Gameweek 20 – Best Punts

Last Gameweek I returned to form after a miserable Boxing Day. Two out of three of my punts delivered in Sunday’s set of fixtures. My defender Ciaran Clark helped his Villa side to a shut out despite being forced off in 60th minute. Villa’s improving defensive form is certainly catching my eye as I look to offload some deadwood at the back. Clark has a 75% chance of playing on New Year’s Day and I will be monitoring his situation closely towards the start of the next Gameweek. My midfield punt Marko Arnautovic turned in another impressive display for a Stoke side that strung together back to back wins for the first time this season. He picked up an assist, which was unlucky not to be a goal as it deflected of Mame Biram Diouf, and brought in a haul of six points with a clean sheet added. My forward Samuel Eto’o did get his starting role in Everton’s loss to Newcastle, however, I did not see Arouna Koné starting and stealing the limelight, netting in his return to fitness. In a new addition to the series please note that at the end of each article I will list the best possible punts (ownership of less than 2.5%) from the previous week.

Here are Gameweek 20’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of the 29th December. Thanks again for all the support so far this year and I hope you all have a very happy New Year!

Kieran Trippier

Club: Burnley

Position: Defender

Price: 4.8

Ownership: 1.6%

An old punt choice, Kieran Trippier delivered a 12 point haul last time I selected him and I hope for similar returns this Gameweek. The Burnley full back has been key for his side so far this season. He is a great attacking influence from defence and creates countless opportunities for his side. He averages a touch every 1.1 minutes; only Baines has a higher average of all full backs. Trippier has put in an incredible 135 crosses this season, the most of all defenders and 42 more than Baines. These crosses have produced 25 goal scoring chances for his side. Now with two in form strikers in Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes these chances might get tucked away more often and bring more assist points for Trippier.

This Gameweek Burnley travel to Newcastle who, at the time of writing, look as if they will be managerless come Thursday with Alan Pardew on his way to Crystal Palace. Should that move go through then the vocal Magpies’ fans may have to eat a slice of humble pie as the team could become tactically confused.  Obviously, Trippier’s appeal is attacking but there is a chance that clean sheet points could be thrown into the fray against a wavering Newcastle.

Adam Lallana

Club: Liverpool

Position: Midfield

Price: 8.3

Ownership: 0.7%

The main man of the last Gameweek, Adam Lallana is finally finding his feet at Liverpool and hitting the kind of form that he managed at Southampton last season. That form brought about nine goals and nine assists, stats which the Englishman is trying to reach this season after missing the opening fixtures. He was impressive against Swansea on Monday night, bagging a brace and proving a real livewire for Brendan Rodgers’ men. He was withdrawn in the 76th minute so despite Liverpool having a day less gap between fixtures I am confident that he will keep his starting berth. This week Leicester City travel to Anfield. The Foxes won their first game since Gameweek 5 against Hull last time out but their performance was far from convincing as the Tigers squandered countless chances. That win was their first clean sheet in seven matches. The Leicester defence is far from solid and Adam Lallana should pick holes in it easily.

Lallana is fantastic on the ball. He carries it up the pitch effortlessly. Of his 29 dribbles he has completed 15, which is a solid ratio. These dynamic dribbles make him a catalyst for his side. 14 out of Lallana’s 19 shots have come inside the box. This shows that he is getting in all the right positions and not needlessly squandering chances from distance. He also has a say on free kicks and corners to boost his potential further. Not only is he a deadly finisher but Lallana can also pop up with assists. He has created 16 goal scoring chances this season and picked up a couple of assists in the process. A favourable fixture, possible goals, assists and an incredibly low ownership makes Lallana a great option this Gameweek.

Arouna Koné

Club: Everton

Position: Forward

Price: 5.4

Ownership: 0.1%

Samuel Eto’o let me down last week but a different Everton striker excited me. Arouna Koné is fit and firing again. The £6 million man frustrated Everton fans last season as a long term injury meant that he missed the whole season. The Ivorian added a much needed directness into what has been a predictable Toffees’ squad this season. In just one match he touched the ball 35 times and attempted three dribbles. His pass completion percentage against Newcastle was well over 90% and he also created two goal scoring chances for his team. Romelu Lukaku looked tired and a little fed up as a  lone striker for Everton and Koné’s impetus has been a breath of fresh air. He scored eleven goals with five assists in the 2012/13 season with Wigan and now back and hungry for goals could once again be a fantastic cut budget option!

This week Everton travel to Hull. They need to improve; there is no two ways about it. Steve Bruce’s side are also suffering a poor run in form, hovering one place above the relegation zone on goal difference. The Tigers have suffered an awful 2014 and need to start a fresh in the new calendar year but on previous form that could be hard. Hull have only kept three clean sheets this season, one of the worst defensive records in the league.  I reckon we will see a new Everton side towards the back end of this season. A more direct, less predictable one and with the introduction of Arouna Koné to the side that could start this Gameweek.

Last Gameweek’s Best Punts

DEF – Erik Pieters 11 points, 4.6, 1.1%

MID – Adam Lallana, 15 points, 8.3, 0.7%

FWD – Mame Biram Diouf 13 points, 6.1, 0.4%