EPL Game-Week 24 FPL Player Picks

The Premier League just keeps on providing excitement as it presents us with a double game-week chance to gain extra points and catch up with with our rivals.

With the FA Cup fifth round inserting a pause in the twice-weekly regular league schedule, Manchester City, Burnley, Everton and Fulham are playing make-up matches, so FPL managers have the opportunity to find fantasy assets playing twice in GW-24.

• Manchester City vs. Spurs (H) & Everton (A)
• Everton vs. Fulham (H) & Man City (H)
• Burnley vs. Palace (A) & Fulham (H)
• Fulham vs. Everton (A) & Burnley (A)

Let’s have a look a look at those players who have the potential to earn some massive points...

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope (£5.5m, Crystal Palace vs Burnley); (Burnley vs Fulham)

Nike Pope should really be a no-brainer to select; the English goalkeeper has been fundamental for Burnley and faces two favorable games against Crystal Palace and Fulham. His heroics in goal have provided high numbers of save and bonus points, and he has become FPL royalty in recent seasons as well.

Emiliano Martínez (£5.2m, Brighton vs Aston Villa)

When it comes to affordable players who never disappoint so far this term, Martinez is that player who has simply been phenomenal for Villa. The Spaniard may not have a double game, but he’s on top of the fantasy charts with the highest goal keeper points (116), which is why he hasn’t been a bad call to make in your squad.

Defenders

Ben Mee (£5.0m, Crystal Palace vs Burnley); (Burnley vs Fulham)

Mee can score from set-pieces, which can be helpful, so his average 4.3 points per match is the highest of all Burnley defenders. His dominance at the back plus threat of a goal will be useful when facing Palace and Fulham.

Joao Cancelo (£6.0m, Man City vs Tottenham); (Everton vs Man City)

Despite Tottenham and Everton fixtures being difficult, there is still a lot of room for points from a Man City player. The dynamic duo of Dias & Stones has kept 13 clean sheets together, allowing Cancelo to roam forward to provide service into the box. That means potential points in GW24 if you think he plays both fixtures. Given Pep Guardiola’s constant rotation, you might choose Ruben Dias as a safer call.

Lucas Digne (£6.1m, Everton vs Fulham); (Everton vs Man City)

Everton is the only team that plays twice at home in GW-24. Digne has been a massive threat when moving forward or during set-pieces. The fullback has registered seven assists this term and can possibly expect a clean sheet against Fulham, but his attacking ability is what attracts the most.

Midfielders

Ilkay Gundogan (£5.9m, Man City vs Tottenham); (Everton vs Man City)

Gundogan has been in his best form since Dortmund 2012. With such an affordable price-tag, the midffielder is a great option for the DGW. His ability to find gaps in the box, to switch game-play or to edge a final pass or simply scoring has caught attention of plenty of fantasy managers out there.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m, West Brom vs Man United)

Fernandes has been magnificent for Manchester United, already with 13 goals plus 11 assists this season, the most by any midfielder. Four goal-contributions (2G, 2A) in the previous two fixtures shows just how involved the Portuguese star is. Against a struggling West Brom side, United will look for Bruno to provide yet another game-changing performance to deliver three points to try to keep pace with rivals Man City.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m, Man City vs Tottenham); (Everton vs Man City)

Despite Sterling being too expensive and being benched two times in City’s previous six fixtures, there are not enough attackers in the midfield at the moment, so the Englishmen will likely start both fixtures. He could even be a captain choice given the form Guardiola’s men are in.

Forwards

Ollie Watkins (£6.4m, Brighton vs Aston Villa)

Watkins is another English striker to reach the 10-goal mark, scoring four times in previous five games. His evolution from the Championship to the Premier League has been vital to Villa’s improvement this season. The forward’s pace allows a run-in-behind tactic where he can find space to fire the ball into the net.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7m, Arsenal vs Leeds)

Bamford could be the perfect unselfish striker: He not only has 12 goals this term but has provided eight assists to his team-mates. Leeds has more points than Arsenal and more goals than Tottenham, impressive from Bielsa’s newly promoted side.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m, Everton vs Fulham); (Everton vs Man City)

Calvert-Lewin should also be an obvious choice. He destroyed United’s three points in the final kick of the game by earning a draw at Old Trafford. With the creative midfielders back for Everton, the forward will find plenty of chances to put the ball into the net; indeed he looks to be back in goal-scoring form. At zero rotation risk, he’s another candidate for wearing the armband this DGW.

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Weather warning: There have been “frozen pitch” postponements around England this week. Watch the weather to see if it could affect Premiership venues! (And tune into NMA’s Pre-deadline Chat for the latest at deadline time!)

What do you think of our picks this week? On which players are you taking a chance? Who are you planning to captain for the DGW? Which player will shine in the spotlight? Please let us know in the comments section below!

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