Fantrax EPL GW-27 Player Picks

Manchester City and Southampton have the only set of double games on the match week. While other formats limit transfers and players per team, in Fantrax you can load up on as many players as you can afford from any team.

So for me, the real question is how many Citizens can I trust to play twice (or even once) and which ones? Sunday they host Manchester United in the marquee match of the week, but I think City is a juggernaut that no team in the EPL can stop at the moment. City then has struggling Southampton for dessert on Wednesday.

Here’s how I see it: City is the best team, and getting one full game out of any of their players is still a good deal (usually), so having a chance at a second game is just icing on the cake. Can you really go wrong? Yes... of course you can. There were a slew of City players who really didn’t pay out this previous DGW (e.g. Gundog, Grrrr...), so be careful, but also be sure you get in where you can. I’m going to offer the best option in each position for City.

Southampton plays an improving Sheffield United then City. There may be a few points here, but I’m not looking too deeply.

Burnley vs Arsenal 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.

Goalkeeper

Ederson ($16.79, MCI vs MAN, MCI vs SOU) Shockingly, he has been scored on in two straight games (blame editor Jeff for buying him and putting him under his curse), but he still is returning points. You can set him and forget it (unless you start eyeing the cash he ties up). He’s not going to lose points, and each week he might delivery big. With two matches on City’s docket, even KM might consider Ederson at retail.

Bernd Leno ($11.08, BUR vs ARS) Burnley is still struggling to score consistently, and the Gunners have been better and better in back. You get lineups, so there’s no risk of rotation. He’s getting some saves, even though clean sheets have been rare.

Darren Randolph ($1.00, WHU vs LEE) As stated before there aren’t great cheap options out there at the keeper spot. Lukasz Fabianski is a doubt, so check the injury reports before making a move here, but if he’s available West Ham have been playing well and it’s a good value pick with a set of potential saves against Leeds.

Defender

Rúben Dias ($11.83, MCI vs MAN, MCI vs SOU) Pep has been giving Dias the start in most games (he hasn’t been rotated since the last time editor Jeff bought him for his two Fantrax teams). He seems to be the immovable piece, which of course means he may be moved. I still think he’s most likely to get both starts.

Jannik Vestergaard ($10.24, SOU vs SHE, SOU vs MCI) I’m looking at him and his center back partner. Both get enough points within the game to justify at least a look. They also get Sheffield United in the first of their two games.

Cédric Soares ($3.14, BUR vs ARS) His last two games scores were 8.5 and 6, so he’s getting good value even with goals against and no clean sheets. He’s a really solid filler if you’re looking for one, and again you can check lineups before the deadline.

Ahmed El Mohamady ($2.09, AST vs WOL) El Mo is filling in for the injured Matthew Cash for at least one more game. He’s also returning solid points with or without clean sheets.

Andrew Robertson ($13.79, LIV vs FUL) Despite Liverpool’s struggle overall, expensive Robertson is still worth considering. Fulham hasn’t scored more than a single goal since Jan. 30, so it seems like there is a chance for a big game here.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne ($17.34, MCI vs MAN, MCI vs SOU) I’m not sure how you leave him out of your lineup, even at retail. He earned twelve points in each game last week with no goals and only one assist. He’s still the engine of this purring machine. I’m not absolutely sure he starts both games with so many options available. All other City midfielders are playable here, but KDB is one I’m definitely getting in the squad.

James Ward-Prowse ($15.63, SOU vs SHE, SOU vs MCI) Even as Southampton struggles, JWP remains a consistent player and scorer. I’d bank on some solid points in the first game, and then a few bonus points against City.

Matheus Pereira ($11.64, WBA vs NEW) He has a high floor and high ceiling. Newcastle has given up two goals in each of the last two games. Pereira hasn’t exploded recently, but against Newcastle there is a real chance that he will.

Anwar El Ghazi ($9.77, AST vs WOL) In Grealish’s absence, El Ghazi has re-emerged as a key player for Villa, earning 14 and 23 in his last two games. Wolves conceded four to City, and while the Villans aren’t Citizens, they still can put up points on a good day.

Forwards

Riyad Mahrez ($11.70, MCI vs MAN, MCI vs SOU) Mahrez has come to life recently (perhaps because Pep didn’t hide him on the bench). He has a goal or assist in each of his last four games. I don’t think he starts both games, but even one game plus some cameo minutes might be worth his price tag. All other attacking mids or forwards are on the table. This is really about which ones you want (and whom you think will get the most playing time, especially against the Saints).

Son Heung-Min ($21.17, TOT vs CRY) There was a whole article on Bale, so I’m not going to highlight him as a choice. Son, however, is a good choice against a poor Palace team. He has more points than Kane over the last two games, including two assists. He is due a goal too. Of course, I wouldn’t fault anyone for picking Kane here. Note: As an option, Son (like some other attackers) can be stashed in midfield.

Michail Antonio ($9.52, WHU vs LEE) “M’Antonio” has a goal in each of his last two games. The Hammers’ loss to City was their first blemish in a while, but they put up a fight. While Leeds has been vulnerable at the back, the Peacocks still play attacking football, so Antonio should get chances.

Richarlison ($10.94, CHE vs EVE) Four straight games with a goal. Are you willing to bet the streak continues against Chelsea, who have only conceded two goals in their last eight games?

How many City players will you be going with? Anyone from Southampton? Are you sticking with some of your discounts or moving on at this time in the season? Where else are you looking and whom did I miss? Please share your insights and questions in the comments below!

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