Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 35

Manchester City were mathematically assured of the Premier League title last week but there remains plenty to play for in the English top-flight and its virtual counterpart—Fantasy Premier League (FPL)—as well.

Just four Gameweeks are left in the 2017-18 FPL season and the stakes are now at an all-time high for after many plot twists, the endgame is upon us.

With so much on the line, it can get nerve-racking trying to figure out who to pick and who to drop as the options available before you are nearly-endless.

The Statesman, however, has your back to ease those selection dilemmas with a extensive article ahead of every Gameweek.

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.

Goalkeepers

Ederson

Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Swansea (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (H)-Brighton (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 5.6
Score: 143
Ownership: 8.0%

Why yes: Don’t expect the newly-crowned champions to take the foot off the GAS, especially as they are out of the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Ederson has been a standout keeper this season and is odds-on to improve his clean sheets tally by the time the season come to a close. City have a ‘routine’ double-fixture Gameweek ahead too.

Why no: Is expensive and with City’s terrific midfield/attack options, it will be difficult to somehow to include the Brazilian too. Relegation-threatened Swansea won’t give up without a fight.

Defenders

Leighton Baines

Team: Everton
Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Huddersfield (A), Southampton (A) and West Ham (A)
Price: 5.6
Score: 59
Ownership: 3.9%

Why yes: Against an in-form Newcastle at home, Sam Allardyce’s men might not be able to register a shutout, but one can expect Baines to wreak some havoc with his left foot. Pretty ‘easy’ fixtures from hereon out.

Why no: Rafa Benitez’s men are in serious form and anything can happen when they visit Goodison Park. Everton are looking a little out of sorts at the moment.

Dejan Lovren

Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: West Brom (A), Stoke (H), Chelsea (A) and Brighton (H)
Price: 5.3
Score: 94
Ownership: 1.3%

Why yes: With the arrival of Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s defence has been given a fillip and Lovren now looks a far more assured defender. A cheaper alternative to the Dutchman.

Why no: After last week’s miraculous upset at Manchester United, the Baggies will be fired up and can’t be taken lightly. The Reds don’t have any double-fixture Gameweeks ahead.

Midfielders

Sadio Mane

Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: West Brom (A), Stoke (H), Chelsea (A) and Brighton (H)
Price: 9.5
Score: 139
Ownership: 10.5%

Why yes: The Senegalese is in top form again and the fact that he’s not been completing 90 minutes of late suggests that Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to rest him against West Brom. Arguably the only real differential from the Reds’ attack triumvirate.

Why no: Quite pricey and there is a chance that Klopp will ring in the changes with a UEFA Champions League quarter-final with Roma on the horizon. If you already have Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, picking the Senegalese would mean you’re putting all your eggs in one basket. No double-fixture Gameweeks for the Merseysiders now.

Wilfried Zaha

Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: Watford (A), Leicester (H), Stoke (A) and West Brom (H)
Price: 6.9
Score: 105
Ownership: 5.8%

Why yes: Luka Milivojevic may be hogging the limelight, but Wilfried Zaha’s been on fire of late. The Ivorian winger’s been in sensational form of late and warrants a consideration, especially with the Eagles having decent games ahead.

Why no: Milivojevic (£5.2 m) will appeal to many FPL managers, for the central midfielder is more reasonably priced and has been assigned set-piece duties as well.

Forwards

Gabriel Jesus

Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Swansea (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (H)-Brighton (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 10.0
Score: 101
Ownership: 8.1%

Why yes: With Sergio Aguero injured and City having a double fixture Gameweek (37) soon, this is a no-brainer. The young Brazilian’s actually been in decent nick of late too.

Why no: It’s a problem of plenty with City players at the moment as you can’t choose three, forget one or two. Price may prove to be a killer as the likes of David Silva (£8.2 m), Raheem Sterling (£8.7 m) and Leroy Sane (£8.5 m) are all considerably cheaper and in great shape as well.

Troy Deeney

Team: Watford
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Spurs (A), Newcastle (H) and Man United (A)
Price: 6.3
Score: 69
Ownership: 1.0%

Why yes: This Gameweek’s wildcard pick is the Hornets skipper. Deeney should be able to cause some damage against a suspect Palace defence and overall, make a nuisance of himself.

Why no: Watford are on a dreadful run, while Palace seem to be hitting top gear at the right time. On the whole, Watford have pretty tough fixtures lined up.

PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 AM GMT/5 PM IST.

Previous articles in the series:

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 35

The final few Gamweeeks of the 2017-18 season are upon us, make sure you go out with a bang!