Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.
By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our expert
Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?
Read his expert advice every week.
*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 13:30 GMT on Saturday 25 January*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Cody Gakpo (7.5) is proving popular with FPL managers for GW23, for good reason.
The Netherlands international is a nailed on starter for Liverpool who are leading the way at the top of the Premier League table. Arne Slot has had a profound impact on his compatriot who is enjoying his best season for the Anfield club.
Gakpo was rested for the Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday, suggesting he will be brought back into the lineup for Saturday’s home match against Ipswich Town.
While Gakpo is classified as a forward in FPL, he most frequently plays on the left side of Slot’s front three. He could start alongside Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah in the forward line this weekend.
Liverpool’s upcoming run of favourable fixtures makes Gakpo a particularly attractive pick.
The Reds face relegation-threatened Ipswich in GW23 before a double gameweek in GW24 in which Liverpool will take on Bournemouth and Everton before a home fixture against Wolves in GW25.
Gakpo’s underlying numbers are something else that should make him a consideration for your FPL team.
He is averaging 0.53 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes this season. Against Brentford in G22, Gakpo missed one Big Chance from a Salah pass and also created four chances despite returning only two points.
With all this in mind, this is a good time to load up on three Liverpool players – see Salah (13.7) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.3) as two attractive options. Gakpo stands out as one of the best options.
Son Heung-min (9.8) is another player who should be on your FPL radar.
The South Korean started up top against Everton in GW22 and is a good bet to keep his place due to Dominic Solanke’s continued absence.
Richarlison came on at half time and pushed Son to the wing at Goodison Park, but failed to make much of an impact. Son, on the other hand, found the back of the net in the Europa League win over Hoffenheim on Thursday. He remains one of Tottenham’s best difference makers.
This season has been’t the most productive of Son’s career. However, he has still registered 12 goal involvements in 19 Premier League appearances, averaging 0.57 xGI per 90 minutes.
Spurs are leading Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final. Were Ange Postecoglou’s team to get through on aggregate, they will face a blank gameweek in GW29. Despite this, Son is owned by just 5%, making him a good differential for a favourable gameweek.
Long shot
Dango Ouattara (5.0) has been overshadowed by several Bournemouth players who have pushed the Cherries up the Premier League table this season.
However, the 22-year-old has started Bournemouth’s last two matches in the absence of Evanilson and Enes Ünal. Stats-wise, Ouattara hasn’t made much of an impact, but the eye test suggests he could be a good addition to your FPL team.
Against Newcastle in GW22, Ouattara missed one Big Chance, registered an assist for Justin Kluivert’s second goal and scored a goal of his own that was later ruled out by VAR. He gave the Magpies problems as Bournemouth’s starting centre forward.
Priced at only 5.0 and with an ownership of just 0.2%, Ouattara has the potential to be an extremely valuable differential. His xGI per 90 minutes of 0.6 is impressive and should be noted by FPL managers looking for a budget forward.
Bournemouth face tricky fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in their next two gameweeks. They boast two of the strongest defences in the league, but Ouattara could be a player worth keeping for a long time due to his low price tag.
Upcoming games to follow
GW23 has the potential for some high-scoring games for several popular FPL assets.
Firstly, Liverpool and Newcastle’s fixtures stand out. Both teams have games against promoted teams in GW23 and this could lead to a strong haul by a number of players with high ownership.
Liverpool are the top-scoring team in the league and also boast the best defensive record for good measure. Meanwhile, Saturday’s opponents Ipswich conceded six to Manchester City in their last game.
Alexander-Arnold (7.3) will pose the greatest attacking threat of all Liverpool’s defenders. Salah (13.7), Luis Díaz (7.5), Ibrahima Konaté (5.1) and Gakpo (7.5) are worth consideration.
Newcastle suffered a disappointing defeat at home to Bournemouth in GW22, but are expected to bounce back against bottom team Southampton this weekend.
Popular assets like Anthony Gordon (7.7), Alexander Isak (9.5) and Lewis Hall (5.1) are players to look out for.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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