We are staring down the barrel of a normal game week but the spectre of blank gameweek 25 for Brighton, Brentford, Newcastle and Man United hovers over us. Particularly as many of the players from our team coming from these teams.
This week, most of us should be holding a transfer to make more moves next week against the blank. Having said that, I have two frees now so am tempted to make my moves now, hope my players stay fit and then have two frees for 26 to target Brighton players.
Anyway, as you can tell, this piece is about 24 but it’s dominated with thoughts about 25. Let’s see why…
The Fixture Ticker
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28* | |
| Arsenal | avl | Lei/EVE | BOU | ful | CRY |
| Liverpool | new | cry/WOL | MUN | bou | FUL |
| Everton | LEE | AVL/ars | nfo | BRE | che |
| Wolves | BOU | ful/LIV | TOT | new | LEE |
| Spurs | WHU | CHE | wol | NFO | Sou |
(* just to note that 28 will likely be a double but we don’t know that yet!)
The fixture ticker gets a bit broken at times like these because the double gameweeks can appear so powerful. So, it’s important to look at the teams.
As previewed last week, Arsenal players are the ones you want for this run. Liverpool assets are dreadful but I can’t say I’m not tempted to bring one or two in for double gameweek 25 – certainly not before against Newcastle. Everton have been awful all season but Dyche ball suits a defensive asset and possibly a strong forward who likes to head the ball… Wolves are just an avoid for me, even Bueno, seems to not be nailed anymore. And, there is only one player from Spurs that you want.
What Do We Do About Brighton and Brentford Assets?
Brighton and Brentford assets are some of the most interesting at the moment. Mitoma, March and Estupinian are all in great form for Brighton. Ivan Toney is making the cautious amongst us regret our decisions to leave him out fearing a ban and Mee and Henry at the back look okay even if the defensive unit doesn’t set the world alight.
The trouble is, they blank in 25, double in 27, likely blank in 28 and likely double in 29…
That’s messy.
If you have them then, you’re laughing. You have got great returns for little cost. I would like to get between 9-11 players out for blank week 25, so, if you can do this and keep them then I like it. Mitoma and Toney in particular are the ones I would prioritise keeping.
If you don’t have them, like me, then don’t bring them in unless you can get 9-11 players out in the blank. Even if you can get 9 with bringing one of them in, I don’t like it – you know you will only get 50% returns in the short-term.
I won’t be bringing them in, I regret not having Mitoma in particular but I don’t see how I could prioritise bringing in a player with a blank. However, it’s very likely he will be my first transfer in for game week 26 and Toney in 27.
Making moves this week
In general, it’s better to hold a transfer this week so you have two for next week – that’s because next week is a blank and we will have more information then. However, there will be exceptions (I have two frees already for example).
Should I Buy?
The top three defensive transfers in right now are Shaw, Mee and Estupinian. Rashford, March and Mitoma are 3, 4 and 5 for midfield transfers in. Toney is the second highest forward transfer in. They all blank next week. Now is not the time to spend transfers on them.
Reece James – Eugh. He’s a good player and can be incredible. But he’s risky – he inevitably gets injured and rotated. I have no interest in him right now but if you want to take a bit of a risk on a bit of a differential then sure.
Tarkowski – Yep. I like this move. Dyche ball Everton is very defensive and I have faith in his ability to get more cleans. Plus, doubles next week.
Kilman – Similarly to the above, he doubles next week and they are defensive so yes.
Arsenal assets – Yep, if you don’t have three already just get them in. Cheap and good. Saka is the best.
Mahrez – He was very lucky to get a return against Villa because Haaland didn’t take the penalty. That being said, he looks nailed in a great team for a low price. I like it basically, I’m just nervous that he gets rotated out at some point.
Maddison – He has bad fixtures but he isn’t really a fixtures player. He just goes on mad runs where he can’t stop scoring FPL points.
Joao Felix – Yeah, he’s a class player and could have returned last week. He’s only 7.5 and there is a distinct lack of forward options right now.
Should I Sell?
Trippier – No. I don’t care he blanks or he has two bad fixtures around that blank. He is incredible.
Almiron – Yes. One return since the re-start. He’s fine for the price but you want points and there are plenty of mids offering that.
Martinelli – Yes. It’s time. He’s rotation prone and there are better Arsenal assets.
De Bruyne – I’m not sure how he is your priority transfer this week. He plays next week and he’s still KDB. But sure, he’s not been great so I don’t mind it.
Mitrovic – Yep, he’s been awful recently. I need money to move him on but I will do something soon.
Final Thoughts
Basically, you need to start planning ahead this week. It’s about to get a bit more complicated, with all the double gameweeks and blanks. We’ll give you advice as we go along, but you need to remember to check the fixtures, make your transfers… and buy and sell the right players of course.
Saturday deadline this week, at 11:00 GMT sharp. Good luck everyone!