Opinion

The Digest – Gameweek 27

The Digest brings our focus on Gameweek 27 to a conclusion now, as we check out the key player, team and talking point for Fantasy managers.

Sergio Aguero shakes up the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rankings, serving up a season-high 21 points at home to Leicester City.

Yet at a time when the Argentine looks back to his most clinical, will Man City’s schedule, allied with the armband options offered by Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah, force owners into a re-think?

Meanwhile, a win over Crystal Palace brings Everton’s attack onto our radars as we look to navigate the Gameweek 31 schedule and beyond.

The Player

In the six league matches since Gabriel Jesus was sidelined through injury, Sergio Aguero has reminded us just why he remains Fantasy royalty.

With his job-share with the Brazilian temporarily ditched since the turn of the year, Aguero has played from start to finish in all six of Man City’s recent league matches – by comparison, he was afforded 90 minutes in just seven of the opening 21 Gameweeks prior to Jesus’ injury.

Saturday’s four goals at home to Leicester impacted across many a mini-league and richly rewarded the 13.6% of managers who entrusted the Argentine with their Gameweek 27 armband.

Aguero’s 21 points against the Foxes set a season-high mark in FPL, bettering his previous personal best of 20 points for the current campaign back in Gameweek 5.

Now up to 7.4 points per match – second only to Mohamed Salah’s 8.3 and well ahead of Harry Kane’s 6.4 up front – the belated Aguero bandwagon has picked up pace, with over 90,000 new owners since Saturday’s deadline passed.

Delivering nine goals over those six matches, his form could barely be more convincing.

Yet the imminent returnof Jesus, allied with the knockout stages of the Champions League getting underway last night, suggests that Aguero’s pitch-time will be in question very soon as City’s relentless schedule only gets busier.

Those who traded in Kane for the Argentine may now be looking to reverse that transfer, particularly if City draw with Wigan in the FA Cup next Monday to force a Gameweek 28 blank.

Yet last night’s 4-0 hammering of FC Basel offers reason for optimism. The Argentine now seems far more likely to rested for the second leg, with Guardiola perhaps more inclined to allow Jesus to garner minutes against the Swiss and keep Aguero fresh for domestic action.

The Team

As one of only four teams currently guaranteed a Gameweek 31 fixture (away to Stoke City), Everton’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace was welcomed by Fantasy managers.

Back on the teamsheet after being benched for the 5-1 reverse at Arsenal, Gylfi Sigurdsson picked the perfect time to deliver his first double-digit haul of the season.

The Icelandic international now has a goal and two assists in his last two appearances, while elsewhere in midfield, Theo Walcott has hit the ground running under Sam Allardyce, with two goals and an assist in four appearances since arriving from Arsenal.

While another of their winter signings, Cenk Tosun, continues to struggle to adjust to life in the English top-flight, Oumar Niasse strengthened his claim as a budget frontman by mirroring Sigurdsson’s 12-point tally.

With two goals and an assist since Walcott signed, the Senegal striker – still at a lowly cost of 4.8 – is second only to Aguero for Gameweek 28 acquisitions among forwards and seems an ideal enabler for those looking to either invest big in midfield or find a way of bringing in the Man City striker.

While their recent lack of resilience will persuade many to steer clear of investing in defence, the weekend return to winning ways bodes well ahead of a favourable season run-in.

Encouragingly for Allardyce and Fantasy managers alike, Everton have registered nine big chances in the last four Gameweeks – only four sides can better that record.

The Talking Point

Considering that he’s just bagged 21 points against Leicester, it maybe goes against the grain of commonsense to suggest that Aguero’s captaincy potential could now be in decline.

Bear with us here.

Looking at the league fixtures, if Man City beat Wigan in the FA Cup at the first time of asking – and therefore blank in Gameweek 31 – four of their next six (ars stk eve tot) will be on the road.

Even if Jesus was sidelined for the rest of the season, would we turn to Aguero as a skipper for any of those matches, given that only one of his five double-digit hauls was registered away from the Etihad Stadium?

