It has been a rollercoaster few weeks for FPL managers as we enter the second half of the Premier League season. Game-Week 20 was filled with excitement and despair, with Tomas Soucek continuing his goal-scoring form and Manchester City keeping another clean-sheet in their 5-0 rout over West Brom. However, at this time of the year with matches coming in thick and fast, let’s jump straight into our picks for Game-Week 21:
SCOUT: Sadio Mane (£11.8m) recorded his first double-digit haul since Gameweek 2
In his last six #PL matches, he has produced 18 shots in the penalty area and created 16 chances, which are both leading totals at Liverpool#TOTLIV #FPL pic.twitter.com/xblKxN3fpi
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 28, 2021
GK: Sam Johnstone (WBA) – £4.5m
West Brom and Johnstone have a great chance of keeping a clean-sheet this week as they come up against a Fulham side that has only scored 4 goals in their last 9 Premier League games. Johnstone has also made the most saves in the league this season and is averaging 1 save point every game.
DEF: Lucas Digne (EVE) – £6.0m
Everton has a favourable matchup this week against a Newcastle side that has only scored 2 goals in their last 7 games. Lucas Digne also has great potential of attacking returns, with 6 assists in 10 starts this season.
DEF: Joao Cancelo (MCI) – £5.9m
The number one defensive option in the game right now is Joao Cancelo. Cancelo has created the most chances amongst defenders in the game and is set for another big haul this week after scoring 17 points against West Brom in the midweek fixture.
DEF: Ben Chilwell (CHE) – £6.1m
Tomas Tuchel opted for a back three in his first game in charge, giving Ben Chilwell greater license to roam forward in attack. Chelsea comes up against Burnley at the weekend, who have only scored 13 goals in 19 games this season.
DEF: Antonio Rudiger (CHE) – £4.5m
Rudiger played in the heart of Chelsea’s defence in the first game for Tomas Tuchel and offers a cut-price route into Chelsea’s defence at only £4.5m. Doubling up on the Chelsea defence may be a good option this week given that they play a poor attacking side Burnley at home, with Tuchel desperate for his first victory.
MID: Ilkay Gundogan (MCI) – £5.7m
Ilkay Gundogan is the man in form for Manchester City, having scored 7 goals in his last 8 league games including 2 against West Brom in midweek. Gundogan is also the most transferred in FPL player this week with over 350,000 managers bringing him in before the game against Sheffield United.
MID: Heung-Min Son (TOT) – £9.8m
With Harry Kane injured, Son becomes the focal point of the Spurs attack. In 2019/20 Son had an xG of 0.59 per 90 and averaged 3 shots in the box per 90 without Kane in the side. Compare that to this season Son has an xG of 0.35 per 90 and averages 1.4 shots in the box per 90. The data shows that Son becomes an even better FPL asset with Kane out of the side, and this week he comes up against a Brighton side that is reeling at 17th in the table.
MID: Sadio Mane (LIV) – £11.8m
Mohammed Salah might be the more popular FPL pick, but it is his compatriot Sadio Mane that you should be looking at this week. The Senegalese had a monster game vs Tottenham where he had 7 shots in the box, 3 big chances and also created 1 big chance. With just 7% ownership, Mane is a great differential option.
MID: Raheem Sterling (MCI) – £11.5m
Sterling bagged a goal and assist against West Brom on Tuesday, and in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, he could be the go-to man for Manchester City this week. Sterling has had 11 shots in the box in his last 6 starts and is also the ideal captaincy option given that City plays last-placed Sheffield United at home.
MID: James Maddison (LEI) – £7.2m
With Jamie Vardy out, James Maddison becomes the talisman for Leicester City. Maddison has managed 3 goals in his last 4 games and is facing Leeds United, who have conceded the third-most goals in the Premier League this season (35).
FWD: Ollie Watkins (AVL) – £6.2m
After 10 games without a goal, Ollie Watkins has scored in back-to-back games for Aston Villa and this may be the perfect time to get in the striker. Villa has a favourable run of games this week onwards where they come up against the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Brighton.
Captaincy Pick
With Bruno Fernandes playing Arsenal, Harry Kane injured and Mohammed Salah out of form, captaincy picks are not straightforward for this week. Our pick would be either Raheem Sterling or Ilkay Gundogan given Manchester City’s recent ruthless streak, with the Englishman just edging it due to his greater pedigree as a goal scorer.
[Image Credit: Premier League]
Shivaan Shah