
Both the pods shared some nuggets of wisdom on how to approach the upcoming blank game week.
First off, fight the urge to go crazy, and don’t do anything rash. Most of the teams playing are low-mid table teams and we may not see high-scoring games (did I jinx it?).
If you want to be around the average, target to have 7-8 players. If you want to have an edge over other players, target 9-11.
While -4 is justifiable to get an extra playing player, anything more may be a step too far. Remember, think long-term - you don’t want to bring in players just for the next game week.
The Wire folks discussed strategy for four categories of managers in the game right now, depending on your remaining chips.
You have Free Hit but no Wildcard
If you think your free hit team can score 15-16 more points than your current team, then it makes sense to use it.
Another way to look at it, if you have only 5-6 players after using your free transfers, it’s better to use FH now. Else if you have 8-9, it’s worth saving your FH.
You don’t have Free Hit, but have Wildcard
Do NOT wildcard this week. You don’t want to bring in players just for BGW, and then be stuck with sub-par players going forward.
Get howsoever players you can get for next week, with minimal hits. Then wildcard in GW30 or 31.
You have both, Free Hit and Wildcard
Step 1: Surely use your FH this week.
Step 2: Use your WC to navigate BGW33.
Step 3: Write to me and explain how do you have the patience and resolve to hold your chips. Teach me your ways!
You have neither
Step 1: Cry
Step 2: Wipe your tears
Step 3: Get players for BGW29 that you would like to keep in the long term too. Target teams like Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham, and Fulham.
🎯 BGW29 Players to Target
Below are the players that AC folks discussed are worth targeting for BGW29, especially if you are on a FH.
Lindgard. He is playing really well and looks like returning every time he plays. He may be on penalties too.
Antonio. He is the focal point of West Ham. However, if you have to pick only one of the two, prefer Lindgard over him.
Cresswell. Is the top-scoring defender. ‘nuff said.
At least one Brighton defender.
Maja. Both Fulham and Leeds should be looking for a win and hence should be an open match. Maja not playing the last game seems to be a tactical choice so wouldn’t be worried about it.
Lookman. If you have fancy two Fulham attackers.
Raphinha. As said earlier, this should be an open attacking game and Raph is quite involved in Leeds attack.
Kane. Duh!
Aubameyang. If his off-pitch disciplinary issues are resolved. Monitor Europe games to see if he starts.
Odegaard. Played really well, plays centrally, and is cheap.
The Wire folks also presented their draft Free Hit teams. They haven’t decided if they are free hitting out not. But if they do, these are the players they were considering at the time of the pod.
Late Riser
Sanchez, Areola
Dunk, Tierney, Reguilon, Anderson, Targett
Trossard, Aubs, Odeggard, Bale, Raph
Kane, Maja, AntonioBig Man Bakar
Lloris, Areola
Veltman, Tierney, Dunk, 2 Fulham Defense
Trossard, Aubs, Pepe, Bale, Raph
Kane, Watkins, AntonioZophar
Sanchez, Dubravka
Veltman, Cresswell, Andersen, Dallas, Targett
Trossard, Aubs, Lookman, Lindgard, Raph
Kane, Maja, Antonio
👑 Captaincy
Both pods discussed that Kane is the standout pick. However, they did express a slight concern with his potential if Son is out.
Other differential picks were Lindgard, Antonio, Raphinha, and Aubemeyang.
If you are a braveheart hippie, then Trossard or Odegaard.
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