Every Fantrax manager knows that Waiver Wire and Trade acquisitions can make or break your Fantasy EPL season. This weekly article is here to help managers pick up the best Premier League players possible from the waiver wire, as well as suggest players to potentially target for a trade with a fellow manager!
Here we outline Fantasy EPL Waiver Wire Targets that have 30% ownership or below on Fantrax. These players will also have a favorable run of fixtures upcoming, so they could perform very well over the upcoming period! Trade Targets will be players who look set to do well over the upcoming period, but their ownership statistics suggest they are probably taken in most draft leagues!
Essential reading before the Tuesday waiver requests process!
Gameweek 24 Waiver Wire Targets
Oliver McBurnie
Position: Forward
Team: Sheffield United
Ownership: 14%
Average Points per Match: 6.1
Next 5 Fixtures: MCI (H), cpl (A), BOU (H), BRI (H), avl (A)
Prospects: McBurnie has scored 10+ points in his last two starts including a goal and 22 total headers. Any forward that has the ability to win 10+ headers a game will be a FWD3 with a solid floor. While Benteke is famous for doing nothing, but winning 15+ headers a game, a few others a starting to rival his specialty trait. McBurnie is one of them, and he has some favorable fixtures coming up against some terrible defenses. I would look to use a mid-tier waiver wire claim on McBurnie ahead of Gameweek 24. He should be in line for more starts with his performances improving each week.
Bernardo
Position: Defender
Team: Brighton
Ownership: 11%
Average Points per Match: 6.6
Next 5 Fixtures: bou (A), whu (A), WAT (H), shu (A), CRY (H)
Prospects: Bernardo has been doing a solid job filling in for the injured Dan Burn. Most recently he scored 14.25 points with no attacking returns and no clean sheet. Bernardo is great in the air and likes to get forward giving him attacking potential. Brighton has a great run of fixtures coming up against low scoring teams. This would make Bernardo a solid DEF2 until the end of February. The Brighton left back is a must-add ahead of Gameweek 24, especially if you lack defenders with consistency. I would use a mid-tier waiver wire claim on Bernardo with the expectation of a high floor and the odd attacking return.
Ryan Bertrand
Position: Defender
Team: Southampton
Ownership: 19%
Average Points per Match: 4.4
Next 5 Fixtures: cpl (A), liv (A), BUR (H), AVL (H), whu (A)
Prospects: Bertrand managed 8.25 points in a game where he conceded 3 goals. Over recent weeks the once fantasy darling Bertrand has improved his ghost points output. Southampton as a whole has improved defensively, with the exception of this loss to Wolves, making Bertrand a solid add for the weeks ahead. Bertrand can be considered a DEF3 with upside due to his ability to get forward and pump in crosses. I would look to add Bertrand as an upside defender if you have 1-2 steady defenders already. The Saints left back is worth a low-end waiver wire claim unless you are in desperate need of defenders for Gameweek 24.
Gameweek 24 Trade In Target
Nicolas Pepe
Position: Forward
Team: Arsenal
Average Points per Match: 9.2
Next 5 Fixtures: che (A), bur (A), NEW (H), EVE (H), mci (A)
Prospects: Pepe has started 3 consecutive EPL games, completing 90 minutes in the last two. He also has two double-digit returns in that span and could be set for a nice run of form. Pepe shares set-piece duty with Ozil but also fills up the start sheet nicely. The dynamic winger loves to dribble and shoot from distance helping to rack up the fantasy points. As Pepe starts to find his feet in the EPL he could easily have FWD1 value. I would recommend trading him in ahead of a decent run for Arsenal. I would give up a MID2 + DEF2/FWD3 to get in Pepe. Look to offer players such as David Silva, Anderson, Ward-Prowse, Pukki, McNeil, Targett, and Soyuncu to get in the Arsenal winger.
Check out if any of these Fantasy EPL Trade Targets are still available: Week 20 Waiver Wire | Week 21 Waiver Wire | Week 22 Waiver Wire | Week 23 Waiver Wire |
Looking for all the details of the new Premier League signings? Check out Part 1 of our January Transfer Analysis for all the details!
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