The Hard Tackle brings you all they key tips for Gameweek 22 of Fantasy Premier League.
Manchester City hosting Tottenham Hotspur is undoubtedly the biggest game of the week. Two big-name sides are set to go head to head on the back of contrasting form. Spurs have been on a six-game winning run in the league while the Citizens are struggling to maintain consistency and are coming on the back of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Everton.
The week’s other games see Liverpool take on Swansea, while Manchester United travel to the bet365 Stadium to play Stoke. On Sunday, Chelsea and Arsenal enjoy relatively easier home fixtures against Hull City and Burnley respectively.
Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez (11.9) has either scored or assisted in seven of his last eight matches in the league, and is a must pick for FPL managers. While his price is on the higher side, the Chilean is a consistent performer and is expected to deliver once again.
While Burnley have impressed recently, playing away against Arsenal is never an easy game. Despite being played out wide, Sanchez has proven to be a potent threat in front of goal, and could even make a case for being captain.
Speaking of captains, Chelsea front man Diego Costa (10.3) is expected to return to the fray after missing out last week’s game against defending champions Leicester City. Reports had emerged stating that the striker had a bust up with the club hierarchy, but Antonio Conte has revealed that the Spaniard is likely to return.
At 10.3, Costa provides a phenomenal points-to-value ratio. Still not guaranteed to start, it might be worth getting him in, rather than paying 0.1 or 0.2 more for him the next week. Also, with a favourable fixture list ahead, bringing in the Chelsea attacker could help your case moving forward.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane (11.1) is the week’s most brought in player with a staggering 142,000 managers investing in the Spurs Man. The English forward scored a hat-trick last week which pretty much explains the interest for him, but given Spurs’ fixtures ahead, getting in Kane could be more of a bane than a boon.
Facing City this week, Tottenham travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland in Gameweek 23. The Black Cats are expected to play with their backs to the walls and give nothing away to the Englishman.
In Gameweek 25, a daunting trip to Anfield beckons the North London side. Liverpool have turned the stadium into a fortress off late, and Spurs could themselves lucky if they even manage to slip away a point from the game.
Philippe Coutinho (8.3) made his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool since November in last week’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Brazilian attacking midfielder did not start the game, but came on as a second-half substitute and had an immediate impact.
Within a minute of coming on, Coutinho created a goal-scoring chance – proving just how vital he is to the Reds attack. At 8.3, he is not on the expensive side, but is one that could be avoided. With games against Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal in the upcoming weeks, Coutinho may struggle to pick up points on a consistent basis.
Everton forward Romelu Lukaku (9.6) is worthy of an investment and a second striker option in a three-man attack system. He is available cheaper than the first-choice strikers of the top sides, but he has burst into form of late and very few will be betting against him when Everton take the field against Crystal Palace.
In the coming weeks, Everton have a pretty decent fixture list – including matches against Stoke City, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Sunderland. The Belgian found the back of the net against City and will be in confident mood going into the game against Palace.
THT’s Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: Lee Grant (Stoke City)
Defenders: Laurent Kosicleny (Arsenal), Danny Rose (Spurs), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Matt Philipps (West Brom), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool)
Strikers: Peter Crouch (Stoke City), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Bench: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Winston Reid (West Ham)
Points earned last week: 71