Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 30
No amount of hand sanitiser, reassurance from any scientists or, particularly, loads of loo roll can bring you back from the panic. No, not a certain virus, I mean when Mane brings in the points and you don’t have him in your team – but those around you in your respective leagues do. Or when Chelsea tear Everton apart and there isn’t a single blue shirt in your starting XI. Or when everyone is bringing in Aubameyang ahead of the gameweek and you realise you can’t afford him. OK, the last one is still out with the jury at the moment, especially as Leicester versus Aston Villa is actually the decider of whether I get a green arrow or not. Do I want the Foxes trio in my squad to run riot, so I can keep those top 10k dreams alive, or do I want Dean Smith’s lads to bring a performance like they did in the League Cup in a bid to still be a Premier League outfit next season? OK, FPL is important, but you have to remember other things! I’m sure there’s a Bill Shankly quote there.
Anyway, whilst Swirly FC has been more like the SS Titanic, I hope you’ve been on the same boat as a certain Kop Warrior on the choppy seas of fantasy football as, this gameweek, he’s not just cruised through, he’s lifted out the water and flown up the rankings. Indeed, this crazy ocean, in which we try to keep our heads above the water, will get that bit stormier with Gameweek 31 featuring just eight of the possible 20 teams. With that in mind, the fixtures below are based on Gameweeks 30, 32 and 33 as the blank provides an option for you to go wild with that free hit chip – though other articles on here nearer the time will give those four matches greater focus.
Of course there’s Liverpool, as the likes of Mane and co. will face a side who conceded four at Chelsea and then play against Crystal Palace as the other teams have a weekend off from the Premier League, but there are eight other players you need in a team. So, without further ado, let’s see which other teams you should look at and those you should give a wide berth.
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
But first up that all important Fixture Tracker itself…
FIXTURE TRACKER LINK
Favourable Fixtures
Arsenal (BHA A, BLANK, NOR H, WOL A)
Whilst we are half way through the Gunners’ double gameweek, as they huffed and puffed to get past a West Ham side that has been more resilient recently, Mikel Arteta’s men are worth a thought once they have played Man City. That’ll no doubt be music to the ears of those who brought in Aubameyang – if he doesn’t bring you the points you hoped for in Gameweek 29, I’m sure there are a few opportunities in the coming weeks.
First up is a side that I actually think will be joining Villa and Norwich in the Championship next season, Brighton. The Seagulls have shocked a good few of the big teams numerous times, however Arsenal are not one of them, as the south coast side have only won one in the five meetings since they were most recently promoted. That was the first time they played each other in the league for 34 years and, since then, it has finished 2-1, 1-1, 1-1 and 2-1. Once the North Londoners have played Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter final, it’s the turn of Norwich to play at the Emirates in a fixture that follows seven straight meetings where the Canaries haven’t won. In that time, 15 goals have been put past them too. See what I mean about the Aubameyang points potential?!
The trip to Molineux wraps up this section and it is certainly the trickiest of the three. The Gunners can, however, be buoyed by the fact they have only lost there once in the last 40 years – though that did happen to be the last occasion!
Wolves (WHU A, BOU H, AVL A, ARS H)
Nuno Espírito Santo and his squad heading to the London Stadium on Sunday isn’t really a game that gets most people excited but, in the case of the visiting fans, there is hope as they are in the midst of a run of great results. The last time the lads in gold and black lost in the league was on 23 January to Liverpool and it’s been three draws and two victories since that game, picking up four clean sheets and finding the back of the net six times. And half of those are from Jota alone. Their last trio of ties against the Hammers have been big fat Ws, as half a dozen goals were scored and Patricio didn’t once have to pick up the ball from the back of the net.
Whilst there is a focus on games surrounding the blank of Gameweek 31, Wolves do in fact play that weekend and the fact that they have Bournemouth at home means, from an FPL squad perspective, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring in or keep the Black Country boys. The Cherries may not have conceded as many as the two teams below them in the league, however they are in that position for a reason – especially when you consider only four teams have scored fewer than their 29 from as many fixtures. The trip to Villa afterwards then carries with it potential – even if the last four trips down the M6 and A38(M) haven’t seen a win for the visitors – although Arsenal’s visit back at Molineux is a chance for the likes of Raul Jimenez and co. to bring what they usually do against the larger teams.
Chelsea (AVL A, BLANK, WHU A, WAT H)
After Bayern Munich showed Chelsea how football is really played with a harsh 3-0 lesson in the Stamford Bridge classroom, the homework since seems to have done the trick as they have found the back of the net eight times in the following three games.
