Gameweek 8 - 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.

Rasmus Hojlund (MUN - FWD)

Analysis: Hojlund is currently sitting with 0 fantasy points scored in 1 start and 2 sub apps in 92 total EPL minutes. Don't expect that trend to continue, and now will be the cheapest he could be (unless a manager was fed up with him during his injury). We have already seen that Zirkzee is not a true striker, and doesn't fit the United system as a number 9. Hojlund will be that 9 for Ten Hag, and once he gets off the mark could be in for a nice run. United are entering a decent schedule that could see Hojlund finally get his first EPL goal this season, and more importantly, his first fantasy point.

United as a whole have been very poor offensively. Ten Hag's job is hanging by a thread, and a few poor results could see him gone. The likes of Bruno, Garnacho, Rashford, and Amad have all struggled in the EPL, but I just can't see United continuing to be this poor. It remains to be seen who will be the starting wingers for United with 3 players fighting for 2 spots, but unless we see Ten Hag revert back to the weird 4-2-2-2 system of last season, Hojlund should be a lock in the 9 role with Zirkzee just being a depth piece. Expect Hojlund to be a FWD3 for now, with the potential to be a set and forget FWD2 once United improve slightly. With games against: Brentford, West Ham, Chelsea, Ipswich, Leicester, and Everton in the next 6 expect there to be goals.

Trade Offer Value: Depending on who rosters Hojlund will depend how cheap you can get him. United fans know his talent and will still believe in him, but you may be able to get him as cheap as a MID5/DEF3 + some FAB right now. An offer such as Paqueta + 5-10 FAB would be where I would start. I would go as high as offering out forwards such as: Jimenez and Welbeck for Hojlund. If you need to throw in a defender sweetener such as: Burn or O'Shea I would do that as well for the upside Hojlund has.

Jarrad Branthwaite (EVE - DEF)

Analysis: Branthwaite has been struggling with a groin injury all season and has just 1 start to his name. He should be back after this break, and Everton have a good run in the next 5 games. If he is free in your league, stop reading this article, pick him up, then continue on. Branthwaite was a solid 9.3 PPS defender last year, and has shown that he can ghost already this season with 10.25 ghosts in his first start. He will be significantly cheaper than Tarkowski to bring in, and could offer similar week to week value assuming he is fully fit. Branthwaite should be a set and forget DEF2 this season, and Everton have truly missed his composure and talent so far. Once he starts again his price will skyrocket up, so look to bring him in ASAP.

Trade Offer Value: I'd start with a current starting defender who offers less ghosting potential than Branthwaite. Players such as: Saliba, Burn, and Wan-Bissaka are good places to start. Even combining two of them + 5 FAB in an offer would be more than worth bringing in Branthwaite. If you need to step it up a level, offer out over-performing assets such as: Justin, Guehi, and Faes.

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.

Lewis Cook (BOU - MID)

Analysis: Cook has had himself a great start to the season, but I just can't see this continuing. He will probably never be higher in value, and ahead of a tough schedule for Bournemouth now is the time to trade him out. He is currently at 11.1 PPS, but certainly won't be valued like that. He has taken a ton of set-pieces, and has nearly matched his returns of last season already, so you can expect a decline in his value. Despite having the majority of sets, they just aren't that good. Tavernier and Kluivert can provide competition on those, and even Scott if he eventually takes over for Christie.

Bournemouth have games against Arsenal, Villa, and City in their next three so expect to see Cook decline in his output. While you may be reluctant to sell such a reliable asset, there is no real difference in his role this season vs. last, and Bournemouth as a whole are not much better. This doesn't give me any confidence in a Cook masterclass season. He was roughly only 8 PPS last year and should be in between 8-9 this year as well. Sell high while you can, as he is someone who was constantly added and dropped last season.

Trade Offer Value: I would look to package Cook with another midfield for a larger asset. Pairing Cook with players such as: Mitoma, Bowen, or McNeil could get you potential deals for assets such as: Maddison, KDB, and Bruno. Look to start with those type of deals. If you simply want to trade Cook + FAB for a more consistent "ceiling" player look to target assets such as: Bernardo Silva, Kulusevski, and Gibbs-White. Throw in another asset in the realm of Joelinton if need be.

Nicolas Jackson (CHE - FWD)

Analysis: Jackson has been great this season, despite the amount of doubt over his role heading into the season. He has himself 4 goals and 3 assists in his 7 starts, and sits at 13 PPS. His ghost points still leave a lot to be desired sitting at just 5.9 ghosts per start. Chelsea are about to head into a very tough next four fixtures, which will be the real test for Jackson. His goals so far have come vs. Wolves, Palace, and West Ham (2), not exactly title challenging teams. Additionally, Jackson has only completed 90 minutes in 1 game so far, and as we know Chelsea have a ton of attacking depth. Nkunku is someone who has been biding his time waiting to get his chance to shine in the EPL, but may have to wait a little longer.

