🔮 GW18 Preview 🔮
⭐️ Breaking Down Every Game
⭐️ Rating FPL Prospects
⭐️ Predicting Results
👹 Manchester United vs Newcastle ⚫️
Manchester United:
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Will likely press high (see image)
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Their CBs look vulnerable in transition
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Are missing Bruno's creativity, plus Amad and Mbeumo's speed
Newcastle:
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Will set up in a 4-3-3
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Hard to stop in transition
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End-to-end games can backfire against them (eg. Chelsea game)
Analysis ✍️
I expect Newcastle to cause United issues with their high press and create good chances in transition. If the game becomes end-to-end, I don't expect United to outscore Newcastle.
Prediction: Newcastle win!
FPL Ratings
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MUN Defence 🔴 - Not expecting a CS
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MUN Attack 🟠 - I think they'll get chances, but their attack is missing 3 starters
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NEW Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity with a decent chance of a CS
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NEW Attack 🟢 - I think the floodgates could open in this game
🎯 Differential Pick: Gordon (3.1%) - Picked up 2 assists against Chelsea, looked sharp and is on pens!
🌳 Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City 🔵
Nottingham Forest:
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Will defend in a 4-4-2 (see image)
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Haven't been too difficult to break down under Dyche
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Without Wood, they lack a target-man to build transitions around
Manchester City:
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Will dominate the ball -> central overloads + Cherki will be the main methods of chance creation
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Haaland is razor sharp at the moment
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Can be vulnerable in transition
Analysis ✍️
I think City will cut through Forest and score a few goals. Forest can cause problems on the counter, but I don't expect them to hurt City enough to stop the onslaught.
Prediction: City win!
FPL Ratings
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NFO Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity
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NFO Attack 🟠 - Could be a red, but City have looked vulnerable at times
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MCI Defence 🟢 - Good CS opportunity
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MCI Attack 🟢 - I expect City to score 2+ goals
🎯 Differential Pick: Cherki (8.4%) - Played well against West Ham and was unlucky not to return; he's an assist machine!
🔴 Arsenal vs Brighton 🕊️
Arsenal:
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Happy to sit in a compact 4-4-2 shape without the ball (see image)
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Jesus' return could improve their attacking dynamics (one to watch)
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Their attack can struggle to blow teams away
Brighton:
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Looked very open against Liverpool (lots of space in transition)
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Will press high and open up
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Without the ball, they drop into a deep and compact shape (it's not the hardest block to break down, though)
Analysis ✍️
Brighton are always dangerous in the big games. However, they've looked vulnerable to long balls in behind their defence, and they gave Liverpool a lot of space in transition.
I think Brighton can definitely make the game competitive and even score against Arsenal, but I don't think they'll be able to keep the Gunners quiet.
Prediction: Arsenal win!
FPL Ratings
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ARS Defence 🟠 - I'm not completely confident in a CS, but there's still a decent chance of one
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ARS Attack 🟢 - There could be a lot of space in transition
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BHA Defence 🔴 - Not expecting a CS + they don't really hit DEFCON
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BHA Attack 🟠 - I think they'll get some chances
🎯 Differential Pick: Odegaard (1.6%) - Looks like he's nailed in the 10 role, and he should get some space in this game!
🐝 Brentford vs Bournemouth 🍒
Brentford:
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Attack in a 4-2-3-1
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Dangerous in transition (even without Ouattara)
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Their defence can be error-prone when isolated
Bournemouth:
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Have conceded 11 goals in their last 3 away PL games
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Look open whenever they get countered
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Will press high (see image) and can be very hard to contain when they're in full flow
Analysis ✍️
This game could be cagey, or it could completely open up. If it opens up, both sides have enough firepower to score multiple goals.
I think Ouattara might be a big miss in this one!
Prediction: Bournemouth win!
FPL Ratings
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BRE Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, but I don't see a CS
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BRE Attack 🟢 - Bournemouth have been very open away from home
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BOU Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, but a CS is very unlikely
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BOU Attack 🟢 - If this opens up, they can cause serious damage
🎯 Differential Pick: Evanilson (1.9%) - He's so unreliable in front of goal, but I can see him causing Brentford's CBs some issues!
🍷 Burnley vs Everton 🍬
Burnley:
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Have been playing a 4-4-2 that becomes a 5-4-1 at times (see image)
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Their attack struggles to create chances
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They always seem to give away cheap opportunities
Everton:
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Aren't as dangerous without Ndiaye
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Can struggle to break defences down
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Lack a clinical CF
Analysis ✍️
I think Burnley can frustrate Everton when they sit in their 4-4-2, but I don't trust them to stay solid for the full 90 minutes.
Although I expect Everton to get chances, I'm not confident they'll be precise enough in the final third to blow Burnley away.
Prediction: Tight game, Everton win!
FPL Ratings
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BUR Defence 🟠 - Small chance of a CS
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BUR Attack 🟠 - Not the worst game, but they aren't dangerous in the final third
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EVE Defence 🟢 - Decent DEFCON opportunity + a good CS opportunity
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EVE Attack 🟠 - I don't see them scoring freely in this game, especially without Ndiaye
🎯 Differential Pick: Alcaraz (0.1%) - Very low owned and will likely start in the 10 role!
