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 11:00 GMT on Saturday 1 February*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Bryan Mbeumo (7.8m) has delivered the goods for Brentford this season.
The 25-year-old is the Bees’ top scorer this season with 14 goals. Mbeumo has also registered three assists for good measure, underlining his value as one of the most reliable FPL assets.
Thomas Frank deployed Mbeumo in a wide position for a period of five matches which resulted in the Cameroonian international recording just one shot and Expected Goals (xG) of 0.09 over this stretch.
More recently, though. Mbeumo has looked more like his old self in a central attacking role, scoring four goals and assisting another in his last five gameweeks. Those who kept faith in the Brentford man amid a difficult run of fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal were rewarded.
GW23 saw Mbeumo convert a penalty against Crystal Palace despite some drama over a re-take. The 25-year-old also delivered two bonus points as he carried a threat for Brentford in the attacking third.
Looking ahead, Brentford’s upcoming fixtures appear favourable, starting with a match against an out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur in GW24 this weekend. Mbeumo could be in line for a haul of points against an opponent with clear defensive vulnerabilities.
After facing Spurs, Brentford will take on West Ham and Leicester City and with Mbeumo a near certainty to play 90 minutes and the Bees’ designated penalty taker, he could be a good choice for your FPL team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.3m) holds the title of being the most expensive defender in FPL, but for good reason.
The Liverpool right back has the highest Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 (0.42) among all defenders. For context, this is higher than popular FPL attacking assets João Pedro and Chris Wood.
GW24 is a double gameweek for Liverpool who face Bournemouth and Everton before a home fixture against Wolves in GW25. These matches present Alexander-Arnold with the opportunity to add to his already impressive points tally for the season of 101.
Alexander-Arnold is the creative hub of Arne Slot’s team. His passing ability is second to none. He takes corners. He takes freekicks. This is without even mentioning that Liverpool boast the best defensive record in the whole division.
The way Liverpool are playing this season, Alexander-Arnold is a good bet to deliver bonus points should the Reds register a clean sheet and the right back registers an attacking return, as he did in the recent 2-0 win over Brentford when he finished on 11 points.
In his last five games, Alexander-Arnold has averaged 6.6 points, the most of any defender in FPL over that time.
Long shot
Vitalii Mykolenko (4.4m) is the cheapest starting Everton defender and should be on your FPL radar ahead of the Toffees’ double gameweek.
Mykolenko is being used as a full back by new Everton manager David Moyes, putting him in line for some attacking returns. The Ukrainian is registering just 0.06 xGI per 90 this season, but this could improve as Everton build momentum.
Everton face relegation-threatened Leicester City in the first fixture of their double gameweek in GW24, making the Toffees’ defenders attractive for your FPL team.
James Tarkowski (4.8m) and Jarrad Branthwaite (4.8m) could be good picks with both centre backs a threat from corner kicks. Jordan Pickford (5.0m) could deliver save points while Jake O’Brien (4.5m) could be a good differential.
Upcoming games to follow
GW24 has the potential to be a dramatic one with a selection of potentially high-scoring fixtures across the gameweek.
Everton and Liverpool both have two fixtures in a double gameweek, making them teams to target. Assets such as Iliman Ndiaye (5.4m), Ibrahima Konaté (5.1m) and Cody Gakpo (7.6m) could all be good picks with the capacity for a big points haul. It goes without saying that Mohamed Salah (13.7m) could also score big.
Chelsea’s assets are similarly worth your attention with Enzo Maresca’s team at home to West Ham on Monday night.
The Blues have allowed their form to slump in recent weeks, winning just one of their last seven league games. West Ham, however, are also in poor form having won one of their last five. They will be underdogs at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson (7.8m) and Cole Palmer (11.3m) could make an impact against the Hammers with the pair in the ‘don’t buy, don’t sell’ category.
Reece James (4.8m) deserves highlighting as an under-the-radar pick after starting consecutive matches against Wolves and Manchester City. The right back carries an attacking threat and could be a shrewd pick despite his injury record.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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