Scariest FPL Decision! Bench Boost GW31+ After Free Hit Chip

GW30+ Points: 88PTS! (AVG: 66PTS). The Free Hit Chip results are in. Now I’m ready to make a scary decision. Bench Boost with Matt Ritchie GW31+? Thanks for your support!!!

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM TIPS FOR 2019-20

FPL GW31+ Team

🚨 Final GW31+ Team! 🚨

*BENCH BOOST*

Transfers OUT: Henderson, Alonso
Transfers IN: Foster, Ritchie

***UPDATE:  Two transfers confirmed for a hit, Henderson and Alonso out for Foster and Ritchie. Bench Boost chip is active! Thanks for your patience with the quick deadlines. Good luck!!! 👍💯 -Bruno

Previous Updates:

Below is the team that reverted after using the Free Hit chip GW30, prior to making transfers this round. Still working on the final decision for GW31 and it’s all explained below.

FPL GW30+ Review

Hey guys! Until I can work out the schedule for posting videos with such quick deadlines, I’ll keep you updated right here on the blog. We can exchange ideas in the comments section. 👍

I’m going to publish this post straight away, and add content whenever I can. I took detailed notes on most of the games, so I’ll try to include a section with top picks and high-risk players to avoid.

Free Hit Chip.

Overall, I’m happy with the results. When comparing to the #Elite64 league average of 103 points with more than half of them using the Bench Boost chip, 88 points is a solid score for the Free Hit. (-15pts)

No big Double Gameweeks remaining like in previous seasons. Free Hit reverts to a solid squad. More time for a decision on Salah and Mane. These were some of the factors considered before activating the Free Hit.

The Results.

• Free Hit Team GW30+

⚽️ Upper 90 Studios climbed from 330k to 315k in the Overall Rank – small green arrows.

Captain Aguero vs. KDB.

I just noticed that Sergio Aguero (16PTS, captain) was the only Double Gameweek player in my team to deliver a return in both games! That sums it up really. 🙃

Aguero was a victim of terrible luck. First, he was benched and nearly missed out against 10-men Arsenal. Then as soon as he came on near the end, City also went down a man! Now 10 vs. 10, Aguero still managed to create enough dangerous chances to deliver a return.

When Aguero got his chance to start against Burnley, this was a completely different squad without De Bruyne and Sterling. Aguero suffered a first-half injury, and as he was leaving the pitch, VAR awarded City a penalty! Mahrez ended up converting the penalty, and Aguero got an assist as consolation.

Kevin De Bruyne (15PTS, not captain). He bossed Arsenal and looked so hungry when he came on as a sub against Burnley. It didn’t matter that City were 5-0 up, De Bruyne is a winner who performs at a high level every single game. If my star players disappoint, KDB is coming right back in.

Was it a mistake to captain Aguero?

I can look at it two ways:

1. Manchester City scored eight goals, Aguero scored none.
2. Aguero scored 16 points in less than an hour played.

I’m grateful for captaining Aguero. For owners of both Kun and Kevin, here’s the difference in captain points scored:

KDB (c) 30 + Aguero 8 = 38pts
KDB 15 + Aguero (c) 16 = 31pts

For owners of both, a difference of 7 points isn’t so bad. Living in a “what-if” state robs us of time and confidence. Always look at the positives so you can move forward quickly.

Other Standouts: Henderson (13PTS), Doherty (12PTS), Alexander-Arnold (7PTS)

The bad.

Grealish (4PTS) and Aubameyang (4PTS). Both were anonymous in the first game, better in the second. Like Zaha, opponents are targeting and fouling Grealish every time he gets the ball.

I found this note on Arsenal vs. Brighton:

‘Aubameyang deserved to score. Pepe deserved to be subbed at 59min.’

GW31+ Transfers

PLAN A (-4 hit, Bench Boost)

Transfers OUT: Henderson, Alonso
Transfers IN: Foster, Ritchie

As part of his loan agreement, Dean Henderson (13PTS) cannot feature against his parent club Man United GW31+. Since I bought him at £5.0m and his current price is now £5.3m, I can let his price drop £0.1m without affecting his selling price of £5.1m. Sheffield United now face a difficult run of games.

• Fixture Difficulty Cheatsheet is available to email subscribers. Sign up at the top right of the page.

