Fantasy Premier League 2015-16: Players to pick for gameweek 21
It's been a crazy half-season in Fantasy Premier League where many experienced players have had their expertise taken for a ride, as the underdogs have torn down conventional FPL wisdom by scoring points on an incredibly consistent basis, while traditionally reliable premium players have been a real let-down.
Gameweek 21 fixtures
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v West Ham
Newcastle v Man Utd
Chelsea v West Brom
Man City v Everton
Southampton v Watford
Stoke v Norwich
Swansea v Sunderland
Liverpool v Arsenal
Tottenham v Leicester
Player Picks
Teams playing host this gameweek will have home advantage again in GW22, so if you hold two transfers, this is a good time. Good time to get in some of this lot.
Forwards
Harry Kane (9.9) - It's tough to look beyond a certain set of forwards at the moment, and Harry Kane is one of them. He's premium but not (yet) prohibitively expensive, is well among the goals and has a fantastic schedule to boot.
Odion Ighalo (6.4) - With Leicester cooling off and Vardy having a groin surgery, the Englishman's 45.3% ownership could do worse than to look towards Ighalo, who is cheaper but no less effective. He doesn't exactly have an unkind fixture list to contend with either.
Sergio Aguero (13.1) - His returns have been pathetic given his price, but he is a streaky player, and he followed up his winner at Watford with a goal and assist at Norwich in the cup. There is logic in getting in a player who hosts the porous Everton followed by another home game against Palace.Midfielders
Alli (5.4) - The teenage signing from MK Dons is this season's breakthrough player and is red hot with two goals and two assists in his last four games. Get him in and enjoy the returns now, he is not going to be this cheap next season.
Payet (7.7) - The Frenchman returned 74 points from 12 starts before getting injured and was a firm selection favourite as evidenced by a 0.8 rise in price until the point of injury. He is back and is currently held by just 8.7% of players, offering us the opportunity to grab him while he's cold and cheap.
Andre Ayew (6.8) - The Ghanian had returns similar to Payet until Gameweek 13, but has faded away on the back of a tough schedule. The upcoming fixtures could be the ideal launchpad for him to get back on track.
Willian (7.1) - Chelsea have enjoyed renewed thrust post-Mourinho, and with a goal and 4 assists in this period, Willian has had a major impact on the scoreline. He offers threat from open play while also hogging set-piece duty, making him a promising differential as Chelsea host West Brom and Everton.
Defenders
Cresswell (5.5) - Aaron Cresswell has been consistency personified. His last 5 outings have yielded 6, 6, 6, 10 and 9 points, something we have gleefully benefited from. There is nothing to suggest he will stop racking up the points.
Williams (4.8) - Swansea aren't having the best season, but they host Sunderland and Watford on the back of 3 clean sheets in the last 4 games. Snapping up their captain, who has scored 28 points in this period, could prove a wise choice.
Walker (5.2) - If there is a Tottenham theme to this post, it is only as a salute to their performance so far and their upcoming fixtures. Kyle Walker is guaranteed a place in the Tottenham backline, and is significantly cheaper than Alderweireld (6.1).Keepers
Lloris (5.1) - A mid-February game against Man City aside, the Spurs stopper has a schedule that promises plenty of returns until March.
Adrian (5.0) - A mid-January game against Man City aside, the Hammers stopper has a schedule that promises plenty of returns until March.
Writer's team
This article was also published at the writer's personal blog