Fantrax EPL GW-28 Player Picks: Friday Deadline

I doubled-down on Manchester City and Southampton last week and left the weekend feeling pretty lousy about City. But that’s the beauty of a double week, your players need only one really good game. My risky offensive choices paid off handsomely, but I got it wrong in back, with only 1 player getting a double.

There are finally some affordable options at goalkeeper if you’re looking. It’s about time.

There are actually quality low cost options across the teams and positions. You will have lots of ways to differentiate your team.

There are still lots of injuries to contend with and rotations remains a risk.

Friday Deadline

There’s a Friday game this game-week (and next game-week too). Newcastle hosts Aston Villa in the early game and 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 them.

Goalkeepers

Dean Henderson ($3.31, MAN vs WHU) Henderson may be set to finally take the starting job at United. He has two straight starts and shutouts, including one against Manchester City, where he recorded six saves. If you don’t yet have a cheap keeper to call your own, this could be your chance.

Fraser Forster ($2.32, MAN vs WHU) Forster put up big points vs Sheffield United and then.. vs Man City. but it’s worth noting that Southampton’s next four are Brighton, Burnley, @West Brom and Crystal Palace.

Defenders

Matt Targett ($12.93, NEW vs AST) We get to see the lineup, so we make him sure thing. He still gets forward a bunch. Newcastle was shut out by West Brom last game, so there is not much to fear.

Lucas Digne ($10.31, EVE vs BUR) He didn’t have a great game in the loss to Chelsea, salted by a yellow card. Before that he was in double digits for four straight weeks. Burnley also aren’t lighting up the scoreboard.

Ricardo Pereira ($3.84, LEI vs SHU) He finally broke out for a pretty big game. He is often playing in the midfield and getting forward. Leicester hasn’t kept a clean sheet in a five games, but Sheffield United has only one goal in the last five to scare us.

Matt Doherty ($4.59, ARS vs TOT) The Tottenham wing-back has started in two straight games, and he has shown us moments of his form from last year. If he’s back as a regular starter, the price is right for an attacking defender.

Conor Townsend ($7.03, CRY vs WBA) I’m actually recommending a West Brom defender. The Baggies have conceded just once in their last four. He has double digits in his last two, including a big game last weekend, which included crosses and a plethora of stats.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne ($18.47, FUL vs MCI) KDB is back to his old self, soothing the sting of the derby loss by contributing a brace in the mid week thrashing of Southampton. He sat out the last 20 minutes or so, so I’m less worried about rotation risk, but you can’t be sure with Pep and the crowded fixture list that includes Champions League next mid-week.

James Ward-Prowse ($17.04, SOU vs BHA) Those who invested got full value for JWP last week, scoring in both games. If you have him a little cheaper, he may be worth holding for the South Coast Derby.

Mason Mount ($14.90 LEE vs CHE) The Chelsea midfielder has been vital in the Blue’s solid run of games: unbeaten in 9. He has three goals in his last six. He even got a little rest against Everton. Those fresh legs and the fact that he’s on most set pieces make him an attractive choice against attack-minded Leeds.

Matheus Pereira ($11.80, CRY vs WBA) I have recommended him a few times, as he is consistent and capable of big games. Crystal Palace was a mess in the back against Spurs. Even with a bad game he earns enough to make him a good pick.

Gareth Bale ($5.99, ARS vs TOT) In case you don’t have him yet, he is still affordable, but the way he has been playing recently, he won’t be for much longer. He, Kane, and Son have started to find their rhythm together, with Bale’s take of the spoils being four goals and two assists in his last four games. Do you dare leave him out?

Forwards

Kelechi Iheanacho ($2.18, LEI vs SHU) Iheanacho has made the most of his two straight starts by scoring in each, with last week’s goal being especially good. Leicester faces last place Sheffield United. With his hot streak and the Foxes’ continuing injuries, he’s an enabler with an upside.

Richarlison (11.98, EVE vs BUR) He broke his goal scoring streak at four, but I could see him getting another streak going. He’s still priced affordably.

Harry Kane ($23.24, ARS vs TOT) It would be hard not to have him when he’s playing like this and when those around him are also playing well. He’s is doing a lot of play-making and not just scoring goals.

Raheem Sterling ($13.77, FUL vs MCI) Sterling has been notably quiet, which makes me think a big game may be coming. I do think he starts after getting a full rest, but a healthy Sergio Aguero makes this less certain. I’d love to have a City forward when the team is in this type of form, but the pick does come with some risk.

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How are your Fantrax teams holding up? Are you still in the Blog Cup? If so, have you done anything differently because GW-28 is a Cup weekend? Whom are you buying? Whom are you dropping? And what questions do you have for us? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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