By Graham Ruthven, in dialog with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our professional
Jonas is a 21 12 months previous pupil who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, ending forward of 11 million different managers. So who higher to offer professional recommendation?
Learn his professional recommendation each week.
*Don’t overlook the FPL deadline for this spherical – make your transfers and get your staff sorted earlier than 13:30 GMT on Saturday 15 March*
The Eye Check vs. The Stats
In direction of the top of final season, Joško Gvardiol (5.9m) was within the type of his life.
The Croatian was a key determine for a Manchester Metropolis staff that received a fourth successive Premier League title and was extensively seen as top-of-the-line on the planet.
This season has been tougher for Gvardiol – and Metropolis usually – however he has nonetheless demonstrated his risk from left again, scoring 5 targets – greater than every other defender.
Metropolis’s struggles continued with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest final weekend, however Pep Guardiola’s staff might nonetheless construct some momentum between now and the top of the season, making Gvardiol a viable decide.
Gvardiol’s attacking numbers make for good studying. The 23-year-old is averaging 0.25 Anticipated Objective Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes this season with 0.16 of that coming from his Anticipated Targets (xG).
It’s price noting, nonetheless, that Gvardiol has registered 0 xG in his final 4 appearances. That is largely as a result of Matheus Nunes taking part in at proper again with Guardiola eager to maintain one among his full backs as a part of the defensive construction. This has pinned Gvardiol again at instances.
Nonetheless, Gvardiol nonetheless carries an attacking risk. With Metropolis dealing with Brighton and Leicester Metropolis of their subsequent two fixtures, there’s potential for him to rack up clear sheet factors and attacking returns.
Anybody in search of a substitute for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.4m) or Lewis Corridor (4.9m) ought to have Gvardiol on their radar.
Bournemouth have been one of many largest success tales of this season within the Premier League and Justin Kluivert (6.1m) has been one among their greatest gamers.
Kluivert’s 18 objective involvements rank him eighth within the Premier League for that metric. He’s additionally ranked eighth for complete factors earned in FPL this season. This comes from a stable xGI per 90 minutes of 0.6.
The Dutchman was vigorous towards Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 28. Certainly, he registered an help, additionally having a objective disallowed and hitting the put up. On one other day, he might have had a hat trick.
With Bournemouth chasing European soccer, their subsequent two fixtures might show fruitful from an attacking perspective. Certainly, the Cherries face Brentford in Gameweek 29 earlier than Ipswich City in Gameweek 30, with each matches at dwelling.
Not solely is Kluivert an attacking livewire for Andoni Iraola’s staff, he’s their designated penalty taker. He may very well be in line for one more haul of factors.
Lengthy shot
This season has been a battle for Wolves with the Molineux outfit only one place above the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, Rayan Aït-Nouri (4.8m) and the suspended Matheus Cunha (7.0m) have been dependable performances from a FPL perspective. The previous may very well be an choice with so many FPL managers dealing with as much as a clean gameweek for Liverpool and Newcastle United as a result of their participation within the Carabao Cup last.
Wolves have a sport towards bottom-of-the-table Southampton this weekend and so Aït-Nouri may be a stable decide to your FPL staff this weekend. The Algerian has three targets and 5 assists to his title this season and is averaging 0.14 xGI per 90 minutes.
Upcoming video games to comply with
Solely eight fixtures are on the docket for gameweek 29 as a result of this weekend’s Carabao Cup last.
The assembly between Bournemouth and Brentford guarantees to be an attention-grabbing one. Each groups are attack-minded, that means there may very well be targets. Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo (5.7m), Evanilson (5.6m) and Milos Kerkez (5m) are the standout picks from Bournemouth whereas Bryan Mbeumo (8.1) and Yoane Wissa (6.5) are good choices from Brentford.
Manchester Metropolis’s dwelling fixture towards Brighton is one other match to watch.
Many managers may be tempted to promote Mohamed Salah for this weekend so as to purchase Erling Haaland (14.7m) with Liverpool not taking part in within the league. Different Metropolis gamers to trace are Gvardiol and Phil Foden (9.2m). João Pedro (5.5m) is my favorite decide from Brighton.
Lastly, the match between Leicester and Manchester United is price your consideration.
Whereas United have struggled for firepower this season, Bruno Fernandes (8.3m) is my decide for this weekend with Diogo Dalot (5.0m) one other good choice towards the relegation-threatened Foxes.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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