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After deviating from the FPL schedule for our own mini-week, our calendar now falls back in line with the official game (though the Fantrax website may display this week as “37” — go by the calendar dates May 14-16).
That puts another Friday deadline and another mini-week in front of us: There are only eight matches, so Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, and Man United all blank.
Here’s the slate:
Friday 14 May
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Saturday 15 May
- Burnley vs Leeds
- Southampton vs Fulham
- Brighton vs West Ham
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Sunday 16 May
- Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
- Tottenham vs Wolves
- West Brom vs Liverpool
- Everton vs Sheffield United
The prior game-week saw the final piece of the relegation puzzle fall into place as Fulham now joins West Brom and Sheffield United en route to the Championship next season. Leicester’s victory over Man United also precluded the possibility of anyone catching first-place Man City, so the Citizens will reclaim the league crown after surrendering it to Liverpool last season.
With the league title already sewn up and a Champions League final looming on the horizon, it’s hard to speculate about what kind of side Pep will field this weekend. Happily though, we won’t have to speculate. Show up here for the Pre-Deadline Chat to see the confirmed lineups for the NEW v MCI match ahead of the Fantrax deadline.
Consequently, I haven’t bothered to name any City players in my player picks. See who starts and then grab’em while they’re hot.
(Note: Quoted prices are for NMA-11 and will be recalculated four hours after the last match today.)
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford ($14.82, EVE vs SHU): The Blades have mustered only 18 goals all season and are already doomed to the Championship next year; the Toffees are still in with a shout for European qualification.
Fraser Forster ($2.60, SOU vs FUL): Fulham had trouble scoring goals even when they were desperate to stay up. Now that they’ve been relegated, their attack could be drained of urgency. There’s a chance that Alex McCarthy could return between the sticks this weekend, but Forster’s excellent display against Palace should be enough for him to hold his place. At $2.60 for this fixture, he’s worth running the risk of a no-show.
Defenders
Scott Dann ($4.64, CRY vs AVL): The 34 year-old Englishman re-established himself in the starting lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury, and he has averaged 7 ppg over his last three matches.
Ben Godfrey ($11.90, EVE vs SHU): He’s not cheap anymore, but he’s still probably worth buying at full-freight. He has only missed double-digits once in has last five games, and this week he’ll welcome the sorry Blades to Goodison Park.
Diego Llorente ($5.33, BUR vs LEE): Leeds’ least expensive starting defender is capable of outsized returns, even without clean sheets.
Nathaniel Phillips ($4.33, WBA vs LIV): Liverpool is still battling for a Champions League slot (or the best European consolation prize within reach), and the Baggies are already relegated. Phillips looks good value for this one.
Kyle Walker-Peters ($11.08, SOU vs FUL): KWP is a little pricey, but he could be worth the spend for the visit of the goal-shy Cottagers. But keep your eye on team news: If injuries to others will keep Jack Stephens ($5.87) in the lineup, then Stephens is an even cheaper route into the potential clean sheet.
Serge Aurier ($9.15, TOT vs WOL): The Ivorian seemed to have fallen out with Mou before the Special One was sacked, but he is now flourishing under new management. He has tallied 40 points over his last three matches, and he could be in line for a clean sheet when Wolves visit this week.
Lucas Digne ($12.29, EVE vs SHU): He’s always a threat bombing forward from his fullback position, but with James Rodriguez absent through injury, Digne has also been taking on a larger role with set-pieces. “Hamess” is only now returning to training, having missed the last three weeks, so with the shambolic Blades coming to call this weekend, Digne could prosper.
Midfielders
Bertrand Traore ($10.92, CRY vs AVL): The 25 year-old has notched attacking returns in each of his last two, and there could be more this weekend: Palace has conceded eleven goals over the last five matches.
Wilfried Zaha ($11.77, CRY vs AVL): No Eagle is more dangerous from open play, and Villa hasn’t kept a clean sheet in over two months.
Gylfi Sigurdsson ($10.69, EVE vs SHU): Like Digne, Siggy has also seen his share of set pieces increase while Rodriguez has been absent, and of course he’s Everton’s PK taker too. The opposition also makes Richarlison ($13.89) a good choice; he’s just more expensive than the Icelander.
Raphinha ($15.74, BUR vs LEE): Tallied an assist and 11.5 points in his long-awaited return from injury on Saturday, and all in the span of just 31 minutes.
James Ward-Prowse ($16.59, SOU vs FUL): He’ll set you back some coin, but against the Cottagers, Southampton’s set-piece wizard could be worth it.
Gareth Bale ($8.71, TOT vs WOL): Much cheaper than Son and Kane, but has the potential to be just as explosive. The 42 points he put up against Sheffield United a week and a half ago are proof of that.
Jesse Lingard ($8.45, BHA vs WHU: After scoring in five straight matches, he’s now gone quiet for three. We all knew his torrid pace wasn’t sustainable and that a reversion to the mean was inevitable. Regardless, he’s still a decent shout against Brighton this weekend.
Forwards
Adama Traore ($9.97, TOT vs WOL): He has registered attacking returns in four of his last six matches, and I think his lightning pace and rugby physique will be more than Sergio Reguilon can handle on Sunday.
Chris Wood ($11.83, BUR vs LEE): What a purple patch this man is in: eight goals in his last eight games. Leeds should offer him plenty of chances to continue, and his price is still very reasonable.
Christian Benteke ($8.43, CRY vs AVL): Another in-form forward, the Congolese has three goals in his last five games. He tends to troll me, but YMMV.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($15.30, EVE vs SHU): Like Benteke, DCL has notched three goals in his last five games, and this week he faces the worst team in the league.
Mo Salah ($18.58, WBA vs LIV): This weekend, the league’s worst defense will face a team that is desperate to win Champions League qualification. Add to that the fact that Salah is chasing the Golden Boot, and you have a scenario that could see the Egyptian blow up for big points.
Danny Ings ($10.31, SOU vs FUL): In a surprise to many of us, Ings was fit to start against Crystal Palace on Tuesday. His brace in that match was less of a surprise: Scoring goals is what this guy does. This week the matchup is tasty and the price is right.
Michail Antonio ($9.82, BHA vs WHU): When he’s healthy, he’s as dangerous as anyone in the league. The Hammers are fighting for European qualification, so they’ll attack this game hard. That could pay dividends for managers who own Antonio.
Will you hang on to discounted players you hold from the clubs that have blanks this weekend, or is it too late in the season to absorb zeroes? Are you overweighting players from clubs that still have something to play for, and avoiding players from clubs that don’t? Do any players from the relegated sides catch your eye? Please join us and share your transfer plans in the comments!
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