Summary

FPL Q&A - get your questions to Holly Shand

  1. That's all!published at 17:00 BST 17 October

    Thanks a lot for joining us today folks, that absolutely flew by.

    Good luck with your teams this weekend - but remember, it's only a game.

    Bye for now!

  2. Listen: The FPL Podcast from BBC Sportpublished at 16:57 BST 17 October

    BBC Sounds

    That's all from Holly today!

    Still in search of inspiration?

    Well you can find it in the form of the BBC Sport Fantasy Football podcast, which is back for Gameweek 4.

    Join Alistair Bruce-Ball, Statman Dave and Chris Sutton as they discuss, digress and debate all things FPL.

    You can listen here.

  3. Will we all end up with the same team?published at 16:55 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Donyell Malen of Aston Villa celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Rachel: Hi Holly, First time manager here. So far, so good. If we listen to podcasts and Fantasy pundits, surely we would all end up with the same team? For example, I have heard no mention of Malen this week, who is terrific value and in form.

    It’s important to cut out the external noise, and find the voices that help you most. Finding the balance of eye test and statistics is also an important factor for guiding those decisions. However, the template is the template for a reason. Find some differentials, like Sarr for example this week, to help you rise up mini leagues. I like the Malen shout too!

  4. Time to bench boost?published at 16:53 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Gill: Hi Holly! I'm playing the bench boost chip this week. I've a midfield of Saka/Semenyo/Caicedo/Bruno Fernandes/Foden and one free transfer. Which of the latter 3 should be sold and who to bring in? Bench is Dubravka/Isidor/Gudmundsson/Mukiele, maybe change someone there instead?

    Your midfield looks strong, I wouldn’t make a transfer there for the sake of it. There are some fitness worries for Caicedo and not the strongest fixture for Bruno Fernandes, but both are good long term picks and could easily deliver in Gameweek 8 too. Roll the transfer would be my advice here. Good luck on Bench Boost, it’s a great week for it with Burnley hosting Leeds and Sunderland entertaining bottom of the table Wolves. Let’s hope for some clean sheets!

  5. Time to sign Eze?published at 16:50 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Arsenal's Eberechi EzeImage source, Getty Images

    Jamie: Is Eze a good shout with Odegaard out for a few weeks?

    If you don’t own an Arsenal attacker and can’t afford Bukayo Saka, then Eberechi Eze looks to be a sound pick. He leads the way among Gunners assets for shots (17) and shots on target (6) this season, despite playing significantly less minutes than the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice.

    However, if you already own an Arsenal attacker or are on a wildcard this week, I’d be more focused on bringing in an Arsenal defensive asset and consider doubling up with Gabriel and Jurrien Timber. They will be better value than Eze.

  6. Replace Porro with Burn?published at 16:41 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Arnold: I am selling Richarlison for Woltemade, In order to fund the move I would either sell Porro for Burn or sell Eze and bring Rice in. Which option is better in your opinion?

    Pedro Porro isn’t providing value right now, so the move for Dan Burn makes sense. Newcastle United have been the best defence in the league this season, keeping five clean sheets. The Magpies' upcoming fixtures are tricky, but Eddie Howe has a knack of grinding out results and so you can back their clean sheet potential in any game. Eze to Rice seems like a sideways move in my opinion.

  7. Double up on Arsenal defence or attack?published at 16:36 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Josh: Is it best to double up on Arsenal defence or attack?

    Double defence is where it’s at. Four clean sheets in seven games, given how tough their opening fixtures were is remarkable. They’ve conceded the fewest goals across the whole league (3) and the least number of big chances (5). I’d personally go for Gabriel and Timber as the double up, there’s little to separate them in terms of output this season. I’ll be buying Gabriel this week but jealous of those managers who will own both! The fixtures are excellent.

  8. Triple Captain Haaland?published at 16:31 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Erling Haaland with the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Martin: Hi Holly, should I Triple Captain Erling Haaland against Everton?

