FPL 2019/20 Scout Report 5 – The Watchlist

Written by Samson Baretto

We’re back this week with a ‘Players to Watch’ shortlist ahead of Gameweek 6 where we talk about a player from each position (Defence, midfield, and attack) who we expect to do well in the upcoming gameweeks along with a differential pick to help you climb up the overall rankings.

Trent Alexander Arnold (LIV – DEF: 7.0m)

Upcoming fixtures: Chelsea (A), Sheffield United (A), Leicester City (H), Manchester United (A)

As weeks go by, at the cost of repeating myself, Trent Alexander Arnold somehow finds a way to enter our watchlist. No player in the entire game has created as many chances as Trent Alexander Arnold has over the past 2 gameweeks.

The young English full-back created as many as 7 chances in the Newcastle game alone along with 2 big chances as well, thus, it’s easy to say he was extremely unlucky not to come out of that fixture with any FPL points.

Trent is also top among all players in terms of chances created over the course of the season with 21 chances created, 2 more than the assist king De Bruyne himself, who’s second with 19. He’s also top for xGi (expected goal involvement) among all defenders in the game with a score of 2.49.

Also, no team has conceded fewer big chances than Liverpool have over the past two gameweeks, as can be seen in the xGc (expected goals conceded) data over this period where Liverpool are ranked top. For all the defensive frailties witnessed in the first few games, it finally looks like Klopp has sorted the defence out somewhat.

Although Liverpool don’t have the best of fixtures coming, we still expect them to win most of those matches with Alexander Arnold returning points on both ends of the pitch.

Heung-Min Son (TOT – MID: 9.6m)

Upcoming fixtures: Leicester City (A), Southampton (H), Brighton and Hove Albion (A), Watford(H)

The South Korean bagged a well-taken brace against the Eagles and reminded all FPL Managers what he’s really all about. Son was top for shots on goal in the match with the South Korean having 5 attempts on goal with 4 of them coming from inside the box.

We know how streaky a player Son is and this could be one of his runs where he demolishes defenses. Since returning from his suspension, no midfielder has had more than his 13 attempts on goal joint top with Tom Cleverley. (We’re surprised with that bit of trivia too.)

Spurs now are top of the fixture ticker for the next 4 gameweeks where they play home games against Southampton and Watford. Although they have a tricky fixture against Leicester this weekend, Son was rested midweek in the UCL and we expect him to start and do well against the Foxes as well.

Son could provide a great cheaper alternative to Harry Kane for this run of fixtures. 28 more forwards have recorded more shots inside the box than Harry Kane over the past 4 gameweeks, so that is something to keep in mind for managers planning to make a punt on Kane. The England forward has attempted just 3 shots inside the box over this period, and that includes a penalty.

All these stats and facts combined with an ownership of JUST 5.6%, he could prove to be a great differential for FPL managers to climb up the rankings.

Tammy Abraham (CHE – FWD: 7.3m)

Upcoming fixtures: Liverpool (H), Brighton (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H)

Tammy Abraham has firmly cemented his place on FPL Managers’ radars after bagging his first PL Chelsea hattrick and his 7th goal in mere 3 games.

No forward has had as many big chances come his way as Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham over the past two gameweeks. The Chelsea forward has 5 big chances to his credit during this spell, which is more than double the amount any notable forward has managed to record – barring the exception of Aguero and Wilson. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Abraham has the highest/best xGi (expected goal involvement) out of all forwards to have started the previous two games as well.

Added to this, after the Liverpool game, in which it would be no surprise if Tammy scores, Chelsea are top on the fixture ticker from gameweeks 7-12. With competition with Haller, Wilson, Pukki, Barnes, and co in that 6.5-8 million mark, Tammy looks to have grabbed a spot in with his stats, form, and fixtures to follow and could represent great value for money.

Differential Pick of the week – Callum Wilson (BOU – FWD: 7.8m)

Upcoming fixtures: Southampton (A), West Ham United (H), Arsenal (A), Norwich (H)

Most of us have the likes of Mane, Salah, Sterling, Aguero, and co in our teams. Hence, we’re going for Callum Wilson to be the standout differential to help you all move up the rankings and challenge your rivals in the mini-leagues. Why Callum Wilson you ask?

Might come on as a surprise but yes, the English striker is owned by just 9.6 %! Wilson perfectly typifies the FPL season we’re having. Returns in every game, including an explosive GW5 – yet he’s had two price decreases. Madness. The Englishman looks in great form right now and Bournemouth have a few worthwhile fixtures besides Arsenal and Manchester United between gameweeks 6 and 13.

Although Wilson hasn’t been posting the stats shots wise, history has shown us he’s a clinical striker and makes most of the chances that fall to him. Adding to his goal threat, he’s been the most creative forward this season with 9 chances created, 2 more than Sergio Aguero.

Wilson has been delivering for some time now too – since the start of last season, the only English player to be involved in more League goals is Raheem Sterling. Wilson is ahead of popular FPL assets like Kane, Vardy, and Rashford for goal involvement over that time period, which suggests that his patient managers along with his new owners should benefit from him adding to his three goals, three assists so far this season.

Thanks for reading and wishing you all the very best for the upcoming Gameweek!

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