Our weekly Chaps Choices article provides Fantrax managers with a Fantasy EPL Sleepers XI. These hints and tips will give you a better chance of picking up a victory each gameweek. Use our starting eleven of Premier League differential picks to find your golden ticket to a big score; one of our GW5 sleepers could easily make the difference in a Head-to-Head game!
We’ll be focusing on players that will bring us not only attacking returns or clean sheets, but also those players that score “ghost points” on the sophisticated and statistics based Togga scoring model!
For this article, we use the ownership statistics from Fantrax. Our only rule is that each player we highlight is required to have ownership of 60% or below at the time of writing. This way there’s a good chance these players will be free agents in your Draft League!
Fantasy EPL Gameweek 5 Sleepers XI
**60% ownership or below**
GK: Angus Gunn
Team: Southampton
Opponent: Sheffield United (Away)
Ownership: 7%
Prospects: The foundation of any good side is the goalkeeper, so let’s take a more detailed look into why we’ve picked out Angus Gunn for GW5. Firstly, the Saints goalkeeper is the fourth highest scoring keeper on Fantrax so far this season, having amassed 27.25 points in four games at an average of 6.81 points per game. Consequently, Gunn has been in top form before the International Break, his performances have help Southampton keep one clean sheet so far, however reader, we expect plenty more.
Perhaps Gunn isn’t a fashionable choice, but with a trip to Sheffield United we believe Gunn can score big. For instance, Gunn doesn’t necessarily need a clean sheet for a big score. Moreover, in GW4, Gunn amassed 12 points in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
GW5 Points Scored: 17.25
DEF: Enda Stevens
Team: Sheffield United
Opponent: Southampton (Home)
Ownership: 57%
Prospects: We are going to continue to punt on Stevens in our Sleepers XI until he eventually goes over the 60% ownership threshold. So why do we keep including Stevens? Well chaps, the predominant reason is that he is playing in a side that despite being newly promoted have kept one clean sheet and sit eighth place in the Premier League. During the opening four game weeks Stevens has been on fire, being a mainstay of our Hot/Cold player form rankings. As EPL draft managers, we want results. Therefore you should look no further than Stevens impressive statistics, total of 42.75 points averaging 10.69 points per game is exceptional.
In a similar vein to Gunn, it appears largely irrelevant as to whether Stevens needs a clean sheet for big points. On the contrary to a regular scoring matrix, players can score very highly in Fantrax scoring from ‘ghost’ points (for example, points for interceptions, crosses and tackles); something Stevens is able to use to his advantage. Looking towards GW5, opponents Southampton have improved offensively but still have the potential to draw a blank in front of goal. If Stevens is available in your league reader; sign him up immediately.
GW5 Points Scored: 4.75
DEF: Matthew Lowton
Team: Burnley
Opponent: Brighton (Away)
Ownership: 21%
Prospects: Burnley offer an excellent opportunity for a defensive return this game week, traveling to a Brighton side that has failed to score in their last two fixtures. With the more preferred defensive options Pieters (71%), Tarkowski (79%) and Mee (71%) all likely to be taken in your EPL Draft league, we’ve singled out Lowton as a potential GW5 streamer. Averaging 7.12 points per game, Lowton is capable of picking up good weekly points haul, as his 9.25 points scored in the GW3 1-1 draw with Wolves would suggest.
We wouldn’t be doing our job properly if we didn’t highlight the risk that selecting Lowton can bring. In the two games where Burnley have conceded more than one goal, Lowton has scored poorly; barely registering a point. This is down to the fact Lowton offers very little going forward, so will rely heavily on keeping a clean sheet. If however, you are concerned by your opponents Burnley clean sheet potential at Brighton; then Lowton can provide you with some comfort as a GW5 streamer.
GW5 Points Scored: 7.5
DEF: Jan Vertonghen
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Opponent: Crystal Palace (Home)
Ownership: 57%
Prospects: Vertonghen returned to the Spurs starting XI in GW4 having sat out the earlier rounds for reasons we can only speculate. For Spurs, it has been an average start to the season, with only five points from the opening four games, and a defense that is shipping goals left, right, and center. In fact, so far this season Spurs have conceded six goals; not what you’d expect from a top-four side.
