Gameweek 6 - 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.

Jack Grealish (MCI - MID)

Analysis: I never thought I would include Grealish in the trade-in section barring a significant City injury, yet here we are. Grealish has started just 2 of the first 5 gameweeks, but could be set for some more. Grealish started the midweek UCL fixture and had another good showing, only to be left on the bench this weekend in favour of Doku. Luckily for Grealish, Doku was very sub par in this one. When Grealish came on, he significantly improved the City attack, and I would be shocked to see him left on the bench vs. Newcastle...although Pep is known for his crazy decisions. The midweek cup game didn't give us many hints as both Grealish and Doku started v Watford.

With Rodri likely out for the season, Grealish coming into the XI will offer more stability and control, especially on the left side. He offers more control than Doku, and on his day can offer similar levels of explosiveness...although those days have been fewer than they were during his time at Villa. I'm sure the starter between Doku and Grealish will change throughout the season, but right now I am in the camp that Grealish may win out. If somehow you can roster both...all the better; if not, Grealish should be cheaper to bring in.

I know it has been awhile since Grealish has been a solid fantasy scorer, but if he can play his way into form, and seize his chance with Doku failing to impress, he could be a high upside MID2/3 in this high octane City attack. The managers who roster Grealish would have used anywhere from a round 5-7 pick on the City winger, and depending on their other midfielders could be looking to ship him out for a more set and forget asset. I am not expecting Grealish to all of a sudden be a 12 PPS asset, but depending on the price you can get him for, he is worth bringing in given his potential to win a spot in this City XI...something I didn't think was possible this summer.

Trade Offer Value: Grealish's price depends on who rosters him. If it is a Doku manager, then you will have a very tough time getting Grealish. But if that manager does not roster Doku, I like your chances. I would start with an offer that includes a more guaranteed midfielder for minutes. Start with one of Iwobi, Tielemans, Smith-Rowe, or Guimaraes, packaged with either a DEF3/4 or a defensive midfielder like Mainoo or Wharton. I would also add up to 20 FAB to get this deal done if needed.

Anthony Gordon (NEW - MID)

Analysis: Gordon has not had a good start to the season. The Newcastle attack (Barnes aside), as a whole, has been very poor so far. Gordon was a top 10 player last season, but only has 1 goal in his first 5 games (4 starts). His ghost point numbers are very solid, though, averaging 9.1 ghost points per start this year. He just needs the returns to start coming in. Newcastle are about to enter a mixed bag of fixtures, and while this may seem like the wrong time to bring in Gordon, some managers who roster him will be very worried about his upcoming production numbers given the fixtures. While waiting one more week isn't the worst idea, City have shown they can give up goals, especially on a counter attack, so Gordon could nick a return here. Gordon and Newcastle should improve from here on out. They just have too much talent not to improve. Howe is still trying to figure out his best XI, and once he does, I expect to see some growth.

Last season, Gordon had 11 goals and 10 assists, and I see no reason he can't get close to that kind of return this season. Now is the best time to trade him in. You could probably get a player with top 10 potential for a much cheaper deal, giving your team added upside for the remainder of the season.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer a midfielder overperforming right now for the upside of Gordon. While these midfielders may seem like season keepers, an improved Gordon will be a steal for them. Players such as: Tavernier, Madueke, Mitoma, and McNeil packaged with a 2nd solid asset such as Collins, Mitchell, or Romero may do the trick.

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.

Jeremy Doku (MCI - MID)

Analysis: Grealish a trade-in and Doku a trade-out, what a backwards world we're living in right now. I will say if you do roster Grealish along with Doku, then I would either just hold Doku or only trade him in a deal for a set and forget MID1. Otherwise, there is no need to trade him out.

Doku started the first three games for City in the EPL, with no returns to his name. While he was electric vs. Chelsea, he has failed to show that in any other game this season. With Grealish offering Pep a much more controlled option, especially with Rodri out, we could see Doku as an off the bench impact player to try and put games away for City. On his day, Doku has top 5 upside, but with a fully fit attack (barring Rodri), his chances to go over 75 minutes are looking slim to none. As someone who was very high on Doku this summer, after his incredible first year, I have been disappointed with the start he has had.

