With less than 10 games remaining in the season, the English Premier League has entered its final phase, and the race for the title is heating up. Arsenal and Manchester City are neck-and-neck and have a realistic chance of winning the title if they can maintain their form and win all their remaining matches. Meanwhile, the battle for the top four spots is also fiercely contested, with Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspurs fighting it out for a place in the coveted Champions League. However, the most intriguing battle is at the bottom of the table, with as many as 8 teams involved in a relegation scrap. While Crystal Palace and West Ham United seem to be moving towards safety, the fight to avoid the drop promises to be an exciting one.
Key Takeaways from the Matchday 30
The last round of the English Premier League was marked by some thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes. The most anticipated clash did not disappoint as Liverpool and Arsenal played a highly attacking match, which resulted in a 2-2 draw. The draw left Arsenal with a tough task ahead, as Manchester City could potentially overtake them if they beat them in a forthcoming match. Manchester City themselves had an easy win over Southampton, registering a comfortable 4-1 victory.
In other matches, Newcastle United continued their impressive form, securing a 2-1 win over Brentford. This win was Newcastle United's fifth consecutive win in the Premier League and helped them make their case stronger for Champions League spots. Tottenham Hotspurs also secured a crucial win against Brighton, but the match wasn't without controversy, as Brighton saw two goals and potential penalty being denied by the VAR intervention. Finally, Wolverhampton Wanderers pulled off a stunning upset against Chelsea, securing a 1-0 victory, which has added further misery to Chelsea’s season.
Players to watch out for Matchday 31
The weekend would have a full set of fixtures with no additional fixture in this round. Fantasy managers would be looking to balance their squad to ensure they pick maximum points in the final matches of the season. Let's look into notable absences before going through players who can help you to top the leaderboard:
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. Manchester United will be without Marcus Rashford for a few upcoming matches due to an injury sustained in their previous game. Additionally, Luke Shaw may also be unavailable, as he is not yet fully fit. In Aston Villa's last game, Leon Bailey was substituted due to an injury, and it is unlikely that he will be included in the starting lineup for the upcoming match. Aston Villa is also still without Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara, which could impact their overall performance.
Forwards
a. Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspurs) scored a breathtaking goal against Brighton, becoming the first Asian footballer to score 100 goals in the Premier League. Although he may not be in his best form this season, the South Korean forward's goal contributions could prove to be crucial for Tottenham Hotspurs' chances of securing a top-four finish.
b. Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) returned to the field in the last round after a two-month absence due to an ankle injury, playing against Everton. The talented playmaker has been instrumental in Manchester United's success this season, remaining the team's top goal provider despite his extended absence from the game.
Tip: For 10.4 credits, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli’s (1977 points) skill and impact as a forward are often overlooked, as he appears in only 3% of fantasy teams, despite accumulating an impressive 1977 points and ranking in the top 10 forwards. The Brazilian's underrated talent could prove to be a valuable asset for fantasy players looking to gain an edge in the game.
Midfielders
a. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) achieved a remarkable milestone in the Premier League, reaching 100 assists with his assist for Haaland's first goal against Southampton in the previous week. The Manchester City star reached this milestone faster than any other player in the Premier League, accomplishing it in just 237 games.
b. Philip Billing (Bournemouth) played a vital role in Bournemouth's 1-0 win over relegation rival Leicester City, scoring a crucial goal. The midfielder has a knack for finding the goal, being Bournemouth's top scorer this season with seven goals to his name. His goal-scoring ability will ensure the team's survival in the Premier League.
Tip: For 10.3 credits, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise (1526 points) has quickly established himself as one of the top young talents in the Premier League, proving to be Crystal Palace's best player this season. With eight assists and two goals, the midfielder's impressive performances have been crucial in Palace's recent resurgence under Roy Hodgson.
Defenders
a. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) has faced heavy criticism for his defense this season, but there's no denying that he remains one of the best-attacking fullbacks in the Premier League. His latest assist for Firmino's equalizer against Arsenal is further evidence of this, solidifying his reputation as a potent force going forward.
b. Lewis Dunk's (Brighton) first goal of the season was not enough to prevent Brighton from suffering a controversial defeat against Spurs. However, the defender's solid performances throughout the season have been a key factor in Brighton's push for a European football spot.
Tip: For 6 credits, Aston Villa’s Ashley Young (948 points), at the age of 37, continues to prove his worth in the Premier League. As a versatile full-back, he remains an excellent option for any fantasy team, and at just 6 credits, represents fantastic value for money.
Goalkeepers
a. Nick Pope (Newcastle United) is having the best season of his career so far, and he continued to impress by helping Newcastle United secure a 2-1 victory over Brentford. The goalkeeper saved a crucial penalty from Ivan Toney, who missed from the spot for the first time in his Brentford career. With the most clean-sheets of any goalkeeper this season, Pope will be determined to win the Golden Glove award.
b. Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham United) played a pivotal role in West Ham United's 1-0 victory over Fulham, securing a clean sheet for his side. As a veteran goalkeeper, his experience and skill have been crucial in their bid to remain in the Premier League next season.
Tip: For 4.2 credits, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale's (1458 points) exceptional performance between the posts has been a vital factor in Arsenal's title push this season. Despite being one of the best goalkeepers in the league, it's surprising that he is only featured in 3% of fantasy teams. His two crucial saves against Liverpool helped Gunners to prevent a defeat, proving once again that Ramsdale is an integral part of Arsenal's success.
What Next?
We are thrilled to announce that our Refer & Earn feature is now live on the KridaFans platform! Invite your friends to join KridaFans and start earning rewards today. Keep an eye out for more details on this exciting new feature.
Join us and compete to win as there is a guaranteed $11000 tournament prize pool for the 2022-23 English Premier League Season. If you want to test it out, then you can join the KridaFans platform for free too.
About KridaFans:
KridaFans is a pioneering fantasy soccer platform that rewards users based on their performance through a unique skill-based rarity of player cards, or NFTs. This innovative approach ensures a fair playing field and sets KridaFans apart in the industry.
