Thread by @FPL_JQ

Taking a short break from my #EuroFantasy group previews to look at picks who are good for both MD1 and MD3.

With many opting to play the LIMITLESS chip in MD2, players in these 2 categories will be valuable:

✅ good fixtures in MD1 and MD3

✅ unlikely to be rotated in MD3

First, a quick introduction to the Limitless chip and the benefits of playing it in MD2.

Similar to the Free Hit in FPL, Limitless allows you to pick a one off squad for one MD, before reverting to your old team. The key difference here is there are NO BUDGET RESTRICTIONS 💰

So why use it in MD2? Well, this MD sees the perfect storm of great fixtures to target in which teams will be playing their strongest XI.

Traditionally, teams who have qualified for the knockout stages by MD3 heavily rotate at this point, making it a bit of a minefield❗️

So, it might be worth picking players in your MD1 team who are also likely to feature in MD3, and have a good fixture, so you’re able to make as few transfers as possible when your team reverts after Limitless.

Wildcard is an option here, but you may want to save that for later!

So, which teams have players who

✅ have good fixtures in MD1 & 3

✅ are unlikely to be rotated in MD3, whilst also playing MD1?

Let’s have a look 👀

I’d also like to point out that I’ll be using the brilliant @BenCrellin’s fixture tracker to view fixtures

https://twitter.com/bencrellin/status/1399039823139201034

DENMARK 🇩🇰

The Danes are a perfect example of a team that fits the criteria; they have great fixtures in MD1 & 3, with home games vs FIN 🇫🇮 and RUS 🇷🇺. Their tough MD2 game vs BEL 🇧🇪 can be skipped with Limitless, & defeat there would mean a win is needed in MD3, so no rotation

WHO TO BUY: Denmark have conceded just 3 goals in their last 10 in all comps, so I’d look to invest in at least one of their 4.5 defenders Kjær and Mæhle, who offer such great value that I think doubling up is viable. Eriksen (9.5) and Wind (6.0) are viable options in attack

AUSTRIA 🇦🇹

Similarly to Denmark, Austria have 2 great home fixtures in MD1 and 3 in NMA 🇲🇰 and UKR 🇺🇦, with a less fanciable fixture in MD2 against NED, to skip with Limitless.

We can expect Austria to have a tough time in MD2, leaving them with everything to play for in MD3

WHO TO BUY: I’m instantly drawn to the value in attack here. Forward Kalajdzic (7.5) comes into this off the back of a 16 goal season in the Bundesliga and 3 in his last 3 int’l games. Teammate and pen taker Arnautovic (7.0) will come back into the team and may be underpriced

SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭

Switzerland’s most winnable game is in MD1 against WAL🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. However, a tougher test against ITA🇮🇹 follows in MD2, which will surely make their MD3 fixture at home to TUR🇹🇷 a must-win, and this Swiss side are capable of scoring goals

WHO TO BUY: wingbacks Mbabu and Rodriguez (5.5) offer attacking threat, with the latter scoring and missing a pen in the Swiss’ recent friendly vs USA. Shaqiri (7.0) is a nice option if he can get match-fit with 1g/2a in his last 4, but has been subbed after 45 in the last 2

SCOTLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The Scots come up against a CZE 🇨🇿 side that they beat 2-1 back in September in MD1. A slightly tougher test awaits them in MD3 in CRO 🇭🇷, but there’s a good chance they’ll be going into that game full strength needing a win, with a tough game vs ENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 in MD2

WHO TO BUY: Scotland players are largely in the differential category other than the pricey Robertson (5.5). There is value to be found though, with GK Marshall costing just 4.5. Fraser (6.5) has 2 goals in his last 2, whilst fwd Adams (6.5) has a goal+assist in as many games

POLAND 🇵🇱

Whilst they were unpredictable in qualifying, Poland do fit the bill here in terms of having a nice fixture in MD1 home to SLK🇸🇰. A slightly tougher fixture comes in MD3 at home to SWE🇸🇪, but once again, this will surely be must-win following their MD2 game vs ESP🇪🇸

WHO TO BUY: whilst Poland have value in defence with the likes of Bednarek (4.5), I can’t look past Lewandowski (11.5). Lewa’s great club form has carried over to the national side with 6 goals in his last 7 for Poland. Zielinski (7.0) also has differential potential in midfield

GERMANY 🇩🇪

The next few teams are in despite having tougher MD1 or 3 fixtures than the previous sides, but have enough quality to warrant inclusion. In Germany’s case, they should need a win against HUN🇭🇺 in MD3 following tough openers vs FRA🇫🇷 and POR🇵🇹 in MD1 and 2

WHO TO BUY: I’m drawn to the value in midfield here, with Goretzka (6.5) and Gundogan (7.5) both priced to buy. They’ve both discovered a goalscoring flourish this year- Gundo has 2 in his last 3 caps, and Goretzka has 1g/2a 5. They also scored 18 club goals between them in 20/21

PORTUGAL 🇵🇹

Portugal face a tricky MD3 fixture vs FRA🇫🇷, but that could very well be a must-win game for them with a tough game against GER🇩🇪 in MD2. Their MD1 game against HUN🇭🇺 also makes them impossible to overlook.

If they beat FRA🇫🇷, be wary of rotation in MD3 though 🚨

WHO TO PICK: Guerreiro (6.5) and Cancelo (6.0) are both attacking fullbacks who have high CS potential in MD1, with Guerreiro slightly less nailed on. Jota (8.5) looks great value with 5g/2a in his last 4 caps(!) Ronaldo (12.0) needs no introduction, and will lead the line here

TURKEY 🇹🇷

Turkey sneak in at the end here despite a tough MD1 fixture vs ITA🇮🇹. However, the fact that this is a standalone fixture first up on MD1 adds flexibility to your squad. Their MD3 fixture against SUI🇨🇭is attractive and that tough first game might make MD3 a must-win

WHO TO BUY: there could be value in defence here, and 4.5 GK Cakir looks a good option there. Calhanoglu (8.5) has monopoly over set pieces while Yazici (5.5) provides budget assist potential. FWD Yilmaz (8.0) has 4 in his last 3, including a qualifying hat-trick vs NED🇳🇱

Thanks for reading. Of course, many will choose to wildcard in MD3 and avoid the problem of rotation altogether. But if you’re looking to save your wildcard (I’m looking at holding for the quarter finals) then these teams could be great to target. Hope this was helpful! 💪