Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played from Fotmob
That’s the last time I trust Newcastle this year, I think, or at least the last time I recommend multiple players from the same team in the same gameweek. Lesson learned! Does anyone else feel like time moves slower during the international break? I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched much and enjoyed a little break from the football, but now that it’s mid-week, I’m eager to be back at it, even though we still have another week to wait. I’m gutted for Wales and Ireland not moving on this past week, and it’s a massive shock to see both Denmark and Italy get knocked out as well. Hopefully, this week’s picks will help as the Premier League returns with all the teams back in action.
Goalkeepers
Last weeks picks:
Aaron Ramsdale | (6-8) points vs. Sunderland (A)
+20% ownership change
Ramsdale still managed some decent points despite Newcastle’s lack of hunger to see out Sunderland after going ahead. Newcastle have been so inconsistent this season, which was the same pattern they experienced Champions League football in the same season.
Rating: On The Bench
This weeks picks are:
Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
- Last Game: vs. Liverpool (H) (7-13 points)
- Ownership: 43% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Burnley (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (H)
- Interesting Stat: 71st percentile for save percentage of 70%
It’s back-to-back double-point weeks for Bart Verbruggen, and with that great win against Liverpool, I fancy Brighton to get the job done at Turf Moor as they continue their good form. Don’t have a cow, man—I’m three for four recommending Bart this season, and he looks like the most reliable keeper in the league right now. Burnley are struggling to find the net, and with Verbruggen playing with this much confidence, he’s a must-start for the return of the Premier League.
Defenders
Last weeks picks:
Sven Botman | (5-9) points vs. Sunderland (A)
+23% ownership change
I’m not sayin Botman getting injured in 54th minute was the main reason I lost my gameweek, but it helped! Nothing worse when you see you defender with a clean sheet up to that point come off before 60 mins. Ah well, he did well before coming off. He’s out for the rest of the season which is big blow for Newcastle and fantasy owners.
Rating: On The Bench
Ethan Ampadu | (15-17) points vs. Brentford (H)
+11% ownership change
Once again this season, Amapdu shows what a quality fantasy asset he is. I would be keeping him as a great fourth choice option on any really given game week and a starter on a lot of them.
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Abdukodir Khusanov (Man City)
- Last Game: vs. West Ham(A) (8-10 points)
- Ownership: 13% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Burnley (A)
- Interesting Stat: 86th percentile for successful dribbles
Does anyone else remember Khusanov’s really shaky debut? If you do, then you’ll agree he has come on leaps and bounds since and put in another great performance in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal. At such low ownership, can he help Manchester City keep the pressure on Arsenal? Although they are away at Chelsea, City are unbeaten in six against them and face a Chelsea side that looks particularly vulnerable right now. With his speed and discipline at the back, he’s a fantastic differential to consider for the run-in.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham)
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) (10-13 points)
- Ownership: 9% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H)
- Interesting Stat: 89th percentile for expected goals
Mavropanos still put up double points despite losing 2-0 away at Villa. He’s averaged close to 18 points over the last two games, and West Ham will need another big performance from him as they face a must-win game against Wolves next. His high xG per 90 for a center-back shows he’s a real threat in the box, and this (combined with his massive defensive output) could be a game-changer for your squad this weekend.
Midfielders
Last weeks picks:
Ross Barkley | (7-9) points vs. West Ham (H)
+14% ownership change
With Villa still in the Europa and turning form around in the league, I can see Barkley getting minutes. With Tielemans back, we’ll see how Barkley fits in. Could be beneficial.
Rating: That’s His Job
Joe Willock | (4-7) points vs. Sunderland (H)
+1% ownership change
I don’t think many Newcastle players can hold their head up high after losing both derby games this season. With no one turning up, it’s no surprise Willock also struggled.
Rating: On The Bench
This weeks picks are:
Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)
- Last Game: vs. Leeds (A) (11-14 points)
- Ownership: 19% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Everton (H), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A)
- Interesting Stat: Stats are biased towards him being listed as a full back.
