As we approach the thrilling final weeks of the Premier League season, the suspense continues to build. With three weeks left, every match becomes increasingly consequential, not only for the teams on the pitch but also for the fantasy managers strategizing from the sidelines. This week, Brighton's bid for European football is in the spotlight as they prepare to face off against Arsenal and Newcastle United, who currently hold second and third place respectively.
Manchester United, unfortunately, stumbled in their recent outing, opening the door for Liverpool to potentially overtake them in the race for the top four. Relegation battles are reaching a fever pitch, with every point mattering for those teams fighting to maintain their Premier League status.
Key Takeaways from Matchday 35
Everton, currently battling to avoid relegation, turned in a surprising performance against Brighton, emerging victorious with a 5-1 win. Source: skysports.com
The title race in the Premier League remains in high gear. Manchester City and Arsenal maintained their momentum with convincing victories against Leeds United and Newcastle United. Chelsea, breaking a five-game winless streak, celebrated a 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Meanwhile, West Ham United's 1-0 triumph over Manchester United virtually secures their survival in the league and puts a dent in Manchester United's Champions League ambitions.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur secured narrow victories in their respective matches. Fulham surprised everyone with a 5-3 upset against Leicester City. Nottingham Forest and Everton, both striving to avoid relegation, secured critical wins over Southampton and Brighton, respectively.
Players to Watch for Matchday 36
With Newcastle United and Brighton slated to play an additional match this week, a rescheduled fixture from gameweek 25, the fight for fantasy points intensifies. Here's a look at the players who could make a difference in your fantasy squad:
Notable Absences
As we approach these crucial matches, several important players will be absent. Arsenal will face Brighton without defender Oleksandr Zinchenko due to injury, while Brighton's Solly March is also sidelined. Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Forwards
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspurs) continues to demonstrate his commitment to Spurs despite speculation about a summer move. He has scored his 26th goal of the season and hopes to join Haaland in the 30-goal club this season.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) has stood out this season with his technical skills. The striker could be a valuable addition to many fantasy squads as Newcastle United faces Leeds United and Brighton this week.
Pro Tip: Consider Fulham's Willian (1233 points) for 11.6 credits. Despite appearing in less than 1% of squads, the forward's performance in Fulham's recent aggressive matches could make him a unique and valuable choice.
Midfielders
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) continued to impress with his goal-scoring form, netting Arsenal's first goal in their 2-0 victory over Newcastle United. The Norwegian international now boasts 15 goals this season, making him a consistent performer for Arsenal.
Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) will be critical for Brighton as they face Arsenal and Newcastle United this week. The Argentine midfielder has been in excellent form and scored Brighton's only goal in their 5-1 defeat against Everton last week.
Pro Tip: Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan (1709 points) is highly underrated this season. For just 10.2 credits, Gundogan could be a smart transfer given that Manchester City might rest some of their starting 11 due to the upcoming Champions League fixture.
Defenders
Aaron Cresswell. Source: football.london
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) has been a consistent performer for Manchester United this season. Playing as a central defender in the absence of injured Varane and Martinez, Shaw has been one of the best-performing defenders in the league this season and has provided significant value for his fantasy teams.
Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool) continues to be one of the Premier League's top attacking full-backs, recently demonstrating his versatility in the midfield as well. His dynamic partnership with Mo Salah could yield substantial points for fantasy squads including him.
Pro Tip: Consider West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell (1084 points) for 5.7 credits. With less than 1% of squads selecting him, Cresswell has been a driving force behind West Ham United's recent successes and could offer a strong return on investment.
Goalkeepers
Jason Steele (Brighton) will be looking to redeem himself following a difficult game against Everton, where he conceded five goals, including an own goal. With Brighton facing Arsenal and Newcastle United this week, Steele could be called upon for numerous saves.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) will play a pivotal role for Chelsea as they aim for their second consecutive win. The Spanish goalkeeper could be an interesting option for fantasy teams, with Nottingham Forest likely to test him.
Pro Tip: Emiliano Martinez (1481 points) of Aston Villa could be a wise choice as a goalkeeper for any fantasy team for just 4.4 credits. With 11 clean sheets to his name, Martinez, who features in less than 15% of squads, will be aiming to increase this tally against Spurs in the next match.
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