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Derby day was a story of rested players and missed chances to kill off a game. Liverpool rested Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah while Manchester City did the same with KDB, Kun and Gabriel Jesus as those teams prioritized their midweek Champions League Quarterfinal second leg. The rested are key players to success of their respective sides, but even without them Liverpool and City should have won with the chances that came to those who started.
Paul Pogba came out of the Manchester derby with the headlines with his and his clubs performance of the season. Pogba’s brace will surely see him pick up many owners for the week 34 double to come.
With other big fantasy guns missing, it was a chance for managers who picked Harry Kane for his trip to Stoke City. Harry was still trying to claim a goal late last night (a pure goalscorer if there ever was one), but ultimately came away with just a booking. Those without Kane can breath again and wonder whether they need him for next week’s double.
Elsewhere, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, and Brighton each picked up a point towards safety. Stoke City and West Brom already look doomed, and things are now looking rather grim for the Saints.
Sunday rounds out game-week 33 with a pair of matches:
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The Gunners will have one eye on the Europa Cup Quarterfinal second leg when choosing their starting lineup. However, cup-tied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will surely start, so he has many FPL owners’ captain’s armbands to justify.
The Saints were terrible at West Ham last week, looking like a side with little fight. I suppose they’ll believe they can’t be as bad again today and may think this is the right time to face Arsenal.
Looks like a home win, but as ever you can never say never in the Premier League.
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The blues’ slim chance for a top-four finish means they must push for a win today, but Chelsea have to pick themselves up after the Spurs defeat. In addition to form concerns, the rumors of both manager Antonio Conte and star player Eden Hazard heading out of the club during the summer continue to distract.
West Ham meanwhile have a pressure-free game, and they may fancy they’re playing the Champions at the right moment. Pressure-free or not, the Hammers have conceded 37 goals in 16 away games, including 3 or more in each of their last 3 away, so it doesn’t bode well for David Moyes’ men.
For me I have Marcus Alonso, Antonio Rudiger, Eden Hazard, Willian, Alex Iwobi and Mr Aubameyang holding my fanatsy fortunes. Let see if I/we can end game-week 33 with a decent fantasy point return by Sunday roast time.
Stall
How did you do yesterday? Whom do you have going today? Whom are you considering to pick up on the barn-door? Please tell us in the chat below.