Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 20 Preview – Captain Picks, “Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?” and Ones To Watch

John Stones took the limelight with a 27-point haul and looks set to continue his great form when he faces West Brom this evening and Michail Antonio looks fresh after returning from injury having scored twice in his last two games.

This week’s transfer deadline is at 4.30pm on Tuesday 26th January.

Follow the in-house Yorkshire Post Fantasy Football expert John Mount (@Gameweek38) on Twitter for more FPL hints and tips.

Captain Picks

Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) vs Sheffield United (H)

Man United facing Sheffield United is top of the league against bottom of the league - so it makes sense to captain their best player, right?

With 11 goals and 9 assists so far this season, Fernandes is Man United’s top scoring fantasy asset by 47 points and after being initially rested before scoring the winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, Bruno should be fit and ready to go by Wednesday evening. Over the last six gameweeks, no player in the league has taken more shots than the Portuguese midfielder.

Ilkay Gundogan (£5.6m) vs West Brom (A)

Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury means that there is a hole to fill in the Man City attack.

Gundogan has already adopted penalty duty in the Belgian’s absence and over the last six gameweeks, only De Bruyne has taken more shots and had more chances from open play than the German, making Ilkay Gundogan the perfect KDB replacement.

West Brom have conceded 17 goals across their last four league games which bodes well for the Sky Blues’ attack.

Differential

Joao Cancelo (£5.8m) vs West Brom (A)

As well as being fragile at the back, West Brom have been exceptionally poor in attack too.

Across their last four home games the Baggies have scored just one goal which sets the stage nicely for Man City to record their fourth consecutive clean sheet.

As well as clean sheet potential, Cancelo can also attack. Over their last four games, no Man City defender has taken more shots or created more chances than the full-back, showing his threat at both ends of the pitch.

The Form Guide - Who’s Hot?

James Maddison (Leicester, £7.2m)

With three goals in his last three games, Maddison is a man in form.

He publicly stated his desire to score more and in scoring against Chelsea last gameweek, he has already matched last season’s goal tally. Next three games - Everton, Leeds and Fulham.

Edinson Cavani (Man United, £7.8m)

Having started four of the last five games he’s been available for, Cavani has nailed down a spot in Man United’s attack and with home games against Sheffield United, Southampton and Everton to look forward to over the next four gameweeks, now may be a great time to bring him in.

No Man United player’s ‘expected goal’ stat is higher than Cavani’s over the last two gameweeks, proving that he’s getting a high quality of chances in areas he’s likely to score from, so goals should be imminent.

Lucas Digne (Everton, £6.0m)

Digne suffered an ankle injury in late November which kept him out of action for seven games before his return in gameweek 18.

In that game, the full-back effectively played as a left winger and based on average positioning, he played higher up than any Everton player which bodes well for attacking prospects.

Including corners and free kicks, he averages a cross every 15 minutes which suits Carlo Ancelotti’s direct style of play.

The Form Guide - Who’s Not?

Mo Salah (Liverpool, £12.5m)

Many managers were let down by Salah last gameweek as he failed to score or assist in the double gameweek.

Over their last five games, Liverpool have only managed to score once and with a game against a Jose Mourinho side this week, it’s unlikely for this stat to improve.

Over the last four gameweeks, Firmino has taken almost double Salah’s shots in the box and Mane has created ten more chances in the same timeframe, showing that Liverpool aren’t as reliant on Salah as they once were. As the most expensive player in the game, you might find better value elsewhere.

Timo Werner (Chelsea, £9.2m)

It’s well documented that Werner is struggling. He hasn’t scored in his last 11 league games and has been relegated to the bench for three of Chelsea’s last four league games.

One thing that might be going his way though is the sacking of Frank Lampard. With Tuchel coming in, their German connection will be vital if they are to turn Chelsea’s sub-par season around.

Ones to Watch (Less than 5% ownership)

Mason Greenwood (Man United, £7.0m, 1.9%)

With back-to-back starts an FA Cup goal against Liverpool on Sunday, Greenwood could be a great outside pick for Man United’s nice upcoming fixture run.

Mason averaged a goal every 130 minutes last season so although he’s started slowly this time around, he has the pedigree to be able to turn his form around.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester, £5.6m, 0.3%)

With Jamie Vardy is out of action due to needing a hernia operation, Iheanacho is expected to replace him as the focal point of the Leicester attack.

With favourable fixtures against Everton, Leeds and Fulham to look forward to, he could score a couple of goals.

The Explainer

Transfers

After picking your initial squad, you receive 1 free transfer each Gameweek. Each additional transfer you make in the same Gameweek will deduct 4 points from your score.

If you do not use your free transfer, you are able to make an additional free transfer the following Gameweek. If you do not use this saved free transfer in the following Gameweek, it will be carried over until you do. You can never have more than 1 saved transfer.

For example, since you get 1 free transfer per gameweek, if you make no transfers between gameweeks, you will have 2 free transfers in preparation for the next gameweek. You will incur a 4 point hit per transfer over your free transfer allowance.

Point Scoring

During the season, your fantasy football players will be allocated points based on their performance in the Premier League. Remember, every week your captain scores double points, so pick them wisely!

Points Action

1 For playing up to 60 minutes

2 For playing 60 minutes or more (excluding stoppage time)

6 For each goal scored by a goalkeeper or defender

5 For each goal scored by a midfielder

4 For each goal scored by a forward

3 For each goal assist

4 For a clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender

1 For a clean sheet by a midfielder

1 For every 3 shot saves by a goalkeeper

5 For each penalty save

-2 For each penalty miss

1 to 3 Bonus points for the best players in a match

-1 For every 2 goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender

-1 For each yellow card

-3 For each red card

-2 For each own goal

For more information on the rules of the game, visit https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.