Gameweek 20 - Genie's Corner and Trade Advice

This article will focus on trade advice that highlights players that are either worth trading in on a low, or trading out on a high. This could involve players who could see their minutes reduced, have a purple patch come to an end, or on the flip side involve players who might be starting to heat up. This article will also feature advice and strategy tips from our very own Draft Genie, and his interesting style of playing the game.

Players To Trade-In

This section will focus on players to target in your trade offers. Usually there are two types of players to trade-in. The ones you "buy low" on, who may be in a poor patch of form, injured, or not seeing consistent minutes with all that about to change. The second is where you "buy high". While that will sound contradictory, these players could be showing no signs of slowing down and are en-route to a breakout season. You want to try and trade-in these players before they become unattainable, even if it involves offering more than what their draft-day or early-season value was.

Nicolas Jackson (CHE - FWD)

Analysis: Jackson has had 3 successive single digit outings now - for the first time all season. In fact, in three of his last five appearances, he's failed to score more than 5 points (although one was from the bench). Am I worried about Jackson? Not at all. This might be the cheapest you could get him this season. As shown vs. Ipswich, Chelsea's 2nd string attackers are not good enough to start more than the odd game, meaning Jackson is a lock to start, barring suspension or injury. While he has a known tendency for yellow cards, he is still the starting striker on one of the best attacks in the EPL. With a PPS of just over 11, he is proving to be a set and forget FWD1.

Jackson has 9 goals and 4 assists so far this season. Last season he managed 14 goals and 5 assists, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get closer to the 20 goal mark by gameweek 38. While his ghost points aren't great, it's to be expected from a CF averaging 6.3 ghosts per start. It is his ceiling that can single handedly win you gameweeks. Chelsea are looking strong shouts to finish in the top 4 this year, and we could see Jackson have a few more multi goal games this season. Managers may worry he has become as inconsistent as last year, after a hot start, and that should be your cue to bring him in on a low.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out attackers such as Watkins, Semenyo, and Kai for Jackson. The latter may need to include a +1 to get the deal done, in the form of a DEF3 and some FAB. I would also offer out midfielders such as Mitoma and Iwobi to get back Jackson.

Martin Odegaard (ARS - MID)

Analysis: Odegaard has been a borderline droppable player throughout the month of December, with just one double digit outing in his 6 starts that month. He also failed to get a single attacking return, and scored 5 or less on 3 of those occasions. The Arsenal midfielder has clearly seen a dip in form, but Arsenal as a whole have as well. Odegaard is recently returned from injury, and has been battling an illness that seems to be going around the Arsenal squad now. While no excuse for his poor form, it could be part of the issue. I am backing Odegaard to make a significant improvement in his output, but would be cautious in how much I offer out for him. Odegaard was going in round 1 in drafts last summer, and I do not think he will return that kind of value this season. But it really is hard for him to be worse than he is right now, making him a great buy low.

I think Odegaard will be a solid MID2/MID3 over the rest of the season, but would not classify him as a MID1 based on what we have seen this year. His ghost points and returns are struggling compared to previous years, with just 1 goal and 2 assists to his name. While that will obviously change, managers may be willing to sell him for 75 cents on the dollar, which is where the sweet spot for his value should be. Take a gamble that he returns to form but don't sell the farm to get him in. There is a risk it doesn't pan out, but if Ode puts in some great performances consistently, you could flip him for a more guaranteed MID1.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out midfielders such as Damsgaard, Bernardo Silva, Enzo, or Rogers packaged with a 2nd piece from a different position. Players such as Evanilson, Vardy, Sarr, and Milenkovic are good ones to start. Throwing in 10 FAB should also help. There is a chance the manager will not accept these players given the difference in name value. At that point, maybe look to do a 2:2 where you get back the better second piece with bigger names such as Maddison, Watkins, and Mitoma.

Players To Trade-OUT

This section will focus on players that you should be actively trying to trade out over the next week or so. These players could be on course to see a minute reduction or be having a bad season that it seems they can't recover from. A lot of times name value players will feature here, as you will still find managers who believe they can return to their glory days. Each season brings new challenges and as we have seen even the very best assets can fall off a cliff in just a single season (Rashford of 2024). Look to trade out these players before their value becomes so low that you may need to consider dropping them.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (NOT - FWD)

Analysis: Hudson-Odoi has been quietly ticking along as a FWD3 this season, but has struggled in recent weeks. It seems Elanga has taken away the spotlight from Odoi, and while CHO will still be a solid asset, I would look to trade him out to managers struggling for forwards. Believe me, there will be a few in each league. CHO only has 3 returns this season, and a ghost points per start of 7.6. While that means he should offer a reliable floor of close to 8 with some upside, he is just not the kind of player that will positively contribute to your squad. With the way defenders have been trending, at this point I'd rather start a 4th defender than hoping CHO will eclipse 8.5 points.

Hudson-Odoi hasn't been poor in reality which is probably the worrying part. He is a key part of this Forest team that is contending for the top 4 and I don't expect him to rotate out very much. With Elanga, Anderson, Gibbs-White, and Wood hogging the returns there seems to be little left for Odoi. Forest have also adopted a strategy where they try to go in front quickly then don't attack as much unless gifted the opportunity. This doesn't bode well for their front 3. Elanga gets some set pieces to offset that a bit and Wood is the focal point and almost always involved in their goals, meaning Callum is left with the short end of the stick. I would sell him for another position at this point. But if you can't get value, you are happy with he will be a solid FWD3-4 over the rest of the season.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer Odoi out for players such as Enzo, Huijsen, Chalobah, and Ouattara. Odoi is also a perfect piece to include in a 2:1 for a better asset such as Odegaard or Jackson, who are mentioned above.

