Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played
Is anyone else on a multi-game losing streak and contemplating a total squad overhaul, or are we staying patient? Well, you’re not alone. I didn’t realize how depressed I’d been this last year until I saw Manchester United win four games in a row. Watching Liverpool lose to City in the final minute yesterday made me strangely happier than I thought possible! At the very least, it made the fantasy losses much more bearable. With a quick turnaround this week for Gameweek 26, let’s dive into the picks.
Goalkeepers
Last weeks picks:
Alphonse Areola Mads Hermansen | (18-20) points vs. Burnley (A)
+2% ownership change
Is it desperate for me to claim this suggestion? Yes, but I would have switched Areola as the suggestion was based on who West Ham were facing and once he was out the line up, Hermansen was the obvious choice.
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth)
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (H) (4-7 points)
- Ownership: 44% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Everton (A), West Ham (A), Sunderland (H)
- Interesting Stat: 71st percentile for saves and high claims
Djordje Petrovic is the most in-form goalkeeper of the last two weeks and ranks third over the last 30 days. While he’s occasionally prone to an error, you can’t deny his incredible form or the momentum Bournemouth are currently carrying. A trip to Goodison Park is always a challenge, but Everton’s home form has been poor lately—they’re winless in their last five at home. Bournemouth will be desperate to take advantage of that shaky atmosphere and bank another clean sheet.
Defenders
Last weeks picks:
Sepp van den Berg | (-2-2) points vs. Newcastle (A)
+3% ownership change
Brentford got a brilliant away run at Newcastle, however van den Berg was not able to keep up his great fantasy form. At home next against Arsenal will be tough, but they have good fixtures after that so keep an eye on him this weekend.
Rating: Transfer List
Ian Maatsen | 1 points vs. Bournemouth (A)
+2% ownership change
I was surprised to not see Maatsen start away at Bournmouth and you have to believe he would of made a much better attempt at stopping Rayan than Digne did for the opener. Maatsen only came on for 12 minutes, so picking up next weekend again Brighton will be more game time decision on if he plays.
Rating: Did Not Play
This weeks picks are:
James Justin (Leeds)
- Last Game: vs. Nottigham Forest (H) (28-30 points)
- Ownership: 14% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Chelsea (A), Aston Villa (A), Manchester City (H)
- Interesting Stat: 97th percentile for shots.
Besides a bit of a stinker against Arsena,coincidentally the week I picked him up, James Justin is arguably the most in-form defender in the league right now. I’m convinced the fantasy gods were just punishing me for that transfer! While his form is undeniable, scoring close to 20 points in three of his last four gameweeks, I’m not sure you start him away at Chelsea this Tuesday. Leeds have a difficult run of games coming up, and with Chelsea flying under Rosenior, benching him might be the safer play. Still, don’t take his recent output lightly; when he’s on, he’s a massive asset.
Midfielders
Last weeks picks:
Alex Scott | (5-7) points vs. Aston Villa (H)
+11% ownership change
People are starting to noticed Scott with an 11% increase in ownership and although he didn’t set the world alight he got an okay floor of points against a good Villa side. Away at Everton next will be tough, but Everton at home this season are a little shakey.
Rating: That’s His Job
Douglas Luiz | (7-9) points vs. Bournemouth (A)
+23% ownership change
Similarly to Scott, Luiz value has rose above 50% and I’d imagine that to continue. He looks likes he has slotted back into that midfield nicely and had a decent floor of points.
Rating: That’s His Job
This weeks picks are:
El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham)
- Last Game: vs. Burnley (A) (21-24 points)
- Ownership: 39% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Man United (H), Bournemouth (A), Liverpool (A)
- Interesting Stat: 91st percentile for assists versus other full backs
Diouf put in a wonderful cross for West Ham’s second against Burnley, setting up Taty Castellanos for his first Premier League goal of the season. He’s looked bright since returning from AFCON, and with West Ham winning three of their last five, they’ll need him to keep providing chances as they look to catch Forest, Leeds, and even Spurs. While there are some tough games ahead, starting with United tomorrow, Diouf is finally starting to show the promise that made him such a popular draft pick at the start of the season.
