Gameweek 35 Preview of Fantasy Premier League, courtesy of Bet365
Following last week’s double gameweek we have a diluted fixture list to contend with this weekend; the scheduling of the FA Cup Semi Finals means we only have 7 Premier League matches to ponder over the next 3 days.
There’s an early kick-off for Manchester City, as they look to exact revenge for December’s 2-0 loss to Stoke City. That day Marko Arnautovic (£6.3m) was on the scoresheet twice, but it’s hard to see history being repeated at the Etihad on Saturday. Stoke are in terrible form, having conceded 4 goals in each of their last 2 matches and not keeping a clean sheet in their last 6. Sergio Agüero (£13.5m) should be a serious contender to captain your Fantasy team this week, having scored in each of his last 4 league appearances to take his tally up to 15 in his last 15.
Later in the day relegated Aston Villa host Southampton. The Saints are still looking to secure a Europa League place for next year, and should have no problems dispatching a Villa side in disarray. Virgil van Dijk (£5.7m) could be a good option here – the Dutchman has 3 goals to his name this season and will be a big threat at set pieces. He also has every chance of clean sheet points against the worst attack in the Premier League, with Villa scoring just 23 goals from their 34 games.
Liverpool’s season has ignited over the last month or so, with progression to the Europa League Semi Finals and a 4-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. They’ve scored 12 goals in their last 3 home matches, and this weekend welcome an Anfield legend back with Rafael Benítez’s Newcastle side the visitors. Newcastle have lost 9 consecutive away league matches, and few would bet against that run extending to 10 on Saturday. Daniel Sturridge (£10.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£8.2m) should both provide great point-scoring potential, but keep in mind that Klopp may decide to rest players with a Europa League Semi Final coming up this week and both players having missed games this season due to injury.
Monday evening’s game provides more potential captain options, with Tottenham at home to West Brom. Harry Kane (£10.3m) and Delle Alli (£6.2m) are the two major stars of Spurs’ title push, and bagged 2 goals each in this week’s Monday evening stroll against Stoke. A home game against West Brom should provide little problem for a team in title-winning form (it’s now 10 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat from their last 13 league games for Spurs), and either of these players could rack up good scores for you. At the back, Toby Alderweireld (£6.4m) has been the standout performer in the league this season, and he’s chipped in with two goals in his last 6 games too.
Saturday
Man City v Stoke
(12.45pm Sky Sports 1)
Aston Villa v Southampton
Bournemouth v Chelsea
Liverpool v Newcastle
Everton v Man Utd
(FA Cup semi-final – 5.30pm BBC ONE)
Sunday
Sunderland v Arsenal
(2.05pm Sky Sports 1)
Crystal Palace v Watford
(FA Cup semi-final – 4.00pm BT Sport 2)
Leicester v Swansea
(4.15pm Sky Sports 1)
Monday
Tottenham v West Brom
(8.00pm Sky Sports 1)