Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.
By FotMob, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our expert
Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway, but unlike the frustrated Fantasy Premier League players in the office, he did something we could only dream of last season. He finished first, ahead of 11 million other managers in the 2023/24 season.
Who better then, to provide us with some expert advice each week.
*With a full midweek round starting tomorrow, remember that the FPL deadline for this round is early – make your transfers and sort your team out before 18:00 GMT on Tuesday*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Joe Gomez (4.8m) has only played 90 minutes in the Premier League once this season and that was in GW13 against Manchester City. I am, however, confident that he will start more going forward. Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley are both ruled out with injury for the foreseeable. That leaves a spot for Gomez, who is super versatile and can play both full back positions and even as a centre back, which I think is his most likely position going forward. Liverpool’s defense is the best in the league this season and they 100% pass the eye test. All season long Liverpool have only conceded 11.6 xG, that has resulted in only 8 goals conceded and 7 clean sheets in 13 games! There is some risk with selecting Gomez as Jarell Quansah might play a few games over the rather packed Christmas schedule, but I believe Gomez is great value regardless.
I don’t think I can get away without writing about Cole Palmer (11.0m). Palmer has not impressed recently with blanks against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Leicester, but he did reward those patient FPL managers with 14 points against Aston Villa.
Against Villa he was great, he constantly found himself in good positions. And as far as “must haves” go, I think Palmer is really, really close to being one. Last season it felt like he was the glue that held together Chelsea’s attack and that doesn’t seem to have changed much this season. Palmer has 14 goal involvements this season (eight goals, six assists) and his underlying stats aren’t very different from last season. He averages 0.52 xG and 0.21 xA per 90, which combines to an xGI of 0.73 per 90 (Expected Goal Involvements), which is really good. Chelsea also have some favorable fixtures for a while going forward and Palmer could easily be your captain in many of those games. This week he plays against Southampton at St. Mary’s where I expect him to perform.
Long shot
Amad Diallo (5.0m) has started really well under their new manager, Rúben Amorim. His new role as a right wing back has suited him really well so far. Something that has resulted in four assists in his last three Premier League games. Amad is only owned by 4.4% of the managers playing FPL and at that low price, he is a good enabler for your team. Manchester United have a few tough fixtures going forward, but you can easily justify benching him, as long as you have cover. Definitely a good ‘fifth midfielder’ if you can’t afford the likes of Semenyo, Rogers, Smith Rowe etc. or if you simply just want a good differential.
Upcoming games to follow
Southampton suffer with suspensions for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tyler Dibling, and their first choice goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale is injured. With Chelsea visiting the Saints on Wednesday night, we might be looking at a very one sided game. Cole Palmer, as mentioned earlier, is one player I’m going to follow closely and he might even be my captain this week. Nicolas Jackson is another player who has been in good form the Blues recently.
Thursday’s clash between Bournemouth and Spurs is also a game I am looking forward to. Both teams are attacking and both score and concede a fair few goals. So hopefully we get a high scoring game! Players I’m eyeing up in that fixture include Dominic Solanke, who was out with illness in GW13 and Son Heung-min. For Bournemouth it will be interesting to watch Antoine Semenyo, Milos Kerkez and Justin Kluvert, whose three penalty goals in GW13 have seen his per 90 stats go through the roof!
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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