After a subdued January, which stretched a matchweek across two weekends, the Premier League springs back to life after a brief hiatus, allowing the FA Cup to take center stage. However, a palpable vacuum persists within almost every team as numerous key players remain absent due to the ongoing AFCON and AFC Asian Cup tournaments. In the familiar narrative of recent seasons, the title race appears to narrow down to the red half of Liverpool and the blue half of Manchester.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 21
Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated a remarkable comeback for Manchester City, scoring a crucial goal in the 74th minute and providing the assist for Oscar Bobb's first Premier League goal in the 91st minute, securing a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-1. Meanwhile, title contenders Arsenal and Liverpool dominated their matches, securing comfortable wins of 5-0 against Crystal Palace and 4-0 against Bournemouth, respectively. Ivan Toney marked his return from a lengthy suspension with a goal, propelling Brentford to a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
In a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur played to a 2-2 draw. West Ham United faced Sheffield United and shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw, featuring Oli McBurnie's historic late penalty – the latest goal in Premier League history. Chelsea continued their winning streak with a third consecutive victory, edging out Fulham 1-0, courtesy of Cole Palmer's successful penalty conversion.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 22
As AFCON and the AFC ASIA Cup progress into the knockout stages, the return of some players after their teams' elimination introduces a dynamic element to fantasy team management. Vigilance is key to optimizing your fantasy squad, as the presence or absence of key players significantly impacts performance. Proactive injury management and strategic adjustments become paramount for maintaining a competitive edge.
Notable Absences
Mohamed Salah's return to Liverpool from AFCON is accompanied by the unfortunate news of his injury, necessitating ongoing rehabilitation and sidelining him for the next few weeks. West Ham United faces a setback as Saïd Benrahma and Vladimír Coufal will be unavailable for the upcoming match due to suspension. Additionally, Sergio Reguilón will be ineligible to play for Brentford against Spurs in the next round, as rules prohibit players from participating against their parent club.
Forwards
a. Ivan Toney (Brentford) has returned from his 8-month ban for violating the betting rules and scored in his first match since his return. The English forward was in great form before his ban and would be looking to continue that run to help his side Brentford in the relegation battle as well as make his case for England’s squad for the upcoming Euros.
b. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) has exhibited a degree of unpredictability in his finishing this season, but his overall contribution to Liverpool has been exceptional, frequently providing crucial goals and assists. His recent standout performance included a brace against Bournemouth, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess. As Liverpool prepares for the upcoming match against Chelsea, Nunez undoubtedly carries the eagerness to sustain his impressive form and make impactful contributions to his team's success once again.
Tip: For 11.5 credits (965 points), Tottenham Hotspurs’s Richarlison could prove to be a great transfer choice. The Brazilian has performed better this season and has been effective for Spurs in the absence of Son, who is out due to the AFC ASIAN cup.
Midfielders
a. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) continues to remain a crucial part of Manchester City’s midfield even with Kevin De Bruyne’s return. The talented midfielder has been consistent for City for the last few seasons and rarely misses a match due to injury hence would be crucial for them in their title push.
b. James Ward-Prowse (West Ham United) helped West Ham United in their draw against Sheffield United by scoring a penalty. The English midfielder seems to have rediscovered the form he showed in the first few matches of the season and would hope he continues that to ensure he is part of Gareth Southgate’s plan for Euros.
Tip: For 11 credits (1378.2 points), Brighton’s Pascal Groß is a reliable choice for fantasy managers who need a risk-free option in their squad. Brighton might have been goalless in the last two games but he remains their creative engine and would be eager to help his side register a win against Luton Town.
Defenders
a. Àlex Moreno (Aston Villa) has been part of Villa's squad consistently for the last 8 matches after missing the start of the season due to Hamstring Injury. The left-back has been impressive recently and would look forward to helping his side claim the title challenge.
b. Levi Colwill (Chelsea) has played all but one Premier League game for Chelsea this season and is one of their key players despite being just 20 years of age. As Chelsea gears up to play against Liverpool, Colwill will be ready to face the likes of Nunez and Jota to help his side win against the leaders.
Tip: For 6.8 credits (996 points), Fulham’s Antonee Robinson could prove to be a great choice as a defender. The fullback has been impressive for Fulham with both his defensive and offensive work, helping his side with 3 assists, and can prove to be a good point accumulator.
Goalkeepers
a. Wes Foderingham (Sheffield United) continues to lead the list of most saves this season with 92 saves so far. With Sheffield United facing a struggling Crystal Palace side, Foderingham could help his side gain three crucial points in the relegation battle.
b. David Raya (Arsenal) made important saves for Arsenal against Crystal Palace to help them win 5-0. The Spanish goalkeeper has been trusted by his manager throughout the season and he could prove him correct by continuing in a similar fashion against Nottingham Forest.
Tip: For 5 credits (590.8 points), Wolverhampton Wanderers’ José Sá could be an interesting choice for fantasy squads looking for a new goalkeeper. He made important saves in Wolves’ goalless draw against Brighton and would be crucial for them as they face Manchester United in the next game.
What Next?
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