As we stare down the barrels of three impending double Gameweeks, there is much debate as to who the best midfield options are. Many will turn to the top-ranked Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players over the season so far for inspiration. But are there low-cost, low-owned players, who have dipped under the radar due to reduced minutes, with the ability to outscore these consistency kings?
For this study I have selected the top 10 highest scoring players in FPL, some of these will be prime double Gameweek targets but others will be single Gameweek players we may be reluctant to let go. I have also picked ten differentials and punts that I have seen consistently in Rate My Wildcard teams across the last week, who due to injury or a change in manager have not played every game for their team this term.
By looking at their points per game (PPG) I hope to discover whether the punts can match the season’s best players and are deserving of a place in our Wildcard squads.
The Wildcard Punts
James Milner
Team: Liverpool
Price: 6.5
Current points total: 100
PPG: 4.3
The self-confessed ‘World’s most Boring Player’ appears to be exactly that as a double Gameweek option as the lowest scoring player in my sample. Although his price is favourable and he has the advantage of no blanks between now and the end of the season, there are players with a lot more bang for their buck around.
Jesse Lingard
Team: Manchester United
Price: 4.3
Current points total: 63
PPG: 4.5
The cheapest player on this list appears to be a perfectly good option with United’s double Gameweek fixtures and his price. Lingard is liked by his manager and may look to add to his current tally of one double-digit Gameweek score over the coming weeks.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Team: Newcastle
Price: 6.8
Current points total: 139
PPG: 4.5
Although he has a double Gameweek 34, the appointment of Rafa Benitez appears to have spelled the end of Gini’s Fantasy involvement. He has been playing much deeper than before but is still FPL’s eighth highest scoring midfielder.
Andros Townsend
Team: Newcastle
Price: 5.7
Current points total: 23
PPG: 2.6
With a lowly points total and PPG Townsend is likely to be at subterranean levels in terms of being under the radar. But given he only has three 90-minute appearances under his belt and looks certain of starts under Magpies’ new boss Rafa Benitez he has strong potential to deliver. If his crosses can hit Alexsandar Mitrovic’s head often enough his PPG is set to vastly improve during the season run-in.
Juan Mata
Team: Manchester United
Price: 8.1
Current points total: 118
PPG: 4.7
Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford’s strong form has seen a fall in the ownership of Mata, although with a goal and an assist in the last four Gameweeks, is he coming back into form in time for the doubles?
Ross Barkley
Team: Everton
Price: 7.1
Current points total: 142
PPG: 4.9
Everton’s ‘Mr Consistent’ has played in every game this season and this leaves him sixth in the midfield rankings. But he goes into the double in poor form, having blanked in his last six league games after being fielded in a deeper midfield role. Gareth Barry’s return from suspension in Gameweek 33 may help Barkley’s cause and ensure the young England midfielder can move back into his favoured attacking midfield role.
Yannick Bolasie
Team: Crystal Palace
Price: 6.0
Current points total: 73
PPG: 4.9
Easily the most secure and explosive route into Palace’s double double Gameweek attack; however, many will be dissuaded by Palace’s form. Goals should come though. They have only blanked twice in the league over their last 10 games and for his price he looks worthy of a punt for double Gameweek 33 at least.
Manuel Lanzini
Team: West Ham United
Price: 4.9
Current points total: 83
PPG: 5
If injuries hadn’t struck, the Argentinian hammer would be much further up the total rankings and his 1% ownership leaves him as one of the best differentials for those needing a cheap midfielder.
Michail Antonio
Team: West Ham United
Price: 5.5
Current points total: 96
PPG: 5.0
Antonio has been stationed at right-back over the last few weeks and has still been one of West Ham’s most threatening players. His eight PPG at home this season would leave him as an enticing Triple Captain differential in double Gameweek 37.
Aaron Lennon
Team: Everton
Price: 5.6
Current points total: 68
PPG: 5.3
Despite only nailing down a place having permanently signed in January, Lennon is, in my opinion, the best double Gameweek bargain you will find in your Wildcard squads, with eight fixtures coming in the last six Gameweeks.
