Those Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers either stockpiling assets or looking to bring them in via the Free Hit chip for Gameweek 31’s reduced schedule won’t have been thrilled by Saturday’s events.
Interest in Bournemouth players has been renewed since their encounter with West Brom dropped back into that disrupted weekend schedule.
But stock in Callum Wilson took a further dent following a third successive blank against Newcastle United.
The striker’s ownership had actually dipped by just over 22,000 heading into Gameweek 28’s visit from the Magpies.
The fact he was then replaced by the fit-again Jermain Defoe after 72 minutes of the 2-2 draw suggests more sales to come – he’s already in the top five for transfers-out following yesterday’s deadline.
Wilson (9.8%) remains the Cherries most popular player, followed by Charlie Daniels on 6.8%.
The defender was another to have a day to forget, however, subbed off at half-time with Newcastle sourcing both their goals from Bournemouth’s left flank.
Eddie Howe’s side have kept just five clean sheets all season and only one since Gameweek 13, with Daniels failing to convince as an attacking force either – his last return was an assist in Gameweek 6.
Now Daniels’ owners will have real concern that his starting role will come under threat. His replacement for the second period, Adam Smith, was deployed in an unfamiliar left-back role but was outstanding, scoring the Cherries first goal that prompted a stirring comeback.
Dan Gosling supplied the equaliser, with assists coming from Nathan Ake and Lewis Cook.
The late goals were a bitter blow for a resurgent Newcastle who were looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time since September.
Dwight Gayle’s double, with an assist coming from Ayoze Perez, looked like being enough until their late capitulation.
And the forward’s good form – he also provided the assist in last week’s win over Man United – is offset by the Magpies’ immediate schedule.
Rafa Benitez’s side travel to a rampant Liverpool next and also have a blank Gameweek 31 unless Spurs fail to see off Rochdale in a midweek FA Cup replay.
Toffees come unstuck
Another two teams involved in Gameweek 31, Everton and Watford, went head-to-head at Vicarage Road.
Match-winner Troy Deeney, who fired home from a Stefano Okaka assist, described it as a ‘dire game’ and he was probably being charitable.
The prospects of either side profiting in Gameweek 31 – Everton are at Stoke City; the Hornets travel to Liverpool – look equally poor on Saturday’s evidence.
Toffees striker Oumar Niasse had enjoyed ownership surges in six of the last seven Gameweeks, scoring two goals and providing one assist as he nailed down a starting berth.
But he failed to follow up his biggest score of the season in Gameweek 27 – a 12-point showing against Crystal Palace – and departed after 58 minutes yesterday with just one point.
Niasse was the fourth most signed player ahead of Saturday’s deadline, while another pair of recent popular picks, Theo Walcott and Gylfi Sigurdsson, also showed little promise to douse Gameweek 31 interest.
Walcott is currently the third most sold assest since Saturday’s deadline.
Manager Sam Allardyce’s reputation for defensive solidity took another knock as his side made it eight matches without a clean sheet.
They travel to Burnley next for an encounter likely to be equally devoid of excitement.
Indeed, judging by Allardyce’s post-match summary, it’s clear that he is still prioritising a defensive stance in away matches….
“The clean sheet is the answer. We have to get that clean sheet, which I thought we would achieve today, at least. That is the answer to turning around results away from home – then nicking that one goal like Watford nicked it – but in our favour, instead of theirs.”
Shut-outs are at least making a comeback at Watford. They were the only side to keep a clean sheet in Saturday’s matches and now have two from the last four Gameweeks.
The 4.7%-owned Adrian Mariappa (4.1) is their most popular defender and he claimed eight points after earning two bonus.
He has delivered 17 points from four straight starts, but his cut-price productivity could yet come under threat from the fit-again Miguel Britos.
We flagged up Deeney as a Gameweek 28 differential and he duly obliged with a second goal in three starts, with maximum bonus taking him to a season-high nine points on the day.
That might persuade some to view the striker as a Gameweek 31 punt.
Those hoping for something similar from midfielder Gerard Deulofeu were sorely disappointed, however.
Signed by 58,000, he hobbled off on the hour-mark with an ankle injury, though manager Javi Gracia indicated that it could be a foot injury…
“I don’t know what happened. He’s [Deulofeu] feeling pain in his right foot.”
