🔮 GW14 Tactical Preview 🔮

⭐️ Breaking Down Every Game

⭐️ Rating FPL Prospects

⭐️ Predicting Results

🍒 Bournemouth vs Everton 🍬

Bournemouth:

Have conceded 12 goals in the last 4 games (7 from set-pieces in the last 3)
Look vulnerable when they have to sit deep and defend (Senesi's suspension may exacerbate this)
Their attack generally played well against Sunderland

Everton:

Were vulnerable from set-pieces against Newcastle
Without Gueye, they're lacking a defensive midfielder to play next to Garner (Iroegbunam was poor and got hooked at HT vs Newcastle)
They look vulnerable in transition + when their press is bypassed
Dewsbury-Hall looks very sharp

Analysis

Both sides have looked defensively vulnerable in recent weeks. Bournemouth will cause chaos with their pressing and direct approach, whilst Everton will also play on the front foot.

I expect this game to open up, and think we'll see lots of goals. Ndiaye, Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall can hurt Bournemouth in transition. Similarly, Bournemouth's attackers thrive in open games.

Prediction: High-scoring draw!

FPL Ratings

BOU Defence 🟠 - Don't expect a CS but think they'll hit DEFCON
BOU Attack 🟢 - Everton look open at times and Gueye is still suspended
EVE Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, but I don't see a CS
EVE Attack 🟢 - Bournemouth are vulnerable defensively and will be without Senesi

🎯 Differential Pick: Dewsbury-Hall (3.5%) - 2 goals in 2 and looks really sharp!

⚪️ Fulham vs Manchester City 🔵

Fulham:

Played very well against Spurs
Could move to a 5-3-2 to nullify City's attacking overloads
Can lose steam and become more open in the second half

Manchester City:

Were poor against Leeds - didn't control the game
Will create overloads centrally (see image)
Struggled to deal with long balls against Leeds

Analysis

Fulham had a lot of success with long balls into Jimenez against Spurs, whilst City struggled to deal with Leeds in the air - this could be a strong route to chances for Fulham.

City like to overload central areas, so Marco Silva may set up in a 5-3-2. I think Fulham's 4-4-2 could get overwhelmed. Also, Silva has been starting Iwobi in the double pivot, which can leave them less defensively solid.

Overall, I expect Fulham to make life very difficult for City, but I think City will perform much better than they did at home to Leeds.

Prediction: Tight game but City win!

FPL Ratings

FUL Defence 🟠
FUL Attack 🟠
MCI Defence 🟠
MCI Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: Foden (6.5%) - Just scored a brace and will most likely get one or two good chances!

⚫️ Newcastle vs Spurs ⚪️

Newcastle:

Were very dangerous from set-pieces against Everton
Their 4-5-1 (see image) can be played through
Hall and Livramento increase their attacking threat

Spurs:

Were awful against Fulham
Struggle to create chances in open play
Look very vulnerable to long balls and counter-attacks

Analysis

Spurs were cut open by simple long balls on the weekend, and Nick Woltemade thrives in the air. I expect him to cause Spurs some issues. However, Romero is back for this game, which is a boost for Thomas Frank.

Newcastle press high at St James' Park and I expect them to dominate Spurs early on. Kolo Muani had some decent moments against Fulham - he may be the key to turning around Spurs' poor form.

Overall, I expect Newcastle to cause Spurs serious problems.

Prediction: Strong Newcastle win!

FPL Ratings

NEW Defence 🟠
NEW Attack 🟢
TOT Defence 🟠
TOT Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: Elanga (3.2%) - Not 100% sure he starts but he looked good against Everton + picked up an assist

🔴 Arsenal vs Brentford 🐝

Arsenal:

Can struggle to create chances against low blocks
Will be without Gabriel, and possibly Saliba
Gyökeres could start

Brentford:

Usually set up in a 4-4-2, but might switch to a 5-3-2
Very dangerous in transition
Their block isn't always solid and can open up as games go on

Analysis

Brentford will sit deep (see image) and look to hit Arsenal on the counter. Thiago (keep an eye on his fitness), Schade, Damsgaard and Dango have enough firepower to win Brentford this game - especially considering Arsenal will be without Gabriel, and possibly Saliba.

Arsenal have struggled to create chances in open play against low blocks, but they can be devastating from set-pieces. Gyökeres could start, which would help draw defenders away from the likes of Saka and allow Arsenal to find gaps in Brentford's block. Also, Brentford's defenders (and Kelleher) can be error-prone.

Overall, I'm expecting a very competitive game!

Prediction: Draw!

FPL Ratings

ARS Defence 🟠
ARS Attack 🟠
BRE Defence 🟠
BRE Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: Dango (0.9%) - Fresh off a 12-pointer and has looked very good in recent weeks!

