The Premier League returns with a quick turnaround, as Luton Town hosts Everton just 24 hours after the thrilling Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur clash. With only three weeks remaining in the season, the top-four race appears to be solidifying. Aston Villa finds itself in a favorable position after Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea and their upcoming challenging fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City. Chelsea, meanwhile, seems to be mounting a late surge for European qualification. Their win against Spurs puts them in 8th place, two points ahead of West Ham United. However, this week could be pivotal in the relegation battle. Nottingham Forest faces Sheffield United, the already-relegated team, while other relegation contenders Burnley and Luton have tougher matchups.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 35
In a dramatic turn of events, Arsenal held on for a 3-2 victory over Spurs after leading 3-0 at halftime. Manchester City maintained their title chase with a convincing 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest. Liverpool's hopes for the championship suffered a further blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United. Chelsea clawed back four points in the last two rounds, drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa before securing a vital 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspurs.
Elsewhere, Manchester United were frustrated by a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Everton secured their Premier League survival with a narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford, who are also now safe from relegation. Newcastle United condemned Sheffield United to the Championship with a resounding 5-1 thrashing. Bournemouth solidified their place in the top ten with a comfortable 3-0 win over Brighton.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 36
With just 3 gameweeks remaining, managers have their sights set on fielding their strongest teams for the closing stretch. However, navigating this condensed schedule requires meticulous squad planning. The relentless Premier League schedule often throws curveballs with player absences due to injury or suspension. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for fantasy managers. Here's a breakdown of key absentees to watch out for in the upcoming round:
Notable Absences
Bournemouth would be missing the service of forward Antoine Semenyo for the next few weeks. Chelsea are doubtful about the involvement of their defenders Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi in the next match. Timo Werner and Ben Davies would not feature for Tottenham Hotspurs in the remaining matches of the season due to injuries. Ederson is doubtful for Manchester City's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Forwards
a. Hee-chan Hwang (Wolverhampton Wanderers) scored his first goal for Wolves since returning from injury, in their 2-1 win over Luton Town. The South Korean forward provides a different dimension to the Wolves' attack that can help them in their match against Manchester City.
b. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) is proving to be a great find for Aston Villa after they signed him from Middlesbrough in the winter transfer window. The young forward has scored 3 goals in addition to an assist in the last 5 games and seems to be providing additional options to Villa
Tip: For 11.9 credits (1794.2 points), Everton’s Dwight McNeil can provide a decent return of points to fantasy managers. The forward has chipped in with goals or assists at crucial moments in the season for toffees and helped them preserve their Premier League status that can allow them to play freely in their next game against Luton Town.
Midfielders
a. Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) remains key to Forest’s survival in the League this season. With a crucial game against Sheffield United coming in the next round, Forest would hope their star midfielder would inspire them to victory and help them gain crucial three points.
b. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) had scored a goal and assisted another in Arsenal's last game against Bournemouth, who they play in the next round. The Norwegian midfielder could cement his place as a Premier League Legend if they help his side secure their first title in two decades.
Tip: For 10.3 credits (2018.2 points), Newcastle United's Bruno Guimarães is a safe bet for fantasy managers looking to shuffle their midfield. As Newcastle look to visit Burnley in the next match, they would hope their Brazilian maestro comes up with another great performance.
Defenders
a. Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) scored Liverpool's first goal in their 2-2 draw against West Ham United. The Scottish international has been a constant feature in the Liverpool squad over the years under Jürgen Klopp and he would hope he could give a great send-off to his manager in the remaining three fixtures.
b. Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) helped his team win 2-0 against Spurs by scoring the opening goal. The defender has played only 9 games this season, missing a major part due to injury. However, with the possible exit of Thiago Silva next season, Chelsea would hope he could take the leadership role in the defense starting with the next match.
Tip: For 6.7 credits (1282.4 points), Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol is a low-risk choice. He has been playing mostly as Left Back this season instead of his preferred centre-back position but the role allows him to contribute in the attacking side of things proven by 2 goals and an assist in the last three games.
Goalkeepers
a. André Onana (Manchester United) like his team Manchester United continues to have an inconsistent season, showing a glimpse of genius on one occasion while conceding easily on others. The goalkeeper remains important for United’s intent of finishing the season in a better position.
b. Mark Flekken (Brentford) is among the goalkeepers who made 100+ saves this season. As Brentford face Fulham next, they would hope Flekken can help his team find form by preserving a clean sheet in the game.
Tip: For 5.2 credits (1241.2 points), West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola could be a great gamble. As West Ham face Chelsea next, the match could prove to be a great battle as both these sides would be aiming to finish for the Conference League places and Areola could help his side win by stopping Chelsea’s inconsistent attack from scoring.
What Next?
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