- 6 Comments
Four gameweeks have passed. Four gameweeks to determine your future. Four gameweeks to make your name known in the folklore of Fantasy Premier League.
Although this is a little dramatic, mini leagues are won and lost, it’s a good idea to take chances if you’re chasing a rival, and every transfer is worth more than it was before.
FPL managers have a significant decision to make this week’s captaincy.
Protector and defense
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, £5.1 million transfer to Ipswich (h)
Last week’s game at Newcastle saw Ipswich play very poorly, leaving them with ten men for the final two games.
Everton are currently at home and have as many clean sheets this season as Manchester City (10).
In their past five games, Ipswich’s expected goals (xG) are 3.47, which is the lowest in the league, and they have only managed eight shots on target.
That screams “Everton clean sheet.”
Jake O’Brien, Everton, £4.5m – Ipswich (h)
Last week, Ipswich failed to defend set pieces well, conceding two corners (one of which was a short corner).
According to his statistics for 90 minutes on the field, O’Brien has been by far and away the most dangerous defender at Everton.
He leads all Everton defenders in shots and shorts on target, and Jarrad Branthwaite is next with 0.08. His 0.21 big chances are miles ahead of his team-mates.
Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, £6.3 million-Wolves (h)
Since this week hasn’t been many clear clean-sheet opportunities, trusty Gvardiol comes in, whose five goals are a league high for defenders.
Newcastle, £5.7 million – Brighton (a) Kieran Trippier
Although Trippier has been ahead of all other defenders in several important creative statistics in the last four gameweeks, this pick may be chasing points.
The next best player had nine of his final-third passes (he had 26 crosses in that period, whereas he had 143 of those final-third passes).
This video is not playable.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Midfielders
Manchester United (h) – Bryan Mbeumo (captain), Brentford, $8.1 million
Mbeumo, the second-highest point scorer in the FPL, is not really needed for much of a reason.
However, this week’s circumstances are idealistic.
With their focus on the Europa League, Manchester United almost certainly will produce a weak team, which is not good.
Mbeumo is a force for Brentford, he can score penalties, and he could face left-back Harry Amass, who is 18 years old.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m – Spurs (h)
Another top-notch player (four games returned in four games) in a situation comparable to Mbeumo’s.
Tottenham will concentrate on Europe, which they can’t defend in anyway.
Bowen contributed 56% of West Ham’s goals this season.
Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, £9.4 million-Wolves (h)
This week, neither of the three expensive midfielders, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, or Bukayo Saka, have ideal matches.
Given that Chelsea and Liverpool have already won the title and that Saka could start on the bench, it’s difficult to call.
De Bruyne will undoubtedly play in an FA Cup game that could be competitive after being rested, so why not take a look at him?
The outstanding Belgian has nine assists in 16 starts this year, or 0.56 per 90 minutes of play.
With only two home games left in his City career, Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly choose him on Friday night and you can be confident of seeing him return as long as he starts.
Fulham (h) – Marco Asensio, Aston Villa, £6.2 million
Asensio is the high-risk, high-reward choice while Morgan Rogers is the well-liked Villa pick.
He has topped every stat among Villa midfielders since his arrival.
The Spaniard has a 3.56 per 90 minutes of shooting on the pitch (Rogers is 1.56), and his xG is 0.78 per 90. Next best is Rogers with a score of 0.24.
Don’t forget that Asensio missed two penalties with a 6.96 FPL point per 90.
Strikers
Wolves, £7 million – Manchester City, Matheus Cunha (a)
The Brazilian had a fantastic week last week, scoring 30 points in his previous three games.
Wolves may concede a few goals, but they are likely to score as well. A trip to City is not a problem.
This season, City has only managed four clean sheets at home, two of which came against Leicester and Southampton.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy for £5.2 million at Southampton (h)
Vardy was a good budget striker last week and a watchable option for the season’s conclusion, especially if you’re wildcarding.
The 38-year-old will want to start playing in his Premier League debut with a bang after probably missing only four games.
There is a good chance that he will be involved if Leicester win, and if they can’t find the net against Southampton…
Fulham (h) vs. Ollie Watkins (vice-captain), Aston Villa (h) vs.
Watkins is the ideal FPL punt for the end of the season.
With Rashford out, he will start, and he has a strong track record.
Subs bench
Arsenal defender Ben White, £6. 1 million signing from Bournemouth (h)
Everton midfielder Dwight McNeil, £5.1 million – Ipswich (h)
Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams, £4.5 million- Crystal Palace (a)
Team total cost: £93.9m
As if you were playing a Free Hit, the team of the week is chosen based on the current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget.
Watch the player
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, valued at £14.8 million.
What team should I use?
Fulham (a), Southampton (h), and Everton-Ipswich (h)
related subjects
- Leicester City
- West Ham United
- Brentford
- Aston Villa
- Premier League
- Manchester City
- Everton
- Newcastle United
- Football
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