However, with Vertonghen, they have a proven Premier League defender of the highest quality in their ranks. It is also very likely that Vertonghen will have the bit between his teeth as he will look to prove a point to manager Mauricio Pochettino. Spare a thought for GW5 opponents Crystal Palace who are absolutely flying at the moment, despite their main player, Zaha, underperforming. Sitting in fourth place, Palace is in unchartered territory; but we don’t expect it to last, surely not? All aboard the Spurs clean sheet chaps, Vertonghen and co will get it done!
GW5 Points Scored: 13
DEF: Issa Diop
Team: West Ham
Opponent: Aston Villa (Away)
Ownership: 50%
Prospects: We backed Masuaku in GW3 and again in GW4. This game week we are sticking to the West Ham defense as a resurgence from the opening day 5-0 defeat to Manchester City continues. Whilst Masuaku’s ownership continues to climb, taking him above our 60% ownership threshold; Issa Diop offers an excellent alternative option. Diop is a defensive wall for West Ham, making 10 clearances and winning seven interceptions so far this season on route to one clean sheet. GW5 presents another newly promoted team for Diop as the Irons travel to Aston Villa who has goals in them. But chaps, we just can’t look past how good West Ham looked against a free-scoring Norwich City; we’re backing the Iron for their second clean sheet of the season.
GW5 Points Scored: 13
MID: Will Hughes
Team: Watford
Opponent: Arsenal (Away)
Ownership: 57%
Prospects: It has been a poor start to the season for the Hornets, as a result, Head Coach Javia Gracia paid the price with his job. Yet there has been a sting in the tail of one player, young attacking midfielder Will Hughes has provided the smallest joy to Watford fans and 57% of EPL Draft managers. Hughes has racked up 42.5 points on Fantrax this season, head and shoulders above the second-highest scoring Watford player (Andre Gray with 24 points). This impressive start will serve Hughes well as new Head Coach, the returning Quique Sanchez Flores will undoubtedly retain the midfielder in the starting XI. With London rivals Arsenal up next for Watford, we’d expect what normally happens after the introduction of a new Head Coach; in improvement in form. Certainly, Arsenal are liable to a defensive mistake; and having conceded six goals already this season, we are backing Hughes to continue his rich vein of form. If you’re a little bit nervous about jumping on the Watford train, it might be worth checking out the recent article written by @the_innergeek!
GW5 Points Scored: 3
MID: Scott McTominay
Team: Manchester United
Opponent: Leicester (Home)
Ownership: 57%
Prospects: Unlike his predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as we know, is a huge fan of investing time into and playing youngsters. McTominay has been one of the younger generation United players to benefit from Solskjaer’s philosophy; starting in all four opening rounds of this season’s Premier League. As a result, McTominay has flourished, both in terms of performances and in Fantrax points; returning 29.5 points from a more defensive role is, I’m sure you’ll agree, no mean feat.
Many EPL Draft analysts (that’s right reader, I just used ‘analyst’ – I’ll expect plenty of heat for that) make reference to a good Draft side requiring a midfielder that regularly churns out a steady flow of points. That player isn’t going to grab the limelight, nor win the golden boot, but is worth his weight in gold for his side. McTominay is beginning to give the impression that he is capable of being this very player. Popping up with the occasional assist and goal here and there, but ultimately churning out an average of seven to eight Fantrax points per game to keep your side ticking over. Whilst McTominay might not be a desirable choice, he has the potential to be a handy player to stream.
GW5 Points Scored: 10
MID: Christian Atsu
Team: Newcastle
Opponent: Liverpool (Away)
Ownership: 29%
Prospects: Despite missing the first two-game weeks Christian Atsu has started this season incredibly well, scoring 30 points in the two games he has played. Our colleague, @draftgenie wrote about Atsu in this GW5 waiver wire targets. Given the rapid increase in ownership over the past fortnight; it would appear many in the EPL Draft community are also taking note of Atsu’s recent performances. Be that as it may, game weeks don’t come much harder than playing Liverpool away. For Atsu, who picked up his first attacking return of the season with an assist in GW4 against Watford, it isn’t all bad news. Liverpool has conceded goals; three in total so it isn’t impossible for Atsu to score. OK, that is a bit tongue-in-cheek reader, I apologize. However, Newcastle have already shocked Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-0 win; who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? Also, Atsu scored 16.5 points in the surprise upset of Spurs, despite not picking up an attacking return. Something to ponder.
