The Premier League may have just the one representative in the Champions League quarterfinals, but it never ceases to entertain every week. And, the entertainment factor gives most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers a dilemma as it is difficult to gauge who is red-hot and who is ice-cold.
Worry not, for The Statesman will help to make the right moves on the FPL with a comprehensive article on who to buy for the coming gameweek.
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked with a (+) indicate an increase in Base Price.
Prices marked with a (-) indicate a decrease in Base Price.
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: West Brom (A), Man City (H), West Ham (H), Crystal Palace (A) and Middlesbrough (A)
Price: 5.4 (-)
Score: 89
Ownership: 13.3%
Why yes: Barring the City game, Arsenal have some easy fixtures ahead. Out of Europe, expect the Gunners to focus on finishing strong in the Premier League and Cech should be able to add to his 8 clean sheets.
Why no: For a side challenging to the Champions League spots, a tally of just 8 clean sheets suggests a problem with their defence. Cech may get a clean sheet or two in the next few games but it is difficult to justify his high price.
Defenders
Phil Jones
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Middlesbrough (A), West Brom (H), Everton (H), Sunderland (A) and Chelsea (H)
Price: 4.7 (-)
Score: 41
Ownership: 1.3%
Why yes: Back in the starting XI after a bit of an injury nightmare, Jones is the cheapest option from the Red Devils defence. A confirmed starter after convincing Jose Mourinho, Jones has massive differential, and with some decent fixtures up ahead, should pick up a few clean sheets. Also, he didn't start in the Europa League so should start at Middlesbrough, especially if you consider Daley Blind got injured on Thursday.
Why no: Whether he plays in a back three or four, the bottom line is that Jones will not get forward too much. Wing backs Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian have those responsibilities and are worth looking at.
Ben Davies
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Burnley (A), Swansea (A), Watford (H) and Bournemouth (H)
Price: 32
Score: 4.7 (-)
Ownership: 0.7 %
Why yes: In the side after Danny Rose suffered a knee injury, Davies has been playing quite well (2 clean sheets and an assist in his last 4 games). Spurs have some excellent fixtures ahead and at his price point, there is no better alternative.
Why no: He isn't as adventurous as fellow full back Kyle Walker and is only in the side until Danny Rose remains injured (Expected to come back in April).
Midfielders
Pedro
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Stoke (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man City (H), Bournemouth (A) and Man Utd (A)
Price: 7.1 (-)
Score: 122
Ownership: 9.2%
Why yes: While Eden Hazard and Diego Costa may be many FPL managers’ first choices from Chelsea, Pedro can give the big guns a run for their money. At a very competitive price and a virtual starter ahead of Willian, the Spaniard has impressive differential potential, especially considering the teams he faces don’t exactly run the tightest of ships.
Why no: If you already have the aforementioned duo, then it would be risky to pick Pedro as well. He does get rotated every once in a while with Willian, so don't expect him to play 90 minutes week in, week out.
Riyad Mahrez
Team: Leicester City
Fixtures: West Ham (A), Stoke (H), Sunderland (H), Everton (A) and Crystal Palace (A)
Price: 8.9 (-)
Score: 83
Ownership: 8.0%
Why yes: Back in form as the rest of the Foxes, Leicester are too good to go down so expect them to make their Premier League status safe in the next couple of weeks.
Why no: Their European run continues and expect them to focus on the quarterfinals more than the English Premier League. He may even be rested during that gameweek, so Mahrez is a slightly risky choice no doubt.
Forwards
Sergio Aguero
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Liverpool (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (A), Hull (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 12.7 (-)
Score: 103
Ownership: 21.5%
Why yes: How better to silence your critics than with a barnstorming display? City have a score to settle with Liverpool and one can bet on Aguero to go goal-crazy against a side that have a deplorable defence.
Why no: From any angle, the next three fixtures do not make for easy reading. Is monstrously expensive and perhaps, is not as cost-effective as he used to be in seasons prior anymore.
Marcus Rashford
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Middlesbrough (A), West Brom (H), Everton (H), Sunderland (A) and Chelsea (H)
Price: 6.4 (-)
Score: 46
Ownership: 4.1%
Why yes: Guaranteed to start as centre forward for the next two games at least, Rashford is set to score a few and break his Premier League drought against teams United should beat without fuss. Middlesbrough in particular should be relatively easy, considering they are in crisis mode after sacking their manager. He belongs to a team that are guaranteed to finish in the top six and at this price, is a virtual must-have.
Why no: Short-term option at best, for once Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns it will be bench time for Rashford. Even if he isn't benched, he is likely to be shunted out wide so don’t expect handsome returns.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/5 pm IST, so make sure all transfers are completed before that!