These picks will give you the edge in the hyper-competitive world of Fantasy Premier League (FPL)!
(L-R) Bournemouth defender Nathan Aka, Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling and Manchester United wideman Alexis Sanchez (Photos: AFP)
The mid-week fixtures in the Premier League wreaked havoc for many big guns in the English top-flight and there was a similar situation in its virtual counterpart—Fantasy Premier League (FPL)— as well.
Worry not, for The Statesman is at hand to make sure you’re ready for the weekend with an incisive article ahead of Gameweek 26.
The indicators are:
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Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Crystal Palace (A) and Liverpool (H)
Price: 5.9
Score: 129
Ownership: 43.0%
Why yes: After their humbling at the hands of Spurs in mid-week, expect United to return to winning ways against a side that has one of the worst away record in the English top-flight this season. De Gea was blameless for both the goals and you can be on Jose Mourninho to sort out the issues at the back. United’s Spanish custodian is the safest bet at the back in FPL, bar none.
Why no: Is the most expensive keeper in FPL and doesn’t offer much of a differential. United defenders like Antonio Valencia (£6.7 m) and Chris Smalling (£5.3 m)are worth a look at, but having multiple options from their backline would mean your maximum quota of three will be exhausted before you get to their vaunted forwards.
Team: Bournemouth
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Huddersfield (A), Newcastle (A), Leicester (A) and Spurs (H)
Price: 4.9
Score: 77
Ownership: 4.2%
Why yes: Ake scored in the standout result from Gameweek 25 and with decent fixtures up ahead, expect the Cherries to register a sting of clean-sheets at least. They are in serious form and picking several of their players wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Why no: Paul Lambert has steadied the ship at Stoke and the Potters will be extremely hard to beat. Ake is the most expensive confirmed starter from Bournemouth’s back-four.
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Chelsea (H), Huddersfield (H) and Watford (A)
Price: 4.6
Score: 76
Ownership: 19.0%
Why yes: Southampton are struggling for confidence while the Baggies are high on it after their momentous FA Cup triumph over Liverpool. Yes, they conceded three against City, but considering the firepower the Sky Blues possess, that’s not the worst result is it?
Why no: Alan Pardew’s sides are unpredictable and fun to watch, but clean-sheets aren’t exactly commonplace.
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Crystal Palace (A) and Liverpool (H)
Price: 11.7
Score: 99
Ownership: 4.0%
Why yes: After his ineffective display against Spurs, this may come as a surprise but make no mistake, Sanchez is a world-class player and will come good sooner, rather than later. As the whole squad will be smarting after their mid-week loss, expect the Chilean to lead their resurgence against a Huddersfield Town side that, as previously mentioned, aren’t great on the road. To add to the mix, United will be seeking revenge for their defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium earlier this season too. Jose Mourinho could utilise him as a second or lone striker as well.
Why no: Extremely expensive, with the likes of Paul Pogba (£8.0 m), Jesse Lingard (£6.3 m) and Anthony Martial (£8.1 m) arguably provide better value. If you already have any of the aforementioned United players or Romelu Lukaku (£11.3 m), picking Sanchez would mean a massive chunk of your budget would be concentrated towards the Red half of Manchester.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H), Stoke (A)
Price: 8.9
Score: 162
Ownership: 38.0%
Why yes: With 14 goals and 10 assists, it’s not a stretch to say that Sterling has been one of the standout FPL midfielders this season. With injuries to Leroy Sane and David Silva, the jet-heeled Sterling is now guaranteed to start. Far cheaper than teammates Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2 m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.9 m).
Why no: Considering the plethora of attacking options City have in their garage, it can get difficult to pick one. The Sky Blues’s fixtures do get progressively tougher and if you already have Aguero and/or De Bruyne, Sterling can be overlooked as their fixtures aren’t the easiest.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Everton (H), Spurs (A), Man City (H), Brighton (A) and Watford
Price: 10.5
Score: 0
Ownership: 0.5%
Why yes: The wildcard pick of the gameweek, Arsenal’s club-record signing is primed to explode in the English top-flight. Everton may be in decent shape, but the former Borussia Dortmund man is one of the best strikers in Europe and except him to slot in seamlessly in the Gunners XI. With the likes of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan supplying him with ample ammunition, the sky is the limit.
Why no: Where will he play is a good question, for with Alexandre Lacazette a confirmed starter, Aubameyang is likely to be shunted out wide, which would make his exorbitant price difficult to be justified. Arsene Wenger could ease him into the setup and it’s not confirmed whether the Gabonese will start against the Toffees. The Gunners have tough fixtures ahead and it’s uncertain whether they will be able to snap out of their funk.
Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Spurs (H), Man United (H) and Chelsea (A)
Price: 7.6
Score: 54
Ownership: 2.4%
Why yes: Benteke has recovered his form and against a Newcastle side that are struggling to win, is set to deliver. At this price-point, the Belgian is a relative bargain and could prove to be a massive differential.
Why no: Games after Newcastle are quite daunting and it remains to be seen if the Eagles can provide their target man with adequate support.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/5 pm IST.
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