I returned to form last Gameweek with all of my punts who started their fixtures returning points. With only two Gameweeks left I am hoping to carry that form onwards until the end of the season. Last week I selected Eliaquim Mangala as my defender. Manchester City romped to victory at QPR, sealing the R’s relegation, and kept a clean sheet in the process. My forward of choice was Robin Van Persie but the Dutchman didn’t play a single minute of United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The punt who stole the show was my midfielder of choice – Jack Grealish. The youngster continued his fine form, turning in another sterling performance and he finally picked up the points that he deserved. An assist, clean sheet and two bonus points meant a total of eight points for the ever improving midfielder. Here are Gameweek 37’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of 11th May.
Glen Johnson
Position: Defender
Club: Liverpool
Price: 5.2
Ownership: 0.7%
Last time I picked Johnson many of the Fantasy Football Scout community thought I was crazy. However, he scored Liverpool’s winner against Stoke and picked up a clean sheet making a total haul of 15 points. It is hard to expect those standards of returns second time around, however, I think he has a good chance of picking up points this weekend. Johnson was a threat against Chelsea last weekend, his quick, winding runs causing problems for Branislav Ivanovic. Undoubtedly it is this attacking potential that makes Johnson an appealing option. He isn’t, and has never been, that solidly defensively which is problematic for his side however not so important for Fantasy Football managers. The rest of Liverpool’s back line has been sturdy this season, especially towards the back end. They have managed nine clean sheets this calendar year, one of the best records in the league.
This Gameweek Brendan Rodger’s side face a Crystal Palace team that are suffering a slump in form. Alan Pardew’s arrival resulted in a charge up the table for the Eagles but they are now winless in four, failing to score in three of them. The flair has vanished from Palace’s attack and they look toothless in front of goal. That is why I see a clean sheet for Liverpool this week!
So, what is that attacking threat? The England International only has one goal and one assist to his name this season so some may argue that there isn’t much of an attacking threat posed. However, I disagree. Johnson is constantly a danger going forward but he just fails to convert his play into points. I think he has the potential to do that but you have to choose when carefully. Just like he did against Stoke, I think Johnson could well reap attacking rewards against Palace this weekend. The Palace wingers are very offensive and that means that Johnson may well find himself in one on one situations against Joel Ward, who he has the beating of. A clean sheet looks likely for Johnson this week and that combined with his attacking potential makes him a worthy punt for my penultimate article of the season.
Jordi Gomez
Position: Midfielder
Club: Sunderland
Price: 5.1
Ownership: 0.8%
The only double Gameweek player on my punts this week is Jordi Gomez, who has hit form just at the right time for managers. The Spaniard has two goals and an assist to his name in the past two Gameweeks and looks to be a focal part of Sunderland’s bid for survival. With only three matches left to secure Premier League safety Gomez will be vital for the Black Cats.
I have been waiting all season to pick the Spaniard. During the 2012/13 season when Gomez was at Wigan I captained him when he scored a hat-trick against Reading and that is how I earned my name of “thepuntmaster”. So it is with fond memories that I return to Gomez.
This Gameweek Sunderland welcome Leicester to the Stadium of Light before travelling to Arsenal. These are two hard fixtures against the league’s two form teams but Sunderland need to win them. In the previous two Gameweeks Gomez has averaged a near 95% pass completion rate in the final third and has touched the ball over 120 times. He is consistent and his creativity is pivotal for Sunderland. The fixtures are hard but there are two matches for Gomez, making it twice as likely for him to pick up points, and the Black Cats need to win their matches no matter how tough. One thought to leave you with – if Gomez’s last two matches scores were combined he would have a total of 20 points, is it possible he reaches those heights this Gameweek?
Enner Valencia
Position: Forwards
Club: West Ham
Price: 6.3
Ownership: 0.7%
It pains me to pick Valencia this week as he faces Everton but I can see him scoring well. The Ecuador international is goal-less since Gameweek 22 but in his past few matches he has had a hatful of chances. In fact in the past two Gameweeks Valencia’s team mates have created a goal scoring chance every 35 minutes for him but he has failed to tuck any away! That said the Hammers’ striker seems to be getting closer and closer. I think that this is the week that he breaks his duck! Sam Allardyce seems to have got his side’s creative juices flowing and they look geared up to finish the season strong; that could start this weekend!
This Gameweek Everton travel to West Ham. After finally hitting some sort of form this season the Toffees returned to the poor standards of play that have become expected of them this season against Aston Villa in Gameweek 35 and carried on this poor form in their 2-0 loss at home to Sunderland last weekend. The Toffees are dominating play but careless mistakes cost them dear. Valencia is a hard worker and is lightning fast from a standing start. Should there be any loose balls on defensive slips he will be on them on a flash. That combined with the ever increasing amount of chances he is getting makes him a solid option this Gameweek.
Last Gameweek’s Top Scoring Punts*
DEF – Jores Okore, AVL, 9 pts, 4.2, 0.3%
MID – Riyad Mahrez, LEI, 16 pts, 4.9, 0.4%
FWD- Danny Graham, SUN, 9 pts, 4.7, 0.1%
*These are not the players I selected but the top scoring players in the official FPL game with under 2.5% ownership.