Frank Lampard’s men now go to Aston Villa who, at the time of writing, are equal with Southampton and Norwich in the amount of goals conceded. Although the Villans have played two fewer games than the Saints and Canaries, that number of 52 still works out as 1.93 put past them per game. That’s before the aforementioned Leicester match, too. Anyway, back to the lads from West London and the last 10 meetings between them and Dean Smith’s side have seen nine wins in their favour, netting a staggering 29 in that time. Quick maths and that’s 2.9 per tie, even worse than that 1.93 figure.
But enough about the massacre that may take place at Villa Park – let’s look to West Ham, next in line for Mason Mount and co once they have again faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League and tried to make it to the semi finals of the FA Cup by getting past Leicester. David Moyes’ men have put in big shifts against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, having also beaten Southampton 3-1 and only conceded two against Man City in a match many thought would be a Sergio Aguero goal fest. Indeed, the mixed results between the Hammers and the Blues, where the West of London won four, the East triumphed in four and there were three draws, suggest an unpredictable outcome. However, the Watford game a week later could well be a return to winning ways as the Hornets and Nigel Pearson continue to find it tough to move away from the relegation zone, even with that 3-0 triumph over Liverpool.
Unfavourable Fixtures
Everton (LIV H, BLANK, LEI H, TOT A)
It could be said that losing 4-0 on an away day to Chelsea isn’t the best way to prepare yourself for the noisy neighbours to make the trip across Stanley Park just eight days later. Everton have shown themselves to be unafraid of finding the back of the net against the likes of Arsenal and Man United, but the Stamford Bridge result saw the likes of Calvert-Lewin only pick up a couple more points than his defensive colleagues. Liverpool have suddenly found themselves leaking in goals – even if Callum Wilson’s was rather contentious – however it is unlikely the Toffees will be the team to keep the Reds’ title-winning champagne on ice a bit longer. After the blank, Leicester could admittedly be a game that does bring potential, however the trip to Spurs – a side they haven’t beaten in the most recent 14 attempts – could be rather tricky.
Brighton (ARS H, BLANK, MUN H, NOR A)
The 0-0 draw away at Molineux, where each side only had one shot on goal, may have been a bore fest and killed a fair few accumulators at the same, but it was a valuable point for Brighton. So, if they are to stay up, the next two games could well be damage limitation in advance of the huge game away at Norwich in Gameweek 33. As previously mentioned, Arsenal have a good record against the Seagulls and Man United are showing themselves to be quite the formidable side since Bruno Ferndandes showed up. That said, I’ll just add that the last 10 times across all competitions that Graham Potter’s team has faced the Canaries, it’s been seven defeats, one draw and two wins. So even that doesn’t look great.
Aston Villa (CHE H, BLANK, WOL H, LIV A)
The performance in the League Cup final, coupled with the fact there are two games in hand over their nearest neighbours in the league, provides hope for the Villans as one win in those two missing could then propel the side up to 16th. Then you remember the fact those are against Sheffield United and Newcastle United. And then there are the games they are scheduled to play in the meantime. I’ll save you from the boredom of me repeating the head-to-head statistics Chelsea and Wolves have with Aston Villa, not to mention how many goals the Midlanders have conceded. After all that, it’s then a trip to Anfield in Gameweek 33. Brilliant.
I was one of the lucky ones with Harvey Barnes last night. However, most of his points have come at home and Leicester have 4 of their next five on the road.
Am thinking of selling Barnes for Mount for another midfield masterclass under the lights vs that Villa defence.
Madness or master stroke?
Same thoughts but GW31 is using up my transfers!!
I’m really tempted mate, especially if Lampard says Mount is fit to play.
Am ok for 31 as wildcarded with that in mind last week.
You wanna mount mount him?
Not personally but I guess some would Raz, Raz.
Lol. Don’t know why I said it twice. Lol. Stuttering in chat. :hippo:
Best player on the pitch on Sunday.
Yeah he looked very good as did young Gilmour.
They’re both in form so tricky to judge which is the best way to play it.
Lunchtime kick-offs (as in WAT vs LEI on Sat) are normally rubbish, so the tea-time kick-off (as in AVL vs CHE) might produce more points. So Mount .
Watford tight at home. Villa not tight anywhere.
I’ll be throwing Barnes over for similar reasons, though not immediately and not for Mount (I’m looking at Fernandes). Your argument is sound and Leicester / Chelsea / Man U players – and Wolves, come to think of it – are all vying for our attention as the race for CL spots enters its thrilling final bend.
