I don’t want to alarm you but there are only THREE Premier League games to go. The good news is, there’s still plenty to play for everywhere you look in the Premier League. The title is up for grabs, nobody wants to finish in the top four, seventh may or may not be a Europa League place and Cardiff are clinging on for dear life. Then there’s fantasy football.
On the plus side, there are no more double game weeks. In that regard, things should be straight forward. We’ve got all twenty teams in action this week and the headline fixture is an all top 6 clash. First though, let’s review week 35.
My score of 98 comfortably beat the average of 67. That’s good. My overall rank dropped to 5,958. That’s bad. It is only about 300 places though and frankly finishing in the top 10k is my target at this point. We’ve nearly come off the rails so many times I will be delighted if we can overcome three more hurdles.
The first of those hurdles begins on Friday night – don’t be caught out. What’s the pickle this week?
The dilemma
The big game is actually the final game of the weekend. Man Utd vs Chelsea could have huge repercussions in the top four race. It also sees two of the most frustrating FPL teams go up against each other. Rashford and Pogba were incredible value for about six weeks but like their team, their form has dropped off.
From an FPL standpoint, you would at least say Man Utd have a nice run-in. Huddersfield and Cardiff are their last two games so I’d probably hang on to them for now. If you are thinking of buying, maybe wait until next week. As for Chelsea, Hazard. Even that though, I’m not expecting an attacking masterclass this week so it just depends if you’d rather spend a large amount elsewhere. I can help with that…
Before that, Man City travel to Burnley. Pep’s team are of course now the front runners for the league and chasing them can’t be easy. With no Champions League commitments, I would expect the backbone of the team to avoid rotation for the remainder, unless the title is clinched.
Aguero seems to have seen off the threat of Gabriel Jesus despite no goal in four league games. Bernardo Silva looks more pivotal than ever in midfield with a couple of injuries creeping in whilst Raheem Sterling has been ever reliable. At the back, Laporte and Ederson look the most assured. It goes without saying really that City assets at this point in the season look a must.
Opening up Sunday is Leicester vs Arsenal. What has happened to Arsenal? Away from home, they appear more shambolic than ever. Do they have one eye on the Europa League? I would avoid Arsenal defenders as Jamie Vardy may well have a party here. Up front, Aubameyang has had a minor sinus operation (no idea) so whether he plays here or not is in doubt. Lacazette has been a good option all season but I’m very low on Arsenal at the moment. I wouldn’t buy them especially.
Tottenham are once again the Saturday lunchtime entertainment. They welcome West Ham who have fallen away a little bit in recent weeks. Spurs have a Champions League semi-final on Tuesday so I’d expect changes. Son is suspended for that so he should be spared the bench here – next week is very much another matter. Poch doesn’t have loads of options at the moment so the majority of changes will probably be in defence but we’ll see. Pick at your own peril.
Liverpool kick off the weekend on Friday evening, if that’s even possible. Their home game with Huddersfield looks likely to be a one-sided affair. The Terriers are relegated and Liverpool will be desperate for the three points. Salah, Mane & Firmino are likely to be high up your shopping lists. This is what I meant earlier by avoiding spending elsewhere this week. Double up, treble up. Do what you need to do.
Bargain bin
Finding cheap players who still have something to play for is not easy. Brighton haven’t scored in seven games but must fancy a clean sheet at home to Newcastle. Miguel Almiron is out injured and that should bring Duffy, Dunk and Mat Ryan into your thinking. They did well to scrap out a clean sheet last week. This should be easier.
Otherwise, I’m struggling. Shane Long is in the form of his life at £4.6m but whether scoring the fastest Premier League goal is enough to keep out Danny Ings remains to be seen.
Captain
Salah or Mane? It’s been a question all season but I think it’s the only choice this week. For all, I think Man City will win at Burnley you couldn’t say with any certainty who will get the goals. It’s not very adventurous but for the sake of playing devil’s advocate, Jamie Vardy will run Arsenal ragged. Maybe you could pick him to be different.
My team
With one transfer in the bank my team is currently:
Foster, Digne, Duffy, Robertson, Doherty, Sterling, Hazard, Salah, Son, Gray, Rondon. Subs: Wilson, Camarasa, Wan-Bissaka.
I could go without making any changes but I will likely make the sideways move of Hazard to Mane. Then next week I can bring in Pogba or another Man Utd player. That’s the plan, anyway. For all Hazard may well tear Man Utd apart, Chelsea only need a draw and he may well find himself rested next week between the two Europa semi-final legs.
That concludes another preview. Remember the deadline is Friday 26th April at 19:00. All that is left to do is for me to wish you good luck and may all your arrows be green. Toodles!
