FPL GW15 Complete

Guide ✅< Return to Articles

GW15 Tactical Preview 🔮

⭐️ Breaking Down Every Game
⭐️ Rating FPL Prospects
⭐️ Predicting Results

🥷 Aston Villa vs Arsenal 🔴

Aston Villa:

• Watkins finally scored and looked sharp against Brighton

• Will sit in their 4-4-2 and ask Arsenal to break them down (see image)

• Have looked vulnerable at times (Wolves and Brighton played through their 4-4-2 at times)

Arsenal:

• Can struggle to break teams down in open play

• Will press high and make it hard for Villa to progress

• Happy to sit in a 4-4-2 and let Villa try to break them down

Analysis

This should be a tight game. Both sides play a 4-4-2 off-the-ball, so I expect it to be tense. Watkins has shown he can get the better of Arsenal's CBs - it will be interesting to see how he does against Hincapie.

Arsenal have more quality and are probably better without the ball, but Villa are in great form - things are just going their way at the moment.

Prediction: Very tight game, I think we see a draw!

FPL Ratings

• AVL Defence 🔴 - Not expecting a CS + teams can struggle to hit DEFCON vs Arsenal

• AVL Attack 🟠 - I think they'll get chances but it's Arsenal

• ARS Defence 🟠 - Small chance of a clean sheet

• ARS Attack 🟠 - I'm expecting a cagey game, so chances might be few and far between

🎯 Differential Pick: Watkins (6.6%) - Braced against Brighton and tends to play well against Arsenal!

🍒 Bournemouth vs Chelsea 🔵

Bournemouth:

• Teams have been going long against them to avoid their press, which has nullified a lot of their threat

• They don't look secure when they drop deep into a low block

• They've been unlucky at times recently - their attack has shown glimpses

Chelsea:

• Gave the ball away far too easily against Leeds

• Often commit a lot of men forward, and have minimal numbers behind the ball (see image)

• Palmer's return can massively improve their attacking threat

Analysis

Bournemouth's high press can definitely disrupt Chelsea's build-up and pressure their error-prone CBs. However, when their press is bypassed, they look vulnerable. Chelsea can definitely exploit this.

Chelsea play a 3-1-6 against low blocks - this system is really attacking but leaves them vulnerable if they continuously give the ball away, especially if they're up against a good attack (eg. Bournemouth).

I expect Bournemouth to cause Chelsea some serious problems, but I also expect Chelsea to cut through them. This could be a high-scoring game, especially as Chelsea will be without Caicedo.

Prediction: Narrow Chelsea win!

FPL Ratings

• BOU Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity but I don't see a CS

• BOU Attack 🟠 - I expect them to get chances but they're not in the best form

• CHE Defence 🟠 - DEFCON opportunity but I don't see a CS

• CHE Attack 🟢 - Bournemouth have been vulnerable, especially when teams force them backwards

🍬 Everton vs Nottingham Forest 🌳

Everton:

• Play a 4-4-2 and like to press high (see image)

• Have struggled to finish chances this season

• Keane's absence in GW14 changed their midfield dynamics (KDH had to play deeper)

Nottingham Forest:

• Also play a 4-4-2

• Have looked good in attack under Dyche - MGW, Jesus and Hutchinson, in particular

• Struggled to break Wolves' 5-4-1 down (NFO would probably prefer to be the ones sitting deep)

Analysis

Both sides play a relatively similar system, so I expect them to cancel each other out at times. This could be similar to Everton's game with Bournemouth - two teams that play very physical, direct football.

In general, I think this will be a tight game and expect both sides to be very evenly matched.

Prediction: Draw!

