Welcome back for another article.
Another really strong gameweek takes us into the Top 10K for the first time this season. 63 points all out, and a green arrow to 8K. O'Reilly with a brace, Van Dijk with a clean sheet and assist for 11 points, those two carrying the week again. 🚀
Patience in Van Dijk has well and truly been paid off. When he wasn't putting up the points every week I maintained in the team selection articles that Liverpool's defensive data was very good and there was a lack of clear alternatives to sell him for. However, in O'Reilly's case, I'll hold my hands up that's incredibly lucky. He was a potential sell a few weeks ago for me but Pep opted to move him into midfield where he's been unbelievable. 3 goals in 2 games from a defender is crazy.
Given his blank in GW31 as well I'm hoping there's low buy pressure despite his form. I actually bought him for 5.2m and he dropped all the way to 4.9m and didn't expect to get any of that money back but he has risen to 5m. Very relieved to have given him the start; it was a very very close call between him and Mukiele who had Fulham home, and came off injured after 12 minutes. 🤕
A disappointing week from Rogers, Enzo and Thiago who all had great fixtures, Rogers with Leeds home, Enzo Burnley home and Thiago Brighton home. In hindsight it was definitely a mistake to buy Rogers; my gut feeling was the injuries to Kamara particularly plus Tielemans and McGinn would have a very negative impact. We've been here before when Kamara gets injured and Villa results clearly affected. Le Fee had Liverpool home and it didn't make sense to buy Dango when he had Arsenal which was why I went Rogers. We haven't got the transfers to chop and change him now, which could also be a mistake as Rogers to a Schade or Dango could be a really good move this week.
🧤 Goalkeeper
Dubravka has Brentford home this week but the clean sheet odds favour Raya, so he gets the start. Not a bad week to use Dubravka though depending on your other keeper.
🛡️ Defenders
The back 3 is unchanged: Gabriel, O'Reilly and Van Dijk.
Lower clean sheet odds this week, no teams are above 40%. Arsenal joint top with Burnley on 38%, then Liverpool, Man Utd, and Newcastle 36%. Man City, Bournemouth, Villa 34%.
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West Ham have struggled aerially this season: 103 headed goal attempts conceded is worst in the league which could favour Van Dijk if the right ball finds him.
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Van Dijk has won 133 aerial duels this season, most in the entire league.
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O'Reilly plays Leeds away where he's expected to continue playing in midfield. 25 shots this season is second most among all defenders, likewise 61 touches in the penalty area (2nd top after Timber). 4.67 expected goal involvement.
If I was on triple defence I'd consider moving off the third, whoever that is—Saliba or Timber. I'd consider that if you don't own Van Dijk, or Hill, or Andersen. Happy to stick it out with double defence with Raya and Gabriel until GW31.