Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played (source FotMob)
As a bit of a data nerd, it was sad to hear that FBRef has been forced to remove its advanced data due to contract issues with Opta. This means I’ll be switching to FotMob from now on. While it’s a great app, it definitely lacks the deep, advanced data I’m used to using. This shouldn’t impact my final choices, but it might make my “interesting stats” a little more limited. On a brighter note, I’m on a massive high with United being back! I’ve highlighted three players this week that you should definitely think about grabbing. Before Michael Carrick took the reins, I didn’t realize how depressed I’d been for the last two years under Amorim, who basically gaslight me and other United fans into thinking this squad was just relegation fodder.
Goalkeepers
Last weeks picks:
Alphonse Areola | (0-5) points vs. Sunderland (H)
+1% ownership change
West Ham dominated the game against Sunderland and were lucky to not keep a clean sheet had it not been for a well worked goal by Sunderland. West Ham look better, but I wouldn’t count on their defence to keep any clean sheets this season.
Rating: Transfer List
This weeks picks are:
Sennes Lammens (Man United)
- Last Game: vs. Arsenal (A) (2-9 points)
- Ownership: 24% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Fulham (H), Tottenham (H), West Ham (A)
- Interesting Stat: 86th percentile for High Claims
Moving on from the Onana and Bayindir era to Senne Lammens feels like a dream. He’s an absolute gem, and his performance against Arsenal was so commanding I was practically daring them to cross the ball. Having a keeper who actually controls his box is a breath of fresh air. For those in leagues that reward High Claims, Lammens is your man as he is already putting up elite numbers in that department. United have a much kinder run of fixtures on the horizon, so now is the perfect time to grab him before those clean sheet points start rolling in, well hopefully!
Defenders
Last weeks picks:
Aaron Wan-Bissaka | (2-7) points vs. Sunderland (H)
+11% ownership change
Not going to lie, Sunderland messed up last week’s suggestions for me with that away goal! In addition to conceding, AWB wasn’t able to contribute much to the attacking play, and I think benching him for the trip to Chelsea next week would be the smart play. He will still have plenty of value this season, though, so definitely keep a hold of him—especially if West Ham can find some consistency and push on.
Rating: On The Bench
Ethan Ampadu | (6-9) points vs. Everton (A)
+12% ownership change
Ampadu was close to a clean sheet, if it wasn’t for Barry’s late goal. I thought Leeds were the better team for most of the game, but Ampadu shows again that he can put up a solid floor of points.
Rating: That’s His Job
This weeks picks are:
Ola Aina (Nottigham Forest)
- Last Game: vs. Brentford (A) (16-22 points)
- Ownership: 27% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Crystal Palace (H), Leeds (A), Wolves (A)
- Interesting Stat: 95th percentile for interceptions versus other full-backs
With a struggling Crystal Palace (winless in 8) and Forest winning two of their last 3, this could be a good time to pick up some Forest players. Look no further than Ola Aina who was great last season, but has been hit with a few injuries this season. With Forest trying to recover the defensive excellence that bought them European football last season, Aina should be a smart pick up this weekend!
Luke Shaw (Man United)
- Last Game: vs. Arsenal (A) (4-7 points)
- Ownership: 29% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Fulham (H), Tottenham (H), West Ham (A)
- Interesting Stat: 97th percentile for chances created (versus CBs, blame Amorim)
Dorgu’s injury is a heartbreaker, but in the world of fantasy, but to be fair he’s playing higher up so Luke Shaw might benefit in a different way. We all know the score that if there’s a major tournament in the summer, Shaw suddenly becomes the best left-back on the planet. With a favorable schedule ahead, he’s a priority target. Now that Cunha is likely to take over Dorgu’s spot on the left and drift inside, the entire flank is open for Shaw to bomb forward. If Carrick starts pairing those crosses with Šeško’s height in the box, we’re looking at a serious assist-fountain. Get him in before the “World Cup Year” tax kicks in.
If you don’t fancy the above Abdukodir Khusanov (29% owned) has looked decent for City and can pick out a pass. However, City do have Tottenham and Liverpool away next, where they have historically struggled. I also like Nathan Patterson (9% owed) who has two away games coming up, but Everton have one of the better away records this season winning at Old Trafford and Villa Park. Lastly, Ian Maatsen (31% owened) looked bright in Villa’s great away win at Newcastle, he might be worth picking up against Brentford.
Midfielders
Last weeks picks:
Mathias Jensen | (10-14) points vs. Nottingham Forest (H)
+4% ownership change
Brentford might have struggled against Forest, but Jensen’s fantasy score didn’t as he put up decent numbers with 3 key passes.
Rating: That’s His Job
Tomas Soucek | (5-9) points vs. Sunderland (H)
+6% ownership change
Soucek had a decent game, just not as impactful as Summerville, Fernandes and Bowen. With back to back wins, could we see the start of the great escape from West Ham and will Soucek roll back the years to help them? He might be worth picking up again when West Ham travel to Burnley in two weeks.
