bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Lars Hamer

As we go into the first full match schedule of the new year, four red arrows in a row have got me questioning where I am going wrong in Fantasy Premier League – the answer is, once again, my bench.
I had 10 points among my subs last week, 14 the week before and 17 the week before that.
My drops down the rankings have, thankfully, not been too bad.
Gameweek 19 saw me fall from 295,000 to 367,000. My 63-point score cost me a minor five thousand places the week before.
Anyway, the best bit of advice from me might be to pay heed to whom I tell you to buy, but not whom I tell you to play.
And with Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) finally being given a two-match ban by the FA for misconduct, this week is all about which strikers you need going into Gameweek 20.

Cunha replacements
Cunha was in good form before the suspension, getting three goals and an assist in three games before he visited Tottenham, where he went off injured at halftime.
But his two-game ban – after his clash with security officials at Ipswich Town last month – will rule him out of Monday’s match at home to Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup third-round tie away to Bristol City.
Wolves have a tough run of fixtures when he does return, so it is not worth holding on to him.
The most obvious replacement is Alexander Isak (£9.2m) if you have the extra cash.
The Newcastle forward is so heavily owned, and rightfully so, having scored 62 points in six games, that not owning him means you are likely to fall behind.
Chris Wood (£6.7m) is the next best option. Apart from Liverpool at home in two weeks, Nottingham Forest – the only side to beat Arne Slot’s side this season – have a good fixture run.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson (£8.2m) did not start their 2-0 loss to Ipswich, and one goal in six games has caused 250,000 managers to give him the boot.
However, I have said it before: Chelsea’s run of games are too good to turn down and with more FPL players opting to go without Jackson, he could be a strong differential.
Joao Pedro (£5.7m) has been an infuriating player in the past few weeks. His two assists against Aston Villa marked the first time he had contributed more than five points in a game for seven weeks.
More annoyingly, I sold him last week after he drew his third blank in a row.
Anyway, Pedro is now playing full 90-minute games, takes penalties and has a low price tag that enables premium options elsewhere.

Lars’ line-up
Before Saturday’s 7pm deadline, I am considering selling Wout Faes (£4.0m) for Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenković (£4.7m) and taking a four-point hit to transfer out Jurrien Timber (£5.7m), who has picked up five yellow cards and will miss the next match, for Lewis Hall (£4.8m).
If I do that, I will play my Bench Boost on a squad that faces Manchester United and Tottenham’s shaky defence and has nine players going up against four of the league’s relegation candidates.


English Premier League: Spurs captain Son Heung-min to extend stay until at least 2026

Nottingham Forest keep on winning, Arsenal’s Nwaneri out for month, Saniz’s Dakar Rally over

Alexander-Arnold blasted over display in United draw, Sainz flips out, Maher makes impact

Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across UK and Germany

English Premier League

Fantasy Premier League: the upshot of my recent ranking falls? Do as I say, not as I do

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha will be suspended for two matches after an incident with Ipswich Town security officials last month. Photo: AP

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is the obvious choice to replace Cunha, if you have not already got him. Photo: Reuters

Nicolas Jackson has not been productive of late but could be worth persisting with. Photo: Reuters

Lars is considering selling Wout Faes (£4.0m) for Nikola Milenković (£4.7m) and playing his Bench Boost chip. 

China table tennis chief backs Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng as Ma Long joins rankings boycott

Ma Long plays in the China Smash tournament in Beijing last October. Photo: AFP

Fan Zhendong in action for China’s men’s team at last year’s Paris Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

Sliding doors moment opened up world of possibilities for China tennis star Bu Yunchaokete

Bu Yunchaokete shone at the Beijing Open, reaching the final. Photo: Handout

Bu Yunchaokete made his ATP tour debut at the Shanghai Masters, reaching the second round. Photo: Getty Images

Jerry Shang looks the most likely Chinese male player to break into the world’s top 10. Photo: EPA-EFE

Sport

Football

The main tasks this week are to find a replacement for Wolves’ suspended Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha – and to make full use of the bench


The main tasks this week are to find a replacement for Wolves’ suspended Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha – and to make full use of the bench.


Fantasy Premier League (FPL)