If Grealish can stay fit and add some returns to his game, Doku could be in for a rough season, especially since he is not at all preferred on the right wing. Rostering any City attacker comes with significant upside, but also risks. Many of you would have used a late 2nd to early 3rd rounder on Doku, and if you ended up taking Toney/Nkunku/Rice or Rodri with the other pick, you could be looking to strengthen your team. Doku having Newcastle, Fulham, Wolves, Southampton, and Bournemouth in his next few fixtures should alone up his value. But I wouldn't be shocked to see him start only 1 or maybe 2 of these.

It is worth noting that both Doku and Grealish started the Tuesday cup fixture vs. Watford. Doku scored, and Grealish assisted his goal. Doku only played 62 minutes, but Grealish lasted the full 90. It remains to be seen if that impacts selection on Saturday given there is still quite a few days until that fixture.

Trade Offer Value: I would first look to package Doku with another mid/fwd to get back a proper MID1. Look to combine Doku with someone such as Joao Pedro, Garnacho, Kulusevski, or Bailey for a player like Gordon, Bruno, or Maddison.

Pedro Neto (CHE - FWD)

Analysis: Neto's move to Chelsea will have fantasy managers regretting that draft pick. Neto has just 2 EPL starts to his name, with scores of -1.5 and 4. At this point I wouldn't blame you for wanting to drop Neto. Sancho took his starting spot in just 1 game (after subbing on for him at half in the previous), and bagged an assist. Sancho should be getting the majority of EPL starts at LW barring an injury, so Neto would need to hope for his form to seriously dip or to nick some minutes on the RW. Madueke, however, seems to be the favourite for Maresca on that side.

Of course, we know Madueke can be a pain for managers with his attitude often being called into question, so a drop in form there or poor work ethic could see some more starts for Neto. However, Neto has looked significantly better in his off the bench role and Maresca could look to continue to use him in that role. The best course of action if you roster Neto is try to and pawn him off to the manager in your league who rosters Madueke or Sancho. If Neto is currently your FWD1 or FWD2, you probably need to move him on for a more reliable player. The route I would take is to give Neto up for 2 useable every week assets that maybe carry less name value. Every league will value Neto differently. While he isn't a drop...yet...if you can't get a decent trade for him across, you can hold until you get desperate.

Trade Offer Value: I would offer Neto out for another FWD + MID/DEF, or for 2 forwards (depending on your roster construction). Try to get two players from MacAllister, Diallo, Wood, Sugawara, Hojlund, Barnes, or Davis.

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.

Stacking is More Valid than Ever

Defensive Stacks:

Analysis: I touched briefly on stacking in last week's article. This year's scoring change to defenders/goalies - not penalizing them for the first goal against - will make defensive stacking that much more of an upside play. Stacking is a Genie trademark strategy, especially when I am behind early in a matchup and need an upside move or hail mary.

When going for a defensive stack, ideally you want to roster 2-4 players from that team in pursuit of a clean sheet. Stacking Leicester City defenders vs. Manchester City isn't exactly the mindset here. While a cleansheet is never guaranteed, matchups against teams in poor form, or those bottom table dwellers are obviously your best bets. Next, I usually try to also get the GK from that team, especially if they are known to make a decent number of saves. Obviously many teams won't have more than 1-2 defenders available to stream. But you will be surprised what stacks you can form.

Just two gameweeks ago, I was chasing a massive deficit so I picked up Sanchez, Colwill, and Fofana vs. Bournemouth. Logic here was this 0 Bournemouth haven't been the best, and Chelsea were slowly improving defensively. Those three combined to give me 54 points. From three streamers you could do a lot worse. While Evanilson scoring his PK would have changed the game, it was an upside risk that helped me win my gameweek after being down from masterclasses by Ndidi, Watkins, and McNeil.

