FPL Scout Report 14 – Analysing the teams with a promising fixture run-in | OneFootball

We are delighted to be back with another report today and we hope you all roaring to get back into the FPL mix. Today, we’ll be analyzing the teams with the best fixtures keeping the busy festive period in mind.

So without further ado, let’s see where all the points are at!

Liverpool: CRY (A), BHA (H), EVE (H), BOU (A), WAT (H), Blank, LEI (A), WOL (H), SHU (H)

It’s finally their year, isn’t it? Liverpool now have a nine-point cushion over Manchester City as they sit comfortably on top of the table, eight points ahead of second and third-placed Leicester City and Chelsea. The Reds now enter the busy festive period with a run of fixtures that should be easily winnable by their standards.

Over the next nine gameweeks, Liverpool don’t face a single top six side from last season. However, they do have a blank gameweek on match-day 18 due to the Mersyside’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. With the Reds sitting comfortably on top of their UCL group, Jürgen Klopp will surely be looking prioritize the Premier League now which looks like their title to lose. With a favorable run from  the upcoming gameweek until the New Year, Fantasy managers will surely be lured by Liverpool assets.

Mane looks the standout option for the reds in attack and TAA in defense likewise. With injury doubts over both Robertson and Salah, it might be worth waiting for further injury news on the duo. Although we know the risk of not owning or ditching Manchester City assets, with the fixtures Liverpool have currently and with the Cityzens having a difficult run of fixtures ahead, it could well be worth getting the likes of Salah/Mane at the expense of Manchester City assets in an attacking double up which could well bear ripe fruits for fantasy managers.

The best thing about Liverpool assets that place them above the likes of Sterling and Aguero is their game time, which is far more secure which not only helps the cause in this busy festive period but also helps fantasy managers trust them with the captaincy armband. Apart from the blank gameweek 18 which could be easily dealt with a strong bench, Liverpool players are a must have for this upcoming run, starting this weekend with a trip to Crystal Palace.

Leicester City: BHA (A), EVE (H), WAT (H), AVL (A), NOR (H), MCI (A), LIV (H), WHU (A), NEW (A), SOU (H), BUR (A), WHU (H)

Leicester City are in dreamland after having their best-ever start to a Premier League season, currently sitting second with 25 points, eight behind the league leaders Liverpool. The Foxes now sit on top of the fixture ticker for the next twelve weeks facing just two of last season’s top six.

Only Manchester City this season have scored more goals than Leicester City and with the run of fixtures coming, the Foxes can only improve on that stat. The current top goal scorer in the league, Jamie Vardy looks like an essential asset to have with the English striker’s ownership already having rocketed up to 35.8% overall. A double up in attack looks profitable to have for fantasy managers who are blessed with loads of mid-priced options in that Leicester midfield with the likes of Maddison, Tielemens, Barnes, and Perez all making a case for their inclusion.

Maddison and Tielemans look to have far secure game time, which could be the key in deciding which midfielder to get as we move into the festive period. Maddison as an asset being on all set-pieces might edge it among the two; however, Tielemans at that price point is a bargain himself and both Tielemans and Maddison should score similarly in the run-in.

The Foxes’ defence has been pretty resolute as well this season, conceding just eight goals in 12 matches. No team has kept more clean sheets than Leicester’s 5, matched only by Manchester City and Sheffield United. Leicester are also 3rd best in the league for xGc (expected goals conceded) and shots conceded on target. Thus, having at least one defender along with a double up in attack could prove profitable for fantasy managers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: BOU (A), SHU (H), WHU (H), BHA (A), TOT (H), NOR (A), MCI (H), LIV (A), WAT (A), NEW (H), SOU (A)

Wolves enter the festive period in good form after being struck with their Europa League hangover at the start of the season. They are now undefeated in seven league games since the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea.

With the UCL group done and dusted with qualification for the knockouts almost guaranteed, it looks like Nuno might prioritize the league matches and we could see reduced rotation for Wolves assets. Over the last four gameweeks, only Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City, and Liverpool have a higher xG (expected goals) than Wolves. Raul Jimenez looks the standout pick among all of the Wolves attacking assets with the Mexican not only being the most nailed-on asset in the starting XI but also being on his share of penalty duties.

Over the last four gameweeks, only Maupay has had more attempts on goal than the Jimenez, while only Maupay and Firmino have had more shots on target over the same period. Apart from him, Traore looks like a good cheap enabler to have for bench cover for the coming gameweeks.

In defense, Matt Doherty, who’s although expensive, looks like the standout pick with the Irish wing-back posting impressive attacking stats. No defender has managed more opposition penalty area touches than Matt Doherty in the last four gameweeks. Over the same period, only Lundstram has managed more attempts and attempts in the box than Matt Doherty. With an ownership of just 3.2%, he could be a massive differential to own for Wolves’ favorable run-in.

Chelsea: MCI (A), WHU (H), AVL (H), EVE (A), BOU (H,) TOT (A), SOU (H), ARS (A), BHA (A), BUR (H), NEW (A), ARS (H)

“Every setback leaves behind a path to make your comeback”. In simple words, Chelsea have been one of the best teams in the league this season since the 4-0 defeat against Manchester United, scoring 27 goals in the process, with only Manchester City(35), Leicester City(29) and Liverpool(28) scoring more. The Blues now enjoy a favorable run of fixtures right until gameweek 24, with only away trips to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur looking tricky.

Chelsea look like a blessing from Fantasy angels to Fantasy managers providing plenty of options both in attack and defense at pretty reasonable prices. In terms of attack, on current form, Pulisic looks like the man to have provided he shakes off the injury that kept him out of the international matches for USA. Tammy Abraham, the most owned striker in the league with an ownership of 69%, is another Chelsea asset who looks essential having both form and fixtures. Other options include Mason Mount and Willian, who themselves could provide decent value to managers.

Although Mount’s recent dip in form could mean he’s on the chopping block for most of the fantasy managers and on current form and stats, a direct sideways move from Mount to Pulisic could be profitable in the near future. Only Manchester City this season have had more goal attempts than Chelsea and over the same period, only Manchester City and Liverpool have been afforded more big chances.

Talking about defense, although the Blues have only kept three clean sheets this season conceding 17 goals in the process, stats suggest they’ve ended up conceding more goals than they should’ve. Only Everton and Manchester City have conceded fewer attempts on goal than Chelsea this season, while only Leicester, Manchester United and Liverpool have a better xGc (expected goals conceded) than Chelsea. The likes of Fikayo Tomori could provide good value in the upcoming gameweeks with the home games looking the best bets for clean sheets.

A double up or triple up on Chelsea could be the way to go with the Blues’ upcoming fixtures and a combination of Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic and Tomori could be the likeliest source of points from Chelsea.

This is it for this article. Do stay tuned for our captaincy article tomorrow ahead of gameweek 13. Good luck all, may your arrows stay green!

El Arte Del Futbol is an official content creator for OneFootball. Find more Original Features, Player Profiles and Tactical Analysis’ on www.elartedf.com. If you are reading this on our website, we’d like to thank you for your continuous support! Follow us on twitter to stay updated with all the latest content.