Habib Diarra (Sunderland)
- Last Game: vs. Arsenal (A) (1-3 points)
- Ownership: 6% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Liverpool (H), Fulham (A), Bournemouth(A)
- Interesting Stat: 85th percentile for non-penalty expected goals
Habib Diarra has been a different beast at home, where his average fantasy score is over 10 points compared to just 1 point away. He’s the big gamble this week, but with Liverpool struggling—winning just one of their last seven—the Stadium of Light (7W, 5D, 0L) is the last place they want to visit. I like both him and Chemsdine Talbi (8% owned) for this fixture; let’s see if the atmosphere can carry them.
Additionally, Gabriel Martinelli (50% owned) is a strong shout for the Double Gameweek. Even though he hasn’t been starting, he has provided assists in back-to-back games off the bench, and with two chances to haul against Brentford and Wolves, his explosive potential is hard to ignore.
Forwards
Last weeks picks:
Valentin Castellanos | (10-12) points vs. Burnley (A)
+7% ownership change
Looks like ‘Taty’ time has arrived with a well taken header from Diouf’s brilliant cross. He looks a like a handful so far and West Ham are looking lively again with their forwards looking dangerous again An in-form United come to London Stadium next, but I see West Ham causing problems.
Rating: That’s His Job
Amine Adli | (10-14) points vs. Team (A)
+9% ownership change
No goal or assist this week, but four key passes and a doesn’t fantasy score is a great return against Villa. I think if you’re short on a forward at this moment, this is the guy you should try grab.
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Tolu Arokodare (Wolves)
- Last Game: vs. Chelsea (H) (12-16 points)
- Ownership: 10% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Nottingham Forest (A), Arsenal (H), Crystal Palace(A)
- Interesting Stat: 95th percentile for duels won and aerial duels won.
With the double gameweek this week, Tolu Arokodare seems like an obvious choice after scoring his second goal of the season against Chelsea. Seeing him post back-to-back weeks with double-digit points is encouraging, and he’ll be looking to carry that momentum into a tough double away at Forest and home to Arsenal. On the other side of that matchup, Gabriel Jesus (50% owned) is also worth a shout. Arsenal face Brentford and Wolves away, and with Jesus finding his rhythm again, he could be a big difference maker for those looking to climb the rankings during this busy stretch.
Fixture Spotlight
Bournemouth
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (H) D 1-1
- Next Fixtures: vs. Everton (A), West Ham (A), Sunderland (H), Brentford (H)
Unbeaten in their last five and winning three of those, Bournemouth are the third most in-form team, behind only Manchester United and Chelsea. With a refreshed attacking front four, players like Eli Junior Kroupi (58% owned), Rayan (43% owned), and Amine Adli (34% owned) are all worth grabbing; averaging 10+ points in the last two weeks. Alex Jiménez (37% owned) and Alex Scott (44% owned) are also performing at a high level. I’d encourage you to see if you can grab a Bournemouth asset for this upcoming run; their fluidity and confidence in the final third are currently unmatched by most mid-table sides.
One to Watch
Angel Gomes had a pretty decent debut for Wolves, and although they ended up losing 3-1 to Chelsea, it will be interesting to see how he develops in this side. It was a bit of a strange transfer given Wolves’ current struggle, but this could be the perfect environment for him to revitalize his career and build on those promising England performances from last year. He didn’t find the scoresheet this time, but his composure in the midfield was evident. With a massive Double Gameweek against Forest and Arsenal coming up, he’s one to watch to see if he can become the creative spark Wolves desperately need to pull away from the bottom
Last Weeks VAR Review
| Position | Man of the Match | That’s His Job | On the Bench | Transfer Listed | Did Not Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 10 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| D | 5 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| M | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| F | 5 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 3 |
| Total | 29 | 39 | 38 | 33 | 9 |
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!
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