We’re back with another FPL Scout report ahead of Gameweek 21 which will be the third gameweek in a span of 6 days. We will try providing you the best players to transfer in this particular gameweek along with the three best Captaincy shouts to start the New Year in a grand fashion. So let’s get started!
The Wolverhampton Wanderers’ gaffer rested the majority of his first-team players against the League Leaders Liverpool with Traore being one of them. The 23-year-old has been in fine form with two goals and an assist in his three matches prior to his rest last gameweek. Despite starting off the bench against Liverpool, over the last four gameweeks, the Spanish midfielder has fired 12 attempts on goal, with only the likes of DeBruyne, Salah and Mahrez faring better in that department.
Only DeBruyne out of all midfielders has fired more shots on target than the Wolves midfielder over the same period. With favorable clashes against Watford, Newcastle, and Southampton, his points’ potential looks enticing for the next three games. His budget-friendly price of 5.5m also allows fantasy managers to have the likes of expensive Liverpool players ahead of their double gameweek in matchday 24. With a very short turnaround from gameweek 19 – 20 and now 21, many players look prime to be rested and with Traore expected to start, he looks one of the best buys in gameweek 21.
2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE FWD: 5.8m)
Upcoming fixtures: Manchester City (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A)
The 22-year-old has been in fine form with Everton’s appointment of Ancelotti now. Since Carlo’s arrival, Calvert-Lewin has bagged 3 goals in two matches whilst posting mouth-watering stats for fantasy managers. Over this period with the new manager bounce, no forward has had more goal attempts or bagged more goals than the young English international. He has had 10 attempts on goal, with 9 of them being in the box and 5 on target. With a price of just 5.8m at the time of writing, the Everton forward provides fantasy managers with one of the best value budget options in the game.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on December 28, 2019, in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The Toffees play City next which on paper looks like a difficult game. However, the Cityzens’ vulnerability at the back has been observed in recent matches with only Villa and Leicester City having conceded more big chances over the last 4 gameweeks. After the City clash, Everton face the likes of Brighton, West Ham and co, having favorable fixtures until gameweek 26. Also, with an ownership of just 3.3%, Dominic Calvert Lewin could prove to be a deadly differential in the coming few weeks.
3. Anthony Martial (MUN MID: 7.8m)
Upcoming fixtures: Arsenal (A), Norwich (H), Liverpool (A)
Anthony Martial has found his scoring boots in the last few weeks, bagging three goals in the last 2 gameweeks. United in the next two face porous defenses of Arsenal and Norwich which fares well for the owners of Manchester United attackers. Over the last two gameweeks, no midfielder has had more goal attempts, shots on target and shots inside the box. The Frenchman is also top for big chances among all midfielders over the same period. Only Leicester, Villa and Newcastle have conceded more goals than Norwich and Arsenal over the last four weeks.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Anthony Martial of Manchester United scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester United at Turf Moor on December 28, 2019, in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Martial also provides a cheaper route into the Manchester United attack for fantasy managers who are unable to stretch to Rashford. No team has scored more goals in the last two gameweeks than the Red Devils with only the Toffees having had more goal attempts than United over the same period. With an ownership of a mere 12%, Martial also provides a different route as compared to the highly owned Marcus Rashford.
Captaincy Options for Gameweek 21:
Here’s for Fantasy Managers hoping to get great gifts in the form of points this New Year 2020 as Gameweek 21 provides us with another chance to make huge ground by nailing the captaincy.
Here are the three best captaincy shouts for Gameweek 21 with great points potential:
1. Kevin De Bruyne:
The Belgian midfielder once again proved how vital he is to Pep’s team and Pep’s style of play, bagging a 14 point haul against Sheffield United in Gameweek 21 with a goal and an assist. The 28-year-old is now the top FPL point scorer among all midfielders with 7 goals and 14 assists to his name. He has now returned in each of the last four gameweeks with 3 goals and 4 assists ahead of Everton’s visit to the Etihad. Over the last four weeks, no midfielder has had more goal attempts or goal attempts on target than the Belgian. With a home game against the high pressing Everton, DeBruyne could get plenty of chances to counter. Adding his setpieces to his consistent scores and now possibly being on penalty duties now without Aguero on the pitch, KDB provides a great and a safe captaincy option in Gameweek 21.
2. Sadio Mane/Mohammed Salah:
Liverpool have been in great form this season, still undefeated with 18 wins in 19 matches. The duo of Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah have been central to everything that Liverpool do. Only DeBruyne in the last four gameweeks has had more goal attempts than Salah while no midfielder has had more shots from inside the box over the same period. While the Egyptian dominates here, Sadio Mane has had the better quality of chances with only Raheem Sterling being afforded more big chances than the Senegalese. For expected goals as well, over the last four weeks, only Raheem Sterling beats Mane for xG with Salah just behind Mane at fourth position. Both look great options ahead of a home fixture against Sheffield United and could prove to be equally great captaincy picks. In case you own both, Mane could be the better option as he’s been the player with better recent form and having an overall better form at home. However, both Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah should and could score similarly.
3. Jamie Vardy:
Jamie Vardy was given a full rest by Brendon Rodgers against West Ham United where an entire Leicester B team started. Having had a good rest now and with the birth of his newborn baby, Vardy looks all set to be back ahead of his return against the Magpies. Before his rest and the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, the 32-year-old had returned in 10 consecutive matches prior to 12 goals and 4 assists.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on November 09, 2019, in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Before his rest and the difficult games against City and Liverpool, from gameweeks 15 to 18, only Rashford and Abraham had more goal attempts than Vardy. Also, in the reverse fixture, the Foxes steamrolled Newcastle in a 5-0 victory with Vardy bagging a brace. Gameweek 21 could be a gameweek where most players could be rested, however with Vardy being a nailed-on starter against the Magpies and the striker being on penalty duties, Vardy could well again be the most captained player in Gameweek 21.
Before we sign off, we would like to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year. May your holiday season be full of green arrows! We hope this attempt has helped you guys. Until next time.
