Here’s Rob Reid (the FPL Vet) with his fantasy premier league GW18 player picks. Rob picks a Banker, an Ace and a Joker for this gameweek. Rob finished with a rank of 22k last season 4,701 in 2015/16 and 7,810 in 2014/15
fantasy premier league GW18 player picks by Rob Reid (the FPL Vet)
Hi and welcome to Gameweek 18 Player Picks. For each gameweek, I’ll be picking out 3 players in distinct player selection categories.
Player Categories
One Banker – this will take form and the fixture ease schedule into account and is a player who I think is a must for the next few gameweeks and should provide a steady stream of points.
One Ace – a player who I think has a good chance of scoring big this week. I’ll take form, this weeks fixtures and the bookies odds into account here.
One Joker – a player who is a bit of punt but I think may surprise a few people. Might be a low ownership player, someone coming back from injury or just a bit of a gut feeling on my part – there will be no evidence base on this one!
I’ll keep a tally each week of how things are going – I’ll analyse the Banker over 4 GWs, the other 2 will just be on a weekly basis. Wish me luck and here goes!
Gameweek 17 Review
GW14 Banker – Cesar Azpilicueta
GW14 – 0 points (didn’t play)
GW15 – 2 points (1 goal conceded)
GW16 – 2 points (1 goal conceded)
GW17 – 2 points (1 goal conceded) – another disappointing 2 points for ‘Dave’ as his Banker stint finishes, with Chelsea coughing up an injury time goal when on cruise control.
GW15 Banker – Jonjoe Kenny
GW15 – 5 points (clean sheet, yellow card)
GW16 – 2 points (1 goal conceded)
GW17 – 6 points (clean sheet) – Big Sam’s influence on Everton is paying dividends, especially at the back. A plum home fixture against the league’s bottom team Swansea is next, another good chance of a clean sheet.
GW16 Banker – Eden Hazard
GW16 – 2 points
GW17 – 3 points (midfield clean sheet) – Another blank for Hazard. He’s arguably less effective from an FPL point of view in the false 9 role he occupied with Morata out. He was unlucky not to return however, with Pedro blowing 2 great chances for which he would have had the assist. Keep the faith I’d say.
GW17 Banker – David De Gea
GW17 – 11 points (clean sheet, 2 save points, 3 bonus points)
The United stopper keeps raking in the returns, paying dividends for his over 40% ownership. Fixtures are set fair, so if you don’t own De Gea or a United defender to cover him you’d better get shopping!
GW17 Ace – Mo Salah
3 points (midfield clean sheet)
So he is human then! A first blank since GW8 for the Egyptian as Liverpool laboured at home to The Baggies. Disappointing for the player who was the most captained this week, but I;m sure he’ll be back in the points soon.
GW17 Joker – Heung Min Son
8 points (1 goal, midfield clean sheet) –
Returns in the last 3 for Son, who looks to have nailed down his place in Poch’s line-up. Tough fixture against City this week though.
Gameweek 18 Picks
Banker – Nicolas Otamendi (£6.0 MCY) – TOT
A tricky game to start, but a fantastic fixture run across the festive period sees ‘The General’ get the GW18 Banker spot. City haven’t been the leanest at the back this season (all things considered) with only 7 clean sheets so far. Otamendi however is also good for an attacking return, boasting 4 goals already this season.
Ace – Riyad Mahrez (£8.5 LEI) – CRY
The star of Leicester’s title winning run in 15-16 has been somewhat under the radar since, but now boasts returns in his last 4 fixtures. It’s Palace at home next. The visitors are showing green shoots of recovery under Roy Hodgson, but The Foxes are red-hot at the moment after winning the last 4 and look a good bet to continue in Saturday’s early game.
Joker – Willian (£6.6 CHE) – SOU
Early season favourite Willian had only started 1 game since GW8 before his 16 point haul on Tuesday night. His performance however should put him firmly back in Conte’s plans for the Southampton game and he’s now favourably priced with only 6.3% ownership. Could be a good punt against a Saints team that has blown rather hot and cold of late.
That’s it from me on Player Picks – best of luck this week everyone.
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