Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played from Fotmob
We’ve just witnessed history and a whole lot of “shithousery” this weekend. Max Dowman officially ended James Vaughan’s 20-year reign as the league’s youngest scorer with that stoppage-time strike against Everton, but the headlines are being shared with Jaydee Canvot’s antics at Palace as he celebrated a red card for Leeds’ Gudmundsson as if he’d just won the FA Cup. Blank Gameweek 31 is here. With the Carabao Cup Final taking center stage, City, Arsenal, Wolves, and Palace are all out of action. If you haven’t planned for a short squad, it’s time to find some high-value replacements -fast. Be warned there is likely to be another draft for GW34, so be ready.
Goalkeepers
Last weeks picks:
Melker Ellborg | (4-8) points vs. Burnley (H)
+14% ownership change
Although conceding a bit of a weird goal, Ellborg made 3 saves and a brilliant one to deny Hinshelwood. I can’t see him keeping a clean sheet next week away at Newcastle.
Rating: On The Bench
This weeks picks are:
Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle)
- Last Game: vs. Chelsea (A) (12-16 points)
- Ownership: 15% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Sunderland (H), Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H)
- Interesting Stat: 77th percentile for high claims
Friend of the pod Aaron Ramsdale is finally taking advantage of the door opening at Newcastle, recording back-to-back starts and two elite performances. Newcastle host Sunderland next, and they’ll be hunting for redemption after their dismal loss at the Stadium of Light a couple of months ago. Ramsdale is clearly fighting to keep his starting spot over the recovering Nick Pope, and with Thomas Tuchel watching closely for his World Cup squad, I think we can expect another high-ceiling performance.
Defenders
Last weeks picks:
Alex Jiménez | (6-7) points vs. Burnley (A)
% ownership change
Comments I was a little bit surprised to see Jiménez not start against Burnley, hopefully you picked up Adam Smith and got the clean sheet bonus. Get 6 points. Still 6+ points from 28 minutes isn’t a bad ratio.
Rating: That’s His Job
Jackson Tchatchoua | (8-13) points vs. Brentford (A)
+5% ownership change
Tchatchoua again put in a solid performance away at Brentford and was unlucky to not have an assist as Armstrong probably should have converted his chance which brushed past the post. Two away games next, but Wolves look revitalized and both their wing-backs look like good fantasy assets.
Rating: That’s His Job
This weeks picks are:
Sven Botman (Newcastle)
- Last Game: vs. Chelsea (A) (15-17 points)
- Ownership: 26% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Sunderland (H), Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H)
- Interesting Stat: 87th percentile for expected goals
Sven Botman returned to the Newcastle lineup away at Chelsea and put in a wonderful performance as the Magpies took all three points. I’ll admit I was surprised to see this with Newcastle coming off a Champions League game and their inconsistent away form. However, with Newcastle looking to get another clean sheet at home, Sunderland seems like a great opportunity to do it. With Botman and Malick Thiaw at the back looking solid as a pair, he’s a great value defender to target this week.
Ethan Ampadu (Leeds)
- Last Game: vs. Crystal Palace (A) (19-20 points)
- Ownership: 43% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Brentford (H), Man United (A), Wolves (H)
- Interesting Stat: 95th percentile for duels won
Averaging 12 points a game in the last 30 days, Ethan Ampadu is still a viable option in a lot of leagues. I think you’d be wrong not to take a gamble on him this week at home to Brentford. It doesn’t matter what Leeds’ current form looks like; Ampadu is playing well individually and constantly putting up a good floor of points week-to-week. As the captain and the heartbeat of this side, he’s one of the few players you can trust to deliver a solid return regardless of the final result at Elland Road.
Midfielders
Last weeks picks:
Alejandro Garnacho | (10-11) points vs. Newcastle (H)
+14% % ownership change
Garnacho continued his good form and showed he can be a reliable fantasy asset when he starts. Double digits with no goal contributions as Chelsea failed at home once again. I don’t think he’ll start every week, but he’s a gamble when he does.
Rating: That’s His Job
Dwight McNeil | (5-7) points vs. Arsenal (A)
+5% ownership change
Away at Arsenal might have made you bench McNeil last week, but 5+ points away isn’t terrible. I fancy him this week at home to Chelsea. Hopefully, he’s still available in your league.