Furthermore, City’s two home matches in that period would be against Chelsea and Man United.

If Gameweek 31 is taken out of the equation by the FA Cup quarter-finals, here are the fixtures for the next six Gameweeks which pitch the big three captain candidates head-to-head:

Gameweek 28 – Salah (WHU), Kane (cry), Aguero (ars)
Gameweek 29 – Salah (NEW), Kane (HUD), Aguero (CHE)
Gameweek 30 – Salah (mun), Kane (bou), Aguero (stk)
Gameweek 32 – Salah (cry), Kane (che), Aguero (eve)
Gameweek 33 – Salah (eve), Kane (stk), Aguero (MUN)
Gameweek 34 – Salah (BOU), Kane (MCI), Aguero (tot)

In all likelihood, Aguero’s strongest chance of outscoring Kane and Salah would be Gameweeks 30 and 32, away to Stoke and Everton respectively.

However, while Salah could be overlooked as an option away to Man United in Gameweek 30, Kane travels to Bournemouth having produced four of his eight double-digit hauls on the road.

And in Gameweek 32, when Kane visits Chelsea, Salah makes his way to Everton – the Egyptian has bagged five of his 12 sets of 10+ points hauls in away matches.

As we’ve witnessed over these past six rounds of fixtures, going with or without Aguero has been hugely significant, particularly for those who handed him the armband – his total 57 FPL points surpassed both Salah (49 points, albeit in five appearances) and Kane (35 points).

Backing his ability to maintain that pace or choosing to overlook him arguably presents us with an even greater decision and one that may ultimately shape our season run-ins.

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1,456 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Will Hazard unleash the wrath on his ex-mgr Jose when they face Utd next? Goes all out and scores a few ?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Herrara play be tasked with man marking him and leaving a few marks on him

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        And may be sent off again. 😉

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Can't see many goals in that one.

  2. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    ‘’Jesus now appears in a race to be fit for City’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday week.’’

    Guardian

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus plays, Kun is Saved.

      Jesus, the savior.

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      There was talk that he could be back for the FA Cup game against Wigan

    3. MTPockets
        6 years, 1 month ago

        "Gabriel Jesus is yet to start training amid fears the Manchester City forward’s knee injury may be more serious than first thought."
        https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/14/manchester-city-gabriel-jesus-race-fit-carabao-cup-final

      • tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        something similar in the Sun (but more dramatic of course)
        https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5581569/manchester-city-ace-gabriel-jesus-sounds-out-advice-from-boyhood-idol-ronaldo-over-his-troublesome-knee/

        Still keeps him a factor in PL terms as it's still 2 weeks today until next PL game.

    4. EspanYOLO
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Would you do:

      Otamendi Azpi Pogba --> VVD Mawson KDB

      for a -4 (have 2 fts)

      I appreciate KDB has a couple of tough fixtures.. (I also have sterling)

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        KDB tends to do well in the tough fixtures. Look at the previous games against Arsenal and Chelsea, he had 2 double figures
        I’ll probably bring him in also

        1. A19
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          (And yes to your transfers)

      2. Rsforstar
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        yes

    5. woodles
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Help please

      A) Firmino & Son
      B) Vardy & Mane (bit of a dif)
      C) Vardy & Eriksen
      D) Firmino & max 8.9

      Not worried about the BGW31 as will be using FH. Just want the best picks regardless

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        C

      2. Rsforstar
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        b

    6. zakard
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Ben Davies ??

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        for sure

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah if you have him then keep

      3. mookie
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You have to keep at least till you get a price rise out of him. So far most transferred in player this GW.

    7. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Any pressers today?

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        There are no league games this weekend

    8. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Otamendi > VVD
      Aguero > Kane

      For free.

      It’s all good, innit.

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        looks solid on paper

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers

      3. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Arsenal 1-4 City

        Aguero hat trick 😉

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          In your dreams lad 😉

    9. Optic1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Decisions.

      A) Alonso + Walcott (Current)

      B) Robertson + Eriksen (+0.5)

      1. Optic1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Would give me a mid of:

        Eriksen Salah Sterling KDB Shaq

      2. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Keep Walcott and get big Virg.

