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Gameweek eight was a tough one for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers with popular options such as Pukki, Aubameyang, Salah, Sterling etc all failing to notch any returns. Such weeks test the patience of FPL managers and it is important not to make knee-jerk decisions.
If the players you picked are still posting decent underlying numbers and have decent fixtures, keep the faith. Pukki for example has been sold by over 300,000 managers this week but plays Bournemouth next, who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
It is a good week to gamble on the captaincy with Liverpool and Man. City facing tricky away trips to Man. United and Crystal Palace respectively. With that in mind, I have tried to recommend two strikers who can be trusted with the armband as well as a long term fixture-based defensive pick with potential at both ends of the pitch.
3 Players to Pick this Gameweek
1) Callum Wilson (NOR) -
Wilson has enjoyed a stellar campaign so far with five goals and three assists in eight matches. Although his shot volume isn’t great with only 12 shots in the box (SiB), he has been afforded 10 ‘big chances’ with only Agüero managing more amongst forwards. 11 of those 12 SiB have been on target and he has also created 11 chances with only Deulofeu (14) managing more.
Bournemouth have scored 13 goals this season and have failed to score in only one match. They have created 19 ‘big chances’ with only Chelsea (26), Liverpool (29) and Man. City (37) managing more. The main reason for Wilson’s inclusion is Norwich’s non-existent defence.
They have conceded 21 goals this season and are one of only two teams yet to keep a clean sheet. No team has allowed opponents more SiB (97) or SoT (55) and only West Ham (26) have conceded more ‘big chances’ than their 24. With great fixtures for the next four games, C. Wilson is a great option if you are looking to replace Pukki.
2) Tammy Abraham (NEW) –
Abraham has cemented his place as Chelsea’s main striker with a string of impressive performances which see him joint-top of the Golden Boot race alongside Aguero with eight goals. Only the Argentinian (30) has taken more shots than Abraham’s 26 amongst forwards and he leads the way for shots on target (SoT) with 15.
He is also ranked third for ‘big chances’ (nine) with only C. Wilson (10) and Aguero (11) managing more. Only Man. City (13) have scored more than Chelsea’s 12 goals over the last four gameweeks and they are also second only for both shots (65) and ‘big chances’ (18).
Newcastle have conceded eight goals over the aforementioned period with only Southampton (nine), Everton (nine), Norwich (11) and Watford (12) more porous. Only Villa (65), Bournemouth (68), Arsenal (71) and Norwich (75) have allowed opponents more shots than their 62 and Abraham should have plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet.
3) Ricardo Pereira (BUR) -
Pereira has scored in each of his last two home matches while conceding just one goal and the Portuguese has taken a total of four shots in his home matches so far. He has created five chances at the King Power Stadium and is ranked fifth for final third passes in home matches amongst defenders.
Leicester have conceded only five goals in their last four matches with only Liverpool (three), Burnley (three), Brighton (three) and Sheff. Utd (two) more stingy. They allowed only 17 SoT and nine ‘big chances’, which is impressive considering the opposition they faced (Liverpool, Spurs and Man. United).
Burnley have scored only five goals on the road this season and landed only 12 SoT, an average of three a game. Pereira is a great option for Leicester’s upcoming fixture run which sees them play only Arsenal of the ‘top six’ sides in the next eight gameweeks.
3 Players to drop this Gameweek
1) Oleksandr Zinchenko (CRY) –
It was an eventful week for the Ukranian as his nation sealed qualification for the 2020 Euros and his girlfriend accepted his wedding proposal. Unfortunately, things are not looking too great on the pitch for him with the return of Mendy to fitness and Guardiola showing he is not afraid to play Cancelo at left-back.
Manchester City were an absolute calamity defensively against Wolves in gameweek eight and the injury to Laporte looks to have severely dented their clean sheet potential. They have conceded nine ‘big chances’ over the last four gameweeks with only five sides faring worse. The combination of rotation risk and lack of clean sheets means Zinchenko should be on the chopping block if you still own him.
2) Tom Heaton (BRI) –
Heaton withdrew from international duty with England due to an injury and is currently a doubt for their home fixture against Brighton. Villa have kept only two clean sheets so far and their fixtures take a turn for the worse after the encounter with the Seagulls.
They play Man. City, Liverpool, Wolves, Man. Utd and Chelsea between gameweek 10-15 and it is difficult to see many clean sheets for the Birmingham side over that period. Heaton has also disappointed in terms of saves.
He has managed only 19 with 16 keepers registering more. In contrast, keepers at similar price points such as Pope and Ryan have managed 26 and 24 saves respectively and look much better value.
3) David De Gea (LIV) –
The Spaniard suffered a groin injury while on international duty and could possibly be out of action for two months. At 16.6% ownership, he is still the third most owned keeper and the likely fire-sale is going to result in multiple price drops.
The Red Devils have only managed two clean sheets in any case and it given their poor form, the injury is the perfect excuse for owners to jump ship. Rather than opting for another premium option such as Ederson or Alisson, I would recommend going for Ryan or Pope who are racking up the save points and are also in line for bonus points when their team keeps up a clean sheet.
