Fantasy Premier League: What we learned from Gameweek 24 – it's time to plan for Double Gameweek 25

Gameweek 24 was the first week that the assistant manager chip was made available in Fantasy Premier League and over 1.1million managers played it. 

The highest-scoring manager of the gameweek so far is Vitor Pereira, who scored 20 points in Wolves’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa. David Moyes (12 points) and Arne Slot (10 points) still have one game to play.

It’s a good score for both of them at the halfway point of their double gamwweek but those who played their triple captain chip on Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) will be the happiest at this point as the Egyptian scored 16 points, and still has a game to go against Everton. 

Here are the main FPL talking points from the weekend. 

Be prepared to act on Alexander-Arnold’s injury scare

On Saturday, Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners against high-flying Bournemouth, which was a great result if you owned their defenders. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) requested to be substituted after feeling discomfort in his thigh, according to Slot. The Liverpool boss stated after the game that he would be “surprised” if he plays in the second leg of his team’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday. 

Liverpool also play Championship side Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on February 9 before their second Gameweek 24 match against Everton on February 12, so we should get plenty of updates on Alexander-Arnold in the meantime.

Although we can’t do anything about it from an FPL perspective this week, if he looks to be out for Gameweek 25, then he is likely a sell, especially if Liverpool double again in that gameweek. 

If Slot’s side manage to overcome Spurs on Thursday and reach the Carabao Cup final, then they and Aston Villa will have a double gameweek in 25. Liverpool will play Wolves (H) and Villa (A), and Unai Emery’s side will play Ipswich (H) and Liverpool (H). 

If Alexander-Arnold is out then and Liverpool double, then it’s a simple move to Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) or Ibrahima Konate (£5.2m).

Or, if you would like to free up cash for another move elsewhere, then Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) is the best option.  

Don’t be scared to sell Newcastle players

Newcastle’s assets have been popular options over the last few months and rightly so. However, they do have a tough run on the horizon with three away games in the next four. They play Manchester City (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A) and West Ham (A). 

Also, with Double Gameweek 25 being announced, this makes them even more of a sell. Below are the possible doubles we could have in 25 depending on the Carabao Cup results:

• If Arsenal progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Newcastle United, then Arsenal and Chelsea will double in Gameweek 25 and blank in Gameweek 29. 

• If Tottenham Hotspur progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Liverpool, then Spurs and Fulham will double in Gameweek 25. This means they will also blank in Gameweek 29. 

• If Liverpool progress to the Carabao Cup final by beating Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa will double in Gameweek 25, and also blank in Gameweek 29. 

Alexander Isak (£9.5m) is owned by over 60 per cent of managers right now but, if their teams get a double gameweek, I would still sell him for the likes of Kai Havertz (£7.8m), Cody Gakpo (£7.6m) or Ollie Watkins (£8.9m), if he is fit after being substituted off at half-time of their loss to Wolves on Saturday.

Also, Anthony Gordon (£7.76m), Jacob Murphy (£5.1m) and Lewis Hall (£5.1m) can be sold for players from the teams that double in Gameweek 25. 

The immediate double gameweek should be attacked and I think Newcastle’s tough run merits their players being sold for now. 

Isak is one of FPL’s most popular players (Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest assets can also be moved on

Nottingham Forest have been phenomenal this season and their 7-0 win against Brighton was emphatic. 

If you own Chris Wood (£7.0m) or their defence, then you might well be considering what to do with them. 

It’s tough selling a player who just scored a hat-trick or assets from a team who are playing well, but their next four fixtures are tough. 

They play Fulham (A), Newcastle (A), Arsenal (H) and Manchester City (H) next, and with the imminent double gameweek, similar to Newcastle, there is a case to sell if you don’t have any other routes to double-gameweek assets. 

We have 14 gameweeks left this season and we will likely use our second wildcard within the next 10, so chasing the short to medium-term fixtures is fine and we can possibly look at Forest assets again once their hard games are over. 

All eyes on the Carabao Cup semi-finals

There are four possible scenarios for double fixtures in Gameweek 25

• Aston Villa and Liverpool double
• Fulham and Spurs double
• Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea double
• Fulham, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea double

We should absolutely be making no transfers at all until the results of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. 

Those results will dictate what transfers we make for our players and/or managers if you have played the assistant manager chip.

As Liverpool and Newcastle are the clear favourites to reach the final, the most likely scenario is that we get doubles for Liverpool and Aston Villa only. 

Therefore, Watkins, Morgan Rogers (£5.6m) and Konsa will be the Villa players to target.  

We don’t know how serious Watkins’ injury is yet and with Gameweek 25 around a fortnight away, he could well be fit.  

Those who went with Moyes as their assistant manager might want to look at Emery also, with games against Ipswich and Liverpool at home, with the latter match qualifying for the table bonus. 

If Tottenham get to the final, then we will be looking at options like Raul Jimenez (£5.6m), Antonee Robinson (£5.1m), Son Heung-min (£9.8m), Richarlison (£6.8m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£6.4m). 

(Top photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)