FPL Player Picks: GW-30

We’re back after a couple of weeks broken by international matches in which we watched prized FPL assets fall victim to crunching tackles etc. There have been plenty of great performances and goals, notably from West Ham’s Soucek — who scored a hattrick for Czech Republic against Estonia.

It’s also worth noting that GW-32 is now a mini-double for Tottenham (against Everton and Southampton), with Crystal Palace blanking. Spurs (along with Fulham, Manchester City and Southampton) will then blank in GW-33.

Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martinez (£5.4, AST vs FUL): Martinez continues to be a top pick, appearing in our FPL picks once again. He’s one of the best options for a clean-sheet this game-week, featuring in a Villa side that still has a game-in-hand to put into the schedule. He remains a great long-term pick also.

Edouard Mendy (£5.1, CHE vs WBA): Mendy is in fine form for the Blues lately, having picked up four consecutive clean sheets and grabbing a few bonus points in the process. He may not have much to do in this game, but he offers a great chance to make it five clean sheets in a row.

Defenders

Stuart Dallas (£5.1, LEE vs SHU): Dallas continues to be an essential FPL asset, an FPL defender playing in attacking-midfield. Five goals and three assists so far is an excellent return on investment. Dallas will have a strong chance of returning at both ends of the pitch in this fixture.

Ben Chilwell (£5.8, CHE vs WBA): Chilwell looks to be back in favor under Tuchel. Most of the Chelsea defensive assets are great value at the moment, and you’d back them for a clean-sheet against the Baggies. Chilwell should also have ample opportunity to attack down the left.

Luke Shaw (£5.2, MAN vs BRI): Probably the league’s most in-form defender right now. Manchester United has impressed at the back in recent times: four clean-sheets on the bounce with Shaw scoring against rival Man City.

Midfielders

Jesse Lingard (£6.2, WOL vs WHU): Lingard is well and truly back; his performances for loanee club West Ham earned him a way back into the England fold, featuring during the international break. He now has three goals and two assists in his last four matches, blanking only once for the Hammers. We also can’t ignore Soucek easily, especially after he scored a hattrick on international duty.

Raphinha (£5.7, LEE vs SHU): The Leeds winger’s stock continues to rise as more and more FPL managers look to profit from the Brazilian’s steady production. He’s cheap, has great underlying stats and looks stronger in each successive game. He’ll have a great chance to add to his six goals and six assists against the Blades.

Kai Havertz (£8.2, CHE vs WBA): Havertz is our differential pick of the week, currently with less than 3% ownership. After struggling for game time this season, he looks to feature for the rejuvenated Blues, having grabbed two assists in his last two matches. Havertz also continued his positive form with a goal and assist for Germany during the international break. The Blues face a West Brom side that has conceded the most goals this season.

Diogo Jota (£6.7, ARS vs LIV): Jota offers great value for a side not firing on all cylinders right now. The struggles of Klopp’s usual trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino epitomize Liverpool’s poor form at the moment. Jota has already injected some new ideas into the side and should get plenty of game time. He scored last time out and now has six goals in what has been an injury-plagued season.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£11.6, NEW vs TOT): Spurs may be all over the place at the moment, but this hasn’t stopped Kane from reminding us what a great FPL asset he is. Kane is the league’s joint top-scorer so far with 17 goals; five of which have come in his last six matches. Next up is floundering Newcastle, which conceded three goals to lowly Brighton last time out.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2, ARS vs LIV): Lacazette is Arsenal’s top-scorer this season, having really stepped up during Aubameyang’s goal drought. He has three goals in his last four matches and should be fresh for this one after being passed over for international duty. Lacazette should start against the Reds and will fancy himself against a damaged Liverpool defense.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7, LEE vs SHU): Bamford may have a caution asterisk next to his name, but this didn’t stop him from tallying a goal and an assist to reward those who kept the faith in the BGW last time out. Bamford continues to be one of the bargains of the season, with 14 goals and nine assists total. He pass fit to start this one against bottom side Sheffield United.

What do you make of our picks this game-week? Have you used your wildcard this week? Know any good differentials? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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