Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 33

Wilfried Zaha (L), Harry Kane (C) and Eden Hazard (R) (Photos: Facebook)


The English Premier League is winding down and with plenty at stake, the matches are even more hotly contested than ever!

That could be bad news for millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who would prefer to see straight results any day.

Worry not, as each week, thestatesman.com 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

Wayne Hennessey
Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Liverpool (A)-Spurs (H), Burnley (H), Man City (A) and Hull (H)
Price: 4.3 (-)
Score: 76
Ownership: 2.7%

Why yes: Leicester are sure to prioritise their Champions League tie against Atletico next week. They are likely to field a depleted tie against Palace with their Premier League survival virtually assured. Hennessey has been in fine form in recent weeks and has a double fixture in Gameweek 34.

Why no: The Foxes managed to score even if they lose and Palace have some tough fixtures up ahead.

Defenders

Mason Holgate
Team: Everton
Fixtures: Burnley (H), West Ham (A), Chelsea (H), Swansea (A) and Watford (H)
Price: 4.1 (+)
Score: 39
Ownership: 6.6%

Why yes: Starting for the Toffees after Seamus Coleman’s unfortunate injury, Holgate is a must-have, especially if you consider his price. Against Burnley at home, Everton should be able to keep a clean sheet.

Why no: Should you have Joel Robles in goal or Leighton Baines in defence, Holgate can be skipped. Everton haven't kept a clean sheet in their last three games.

Jan Vertonghen
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), Arsenal (H), West Ham (A) and Man Utd  (H)-Leicester (A)
Price: 5.7 (+)
Score: 96
Ownership: 5.7%

Why yes: Spurs are the in-form team in the league right now and should have no problems keeping a clean sheet against the Cherries at home. 

Why no: He is a mid-price Spurs defender and perhaps why not many people have him. The more expensive guys (Toby Aldrerweireldn and Kyle Walker) make more points and the cheaper ones (Ben Davies) look better value.

Midfielders
Wilfried Zaha
Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Liverpool (A)-Spurs (H), Burnley (H), Man City (A) and Hull (H)
Price: 5.9 (+)
Score: 131
Ownership: 11.6%

Why yes: Zaha is in top form and Palace as unit are doing extremely well too. So despite some tough fixtures ahead, Zaha should perform.

Why no: The fixtures are quite tough, there is no escaping that. And if you have Christian Benteke up top, Zaha can be skipped.

Eden Hazard
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Man Utd (A), Southampton (H), Everton (A), Middlesbrough (H) and West Brom (A)-Watford (H)
Price: 10.4 (+)
Score: 191
Ownership: 30.3%

Why yes: The Belgian winger is in fine fettle at present and against Manchester United, who will be tired after a Europa League clash against Anderlecht, could just run riot. Fixtures after United look quite easy and Chelsea have a double fixture in Gameweek 37.

Why no: Is mightily expensive and should you already have Costa, Hazard could be avoided.

Forwards

Harry Kane
Team: Tottenham Hotspur

Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), Arsenal (H), West Ham (A) and Man Utd (H)-Leicester (A)
Price: 11.3 (+)
Score: 153
Ownership: 10.6%

Why yes: Fully fit again and with Spurs not giving up on the title just yet, Kane currently has a pretty good differential potential as well. Maurico Pochettino’s men have a double fixture in Gameweek 37.

Why no: Spurs have plenty of options in midfield (Dele Alli, Heung Min-son) who are much cheaper. Also, it may take a game or two for Kane to start firing on all cylinders. 

Troy Deeney
Team: Watford
Fixtures: Swansea (H), Hull (A), Liverpool (H), Leicester (A) and Everton (A)-Chelsea (A)
Price: 6.9 (-)
Score: 120
Ownership: 7.1%

Why yes: Deeney has been in good form of late and, against struggling Swansea, should score. Watford have a double fixture in Gameweek 37.

Why no: At his price-point, players like Jermain Defoe, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke make for compelling buys as well. Most of the Hornets' upcoming fixtures look difficult.

PS: The Gameweek  deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.