The Premier League is gearing up for an exciting finale as the season enters its final seven weeks. With recent results potentially having wider implications on the league table, fans are on the edge of their seats. Manchester City has closed the gap on leaders Arsenal, who were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United. However, City's busy schedule, which includes their involvement in the FA Cup and Champions League, could be a factor. Meanwhile, the relegation battle is intensifying, with teams like Crystal Palace and Bournemouth pulling themselves out of the danger zone, while former champions Leicester City find themselves struggling in the bottom three, a situation that few would have predicted at the start of the season. The race for the remaining two Champions League spots is wide open, with no clear answers yet as to which teams will join Arsenal and Manchester City in Europe's elite competition next season.
Key Takeaways from the Matchday 31
Aston Villa continued their winning streak with a fifth consecutive victory, defeating Newcastle United 3-0. Crystal Palace also secured a crucial win, defeating bottom-placed Southampton 2-0, boosting their chances of avoiding relegation.
In other matches, Brighton staged a comeback to defeat Chelsea 2-1, while Bournemouth gained revenge against Tottenham Hotspur with a 3-2 victory, mirroring Spurs' previous win margin. Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers both won their matches 2-0, defeating Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively. Meanwhile, Liverpool delivered a dominant 6-1 victory over Leeds United. Manchester City closed the gap on Arsenal, cutting their lead to four points with a 3-1 win against relegation-threatened Leicester City, while Arsenal was held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United.
Players to watch out for Matchday 32
Due to the rescheduling of the Manchester United vs Chelsea and Brighton vs Manchester City matches to accommodate the FA Cup semi-finals involving these teams, fantasy managers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to maximize their points through strategic transfers during this curtailed weekend. Let's look into notable absences before going through players which 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. Fulham will be without Daniel James, who scored in their last match, in their upcoming game against Leeds United, as James is on loan from Leeds and ineligible to play against his parent club. Additionally, Aleksandar Mitrovic will also continue to miss matches due to suspension, further impacting Fulham's lineup for the upcoming game. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed Arsenal's last game due to injury, remains doubtful for their upcoming game against Southampton. Furthermore, William Saliba is not expected to return from injury for this game, further adding to Arsenal's defensive concerns for the match against Southampton.
Forwards
a. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) continued his impressive run of form by scoring two goals and creating another for Aston Villa in their victory against Newcastle United. The talented striker has been enjoying his best season in the Premier League, having already scored 14 goals, showcasing his prowess in front of goal and his significant contribution to Aston Villa's success in the current campaign.
b. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) delivered an outstanding performance for Bournemouth as he scored a goal and provided two assists to help his team secure a victory against Tottenham Hotspur. The former Liverpool player showcased his immense talent and contribution to Bournemouth's success, proving that he and his club belong in the Premier League.
Tip: For 11.7 credits, Leicester City’s James Maddison (1748 points) remains surprisingly underrated by fantasy managers, with only 5% of squads picking him up. He has been consistently delivering impressive performances, scoring in each of the team's five wins including their win against Wolves, whom Leicester will face next.
Midfielders
a. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) was the standout player for Crystal Palace in their win against Southampton, scoring both goals for his team. Eze has been enjoying increased playing time under manager Roy Hodgson, and his performance in this match highlights his impact on the team's success.
b. Martin ødegaard (Arsenal) found the back of the net with a crucial goal in their recent draw against West Ham United. Known for his leadership skills both on and off the field, Odegaard was vocal in his criticism of his team's failure to secure all three points and is likely to play an important role in Arsenal’s title push.
Tip: For 9.4 credits, Fulham’s Harrison Reed (1201 points) is a budget-friendly midfielder who has been consistently contributing with crucial goals for Fulham. With his recent opener in Fulham's win against Everton, Reed's ability to make meaningful contributions in key moments makes him a valuable asset for any fantasy team.
Defenders
a. Ben Mee (Brentford) has been a standout performer for his team throughout the season, showcasing his defensive prowess and leadership on the field. As Brentford aims for European football next season, Mee's experience and solid performances will be crucial in helping his team bounce back to winning ways and achieve their goals.
b. Dan Burn (Newcastle United) has been a key player in the Newcastle United squad, featuring in all 30 games this season. Despite the recent heavy defeat against Aston Villa, Burn's consistent presence and contribution on the field make him an important asset for his team. As Newcastle aims to bounce back from the setback and continue their overall impressive season, Burn's skills and determination will be vital in helping his team recover and achieve their objectives.
Tip: For 6 credits, Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson (1357 points), is surprisingly included in only 3% of fantasy squads. Despite his consistent performances and contribution to Liverpool's success in the Premier League, Robertson remains underrepresented in fantasy teams. With his ability to provide assists and contribute to his team's attack, Robertson may be a valuable asset for savvy managers looking to maximize their points and value for money in the fantasy Premier League.
Goalkeepers
a. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) has been in sensational form for Aston Villa, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five matches. The Argentine goalkeeper's stellar performances have been a major factor in Villa's recent success, and he is now setting his sights on the coveted Golden Gloves award, which is given to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in a Premier League season.
b. Keylor Navas (Nottingham Forest), the highly decorated goalkeeper, made crucial saves to keep Nottingham Forest in the game against Manchester United, despite eventually losing 2-0. Navas finds himself in a unique situation, as he strives to help his team avoid relegation, which is in contrast to his trophy-laden career with clubs like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Tip: For 4.2 credits, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ José Sá (1527 points) could be a smart and unique choice for any fantasy squad as the goalkeeper features only in 2% of the teams. He has been in great form recently, having kept clean sheets in the last two games.
What Next?
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