Welcome back to the Hive FPL!
With just 3 game weeks left of the 24/25 season we've got a huge amount to cover as all 3 of our contests come to a thrilling conclusion.
With close to 800 Hive already distributed in prizes, there's also the not insignificant matter of the main prize fund for the Classic league, which looks likely to be in the region of a further 1500 Hive, left to decide.
Let's dive straight into an update on the 3 comps and the key matches between Hive FPL players this weekend.
Classic League
For a brief moment, BlockchainFPL had usurped Ref's Team at the top of the league but then then Assistant Manager chip and late fixtures came into play and allowed @sperosamuel15 to extend his lead to 11 points at the top of the table.
BlockchainFPL had used their final wildcard and gambled heavily on Everton keeping a clean sheet against Ipswich by brining in Mykolenko, O'Brien and Pickford for GW35. It was a reasonable bet (I bought Mykolenko in myself) but Everton ultimately let him down.
Elsewehere, McKane's haul of 39 points means the gap to the top for them is now 54. It's far from impossible to close that in 3 weeks but it's looking like a tough task.
In fact, they should be more concerned with holding onto 3rd place with Hiveheadz and Skander both having good weeks and making it a 4 way scrap for bronze.
Remember that the prize pool is distributed as follows so a few points will make a substantial difference in how much one of these team's takes home at the end of the season.
3rd place - 2/16 of the pool
4th place - 1/16 of the pool
5th to 10th place - 1/32 of the pool
As for the battle to make the top 10, no change in the standings at the end of GW35 but 9th and 10th place are still up for grabs.
Uwabbs FC and Ineos Revival had fairly average weeks and that has opened the door to Racibo who closed the gap thanks to their 69 point total, the best score in GW35 in the Hive FPL.
I think it's fairly unlikely that anyone will come from lower down than 15th to make the top 10 but you never know. With the season at an end for most Premier League clubs as far as titles, relegation and European qualification are concerned, then it does become harder to predict results, performances and indeed starting XIs.
Teams taking a risk on transferring in individuals they probably wouldn't have considered as fantasy picks for the past 8 months might well pay off. It didn't happen for BlockchainFPL last week but someone might get lucky this week...
Division 1 Head to Head
@blockchainfpl took a massive step towards securing the Division 1 H2H title with victory in GW35 while their closest rivals, @mckane and @ipalibo both lost.
It leaves BlockchainFPL 4 points clear with 3 to play and means that they could secure the title in GW36 if they win and Whyte FC and McKane both lose again.
At the bottom of the league, @herbae are now relegated alongside @pappyelblanco and it's looking like a 7 way battle to avoid the 3 remaining relegation spots.
52 points was necessary for safety last season and it's looking likely that will be the mark team's need to achieve again this year.
Yagman FC and Nonz FC both play sides below them who are also battling for survival. A win for them in GW36 would almost certainly see them safe but defeats to either or both of Suffragette City and Espressos would really make things interesting!
Legion FC have tumbled down the league table in recent weeks and don't appear to have updated their team since GW29. If the sides currently occupying 16th - 18th position are going to make a late charge for safety, it's looking increasingly likely it will be at the expense of @b0s
GW35 Results
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skander | @skanderh | 55 | 58 | Vickoly FC | @vickoly |
| INEOS REVIVAL | @deniskj | 41 | 36 | Lazz | @martinlazizi |
| Whyte FC | @Ipalibo | 38 | 49 | Simcard FC | @akomoajong |
| Hungry Lions | @gvkanten | 50 | 42 | HallAnd Oats FC | @thoth442 |
| @BlockchainFPL H2H | @blockchainfpl | 57 | 41 | YAGMAN FC | @yagman01 |
| Solat FC | @reservedsingle | 38 | 56 | Creekside FC | @pappyelblanco |
| Likodra FC | @teofilex11 | 48 | 59 | Espressos | @aaalviarez |
| Suffragette City | @talesfrmthecrypt | 64 | 38 | Herbae | @herbae |
| Shamzy F.C | @shamzy | 60 | 39 | FC McKane | @mckane |
| NONZ FC | @nonsowrites | 55 | 24 | Legion fc | @b0s |
Let's take a look at the key fixtures in GW36
@martinlazizi v @blockchainfpl
One team could be relegated by the end of the week and another crowned champions!
