Summary of The GW24 Preview Thread

Fellow FPL Manager,

Today’s email summarizes The GW24 Preview Thread, answering the key questions going into the gameweek.

Don’t forget to vote in the captain poll at the end of the email - only 1 real option this week 😉. Really well done to the 30% of readers who captained Watkins last week, some incredible green arrows I’m sure. I’m curious to see if any of you are going against the standout captain pick this week!

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Q) Darwin or Toney – who to buy?

Darwin preferred over Toney. Worth getting Darwin for an extra transfer if required.

Only Haaland has had more big chances than Darwin this season, Darwin has incredible potential against weaker opposition in his upcoming fixtures. He has Burnley, Brentford, and Luton coming up.

Despite his penalty miss last GW, there’s a good chance he keeps penalties in Salah’s absence.

Q) Sell Solanke or Watkins to buy Darwin? Why are transfers this week so significant?

In isolation, selling Solanke over Watkins is better. However, selling Watkins could allow you to attack the DGW with more funds.

Watkins has better short-term fixtures, however, the savings from selling Watkins over Solanke might allow you to get better players for DGW25, like Jota and Trent.

Use the transfer this week wisely, it will likely impact your transfer strategy in the weeks to come.

Q) Which City/Liverpool players to own in GW25? Is KdB a must? Is Salah an option? Thoughts on Trent?

3 City is a must: Haaland + Foden are the must-haves.
Darwin is the best Liverpool pick. TAA, Jota, and Diaz are all good picks.

Man City: Haaland (for obvious reasons) and Foden (at this price) are the must-haves. The 3rd City player can be a defender or KDB if you can afford him. KDB might not be worth the extra £3m over Foden, both of them have similar expected minutes for the City double.

Liverpool: Darwin is the best pick - see reasons above. The rest depends on your team structure. Trent, Jota, and Diaz are all decent buys.

Q) Estupinan, Porro, Konsa – keep or sell? Replacements?

Konsa is a sell. Porro and Estupinan are not hard sells but could be moved on. Trent is the priority and Doughty is the ideal budget replacement.

Konsa is out for a month, clear sell.

While Porro and Estupinan are not hard sells, there is a good reason to move them on. Spurs blank in GW26 while Estupinan’s starting position is far from assured with Igor and Lamptey playing well.

Prioritize getting Trent. Incredible fixtures and an upcoming double GW. No defender has created more big chances or has a better expected assists tally than him this season.

Doughty is an excellent pick too. Very favourable fixture at home to Sheffield in GW24, he then has two doubles (GWs 25 and 28) followed by a likely fixture in blank GW29. He is only behind Trent, Porro and Trippier for expected assists, chances created and big chances created among defenders this season.

Q) What to do with Anthony Gordon?

Keep Gordon if you have 8 playable attackers. If selling, Jota or Diaz are the best replacements.

His injury isn’t serious so he should be back soon – crucially in time for blank GW26.

Q) Should those without Richarlison look to buy him?

Not worth getting Richarlison this week.

Transfers are incredible precious right now to navigate GWs 25 and 26. Spurs blank in GW26 and Richarlison isn’t a captaincy option for GW24 or 25. Not worth buying him.

Q) What to do with Julian Alvarez?

If you don’t own Haaland, then sell Alvarez for Haaland. If you own Haaland, keep Alvarez if we hear pre-deadline news that he is starting. If not, sell for Darwin.

If you don’t own Haaland, it’s an easy decision. Buy Haaland for Alvarez.

If you do own Haaland and Alvarez, it’s not worth using 2 transfers to switch a City spot around from forward to midfield at this point in time. Alvarez should start 2 of the next 3 fixtures.

Darwin is an easy replacement if you want to get rid/if he doesn’t start.

Q) Who is the best captain this week?

Haaland is the best captain pick this week.

Nothing surprising here.

He is by far the most likely goalscorer this GW and playing at home against a non-big 6 club.

Q) Is Wildcarding this week an option?

No. Wildcarding this week should not be an option.

A lot more gains to be made in the future once we have a clearer view of how the doubles and blanks will look. Save your wildcard.

Q) Is Son worth looking at now that he is back?

Not yet worth looking at Son.

Son might not start straight away and has a blank in GW26. He will be more of a factor in GW27.

If you own him, consider selling for Jota this week who has incredible fixtures and an upcoming DGW25.

If you found this valuable, I would really appreciate you sharing it with friends.

See you next week before the double GW25 deadline.

Best of luck in GW24,

Bakar