FPL wildcard tips: Premier League fantasy football picks for Gameweek 21
Anyone who has so far resisted the temptation to use their second Fantasy Premier League wildcard might be feeling a bit smug at the moment.
Injuries to key assets continue to mount up with Harry Kane joining Kevin de Bruyne and Jamie Vardy on the sidelines with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still a doubt for personal reasons ahead of gameweek 21.
Opta’s stats power the FPL game and help steer the Sky Bet market so what better way to figure out how to build your squad this week? Be warned, Saturday’s deadline is at 11:00 ahead of Everton’s clash with Newcastle (kick-off 12:30pm).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7.6): Calvert-Lewin has not registered a Premier League goal since gameweek 11 but having shaken off a hamstring injury, he represents a compelling option given his record against Newcastle.
The England striker has five goals in his last four appearances against the Magpies. Sky Bet price him at 9.2 to score a brace on Saturday.
James Rodriguez (7.7): Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 so if it isn’t Calvert-Lewin, you sense someone in blue will find a way through. A much-improved return of eight points against Leicester midweek could be the beginning of another run for the Colombian who is now owned by just 8.7 per cent of FPL bosses. Fancy him to net another from outside the area? It’s available at 11/1.
Wilfried Zaha (7.2): The Ivorian is on course for his best goalscoring campaign with nine in 17 appearances in a season where he has also completed 34 of 71 attempted take-ons. Against a stubborn Wolves side, his driving runs will be key.
Palace’s next six games are against teams in the bottom half of the league – ample opportunity for points after a few tough weeks for the Eagles. Zaha to score first and Palace to win 2-1 or draw 1-1 is at 16/1.
Joao Cancelo (5.9): A hat-trick of a goal, an assist and a clean sheet against West Brom saw Joao Cancelo pick up 17 points during gameweek 20 and is still selected by just 16.4 percent of FPL bosses.
Only De Bruyne has created more City chances than the Portuguese this season (30) with Andy Robertson and Aaron Cresswell the only defenders to better his return of 86 points. City to keep a clean sheet it priced at 1/2.
Ilkay Gundogan (5.7): Gundogan registered another two goals against the Baggies to lift him to 80 points this season – City’s third highest total and more than Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus. Now City’s leading goal scorer, he is developing into a must-have midfield option. Gundogan to score a brace is at 6/1.
Ollie Watkins (6.2): With Patrick Bamford underperforming, Watkins represents a fine low-cost option for Saturday’s clash with Southampton, owned by just 13.8 percent of FPL bosses.
With six points in each of his last two games, he is averaging 0.44 goals a game, only bettered by Anwar El Ghazi in the Villa squad and has a club-best xG of 8.82 with only Jack Grealish creating more chances (24). Watkins and Ings both to score Saturday evening is 13/2.
James Maddison (7.2): After returns of 10, 9 and 8 against Newcastle, Southampton and Chelsea respectively, the attacking midfielder endured a more frustrating evening against Everton midweek. But against Leeds, who have conceded the second most shots inside the box this season, Maddison could profit again. Both teams to score in both halves is 9/1.
Tomas Soucek (5.3): No team has scored more headed goals than West Ham this term with Soucek getting three of them. Given the defensive malaise at Liverpool, with Joel Matip joining Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Fabinho on the injured list – the big Czech will be out to cause havoc. Soucek and Roberto Firmino to both get on the score sheet is 18/1.
Heung-min Son (9.8): With Harry Kane on the sidelines, the pressure will be on Son to keep up the form that has seen him return the third biggest FPL points tally this season. Good thing he usually thrives in these situations.
Son has the best goals per 90 (0.71) at Spurs this season and while he has had just one double-digit gameweek in his last eight, has created the most chances for Spurs this season (34), possesses the best shooting accuracy (55.56 per cent) and the most big chances scored (9). Son to score and Spurs to win is 23/10.
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. GambleAware.