Lazz have not made a transfer or change to their team since brining in 5 new players for GW32 which incidentally was the last time they recorded a victory. Will they go big in GW36?
There are plenty of differentials across all areas of the 2 teams. Lazz are banking on Arsenal players picking themselves up from defeat midweek. Arsenal's 2nd place is under threat by an in-form City side with Newcastle and Chelsea also breathing down their neck. The Gunners can secure a spot in next year's Champions League if they win at Anfield.
Earlier in the season, the match on Sunday looked like it might be a title decider now it's more a chance for Liverpool to stick the nail in the coffin of their 'closest' rivals this season who are 15 points behind them.
BlockchainFPL have gone in heavily for City players who are not only in form but have the prospect of a match against basement club Southampton. They also have Mbeumo (MID) and Wissa (FWD), the later having scored in his last 4 and with Brentford enjoying a match against Ipswich this weekend.
@nonsowrites v @aaalviarez
Big big wins for both these teams in GW35! Nonz FC have opened up a 5 point gap between them and the relegation spots but that comfort could evaporate quickly if they lose here to one of their immediate rivals in the fight for safety.
There are plenty of differentials at the back with the crunch games this weekend involving Bournemouth v Villa and Newcastle v Chelsea looking like key fixtures in this one. To be honest, I'd be surprised if we saw many clean sheets emerge from those 2 games. Espressos look set to continue with their double Forest centre backs and that could pay off at home to Leicester although Murillo (DEF) is a doubt for this weekend.
Further forward and it's a battle between 2 players who have probably underperformed this season in Odegaard (MID) and Palmer (MID). However, the Arsenal man has provided an assist in each of his last 3 league matches while Palmer broke his long barren streak in GW35. Can both of them kick on late in the season to help their sides secure CL football next year?
Of all the attacking differentials, Wood (FWD) appears to have the easiest fixture this week but the New Zealand forward has scored just once in his last 10 outings for Forest.
@yagman01 v @talesfrmthecrypt
It's a very similar situation in this head to head with Yagman FC knowing a win will see them safe while Suffragette City will be looking to drag another side into range as they make a late push for safety.
Suffragette City have their Assistant Manager chip in play and given that we only have 3 weeks left of the season you have to assume that Yagman FC will be deploying theirs too from GW36. Who they go for could be crucial not only for this game but also Yagman FC's run in as they push for a top 10 spot in the Classic League.
Gvardiol (DEF) away at Southampton has an opportunity for both a clean sheet and some attacking returns and so could prove a decisive differential in this tie. Agbadou (DEF) might be Suffragette City's best chance of a clean sheet bonus with the new Wolves signing having helped his side to 3 shut outs in their last 6 matches.
Further forward, there's a great shoot out between Brentford's main men in Mbeumo (MID) and Wissa (FWD) who you'd expect to get points away at Ipswich.
There is then that lingering doubt around quite a few players who either played in midweek and/or whose clubs have not much to play for in the league anymore. Mateta (FWD) and Eze (MID) will have their sights on the FA Cup final and visit a Spurs team including Porro (DEF) who are equally occupied with the Europa League. Luis Diaz (MID) didn't start Liverpool's match last week, will he come back in for the game against Arsenal?
Bench options could be very important in this and many fixtures in the H2H this week.
Division 2 Head to Head
Hungry Lions are not eligible for promotion
Hiveheadz are all but promoted to Division 1 having a 9 point gap between them an 6th place. They need a solitary point from their remaining 3 games to guarantee them a path back to the top flight.
Samostically should join them but their defeat in GW35 does require them needing a win in their last 3 games to be absolutely sure.
Below that it remains very tight. Wins for all the teams from 3rd to 8th position means there was no change in the table. However, 9th placed Rubilu did lose and there is now a 4 gap not to mention 4 teams in between them and the top 5.