I hadn’t really thought about Mount but I trust your judgement and presumably the fixtures look ok.
Evening Kralin, to be honest I had decided Saturday evening to buy Mount for a 1-week punt vs Villa pre GW31. And then Mount played excellently vs Everton (to confirm my thinking)..,,and then Barnes did what he did last evening!
I guess last night told us more about Villa than anything else and I should carry on with the Mount move.
Re Bruno, he’s a no-brainer mate. Get him asap. He is running the show at United and has transformed the team/dressing room etc and they look a threat once again. He is central to everything United do and is clearly a class act. He’s up there with KdB as the best mid in the league in my opinion.
Bruno will be coming in for GW32, unless other things trip me up: he’s top of the list. To get him now is too complicated or would need a hit and I want 9 players out in GW31. Saka is my Bruno, if you like.
I just have to take a big gulp and pretend whatever happens this week isn’t really happening (and just trust I can cover his points with other players in my team). My team is in a completely f*cked up cycle where all play at home one week, all away the next, which needs a bit of attention.
Yeah the home-away thing is a small issue but should be sorted the other side of GW32 once Liverpool ease up and the doubles start to get announced.
Cookie it’s very tempting.
Ben, I’m just waiting for Lampard’s presser.
KdB conundrum……
Don’t play him… :big-lol:
I’ve pretty much written off any chance of points from him this week – I will have two points off the bench for him, should he miss tomorrow – but will keep and hopefully he’ll limp back into action at the weekend, or whenever they play next.
Looks like Lascelles will be coming in ff my bench and giving me those sweet sweet six points.
Cue a 7 minute cameo by KDB…
I see Mourinho forced an injury on Bergwijn. He’s doing well not giving players rest. Geeezzz.
Having lost Kane and Son he has little opportunity to rest and rotate.
If only he had an 18 year old International striker he could pick so that some of the others could have a rest…
Bergwijn new player immediately started. Played seven games without rest in a month or so? It is crazy.
You could feel this problem coming for Kane.
It is what it is.
I need somebody to replace Bergwijn with, 1FT and £0ITB
Would you be willing to take a hit?
:big-lol:
I’ll see everyone next season (maybe) then, if people are going to be like this.
:hippo:
https://youtu.be/dOBZCd2hls8
Mason Mount, assuming Lampard clears him at the presser.
Guys. Stop being mean to this guy. He was kindly asking yall to stop. And everybody plays the game the way they like it.
Anyways look at players like Mount… But also think about the blank gameweek. Three Pool and three Wolves needed there.
Raz you’re wasting your breath mate, he’ll ask for advice and go do something stupid regardless. He can play his game all he wants but if he can’t take a bit of banter because everyone else thinks he’s bonkers then why does he even come here? It’s certainly not for our advice!
Bye everyone.
What is wrong?
I think he removed his sense of humor in his 32 point hit last week :big-lol:
I’m all for sense of humor and so on. I’m rarely serious. However when it really comes down to it, I don’t want anyone to feel bad or unwanted. So when a person asks you to stop,just take it seriously.
This is a cool community. We’re not bullies. Term plays the game the way he likes. He also still asks for help.
I get your point but we all had our laughs already. Now we need to move on. He’s learning the game and enjoying it.
You want dramatics? Enough is enough!
Last part was banter by the way. :big_boss: I get both sides. I just want peace and orgies people.
Just a bit banter mate, you of all people should get that! Chill out!! :good:
Raz comes here for orgies…. :rofl:
Who has got the pink handbags out now ?
.
I always come on here and try and help and advise people, I don’t take the piss out of people.
Just banter mate, apologies as I genuinely thought you treat your team as a bit of a joke but didn’t mean to get you all worked up and what not :yes:
Nobody is taking the piss out of you, per say. That’s not our way on here and I’d be the first to clamp down on it if that were the case. It’s a safe and friendly environment.
You do need to appreciate their POV as well though; you’re mingling with people who want to win ML’s, want a high rank and and take it at least semi seriously.They take your approach as odd. Can you appreciate why that may be?
Don’t slam the door on the way out, it’s a bit late for dramatics :hippo:
What’s going on?
Ermmm, so what happened was … I’m not entirely sure either.. Bit of banter, seems to have gotten out of hand… I’ll get back on the naughty step!
Change your profile pic to that and I’ll send you money every week.
All of your hits bar one -4 and one -8 have resulted in red arrows… Your OR is very bad… That tell you anything?
Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Arsenal, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed as a precaution due to coronavirus.