Gameweek 23 – Best Punts

Last Gameweek’s set of punts brought pleasing returns with one pick more than making up for the other two’s disappointments. Michael Keane managed a mere one point after conceding three goals against Crystal Palace and Lazar Markovic picked up three with a clean sheet added to his two points for minutes played. However Enner Valencia shone in West Ham’s demolition of Hull City. The Ecuadorian assisted twice and picked up maximum bonus points for a total score of eleven. At only 6.4, Valencia may be a very tempting option for those who have a January Wildcard left to play. Here are Gameweek 23’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of the January 28. As ever, I round up by looking at the previous Gameweek’s best punts by position.

Massadio Haidara

Club: Newcastle

Position: Defender

Price: 4.1

Ownership: 0.2%

One player who caught my eye last week was Massadio Haidara. The Frenchman started his first match since Gameweek 14 and was out to impress. His skilful runs past midfielders and drive to get into the box amazed many onlookers and at only 4.1 he looks an incredible bargain, should he hold down his starting role.

Haidara has created six goalscoring chances in just over 700 minutes this season and averages a cross into the box every 24 minutes. He also carries a goal threat, firing five shots off so far this term, but as a wing-back his appeal is more in assists. The 22 year old has attempted 25 dribbles this season, completing nine, which highlights his desire to kick-start attacks for the Magpies. Further evidence is provided in the fact that his average position in last Gameweek’s home clash with Southampton was in the opposition half!

This Gameweek Newcastle travel to Hull City in Saturday’s early kick off. Enner Valencia profited against Hull in last week’s selection and I think Haidara will too this week. Hull’s forwards have been notoriously goal shy this season. Nikica Jelavic leads the way with six goals, which isn’t a bad tally, but it is twice as much as strike partner Abel Hernandez. However, both these two first choice forwards are out injured and Steve Bruce will have to call upon the unreliable in Sone Aluko as a lone striker. The Tigers have failed to score in four of their last six fixtures and have only scored at home once in their last four.

Emanuele Giaccherini

Club: Sunderland

Position: Midfield

Price: 5.8

Ownership: 0.0%

This Gameweek Sunderland face Burnley at the Stadium of Light. Burnley haven’t kept a clean sheet on their travels since the 13th September and they will struggle to do so again this weekend. Sunderland have been on an improving trend lately and the added impetus of Jermaine Defoe will help fire them up the table. The past few Gameweeks have seen much better performances but not quite enough to get the points against tough teams such as Manchester City and Liverpool. The Black Cats will be determined to fix this against Burnley and Gus Poyet will have his team fired up. With Defoe now ready to tuck away chances I am backing the creator, Emanuele Giaccherini to do well this Gameweek.

The Italian has averaged a chance created every 39 minutes in his seven appearances so far this season as well as managing a successful pass in the final third every four minutes. 50% of Giaccherini’s attempts have been on target so far this season and he has had more than one goalscoring chance per 45 minutes. The stats are in his favour and with Defoe exploiting the channels in between the Burnley defenders, the Italian’s creativity in the hole will be what the veteran striker relies on. Defoe will want to get his Sunderland goalscoring career on the track this weekend against a lacklustre Burnley defence and that means that Giaccherini is likely to benefit!

Dwight Gayle

Club: Crystal Palace

Position: Forward

Price: 5.0

Ownership: 1.0%

After bagging three goals in his last two matches I thought that Dwight Gayle’s ownership would have risen much more than it has. He has been firing on all cylinders and earned his starting role in Alan Pardew’s new look, attacking Crystal Palace outfit. Gayle has averaged a goal every 124 minutes this season which is better than Charlie Austin, Saido Berahino, Wayne Rooney and Danny Ings, as well as averaging a high shot conversion rate! His five goals have come in only 18 attempts – the youngster is clinical – and now with the Eagles’ wingers Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha in fine form these chances will come thick and fast.

This Gameweek the ever-improving Crystal Palace face Everton at Selhurst Park. Selhurst will be rocking with the notorious Palace fans in full voice and the struggling Toffees will not be looking forward to their trip. Everton are in free fall at the moment and sit 12th in the table. A long way from the sixth of last season! Their defensive form of last year has disappeared and they have only kept one clean sheet since early November. The Everton defence is as leaky as it gets and Palace are averaging over two goals a game since Pardew has taken over; the script writes itself!

Last Gameweek’s Best Punts:

Nacho Monreal – DEF, 4.8, 0.9%, 10 pts

Eljero Elia – MID, 5.5, 2.1%, 15 pts

Dwight Gayle – FWD, 5.0, 1%, 16 pts