With a 4 point persisting between 5th and 4th place, it is starting to feel like a 4 way shoot out for that final promotion spot.
2nd placed Samostically face 12th placed HappyBoys FC who need to win to ensure that they are mathematically in with a chance of going up. It's a similar position with Jungle Boys who take on 15th placed Tilia. Tilia's 35 points in GW35 saw them lose and pretty much ends their hopes of playing in Division 1 next season.
Holte Me Close play 43rd placed 11 Idiots who, judging by their name and league position, should be an easy win. Formidable Milano and Hadji also face teams well down the league meaning that baring a major slip up, there's not going to be much movement in the battle for 5th place.
GW35 Results
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARFANTASY FC | @arfa | 43 | 55 | Hadji | @hadji |
| The Cella’s | @blanchy | 63 | 31 | ArgyeeChitthuFC | @agct1226 |
| Chris Football Club | @hiveworld | 31 | 46 | Change Name | No Hive Account Linked |
| Yahuzah | @yahuzah | 50 | 32 | foloxfc | @thelonegreywolf |
| Smiley Team | @carita-feliz | 58 | 31 | Coldone | @nasfyneboy92 |
| Barca | @muka-vybz | 40 | 47 | Formidable Milano | @damolexy |
| Emeka4 | @emeka4 | 42 | 16 | Hornstra XI | @elvis123 |
| ACX United | @pvmihalache | 58 | 57 | The Beast | @iamchuks |
| Akatsuki | @seki1 | 35 | 51 | RHYDA | @rhyda1 |
| Hungry Lions | @gvkanten | 50 | 47 | rubilu | @rubilu |
| Stevenson FC | @stevenson7 | 37 | 36 | Wanderteam | @kelvinpeters |
| OG Squad | @graat | 48 | 38 | samostically | @samostically |
| HIVE KILL STEEM | No Hive Account Linked | 21 | 44 | Kane and Unable | @jmehta |
| The Dream Team | @spidersilk | 53 | 69 | racibo | @racibo |
| KELLYMAN FC | @justfavour | 49 | 41 | Micheal Fc | @micheal87 |
| Cygnus FC | @donjaun | 50 | 50 | Kraken99 | @kraken99 |
| The Urge | @kenzzi | 40 | 55 | Olawalium FC | @olawalium |
| SportsNerd | @saif-ul-wahab | 46 | 56 | Jungle Boy | @george-dee |
| ALH | No Hive Account Linked | 40 | 28 | Ifeyemi Fc | @valchiz |
| Change Name | No Hive Account Linked | 20 | 59 | Lame Ducks | No Hive Account Linked |
| Tangram | @desro | 40 | 56 | Ref's team | @sperosamuel15 |
| Holozing.com | @acidyo | 29 | 15 | Monitox | No Hive Account Linked |
| Happyboys FC | @happyboy1 | 42 | 49 | Tricky Trees 2024 | @doombot75 |
| Ballgasms | @preshpresh | 47 | 50 | Tengo Rangers FC | @tengolotodo |
| Outside of Time | No Hive Account Linked | 56 | 33 | 11 idiots | No Hive Account Linked |
| Headies | @Headies | 49 | 46 | Mollina United | @femisapiens |
| Trinex fc | @og-gamershub | 37 | 41 | Holte Me Close | @stuartcturnbull |
| GunnersLoverFC | @nwt93 | 33 | 42 | Diistroyers | @diikaan |
| Tilia | No Hive Account Linked | 35 | 52 | Newton Heath FC | @samirich |
| Dapomola fc | @dapomolaaaa | 42 | 50 | Mighty Fc | @twicejoy |
| Hiveheadz | @borran | 55 | 56 | TGIF | @gentleshaid |
Hive FPL Cup
The big surprise in the round of 16 was BlockchainFPL's defeat against Newton Heath. The Division 2 side are actually having a very decent season in the Classic League, sitting 16th and still in with a slim chance of a top 10 finish but their performance in the Head to Head competition (they are 23rd in Division 2) this year has been disappointing other than in the Cup where they've knocked out 2 Division 1 sides on their way to the QFs.