    If you are still holding the Triple Captain chip then this is a solid option given Haaland’s form. He has scored in five consecutive league games, with nine goals and one assist this season. He’s guaranteed significant minutes, having returned to Manchester City early over the international break.

    He also leads the way for shots and big chances, which suggest his returns are sustainable. Everton haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road this season. Leeds at home in Gameweek 13 and Sunderland at home in Gameweek 15 are other solid options for Triple Captain Haaland 'on paper', but there’s no guarantees he will be fit and in-form come late November.

  9. Is Gyokeres worth keeping?published at 16:25 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Keith: I've 4 free transfers, considering Richarlison/Gyokeres and Grealish or Kudus out to get Woltemade/Isak/Eze in. Is it worth doing, or just make one or two transfers?

    Although Gyokeres disappointed in the 2-0 win against West Ham, and it now looks like he’s not first choice on penalties, he still has the form, fixtures and underlying numbers to suggest holding him.

    Kudus is also a hold, with an attractive fixture this weekend at home to Aston Villa. I would encourage selling Richarlison this week, with Eze a sound buy if you have the funds to upgrade him. Replacing Grealish is also an option, with Enzo Fernandez and Ismailar Sarr also solid picks for midfield.

  10. Is it best to sell Palmer now?published at 16:21 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Cole Palmer and Tosin AdarabioyoImage source, Getty Images

    Max: Is it worth keeping Cole Palmer on my bench for 6 more weeks or do I sell him and get him back in my squad when he's match fit?

    Palmer is absolutely a sell this week, as his season looks set to continue to be plagued with injury. I’d wait for him to start and play close to 90 minutes in consecutive games before even considering buying him again.

    If he does return in early December it comes in a very congested period in the football calendar. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is a ready made replacement, with excellent upcoming fixtures. We also know he’s on penalties.

  11. Who should replace Mitoma?published at 16:14 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Alex: Who should I get in for Mitoma?

    Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr is the best like-for-like replacement for Mitoma. The Eagles have begun the season in excellent form, sitting sixth in the Premier League table.

    Sarr has produced four goal involvements in five appearances this season, remaining a differential in must 7.1% of teams. He has scored in both of the games he’s started at Selhurst Park in this campaign.

  12. Postpublished at 16:11 BST 17 October

    Alex Brotherton
    BBC Sport journalist

    I've got a question for Holly.

    I reckon it's time to sell Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, but who should I get in his place?

    I'm actually doing alright at FPL this season, so I want to keep the momentum up.

  13. Should you stick with Salah?published at 16:07 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Mo SalahImage source, Getty Images

    Dave: The big question for mine and many a team is do I stick with Mohamed Salah? Liverpool have not performed well this season, their xG is worrying and Salah looks lost with new arrivals and formation changes. What are your thoughts? If not Salah, which Liverpool attackers do you have?

    This is a tricky conundrum I’ve been toying with all international break. Salah remains the only viable pick from Liverpool’s attack and his record against Manchester United is sensational.

    However, he also unlocks key funds for the likes of Haaland, and premium assets from Arsenal attacking and defensively. I’ll be selling this week and forgoing any Liverpool attackers - it still feels like a scary prospect despite a lack of explosive returns to date this season!

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Get your FPL questions in!published at 16:01 BST 17 October

    A reminder to get those questions in to Holly this afternoon.

    We've got plenty in the tank already but she'll be with us until 17:00 to answer any of those dilemmas that are already facing you before gameweek 8 gets under way!

    Remember, the deadline is 11:00 BST tomorrow.

  15. Grealish: Keep or sell?published at 15:55 BST 17 October

    FPL Q&A with Holly Shand

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Dave: As Grealish is ineligible against parent club, any ideas for a one-week replacement please? Or just be happy with benching?

