FPL Week 26 – Fantasy Premier League Preview – The Own Goal

Following on from our semi popular Premier League predictions, we introduce our weekly EPL Fantasy preview – The Own Goal FPL Week 26.

Each week we’ll attempt to give a quick round-up of some of the points of interest in Fantasy Premier League.

We used to do a podcast through our Fantasy United team, but who’s got time for that these days.

So enjoy The Own Goal FPL Week 26 preview. 

Disclaimer: We are Ipswich Town fans, so have no prejudice against any side in this division. Or the next, come August 2019.

WHO’S HOT

SERGIO AGUERO  (Last Week 17pts – Form 6.4) scoring early and often. Goals in the first minute of his last two games, a double against Arsenal last week.

EDEN HAZARD (Last Week 15pts – Form 6.0) back in his best position and scores twice accordingly. Will he stay there and the goals continue? With Higuain also scoring, probably yes.

MARCUS RASHFORD (Last Week 7pts – Form 6.0)  Five goals in six games and two assists. Scored again last weekend.

JAMES WARD-PROWSE (Last Week 2pts – Form 7.8) Only two points last week, but he is top of the form charts, and with 29 points in three games before last week.

WOLVES – 10 Goals in three games, with the points being shared among a lot of players. Jota (3 Goals – 2 Assists – Form 7.8), Jimenez (3 Goals – 1 Assist – Form 6.8) , and Moutinho  (5 Assists – Form 7.3) the headliners. Even early season FPL fancy Neves got in the points – one goal and one assist – form 4.0.

HEUNG-MIN SON (Last Week 11pts – Form 5.5) – Back from the Asian Cup, and scores two games in a row. Spurs needing him to though.

WHO STINKS

BOURNEMOUTH AWAY – now lost seven in a row on the road. At a rate of 19 Goals conceded and three scored. So avoid Bournemouth players away at all costs right now. Funny, they won the two away games previous to the seven games 3-0 and 4-0..’

EVERTON – have won just three of their last 12, the last couple were away bunnies Bournemouth and poor old Huddersfield. The 3-1 loss to Wolves puts plenty of pressure on the manager and a bunch of players. Richarlisson did score against Huddersfield two games ago, but in the back of the mind is his goal drought last year with Watford which stretched from November until the end of the season.

FPL WEEK 26 – THE BIG QUICK QUESTIONS

Are Liverpool getting stage fright as the potential title draws near? Draws against Leicester and West Ham have been a set back and FPL point scoring is low. The clean sheets are gone.

Will Man City smell blood and go on all out attack, ending in FPL points for everyone.

Are there any decent January transfers? We discuss that in a few seconds.

Can the Wolves goal scoring machine keep going?

Is there a lower half team about to go on a big point scoring run? We’re looking at Crystal Palace.

Was the Higuain/Hazard bonanza a sign of more to come, or just a one off against weaker opposition?

FPL WEEK 26 – JANUARY TRANSFERS

The January Transfer window was quieter than it has been in previous seasons, so that makes it easier to limit our list of noteworthy January Transfers to discuss. There’s a couple of potential gems in the batch, others that you wouldn’t select if given a squad of 50 players.

We’ve included a quick form guide of previous seasons for the best ones.

We discussed Gonzalo Higuain last week here.

Michy Batshuayi (Cost 6.5) – Chelsea loan via Valencia to Crystal Palace

If the on loan Chelsea players plays to his best, this could be a really great pickup by Crystal Palace, who are just starting to find the goals and wins at home to go with their decent away form. It’s been pretty slim pickings in the last few season for the Belgian, his only highlight of note being the World Cup moment where he got assaulted by the ball off the post celebrating a goal. At his best French form he scores and assists at will. Crystal Palace are still to play a lot of lower placed teams again.

Verdict: We’re going to take a punt on him.

Denis Suarez (Cost 6.5) – Barcelona to Arsenal.

Not quite the Suarez coming to Arsenal after a failed move for Luis a few seasons back, but Denis Suarez is a decent player who struggled to get time at Barcelona. He should fit in at Arsenal if Ozil is being overlooked. His numbers aren’t spectacular, but probably harder to get the ball and do something at Barcelona than elsewhere.

Verdict: Great name, good player. Thanks, but no thanks.

