It’s Gameweek 25 of Fantasy Premier League’s 2016/17 season and the Hard Tackle will give you much needed insight about the possible ins and outs.
Liverpool taking on Tottenham Hotspur is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the weekend. The clash is certainly going to see a number of FPL managers on the edge of their seats, hoping to get the expected points from their star performers.
Spurs go into this game as favourites, which means that Liverpool players can be totally avoided. The likes of Philippe Coutinho (8.3) and Sadio Mane (9.1) have not been at their best, and it is better to look for other options in midfield that will give you better chances of scoring points.
One player from the Liverpool setup that needs to be excluded is Adam Lallana (7.2). He is this Gameweek’s most sold player with over 127,000 managers choosing to part ways with the unfortunate English midfielder.
A massive exodus is certain to see a considerable drop in his value, and it is the right time to sell him for a better and a high-scoring midfield option. Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.4) has been most managers’ replacement for Lallana, and with a goal or an assist in four of his last five games, the Icelandic midfielder makes an interesting shout for selection.
Another option could be Ross Barkley (7.0) whose Everton side are in a run of good form. Striker Romelu Lukaku (9.8) has been finding the back of the net on a consistent basis, and Barkley, playing in behind the Belgium, can pick up crucial assists points.
Manchester United defender Phil Jones (4.9) will miss his second game in a row due to injury, and it may be time to offload the Englishman, probably for his teammate Antonio Valencia (5.6).
The Ecuadorian has been in decent form this season and could be a good fit in most FPL sides. United are expected to keep a cleansheet against Watford at home, and the forward-thinking Valencia could also notch up an assist along with the four points for a shutout.
Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso (6.7) started the season with a valuation of 6.0, and has seen his value skyrocket due to the growing demand in him. Blues manager Antonio Conte’s system has seen Alonso contribute a lot more in the offensive third, which has seen him pick up key assists as well as goal points.
The Spaniard is the highest goal-scoring defender of the season, and is arguably Chelsea’s best defensive player of 2016/17. There were plenty of eyebrows raised when he was signed in the summer, but he has now done enough to silence his critics and cement himself as a regular in the first team.
Alonso’s teammate Gary Cahill (6.5) comes at 0.2 lesser than the Spaniard and also has seven more points in the bag over the course of the season. However, the English defender has played more games than Alonso, and is not in the run of form as the left wing-back. Thus, it is better paying him slightly more to reap rewards in the future.
At 5.8, Everton right-back Seamus Coleman is a mid-level FPL signing. Certainly not the cheapest option out there, but far from the Cahill and Alonso bracket, Coleman has seen interest in him skyrocket of late.
The Toffees’ good run of form has deservedly seen managers vest faith in their star players, and Coleman is a tried and trusted option over the seasons for the FPL regulars. The Everton right-back has either scored or assisted in each of his last four matches, and is an interesting pick.
Also, with a favourable fixture list including Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Brom and Hull in the next five Gameweeks, Coleman will be looking to keep at least two, if not more shutouts throughout the course of this period.
For managers looking for a cost-efficient Evertonian, Ramiro Funes Mori at 4.7 gives you exactly what you are looking for. The next couple of weeks are certainly interesting in gauging whether Everton players can be invested in or not.
THT’s Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: Lee Grant (Stoke City)
Defenders: Laurent Kosicleny (Arsenal), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Matt Philipps (West Brom), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea)
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: 53