GW5 Points Scored: 19
MID: Harvey Barnes
Team: Leicester
Opponent: Manchester United (Away)
Ownership: 36%
Prospects: Another youngster impressing on the Premier League stage, Harvey Barnes has performed admirably this season given his limited game time. However, limited game time might well be set to change. As @draftgenie pointed out in the GW5 waiver wire targets article; Barnes is likely to benefit from the poor form of Ayoze Perez. Leicester is an extremely offensive side, therefore if Barnes can cement his place in the starting XI, he will undoubtedly benefit from the attacking chances that Leicester will create. We fully expect Barnes to start in GW5, with United being not exactly watertight at the back we are predicting plenty of goals!
GW5 Points Scored: 1.5
FWD: Callum Robinson
Team: Sheffield United
Opponent: Southampton (Home)
Ownership: 21%
Prospects: Callum Robinson has really taken to life in the Premier League, and Chris Wilder has put a great deal of faith in the summer signing; starting him in all four fixtures so far. Whilst Robinson has been a constant threat, he has only returned a single goal so far. However, this goal was a crucial one as Sheffield came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea. Robinson’s personal tally on the day was a huge 18 points, leaving him on 22 Fantrax points for the season. Given the available options under 60% ownership on Fantrax, Robinson would be a really useful third or fourth choice striker that you can stream as and when required into your side. Most importantly, we must point out that Robinson picked up an injury whilst on international duty that might force him to miss GW5. Therefore we will be watching closely to the updates from @BenDinnery and suggest you do the same!
If Robinson fails his fitness test; look no further than fellow Sheffield United forward Oliver McBurnie (14% ownership). Like Robinson, McBurnie has settled into Premier League life well, scoring a goal against Leicester in GW3.
GW5 Points Scored: 0
FWD: Adama Traoré
Team: Wolves
Opponent: Chelsea (Home)
Ownership: 21%
Prospects: Traoré? I’m not reading any more. OK, fair enough reader; the categorization of Traoré as a forward on Fantrax is an issue that will put some readers off from this selection. We can understand why you might think that we are clutching at straws; particularly as Traoré will not start as a forward. But that is the key point; “going to start.” Whilst Traoré might not start as a forward, he will start; which is more than to be said for the likes of Jay Rodriguez at Burnley or Watford’s Danny Welbeck. The foundation for this selection of Traoré is that he will be playing in the prosperous right wing-back position that Wolves attribute much of their attacking intent. Remember that last season Doherty picked up nine attacking returns (four goals and five assists) from this position.
Traoré has now had a full 90 minutes under his belt, so whilst the attacking returns have of yet alluded him; we are certain he will get himself into the game this week against a Chelsea defense that have shipped the second-most goals in the Premier League.
GW5 Points Scored: 8
Gameweek 5 Sleepers XI:
Team Points – GW5: 97
Team Average Score – GW5: 8.8 points per player
Average Ownership – GW5: 37% Fantrax ownership
Previous Sleepers XI Editions: GW1 | GW2 | GW3 | GW4 |
Looking for a better way to play Fantasy Soccer? Our Fantasy EPL 101 looks into the world of ‘Draft’ Fantasy EPL, providing details of how it works, and why it is the best version of the game!
Follow The Fantasy Football Chaps on Twitter @TheFFChaps for all the latest!
The Fantasy Football Chaps specialize in EPL Fantasy Soccer. They have been playing the draft format of the game for many years, and are our resident soccer experts! The English duo is obsessed with everything English Premier League, after falling in love with soccer as children growing up in the 90s. Icons such as Shearer, Beckham, Zola, and Bergkamp introduced them to the game… current stars such as Kane, Aguero, Salah, and Vaz Te are keeping the obsession going! The Chaps joined Fantrax HQ in June 2019, taking over as EPL Content Leads. The Norwich City fans will bring weekly articles analyzing several aspects of Fantasy EPL! Find The Chaps on Twitter @TheFFChaps for all the latest.
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