FC McKane, 3rd in both the classic league and H2H and Whyte FC 5th in the classic league and 2nd in the H2H were also knocked out which does mean that the prospect of a side 'doing the treble' of Classic, H2H and Cup triumphs is now over.
4 of the 8 matches last week were decided by just a single point and I'd be surprised if we didn't have some equally tight affairs as we head into the Quarter Finals.
Here are those head to head match ups...
@gvkanten v @akomoajong
A fixture featuring two Division 1 sides although as far as the Classic League is concerned, Simcard FC are the lowest ranked team left in the Cup at 48th. They've some how managed to scramble their way into the Quarter Finals and avoid relegation too despite not passing the 2000 point mark this season.
Perhaps the secret to their success is picking unique players! As you can see above, there are only 2 players (Salah and Mbeumo) that feature in both squads with Simcard FC also happy to throw in the odd curve ball as far as their captain pick is concerned. Cunha (FWD) is having a fine season (when he's not suspended) but few other FPL managers have opted to give him the armband.
It's very unusual to see a H2H where both sides have unique forward lines. There's not much to choose between the 6 strikers. Simcard FPL can point to the fact that their forwards all enjoy home advantage this weekend although Marmoush (FWD) might fancy adding to his Premier League tally at Southampton and Mateta (FWD) faces what is likely to be a 2nd string Spurs defence from the side that progressed to the Europa League Final.
@shamzy v @samirich
Newton Heath are on the hunt to knock another Division 1 side out of this season's cup. Shamzy were of course Division 1 champions last season so they know a thing or two about winning these kind of fixtures. They had a very slow start to the 24/25 season which means they won't be defending their title but they've picked up significantly in these later stages to give them a shot at glory in the cup.
Newton Heath may well be tempted to double up on Forest defensive assets for the visit by Leicester while Gvardiol (DEF) versus Southampton also gives them the edge at the back.
In midfield, Mitoma (MID) hasn't started for the Seagulls in the last 4 weeks while Luis Diaz (MID) was also rested in GW35. By contrast, you'd expect all of Shamzy's midfield to take part with the likes of Eze (MID) and Murphy (MID) being 2 of the form players in the FPL at present.
Marmoush (MFWD) is a definite candidate for captaincy although Haaland's return to fitness might push him out wider or indeed from the starting XI altogether...
@racibo v @george-dee
An all Division 2 tie albeit that both are in the hunt for promotion and a top 10 finish in the league meaning that their performances over the next 3 weeks could be very profitable!
Again, Racibo aren't afraid to throw the captaincy to someone a little different as evidenced by their recent picks of Rogers and Bowen while Jungle Boys seem set on Salah.
Jungle Boys have invested heavily in their defence with Gvardiol (common between both teams), Virgil and Saliba not to mention Ederson in between the posts. We've seen some fairly high scoring matches of late which is not unusual for this time of year so we'll see if that tactic pays off.
Racibo do have a couple of injury concerns at the back in Trippier and Murillo. Maatsen has scored 25 points in his last 4 starts as he looks to establish himself in this Villa team.
@uwabbs001 v @thoth442
The undisputed Hive FPL Cup champion @thoth442 is looking to make it 3 Cup wins in as many seasons! By my calculation that means they are currently on an 18 match winning streak in the Hive FPL Cup!
However, they nearly suffered defeat for the first time in the round of 16 but managed to squeak through by 1 point against Yagman FC with what was the lowest winning total of the round. It pays to be lucky as well as good!
They are now the highest ranked team left in the competition but they have their work cut out against the 2nd highest ranked team!
Uwabbs FC made the bold call to bench Mo Salah for GW35 which paid off when he blanked. Will they be tempted to do so again?
There's not a huge amount to choose between the 2 sides but Uwabbs FC might shade it in goal with Sels at home to Leicester the best chance of a clean sheet bonus. However, it remains to be seen whether Disasi and Timber play any part in GW36 leaving HallAnd Oats FC with more options at the back.
p.s. look out for an additional blog from us early next week where we'll be giving away some free bets to celebrate the launch of @mengao 's Samba Pools app.