3 Players to pick and drop for Gameweek 28

It’s a Friday deadline this week ahead of Gameweek 28. As mentioned last week Manchester City, Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Arsenal do not have a league fixture so players from those teams are guaranteed zero points this week. This does not mean you should sell solid assets such as De Bruyne and Aubameyang.

You’ll likely want them back right away and it’s a waste of transfers to get them in and out. It’s a good time to ship dead assets such as Rico and Kelly who have lost their starting spots. Don’t be worried if you can’t field 11 players this week, take a hit if you need to but don’t go overboard with hits.

People often say a hit is only -2 this week if the player you’re selling is guaranteed zero but yellow cards, shipping goals etc can often put paid to that. Only take hits for players you think will feature in your starting eleven regularly for the next few weeks.

3 Players to Pick

Mohamed Salah (WAT)

Atletico Madrid v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

Mohamed Salah scored his fifth goal in the last six gameweeks with his goal against West Ham and no midfielder has scored more over that period. He is top for shots in the box (SiB) (25) and only Son (12) has landed more shots on target (SoT) than his 10. He has been afforded five ‘big chances’ with only Son and Alli (both six) faring better. Only Grealish (17), Maddison (18), De Bruyne (23) have created more chances over the aforementioned period than the Egyptian’s 15 and he is top for ‘big chances’ created (six).

No team has scored more goals (15) or taken more SiB (81) than Liverpool over the last six gameweeks and they are also top for SoT (44). Only Everton (22) and Man. City (23) have been afforded more ‘big chances’ than their 21. Their opponents Watford have conceded nine goals over the same period, only six teams shipped more. They are also seventh worst for shots conceded (85).

Jamie Vardy (NOR)

Leicester City v Norwich City - Premier League

Jamie Vardy’s form has dipped of late but there are plenty of reasons to believe he can turn it around looking at his numbers on the road this season. No forward has scored more goals in away matches than the Englishman (nine) and only Firmino (18), Jimenez (19) and Jesus (21) have landed more SoT than his 17.

He is also top for ‘big chances’ in away matches (16) and only Jimenez (eight) has created more ‘big chances’ than his three. Leicester have scored 28 goals in away matches this season, only Man. City (35) have been more prolific. Only the reigning Champions beat them for SoT (98 to 77) and ‘big chances’ (45 to 35) in away matches. Norwich have conceded 26 goals at Carrow Road this season, only Southampton (30) have conceded more goals on home turf.

No team allowed opponents more SoT at home than the Canaries’ 77 and only Villa (40) and West Ham (42) conceded more ‘big chances’ than their 35. A decent differential captain pick this week if you don’t want to go with Salah.

Richarlison de Andrade (MUN)

Arsenal FC v Everton FC - Premier League

Richarlison has been prolific under Ancelotti scoring three goals in the last six gameweeks, only Son (four) and Salah (five) have scored more amongst midfielders. Only Son (18) and Salah (25) took more shots than the Brazilian’s 12 over the aforementioned period and he is also ranked fourth for SoT (seven) with only Armstrong (eight), Salah (10) and Son (12) faring better.

He is second only to Salah (six) for ‘big chances’ created (five). This is even more impressive keeping in mind he missed two matches due to injury. Everton have scored 12 goals in the last six gameweeks, only Liverpool (15) have scored more. Their total of 58 SiB is beaten only by Chelsea (61), Man. City (79) and Liverpool (81). Only Man City (23) created more ‘big chances’ than their 22 and they trail only Man. City (41) and Liverpool (44) for SoT (35).

Man. Utd have been strong defensively of late, conceding four goals in the last six gameweeks, only Liverpool (three) have conceded fewer. Only Chelsea (15) and Man. City (11) allowed opponents fewer SoT than their 17.

3 Players to Drop

Jack Grealish (no fixture)

Aston Villa v Leicester City - Carabao Cup: Semi-Final

Aston Villa do not have a league fixture this week due to their involvement in the Carabao Cup final, so Grealish is guaranteed zero points this week. He then plays Leicester, Chelsea, Wolves, Liverpool and Man. Utd in five of the next six games. The midfielder’s returns have dried up of late with only one assist in the last four matches as teams have identified him as Villa’s main threat and doubled up on him.

When he’s shackled the entire team suffers, Villa managed only four shots in total against Southampton last week and look destined for relegation. A good opportunity to get rid and draft in someone who plays this week.

John Lundstram (no fixture)

Sheffield United v Manchester United - Premier League

Like Grealish, Lundstram does not have a league fixture this week. The Blades man was benched again despite his match-winning goal the previous game and if that didn’t get him a start its unlikely anything will change anytime soon.

Over 130,000 managers have got rid at the time of writing and his price has already dropped by £0.1 this week. He is a highly owned asset so more price drops are imminent. It’s best to cash in and bank the profit earned while you can.

Adama Traore (TOT)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City - Premier League

Adama Traore was benched for Wolves 3-0 win against Norwich, a cruel blow for his owners. Wolves changed their formation to a 3-5-2 with Jota playing a more central role and it worked a treat. Traore is not really effective in this setup and more rotation might be likely with Wolves also playing in the Europa League.

Back-to-back benchings mean the Spaniard is not a nailed-on starter anymore and with just one assist in the last four matches he isn’t providing the output either. Another annoying aspect is that the manager seems to introduce him even if the game is won, as we saw last weekend which blocks any points off the bench which you might have.

Edited by Vishal Subramanian

3 Players to pick and drop for Gameweek 28 | FPL Tips 2020