FPL Ratings

• EVE Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity + a fair chance of a CS

• EVE Attack 🟠 - It will probably be quite a tight game

• NFO Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity + a fair chance of a CS

• NFO Attack 🟠 - It will probably be quite a tight game

🎯 Differential Pick: Jesus (0.9%) - Can see him causing Everton's CBs some issues with his movement

🎯 Differential Pick: Neto (8.4%) - 3 goals in the last 4 games (only played 45 mins vs Leeds)

🔵 Manchester City vs Sunderland 🐈‍⬛

Manchester City:

• Have looked very vulnerable in transition + when the opposition gains momentum

• Will overload central areas

• Are devastating whenever teams give them space to play quick combinations

Sunderland:

• Will set up in a deep 5-4-1 low block (see image)

• Brobbey looked like a handful at times against Liverpool (City have struggled to deal with long balls)

• Can sometimes lack end product in the final third

Analysis

Sunderland kept Liverpool quiet, but City are a different beast. I expect them to find their way through Sunderland's block and put Sunderland under serious pressure.

Sunderland use a 4-4-2 mid-block - City ripped through Fulham's 4-4-2 mid-block, so it will be interesting to see if they can do the same to Sunderland.

I think Sunderland will have dangerous moments in transition, but I expect City to outgun them.

Prediction: City win!

FPL Ratings

• MCI Defence 🔴 - Don't expect DEFCON and their defence looks wobbly (because they don't get much DEFCON, it's either red or green for City at the moment)

• MCI Attack 🟢 - I expect City to score 2+ goals

• SUN Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, but I don't see a CS

• SUN Attack 🟠 - They're not the best attack, but City have been vulnerable

🎯 Differential Pick: Cherki (3.6%) - Not confident he'll start but, if he does, this is his type of game

⚫️ Newcastle vs Burnley 🍷

Newcastle:

• Will press high and be physical in midfield

• Can struggle to break teams down

• Sit in a 4-5-1 mid block

Burnley:

• Will sit in a 4-4-2 (see image)

• Often let themselves down with errors + poor defending

• Tend to open up in the second half

Analysis

I think Burnley can definitely frustrate Newcastle, but they always seem to fall away in the second half. I expect Newcastle to score multiple goals in this game.

Newcastle can be vulnerable in transition (when they dominate the ball) but Burnley's attack is very light.

Prediction: Comfortable Newcastle win!

FPL Ratings

• NEW Defence 🟢 - Strong clean sheet opportunity

• NEW Attack 🟢 - I expect Newcastle to create a good number of chances

• BUR Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity but a CS is unlikely

• BUR Attack 🔴 - They're not very threatening

🎯 Differential Pick: Livramento (3.0%) - Good chance of a CS and could chip in with an attacking return!

⚪️ Spurs vs Brentford 🐝

Spurs:

• Often struggle to create chances in open play

• Can be ripped apart in transition

• Sit deep in their 4-4-2 (at times), which lets the opposition grow into the game

Brentford:

• Will likely move back to a 4-4-2 (see image - can also be a 5-3-2 when Dango drops into a WB position)

• Don't have the strongest block, but have serious attacking threat on the counter

• Defence + Kelleher can be error-prone

Analysis

If Spurs dominate the ball, I expect Brentford to slice through them in transition. However, I think this game will open up and become more back-and-forth.

Brentford have the stronger attack, but the result is harder to predict if it's back-and-forth.

Prediction: High-scoring draw!

FPL Ratings

• TOT Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity but I don't see a CS

• TOT Attack 🟢 - I expect this game to open up!

• BRE Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity but a CS is unlikely

• BRE Attack 🟢 - I expect this game to open up!

🎯 Differential Pick: Dango (1.0%) - Should get chances on the counter!

⚪️ Leeds vs Liverpool 🔴

Leeds:

• Usually play a 4-5-1 but successfully used a 5-3-2 (see image) against Chelsea

• Can be forced quite deep at times

• They press high and get a lot of bodies in central areas

Liverpool:

• Struggle to break teams down (circulation is really poor)

• Defence has looked better recently

• Poor defensive set-piece record

Analysis

I think Chelsea were poor against Leeds. Liverpool should be able to force Leeds deep and, if they sustain pressure, Leeds can be vulnerable. However, Liverpool are in terrible form and Leeds' front 2 of Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin has looked dangerous.

