Ahead of the festive fixture schedule a quartet of mid-priced midfielders have emerged as genuine options for our squads. Each of my selection is priced between 8.2 and 8.7 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game and has a strong pedigree, having scored at least 132 FPL points last season. With Southampton’s dire run of fixtures, owners of another mid-priced midfielder, Dusan Tadic, will want to pay particular attention to these four ideal replacements.
Oscar
Price: 8.5
Goals: 3
Assists: 4
Minutes: 982
Underlying stats: 3.21 shots per 90 minutes, 1.47 shots in the box (SIB) per 90 minutes, 2.20 chances created per 90 minutes (p90).
Next Six: new, HUL, stk, WHU, sou, tot
Since Gameweek 6 Oscar has delivered 52 FPL points, nearly matching his more expensive midfield team-mates Cesc Fabregas (53) and Eden Hazard (54). It is also worth noting that Diego Costa has notched just 28 FPL points over this time. Oscar has a real case for being the best value among Chelsea midfielders, having started each of the last nine, and he has been consistently bringing home the points. He could certainly be rested over December given Chelsea’s plethora of options, but honestly, it’s tough to find a player you couldn’t say that about. For those looking to tap into Chelsea’s kind run Oscar offers an ideal and cheaper option to the likes of Costa.
Raheem Sterling
Price: 8.4
Goals: 3
Assists: 5
Minutes: 1183
Underlying stats: 2.21 shots p90, 1.52 SIB p90, 2.43 chances created p90.
Next Six: SUN, mun, ARS, bur, SWA, LEI
Sterling got off to a great start and his price ballooned to 9.0. However, he and Liverpool have struggled in recent Gamweeks, with Sterling failing to score since September 20th. As a result he can now be picked up for the more budget-friendly price of 8.4. He’s played 90 minutes in each of the last ten Gameweeks so he looks fairly safe in terms of playing time, and his underlying stats have been solid all year long. But this isn’t the Liverpool of last year, and the fixtures are hit and miss. Sterling certainly has the potential to explode, but I’d like to see a little more consistency from Liverpool before investing.
Aaron Ramsey
Price: 8.7 million
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Minutes: 879
Underlying Stats: 3.58 shots p90, 1.23 SIB p90, 2.56 chances created p90.
Next Six: sto, NEW, liv, QPR, whu, sou
The bargain of last year started off with a bang with a goal in each of the first two weeks. Since then he’s been injured and outshone by Alexis Sanchez. Pundits, professional or otherwise, have said he hasn’t played as well as last year. But you have to wonder if he starts converting his numerous shots whether this narrative would flip. He’s started each of the last four Gameweeks, and with Jack Wilshere out long term, you’d expect him to get plenty of minutes over the next few weeks. With possible rotation in forward slots, Ramsey could be an excellent and safe Sanchez complement, or even low-priced alternative for those short on funds.
Samir Nasri
Price:8.2 million
Goals: 0
Assists: 2
Minutes: 592
Underlying stats: 1.06 shots p90, 0.61 shots in the box p90, 3.34 chances created p90.
Next Six : EVE, lei, CPL, wba, BUR, SUN
Nasri’s produced the poorest returns of my quartet of options this season with a mere two assists and playing time is a concern with the imminent return of David Silva and fixture pileup. His goal threat has been downright impotent and his average points per game sits at a putrid 2.7. So why is he here? The Frenchman has a juicy schedule for one, secondly he carries an elite-level assist threat in his underlying stats and thirdly he comes with an affordable price tag. He’s started each of the last four (although he’s been subbed off each time) and plays for the probable favourites for most goals scored this year. More goals across the team mean more chances of returns for Nasri. If he can find last year’s goalscoring touch (seven goals in about 2400 minutes), and Manchester City rampage through their favourable schedule, he could be a very productive option.
