Premier League season is truly running at full speed as fixtures are approaching thick and fast. The highly significant match between the top two sides had barely ended on Wednesday and the league is gearing up for another round of fixtures over the weekend. While this could be tiring for players and managers, fans are enjoying the experience to the fullest as they discuss goals, injuries, VAR reviews, and most importantly fantasy team selection.
Key Takeaways from the last round
The title race saw perhaps the biggest twist in the last round of fixtures with Arsenal dropping points by drawing against Brentford while Manchester City had a comfortable 3–1 win against Aston Villa on the weekend. This was followed by City’s 3-1 triumph against Arsenal in midweek which ensured that they are now at the top of the table.
Manchester United and Liverpool won their games 2-0 against historic rivals Leeds United and Everton respectively. Leicester City scored 4 goals for the second consecutive week as they defeated Tottenham Hotspurs with the scoreline being 4-1 in their favor. Southampton was defeated by 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1, ending Nathan Jones' tenure as the saints' manager.
Players to watch out for Matchday 24
More than half of the premier league teams are competing in multiple competitions. With so many games to play, it is inevitable that managers make full use of their squad depth to remain competitive on all fronts and fantasy managers would need to tinker with their teams too. The following list of players could prove impactful in the next round:
Notable Absences
While there would be a plethora of talent to choose from in the upcoming fixture, few of the important players would be missing from the action. Tottenham Hotspurs would be without the services of midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as the latter is expected to remain out of action till April 2023. Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara could be out for four weeks after picking up a hip injury. Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Manchester United’s Casemiro would serve their last game out due to suspension this week.
Forwards
a. Solly March (Brighton) was again impressive in Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. The English winger has now scored 5 goals this season, which is his best performance in the premier league yet.
b. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) is having an underwhelming season by his very high standard but the forward was instrumental in Liverpool's victory against Merseyside rival Everton. Salah broke the deadlock which helped Liverpool win the match by a 2-0 margin.
Tip: For 9 credits, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheancho (320 points) could be a bargain buy for any fantasy team as the striker is one of the most in-form forwards in the league at the moment.
Midfielders
a. Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) has the burden of being the British transfer fee record signing as his every performance is analyzed with much higher scrutiny than any average premier league player. The world cup-winning midfielder, however, seems to be up for the challenge as he has been a bright light in Chelsea’s recent run of poor results.
b. Rodrigo Hernandez (Manchester City) is slowly stepping into the shoes of Fernandinho, who is regarded as the best defensive midfielder for Manchester City. The Spaniard is not only a defensive engine but a complete player as he helped his side by scoring in under 5 minutes against Aston Villa.
Tip: For 10 credits, Brentford’s Mathias Jensen (1058 points) is one of the success stories from Brentford this season. The Danish midfielder could prove to be a great midfielder option as he has been contributing regularly with goals and assists.
Defenders
a. Emerson Palmieri (West Ham United) scored his first goal of the season to help his side draw against the premier league heavyweight Chelsea. David Moyes’ West Ham United is in the relegation mix and he would be expecting similar performances from his left-back to ensure safety this season.
b. Craig Dawson (Wolverhampton Wanderers) had another resolute performance against Southampton which helped his side to win despite being reduced to 10 men and being a goal down for the majority of the game.
Tip: For 5.7 credits, Arsenal’s William Saliba (1162 points) is enjoying his breakthrough season for the gunners. The center-back could be a great inclusion in any fantasy team as Arsenal is expected to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
Goalkeepers
a. Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace) had a remarkable game against Brighton as he made six saves to ensure Palace earned a hard-fought point which would surely help them stay above the relegation spots.
b. Davide De Gea (Manchester United) made a crucial couple of saves to earn another clean sheet in his 400th premier league appearance, becoming the first non-British player to reach this milestone.
Tip: For 4.6 credits, Fulham’s Bernd Leno (963 points) could be a smart choice for the goalkeeping position. Fulham’s shot-stopper has been in great form this season making crucial saves on a regular basis and earning crucial points for his club and his fantasy teams.
What Next?
So there you have it, a comprehensive preview of the quality players who are set to light up the English Premier League. Now all that is left to do, is to pick your team and make sure you win the Krida Fans fantasy game!
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