GW34: The Draft Pick
Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Note: All stats mentioned are listed as values per 90 minutes played from Fotmob
It’s the blank game week survival test time with six teams (Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds, and Man City) watching from the sidelines, your squad depth is officially under the microscope. I was flying high after the double game week, but the schedule has now come for my squad; I’m heading into a matchup against 15 active players with just 9 of my own. It’s “go big or go home” time with only four rounds to go, so I’ve pulled the trigger on a move that hurts: dropping Phil Foden and Estêvão. It’s a massive gamble against the second-place manager, but when you’re chasing the title, sometimes you have to take that risk.
Goalkeepers
Last weeks picks:
Karl Darlow | ( 10-11 points vs. Wolves (H), 6-11 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+27% ownership change
Darlow continues his good form against Wolves with a clean sheet and a solid performance at Bournemouth. He’s going to be a good option if you need a keeper for the remainder of the season.
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Mads Hermansen (West Ham)
- Last Game: vs. Everton (H) (11-15 points)
- Ownership: 30% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H)
- Interesting Stat: 81st percentile for saves per match (3.23)
Averaging about 12 points a game in the last 30 days, Mads Hermansen seems like the obvious choice this weekend, even with a tough match against an Everton side that boasts a strong away record this season. Fresh off a well-earned point away at Palace, West Ham will look to grab all three points at the London Stadium to further bridge the gap between themselves and Spurs. With the Danish international in the form of his life, he could be the perfect anchor for a “Blank Gameweek” squad.
Defenders
Last weeks picks:
Jayden Bogle | ( 9-12 points vs. Wolves (H), 2-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+33% ownership change
Not an amazing return against Wolves, but still pretty good and Bogle came off injured against Bournemouth at half time. Still decent points for this gameweek.
Rating: That’s His Job
Olivier Boscagli | (5-9 points vs. Tottenham (A), 10-13 points vs. Chelsea (H) )
+11% ownership change
Despite conceding two goals, Boscagli still managed a decent points return away at Tottenham as they stole a point at the end and continued his good performance against a woeful Chelsea with a clean sheet.
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Luke Shaw (Man United)
- Last Game: vs. Chelsea (A) (14-16 points)
- Ownership: 47% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A)
- Interesting Stat: Stats are compared to CBs on Fotmob - thanks Amorim. 87th percentile for successful crosses though.
Surprisingly, Luke Shaw has played the most games in a season in his career since he was 18 at Southampton. He might not have the same attacking output he had in his prime, but he’s still a very reliable defender and is always smart and composed on the ball. Can United make it two clean sheets in a row? I’m not sure, but with not too many options this week, I like Shaw the most.
Ian Maatsen (31% owned) is another tempting shout after his assist last time out, but a trip to Fulham is tricky, and with rotation between him and Digne still a factor, Shaw feels like the safer pair of hands.
Midfielders
Last weeks picks:
Zian Flemming | (11-14 points vs. Nottingham Forest (A), 1-2 points vs. Man City (H) )
+7% ownership change
Even against City, Flemming had some decent chances and he seems to also find good positions. I can definitely see him staying in the Premier League next year. He could be a decent signing for a lot of clubs needing a forward.
Rating: That’s His Job
Ao Tanaka | (12-17 points vs. Wolves (H), 2-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+16% ownership change
Like most Leeds players this game week, they got the big points in the first game against Wolves. Tanaka hopefully was the help you needed for the double gameweek!
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Habib Diarra (Sunderland)
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) (6-9 points)
- Ownership: 0% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A), Man United (H)
- Interesting Stat: 75th percentile for duels won
Despite the 1–0 loss to Brighton at home and a poor fantasy performance, Habib Diarra has been averaging around 10 points a game since the end of February. He’ll be kicking himself, though, if he had finished his 1v1 chance or played an easy pass to Talbi in the dying moments (right before Villa went up the other end and scored) he could have been the hero. Maybe he can be the hero this weekend at Forest.
Alternatively, I also like Chris Rigg (4% owned), who scored a fantastic goal against Villa. Both could be great options with Nottingham Forest visiting the Stadium of Light this weekend!
Forwards
Last weeks picks:
Valentin Castellanos | (4-6) points vs. Crystal Palace (A)
+2% ownership change
Although Taty didn’t get on the scoresheet he still looked won of West Ham’s most dangerous players and always seems to get into dangerous positions. I would definitely keep him with Everton at home next.
Rating: On The Bench
Noah Okafor | ( 25-29 points vs. Wolves (H), 1-3 points vs. Bournemouth (A) )
+39% ownership change
Okafor showed the kind of fantasy player he is across the two games, unplayable at times but inconsistent. He’ll be great option for home games for the rest of the season!
Rating: Man of the Match
This weeks picks are:
Omari Hutchinson (Nottingham Forest)
- Last Game: vs. Wolves (H) (8-9 points)
- Ownership: 38% of Fantrax squads
- Next Fixtures: vs Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle (H)
- Interesting Stat: 86th percentile for expected assists versus other wingers
Slim pickings this weekend, and other options I’d gamble on are Igor Jesus (36% owned) and Chris Wood (55% owned), as Forest will look to get more points away at Sunderland. It’ll be a tough game, but all the teams down the bottom are fighting, and Forest will feel confident after their great 4–1 win over Burnley. I think Hutchinson can continue to be the spark for Forest and can be a good option this weekend and same with Igor too.
Fixture Spotlight
Sunderland
- Last Game: vs. Aston Villa (A) L 4-3
- Next Fixtures: vs. Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A), Man United (H), Everton (A)
Sunderland will be wanting to redeem themselves this weekend after that dramatic ending in the Villa game, where they came so close to winning but ultimately fell short. Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor are battling it out to start up top, and with both under 30% ownership, they offer great value. I’ve mentioned Diarra and Rigg above, but Chemsdine Talbi is also available and is firmly in contention to start. If the Black Cats can replicate the heart they showed in the comeback at Villa Park, they should be a handful for Forest on Friday night.
One to Watch
If you didn’t see Ayden Heaven’s performance last week against Chelsea, it’s well worth taking a look. With United losing Leny Yoro right before the game and having to use Noussair Mazraoui as a make-shift center-back, I don’t think anyone expected United to come away with a clean sheet. But they did, and Heaven was a massive part of that. He’s definitely one for the future, and given the current injury crisis at Old Trafford, he wouldn’t be a bad choice for your squad this gameweek either.
Last Weeks VAR Review
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!