Week 35 Fantrax Player Picks: Glass Half Full

Following the FPL schedule, our Fantrax NMA League has only half a dozen games, so there are just twelve teams to sift through...

[Editor’s note: If you manage a team in the Fantrax +Bench League, then it is already in the midst of its GW-35, and this weekend’s fixtures are rounding out a week that had an “early start”. Regular service will be restored in GW-36, but stay tuned for more weirdness when we get to the other batch of rescheduled games May 8-10, just before Finale Sunday.]

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The Schedule

Saturday

• West Brom v. Liverpool
• Watford v. Crystal Palace

Sunday

• Arsenal v. West Ham
• Stoke v. Burnley
• Manchester City v. Swansea

Monday

• Everton v. Newcastle

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Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have wonderful match-ups on paper. However, Liverpool has a big Champions League game looming Tuesday, while Arsenal faces vital Europa League action on Thursday, so you may see key players rested from those two squads. By the process of elimination... let’s load up on Sky Blues!!!

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Keepers

Ederson ($13.25, Manchester City)

I’m generally not a fan of paying premium for a keeper. This week, I could understand making an exception. He should make a couple/few saves, and has as close as a lock for a clean sheet win as you can get. Swansea is desperate, but City has no outside competitions to take its focus away, and the eye of the tiger is back.

Jordan Pickford ($7.95, Everton)

With at least six points in six of his past eight games, Pickford is in a pretty good run of form. He’s also averaging 6.8 ppg at home on the season, so he’s a somewhat safe bet to return value.

Loris Karius ($5.08, Liverpool)

As mentioned, Liverpool will likely rotate several key players. On top of that, West Brom has an awful lot to play for, and is coming off a shock upset of Manchester United at Old Trafford. That said, Albion only nicked a single goal in that game, and you’re still looking at the #3 team in the league against the 20th place side (which has scored the fewest goals). The biggest worry is that Karius himself draws a rest.

Ben Foster ($2.26, West Brom)

If you’re looking to save money, Foster would certainly be an interesting, if risky, play. Liverpool may be fielding its second team offense, so Foster could end up taking advantage.

Orestis Kornezis ($1.38, Watford)

The K-Man is averaging 6.2 ppg at home, but is coming off two negative scores (one home, one away). A cheap roll of the dice, may pay off or just as easily crap out.

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Defenders

Nicolas Otamendi ($10.07, Manchester City)

The City defenders aren’t really jumping out at me, but Otamendi usually has the best chance at returns. Then again, he’s also the most expensive.

Leighton Baines ($5.52, Everton)

Baines has scored at least 8 points in four of his five games since returning from his long injury absence. The one game where he wasn’t able to do so was away from Goodison.

Seamus Coleman ($4.81, Everton)

In his eight games, Coleman has averaged 6.9 ppg. And he costs less than five clams! Sometimes it really is that simple.

Kevin Long ($4.53, Burnley)

Long is averaging 8.5 ppg and has double digit scores in each of the past two games, and five of his last 10. Now Burnley travels to Stoke, where there’s a chance at a clean sheet.

Craig Cathcart ($1.00, Watford)

Finally fit, Cathcart started last weekend. He only returned three points, but he has averaged 4.3 ppg and 6.1 ppg in the prior two seasons. What more do you want for a buck?

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Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne ($18.48, Manchester City)

KDB has done next to nothing in his past six games, but if I’m going to pay premium this week, I’ll take the chance on Manchester’s main man getting his mojo back.

David Silva ($12.97, Manchester City)

Before the Manchester United and Tottenham games, Silva had three goals and three assists in the prior four. Swansea is not Manchester United or Tottenham.

Leroy Sane ($12.86, Manchester City)

Sane tends to be hit or miss, but he should give you more of a chance at the former in this tilt.

Ilkay Gundogan ($4.47, Manchester City)

Ilkay’s on PKs?! Then let’s go with him and hope for another one!

Luka Milivojevic ($11.92, Crystal Palace)

Mili Vanili is averaging 12.5 ppg in his past quartet of away games, so don’t worry about the trip to the Hornets’ nest.

Wilfried Zaha ($10.91, Crystal Palace)

Averaging 13.8 ppg in his past four games, and coming off an impressive brace. Avoid at your own risk.

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Forwards

I’m worried about Roberto Firmino and/or Mo Salah resting, but be sure to check on team news closer to the deadline to get a feel for Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts.

Raheem Sterling ($15.00, Manchester City)

Gabriel Jesus is cheaper, but Sterling is more reliable, even as frustrating as his finishing may be.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, $9.91)

Double digit points in five straight games. Cup tied, so he won’t rest. Done and done.

Jay Rodriguez ($7.89, West Brom)

J-Rod has scored in three of his past four games, and Liverpool may be fielding the “B” team, so there’s a decent shot at four in five.

Chris Wood ($7.34, Burnley)

The Burnley big man has been scoring like crazy recently, both in real life and fantasy, and you’ve got to like his chances of keeping things going against the poor Potters.

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NOTE: The above player prices are barn-door numbers as of publication time as GW34 is just ending. Prices will probably be recalculated within 24 hours, so YMMV.

Are you loading up on Sky Blues, or spreading things around more? Is there anybody else you like who wasn’t mentioned above? Let us know in the comments!