So, when looking for a defensive stack, try to target teams that usually won't concede 2+ goals most weeks, have somewhat decent floor defenders, and ensure you roster the GK from that squad. Chasing cleansheets does have upside, but if your defenders have ghost points per start figures of under 5, then there is really no upside. There should be plenty of decent ghosting CBs on these teams available. This week a Bournemouth defensive stack with Kepa, Zabarnyi, and Senesi/Huijsen vs. lowly Southampton has significant upside.

Genie Verdict: Ensure you have a chance of a cleansheet. Roster the goalie + 1-2 decent floor defenders from that team. My ideal composition for a defensive stack: GK 1 CB, and 1 full-back. For added upside, stack 4 defensive assets, targeting both CBs.

Attacking Stacks:

Analysis: Attacking stacks are mainly formed through trades. It is rare you can find any sort of an upside attacking stack available on the waiver wire, unless you play in a very very small league. The way I like to target attacking stacks is by seeing which team one of my top 2 assets plays for. Let's say my top 3 assets are: Cole Palmer, Dominic Solanke, and Gabriel Martinelli. They're from three different teams, all with top 4 potential. The best asset here by far is Palmer, but Solanke and Martinelli can also be match winners on their day.

Now, the route I am going is trying to gain 1-2 more attackers from Chelsea. In this scenario I am looking to trade in Jackson, and one of Madueke and Sancho. Jackson will be the toughest to get given his starting role, and current form. While he was probably drafted round 4-5, he will command closer to round 2 trade value. So dealing either Martinelli or Solanke <> Jackson + 1 is a deal I would definitely entertain in order to get that linkup that has happened more than once this season already. Madueke or Sancho will be significantly cheaper, and I would target the one that fits your roster construction better (i.e., do you need a FWD3 or MID4?). If you are set at forward, then target Madueke. While their manager may be aware of what you are trying to do and charge you extra, it is a scenario in which I am willing to slightly overpay in order to get the upside stack.

Stacking attackers will have a lot of "boom or bust" results. But as long as you are stacking from a team that can actually score, and some weeks score in bunches, the risk is more often than not worth it. I am definitely not advocating stacking attackers from low-scoring or bottom table teams like Southampton and Wolves (Cunha notwithstanding). Below I will list the teams I am keen to stack from and who are the 2-3 attackers you should be looking to stack together.

• Liverpool

  • Salah, Diaz, Nunez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, (Trent can offer upside attacking linkups too)

• Chelsea

  • Palmer, Jackson, Madueke, Sancho

• Manchester City

  • Haaland, De Bruyne, Savio, Doku, Grealish, Bernardo

• Tottenham

  • Son, Maddison, Solanke, Kulusevski, (Porro is basically an attacker in this case)

• Arsenal

  • Saka, Kai, Martinelli, Trossard

• **Newcastle and Manchester United are worth considering as well, but wait and see if they improve before completely buying into a stack there.

  
  

Genie Verdict: Look to roster the "best" asset from the team you plan to stack from, and ensure you target high scoring teams. Overpaying slightly is worth it for the added upside you will get.

For all the latest from The Draft Society, follow @Draft_Society on Twitter!

And for more in-depth and exclusive resources, become a member of The Inner Circle.

---

Have you heard about our revolutionary new Draft Fantasy Football app? We call it The Fantasy ToolKit. Expand to read more!

Each gameweek, The Fantasy Toolkit will bring you:

• Recommended waiver adds & drops

• Optimal lineup suggestions

• Matchup projections vs your opponent

• Trade calculator

• Fixture Difficulty Tracker (for each position on the pitch)

• Gameweek Transaction Data from the "Big 3" community leagues

• ROS & Playoff Planning Tool

• Team Power Rankings for every team in your league

• AND EVEN MORE TO COME!

• All in one customized and personalised package

It's included in our Ultimate Pass and Season Pass plans and will give you a massive leg up on your league-mates. Check out a full demonstration video HERE for more info!