If Liverpool give the ball away often, they'll get stung on the counter too many times and will lose control. Also, if this game opens up and becomes end-to-end, either side could take advantage (would usually be Liverpool, but they're in terrible form).

Prediction: Tight Liverpool win!

FPL Ratings

• LEE Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity and a small chance of a CS

• LEE Attack 🟠 - Could cause Liverpool a few issues

• LIV Defence 🟠 - Decent DEFCON + CS opportunity but they're in poor form

• LIV Attack 🟢 - I expect Liverpool to put Leeds under pressure for sustained periods

🎯 Differential Pick: Calvert-Lewin (0.8%) - 2 goals in 2 games, and he should get chances on the counter!

🕊️ Brighton vs West Ham ⚒️

Brighton:

• Have improved defensively as the season has gone on

• Conceded 2 set-piece goals against Villa

• Have a lot of attacking quality, but can be caught in transition

West Ham:

• Drop very deep off the ball and invite pressure (see image)

• Can be dangerous in transition when they're on it

• Look really slow and demoralised at times

Analysis

I expect Brighton to dominate the ball and think they'll break through West Ham's block. Against Villa, Brighton looked vulnerable to simple long balls over the top to Watkins - this got Villa back into the game (BHA were 2-0 up). Wilson could definitely provide a similar threat.

West Ham are hard to predict as we don't know which West Ham will turn up!

Prediction: Brighton win

FPL Ratings

• BHA Defence 🟢 - Good CS opportunity

• BHA Attack 🟢 - I expect them to dominate and create a lot of chances

• WHU Defence 🟠 - Decent DEFCON opportunity but I don't see a CS

• WHU Attack 🟢 - This is the type of game their attack can do well in

🎯 Differential Pick: Minteh (9.8%) - Wasn't at his best against Villa but he's always Brighton's biggest threat on the ball + Diouf is a good matchup for him

⚪️ Fulham vs Crystal Palace 🦅

Fulham:

• Will most likely set up in their 4-4-2 (see image)

• Were cut open against City + Andersen was poor

• Chukwueze and Kevin are settling → their attack looks a lot more threatening

Crystal Palace:

• Will set up in their 5-4-1

• Don't have a direct replacement for Sarr's speed in behind

• Can be vulnerable in more back-and-forth games

Analysis

This should be tight. Neither side typically gives much away with their solid mid and low blocks. I expect this to be a low-scoring affair.

If this game has a winner, I think it will be decided by moments - either sheer brilliance or big mistakes.

Prediction: Tight draw!

FPL Ratings

• FUL Defence 🟢 - Good CS + DEFCON opportunity

• FUL Attack 🟠 - I don't think we'll see many goals

• CRY Defence 🟢 - Good CS + DEFCON opportunity

• CRY Attack 🟠 - I don't think we'll see many goals

🎯 Differential Pick: Chukwueze (0.2%) - In good form and looked really sharp against Man City (scored a brace)

🐺 Wolves vs Manchester United 👹

Wolves:

• Set up in a 5-4-1 (see image)

• Struggle to create chances from open play

• They open up as games go on

Manchester United:

• Can struggle to break low blocks down

• Have been vulnerable in transition when playing low blocks

• Thrive when games are open, and there's space for the likes of Bruno, Mbeumo and Cunha

Analysis

I expect Wolves to make life difficult in their 5-4-1 (see image), but I think United will break them down. If Wolves get a result, they need to ensure this game doesn't open up and become too chaotic.

Strand Larsen is a big threat on the counter, but Wolves lack a creator to feed him. United, on the other hand, have a lot of firepower and can be devastating when games are open.

Prediction: Could be very tough, but United win!

FPL Ratings

• WOL Defence 🟠 - Decent DEFCON opportunity + small chance of a CS

• WOL Attack 🟠 - I don't think we'll see them score many goals but United can be vulnerable

• MUN Defence 🟢 - Decent CS opportunity

• MUN Attack 🟢 - I expect them to get a lot of chances as the game goes on

🎯 Differential Pick: Cunha (3.6%) - Against his old club and could be key to unlocking Wolves' low block

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