Gameweek 35 Best Punts

Last Gameweek was the first time this season I owned all three of my punts and it seriously backfired! Even a double Gameweek for two of my players failed to salvage any decent points — but that is the nature of punts! In my last article I chose Jeffrey Schlupp in defence but the Ghanaian picked up a knock in the run up to Leciester’s clash with Burnley and that injury also ruled him out of Wednesday night’s fixture with Chelsea. That said, the Foxes did keep a clean sheet against Burnley so, had he played, he would have offered up some points. My other pick with a double Gameweek was Abel Hernández. However, just like Schlupp, Hernández failed to play a single minute. That really disappointed me as I felt that Hull would start playing out of their skin (as they have) but I was sure that Hernández would be in on the action. Finally, my midfielder only played one match and also blanked. I chose Wilfried Zaha for Palace’s clash with Hull but the Eagles failed to turn up on the day and Zaha failed to benefit from Hull’s defensive frailties. Here are Gameweek 35’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of 29 April.

Paddy McNair

Position: Defender

Club: Manchester United

Price: 4.4

Ownership: 0.2%

One player who has really impressed me over the past couple Gameweeks is Paddy McNair. The young Manchester United defender looks to be a perfect for fit that ball-playing centre-back role that the Red Devils have been looking for. He has outstanding confidence for a 20-year-old and that is shown in his long runs forward and thunderous shots. All of his shots have come outside the box this season which highlights the fact that he is not afraid to try the extraordinary. This courage when it comes to attacking is great for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points but it may worry spectators about his defensive capabilities. However, the Northern Ireland international has made 69 clearances and 45 recoveries this season so is more than capable of fulfilling his defensive duties.

This Gameweek United welcome West Brom to the Theatre of Dreams. United have it all to play for with second place still in reach so there is no chance that the Baggies will have an easy ride. West Brom have failed to score in three of their last six away fixtures and haven’t notched away from the Hawthons at all against the league’s top five sides this season. After keeping three clean sheets in a row from late February to early March, United’s defensive form has been poor in the past few matches. However, with 10 clean sheets this season that defensive solidity is there and I think it will re-emerge this weekend. Paddy McNair is a player who is rapidly gaining confidence but will he be rapidly gaining owners too?

Jordan Ibe

Position: Midfielder

Club: Liverpool

Price: 4.3

Ownership: 0.5%

Jordan Ibe was nearly my punt for the double Gameweek as the winger looks to be cementing a starting role in Liverpool’s side. Ibe has impressed in his last three consecutive league starts but has little to show for it in terms of points. His pace and flair is undeniable and I think that will trouble QPR this week. The R’s haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road all season and their backline is full of mistakes. Ibe’s never-say-die attitude, lightning-quick feet and desire to impress will wreak havoc on Saturday. The Liverpool winger will be up against 36-year-old Clint Hill at full back this Gameweek. Hill is, in my opinion, a little bit past his sell by date and I cannot see him keeping up with young Ibe! According to form, QPR will concede at least one goal this weekend and with Ibe up against Hill I can see him being involved in any that hit the back of the net!

Another reason why I have gone for Ibe this week is the shift of tactics that Liverpool could employ. With Daniel Sturridge injured and Mario Balotelli a doubt Brendan Rodgers could use Phillipe Coutinho as a false nine and encourage wingers Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe forward. This would allow Ibe to get in behind the defence, which shouldn’t be a problem up against Hill, and exploit the gaps. This match looks set up for the youngster and he is an enticing option this Gameweek!

Nélson Oliveira

Position: Forward

Club: Swansea City

Price: 5.5

Ownership: 0.0%

With Wilfried Bony now at Manchester City and Bafétimbi Gomis injured, Nélson Olivieira can now step up to the plate. The Portuguese forward is on loan at Swansea from Benfica but, until last week, had failed to make an impact. He bagged a goal and an assist away at Newcastle last weekend and looks a good option as the Swans face Stoke at the Liberty this weekend. The Potters haven’t kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 29 and haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road since January. There is no denying that Stoke are a hard team to play against but their defence is more than penetrable. Olivieira is in good form and is desperate to make up for lost time, making him a dangerous option this Gameweek.

Another reason why Oliveira appeals to me this week is because of improving performances from wingers Jefferson Montero and Nathan Dyer, especially the former. Montero was on fire at the start of the season but went through a quiet patch at the turn of the year. Now he, and Dyer, looked pumped up and are creating chance after chance for their big striker. In fact, Oliveira averages a goalscoring chance every 40 minutes and in the form that he is in I fancy him tucking away any chances he does get this weekend. Better performances from wingers mean more chances which in turn means more goals – surely Oliveira is a no-brainer this weekend?

Last Gameweek’s Top Scoring Punts*

DEF – Michael Dawson, HUL, 4.6, 21 pts, 1.4%

MID – Fernandinho, MCI, 6.8, 12 pts, 0.8%.

FWD – Dame N’Doye, HUL, 5.5, 15 pts, 0.4%

*These are not my chosen punts but the highest scoring players in the FPL with under 2.5% ownership.