🕊️ Brighton vs Aston Villa 🥷

Brighton:

They're in very good form (3 wins + 3 clean sheets in their last 4)
Minteh looks very sharp + Welbeck has scored 5 goals in the last 6 games
They will press high and play on the front foot

Aston Villa:

Looked vulnerable in transition against Wolves
Have been struggling to produce moments of quality in the final third
In great form - have won 7 of their last 8 games

Analysis

Brighton dominated Nottingham Forest and created a lot of chances. I expect them to press high and dominate the ball, as Villa sit in their 4-4-2 (see image). Emery won't mind this.

Villa's 4-4-2 can be played through at times, and I expect Brighton to have some joy. Emery's side are in great form, but they've sometimes struggled to create chances from open play.

Prediction: Could be tight, but Brighton win!

FPL Ratings

BHA Defence 🟢
BHA Attack 🟠
AVL Defence 🟠
AVL Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: De Cuyper (1.7%) - He's a £4.3m defender that played at LW and scored in GW12!

🍷 Burnley vs Crystal Palace 🦅

Burnley:

Previously played a 5-4-1 but have moved to a 4-4-2 (see image)
Can be solid defensively, but they eventually drop deep and start to open up
Lack attacking threat

Crystal Palace:

Very solid in their 5-4-1
Will likely be without Sarr, which reduces their threat in behind
Looked leggy against United

Analysis

I expect Burnley to let Palace dominate the ball and try to play on the counter - this is probably the most effective way to play against Palace. Without Sarr, I think it's fair to expect a weaker Palace attack.

Burnley's most promising attacker is Flemming but they generally lack quality in attack. I expect Palace to break Burnley down as the game goes on and create scoring opportunities.

Prediction: Might be a tight game, but Palace win!

FPL Ratings

BUR Defence 🟠
BUR Attack 🔴
CRY Defence 🟢
CRY Attack 🟢

🎯 Differential Pick: Yeremy (0.2%) - Will likely have more time on the ball against Burnley's block, and he has the quality to cause damage!

🐺 Wolves vs Nottingham Forest 🌳

Wolves:

Set up in a 5-3-2 (see image)
They fade in the second half
Tchatchoua and Strand Larsen looked promising against Villa

Nottingham Forest:

Their 4-4-2 hasn't necessarily been as solid as expected
Gibbs-White is in good form
Brighton overwhelmed them

Analysis

I think Wolves' biggest chance of winning will come from sitting deep and hitting Forest on the counter. If they dominate the ball, I expect Forest to pick them off in transition.

Wolves showed promising signs against Villa (especially on the counter) but faded as the game went on. In order for Wolves to win, they'll likely have to score early on.

Overall, I think this will be a tight, cagey game.

Prediction: Draw!

FPL Ratings

WOL Defence 🟠
WOL Attack 🟠
NFO Defence 🟢
NFO Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: Strand Larsen (1.1%) - Was unfortunate not to score against Villa and, if Wolves score, he'll most likely be involved.

⚪️ Leeds vs Chelsea 🔵

Leeds:

Looked open whenever Manchester City attacked them
Caused City serious problems with their press and long balls
Don't look comfortable when they drop into a low block

Chelsea:

Commit lots of men forward against low blocks (see image)
Can be vulnerable in transition (and will be without Caicedo)
Dangerous from set-pieces

Analysis

Leeds had a lot of success playing long balls towards Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin against Manchester City. I expect them to try the same against Chelsea, whose CBs can look uncomfortable in these situations.

Chelsea have enough attacking threat to hurt Leeds in transition and break their low block down. However, Leeds press high and can be very physical. If Chelsea aren't on their game, Leeds can take points off of them (like they almost did to City).

Prediction: Tough game but Chelsea win!

FPL Ratings

LEE Defence 🟠
LEE Attack 🟠
CHE Defence 🟢
CHE Attack 🟢

🎯 Differential Pick: Neto (7.6%) - Keeps going under the radar but has averaged 7 points-per-game since GW8

🔴 Liverpool vs Sunderland 🐈‍⬛

Liverpool:

Created less chances without Salah and looked more defensively sound with Gomez at RB
Generally struggle to defend set-pieces
Their press + mid-block can be played through

Sunderland:

Played a 4-3-3 in GW13 but may use a 5-4-1 (see image)
Have lacked end product in attack at times
Dangerous from set-pieces

Analysis

I expect Sunderland to sit deep in a 5-4-1 and play on the counter.

Slot may bring Salah back into the fold but we can't be sure. Without the Egyptian, Liverpool created less chances in open play. Whilst Liverpool looked more solid against West Ham, Sunderland will likely provide more attacking threat.

Prediction: Tight game, Liverpool narrowly win!

FPL Ratings

LIV Defence 🟢
LIV Attack 🟠
SUN Defence 🟠
SUN Attack 🟠

🎯 Differential Pick: Isak (4.8%) - If Salah doesn't start, he's Liverpool's focal point!

👹 Manchester United vs West Ham ⚒️