🔴 Liverpool vs Wolves 🐺
Liverpool:
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Will dominate the ball
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Haven't been as creative without Salah
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Looked vulnerable from set pieces against Spurs
Wolves:
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Will sit very deep in a 5-3-2 (see image)
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Look vulnerable in transition whenever they open up
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Aren't clinical in the final third
Analysis ✍️
I expect Wolves to keep Liverpool quiet for long periods. Liverpool haven't looked that dangerous in possession recently, so this could be a tough game for Slot's side (Arsenal struggled to create chances against Wolves).
Prediction: Tight game, Liverpool narrowly win!
FPL Ratings
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LIV Defence 🟢 - Good CS opportunity
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LIV Attack 🟢 - Could be low-scoring, but if Wolves open up, it could be a big win
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WOL Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, but a CS is unlikely
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WOL Attack 🔴 - Their attack is poor
🎯 Differential Pick: Frimpong (4.6%) - Fairly likely to start and will be playing as a winger (listed as a DEF)
⚒️ West Ham vs Fulham ⚪️
West Ham:
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Have been playing a 4-3-3 (see image)
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Can be quite easy to play through
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Get a lot of bodies in central areas, so they force turnovers fairly often
Fulham:
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Will set up in a 4-2-3-1
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Can be vulnerable on the counter when they open up
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Generally quite tough to score against
Analysis ✍️
I expect Fulham to keep West Ham fairly quiet and think they'll create chances against Nuno's 4-3-3.
However, I think there's a chance this game becomes quite chaotic - if this happens, West Ham may have the advantage.
Prediction: Draw!
FPL Ratings
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WHU Defence 🟠 - Not expecting a CS
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WHU Attack 🟠 - Not the best game, but they should still get opportunities
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FUL Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, with a decent chance of a CS
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FUL Attack 🟢 - They'll probably create some high-quality chances
🎯 Differential Pick: Raul (2.5%) - Scored against Forest, is on pens, and I expect him to cause West Ham's CBs some issues!
🔵 Chelsea vs Aston Villa 🥷
Chelsea:
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Struggled to deal with Newcastle's press
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Their attack is dangerous (Palmer's back)
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Got caught on the counter at St James' Park
Aston Villa:
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Happy to sit in their 4-4-2 (see image)
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Rogers was clinical in transition against United
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Things are going their way at the moment
Analysis ✍️
I think Chelsea will dominate possession, but I expect Villa to have moments in transition. Maresca played Palmer more towards the LHS against Newcastle, which limited his impact on the game.
On the whole, I think Chelsea will get the better chances in this game.
Prediction: Chelsea win!
FPL Ratings
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CHE Defence 🟠 - Decent DEFCON opportunity, but a CS is a big ask
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CHE Attack 🟢 - I think they'll create good chances
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AVL Defence 🟠 - Good DEFCON opportunity, with a small chance of a CS
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AVL Attack 🟠 - Chelsea looked vulnerable against Newcastle
🎯 Differential Pick: Garnacho (0.6%) - Was very involved against Newcastle and should've returned!
🐈⬛ Sunderland vs Leeds ⚪️
Sunderland:
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Have been playing a 4-4-2 recently (see image)
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Their defence is tough to score against
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Their attack can be underwhelming
Leeds:
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Have been using a back 5 (5-3-2 or 5-4-1)
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Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of the last 5 games
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They're tough to break down + their physical midfield makes it hard to dominate them
Analysis ✍️
I think this will be a slow, cagey game. Sunderland don't give much away, but neither do Leeds.
When comparing both attacks, Leeds feel like the more dangerous side at the moment.
Prediction: Tight game, draw!
FPL Ratings
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SUN Defence 🟢 - Decent DEFCON opportunity, with a fair chance of a CS
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SUN Attack 🔴 - I don't think they'll create too many chances!
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LEE Defence 🟢 - Decent DEFCON opportunity, plus a good CS opportunity
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LEE Attack 🟠 - I expect Sunderland to make life difficult for them
🎯 Differential Pick: Calvert-Lewin (7.5%) - He's in amazing form, and he's still somehow a differential!
🦅 Crystal Palace vs Spurs ⚪️
Crystal Palace:
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Very hard to break down in their 5-4-1 (see image)
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Less threatening without Munoz and Sarr
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Have been vulnerable from set-pieces recently (conceded from 2 long throws and a corner against Leeds)
Spurs:
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Hardly create anything in open play
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Dangerous from set-pieces
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Simons and Romero are suspended
Analysis ✍️
I expect Palace to keep Spurs very quiet and create chances in transition. However, without Sarr and Munoz, it's hard to see Palace scoring too many goals.
Prediction: Palace win!
FPL Ratings
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CRY Defence 🟢 - Good CS + DEFCON opportunity
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CRY Attack 🟠 - Should get chances, but not sure how clinical they'll be in the final third
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TOT Defence 🟠 - Not expecting a CS
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TOT Attack 🔴 - Can only see them scoring from a set-piece
🎯 Differential Pick: Yeremy (0.3%) - Clearly a good player, and Palace need him to start performing!