Josko Gvardiol (£4.9m)
Manchester City have disappointed this season defensively. They have kept just nine clean sheets so far this season, which looks like it will be less than the 13 that they produced last season. However, Gvardiol has found his scoring boots in both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League in recent weeks. He has had 25 attempts on goal in his 23 appearances for the champions this season so far.
Malo Gusto (£4.3m)*
The second of my Chelsea defenders, Gusto, has had 11 attempts on goal in his 23 appearances this season. He has also created 30 chances – seven of those being big chances – and has supplied 62 crosses. With the upside of attacking threat and at just £4.3m, he is a great option as a budget defender who can maximise the two Double Gameweeks by playing twice in both.
*Gusto has emerged as an injury doubt since Lee selected his squad
Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.1m)
Van Hecke’s price point makes him a great option as he helps to balance the spend across the rest of the team. But he is also a good option beyond that. Van Hecke and Brighton have two fixtures in DGW37 against Newcastle and Chelsea. I likely won’t play him much, but for the DGW37 Bench Boost he looks a decent option.
Gordon, Isak
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Son Heung-min (£9.8m)
Playing as Spurs’ No 9 and with two Double Gameweeks, Son is the best pick across Spurs’ attack.
Bukayo Saka (£9.0m)
Many managers are thinking about selling Saka. Between Gameweek 22 and 27 he produced 66 points. Between Gameweek 28 and Double Gameweek 34 he has acquired just 26 points and only returned in two of his six matches in that spell. I am planning to hold him as Arsenal will need him on form if they are to win the title.
This is how my line-up looks as it stands. I will be ready to react if necessary should there be any injuries or suspensions during the midweek matches. Djordje Petrovic (£4.6m)
Chelsea have been poor defensively this season, having kept just six clean sheets. However, they have two Double Gameweeks to come and fit the budget nicely. Petrovic has started 15 matches this season and kept three clean sheets. He has also made 52 saves to collect 13 save points.
Martin Dubravka (£4.2m)
Newcastle United have a great run of fixtures between now and the end of the season, including an attractive set of matches in DGW37 where they will play Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United. The prospect of Nick Pope (£5.3m) returning to training from injury over the next few weeks is a concern though, especially as I would want to use Dubravka for my Bench Boost in DGW37. I’ll be listening carefully to Eddie Howe’s press conference. If Pope’s return might impact DGW37, I will likely swap to a different goalkeeper and then bring in a Newcastle defender instead.
Pedro Porro (£5.8m)
The injury to Destiny Udogie (£5.0m) will likely have an impact on Spurs’ defence, with Ben Davies (£4.3m) likely to deputise until the end of the season. However, you don’t invest in a Spurs defender for clean sheets – you invest for their attacking threat. Porro has had 42 attempts on goal this season, more than any other defender, and he has also created 45 chances. Only four defenders have created more.Gabriel (£5.4m)
The double-up in the Arsenal defence has gone well over recent weeks, but with no Double Gameweeks left I am dropping down to just Gabriel, who has the most attacking potential of Arsenal’s defenders. He has had 28 attempts on goal this season, with 26 of those coming from inside the box.
He has 12 assists so far this season from an Expected Assisted Goals of 7.1, a league-leading over-performance of +4.9 that suggests he has had a little bit of luck in reaching that number.
But going through each one in turn, only four of his Premier League assists can be classified as hopeful flick-ons, shots that went wrong, simple passes that ended in screamers, or anything other than a deliberate chance creation.
Villa’s brilliant performances, their desire to spring forward following a transition, and Emery’s detailed coaching to fine-tune Watkins’ game have all contributed to his rise to the summit.
In the hunt for the Golden Boot and finally on the radar for Player of the Season, there is only one conclusion to draw; Watkins is currently one of the best strikers in Europe.With a Double Gameweek 35 (DGW35) and Double Gameweek 37 (DGW37) coming up in Fantasy Premier League, FPL expert Lee Bonfield is among the managers using their Wildcard this week, making unlimited free transfers.
Here, he reveals his current 15-man line-up and explains his choices.
A number of factors need to be considered when planning to use the Wildcard for DGW35.
Firstly, you should target players from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, who are the two clubs that play twice in DGW35. This is especially important as they both also have a DGW37.Secondly, the Wildcard has to be used to prepare for DGW37, when I will be playing my Bench Boost. Finally, it also has to target the players who have something to fight for this season, especially with the title race and the European spots.
It is little wonder he ranks third in the Premier League this season for total shots (100).
Emery’s tactics create more goalscoring scenarios
But why, exactly, does having a Haaland-style No 9 work so well for Villa?
Emery’s attacking tactics focus on moving quickly into the final third after the ball is turned over: Villa want to create scenarios that look like counter-attacks, ending with one or two players getting behind the opposition defensive line.
Invariably one of those players is Watkins, in space – and with the support – to go alone and score or grab a simple assist.
Their most recent match, a 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth, was a perfect example.
All three goals were fast breaks or – following a sudden gear change after baiting the opposition into pressing – had the appearance of a fast break.
For the second, two quick forward passes starting from the edge of Villa’s box created the illusion of a fast break, from which Watkins got his first assist to Moussa Diaby.It was typical of their season: Villa are joint-top of the Premier League charts for ‘direct attacks’ (83) and second for ‘fast breaks’ (37).
Watkins now among Europe’s best
No wonder Watkins is getting so many goals – and assists.