Best Punts – Gameweek 29

Last Gameweek was a Double Gameweek for Spurs and Queens Park Rangers and, just like many of the community, I focused too much on these two teams instead of looking to players with one more favorable fixture – a lesson to remember for upcoming weeks. That said, my QPR midfielder of choice Matt Phillips did impress. Despite tough fixtures he battled relentlessly down the wing and teed up Charlie Austin’s cracking strike against Arsenal. He played well against Tottenham last weekend but failed to collect any more attacking points. However, his assist along with four points for playing minutes gave him a total of seven points – a good showing for a 4.6 priced midfielder with an ownership of less than 0.3%.

My defender Jan Vertonghen also played twice last Gameweek. However, the Spurs defence was leaky and they conceded three goals in the two games. Mauricio Pochettino will not be happy with his back four as those two fixtures both had clean sheets up for grabs. Finally, my pick for striker, Shane Long, was a real punt. The Irishman didn’t start for Southampton as Ronald Koeman continued with the misfiring GrazianoPellè. Long came on in the dying embers of the game and worked tirelessly but couldn’t manage any attacking points.

Jeffrey Schlupp

Position: Defender
Club: Leicester City
Price: 4.5
Ownership: 0.6%

This Gameweek Leicester City welcome Steve Bruce’s Hill side to the King Power Stadium. The Tigers have improved lately with new signing Dame N’Doye amongst the goals but Nigel Pearson will expect a result from his Leicester side. The Foxes are languishing at the bottom of the table and with only a matter of games to come these home clashes with other sides fighting for survival are key. Despite their league position the Leicester back line is capable of clean sheets. In their last meeting with Hull Leicester won 1-0 and they also kept a shut-out against Aston Villa earlier this year. When it matters Pearson can get his back four to perform and against a Hull side who haven’t scored in five of their last ten fixtures there is a definite possibility of clean sheet points for Schlupp.

Despite being classes as a defender in the FPL game Jeffrey Schlupp actually plays as a winger. This is his main appeal as his advanced positions bring a higher likeliness of attacking points. Owners of Schlupp have an attacker who also picks up four points for every clean sheet – a win-win scenario! So far this term the Ghanian has three goals and an assist to his name which are impressive stats for a ‘defender’. He attempts a cross every 39 minutes and has a goal scoring opportunity every 56. He is influential going forward as he has attempted over 100 dribbles this season. His importance in Leicester’s attacking moves is undeniable, as his appeal and with a favourable fixture this Gameweek Schlupp’s owners may be rewarded for their faith.

Yannick Bolasie

Position: Midfielder
Club: Crystal Palace
Price: 5.3
Ownership: 5.3

Crystal Palace’s lightning quick and skillful winger has featured on my punts articles a couple of times this season and this Gameweek he appears again. Bolasie has the talent to play for one of the biggest clubs in the league but so far in his career he has failed to hit a sustainable run of form to demonstrate his class. However, off the back of a successful African Cup of Nations in which he impressed for Congo the winger is looking to push on and finish the season strong. Only Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez have attempted more dribbles than Bolasie this season (both of whom didn’t have a month of for International competitions) and he has also put more than 130 crosses into the box! Bolasie has six assists to his name this term, along with a sole goal, which shows that the points are there for his owners. His trickery and willingness to create chances makes him a formidable opponent for any full-back.

The full-back that Bolasie is likely to be competing against this Gameweek is QPR’s Darnell Furlong. The young wing-back has shown promised since being thrown into the first team but his desire to go forward and attack leaves gaps at the back. He is also a little reckless and at the moment seems desperate to impress which can result in defensive errors too. Bolasie will look to exploit Furlong’s lack of experience this weekend and I can see him getting the better of the youngster. QPR have only kept one clean sheet on the road this season which further heightens Bolasie’s appeal and with an inexperienced full-back to compete against he is as strong an option as any this Gameweek.

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Position: Striker
Club: Aston Villa
Price: 5.2
Ownership: 1.4%

This Gameweek I have plumped for Gabriel Agbonlahor up front. The Villa front man has impressed me in recent Gameweeks and Villa’s shift in tactics is benefiting him. Christian Benteke is dropping off the front line and looking for knock-ons to allow Agbonlahor to use his rapid pace to run the channels through defence. The benefits that this tactic change brings to Villa’s game can be seen already. Tim Sherwood’s side have four goals in their last two games (Agbonlahor with one) which is a drastic improvement on the toothless side that Paul Lambert fielded week-in week-out. This Gameweek Villa travel to Sunderland, who are also struggling in the bottom five. The Black Cats have conceded seven goals in their last five home games. A new-look, slick Villa side should prove too much for Poyet’s men, even at home, this weekend.

Agbonlahor averages a goal-scoring chance every 60 minutes and has four goals to his name so far this season. He has also been consistent in the league and normally has an ownership of over 2.5% but after their recent devastating run of form many owners have bailed out which makes him a great low-ownership punt. However, the shooting statistics of Villa’s past few weeks mean little now with their new boss taking control. The striker has also completed 22 of his 46 dribbles which is an impressive success rate. He has also successfully attacked five set plays this season which shows that he has ability in the air as well as on the ground. Agbonlahor is benefitting from Tim Sherwood and his owners look sure to benefit from it as well this Gameweek.

Last Gameweek’s Top Scoring Punts*
DEF – Phil Bardsley, 12 pts, 4.9, 0.5%
MID – Andros Townsend, 15 pts, 6.2, 0.4%
FWD – Christian Benteke, 12 pts, 7.4, 0.5%
*These are not my selected players but the top scoring ones in the FPL game with under 2.5% ownership.