Sitting down to write this, it feels like a long time since gameweek 8. We will start off looking at international injuries and wildcards, and the upcoming blank gameweek in 12. I’ll then turn to the classic best five week fixture runs, who to buy and sell, who to captain, and my own amazing moves.
International Injuries
It’s a bit of a bloodbath… Alongside rumours of Mitrovic being injured, there is a long list of actual injuries. It’s possible that one or many of these injuries were not quite as bad as they appear in order to keep players from playing, but I wouldn’t be buying any of them right now.
- Zinchenko pulled out of the Ukraine squad with an injury prior to the break.
- Digne continued his trolling of FPL managers by suffering what may have been a stress fracture to his ankle while representing France during the international break in September.
- Patterson got a knee injury that required a stretcher during Scotland’s game versus Ukraine – he’s out for four to five weeks.
- Pickford pulled out of the England squad prior to the international break and its unclear if he will be back.
- Daka pulled out of the Zambia squad with an illness.
- Stones limped off in the game against Germany.
- Maguire was supposedly suffering with a hamstring problem at the end of the Germany game.
- Bruno Guimarães pulled out of the Brazil squad, but it’s possible he is back.
- Isak is supposedly out for three weeks after withdrawing from the Sweden squad.
- Wood is also suffering with a minor rib injury.
- Dennis is already out after pulling out of the Nigeria squad.
- Lloris pulled out of the France squad with a minor thigh injury.
Only Digne and Isak are definite sells. Otherwise, try to wait for more information.
Wildcard Corner and Gameweek 12
I still have my wildcard, and honestly it feels more like a burden than a blessing right now with no clear way to play it to gain success.
The only thing I can think to do is to dead end my team into gameweek 12, where City and Arsenal blank. I’d do that by dropping four of my Arsenal and City assets, holding on to Martinelli and Haaland because I have too much value tied up there, and wildcarding out of it. If things go wrong, I’d wildcard early.
If I was on wildcard now I’d have an eye on game week 12 too, and look to make sure I had 11 players playing, but I would bear in mind I have three transfers to help me get there. I like Kane, Haaland and Mitrovic as a front three for the next few weeks. I like Zaha and Maddison as good fixture picks.
If you don’t have a wildcard, using a free hit in 12 feels wasteful, so I’d look to use my free transfers and a hit to get 11 players out.
Twitter Has Gone Mad
#FPL Twitter chat about Solanke is mad.
There are 50 outfield players with better xG per 90 than him for under 6mn. If you look at xGI there are even more as his xA is 0.01 for the season.
— Full 90 FPL (@full90fpl) September 23, 2022
Best Five Week Fixture Runs
Playing Fantasy Premier League by buying good players with good fixtures is a sure fire way to improve your rank. Expert tip for you, right there. These teams are ranked in order of best fixture (just focused on the top 5 teams), with home fixtures in caps and away in lower case.
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| Leicester | NFO | bou | CRY | LEE | wol |
| Fulham | NEW | whu | BOU | AVL | lee |
| Bournemouth | BRE | LEI | ful | SOU | whu |
| Palace | CHE | LEE | lei | WOL | eve |
| Chelsea | cry | WOL | avl | bre | MUN |
Best Captains
Haaland’s fixture doesn’t matter to me, and I’ll probably captain him.
Kane often performs well against Arsenal.
Salah is an interesting shout for this fixture against Potter-less Brighton and their new manager.
Should I Buy?
Arsenal and City assets – No. Unless you’re on wildcard.
Toney – Very tough one. I don’t love his fixtures, but Bournemouth and Villa are good games in the next five.
Zaha – Ideally you wait a week, but in general yes.
Maddison – Yes. But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t return – he’s quite streaky, and always has been.
James – Yes – I’m very positive on him.
Mitrovic – I’d wait as late as possible for more information, following the injury rumours. But, he obviously has great fixtures.
Son – One good game doesn’t make a season, as they say. Wait and see if he can repeat his performance against a team that doesn’t have the worst defence in the prem.
Should I Sell?
Gross – Yes. Horrid fixtures, and not sure what the new manager will do with him.
Saliba – Yeah – not convinced they will keep many cleans in the next few.
Trent – I’d hold. He is still extremely attacking, and hopefully Liverpool have been working on their structure over the break.
Patterson – I’d probably just try and hide him on my bench.
My Moves
I’m still pretty convinced that I am selling Odegaard for Zaha or Maddison. I just haven’t made my mind up. I don’t love Zaha against Chelsea and Maddo’s streaky like bacon. If I got Maddo I also don’t have a nice easy route to Salah from Kev. Neither are perfect, but I’m currently leaning Zaha.