EPL Game-Week 30 FPL Player Picks

We are approaching the end of the Premier League season, but we’re not sure how long the league will continue to play due to the coronavirus pandemic (and panic) which has disrupted football. Of course, safety and health come first.

With European champions Liverpool knocked out of the Champions League by Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, and without any football in other competitions such as FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Jurgen Klopp will likely aim to end the domestic league on a high note.

Game week 29 was supposed to be a double game week for Manchester City and Arsenal, but the game was cancelled due to Arsenals’ exposure to the coronavirus (and Arsenal has already postponed this weekend’s match vs Brighton). Fantasy managers who used their free-hit chip or made Sergio Aguero, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or other players their captain failed to achieve big points as hoped due to the unexpected announcement.

Week 30 is approaching, and there is a possibility for matches to be played behind closed doors. Nonetheless, we have to get our minds back in frame and consider players to pick up in the world of fantasy. Also, keep in mind that GW-31 is a blank one for many teams, so it’s crucial to pick the right players.

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Goalkeeper

Dean Henderson (£5.2m, Sheffield United at Newcastle)

Sheffield United have been excellent at the back and credit goes to their goalkeeper Henderson who has kept 10 clean sheets already. Newcastle are struggling to put the ball in the net which will benefit the keeper who has a defensive minded unit in front of him. Plus, the Manchester United loanee will face Tottenham in GW-32 who are also lacking any threat moving forward.

Rui Patricio (£5.1m, Wolves at West Ham)

The reason for picking Wolves keeper Patricio is due to the set of relatively friendly teams he is set to face: West Ham (A), Bournemouth (H) and Aston Villa (A). In the previous five matches, Wolves have collected four clean sheets as they begin to pick up momentum to find a place in European competition again next season.

Bernd Leno (£5.0m, Arsenal at Brighton)

Mikel Arteta is looking to improve his defensive line-up and his goalkeeper is making a mark with three clean sheets in the previous five fixtures. Brighton is coming up, followed by Norwich City in GW32.

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Defenders

Matt Doherty (£6.2m, Wolves at West Ham)

Doherty had to be in this list due to his recent attacking threat moving forward, with a goal and a couple of assists in his previous three appearances, including two clean sheets. It’s really the time to get this player in your squad with his up-coming fixtures being against relatively friendly sides.

Marcos Alonso (£6.1m, Chelsea at Aston Villa)

The Spaniard left-footer has been quick to find his feet when it comes to scoring goals, with three already under his name in the last three fixtures with an assist. Alonso is turning out to be Frank Lampard’s regular with a three at the back approach helping Chelsea find some momentum which is why having this defender can be very useful for the long-run.

David Luiz (£5.7m, Arsenal at Brighton)

Never thought an Arsenal defender would make it to the list this term but it’s a shot worth taking. The Gunners seem to find their ways when it comes to defending and building confidence to gain clean sheets lately which is why David Luiz can be a good differential. However, it’s difficult to figure out why the Brazilian has such a high price tag.

Harry Maguire (£5.3m, Manchester United at Tottenham)

One can say that Harry Maguire has been a successful signing for Manchester United because the Red Devils have conceded the fourth-fewest goals in the league. Tottenham are in major decline who just can not wait for the season to be over and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have gone 10 matches undefeated with four clean sheets in the past five appearances.

Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m, Newcastle v. Sheffield United)

It’s odd that I am picking Dean Henderson to be chosen from the goal keeper category but also considering Newcastle’s Lascelles over here who has two clean sheets in a row. However, the defender has been making attacking runs when given the chance and there is a chance for him to provide his side with an assist despite finding a goal being a difficult task for them.

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Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m, Manchester United at Tottenham)

The mention of Fernandes should be obvious, who has made a team unwatchable at times into an entertaining one. With two goals and three assists, the Portuguese has been on fire. No wonder he won the Premier League Player of the Month for February.

Anthony Martial (£7.9m, Manchester United at Tottenham)

Martial has been the player in the goals for Manchester United lately, and he has something to prove to his previous manager, Jose Mourinho, who did not rate the Frenchmen during his time at Old Trafford. A motivated and emotional Martial will come in handy and can turn out to be dangerous with the recent form of run that the Red Devils are in. The striker has 11 goals to his name in the league.

Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m, Watford v. Leicester)

The player who ended Liverpool’s hope for an invincible season is suddenly the talk of the town and rightly so for his efforts. If given proper freedom and service, Sarr is a dangerous player moving forward and his sky high confidence level can help his side against the Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester which have recently have been on a slight slump of form.

Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Harvey Barnes (£6.1m, Leicester v. Watford)

Barnes has been important for the Foxes, scoring two last week against Aston Villa, and six in total with eight assists this season so far. He always manages to find ways to get the ball at the right spot.

Mason Mount (£6.1m, Chelsea at Aston Villa)

Mount is playing in tandem with Ross Barkley, which has helped the young English midfielder to make runs and find the gaps between opposition defenders. Aston Villa will face difficulty approaching Chelsea’s attacking threat. Plus, the Blues have matches such as West Ham United (A), Watford (H), Crystal Palace (A), Sheffield United (A), and Norwich (H) before Liverpool in GW 37.

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Forwards

Callum Wilson (£7.4m, Bournemouth v. Crystal Palace)

Eddie Howe’s instruction when moving forward is based around Wilson’s movement, and Bournemouth’s most important player has been in good if not great form, with three goals in his last six matches. His inclusion in the list is due to the fixture list with the next two matches after Palace coming against Wolves (A) and Newcastle (H).

Diogo Jota (£6.4m, Wolves at West Ham)

Despite not playing the full 90’ in any of his last six appearances in the league due to his Europa League involvement at times, Jota still manages to find the net with three goals and four assists in the previous five games. At such a bargain price, Jota can be extremely useful even if he does not have as many minutes as fantasy managers may like to see.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m, Watford v. Leicester)

If Watford are looking to get out of the relegation zone, their club captain will be heavily be depended on to score goals and inspire his fellow teammates on the pitch. Leicester will be tough to break down but Deeney has the physical attributes to put the ball in the net. Plus, his next fixtures are largely useful: Burley (A), Southampton (H), Chelsea (A), Norwich (H), Newcastle (H) and West Ham United (A) ‘til GW 36.

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Did you use free hit chip for the last week, or are you still holding off? What players are you planning to pick or drop, and how are you preparing for the blank week? What do you think with regard to matches being held without fans, or should they be stopped? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

And the EPL board is holding an emergency meeting Friday — Stay tuned!

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