Miguel Almiron (Cost 6.0) – Atlanta United to Newcastle

The MLS star player is already Newcastle’s second most expensive FPL player. And whilst it may be dismissed as lowly MLS, his stats for the previous season are pretty impressive. And if Newcastle have splashed some cash, he must be good.

Verdict: The cost seems a little high, and you are taking it on faith, but we think it’s worth the risk. If you are in the midfield of your FPL table.

Ryan Babel (Cost 5.5) – Besiktas to Fulham

A blast from the past who still gets among the goals and assists as below. Whilst his club form below is just in Turkey, he has been in great form for Holland and he’s already doing something good for Fulham. 

but they need more, and so do you if you take him on.

Verdict: Cheaper than others, but perhaps Fulham’s woes means we won’t see the best of him. Prefer others,

Oumar Niasse (Cost 5.0) – Everton to Cardiff

A nice cheap alternative up front, who could be an absolute bargain if he matches his Everton form from last year. Perhaps a change to another blue shirt will help him get back among the points.

Verdict: Good and cheap, but we’re cheap and can’t get past his low stats in the key fields from this season so far. And who knows if he’ll play at Cardiff after Booby Reid’s goals last weekend.

Peter Crouch (Cost 4.5) – Stoke to Burnley

A left field January transfer window, and we’ve included his stats in case someone is interested, and he gets a game. 

Verdict: Good numbers in the EPL with Stoke previously, and value if you need a bench player. Not worth it given his form from the second tier this season. As many Yellow cards as goals/assists.

Lazar Markovic (Cost 5.0) – Liverpool to Fulham
Dominic Solanke (Cost 4.7) – Liverpool to Bournemouth
Nathaniel Clyne (Cost 4.4) – Liverpool to Bournemouth

A trio of Liverpool rejects, and all are cheap – for a reason. 

Verdict: Hard to take anyone from Bournemouth given their dreadful away form, but Solanke might start if Wilson continues to be out. Can’t see Markovic getting much of a go around Fulham.

FPL WEEK 26 – CAPTAIN? MY CAPTAIN?

Mo Salah – is playing two of his best opponents in the next three weeks, and one of his worst. Bournemouth next (5 Goals in 3 Games), followed by Man Utd (0 in 3 Games), Watford (6 Goals – 2 Assists in 3 Games). 

Eden Hazard – it may have only been Huddersfield, but he’s back in his best position, but he grabbed his first goals since Week 19. Two in fact for a 15 point haul.

Marcus Rashford – Man Utd playing Fulham who concede at nearly two goals a game at home, and they beat 4-1 under Jose Mourinho. Rashford has scored in five of his last six games with two assists. The cherry on top is the goal and two assists against Fulham earlier in the season. Before he was given his chance under new management.

Paul Pogba – hasn’t played against Fulham, but the general defensive slackness should help Pogba thrive.

Man City Midfield – all of them are so good, but they are playing Chelsea, and after Leroy Sane wasn’t played at all against Arsenal on the weekend, it is hard to know which one of their stars will play,

Sergio Aguero – Back on the field and back in the goals. Scored 12 times in 16 games v Chelsea.

Heung-min Son – Four goals and three assists against Leicester in five games. He’s Spurs go to man at the moment.

We suggest: Mo Salah or Heung-min Son

FPL WEEK 26 – OUR TEAM

You can’t give off tips without putting your money where your mouth is, so our team details are here for your information. Feel free to pick our team apart at your leisure. We used the wildcard this week in honour of Harry Kane’s injury.

FPL – Electric Higuita Exp

FPL WEEK 27 – EPL BREAK

The FA Cup fifth round interrupts the Premier League after Week 26, giving players and FPL fans a chance to catch their breath and watch a few more upsets. Could be a good time to assess your side and fire up the Wildcard if you haven’t used it yet. There’s also an international break around the corner in March.

FPL WEEK 26 STATS AND STUFF

Here’s some slightly useful information about upcoming games for each team. Who has the most games against the current Top 6 and Bottom 6. Home and Away. Average Opponent League Position.

Following on from that, we have designed a measure to rank each team’s next 6 games in difficulty. Using opposition ranking, points, factoring in home and away fixtures.

With thanks to Transfermarkt for and WhoScored most of the above stats.