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The Premier League returns after MD% of the Champions League group stage, so let’s pay attention to those key players who played enough minutes that they might rest.
Game-week 10 was mixed for many FPL managers, the average tally being only 44 points. Famous FPL players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Diogo Jota and Bruno Fernandes delivered enough points, but Liverpool’s Sadio Mane & Mohamed Salah; all Chelsea’s attack; and Spurs’ duo Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son failed to produce their usual points tally.
Let’s have a look at those key players for this week’s Premier League action:
Goalkeeper
Alex McCarthy — £4.6m – Brighton
Despite losing their 2-0 lead to Manchester United who came back to win 3-2, McCarthy has been crutial for Southampton. With four clean sheets to his name, the keeper will be looking forward to fixtures against the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion. Some say Brighton was lucky to draw against Liverpool last week.
Ederson - £6.0m – Fulham (H)
Ederson could be a good option after a major boost in confidence from a 5-0 Burnley victory. Fulham has had difficulty putting the ball into the net.
Defenders
James Justin — £4.9m – Sheffield United (A)
For a budget player, Justin has been surprisingly reliable, starting every game for Brendon Rodger’s side. He now faces woeful Sheffield United, which has been a mere shadow of its previous season’s self. There is a high chance for Leicester to get a clean sheet against a side that is last in the table with the worst start in the history of the Premier League.
Reece James — £5.1m – Leeds (H)
Reece James has been phenomenal with the budget price-tag for many mangers so far. No defender has more bonus points (9). He grabbed another bonus point against Spurs this past week and looks to continue a productive partnership with his defensive teammates. Leeds will create difficulties for the Blues but has conceded 16 goals already.
Kyle Walker — £6.2m – Fulham (H)
Walker provided nine points in thrashing Burnley 5-0; he and his team mates finally look like the old dangerous side who found the balance of scoring and keeping clean sheets. The game against Fulham is the perfect chance to keep their momentum going, the English defender likely to hold his position, unlike the left-side with its Mendy-Cancelo rotation. However, it’s always difficult to judge Pep Guardiola’s changes; Walker has played 90 minutes every game except West Ham in GW-6. YMMV.
Midfielders
Diogo Jota - £6.8m – Wolves (H)
Diogo Jota’s signing has been excellent for Liverpool, which faces his former side Wolves next. Interestingly, he featured in 354 NMA squads in GW 10 — providing nine points — having been selected in 63 the week before and 0 in GW-7. He’s been in top form with five goals in the Premier League and may have a point to prove to Nuno Santo’s side.
Bruno Fernandes - £10.9m – West Ham (A)
Manchester United has been excellent away. The centerpiece of their squad is Bruno Fernandes. With the form he is in (seven goals and four assists already), he can be deadly against West Ham for sure.
Kevin De Bruyne — £11.7m – Fulham (H)
Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez were fundamental in breaking Burnley 5-0; Manchester City may have their groove back. The Belgian provided two assists and will look to continue his feisty form against a troubled side Fulham.
Forwards
Che Adams — £5.9 – Brighton (A)
Adams has been a decent replacement for Danny Ings with three goals and four assists as the striker involved in most of Southampton’s build up. He displayed a good performance in the first half against Man United and may very well shine against a poorer defensive squad at Brighton.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - £7.9 – Burnley (A)
At his price, and with the manner of goals he’s scoring for fun, Calvert Lewin is a popular choice amongst fantasy managers. The English striker has been essential for Everton, scoring ten goals already in the season on his way to 72 FPL points, just 18 behind Harry Kane. Burnley looks extremely vulnerable at the back, putting the striker in a great place to continue his scoring spree.
Harry Kane — £10.9 – Arsenal (H)
Harry Kane can be called the most in-form player alongside Heung-Min Son who have been dominating the fantasy world for a while. Despite having a blank GW 10 – his first since the GW-1 – the English forward has 10 goals in 11 starts against Arsenal. He has a decent history and just loves to score against the Gunners who have clearly been out of form.
[ Update: Kane missed training on Wednesday and is not travelling to LASK for Tottenham’s Europa League match, but Mourinho is still hopeful that he plays on Sunday. YMMV ]
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What do you think of our picks this week? Which player are you taking the chance on? Should five substitutions be an option now with plenty of injuries happening lately? Which player will get the spotlight this week? Please let us know in the comments section below!
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