The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) scene is buzzing as we approach the new gameweek, particularly following the latest price changes affecting key assets. With several players experiencing fluctuations, it's time for FPL managers to reassess their squads.
Leading the charge is Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford, whose price has surged to £7.8m after his explosive display, where he scored two goals and provided an assist, racking up 19 points against Southampton. This performance has reignited fondness for Mbeumo, especially as he now boasts 13 goals and three assists for the season. But there's caution to be had; Brentford's upcoming fixtures against powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool raise questions about whether Mbeumo should be held or sold.
Another player seeing upwards movement is Newcastle's Lewis Hall, whose performances have earned him a price increase to £4.9m. Hall has become dependable, starting the last three matches and accumulating 20 points, highlighted by his 12-point outing against Manchester United. Strong fixtures against Wolves and Bournemouth may see him stabilize as one of the budget defensive options.
Conversely, high-profile players like Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) are feeling the sting. His price has dipped to £6.4m following mixed form, with Liverpool's defensive troubles mirrored by his underwhelming stats. Despite potential bounce-back matches against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, the price drop could be indicative of managers seeking alternatives.
Further down the price list, Kenny Tete (Fulham) and Tosin Adarabioyo (Wolves) are also facing decreases, with ownership levels plummeting. Tete is now at £4.4m, and Adarabioyo rests at £3.9m, both representing potential budget enablers for those needing funds. Their low price could allow for more premium selections elsewhere, but predictably poor performances should guide caution.
Looking at the key matches from Gameweek 20, Liverpool's clash with Manchester United ended 2-2, and it was Mohamed Salah who consistently showcased his prowess, once again finding the net. His performance, along with Erling Haaland securing his first double-digit return since Gameweek 4, reinforced their positions as must-have players for managers.
Despite their success, it was not all smooth sailing. Liverpool faced criticism for their defensive plays, particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose performance was deemed subpar. Manager Arne Slot attributed this to the attacking talents of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, emphasizing the challenges Alexander-Arnold faced, stating, “It is more difficult for Trent to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than it is the rumours in the week” (reported by The Guardian).
Fulham's Raul Jimenez shone as well, scoring two penalties against Ipswich Town. Jimenez's immaculate record from 12 yards — scoring all ten penalties he has taken — solidifies his importance going forward. Marco Silva praised Jimenez, highlighting his contribution as both a scorer and team player.
Despite these impressive individual performances, teams like Arsenal and Tottenham struggled to secure victories, leaving FPL managers grumbling about rotation. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard both missed significant time for Arsenal due to illness and fitness issues, respectively. Learning from these occurrences, managers should keep tabs on player fitness and tactics influencing playing time going forward.
With cup competitions looming, including the FA Cup third round, FPL managers must stay alert to changes potentially affecting squad depths and player availability. Scheduled games will also lead to fixtures becoming blank if teams progress to the latter stages of the cup, making it wise for managers to remain flexible with their lineups.
Plans for Gameweek 21 premised on solid insights shared through this analysis may yield fruitful returns for savvy FPL participants. Upcoming matches are set to provide clarity on player performances, with key players like Salah and Mbeumo providing decision-making dilemmas for managers. Keeping abreast of the latest updates can undeniably lead to competitive advantages.
Finally, the importance of the January transfer window can't be overstated. Both existing Premier League players and newcomers could reshape the fantasy football dynamics, as managers blend transfer strategy with real-time performance monitoring.
So, whether you're reevaluative your strategies based on price changes or using insights from recent games for your team selections, the stage is set for thrilling action and decisive shifts as we set our eyes on Gameweek 21 and beyond.