Don’t finish your FPL season with a whimper, rather with a bang!
(L-R) Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Liverpool fullback Andy Robertson (Photos: AFP)
The 2017-18 season of the Premier League 2017-18 is about to come to a close and like an epic saga, the loose ends have been almost all been tied up in both the English top-flight and its virtual counterpart—Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Gameweek 37 brought with it joy for a plethora of FPL managers but despair for just as many as weeks of plotting went down the bin.
It may be too late to do a Stuart Broad, but with The Statesman’s weekly picks, you could still claim those coveted bragging rights.
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The indicators are:
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: Watford (H)
Price: 4.7
Score: 0
Ownership: 0.2%
Why yes: Jose Mourinho has confirmed David de Gea will be rested against Watford and Romero will start in his stead. United will be keen to end the season on a high and at home, are odds on to register a shutout.
Why no: Might be rusty after all this while on the sidelines and Watford can be unpredictable at times.
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 150
Ownership: 9.9%
Why yes: Pope’s been among the standout keepers this campaign and should be able to accumulate yet another clean sheet when an inconsistent Bournemouth come visiting.
Why no: There is a slight chance Sean Dyche might rotate his squad, with European football already in the bag.
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Leicester (H)
Price: 6.4
Score: 21
Ownership: 0.3%
Why yes: After Ben Davies got the nod in midweek, Rose should start against the Foxes and with second spot on the line, expect the Lilywhites to go all out. Claude Puel’s men don’t really have anything to play for now.
Why no: Rose is expensive and Leicester did smash Arsenal on Wednesday.
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Brighton (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 93
Ownership: 7.2%
Why yes: With Champions League football at stake, Jurgen Klopp’s men will go for the jugular from the off against the Seagulls. Considering Chris Hughton’s side are safe, this may just turn into a blowout. Robertson’s already got seven assists, he could have a few more come full-time on Sunday.
Why no: With Liverpool, there’s every chance of an upset and their defence has been a bit leaky of late.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Southampton (A)
Price: 8.3
Score: 169
Ownership: 12.3%
Why yes: Rested in midweek, Silva is almost certain to start for the Sky Blues at St Mary’s. Expect Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Citizens to put the Saints to the sword and their diminutive maestro is likely to be in the thick of the action.
Why no: Southampton are aware a massive goal-swing could relegate them and are likely to employ a brave rearguard action from minute one. And after all, City have already been crowned champions, so they might take their foot off the pedal.
Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: West Brom (H)
Price: 5.2
Score: 141
Ownership: 13.1%
Why yes: Palace’s resident set-piece expert has had quite the season and if you’re looking for a thrifty differential, he’s the man. Relegated West Brom don’t look like they’ll put up a fight, despite the fact that they have been sensational of late.
Why no: Palace are assured of safety, so Milivojevic and Co. may be tempted to take it easy.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Huddersfield (A)
Price: 10.3
Score: 136
Ownership: 7.4%
Why yes: Whether or not Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starts against Huddersfield, Lacazette definitely will. The French forward’s been in fine form and the Gunners will go all out to ensure Arsene Wenger’s last game in charge has
Why no: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Arsenal’s away record in 2018 is disastrous (zero points from their travels so far). Plus, Lacazette is extremely expensive.
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Newcastle (A)
Price: 8.3
Score: 75
Ownership: 3.0%
Why yes: Giroud looks set to start against the Magpies after getting benched in midweek and with Chelsea desperately hoping to place fourth, look to see the Blues throw everything they have at the hosts. If there’s anyone who can find a winner right now, it’s their French forward.
Why no: Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle have been one of the stories of the season and are likely to make life difficult for their fancied opponents.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is Sunday 1400 GMT/1830 IST.
Previous articles in this series:
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 37
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 36
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 35
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 34
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