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 sort your team out before 18:00 GMT on Tuesday 14 January*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Eberechi Eze (6.6m) could be a key differential for your FPL team in GW21.
The Crystal Palace winger has played nearly 90 minutes in each of his last three games has registered a return for the second consecutive gameweek, contributing an assist against Chelsea in GW20 after scoring against Southampton in GW19.
Eze is owned by just 8.2% of FPL managers and Palace appear to have a favourable run of fixtures coming up against Leicester City, West Ham and Brentford at home (the Bees have one of the worst away records in the Premier League this season).
Ismaïla Sarr (5.9m) could also be an attractive option with similar Expected Goal Involvement (xGI) per 90 minutes to Eze (0.51 compared to 0.43). However, Eze edges the comparison due to his set piece and penalties potential.
It’s possible Eze could have a blank gameweek in GW29 if Newcastle United reach the Carabao Cup final, but it could be worth navigating through this for an asset who could offer your FPL team plenty.
Bruno Fernandes (8.3m) is another midfield asset worth looking at for GW21.
Like Eze, the Portuguese is a nailed on starter and is on set piece duty for Manchester United. Rúben Amorim’s team have looked toothless in recent gameweeks, but posed a threat against Liverpool in GW20 when Fernandes was the star of the show.
Fernandes registered an assist for Lisandro Martínez’s opener at Anfield and was effective as one of two number 10s behind Rasmus Højlund. Despite United suffering a dismal season so far, Fernandes still has 10 goal involvements in 19 games.
As one of the front three, Fernandes is always a smart pick. However, Amorim has a tendency of making early substitutions which sometimes force Fernandes into a deeper role further away from goal.
Even still, Fernandes is Manchester United’s attacking talisman and their guaranteed penalty taker. United also have a home fixture against Southampton in GW21 which could see Fernandes rack up the returns just as Bryan Mbeumo did against the Saints in GW20.
Fernandes is also fixture proof having proved his ability to score points against anyone.
Long shot
Iliman Ndiaye (5.4m) hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of starts at Everton after joining the Toffees from Marseille in the summer.
Indeed, the 24-year-old has scored just three goals in 19 Premier League appearances and has been part of an Everton team that is fighting relegation near the foot of the table. It’s been a struggle for the Godson Park outfit as a whole, particularly in attack.
However, Ndiaye has enjoyed an upturn in form recently, finding the back of the net twice in his last four games.
Interestingly, one of those two goals was a penalty against Peterborough in the FA Cup, suggesting the Senegalese international could have more opportunities to convert from 12 yards out.
Ndiaye has played over 1,500 minutes in the Premier League this season (only Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski have played more for Everton) which is another thing that makes him a viable FPL pick.
Sean Dyche’s recent sacking and David Moyes’ subsequent appointment could see Everton adopt a more attack-minded approach which could lead to Ndiaye registering more goal involvements in the second half of the campaign.
Everton will likely have a double gameweek in either GW24 or GW25 after the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool was postponed last month. Ndiaye is owned by just 0.6% of FPL managers and so he could be an extremely valuable differential for your team.
Upcoming games to follow
There aren’t many standout fixtures in GW21 from a FPL perspective.
Liverpool (Nottingham Forest away) and Arsenal (Tottenham Hotspur home) both have difficult fixtures while Manchester City will face a Brentford team that has only failed to score at home in the league this season once. The Bees will test the defending champions.
However, there are two fixtures that should be on your radar for popular FPL assets.
Newcastle’s home fixture against Wolves should offer some value to a number of players. Wolves have improved under new manager Vítor Pereira, recently earning results against Manchester United and Spurs, but the Magpies are favourites to win in GW21.
Alexander Isak (9.3m) has been in blistering form recently, scoring 10 goals in his last nine games in all competitions, with Anthony Gordon (7.4m) and Lewis Hall (4.9m) also in good form.
Manchester United have the most favourable fixture of GW21.
Amorim’s side will host Southampton at home on Thursday with the visiting Saints on course to become the worst team in Premier League history. United could build on their impressive performance away to Liverpool in GW20.
Fernandes (8.3m), Amad Diallo (5.1m), Diogo Dalot (5.0m) and Noussair Mazraoui (4.4m) could hold value in GW21.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
Did you know that you can track live Fantasy points with FotMob? Simply select any Premier League game, swipe to the Lineup tab, and press the big ‘Fantasy’ button! Download the free app here.