Scouting the Doubles – Gameweek 34 – The Attack

In the second part of our analysis looking at the eight teams set to play twice in Double Gameweek 34, our attentions to attack.

Focus switches to those who likely to produce both goals and assists and boast the highest ceiling of points over their pair of fixtures.

One look at the Premier League table shows that four of the seven highest scoring sides will feature twice in Double Gameweek 34, with three of those ranked among the top five most prolific clubs over the last six matches.

Tottenham Hotspur lead the way over that period with 13 goals, with Manchester United (12) not far behind.

But with many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers looking to utilise Bench Boost chips and field an entire 15-man squad, managers will be required to select both premium and budget options across the eight attacking spots.

Ironically, one of the most pressing issues entering Double Gameweek 34 is what to do with a player from a side that only offer one fixture.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is on for a record-breaking campaign, having already plundered 273 points in FPL.

A groin problem meant that the Egyptian was rested for last weekend’s Merseyside derby, before he returned to score a crucial goal in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Manchester City which saw the Reds progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The midfielder shed over 302,000 owners prior to Gameweek 33, and has been sold by a further 72,000+ managers since Saturday’s deadline, although sales have slowed over the last day or so.

Averaging 9.5 points per home match, his owners can easily justify holding Salah for Saturday’s Anfield encounter with Bournemouth, although he is set to be overlooked for the armband – less than 3% are backing the Liverpool attacker in our Captain Poll.

The general trend up front has been for those who invested in Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for back-to-back home matches to sell the Gunners’ forward for either Harry Kane or Romelu Lukaku.

However, for those without the Free Hit chip, it may be wise to hold Aubameyang as Arsene Wenger’s side entertain West Ham United in Gameweek 35.

If possible, the optimal route could be to own both Kane and Lukaku, with the latter currently gaining favour in our Captain Poll.

The Belgian has garnered 35% of the vote, compared to 26% for the Spurs striker.

For those Fantasy managers who banked a second transfer ahead of Double Gameweek 34, that will likely involve freeing up funds in midfield in order to accommodate either Kane or Lukaku in attack.

Man United’s Jesse Lingard has emerged as the standout budget midfield enabler, with Pascal Gross’ back-to-back blanks denting confidence in the Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker.

Lingard has been brought in by more than 34,000 managers, whereas Gross has only attracted 13,000 new owners.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne have, along with Aubameyang, been the makeweights. Firmino is the most sold player heading into Double Gameweek 34, while De Bruyne is the second most transferred out midfielder after Salah.

As mentioned in our analysis of the defensive options, the scheduling of the midweek matches, FA Cup semi-finals and the varying levels of motivation and stakes for the eight Double Gameweek teams should be considered.

Seeking a third consecutive Golden Boot, Harry Kane is surely nailed-on for Spurs’ home fixture with Manchester City and trip to Brighton. Now just four behind Salah after he was belatedly awarded the second strike in the win at Stoke, Kane’s goal threat remains peerless. He is the top-ranked player for shots, efforts in the box and attempts on target both home and away.

Nonetheless, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min boast superior form heading into Double Gameweek 34. Over their last four, they have returned 32, 37 and 38 points respectively, with the Dane second only to Paul Pogba for transfers in among midfielders.

Of that three, Son’s minutes are the likeliest to be managed, particularly for the midweek trip to Brighton, where Erik Lamela could be handed a start as Pochettino has one eye on the FA Cup last four clash with Man United.

However, Spurs have four days between their second Gameweek match and the weekend semi-final – that’s 24-hours more than the other three teams involved and perhaps lessens the likelihood of rotation.

Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are also in fine form ahead of Double Gameweek 34.

The former has three goals, two assists and five bonus points in five, while Sanchez has served up a goal and four assists in his previous four.

Since Sanchez made his Man United debut in Gameweek 25 against Spurs, both players have started every match and been involved in 43% of their side’s goals when on the pitch.

Brimming with confidence in light of their derby comeback win at rivals City, Jose Mourinho’s men arguably have the most appealing fixtures in Double Gameweek 34, comprising of a home match-up against bottom side West Bromwich Albion and a trip to Bournemouth.

Although the United boss could look to rotate with the FA Cup semi-final with Spurs following just three days after the trip to Bournemouth, Lukaku and Sanchez’s consistent pitch time suggests they are likely starters in both.

Jesse Lingard’s minutes are more at risk, though at just 6.0, he’s a lot lighter on the budget than the premium pair.

Certainly, there’s a chance that Mourinho could turn to the likes of Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial for at least one of the two matches.

Meanwhile, Paul Pogba’s brace at Man City has triggered a major scramble in the transfer market, earning him more new owners than any midfielder ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

While Spurs and Man United enter Double Gameweek 34 in good form, the same can’t be said of Chelsea.

The Blues have emerged victorious in just one of their last five encounters and are now 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Spurs.

They travel to Southampton and Burnley, with Willian and Eden Hazard the main targets.