Another popular transfer target, Abdoulaye Doucoure (92,000+), blanked, while Richarlison’s decline under Javi Gracia continued with his withdrawal on 55 minutes.
The Brazilian has been subbed in every match under the new manager, only once reaching the 70-minute mark.
Saggy Baggies
West Brom’s Gameweek 31 fixture at Bournemouth has prompted consideration of their assets.
Their form, however, is the wrong side of woeful.
Yesterday’s 2-1 home loss to Huddersfield was their fourth straight defeat, and they conceded three goals in each of the other matches.
Craig Dawson’s goal, set up by Chris Brunt, papered over some of the cracks, but he remains part of a defence that has managed just one clean sheet in eight Gameweeks.
It is Huddersfield who are emerging as unlikely Gameweek 31 contenders for our attention.
The Terriers will entertain Crystal Palace and have found some form – and an appetite for goals – at just the right time.
The win at The Hawthorns followed Gameweek 27’s 4-1 dismissal of Bournemouth, with Steve Mounie and Rajiv van La Parra scoring in back-to-back matches for the first time this season.
Assists came from Collin Quaner and the burgeoning Alex Pritchard, with the latter adding to his 12-point haul against the Cherries as he continues to settle in at Huddersfield following his January move from Norwich City.
David Wagner’s side travel to Spurs next, but have five favourable fixtures (SWA CRY new bha WAT) to follow before a truly gruesome final four (che EVE mci ARS).
Huddersfield’s Premier League fate looks like being sealed one way or the other over those more kindly match-ups, and they could offer some cheap and cheerful options for FPL managers during that run.
Seagulls soar – for now
Glenn Murray’s brace in the 4-1 win over Swansea City made it five goals in the last six starts for the veteran Brighton striker.
He has clearly responded rather well to the increased competition produced by the arrival of the on-loan Leonardo Ulloa and record signing Jurgen Locadia.
The latter followed up his debut goal in the FA Cup with his first league strike yesterday – from just eight minutes of pitch-time as a late substitute.
Brighton’s midfielders also came to the party against the Swans, with four of them picking up points.
The lively Jose Izquierdo provided an assist and has now delivered returns for three consecutive matches, while Pascal Gross produced his seventh assist of the season to satisfy his 155,000+ new owners over the last two Gameweeks.
The pair also created three chances apiece on the day, with Anthony Knockaert’s goal and a Dale Stephens assist completing Brighton’s midfield masterclass.
The same, alas, could not be said for the defence.
Chris Hughton’s backline has failed to keep a clean sheet for seven matches now, with the 3.5% of FPL managers with Lewis Dunk in their sides having to endure a fourth own goal of the season (and zero points).
Fellow centre-half Shane Duffy was equally unlucky when he hit the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Brighton are one of only two sides (Burnley the other) yet to score from a corner this campaign, but that’s now the least of their worries.
The Seagulls have to face eight top-half teams in their final ten matches. Throw in a blank Gameweek 31 and even their decent recent form – they’re unbeaten in four matches now – is unlikely to halt sales.
Swansea’s form has been far more impressive as yesterday’s loss was their first in 11 matches in all competitions.
Substitute Tammy Abraham was credited with the assist at the Amex and could be in line for a start in the Swans’ two good fixtures (WHU hud) before their Gameweek 31 blank.
Last and least
Burnley’s 1-1 draw with Southampton was the footballing equivalent of two bald men fighting over a comb.
The Clarets haven’t won since Gameweek 17; the Saints have managed that feat just once since Gameweek 13.
A draw suited neither.
Ashley Barnes opened the scoring from a Jeff Hendrick assist only for a 90th minute equaliser to rob Burnley of the three points.
It was entirely fitting that the last-gasp goal came from one of last season’s Fantasy trolls, Manolo Gabbiadini, who fired home from a Guido Carillo assist to cap a move in which referee Bobby Madley had inadvertently impeded Burnley’s Ashley Westwood.
The man in black was booed off the pitch and assets from both sides remain equally unpopular.
The two teams have a blank Gameweek 31 and although Burnley’s schedule is promising (EVE whu wba wat LEI stk BHA), their form is anything but.
