Introduction
The last couple of weeks were quite unorthodox when it comes to normal football. For the first time in the PL, we witnessed a single match week hosting double fixtures for few clubs. We also witnessed a week of FA cup fixtures. By which we will gain some insight regarding the players’ current form as well as their credibility to feature in this week’s FPL squad.
In other non-player-related updates, Chelsea released an official statement on the 25th of January, 2020 that they have sacked Frank Lampard. This was nothing of a surprise but imminent given The Blues’ poor form of late. He becomes the second managerial casualty of this season following Slaven Bilic from West Brom. With Lampard’s sacking, we expect a lot of changes in the squad. As multiple sources have confirmed that Lampard’s replacement will be Thomas Tuchel. For this very reason, we would refrain from recommending our viewers to opt for any Chelsea players in their FPL Lineups so that we analyze how the new gaffer uses his players on the field.
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Now lets move on to the squad for this game week.
GOALKEEPERS For FPL
Emi Martinez (AVL- £4.9)
When it comes to the job between the posts, no pair of hands feel safer than the Argentinian’s. An absolute masterpiece of a performance last week against Newcastle earned him a clean sheet; not to mention the hard earned 3 points by the entire team. Villa are set to face Burnley this week. An easy fixture given the defenders don’t commit a silly foul and hand over a penalty to the opposition. Burnley have scored all their penalties so far, the latest being against the defending champs last week.
DEFENDERS For FPL
John Stones And Ruben Dias (MCI – £10.8 combined)
Their stats for Manchester City are nothing short of impressive. 10 games, 9 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 goal conceded. The pair make crucial blocks to save their side from attacking threats. Moreover, Stones scored a brace in their fixture against Palace. Manchester City will play West Brom this week. An easy fixture on paper, these 2 players ought to sort the defense for this week.
Luke Shaw (MUN – £4.8)
His name has been brought up a lot these past few weeks. His game against Liverpool and Burnley were acclaimed by the pundits. This week the Red Devils play against Sheffield Utd. An easy fixture for the league leaders who cannot take this fixture easily. If they were to drop points, they will lose their spot to either Leicester City or their turf rivals, Manchester City.
MIDFIELDERS For FPL
Bukayo Saka (ARS – £5.3)
Arsenal’s #7 has been in sensational form this season. His contribution in their last fixture against Crystal Palace was critically acclaimed. A sharp sense of passing at the right time and setting up his teammates with the perfect opportunity to capitalize on attacking situations had earned him a spot in Arteta’s starting XI. Arsenal is set to face Southampton, a side they failed to defeat this season. The Gunners look set to exact revenge after an unfortunate own goal from Gabriel was enough for the Saints to hold onto and knock out the cup holders in their FA Cup fixture last week.
James Maddison (LEI – £7.2)
3 goals in his last 3 PL games. Seems like Maddison took Jaimie Carragher’s advice seriously. Adamant to earn his spot in England’s squad, Maddison has up the game for himself by frequently involving himself with his attacking side. He makes sure to be a crucial part of the attacks every opportunity he gets. Leicester is set to face Everton this week. If they win this and if ManUtd loses their match, Leicester will climb on top of the table. A crucial fixture, not an easy one.
Paul Pogba (MUN – £7.7)
Just when the rumors of him leaving Old Trafford grew the most, his form came back. 2 goals in his last 3, Pogba is turning out to be the key player in their midfield. Making key passes, changing the direction of the play, and scoring bangers. Their match against Sheffield Utd this week should be an easy fixture and we fancy the Frenchman to score in this one
Jack Grealish (AVL- £7.7)
10 assists this season by Captain Jack. Although his performance has been somewhat inconsistent, we fancy him to be a crucial part of this fixture this gameweek. At least a goal or an assist is what we expect of him.
FORWARDS For FPL
Harry Kane (TOT- £10.1)
The man can’t stop scoring at the moment. 3 in his last 3 games and an assist on top of that. He is in a phenomenal form. Safe to say Tottenham’s title contention will be in serious jeopardy if something happens to him. A tough fixture ahead of Spurs as they take on Liverpool but they have the upper hand this time. Liverpool’s been in a very sloppy form off late with their recent elimination from the FA cup by the hands of Man Utd. They have failed to score a single goal in over 400 minutes and have failed to win their last 5 PL fixtures. Whereas
Spurs have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures and are a point behind the defending champs. A draw is out of the question for either side. It’s really either side’s game honestly but we fancy Spurs taking all 3 points this time.
Michail Antonio (WHU – £6.3)
The English forward very recently sprung into action by scoring 2 in his last 2 matches. West Ham has now won their first 4 fixtures of the calendar year for the first time since 1958! That’s something to be proud of but no time for the Hammers to celebrate as they have a really important fixture in hand this week. They travel to Selhurst Park this week to face Crystal Palace. Should the Tottenham-Liverpool fixture end in a draw and the Hammers win all 3 points, they will climb 5th on the table in contention for some European football. Rest being said, we fancy him scoring goals this week as well and carry his momentum.
Alexandre Lacazette (ARS – £8.3)
This is what we call a gamble. Arsenal has been in the process to get back to their past status as they recover from their devastating form towards the end of 2020. Winning 4 of their last 5 fixtures in the PL they sure seem to be looking forward to another 3 points but it seems as if they have some problem in the London Colony. Skipper P-E Aubameyang is out indefinitely for personal reasons and the young Eddie Nketiah isn’t looking sharp upfront. This also led to Arsenal’s early exit from the FA cup. What’s imminent is that Arteta will now look forward to Lacazette being the main man in attack. Although he has failed to score in his last 2 PL matches, we fancy him to contribute in the goals one way or the other.
FINAL FPL GAMEWEEK 20 SQUAD
GK: MARTINEZ (vc) (£4.9)
DEF: STONES DIAS SHAW (£15.6)
MID: SAKA MADDISON GREALISH POGBA (£27.9)
FOR: KANE (c) LACAZETTE ANTONIO (£24.7)
Total value = £73.1 (enough funds spared for good substitutes)
INJURY UPDATES
Kevin DeBruyne (MCI): out for 4-6 weeks
Jamie Vardy (LEI): hernia. Out indefinitely.
P-E Aubameyang (ARS): out indefinitely for personal reasons
Jannick Vestergaard (SOU): knee injury, expected to return on 2nd Feb
Kyle Walker-Peters (SOU): thigh injury
Marcus Rashford (MUN): knee injury, unlikely to play
Sergio Aguero (MCI): tested COVID+. Unknown return date.
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