Rate My Teams: FPL & Fantrax EPL GW-4

I want to start with the massive caveat that this was written as news was coming out about players missing EPL games due to bans and quarantines. For a full explanation of that situation, please see David’s Fantrax Player Picks article.

FPL:

GW-3 was a mixed bag in FPL. With some trepidation, I stayed with Mo Salah as my captain, but it worked out with Salah’s goal and bonus points.

I gambled on Tsimikas, thinking that if he didn’t play then Tanganga would slide in. It was a costly mistake, and pretty silly considering the matchups. I also didn’t pull the trigger on subbing out Mount for Greenwood. Mistakes like these plagued me last season, but points from my front line, TAA and Shaw, plus Mo as captain, salvaged the week.

But if I’m going to move up the rankings, those decisions have to be better. Here’s where I stand.

• Overall Points: 238
• Overall Rank: 303,985
• NMA: 564
• Arsenal: 30,424
• USA : 9,293

This week, my biggest decision is what to do with Bruno and Ronaldo. Since his hattrick in GW-1 Bruno hasn’t done much for FPL owners. I’m not sure yet what to think about Ronaldo. Mostly I’m thinking, get CRon, and get him now. He’s no stranger to the EPL; he scored 29 goals last season. He hasn’t scored less than 20 goals since 2009, his last season with United (and that was 18). He is still playing at such a high level. There’s the lingering doubt that he won’t start. But can I afford to leave him off?

So, here’s what I’m thinking:

Drop Wilson (who is at United this weekend) to bring in Ronaldo upfront. Then drop Bruno in the midfield and add Said Benrahma (or maybe Dele Alli or maybe JWP, but most likely Benrahma) who faces Southampton this weekend.

With Raphinha currently banned for one game, I’m looking at buying Alli in his space and taking the hit... maybe. Gilmour is Leeds’ most likely deputy. He’d attack a struggling Gunners team. Haven’t committed yet.

For now, I’m leaving the captain’s armband on Salah. He plays Leeds. No need to overthink this one.

Fantrax NMA-11

It was a good week in Fantrax for me. My score of 121.5 tied with @DISCO ARGYLE for top score, and I’ve moved up to 13th overall (349 total points). As an Arsenal fan, it was tough to go with a heavy Man City lineup, but I stayed with what were the best matchups of the week. It paid off overall. Double digits for all defenders and a good game from De Gea. Besides Bowen and Sancho, I’m really happy with the week.

All that said, I may be blowing up much of the lineup for this week’s matchups.

So this is about my 5th iteration of the team, especially as news about banned players continues to come in. And it most likely won’t be the last.

Somewhat simple logic here: The best matchups are for Man United hosting Newcastle, Liverpool at Leeds (without their best player), and Chelsea against an Aston Villa side that has been conceding goals and who won’t be able to field their first-string goalkeeper.

Not set on Pogba or Dele yet. And clearly I’m watching the news about Ronaldo starting, plus other injury news out there.

At keeper, there could be some choices based on Allison being out too. Dean Henderson is close to a return cheap. Once he’s back, I think I’m set on my keeper for a while (a keeper keeper).

I’ve been questioning the money on TAA, but he just puts up points. He’s currently 3rd overall in points. I think his price is just going to climb too.

I really want Michail Antonio too. I’ve been considering a few things. First, drop Salah and keep Antonio, then pick up Jota for someone in the mid. I’ve thought about leaving Ronaldo out for this week and making for the West Ham forward that way. As of now, Antonio is out.

What advice do you have for PPQ? How are your teams doing? Are you having to shuffle players too? Please tell us what you think in the comments!

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