Ollie Watkins (AVL - FWD)

Analysis: Watkins is coming off a 30 point week, but seriously struggled for returns and even minutes before that. The recent form of Duran seriously hurt Watkins' minutes, but Duran will only miss 1 more league game, and the competition for starts up front will resume. Whether he starts or not, he will still more likely than not be hooked early for Duran. Watkins is currently the 10th best forward this year, largely thanks to that recent 30 pointer, but I don't expect a drastic improvement on those numbers. Watkins was my DND this year, and I haven't changed my tune on him. In fact, with Duran proving to be more reliable that expected, I am even more sour on the Villa forward.

Villa is a very solid side that will once again be pushing for a Europe spot come the end of the season, but their attack still leaves a lot to be desired. Villa only have 28 goals this season, which isn't exactly poor, but not the offence in which you want to heavily invest. Watkins should still command good value especially after that recent outing and his consistency over the past few seasons.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer out Watkins in deals to try and bring back a better FWD1. Look at players such as Cunha, Mbeumo, Son, Haaland, or Jackson. Isak is probably untouchable at the moment. Watkins alone probably won't get any of those players, so you will need to add in a +1 and probably 10-20 FAB. You can throw in assets such as Enzo, Collins, Bruno G, Rogers, Sancho, or Andreas. Obviously depending on who your target is will depend on how strong your +1 needs to be. You may need to up the midfielder to a level of Damsgaard or Bernardo if you are aiming for anyone outside of Jackson.

Strategy Section

This section will highlight some of my unique strategies I use in Fantrax, and how you can apply them to your own style. I will look to discuss trends I am seeing in leagues, or tactics that I may shift to, that will better my chances of winning my league. A lot of these strategies could involve a high-risk high-reward approach, or be tactics I see my fellow managers using that I will be advocating against.

Rest of Season "Hidden" Gems

Analysis: Now that the festive period is over, there is less need to have as many free spots for rotation. While some of these players may be rostered in deeper/highly active leagues, they are ones worth picking up for various reasons. They could immediately impact your squad, or help you to start picking up key wins in a week or two.

• Mateus Fernandes (SOU, M) - He is the chief creator for Saints and getting lots of sets. Suspended for the weekend so could be available to pickup or trade in for a few FAB.

• Jan Bednarek (SOU, D) - Bednarek has been ghosting out of his mind as of late. Under a new manager Saints defence seems to be improved. Pick him up and play him, as we see active CBs on lower table teams could be very good value.

• Djed Spence (TOT, D) - Udogie is out for at least 8 weeks. Spence has already proven to be a better scorer than him. Despite Spurs being Spurs he is an upside DEF3 play.

• Jarell Quansah (LIV, D) - Gomez and Konate are out for who knows how long. Could Quansah finally put his name in contention to be a key part of the Liverpool rotation? Decent ghoster and Liverpool defence is solid.

• Paul Onuachu (SOU, F) - The new focal point of Saints attack. Can ghost well thanks to his aerial ability, a solid FWD3 with potential upside once Saints figure out how to score.

• Jacob Greaves (IPS, D) - Greaves is another CB that can ghost. As long as he starts you can field him in almost every fixture (maybe bar vs. Liverpool or Arsenal).

• Tyler Adams (BOU, M) - Has shown he can ghost, can maybe push Cook back to playing RB and partner Christie in the midfield.

• James Justin (LEI, D) - Leicester's schedule is getting better. Less goals against means he will score more, and now has attacking upside given the soft fixtures.

• Kobbie Mainoo (MUN, M) - Surprisingly contributing a lot in the Key Pass department. United are in shambles right now, but if they can at least go back to being a top 8 side, Mainoo will have upside on top of his solid floor.

Potential January Movers:

• James McAtee (MCI, M) - Did great on Sheffield United last year. Maybe City give him the chance to prove once again he belongs in the EPL. Could get a move to relegation side where he could become the creative focal point.

• Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (CHE, M) - One of the biggest wastes of recent transfer windows. KDH could have been cooking for Leicester, instead he has next to no EPL minutes to his name. A move surely happens this window.

• Carney Chukwuemeka (CHE, M) - An attacking midfielder desperate to get his chance. Chelsea have already been rumoured to be willing to let him go. Not worth a stash yet, until rumours of where he could go start to circulate.

• Ben Chilwell (CHE, D) - A common name in this kind of discussion. It's been quite some time since Chilwell actually played the sport, and played it well. An upside punt if a move happens but seems he may be happy sitting in the reserves.

• Marcus Rashford (MUN, F) - Either he makes amends ASAP, or Rashford leaves. I do think he will move abroad if he leaves. On the off chance he stays in England he is worth a gamble, especially if you can get him for like 3-7 FAB.

• Antony (MUN, M) - Antony has not panned out. Newcastle were rumoured to be looking at him in the summer, and I am sure other EPL clubs might be keen, especially considering United are willing to loan him out. An upside punt, he is a midfielder as well, and could become a starting winger on another team.

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