Top Ten FPL Scorers
Christian Eriksen
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Price: 8.6
Current points total: 146
PPG: 5.0
For me, he is too expensive to keep with no double Gameweeks in sight; however, FPL’s third highest midfielder in terms of total points has been a great option throughout the season, offering up six double-score hauls.
Alexis Sanchez
Team: Arsenal
Price: 10.9
Current points total: 118
PPG: 5.4
Sanchez is coming back into form just in time for his double Gameweek 34, and has been in nearly every draft Wildcard squad I have seen. Without a doubt one of the finest players in the Premier League when on form, his season has been hampered by injuries. Expect his PPG to rise over the next set of fixtures.
Marko Arnautovic
Team: Stoke
Price: 6.6
Current points total: 145
PPG: 5.4
Arnautovic has been one of Stoke’s best players this season, and sits fourth in the midfield rankings. However, with no double Gameweek and poor final fixtures he looks one to avoid. A PPG drop could be on the cards.
Dele Alli
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Price: 6.2
Current points total: 140
PPG: 5.6
The young England international is arguably the breakthrough star of this season. A lack of double Gameweeks is unlikely to bring a mass exodus for those without a Wildcard and he is even being kept by those with that Chip to play. For me he’s a season keeper.
Kevin De Bruyne
Team: Manchester City
Price: 10.3
Current points total: 111
PPG: 5.8
Back from injury, he has been seamlessly been reintegrated back into Manchester City’s first XI, with a goal in Gameweek 32 and in the Champions League this week. His away form during the first half of the season and injury have conspired to keep his total points tally low, but his PPG cannot hide his undoubted potential to shine over the coming weeks.
Mesut Ozil
Team: Arsenal
Price: 9.7
Current points total: 177
PPG: 5.9
A dip in form has seen the Arsenal midfielder shunned by Wildcarders this week as they flock to team mate Alexis Sanchez. But with an incredible eight double-digit hauls so far this season ignoring him carries a huge risk.
Philippe Coutinho
Team: Liverpool
Price: 8.2
Current points total: 114
PPG: 6
Coutinho is one of two Brazilian magicians currently flourishing under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage at Liverpool and looks a must-have over the season run-in with two double Gameweeks to come.
Roberto Firmino
Team: Liverpool
Price: 8.1
Current points total: 129
PPG: 6.5
Liverpool’s other Brazilian conjuror is riding high in the overall points charts but injury has seen him dip under the radar in recent weeks. Nevertheless, he still has a huge 43% ownership and if he can make a return in time for Liverpool’s double Gameweeks 34 and 37 he could very well be an essential player to own.
Dimitri Payet
Team: West Ham United
Price: 8.5
Current points total: 144
PPG: 6.5
This guy is a sensation and a constant source of FPL points. It is no wonder his PPG is so high given his assist ability and goalscoring prowess from free kicks. Two favourable double Gameweeks mean he is another man that has to be in your Gameweek 33 Wildcard squad in my opinion.
Riyad Mahrez
Team: Leicester City
Price: 7.4
Current points total: 219
PPG: 7
The Leicester midfielder tops the FPL overall rankings for a reason: he is quite simply brilliant. Lack of double Gameweek fixtures and a team strategy that has moved towards 1-0 victories mean that many are saying goodbye to him.
Conclusion
Of the Wildcard punts few can match the PPG prowess of those riding high in the total points charts. Of this bunch of differentials and risks only three – Lanzini, Antonio and Lennon – have breached the five PPG mark. All three look the best bets in terms of Wildcard candidates with Lanzini’s three double-digit hauls perhaps marking him out as the best bet.
My optimum midfield five based on PPG would be – Sanchez, Payet, Firmino, Coutinho, Lanzini.
Note: Many regular stats followers prefer a measure of points per 90 minutes (P90) to PPG. I think there is merit to both and I’d welcome any further research in the comments below of the best potential punts for those preparing for the double Gameweeks in terms of P90.