Marcos Alonso (2PTS) failed to convert his chances in the first half against Aston Villa, and Chelsea were punished right before the break. After the introduction of Pulisic and Barkley in the second half, Alonso’s contribution in the attack was limited. As much as I’d like to keep Alonso as a differential, the risk of rotation when everyone is fit is worrying. Manchester City next doesn’t help.

Ben Foster (2PTS). Foster offers a rotation option for Pope, especially around GW35-GW36.

• Fixture Difficulty Cheatsheet is available to email subscribers. Sign up at the top right of the page.

Matt Ritchie (18PTS). Goal, assist, clean sheet and maximum bonus. Newcastle’s attack can be difficult to contain with the pace of Saint-Maximin and final pass from Matt Ritchie. The only concern is Ritchie’s injury record. Taking risks on injury-prone players might be easier for those who still have a Wildcard.

**********

PLAN B (no hit, no chip)

Transfers OUT: Alonso
Transfers IN: Ritchie

GW31+ Top Cheats

Top picks and high-risk players to avoid.

Salah and Mané.

The current plan is to stick with both Salah and Mane. To keep their place in my team, they must:

• Rival or surpass alternatives like De Bruyne and Son
• Remain nailed-on for the season run-in (within reason)

Salah was benched GW30+ and never came on. Mane started and had one or two chances, but he struggled against MOTM Seamus Coleman. Mane could benefit from Salah’s return. As defenders focus on containing Salah, space could open up for Mane.

De Bruyne and Son.

The current plan is to consider KDB and Son once their fixtures ease up GW33. I’ve also created a draft that includes De Bruyne, Son and one of Salah or Mane. The weakness on this draft is the bench. The only note to add on De Bruyne is that even he isn’t safe from Pep roulette. Son was on corner kicks and some free kicks, although many of them were wasted. Once he regains full match-fitness, he should be a top pick for the season run-in.

Ismaïla Sarr.

Forced a great reaction save from Schmeichel when through on goal in the 47th minute. Sarr glides past defenders with pace, but he needs to improve his cross conversion rate by picking out targets in the box.

Harvey Barnes.

Can’t remember his name mentioned by the commentators. Subbed off at 64 minutes.

Adama Traore.

Super sub, MOTM versus West Ham. This game was putting me to sleep until Traore came on. No one could get near him! Traore crosses from the right, easy header for Jimenez… 1-0 Wolves. 2-0 was even better. Traore starts it by driving straight at the heart of the defense, he shifts it out wide for Doherty whose deep cross is smashed home on the volley by Neto.

⚽️ Traore and Jimenez have combined for 9 Premier League goals this season.

Raul Jimenez.

Another solid performance and deserved game-winning goal. Dependable, great value in Fantasy. Bournemouth up next. GW31+ captain?

⚽️ No player has scored more goals in all competitions this season than Raul Jimenez (23).

Danny Ings.

Goal, assist and all three bonus against Norwich. He was one of the most physically-fit players I’ve seen since the relaunch. Ings looked sharp with quick feet and he faces a shaky Arsenal defense next.

Calvert-Lewin.

Came close to scoring with a brilliant back heel flick. Great chemistry with Richarlison, they will combine for more goals this season. Everton are a different team under Ancelotti, organized defensively and opportunist in the attack. Next up? Norwich.

Watchlist.

GK: Foster, Dubravka
DEF: Ritchie, Digne, van Aanholt, Wan-Bissaka
MID: De Bruyne, Son, Richarlison
FOR: Rashford

U90 Fixture Difficulty Cheatsheet.

GW31+ to GW38+

The latest version of our cheatsheet contains 3 separate downloads:

💥 ATTACKERS cheatsheet
💥 DEFENDERS cheatsheet
💥 ORIGINAL U90 cheatsheet

ATTACKERS cheatsheet is the fixture difficulty from the viewpoint of attacking players in your squad.

DEFENDERS cheatsheet shows opponent ratings from the viewpoint of your defensive players.

ORIGINAL U90 cheatsheet provides a quick and easy method to assess upcoming fixtures.

Subscribe to our email list and receive the 2019-20 Fixture Difficulty Cheatsheet!
*Click the image below.

U90 mini league.

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Rate My Team.

The Free Hit Chip results are in. Bench Boost chip GW31+? Thanks for your patience as I set a schedule for the videos. Leave a comment below and let’s rate your team!

Thanks!
-Bruno