With four goals and three assists in his last eight starts, the Brazilian has offered strong value in recent weeks. Despite a recent drought, Hazard increased his threat against West Ham, firing five efforts on goal, and remains a strong differential with 7.3% ownership.

The FA Cup schedule is a concern, however.

Antonio Conte could have one eye on the following Sunday’s semi-final against Southampton when Chelsea travel to Turf Moor on Thursday evening, with Pedro an option to start in one of the attacking midfield spots.

Saints’ league position means they won’t have the same luxury ahead of the semi-final, though.

Three goals from their last six matches does little to encourage investment, but the predatory instincts of Charlie Austin make the forward a leading budget option.

Leicester look to provide two of the leading mid-price options.

Riyad Mahrez (ten goals, 11 assists) and Jamie Vardy, who has scored in seven of the last nine Gameweeks, face promising match-ups away to Burnley and at home to Southampton at the King Power.

Burnley have been in impressive goal scoring form of late, netting nine times in four successive victories.

As the only team who play both their matches at home (LEI CHE), Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes are both viable third forward options. Earlier today, Sean Dyche was also optimistic on the fitness of Johan Berg Gudmundsson ahead of the Turf Moor encounters.

After failing to produce attacking points in home clashes against Leicester and Huddersfield Town, Brighton pair Glenn Murray and Pascal Gross now face trickier ties away to Crystal Palace and at home to Spurs.

With just three days between the matches, Murray’s minutes may come under threat from Jurgen Locadia and Leonardo Ulloa.

Despite having scored in each of their last 14 matches, fixtures away to Liverpool and against Man United at the Vitality Stadium have seen managers generally overlook Bournemouth options.

With three goals and an assist from his last five appearances, Josh King is the most bought Cherries attacker, gaining 5,000 new owners.

Jordan Ibe (if fit) and Ryan Fraser offer cut-price options in the midfield.

The Top Targets

Harry Kane – the most bought player in the Gameweek so far, Kane’s propensity for double-digit scores is superior to any FPL forward. With eight double-figures from 29 starts, he makes a convincing case for the captaincy.

Christian Eriksen – Spurs’ playmaker has produced more shots (20) and created more chances (15) than any team-mate over the last six matches. At 9.4 in FPL he is slightly dearer than Alli (9.0) but, with set-piece duties in the locker, could be the best option for those considering a Salah alternative.

Romelu Lukaku – the Belgian scored in the corresponding fixtures against West Brom and Bournemouth, and has only blanked in three of his previous 10 matches. Lukaku’s reputation as a flat-track bully is well deserved – 14 of his 15 goals have been scored against teams outside of the top eight.

Willian – with Hazard failing to live up to his premium price tag, the Brazilian has emerged as the popular route to cover the Chelsea attack. He holds a significant advantage over the Belgian for both shots (18 to 11) and efforts on target (nine to five) over the last six matches.

Riyad Mahrez – as we saw in Rogabolly’s metrics article, the Algerian looks to be a staple in many likely Bench Boost squads. Behind Salah, he is the most popular midfielder and has outscored team-mate Vardy by five to one in terms of double-figure hauls.

Jamie Vardy – but the striker is also a certain starter for the Foxes, the forward’s consistency makes him a solid choice for our three-man frontlines. From Gameweek 24 onwards, Vardy has scored more goals (seven) than any Double Gameweek 34 player – only Salah (11) and Sergio Aguero (eight) have netted more overall.

The Differentials

Alexis Sanchez – the Chilean has the potential to be the ultimate armband differential. Owned by just 3.6%, compared with Lukaku’s 29.7%, he has outscored the Belgian by 24 points to nine over the last two matches.

Paul Pogba – his 14-point return in the Manchester derby illustrated a propensity for big scores; indeed, Pogba has five double-digit hauls in just 20 starts this season. The Frenchman’s goal threat is also on the rise – he’s fired more shots (nine) and efforts on target (five) than any team-mate in the last four.

Eden Hazard – the return to form of Alexis Sanchez has seen the Chelsea star largely forgotten among the premium midfield options. He has only been bought by 12,000 managers, but four of his six double-digit hauls this season have come on the road.

Jesse Lingard – the midfielder’s 6.0 price tag makes him the ideal midfield enabler. Lingard has started the last two matches in morale-boosting wins, and with eight goals and five assists to his name this season, offers strong value, despite potential concerns over his pitch-time.

Charlie Austin – over the last six matches, no other FPL forward has received more big chances (eight) than the Saints striker. Austin’s record of a goal every 100 minutes is second only to Sergio Aguero among forwards with more than one goal this term, while there is no concern over motivation given Southampton’s perilous position in the table.

Chris Wood – only Austin, Aubameyang and Aguero have registered more shots on target than the Burnley striker (nine) over the last six matches up front. Wood has four goals and an assist since returning from injury and may be worth the extra outlay over popular team-mate Ashley Barnes.