By Graham Ruthven, in dialog with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our professional
Jonas is a 21 12 months previous scholar 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 supply professional recommendation?
Learn his professional recommendation each week.
*Don’t neglect the early FPL deadline for this spherical – make your transfers and get your staff sorted earlier than 18:00 GMT on Tuesday 25 February*
The Eye Take a look at vs. The Stats
Jarrod Bowen (7.3m) may need delivered the knockout blow to Arsenal’s title possibilities in West Ham’s away win on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The 28-year-old scored the one aim of the sport, getting on the top of a wonderful cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka to complete from shut vary utilizing his head. Bowen was in the proper place on the proper time to transform a 0.76 xG alternative, additionally registering 0.94 in Anticipated Objective Involvements (xGI).
With Lucas Paquetá and Niclas Füllkrug at present injured, and Michail Antonio nonetheless recovering from a severe automobile crash, Bowen is being utilized in a particularly superior place by Graham Potter.
Towards Arsenal, West Ham arrange in a again 5 with Bowen and Mohammed Kudus deployed as forwards. This gave the Hammers risk going ahead after they may assault open house at velocity.
Paquetá’s harm may additionally see Bowen obtain extra alternatives to attain from the penalty spot within the coming weeks, including additional to his case for choice.
West Ham face Leicester Metropolis of their subsequent fixture. The Foxes, who suffered a nasty 4-0 defeat to Brentford in GW26, have conceded the third-most xG (50.4) within the Premier League this season and the second-most objectives (59).
These statistics make Leicester match-up for anybody and Bowen could have alternatives to search out the again of the online towards them. With West Ham additionally not going through a clean gameweek in GW29 like many different groups, Bowen is a wonderful choice proper now.
On the entire, Cole Palmer (11.1m) has had a wonderful season for Chelsea.
He’s the second-highest factors scorer in FPL at this second time, however his – and Chelsea’s – type has regressed in latest matches. Certainly, he has registered only one help in his final 5 video games throughout which Chelsea have claimed solely six factors.
Regardless of this, Palmer stays a robust choose and his excessive possession of 60.5% displays this.
Chelsea’s subsequent two league fixtures are dwelling video games towards Southampton and Leicester Metropolis during which the Blues can be agency favourites. Palmer could possibly be set for 2 large double digit scores in each matches.
Palmer is averaging 0.78 xGI per 90 minutes this season. Solely Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak are averaging a better xGI per 90 than the Chelsea attacking midfielder, and with these two beneficial fixtures up subsequent, Palmer needs to be a precedence to your FPL staff. He may even be a greater Captain choose for this gameweek than Salah.
Lengthy shot
Crystal Palace are on the rise having received 4 of their final six league fixtures and the type of Jean-Philippe Mateta (7.4m) has been central to this.
The French ahead has tallied six objectives and one help from his final six appearances regardless of averaging simply 1.05 xGI per match. Mateta received’t have a fixture in GW29, however he’ll face Ipswich and Southampton both facet of the clean gameweek. He may rack up the factors in these video games.
What’s extra, Mateta is Palace’s designated penalty taker. With the Eagles in resurgent type, the 27-year-old needs to be in your radar, significantly should you plan on utilizing your Free Hit chip in GW29.
Upcoming video games to observe
There are a variety of mildly attention-grabbing fixtures from a FPL perspective in GW27, however just a few really stand out.
The primary one is the assembly between Chelsea and Southampton on Tuesday. I anticipate the Blues to utterly obliterate the Premier League’s backside staff. Palmer is essentially the most enticing choice there, however there are others value keeping track of too.
Pedro Neto (6.2m) performed as a quantity 9 towards Aston Villa and could possibly be an choice. Christopher Nkunku (5.7m) was somebody I discussed final week with Enzo Fernández (4.7m) additionally somebody who needs to be in your radar.
Liverpool face Newcastle United on Wednesday, though this could possibly be a tough fixture for Arne Slot’s staff.
Nonetheless, Salah (13.7m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.4m) are worthwhile picks from Liverpool whereas Isak (9.5m) and Anthony Gordon (7.5m) may make life troublesome for the Reds.
The final fixture catching my eye is West Ham’s dwelling recreation towards Leicester on Thursday. Bowen may simply register a double digit haul.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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