The rankings are back! As the Premier League returns to action after the FA cup break, so does our rankings article as we look at the ones to watch ahead of Gameweek 25. With 14 weeks of heart-stopping action to come, we look at the players to select each week which will assist you in guiding you closer to your Fantrax draft league title.
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GameWeek 25 FPL Draft Rankings
As well as viewing the stars, these rankings should help to find the odd diamond in the rough. Here are your rankings ahead of yet another crucial Premier League match day.
Goalkeepers
Despite Tottenham’s porous defence of late, Hugo Lloris tops our Goalkeeper rankings. Spurs are due a clean sheet and Newcastle’s visit to town represents a good chance of an overdue shut out. In a similar vein, Chelsea’s Kepa Arizabalaga will be looking to put the demons of the midweek horror show at Bournemouth to bed when goal shy Huddersfield come to Stamford Bridge. You’d think the theme of “Huddersfield, nil” will continue as this week’s scores are recounted.
It’s no coincidence that Burnley’s up turn in fortunes have coincided with the return of Tom Heaton. The FPL draft hero of two years ago is well on truly back in the fold and it seems he is good enough to roll out in the vast majority of fixtures. This weekend’s match up against Southampton is a favourable one.
Differential Pick – Artur Boruc’s trip to Cardiff City represents a good chance for a number of saves coupled with a decent probability of keeping a clean sheet.
Defenders
Lucas Digne’s suspension coupled with the fact that Marcos Alonso seems to finally have fallen out of favour has made the choosing which defender tops the rankings this week a lot easier. It seems harsh to pick on Newcastle after their midweek heroics against Manchester City but I fully expect Tottenham and Kieran Trippier to enjoy a good day at the office in Saturday’s early kick off. A clean sheet supplemented by attacking returns is a real possibility.
Another big week should also be in the offing for this year’s FPL draft hero. Matt Doherty continues to delight owners, the majority of which didn’t even draft him last summer. Wolves are in a good vein of form and few would be surprised to see it continue against an inconsistent Everton. If they do, Doherty will no doubt be a vital part of it.
Tackling machine Aaron Wan Bissaka sees himself in nosebleed territory this week thanks to his match up against Fulham. Attacking returns should be added to his normal, dependable defensive numbers.
Differential Pick – Jan Bednarek is putting up some great numbers in recent weeks and could arguably be higher up in the rankings. The anticipated aerial bombardment provided by Burnley this week should suit the 189cm Bednarek just fine and he should make sure that he scores enough through defensive contributions to mean a clean sheet is not essential. If you fancy going really left field, “defender” Jeffrey Schlupp could come in at left wing for the suspended Wilfried Zaha.
Midfielders
This is where the rankings get really interesting. There may be star men with better fixtures on paper but an open, attacking game against Arsenal should suit Kevin De Bruyne down to the ground. If Arsenal’s recent “performance” at Liverpool is anything to go by, Manchester City should fancy their chances to stick a few past Bernd Leno and the Belgian should be at the centre of it. Whoever gets the nod between David and Bernardo Silva should also have a good chance to fill their boots.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s sterling fantasy performances should continue against Wolves this week while another Tottenham man in Christian Eriksen sees himself high in the rankings, mainly as he is their only remaining creative midfielder. Those Eriksen owners who watched on in disbelief in midweek as he turned in a big fat zero against Watford will be expecting him to make amends.
Rivalling Doherty for fantasy pick of the year is Ryan Fraser. He deservedly takes 4th place in the rankings thanks to his consistently outstanding performances. Cardiff City away represents another chance to add to his vast collection of assists.
Differential Pick – Andros Townsend should take the reigns for Crystal Palace in the absence of Zaha. James Ward Prowse has now scored in three consecutive games, meaning an already impressive fantasy asset is getting even better. His ownership of 52% is baffling.
Forwards
Eden Hazard is a no-brainer for the top of the forwards rankings. During Chelsea’s midweek embarrassment, Hazard still managed a more than respectable 16 points. Who do you want to face when you’re out of form? Huddersfield. Six games without a goal should come to an end for Chelsea’s talisman while Gonzalo Higuain will fancy his chances of rewarding those who used their first waiver claim on him.
Once again, we are spoiled for choice in our forward rankings. Sergio Aguero will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing that Arsenal defence while Mo Salah is…Mo Salah. Fernando Llorente is unlucky to only come it at 12th such is the strength of the forwards pool this season.
Differential Pick – Ashley Barnes is becoming a differential favourite this season thanks to his non-goal dependant scoring. Southampton at home is another fixture for Barnes owners to look forward to. Josh King score more points than anyone (80 points), largely thanks to an inspired haul of 42 points against Chelsea in midweek. You’d be brave to bet against him adding to his eight goals this term this week against Cardiff City.
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