FPL experts on how to navigate Blank Gameweek 12
With Manchester City and Arsenal both locked out in Matchweek 12 before moving to friendly schedules from Matchweeks 13-16, the Fantasy Premier League’s scouting panel of experts discuss their strategies.
What the experts say
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
As someone planning a wild card ahead of matchweek 13, my strategy has to be right with the Man City and Arsenal players. They’ve been so consistent that I don’t want to sell them until Blank Gameweek 12.
Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) is now back to its starting price. This makes him an easy sale after Gameweek 11 as I can bring him back to wildcard for the same price I’m selling him for. I’ll probably take a chance on someone like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.1m) in Gameweek 12 as he has a good game at Brentford.
With Erling Haland (£12.2m), João Cancelo (£7.3m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) I’ve invested money in them and will probably bank them for the blank so I won’t have to pay more to bring them back to wildcard the week after.
The wildcard in Gameweek 13 should allow me to own three Man City and three Arsenal players for their fine run of games leading up to the FIFA World Cup, at a time when other managers are likely to own their Man City and Arsenal players sell had to take points to bring them back in or not.
Kelly Somers (@KellySomers)
As someone playing a wild card in Gameweek 13, I’ll be holding Haaland and Martinelli and benching them for the blank. This is partly due to the number of transfers I have to make before week 12. But it’s also because managers should be aware of how much money they’ve put into a player.
I’ve been toying with the idea of removing Martinelli, but since I’ve owned him since Gameweek 1, it will cost me more to wildcard him back. Instead, I’m going to sell Jesus, not because I want to, but because I don’t have that much money tied up in him, so it’s easier to get him back after Gameweek 12 on wildcard.
Utkarsh Dalmien (@zophar666)
It’s a good idea to keep at least three of your Man City and Arsenal players, especially those that you would lose in value if you sold them and that you want back soon. Haaland, Cancelo and Martinelli remain in my squad. I’ll probably try to sell it though Kevin De Bruyne (£12.4million) with a plan to replace him Phil Foden (£8.2m) after Blank Gameweek 12.
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
Keeping three or four players from Man City and Arsenal together is perfectly fine, even if it means going into Blank Gameweek 12 with only 10 players.
After the blank, both Man City and Arsenal have excellent games leading up to the FIFA World Cup. Holding these players through Gameweek 12 allows managers to capitalize on these games without having to spend scoring and valuable transfers to bring them right back in.
Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)
I will keep a total of three players from Man City and Arsenal in Blank Gameweek 12.
I’m happy as long as I have 11 players as cheaper players like it Andrew Perira (£4.6m) can come off my bench and have the potential to deliver as a third of his appearances so far this season have shown. None of the games in Gameweek 12 make me want to sell Man City players, especially since I want them back after the blank.
Holly Shand (@HollyShand)
Keep Man City and Arsenal players from the blank this week. You are just too good right now!
When it comes to Blank Gameweek 12, hold on to those you treasured the most, which are probably Haaland and Martinelli. It’s okay to keep three or four players that you know you want back in game week 13.
Nick (@WGTA_Nick)
Arsenal and Man City have been the two form teams this season. I see no problem benching three of their players and giving the likes of Pereira a run against Aston Villa.
If you sell your Arsenal and Man City players you will likely trade them back right after their blanks for games against Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.
geoff dance (@GeoffreyDance)
Managers who have already played their wild card and want to capitalize on these two clubs’ games in Gameweeks 11 and 13-16 could consider playing the Free Hit Chip in Blank Gameweek 12. Managers could keep their Arsenal and Man City players and add more to their team now, knowing they can then build a free hit team to target the best games of Matchweek 12 and star Arsenal and Man Bringing City back for Gameweek 13.
Also in this row
Part 1: GW10 bonus points
Part 2: GW10 stats: Haaland breaks more records as he reaches the century
Part 3: Saturday recap: Top midfielder Foden is target #1
Part 4: GW10 Lessons: Prepare for Arsenal and Man City’s Blank