After a break of two weeks, the Premier League is sent to get fans on the edge of their seats once again as the weekend nears, but it means more work for the denizens of its virtual counterpart—the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
For a lot has happened in the past few weeks as star players have had a falling-out with their respective managers while the European fixtures have seen some players return to form while others have gone and got themselves injured.
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With so much happening, it can get overwhelming as you try to stay abreast, but The Statesman has your back with a incisive article ahead of Gameweek 28 to ensure your hard-earned money reaps the kind of reward you’re looking for:
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
Kasper Schmeichel
Team: Leicester City
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Bournemouth (H), West Brom (A), N/A, and Brighton (A)
Price: 5.0
Score: 101
Ownership: 5.0%
Why yes: Despite recent losses, the Foxes remain one of the Premier League’s most improved sides this season and against a Stoke side that has struggled to score of late, should be able to register a shutout. Schmeichel doesn’t get the credit he deserves and is a safe option, especially with the kind of opponents that they have ahead.
Why no: Leicester do not have a fixture Gameweek 31 and Schmeichel isn’t the cheapest option in the goalkeepers department for sure.
Defenders
Toby Alderweireld
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Huddersfield (H), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (H) and Chelsea (A)
Price: 5.8
Score: 38
Ownership: 4.6%
Why yes: After a lengthy lay-off due to a hamstring injury, Alderweireld is fit again and Spurs are set to be benefit from the Belgian. Arguably the best defender in the Premier League, the 28-year-old is a safe bet as the Lilywhites have some decent fixtures ahead. Spurs are among the few sides that have not had their fixtures rescheduled.
Why no: Perhaps unsurprisingly, is on the expensive side. The likes of Ben Davies (£5.6 m) and Kieran Trippier (£5.2 m) are more cost-effective options that are more likely to register assists/goals.
Matthew Lowton
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Everton (H), West Ham (A), N/A and West Brom (A)
Price: 4.3
Score: 59
Ownership: 2.4%
Why yes: Can Burnley stop their slump? Nothing is certain, but against a struggling Southampton side at home, Sean Dyche’s men have the perfect opportunity to get their campaign back on track. Lowton, like the rest of his teammates, stared in the early part of the season and with favourable ties ahead, is thrifty pick at the back.
Why no: There’s no telling whether the Clarets can truly turn things around and with relegation not really a concern, the players might lose motivation as the season nears its conclusion. Without the injured James Tarkowski, their defence isn’t as tight.
Midfielders
Sadio Mane
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: West Ham (H), Newcastle (H), Man United (A), Watford (H) and Crystal Palace (A)
Price: 9.3
Score: 91
Ownership: 7.4%
Why yes: Mane returned to form with a stunning hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League and expect the Senegalese to. Compared to Mohamed Salah (£10.4 m), Mane’s a considerably cheaper option with massive differential potential. David Moyes’ West Ham have been inconsistent of late, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been anything but. Barring the Man United game, the Reds have pretty straightforward ties ahead and look favourites to clinch second spot.
Why no: Salah is still a safer bet than the Senegalese and should you already have the Egyptian and/or Roberto Firmino (£9.2 m) up top, it’s best to steer clear of Mane.
Jordon Ibe
Team: Bournemouth
Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Leicester (A), Spurs (H), West Brom (H) and Watford (A)
Price: 4.9
Score: 67
Ownership: 2.1%
Why yes: The first wildcard pick of the gameweek, Ibe has been quietly impressive of late. The former Liverpool winger looks well-settled at Bournemouth and Eddie Howe’s getting the best out of him. The Cherries, in decent shape at the moment despite a recent loss, have largely routine fixtures lined up. A bargain fourth/fifth-choice midfielder at the very least. Bournemouth play in Gameweek 31.
Why no: With Callum Wilson (£6.0 m) banging in the goals up top, a majority of FPL managers will flock towards the forward and will be sceptical about picking Ibe as well.
Forwards
Sam Vokes
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Everton (H), West Ham (A), N/A and West Brom (A)
Price: 5.7
Score: 48
Ownership: 1.9%
Why yes: The second wildcard pick of the gameweek, Sam Vokes stands a good chance of finding the back of the net against a struggling Southampton side at Turf Moor. Upcoming games are relatively routine.
Why no: Burnley’s recent travails are well-documented as it is and the Clarets do not have a fixture in Gameweek 31.
Troy Deeney
Team: Watford
Fixtures: Everton (H), West Brom (H), Arsenal (A), Liverpool (A) and Bournemouth (H)
Price: 6.3
Score: 43
Ownership: 0.4%
Why yes: Against all odds, Deeney has been starting most matches for the Hornets and considering he’s their penalty-taker, is odds-on to find the back of the net against Everton.
Why no: Watford’s next fixtures are far from routine and one might be better served by going for Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.4 m) in midfield.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/5 pm IST.