Rating: On The Bench
This weeks picks are:
Joao Gomes (Wolves)
- Last Game: vs. Man City (A) (8-11 points)
- Ownership: 25% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Bournemouth (H), Chelsea (A), Nottingham Forest(A)
- Interesting Stat: 90th percentile for defensive contributions compared to midfielders
Over the last two weeks (and last three games) Joao Gomes has averaged just over 10 points per game., which is a great fantasy return. Fantasy isn’t just about those players that score every week, in fact those players are likely not available every week otherwise this blog would be easy to write. If you can add a player averaging 10 points a game to your squad, then that is a good addition. Adam Wharton was that player for me at the beginning of the season, I dropped him last week. Gomes is a player like that. Think of him like the Park Ji-Sung of fantasy.
Kobbie Mainoo (Man United)
- Last Game: vs. (A) ( points)
- Ownership: % of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Fulham (H), Tottenham (H), West Ham (A)
- Interesting Stat: 76th percentile for chances created versus other midfielders
Midfielder 2 Text United and England fans must be happy to see Mainoo slotting back into the United midfield to be instrumental in their back to back victories over City and Arsenal. With an assist last weekend and United likely to have more possession against Fulham this weekend, hopefully Mainoo will be the person to add more to the United attack.
If Emi Buendia (29% owned) is available I’d highly recommend grabbing him with Tielemans getting injured and also he’s just been in great form and at home to Brentford next.
Forwards
Last weeks picks:
Marcus Edwards | (3-6) points vs. Tottenham (H)
+11% ownership change
Edwards struggled to make the same impact in his previous two games against his former club, as Burnley fans were heartbroken by Romero’s late equalizer. With Burnley away at the Stadium of Light next, it’s going to be more a gut call whether to gamble on Edwards again.
Rating: On The Bench
Liam Delap | (0-1) points vs. Crystal Palace (A)
-3% ownership change
Delap only came on for four minutes and although he might get some time soon it’s hard to know when. Especially with Joao Pedro picking form up again and Enzo playing behind him.
Rating: Did Not Play (basically)
This weeks picks are:
Wilson Odobert (Tottenham)
- Last Game: vs. Burnley (A) (25-30 points)
- Ownership: 24% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Manchester City (H), Manchester United (A), Newcastle (A)
- Interesting Stat: 89th percentile for successful dribbles (60%) versus other wingers
Wilson Odobert topped the fantasy points list last gameweek, and for good reason. He was incredibly influential, racking up an assist, three key passes, three shots on target, but most impressively he completed six dribbles. While Tottenham have been in poor form lately, they have a surprisingly strong recent record against Manchester City. The big question is whether Odobert can step his game up this weekend and prove that his performance against Burnley wasn’t just a one-off. If he can exploit City’s high line like he did the Burnley defense, he’s a must-watch asset.
Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)
- Last Game: vs. West Ham (A) (11-12 points)
- Ownership: 30% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Burnley (H), Arsenal (A), Liverpool (H)
- Interesting Stat: 96th percentile for duals won (51%) versus other forwards
Although Sunderland didn’t really turn up against West Ham, they did score a well-worked team goal that Brobbey got his head on the end of. That small glimpse of quality was enough to convince me that he is worth the risk this weekend as the Black Cats host Burnley at home. With five goals already this season, Brobbey is proving he only needs one clear chance to make an impact.
Fixture Spotlight
Man United
- Last Game: vs. Fulham (A) L 2-1
- Next Fixtures: vs. Fulham (H), Tottenham (H), West Ham (A), Everton (A)
With United looking to maintain their fine form since Carrick took over—taking six points from both Arsenal and City—they now face a stretch of more favorable games. The next test will be showing they can also win when they have more possession. I’ve already mentioned Lammens, Shaw, and Mainoo, but Harry Maguire (19% owned) and Lisandro Martínez (17% owned) are also excellent options. They have started to develop a great partnership at the back, providing a great foundation that has looked incredibly solid over the last two weeks. Also, don’t forget Mason Mount (21% owned) who might appear in the line up soon too.
One to Watch
Amine Adli (8% owned) scored a dramatic late winner against Liverpool and has quietly been growing more and more into this Bournemouth side. The Cherries are looking to reignite the form they showed at the start of the season, and Adli is at the heart of it. Keep an eye on him, as his stock is likely to rise soon. With his clinical finishing and increasing minutes, he’s a high-upside differential for any midfield.
Last Weeks VAR Review
| Position | Man of the Match | That’s His Job | On the Bench | Transfer Listed | Did Not Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| D | 5 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
| M | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| F | 4 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 3 |
| Total | 27 | 33 | 37 | 30 | 8 |
Man of the Match (MOTM): This player was a great pick up, scoring big and carrying your team.
That’s His Job (THJ): As Roy Keane would say “that’s his job’, putting up a decent score with no surprises.
On the Bench (OTB): this player might not have performed super well last week, but might be worth holding on to.
Transfer Listed (TL): This player wasn’t my finest recommendation.
I’ll be keeping a record to track my accuracy. This is good for you too, if it starts getting bad you know not to read anymore!
Lastly
Who are you picking up this week? Do you agree with my suggestions? Or am I way off? Finally, good luck this weekend!
Please leave a reply if you have enjoyed reading this, or wish me to stop wasting my time!
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