The Premier League season is hurtling towards its climax, with just one week remaining in the penultimate month. The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton held significant implications for both ends of the table. A win for Everton created a comfortable buffer between them and the relegation zone, while Liverpool fell further adrift of Arsenal and Manchester City, who secured maximum points this week. The battle for mid-table positions also intensifies as teams strive to finish the season strongly, mirroring the ambitions of fantasy managers aiming for glory in the final weeks.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 34
Everton enjoyed a dream week, claiming convincing victories against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (both 2-0). Arsenal and Crystal Palace mirrored their feat, with the Gunners dispatching Wolves (2-0) and Chelsea (5-0), while Palace triumphed over West Ham United (5-2) and Newcastle United (2-0).
The Manchester giants confirmed a second consecutive FA Cup final featuring Manchester Derby as they claimed victory in the semifinals. City continued their winning ways in the Premier League with a dominant 4-0 win over Brighton, while United mirrored their success with a 4-2 victory against Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Aston Villa strengthened their grip on a top-four finish with a crucial 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 35
This round will once again boast more than the usual 10 fixtures, with an additional clash between London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on the cards. However, successfully navigating this condensed schedule demands close attention to detail to craft an effective squad. The relentless pace of the Premier League frequently results in player absences due to injury or suspension. Keeping abreast of such developments is vital for fantasy managers. The following information sheds light on some key absentees to watch out for in the upcoming round:
Notable Absences
Chelsea's midfield took a hit with Enzo Fernández ruled out for the season after surgery. Additionally, their attacking talisman Cole Palmer is doubtful for upcoming fixtures. Liverpool suffers a setback with winger Diogo Jota missing another week after sitting out the Everton defeat. Tottenham Hotspur will be without defender Destiny Udogie for their crucial clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea. Manchester City's star striker Erling Haaland remains a doubt for their trip to Nottingham Forest.
Forwards
a. Yoane Wissa (Brentford) scored a wonderful brace against Luton Town to help his side win 5-1. The goals helped him reach the 10-goal mark for the first time in the Premier League and he would like to add a few more as Brentford plays Everton next.
b. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) has impressed in his first season, scoring 10 goals and contributing 4 assists. However, for a young forward at a club of Chelsea's stature, there's always room for improvement. Luckily, Jackson has a chance to further solidify his place in the team's plans with upcoming matches against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tip: For 11.6 credits (1200.4 points), Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund can provide a good return for fantasy managers. The forward scored his 8th goal of the season against Sheffield United and has a knack for scoring goals in consecutive games.
Midfielders
a. Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) has been remarkable this season but his performance seems to be overshadowed by the brilliant season Ollie Watkins is having. The midfielder has made 19 goal contributions so far and Villa would look to him to inspire them to another victory.
b. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) looks to be back in top form! The City legend announced his return with a bang, scoring the crucial opening goal in their dominant 4-0 win over Brighton. As the title race reaches its feverish pitch, expect the Belgian maestro to be at his destructive best as they face Nottingham Forest next.
Tip: For 11 credits (1872.4 points), Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister can be considered a safe option. The World Cup winner with Argentina, he has had an up-and-down season with Liverpool this year, but he still possesses the ability to produce match-winning performances.
Defenders
a. Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) is not just a wall at the back but has contributed to the attacking side as well having chipped in with 2 goals and 3 assists. Palace seems to have picked up their form in recent matches and would be favorite in their clash against Fulham.
b. Ben White (Arsenal) surprisingly scored a brace against Chelsea as Arsenal beat them 5-0 in the last match. The defender has been consistently good throughout the season and would be looking forward to the derby against North London Rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.
Tip: For 6.9 credits (1514.8 points), Brighton’s veteran defender Lewis Dunk represents a good transfer choice. Brighton’s form has seen decline in recent matches but they can always rely on Dunk to stabilize their defense to produce results.
Goalkeepers
a. Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspurs) has been good in his first season but this week represents his biggest test as Spurs play against Arsenal and Chelsea this week. Keeping a clean sheet in these games could be beneficial for his team's chances as they chase Villa for the last Champions League spot.
b. José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers) can help his side stop their slide as they face Luton Town. The Spaniard has been generally reliable and his saves could help Wolves gain momentum in the last weeks of this season.
Tip: For 5.2 credits (851.4 points), Martin Dúbravka of Newcastle United could be a budget option as a goalkeeper. Newcastle United would be favorites in their match against bottom-placed Sheffield United and this match presents Dúbravka an opportunity to add to his clean sheet tally.
What Next?
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