Chelsea could struggle for control and to be in front in these games which could see Enzo turn to his bench sooner, meaning earlier subs for the likes of Madueke, Sancho, and of course Jackson. I am not saying Jackson is a must sell, and if you can't get value you are happy with hold him, but if you can sell high that would be my choice. While I don't think Jackson is in danger of losing his spot, he could rotate a few games with Nkunku here and there if he fails to continue his good start to the season and we know the rumour mill will be swirling with names for a new striker to come and join in January. If you want to rid yourself of this anxious waiting and potential early subs in the next batch of games, sell Jackson.

Trade Offer Value: I would target forwards such as: Havertz, Mbeumo, Son, and maybe even Salah in deals for Jackson. You will probably need to package Jackson with a midfielder to get these deals done. Packaging him with mids such as: Cook, Paqueta, Joelinton, or Rogers depending on which forward you are targeting could have you on your way to a true FWD1. If you are aiming for the "higher tier" in Salah you will need to add in a better midfielder such as: Iwobi or Andreas.

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.

Players to Drop (Over 60% ROS)

This segment has featured before, and will probably be a recurring one every month or so. Every season we see managers hold onto players that will continue to have little to no value too long. This hopefully helps you make that much needed drop.

• Solly March (BHA - M) - Unless you have an IR this is a waste of a hold. May struggle to crack the XI, and has been out for a while.

• Raheem Sterling (ARS - F) - Was poor vs. Southampton, and probably won't get another EPL start until the festive period, if even that.

• Abdul Fatawu (LEI - F) - Has clearly lost his spot with Mavididi and Ayew the preferred two. Look to stream this spot.

• Malo Gusto (CHE - D) - A season high score of 5.25 so far, Reece is back in contention, and Chelsea have tough fixtures. Drop.

• Rico Lewis (MCI - D) - Needs a clean sheet/return to score well, drop for better ghosting defenders.

• Fabian Schar + All NEW Def (NEW - D) - Trippier/Burn potentially aside the Newcastle defenders aren't scoring well. Drop ahead of a tough three fixtures.

• Adam Wharton (CRY - M) - Has no upside, and has been very poor all season, use that spot to stream upside, or hold a potential high ceiling injured asset.

• James Ward-Prowse (NFO - M) - Not putting up the points he used to, and could rotate out very soon. Drop.

• Gabriel Jesus (ARS - F) - Try to trade out first to an Arsenal fan. At best he is a rotation piece. Maybe wait until lineups Saturday, but he is one that is frustrating to roster.

• Kobbie Mainoo (MUN - M) - Barely over 5 PPS, only worth holding as a "backup" to the rotation prone United assets such as Diallo, Garnacho, Rashford. Rumours have also started to pickup he could be out injured for a month.

• Destiny Udogie + Micky Van De Ven (TOT - D) - Both score very poorly even with the scoring change. Look elsewhere, as these two need returns to be relevant.

• Joshua Zirkzee (MUN - F) - Why is he still rostered? 2nd Choice. Drop.

• Alexis Mac Allister (LIV - M) - One to try and trade out first, but scores very poorly, and unlikely to get many returns. Drop if you can't get any value back for him. Only worth a hold if you have "rotation" prone Liverpool assets.

Ones To Watch (Under 10%)

Inspired by a question in IC Discord by our very own DraftLad, to discuss on the KPC pod. Thought I would give my own spin on some Genie-esque assets that are worth adding to your "watchlist" for future pickups or ones that could win a starting spot before the festive period.

• Jesper Lindstrom (EVE - M) - Was a big fan of Lindstrom heading into drafts, and he has shown he can put up the points when given the minutes. Still believe he will replace Harrison soon, monitor lineups and pickup if he starts.

• Trevoh Chalobah (CRY - D) - Monitor how he does as he continues to start. Won't be a Lacroix, but could be a solid DEF3.

• Carlos Borges (WOL - F) - Could lock down a role. A direct attacking player who likes to dribble. A punt if you are light on forwards.

• Caleb Okoli (LEI - D) - Worth streaming in good schedules, putting up similar numbers to Faes.

• Alex Scott (BOU - M) - One I was high on in the off-season. Still believe he takes over for Christie. Could be on some sets too. Monitor his off the bench minutes/performances.

• Mateus Fernandes (SOU - M) - Has gone under the radar with the Dibling hype. He has been very good, and a solid add in fantasy. Bench for now, but a decent MID5 upside start.

• Christian Eriksen (MUN - M) - Quietly has been one of United's best players. In a decent schedule if ETH continues to roll with him he is worth grabbing and starting.

• Antony (MUN - M) - Don't pickup yet, but monitor rumours as we enter December. Could move to another EPL team. Newcastle have been rumoured.

• James McAtee (MCI - M) - Same as Antony. Worth a stash near the end of December, not playing much for City could get another EPL team move.

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!