    It’s difficult to justify benching a player around that £7.0 million price point, even with five goal involvements and Sunderland, Fulham and Manchester United in the next four game weeks. I would be looking to sell, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez top of the buy list with form and fixtures. He’s set to continue in the number ten role with Cole Palmer out injured for six weeks, where he’s on set pieces including penalties.

  16. Who is our expert this week?published at 15:50 BST 17 October

    Holly Shand
    FPL expert and two-time top 10k finisher

    Very shortly we'll have a Q&A with FPL expert Holly Shand.

    Holly is an FPL content creator and pundit, with two top 10k finishes in 11 seasons of playing Fantasy Premier League.

    She is an official Fantasy Premier League pundit and an ambassador for the Fantasy Football Hub.

    Holly has 91k followers on X and runs a YouTube channel with 41k subscribers.

    She is a regular panellist on fantasy football for Sky Sports and also a contributor for The Athletic.

    You've been sending in your FPL questions for Holly, keep them coming please!

  17. Who is out and who is a doubt?published at 15:46 BST 17 October

    AFC Bournemouth

    Out: Enes Unal, Julio Soler, David Brooks.

    Doubt: Adam Smith.

    Arsenal:

    Out: Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke.

    Doubt: Piero Hincapie

    Aston Villa:

    Out: Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Andres Robledo, Youri Tielemans.

    Brentford

    Out: Antoni Milambo, Edmond-Paris Maghoma, Gustavo Nunes,

    Doubt: Yegor Yarmoliuk, Aaron Hickey.

    Brighton

    Out: Adam Webster, Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood, Bajan Gruda.

    Doubt: Joel Veltman, Kaoru Mitoma, Diego Gomez.

    Burnley

    Out: Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer.

    Doubt: Lyle Foster

    Chelsea

    Out: Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill,

    Doubt: Enzo Fernandez

    Crystal Palace

    Out: Chadi Riad Dnanou, Cheick Doucoure, Caleb Kporha

    Everton

    Out: Jack Grealish

    Doubt: Michael Keane, Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson

    Fulham

    Out: Sasa Lukic, Rodrigo Muniz, Antonee Robinson.

    Doubt: Raul Jimenez, Kenny Tete, Samuel Chukwueze.

    Leeds United

    Out: Harry Gray

    Doubt: Noah Okafor, Willy Gnonto, Daniel James.

    Liverpool

    Out: Alisson Becker

    Doubt: Wataru Endo

    Manchester City:

    Out: Rodri, Abdukodir Khusanov.

    Doubt: Omar Marmoush

    Manchester United:

    Out: Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez

    Newcastle United:

    Out: Valentino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Yoane Wissa.

    Doubt: Lewis Miley, Joelinton.

    Nottingham Forest:

    Out: Olaoluwa Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz

    Sunderland

    Out: Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Fuhr Hjelde, Romaine Mundle, Habib Diarra.

    Doubt: Omar Alderete, Noah Sadiki

    Tottenham

    Out: Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai, Yves Bissouma, Dominic Solanke

    Doubt: Randal Kolo Muani

    West Ham United

    Out: George Earthy

    Doubt: Niclas Fullkrug

    Wolves

    Out: Jorge Strand Larsen, Matt Doherty, Leon Chiwome, Toti Gomes

    Doubts: Hwang Hee-chan, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde

  18. Postpublished at 15:43 BST 17 October

    Not sure who is injured and who is a doubt to play this weekend?

    Well, get ready for a big ol' list.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - have you replaced Salah?published at 15:40 BST 17 October

    If you are one of the many managers who has ditched Mohamed Salah in recent weeks, then you could be forgiven for feeling a little nervous ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Manchester United on Sunday.

    Salah has 13 goals and six assists in 15 league matches against United, which is some record.

    That said, his price is simply too high for a player who has registered just two goals and two assists this season and taken only five shots on target.

    Are you one of those manager who has replaced Salah? If so, who did you bring in?

    Get in touch using the 'get involved' button above.