Following a captivating gameweek 31, we turn our attention to the weekend as FPL managers looking to make the final push towards increasing their ranks over the handful of upcoming fixtures until the end of the campaign. With the title race and battle for the top-four set to grow increasingly intriguing over the coming weeks, Fantasy Premier League managers will be keen on striking the right balance heading into a mouth-watering phase of the campaign.
In a game-week that saw many of the top brass fail to capitalize on their favourable fixtures, it was the mid-priced defenders and midfielders who delivered substantial returns last weekend. While Vitaly Janelt (£4.9mn) emerged as the highest-scoring (15 pts.) player of game-week, Joachim Andersen (£4.5mn), Diogo Jota (£8.3mn) and Matt Doherty (4.9mn), among others, secured double-digit hauls in an otherwise challenging game-week for most managers.
With options in the forward department yet to make a convincing case for their selection, it is the midfielders and defenders who are expected to carry on delivering the majority of points over the remainder of the season. Moreover, with candidates for the armband set to change every week until the end of the campaign, FPL managers will be keen on making the right selections over the coming fixtures. Hence, in this article, we take a look at three promising assets capable of delivering favourable returns whilst assessing their potential to be handed the armband this weekend.
RAPHINHA [£6.5M, WAT (A)]
Leeds United’s most impactful player this season, the Brazilian will be keen on delivering his best in hopes of avoiding relegation at the end of the campaign. Currently the team’s highest goal contributor with 13 contributions to his name, Raphinha emerges as a wildcard candidate for the armband this weekend.
Having registered two assists in his last three league outings, a fixture against relegation battling Watford allows the Brazilian to capitalize on a favourable fixture in the upcoming game week. The Brazilian currently tops the charts for expected assists (0.24xA) and ranks third for expected goals (0.36xG) per league game amongst his teammates this season. Additionally, he also registers the highest number of shots on target (17) whilst topping the charts for numerous actions across the attacking third at the club.
Facing a Watford side struggling to move out of the relegation zone, Leeds will be keen on securing an indispensable three points this weekend. With Raphinha expected to play a major role if the club are to stay in the Premier League next season, the winger will be looking to deliver a compelling performance on Saturday against the Hornets.
JARROD BOWEN [£6.8M, BRE (A)]
Amongst West Ham’s most impressive performers this season, Bowen is expected to play a vital role in the club’s push for a European spot at the end of the campaign. Having registered a notable double-digit haul (13 pts.) in his previous league outing, the winger emerges as a player capable of matching or improving his returns from game week 31 this weekend.
In addition to being West Ham’s most boisterous figure across the attacking third, Bowen also stands second for expected goals (0.35xG) and assists (0.19xA) per game amongst his teammates this season. Additionally, the winger is also the club’s highest goal-contributor (17) in the ongoing league campaign, having recorded the most shots on target (29) whilst registering the second-highest number of shot-creating actions (83) at the club this season.
Although facing a Brentford side fresh off a compelling victory against Chelsea last weekend, West Ham will be favouring a victory on Sunday. Provided Bowen succeeds in unsettling an otherwise compact Bees defence the winger is likely to deliver yet another substantial return this weekend.
HEUNG-MIN SON [£10.9M, AVL (A)]
Amongst Tottenham Hotspur’s most important players on the pitch, Son continues delivering for the club as the Lilywhites move closer to securing a place within the top-four heading into the final few fixtures of the season. Having recorded two goals and an assist in his last two league outings, the winger emerges as the most tempting candidate for the armband this weekend.
In addition to being Spurs’ highest goal-contributor (20) this season, Son also registers the second-highest number of shots on target (32) whilst having completed the most number of shot-creating actions (101) and passes into the 18-yard-box (35) amongst his teammates. Moreover, having firmly entered the race for the top four, Son’s contributions are likely to determine the club’s prospects for Champions League football next season.
Facing an Aston Villa side inconsistent in keeping clean sheets, Spurs remain the overwhelming favourites to secure a victory this weekend. Having dominated their opponents in their last two league outings, Son is likely to register a favourable return provided Spurs carry on their winning momentum heading into a crucial set of fixtures over the remainder of the season.