Keane Lewis-Potter has put up back-to-back games of double points even as Brentford were left frustrated in that 0-0 draw at Leeds. Although Everton have been good on the road this year, I can see Brentford creating a lot of chances in this game as they won 4-2 away at Everton at the beginning of the year. KLP will look to continue his form and be a key creative outlet at the Gtech this weekend. If you’re looking for a midfielder who is currently “nailed-on” and producing consistent returns, he’s a great shout for Gameweek 32.
Joshua King (Fulham)
- Last Game: vs. Liverpool (A) (25-27 points)
- Ownership: 10% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Liverpool (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (H)
- Interesting Stat: 85th percentile for duals won
Josh King finally got the goal he’s been working so hard for all season, and you could see exactly how much it meant to him. It’s a tough trip away to Liverpool next, but Fulham have proven they are a hard team to play against this year. History is on our side too; there have been 17 goals in the last four meetings between these two, with Fulham scoring eight of them. Expect goals in this one, and I expect King to be heavily involved as he looks to take advantage of Liverpool’s current leaky defense.
With Arsenal suffering a boatload of injuries, this also might create an opportunity for wonderkid Max Dowman (5%owned) to start. Keep an eye on line ups, or if you have space grab him now on the off chance he starts!
Forwards
Last weeks picks:
Mathys Tel | (10-11) points vs. Nottingham Forest (H)
+28% ownership change
Spurs might be shit, but Tel’s fantasy points have remained consistently solid. He’s worth keeping around and it will be interesting to see how rape-apologist De Zerbi uses him.
Rating: That’s His Job
This weeks picks are:
Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)
- Last Game: vs. Newcastle (A) (13-16 points)
- Ownership: 23% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Nottingham Forest (H)
- Interesting Stat: 82nd percentile for duels wins
Brian Brobbey was arguably the best player on the pitch as Sunderland took six points from the Tyne-side derbies this year. He showed the Newcastle fans exactly what a proper number 9 looks like, especially as the likes of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa continue to struggle for consistent minutes up top for the Magpies. You’d imagine he will be smelling blood as Sunderland welcome a “relegation-watch” Spurs side to the Stadium of Light next. Given Tottenham’s defensive frailties and Brobbey’s knack for the big occasion, he’s a prime candidate to lead your line this weekend.
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)
- Last Game: vs. Burnley (H) (7-9 points)
- Ownership: 33% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Liverpool (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (H)
- Interesting Stat: 78th percentile for shots taken
Rodrigo Muniz is back and put up a solid display in his first start since earlier in the season. Although Raul Jimenez came on and scored, Muniz looked like his normal self, giving the two center backs a tough game. He’s not guaranteed to start at Anfield, but he could be a good pick-up with low ownership if you need a forward. Keep an eye on the team sheets, as Fulham’s rotation up top makes him a bit of a gamble, but the physical presence he showed suggests he’s ready to contribute.
Fixture Spotlight
West Ham
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) L 2-0
- Next Fixtures: vs. Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A)
It’s crunch time for West Ham over the next four games, as you’d imagine they would be desperate to move past Spurs and bridge the relegation gap. I mentioned Mavropanos (9% owned) above, but West Ham have plenty of other players who could be interesting pickups. Taty Castellanos (39% owned) will be looking forward to his team having more possession in these coming weeks, while Pablo (4% owned) will be desperate to finally get on the scoresheet. Can Tomáš Souček (43% owned) rewind the clocks and help save the Hammers’ Premier League status? He’s always likely to pop up with a goal over a four-game stretch, and there are definitely plenty of options here to help your team.
One to Watch
With Igor Tudor being sacked and Roberto De Zerbi coming in on a long-term deal, will we see the Spurs players fight for their new manager or will they continue their relegation-bound form? Pape Sarr (5% owned) was one of the only players to play okay in their embarrassing 3-0 loss at home to fellow relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest. If he can rediscover that elite form from last season, then he could be a great pickup for the final games of the season. Keep an eye on him, especially as De Zerbi usually loves a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder in his system.
Last Weeks VAR Review
| Position | Man of the Match | That’s His Job | On the Bench | Transfer Listed | Did Not Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 11 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| D | 7 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| M | 10 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 1 |
| F | 5 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 4 |
| Total | 33 | 51 | 47 | 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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