Rate My Teams: FPL & Fantrax EPL GW-29

After a few packed game-weeks, we’re back with our second major blank game-week of the season. A mere four matches showcase just eight teams (Aston Villa, Spurs, Fulham, Leeds, Brighton, Newcastle, West Ham and Arsenal).

Both FPL and Fantrax are in step, and Fantrax managers should see the Fulham and Leeds lineups confirmed an hour before FRIDAY’S deadline. The blanks pose problems for many fantasy managers out there, and we were not helped by the Europa League fixtures yesterday.

Chip strategies are a big factor in FPL, with many having already used their free hit back in blank GW-18. Discounts are a dilemma for Fantrax, where dropping a long term hold means never being able to afford a rebuy.

Official FPL

As things stand, I have seven players who can feature in this game-week, but I am concerned about Bamford’s injury (he should play) and Son (very unlikely — though after Spurs’ awful defeat in the Europa League, he may be an outside choice anyway).

I have 2 free transfers, and I plan on using both, giving me 10 eligible players. My current plan is Cancelo -> Dunk and De Bruyne -> Lingard or Aubameyang. I am open to the idea of a -4 hit to bump me up to 11 players, as a 90-minute player should in theory need to earn only two points in his performance to cover the expense. Captain choice is currently Kane, even after he played 120 minutes yesterday (something that all Kane owners can worry about). My plan is to then use my second-half wildcard next week, still holding my bench boost for later.

I’m currently on 1888 points, ranked 8824 overall.

Fantrax NMA-11

I’ve managed to get a good number of players in (9), without any major injury concerns. I’m carrying Citizens Gundogan and Ederson as dead weight. Due to my early, low-cost investments in them they remain long-term holds rain or shine. Trossard is a player who currently appeals to me this game-week, so he may come in to replace Moura. I’m currently ranked 90th in the NMA League, this my maiden Fantrax season.

Fantrax NMA-17

I’m afforded some flexibility in my NMA-17 team, so I’ve kept a few more long-term assets. 13 players should start, which is promising. Odegaard, Lingard and Bale are my great budget picks. Odegaard is my main transfer in after having only a cameo for Arsenal in the Europa League yesterday. I am currently 45th in the League.

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How do you rate my Fantasy teams? What’s your current plan? Are you managing to field a full team? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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