    10. anish10
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      TAA nailed? need a defender for 4.4

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Nope.

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Lowton maybe.

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        His place to loose atm but will be rotation at that spot imo

      3. RichRover
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Simpson back yet?

      4. Celt Abroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I’m considering van der hoorn.

    11. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The plan is to use FC in gw 35, as I can field 10-11 in gw 31 with my free transfers.

      I have 2 FT so I have to use at least one of them.

      Should I sacrifice Alonso or Otamendi for Van Dijk this gameweek?

      1. Ghost Gooner
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ota but if Alonso is injured then he has to go

    12. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      VVD or Mane the best 3rd Liverpool player to get? Think I'll have to make the decision before GW28...

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        they won't score 5 every week, so probably VVD

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Mane. Go big

      3. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Confused between the two. Mane is the explosive differential.

    13. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      So what are people's strategy regarding the chips?

      Here is mine.

      WC-33
      BB-34
      FH-35
      TC-37

      1. zakard
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        same, and try to get 11/10 players for gw 31

    14. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Best move with 2FT?

      A. Alonso, Richarlison > Robertson, Eriksen (bench Milivojevic)
      B. Alonso, Richarlison > VVD, Mahrez (bench Milivojevic)
      C. Alonso, Aguero > VVD, Kane (bench Richarlison)

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A imo

      2. Rsforstar
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        c

    15. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Otamendi and Lingard out to who?
      (A) Bauer and Mane
      (B) VVD and Walcott

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        B

      2. Rsforstar
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        b

    16. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Best Martial replacement? Have 11m to spend.

      1. Rsforstar
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        rest of team?

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Pickford
          Alonso Bauer Daniels (Ogbonna, Chilwell)
          Salah Sterling Martial Shaqiri (RLC)
          Kane Kun Wilson

          Doing Kun to Firmino hence the 11m to spend

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        KDB

      3. Ranger3
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Mahrez

    17. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Better option?

      A) 4.4 def & Mane

      B) VVD & Walcott

      Getting Mane doesn’t mean I can’t get Walcott. I can get him later for Son during the BGW.

    18. fusen
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Does anyone else not like using averages when talking about player's statistics in Fantasy Football or even worse in my opinion, total of goals/assist/cleansheets in X amount of games.

      Aguero's goals scored in order of his games are

      1, 0, 3, 1, 0, 4 so you say average of 1.5 goals a game or 9 goals in 6 games, yet there are 2 games of 0 goals and 2 games of 1 goal. So 4 out of the 6 games have been 'poor' returns.

      Walcott has played 4 games which were (in order) 1 assist, 2 goals, nothing, nothing

      That is then shown as "2 goals and 1 assist in 4 games" which would be decent returns if it was 1 goal in 2 games and then 1 assist in the third and then a blank but he's actually blanked in the most recent 50% of games in that window and 2 of the goals came in 1 game.

      I'm not sure what the solution is to the 'best stat' other than actually ignoring the overview numbers and just looking at the raw data every time or having some form of weight so more recent games count for more.

      Also I think it all comes down to footballer's form, a player can just stop scoring points but their average will only slowly reduce, so you can look at an average or a 'x goals in x games' sentence and think they are a good choice yet they've finished producing and the stats won't show that until 2-3 games time.

      /rant

      (I've realised how ironic this is considering the FPL Statistico site 😛 )

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cherry picking stats is used in all walks of life to validate arguments - it is what it is. We saw lots of this last week in the Salah/Kane/Aguero captaincy debates.

        My favourite is things like "3 goals in last 3 games" which is effectively the same as "3 goals in last 4 games" otherwise the original stat would have been " 4 goals in last 4 games".

      2. MTPockets
          6 years, 1 month ago

          The mean is what it is. Trimmed mean, median, variance?

        • Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          The X-G type stats are very misleading if you ever dig into it 🙂

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ah bum.
        Was anyone else hoping Mane would go under the radar last night, maybe just grab an assist?