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It’s week 30 almost when it belongs! EPL didn’t play GW-30 until the end of June last season! So I’m grateful that we are still going!
There is a lot left to play for at both ends of the table.
Here’s the fixture list:
Saturday, 3 April
Chelsea vs West Brom
Leeds vs Sheffield United
Leicester City vs Manchester City
Arsenal vs Liverpool
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Sunday, 4 April
Southampton vs Burnley
Manchester United vs Brighton
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Monday, 5 April
Everton vs Crystal Palace
Wolves vs West Ham
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Here’s a set of differential picks to look at too.
I love that we will get the confirmed Chelsea lineup to start the week. It’s a good match up, and we’ll be able to make adjustments based on Touchel’s rotations. So I recommend having a few plans in place if you were looking for key players from the Blues.
Keepers
Dean Henderson ($3.87, MAN vs BHA) Three straight shutouts and lots of saves. He seems to have become the number one at United, though DDG has been back in training long enough now that he might have something to say about it (YMMV). Brighton has been a little better recently, but Henderson is cheap and the best at-retail keeper right now.
Edouard Mendy ($13.20, CHE vs WBA) Mendy and Chelsea have four straight clean sheets entering play against the 19th place team in the league. He is pricey, but so are most starting keepers at this time. If you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, then Mendy is the pick of premium keeper upgrades this week. Note: Mendy had some oral surgery during the international break, but he should still start, and his place will be confirmed just before deadline-time.
Defenders
Luke Shaw ($11.51 MAN vs BHA) See our great article here about Shaw’s rise. He’s one of the top defenders in the league right now and has a good match up. If I’m spending money on a defender, it’s Shaw.
Lucas Digne ($10.41, EVE vs CRY) I like the match up, and I like wing-backs who take set pieces. He hasn’t hit his full stride yet since his return from injury, but he has just enjoyed two weeks time to regain sharpness.
Diego Llorente ($2.82 LEE vs SHU) Llorente is cheap and playing the lowest-scoring team in the league. He is putting up the same points as more expensive players each week. He’s a great enabler now and going forward.
Craig Dawson ($7.79, WOL vs WHU) Dawson is a bit of a differential pick here. His price is reasonable, and he’s been known to pop up for a goal here and there. Wolves still haven’t solved their offensive woes.
Midfielders
Mason Mount ($13.20, CHE vs WBA) Mount has been the engine behind the drive to a Champions League spot. He’s still on set pieces and heavily involved across the field. I’m also looking at Kai Havertz. If he’s playing up front, then I may have both in my squad by the end of the countdown hour when we see the confirmed Chelsea lineup.
Jesse Lingard ($5.58, WOL vs WHU) It’s hard to keep Lingard off your team in his form and at that price. Michail Antonio is another option for this match up.
Kevin De Bruyne ($18.03, LEI vs MCI) I’m saying KDB here but really this is a nod to any Man City attacker you think will get the start. The Foxes need the points and have been excellent, but can anyone really stop the Citizens when they are in this mood?
Richarlison ($12.27, EVE vs CRY) I like the match up for the Toffees this week, as Crystal Palace normally concedes on the road. Richarlison is a safe pick week in and week out, with double digits points in five of his last six games.
Raphinha ($16.02 LEE vs SHU) You should be looking at him every week (and most of us already have him at a discount). This week Leeds gets to terrorize last-place Sheffield United.
Forwards
Harry Kane ($24.42, NEW vs TOT) Lucas Moura is one-third Kane’s price, so I am looking at him too, but Kane is Kane, capable of huge games. Against Newcastle that chance is certainly here.
Diogo Jota ($5.67, LIV vs ARS) Jota is back. He scored against Wolves last game. Liverpool need a boost, and he may be able to provide it. With nine games left in their season, the Reds need points to salvage something. Can Jota be the guy to help them get there?
Alexandre Lacazette ($12.21, LIV vs ARS) A win would put Arsenal a point behind Liverpool in the standings (though that doesn’t mean as much as in recent years). The Frenchman has scored in his last three starts, and those were against tough competition: Leicester, Spurs and West Ham. Liverpool’s ad hoc defense will be tested.
I’m awaiting injury reports for key players for this week and especially next: Jack Grealish, Paul Pogba, James Maddison, Son, etc. Please tune in for our Pre-deadline Chat when we will have late news, press reports, and two confirmed lineups.
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What match ups are you looking at? Who else are you considering? Whom can you drop to make room? Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments!
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