This week, the Premier League faces a reduced schedule as the FA Cup Quarter Finals feature six teams currently vying for top-flight glory. This leaves only four Premier League fixtures on the docket, but these matches hold significant weight. Aston Villa, fresh off a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, faces the potential to drop out of the top four with another slip-up. Another key clash sees Luton Town and Nottingham Forest, currently 18th and 17th respectively, battle for crucial points in the relegation scrap. With an international break looming after this week, KridaFans fantasy managers will be eager to optimize their squads and strategize for the season's climax.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 28
Liverpool and Manchester City stalemated 1-1, allowing Arsenal to maintain their lead at the top of the table following their 2-1 victory over Brentford. Tottenham Hotspur took a significant stride towards securing a top-four finish with a convincing 4-0 win over current fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory against Everton, with both goals coming from the penalty spot. Chelsea held off a late Newcastle United fightback to claim a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. Bournemouth staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a 3-goal deficit at halftime to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory against Luton Town in a midweek clash.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 29
The limited schedule of just four Premier League fixtures this week presents a unique challenge for Fantasy Premier League managers. Striking a balance between making strategic changes to maximize points and maintaining a well-rounded squad for upcoming weeks becomes crucial. Injuries and suspensions further complicate these decisions, and the following information will be invaluable for managers navigating this tricky period:
Notable Absences
Micky van de Ven is expected to miss Tottenham Hotspurs’ trip to Fulham as he suffered a hamstring injury in the last match against Aston Villa. In the same match, Aston Villa’s captain John McGinn received a red card and would be suspended for Villa’s trip to London Stadium against West Ham United. For Luton Town, Tahith Chong remains an injury scare as he was taken off injured in their defeat against Bournemouth.
Forwards
a. Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspurs) has stepped up for Spurs after Richarlison’s injury, contributing 2 goals and 2 assists in the last 5 matches including a goal against Villa in the last match. The young forward would be looking to increase his influence in the team and help them with their aim to finish in the top 4.
Tip: For 11.7 credits (814 points), Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoyini could be an interesting choice for fantasy managers. He had a dream start to the season scoring in each of the first three games but suffered the injury in November. Since his return from injury, he has a decent record scoring 2 goals and assisting one, and could prove to be a good option.
Midfielders
a. Alex Iwobi (Fulham) is in great form returning from AFCON, scoring 2 goals for Fulham in 4 matches including an injury-time winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The midfielder would hope he could produce a similar display against another big team such as Tottenham Hotspurs.
Tip: For 10.2 credits (1326.2 points), West Ham United’s Lucas Paquetá is a reliable transfer choice. The Brazilian midfielder started West Ham’s comeback with his 46th-minute goal against Burnley and would be crucial for them in the match against Aston Villa.
Defenders
a. Nathan Collins (Brentford) was impressive in Brentford’s 3-0 win over their next opponent Burnley back in October. His side Brentford has struggled since and is winless in the last 5 matches. Collins would hope he could help his team return to winning ways by ensuring he keeps Burnley’s forward quiet.
Tip: For 6.5 credits (702.4 points), Luton Town’s Teden Mengi is a popular choice among fantasy managers. The former Manchester United player has the potential to perform at the Premier League level and can help his side maintain a tight defense against Forest in the crucial game.
Goalkeepers
a. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) conceded four goals against Spurs in the last match but could not have done much to prevent any of those. The World Cup-winning goalkeeper would be aiming to help his team bounce back against West Ham United.
Tip: For 5.1 credits (1045.8 points), Burnley’s James Trafford could prove to be a great gamble for fantasy managers. While his side is struggling after promotion to the Premier League, Trafford has made his name as one of the most impressive youngsters in the league and would be looking to enhance his reputation by helping his side win against struggling Brentford.
What Next?
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