Next up this Wednesday morning we roll out a heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players will also include some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation over the next few days.
Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 33, with Palace and Everton’s doubles playing a major part in our thinking…
Goalkeepers
In appreciation of Everton’s double Gameweek (wat & cry), Joel Robles (4.3) piques our attention. Although the Toffees managed just two clean sheets in their previous nine outings, they are pitted against two sides that rank in the bottom three for goals scored since the turn of the year.
Similarly, the Eagles’ two homes clashes (NOR & EVE) elevate the allure of Wayne Hennessey (4.2). The fact that Everton (three blanks in five) and Norwich City (five blanks in nine) have struggled on the attacking front factors into our thinking.
Defenders
As the main attacking threat among the Eagles’ roster of defenders, Scott Dann (5.7) – who’s bagged five goals and two assists so far this campaign – gets the nod over Damien Delaney (one goal and two assists in seven). Two-thirds of Palace’s clean sheets (six) have arrived at Selhurst Park, so there’s reason to be optimistic regarding their shut-outs prospects.
In terms of pinpointing Everton’s choice defender, Phil Jagielka (5.1) sticks out by way of his security of starts. From this weekend, the Merseysiders embark on a five-match run over the course of 15 days that should engender chopping and changing at the back, but one would imagine that Everton’s captain is the least susceptible to rotation.
An imposing presence in both penalty boxes, Virgil van Dijk (5.7) remains our favoured route into Southampton’s backline. The Saints are without a clean sheet in six matches but will fancy their chances of arresting that streak at home to a Newcastle United outfit that mustered just four goals in their last five outings.
Given that Liverpool restricted the dominant attacks of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to a solitary goal combined in their previous pair of home encounters, Dejan Lovren (4.8) serves as an enticing path into the Reds’ rearguard before Stoke City’s visit.
In the absence of Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi (6.5) is the safest way to capitalise on a Man City defence that recorded three clean sheets in their previous quartet of fixtures. Next on the agenda for the Sky Blues is a home tie against a West Bromwich Albion unit that failed to score in their past two outings.
Christian Fuchs (5.0) has amassed 17 bonus points since Gameweek 19 and is profiting from a back line that’s searching for their fifth consecutive clean sheet away to Sunderland.
Facing an Aston Villa attack that failed to score in their last four outings, Charlie Daniels (5.0) – who’s on penalty duty and boasts five assists – furnishes us with a strong source of Bournemouth defensive coverage.
Midfielders
Having delivered attacking returns (two goals and three assists) in his previous four league starts, Alexis Sanchez (10.9) is finally beginning to justify his prohibitive price tag. A trip to West Ham will be no pushover, but the fact that the Irons surrendered six goals in their last three matches suggests that the Chilean livewire will be afforded his fair share of scoring opportunities.
Thrust straight into the starting XI against Bournemouth on his return from injury, Kevin De Bruyne (10.2) reaffirmed his Fantasy potential with the second goal in a 4-0 drubbing. With a points-per-game average (5.5) that’s 1.0 greater than any of his midfield team-mates, the former Chelsea recruit looks the best accompaniment to Sergio Aguero at home to West Brom.
Philippe Coutinho (8.2) lays claim to four goals in his last six starts across all competitions, rendering him a more attractive proposition than Roberto Firmino – who’s in good form (three goals and assists in four) but could miss the Stoke match-up with an ongoing hamstring complaint. Despite sitting out nine fixtures, Coutinho has demonstrated his capacity for explosive returns with five double-figure hauls.
Sadio Mane (7.3) has emerged from his mid-season slump and is looking threatening again. The jet-heeled Senegalese winger bagged a brace against Liverpool and fashioned Southampton’s best chance at Leicester City, which bodes well for his offensive prospects against the Magpies’ generous rearguard.
Yannick Bolasie (6.0) has no form to speak of but harbours the potential to be a savvy differential for the Eagles’ double, given that only three midfielders chalked up more shots inside the box (six) than the DR Congo international over their last four matches.
Ross Barkley (7.1) has scored in one fixture since Gameweek 15 but still ranks sixth among midfielders for total score (142), having served up four double-figure hauls. In light of Martinez’s propensity for rotation on the flanks, Barkley’s minutes seem the least at risk in midfield heading into the Toffees’ congested schedule.
Dimitri Payet (8.5) produced attacking returns (three goals and four assists) in five of his last six starts, making him the league’s form midfielder.
Riyad Mahrez (7.4) will relish the prospect of battling a Sunderland defence that charts bottom for clean sheets (four) this term.
Forwards
As Everton’s premier goal threat and the league’s third-top scorer (18 goals), Romelu Lukaku is an essential component of our Scout Picks. The Belgian’s back-to-back blanks are a concern, but the fact he ranks second – behind Harry Kane (nine to 12) – for goals scored in away matches gives us confidence in his ability to excel against two teams with a pair of clean sheets between them in 12 matches.
Courtesy of three goals and two assists, Graziano Pelle (7.8) registered 30 points in his last trio of starts. Matched up against a leaky Toon defence that lacks aerial presence, the rangy Italian marksman should cause Rafa Benitez’s troops all manner of problems at St Mary’s Stadium.
If we’re in a gambling mood, Daniel Sturridge (9.9) could reward our faith in his fitness. In his previous five league starts, the fleet-footed forward notched four goals and one assist, so he’s well placed to punish a Potters backline with one clean sheet in ten.
Carding six goals and one assist in four outings, Harry Kane (10.4) is in imperious form before Manchester United’s visit.
Re-united with De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero (13.6) could be on the cusp of another explosive scoring streak as the Baggies roll up to the Etihad.
On Standby
Having explored the main targets for the upcoming round of fixtures, we now probe deeper in an attempt to unearth any concealed gems.
Gameweek 33 cultures an environment for budget midfielders to flourish, with Alex Iwobi (4.5) and Manuel Lanzini (4.9) chief among them. The former has cemented his spot in Arsenal’s starting line-up with two goals in as many outings and the most shots inside the box (six) of any midfielder during that period. As for Lanzini, he’s also netted in successive matches and boasts a better goal frequency than Payet (one every 236 minutes to 240) this season.
Raising the budget slightly, Aaron Lennon (5.6) and Max Gradel (5.7) could still make the cut. Lennon scored four times in his previous seven starts but managed just three attempts in his last four, while Gradel scooped 11 points (goal and assist) against Swansea in the Cherries’ last agreeable match-up and is up against Villa’s dire defence this time out.
In the mid-priced bracket, Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.3) is enjoying the best form of his career (eight goals and two assists since Gameweek 20) ahead of Chelsea’s visit, while Christian Eriksen (8.6) placed second among midfielders for attempts (14) and shots on target (five) across his previous four outings.
Looking at the competition for places up top, Aleksandar Mitrovic (6.2) netted three goals in two starts and ranked third among forwards for shots inside the box (14) and joint-fourth for shots on target (six) across his last four matches. Considering that he’s not scored in six starts and has adopted a more creative role, Jamie Vardy (7.8) has been demoted to back-up, though could still punish any sellers away to Sunderland.
The Community Champions
Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.
Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.
Gameweek 32’s Community Champion Van Dear Vaart beat the Scout Picks by 75 points to 74.
The Gameweek 33 Community Champion is Geordienufc1. This is his third season playing FPL with 2014/15’s finish of 2045th his highest. He is also doing well this season, with a current rank of 14,782.
In addition to a shot at the £100 Amazon prize, FantasyBet are offering a chance for further prizes to Community Champions that are eligible to play their games. More details can be found here.