Rating: On The Bench
This weeks picks are:
Ross Barkley (Aston Villa)
- Last Game: vs. Man United (A) (14-16 points)
- Ownership: 3% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs West Ham (H), Nottingham (A), Sunderland (H)
- Interesting Stat: Only appeared in 13 matches this season
Ross Barkley scored a wonderful finish in his first start this season, even as Villa continue to struggle for results. With Youri Tielemans sidelined and Douglas Luiz still searching for the form he once showed at the club, Barkley has found a massive opportunity to claim a starting spot. He’ll be hoping to turn Villa’s form around so they can secure that vital Champions League spot. If he can maintain this level and play like he did at Luton Town a few years ago, he’s could be an absolute steal for your fantasy midfield.
Joe Willock (Newcastle)
- Last Game: vs. Chelsea (A) (15-17 points)
- Ownership: 2% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Sunderland (H), Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H)
- Interesting Stat: 77th percentile for non-penalty expected goals
Another very low-owned midfielder to watch is Joe Willock, who provided the assist for Anthony Gordon in Newcastle’s impressive away victory this past weekend. I’ve mentioned the value “up North” a few times now, but there are some genuinely good deals to be had! I used to pick up Willock quite often, but he’s struggled with injuries and hasn’t quite regained that explosive form from when he first arrived at Newcastle. However, he looked very good against Chelsea, especially with Newcastle still missing their captain Bruno Guimarães among other injuries. With a massive home derby against Sunderland next, Willock is a great differential to gamble on.
Forwards
Last weeks picks:
Georginio Rutter | 0 points vs. Sunderland (A)
-2% ownership change
Well, got that one wrong.
Rating: Did Not Play
Rio Ngumoha | (9-11) points vs. Tottenham (H)
+19% ownership change
Got this one kind of right. Rio looked like Liverpools main attacking threat as the get again conceded a late goal to lose them points. He had 7 dribbles against Spurs. He’s an exciting fantasy prospect and you’d imagine will get more time as we edge towards the end of the season.
Rating: That’s His Job
This weeks picks are:
Mathys Tel (Tottenham)
- Last Game: vs. Liverpool (A) (11-13 points)
- Ownership: 34% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (A), Brighton (H)
- Interesting Stat: 94th percentile for successful crosses
I mentioned him last week as a player to watch, and Mathys Tel has continued his strong form over the last two weeks, averaging just over 14 points a game. He looks much more comfortable out on the wing and has been providing a good return even in a struggling team. While it was actually Richarlison who bagged that dramatic last-minute equalizer away at Liverpool (a result no one had on the cards) Tel was a constant threat for the 75 minutes he was on the pitch. If Spurs are to revitalize their season and secure their Premier League status for next year, Tel’s pace and creativity on the flank will be absolutely vital.
Fixture Spotlight
Brighton
- Last Game: vs. Sunderland (A) W1-0
- Next Fixtures: vs. Liverpool (H), Burnley (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (H)
Usually, a fixture against Liverpool would put you off recommending players for that match-up. However, as Liverpool’s defensive misery continues and seeing how open the game against Spurs was, I think it would be smart to see what attackers are available. We still see Diego Gómez (55% owned), Georginio Rutter (55% owned), Mats Wieffer (48% owned), and Ferdi Kadıoğlu (41% owned) all still somewhat available across the board. Jack Hinshelwood (8% owned) is playing more advanced lately, and Matt O’Riley (17% owned) might be given another chance after his Marseille loan spell. There are definitely options available to exploit a Liverpool backline that just can’t seem to close out games and play mid-week as well.
One to Watch
Where were you when you witnessed Max Dowman (3% owned) break the record for the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history? It’s a record previously held by James Vaughan for nearly 21 years, and what a goal it was to break it! It is hard not to think we have witnessed something special, and he also picked up 17+ fantasy points in that short cameo. He might not be ready to start every week just yet, but definitely keep an eye on the team sheets because if he does get the nod, you’ll want to grab him before someone else in your league does and if you’re also lucky enough to have space in your squad, he’s the one to pick up.
Last Weeks VAR Review
| Position | Man of the Match | That’s His Job | On the Bench | Transfer Listed | Did Not Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 11 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| D | 6 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| M | 10 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 1 |
| F | 5 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 4 |
| Total | 32 | 49 | 44 | 37 | 11 |
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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