My luck ran out last Gameweek. After a superb run of form all three of my punts failed to produce points. However, with a double Gameweek on our hands I hope to put Gameweek 33’s choices behind me. Last week my entrusted defender was Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann. The centre-back has been in fine fettle since the turn of the year but the Eagles suffered a shock defeat at home against West Brom, which ended their good run. My midfielder was Marko Arnautovic and although his Stoke side came back from 1-0 to beat high-flying Southampton he didn’t pick up any goals or assists. That said, he played a focal role in the Potters’ moves and is definitely one to watch towards the back end of the season. Finally, my striker was Ayoze Perez and I had high hopes for him against a Tottenham side who are very leaky at the back. However, Newcastle were swept aside and Perez was a bystander during the fixture. Here are Gameweek 34’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of 22 April.
Jeffrey Schlupp
Position: Defender
Club: Leicester City
Price: 4.5
Ownership: 1.7%
I would be shocked that Jeffrey Schlupp’s ownership were this low even if he didn’t have a double Gameweek. The Ghanaian plays as a wing-back for the Foxes and is classed as a defender in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. With the Foxes’ rapidly improving defence and attack Schlupp looks a fantastic option this Gameweek. Leicester have two clean sheets in their last three home games which highlights the vital resilience that the side are showing in their fight for survival. They have also scored ten goals in their last four games; making them one of, if not the, form team in the Premier League! With Schlupp playing as a winger, classed as a defender he can benefit from both of these!
This Gameweek Leicester have the good and the ugly in terms of fixtures. First they travel to fellow strugglers Burnley. Unlike Leicester, Sean Dyche’s side has failed to find form in the dying embers of the season and look sure to be relegated. With Leicester’s tails up I can see them sweeping Burnley aside and clinching a win that would be a huge step in the direction of safety. The ugly is their home clash with Chelsea. By that stage Chelsea could be in position to win the league if they beat Arsenal. A little cockiness may creep in and even with Mourinho’s ability to grind out a result, Leicester’s passion and determination may prove a banana skin for Chelsea. Schlupp is a quick and physical customer, capable of flicks and tricks that can confuse even the top defenders. I will certainly have him in my side this week, but will you?
Wilfried Zaha
Position: Midfielder
Club: Crystal Palace
Price: 5.1
Ownership: 1.1%
For my midfield punt I take a step back from the double Gameweek and focus on a player with just one fixture. Interestingly, during most double Gameweeks it is not a player with two fixtures who comes out as top point scorer, but often one who only plays once. This Gameweek I think that will be Wilfried Zaha. Whilst Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon have earned the plaudits, Zaha has flown under many owners’ radars. The Englishman has a mere 1.1% ownership whilst Bolasie and Puncheon have 7.5% and 5.2% respectively. What Zaha offers over these two is fantastic acceleration. Bolasie is quick, but Zaha is quicker. The end-to-end action that Palace play suits Zaha and he looks like a lethal weapon at Andrew Pardew’s disposal. Zaha has completed 68 successful take-ons — only Bolasie has more in the Palace side, in fewer appearances than the other winger. This deadly turn of pace combined with tidy finishing has earned him three goals and three assists this season.
This Gameweek, Palace face a Hull side who are languishing just above the bottom three. The reason that I have picked Wilfried Zaha above any double Gameweek midfielders is that the Tigers’ tactics play into his hands. Steve Bruce encourages his full backs to push forward, which left-back Andrew Robertson is particularly good at. Zaha plays on the right so will be up against the Scottish defender. Should any gaps appear Zaha will use his blistering pace to exploit them. Hull have only kept one clean sheet away from home this calendar year and Zaha will profit from their frailties this week!
Abel Hernandez
Position: Forward
Club: Hull City
Price: 6.6
Ownership: 0.1%
I just have that feeling this Gameweek that Abel Hernandez is the man. I am 99% sure that he will be in my Wildcard team and I am going to try and convince you that he should be in yours. To be honest there are few statistics and little form that I can use to sell the Uruguayan to you but you just going to have to go with me on it! He seems to be the man for the big occasion with goals against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea this season. He spends the crunch, bottom-of-the-table clashes looking ineffective and lacking the ability to influence the game but when it comes to the big boys he never fails to turn up. Hull’s second fixture this Gameweek is against Liverpool and that is another big game for Hernandez to shine in! The Tigers’ first fixture however is against Crystal Palace. As I wrote in Wilfried Zaha’s section, I don’t expect Hull to cruise to victory with a clean sheet. That said, I think that Steve Bruce’s side have the potential to score against a Palace defence who have only kept one clean sheet since Alan Pardew’s arrival.
Many of you reading this may be thinking, why not Dame N’Doye? Indeed since his arrival at Hull the striker has three goals to his name, Hernández only has one more all season, but I think the Uruguayan profits more from N’Doye than visa versa. N’Doye is much more physical and has a fantastic leap on him, as well as the ability to hold the ball up. This plays into Hernández’s hands as he can look for knock downs or loose balls. Hernández is also much quicker than N’Doye so on counter attacks against teams, especially Liverpool this week, he is more likely to profit. Having thought about that and written this, that 99% is now 100% — Hernández is in my team!
Last Gameweek’s Best Punts
DEF – Wes Morgan, LEI, 11 points, 4.5, 0.9%.
MID – four players with 11 points.
FWD – Mame Biram Diouf, STK, 8 points, 6.1, 0.6%.
8 years, 11 months ago
Another Schlupp fan I see, Mark will be pleased to see this. I think of these Hernandez could be a surprise star. Good luck with this trio.