EPL Top Plays: Matchday 31
With another week of EPL upon us, we are inching closer to the finish line. Teams are jockeying for European aspirations, while others are fighting for a chance to prove themselves worthy to compete against the elite once again next season. This week features some decent matchups that will hopefully play out in our favor as we build our lineups and try to take down some GPPs. As always, be sure to check out my twitter feed and I’ll be posting the starting XI as they are released about an hour before lineups lock at 10am EST.
Goalkeepers:
Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea $5,500 – Chelsea and Manchester United top the schedule as the two most obvious favorites. With both teams playing at home, and with Manchester United being in good form, I expect a lot of people to be on De Gea as their keeper for today’s slate. I however, will go with Courtois due to his price differential ($100 cheaper), however I wouldn’t begrudge using De Gea at all this week.
Mark Schwarzer, Leicester $4,300 – This pick is contingent on Schwarzer starting again for Leicester after Schmeichel allowed four goals in his first start upon his return from a foot injury. The difference being the opponent from last time out was Tottenham, while this week they’ll be facing a West Ham team that is not as good as the Spurs. Schwarzer is a bit of a risky pick as Leicester is a team on the verge of relegation, They’ll also allow the opponent to take plenty of shots on target, which could result in plenty of saves. Schwarzer would make a great GPP play in this slate that doesn’t have any clear GPP options at keeper.
Other Goalkeepers I Like: David De Gea (Manchester United, $5,600), Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea $5,300), Kelvin Davis (Southampton $4,300), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa $3,500 very risky GPP play)
Defenders
Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton $4,400 and $4,300 – The pair of Southampton full backs have been consistently two of the top defenders on every slate they are part of this season. They both average over 20 touches in the final third in the most recent four matchdays. With this matchup expected to be a close one, you can expect to see a good potential for clean sheets and some attacking numbers from these two defenders.
Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea $5,200 – It doesn’t take a genius to recommend one of the most expensive defenders on the board. However, Ivanovic is expensive for a reason and he is worth your time and your salary cap if you can afford him. Ivanovic is actually going through a rough patch recently with a reduced average fantasy points that are teetering on unplayable. However, after a lengthy international break, I expect Chelsea to come out this week firing looking for all three points in order to put themselves closer to clinching their league title earlier than week 38 (final week of the season).
Other Defenders I Like: Andrew Robertson (Hull, $4,500), Danny Simpson (Leicester, $2,700), Kyle Naughton (Swansea $3,500)
Midfielders
Eden Hazard – Chelsea $9,500 – As mentioned above with Ivanovic, Chelsea is very close to clinching the league title and will look to be on the attack for this matchup with Stoke at home. Hazard should have his rest and be the leading dynamo for this Chelsea squad looking to make a final impression on this 2014/15 season. At his price, you’ll want to get at least double digit scores, if not more. I would be surprised if Hazard isn’t active in the attack and able to provide the output you want.
Juan Mata – Manchester United $6,300 – One of the most talented and underperforming midfielders in the Premier League is finding his rhythm and coming off a two-goal performance last time out. Mata is going to be highly owned and he’s going to threaten as part of a Manchester United attack. This pick comes with a bit of risk however as Aston Villa are improved defensively, however, that may mean more opportunities for the likes of Mata to take advantage of.
Matt Phillips – Queens Park Rangers, $4,000 – He’s cheap, and he scored a goal last week. When looking for bargains this week it’s real tough to pinpoint exact ones that will step up to the plate and deliver the expected results. My eyes landed on Matty Phillips. He’s scored his first goal of the season, and QPR are on the road and will be looking for a pick-me-up from somebody who can step up. Even if Phillips doesn’t manage a score, he has delivered 23 crosses in his last four games which is a great rate and should create a high enough floor to accommodate any high priced player you want to roster.
Other Midfielders I Like: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea $7,900), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United $5,400), James Morrison (WBA, 4,800), Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa $3,700), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United $9,500), Stewart Downing (West Ham United $6,900)
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United $10,000 – With Costa potentially not playing and being in the late game, the safer option among the expensive forwards is Rooney. United have scored eight goals in their last three home matches and 14 in their last six, making them highly prolific scorers at home. With Rooney being a lone striker, it puts him in an excellent spot to score here. The one drawback is that Villa are good defensively and that puts the onus on the offense to deliver in this one. Rooney is the safer cash game play while Costa with his late start is the more risky GPP option given that he may not play at all.
Bafetimbi Gomis, Swansea, $7,600 – Gomis is a poor substitute to his predecessor Bony, and the squad knows it. Gomis, however, has played hard in recent weeks and getting involved heavily in the attack with 12 penalty area touches in the last three weeks to go along with a single goal (that was last week). Look for Gomis to continue his rise in form this week as Swansea take on Hull and look to close out the game with a win.
Saido Berahino, West Brom Albion $8,200 – Berahino is a top talent that may be coming off of injury in this fixture. He’s got the “Q” tag next to him so keep on a look out when lineups come out if WBA is playing him as a starter or not. If he does start he makes for a great play for a WBA team that is in form and looking to stave off relegation against a weak road squad in QPR. If Berahino does not start this matchup, then Brown Ideye becomes my preferred striker in that squad as he would get the responsibility to carry the forward load and deliver the goal attempts.
Other Forwards I Like: Charlie Austin (QPR, $8,900), Diego Costa (Chelsea, $10,400), Sadio Mane (Southampton $6,400), Dame N’Doye (Hull, $6,500), Jonathan Walters (Stoke, $6,000)