Fantrax EPL GW-24 Player Picks

We get a set of recently-announced doubles:

• Manchester City vs Tottenham (H) & Everton (A)
• Everton vs. Fulham FC (H) & Man City (H)
• Burnley vs. Crystal Palace (A) & Fulham (H)
• Fulham vs. Everton (A) & Burnley (A)

The better teams have the tougher match-ups. The lower teams have the better match-ups. So there will be lots of options for you and ways to differentiate your team.

As usual, Pep’s rotation will make some of us mad, but it’s going to be hard to stay away from Manchester City who play at such a high level.

I’ll be focusing on double players, but Manchester United has a tasty single match as well.

Let’s take a look at the player suggestions.

Leicester vs Liverpool is the one early game that should give us its two lineups confirmed before our deadline. Come back to NMA in the countdown hour for our Pre-Deadline Chat to see those.

Goalkeepers

Nick Pope ($18.52, CRY vs BUR, BUR vs FUL) He’s pricey for sure. He has two solid match-ups. There’s a chance that he has two massive games, and we know he will sometimes be called on to make saves. Are you willing to spend the money?

Ederson ($14.89, MCI vs TOT, EVE vs MCI) He was finally scored against with a questionable PK from Salah. He’s cheaper than Pope, and even though his match-ups aren’t bottom-feeders, City is simply dominant, so he’s still the keeper to have if you can.

Robin Olsen ($2.60, EVE vs FUL, EVE vs MCI) Olsen is the most interesting and risky pick. We can’t be sure he keeps the starting spot, but he has been solid so there is a chance. There really aren’t any great cheap options. So if you’re looking and in a gambling mood, Olsen certainly is a place to look.

Defenders

Rúben Dias ($11.16, MCI vs TOT, EVE vs MCI) He would be the first defender in my team if he hadn’t sat out midweek because of an illness, so please watch late news. But assuming he recovers, he has been one of the key and consistent rocks in the City defensive wall.

João Cancelo ($10.40, MCI vs TOT, EVE vs MCI) When he’s on the field, he’s fantastic. But he has been on the rotation list for Pep game in and game out.

Lucas Digne ($8.04, EVE vs FUL, EVE vs MCI) I love Digne over two games. He’s back on kicks and getting forward. He’s a top fantasy defender and over two games he’s going to get chances for big points.

James Tarkowski ($11.81, CRY vs BUR, BUR vs FUL) I wouldn’t fault you for picking Ben Mee, but Tarkowski is a little cheaper, and over the last set of games he has earned more. Neither opponent has been scoring, so all starting Burnley defenders have chances for clean sheets.

Midfielders

Ilkay Gundogan ($11.88, MCI vs TOT, EVE vs MCI) I know he missed the PK, but his play has softened the loss of Kevin DeBruyne. Of all City players, he’s the one I’m getting into my lineup first. He has scored double digits in every game but one that he’s started in since December 15th.

Another City Midfielder/Forward - Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus and/or Riyad Mahrez. I honestly would love to have one more of these guys in my squad, I just don’t know who and can’t trust anyone start double. But if you get news or feel confident, then make it happen. City is simply the best team in the league at the moment.

Gylfi Sigurdsson ($7.15, EVE vs FUL, EVE vs MCI) If James Rodriguez is available I’m looking at him, but if the Columbian is out, then Sigi becomes a more interesting option. He is more involved when he fills in the attacking role, and you can certain he will start.

Dwight McNeil ($9.72, CRY vs BUR, BUR vs FUL) McNeil is the one Burnley offensive player I’m looking at. He is on all set pieces, and he will play both games. The match-ups are good, and there’s a chance he puts up good points.

Bruno Fernandes ($21.53, WBA vs MAN) Even as a single-gamer, can you really not have him on your squad against West Brom? You probably already have him at a huge discount, so just carry him.

Forwards

Raheem Sterling ($13.55, MCI vs TOT, EVE vs MCI) The English forward has four goals in his last five games. You can’t be sure that he starts both, but he has a chance to get time in both. Even a full game and some minutes in another makes him a viable option.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($16.29, EVE vs FUL, EVE vs MCI) He has two goals in his last two games. He’s a slight doubt from an injury. He gets a good match-up against Fulham then a bonus game for some points against City.

Ademola Lookman ($10.34, EVE vs FUL, BUR vs FUL) He’s quick and dangerous, which often equates to points. He’s a differential pick (the only Fulham attacker worth considering) who should get both games.

Marcus Rashford ($14.03, WBA vs MAN) Same as Bruno. West Brom are just so bad defensively, that you at least have to consider him or Edinson Cavani. He has a goal and assist over his last two.

Are you all in on doubles? Which single-gamers are you holding? What do you think about rotations? Check injuries and updates before making your final decisions. Please share your Fantrax thoughts and breaking news in the comments!

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