FPL GW 34 Analysis - Midfielders || the-gorilla
Well at least nobody got injured from last week's selections...yet. Salah got us a goal but Jota's substitution on the dreaded 57 minutes secured him just 1 point. As ever, the past performance of my picks is available at the end of this article and I'll pick up to 2 players in each position -
- the primary pick based upon all analysis
- a cheaper pick if the primary's a premium option.
Like yesterday's article on Goalkeepers and Defenders, we continue to look forwards with the end of the season looming.
As always, I'll begin with my custom metrics:
What's interesting here is that I included the fixtures that haven't been rearranged yet (for Aston Villa, Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace) and none of those teams appear in the top 5. Everton and Southampton weren't far off but we're left with Liverpool, Leeds, West Ham, Sheffield United and Burnley as the 5 teams we're looking at.
Perhaps surprising to see Sheffield United and Burnley included here and it's their strong fixtures that bring them into the reckoning. At the end of the season when teams have little to play for, there are sometimes teams that thrive without the pressure - it could well be that these are 2 such teams - Burnley fully deserving to thrash Wolves at the weekend.
As usual, we'll look at the midfielders within each of these teams who have played within the last 5 matches.
"Hoorah!" I hear you cry - Jesse Lingard's going to be included...
Where's Lingard...? Behind Jota, Bowen and Harrison. What the fuck?! Well there you go. That's data and stats for you.
The per 90's a nice one, Shaqiri obviously had a good minute.
So our premium player, again, appears to be Mo Salah. No great surprise following his goal against Newcastle so let's double check again.
Mo Salah
v. Newcastle
v. Leeds
v. Aston Villa
It won't come as a surprise that I'm happy with this. Again. For the 3rd week in a row. As with the defenders though, Liverpool's next match is against Man Utd, which might put you off, especially as Salah has only score once in 6 Premier League meetings against them. In fact, that's enough to put me off altogether now that I've looked it up. Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota fair no better when it comes to the Red Devils so let's consider Bowen, Harrison and Lingard (who would double up as Premium and Budget). Leeds play Brighton and West Ham face Burnley so already nicer fixtures to consider.
Let's look at all 3:
Jarrod Bowen
v. Chelsea
v. Newcastle
v. Leicester
Jack Harrison
v. Man Utd
v. Liverpool
v. Sheffield United
Jesse Lingard
v. Chelsea
v. Newcastle
v. Leicester
Some nasty fixtures there for Jack Harrison and I'm not sure there's much to choose between them. Jarrod Bowen appears to be least involved in the action, particularly when it comes to shots on goal. None of them come close to Salah's but for me, Lingard does perhaps edge it. I do like the look of Jack Harrison but Lingard has a selfish streak and the benefit of penalties which is good enough for me.
🔥 Jesse Lingard
Past Performance Midfielders
🔥 = Premium & Budget Selection
⭐ = Premium Selection
💲 = Budget Selection
| - | Player | GW30 | GW31 | GW32 | GW33 | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Kevin De Bruyne | 3 | Inj | Inj | - | 3 |
| ⭐ | Mohamed Salah | - | 7 | 1 | 9 | 17 |
| 💲 | Pedro Neto | - | 1 | Inj | Inj | 1 |
| ⭐ | Mohamed Salah | - | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| 💲 | Diogo Jota | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
Archive
| GW Selected | - | Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | - | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 0 | 2 | 2 | Inj | Inj | 4 |
| 29 | - | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 2 | 2 | Inj | Inj | Inj | 4 |