RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 20 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! Well done, fellow FPL managers. You've made it through the busiest period of the season. After Gameweek 20, there's a 10-day gap for us to catch our breath and gather our thoughts heading into the second half of the campaign.
The game of the weekend will have all eyes descending on Anfield when the fiercest rivalry in England (yes, I said that) when Liverpool welcomes Manchester United. One team is flying high while the other is starting (another) rebuild. It should be an interesting contest!
The Gameweek 20 deadline for the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, January 4, at 6:00 a.m. ET, when Spurs hosts Newcastle. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 20 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 20!
Next stop: Matchweek 20 🚂 pic.twitter.com/bhpb6jbKzT
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2025
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 20?
Euan Leith: Fulham is bang average (11th) in terms of conceding goals at home. However, Ipswich is tied with Southampton for the lowest expected goals (7.7) scored away from home.
The Tractor Boys have overperformed on the road this season and are due some regression at Craven Cottage. Meanwhile, the Fulham defense has underperformed at home in terms of goals allowed, so Saturday feels like a good time to balance the expected scales.
Jamie Steed: Liverpool’s kept four clean sheets at Anfield this season. I expect them to make it five against Manchester United on Sunday. The Red Devils are close to rock bottom, losing their last three games without scoring. They’re in shambles and unlikely to trouble Liverpool’s backline.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I’m backing Liverpool to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 20. The Reds are sure favorites to win the title this season and will be looking to start off the New Year with a win against 14th-placed Man United, who have conceded 11 goals in their previous five matches.
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Euan: Lewis Hall (£4.8m) was fantastic versus Manchester United on Monday, and I expect Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, will continue to exploit that weakness. The Reds have had more time off than their rivals, so Andy Robertson (£5.9m) should retain his starting spot and have a chance to torment the Red Devils on Sunday.
Jamie: Antonee Robinson (£5.0m) has more assists (seven) than any other defender this season. Fulham hosts an Ipswich Town side that just beat Chelsea. But they have conceded 17 goals on their travels this season (tied for fourth-most). Robinson is in a great spot to extend his lead in assists at the position.
Wale: Antonee Robinson stands out as an excellent attacking option in Fulham’s defense. In the first half of the season, the American international has 24 chances created and provided seven assists to his name. Robinson is my go-to defender to rely on for an attacking return when Fulham hosts Ipswich next.
Antonee Robinson leads the way for assists by defenders 👊#FPL pic.twitter.com/WJQNWFkMRB
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 30, 2024
Best Midfielder or Forward Who Isn't Rostered
Who is rostered in 10 percent of teams or less who can grab those FPL points?
Euan: Joelinton (£6.0m) from Newcastle has been filling his boots in recent weeks for the 1.5 percent of FPL managers that have him in their sides. Three of the midfielder's five attacking returns have come in the previous two games, and a date with a very leaky Spurs defense gives the Brazilian another opportunity to add to his growing tally.
Jamie: Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) has scored in his last four starts at Anfield. He’s also got five attacking returns in his last six games. I’ve already mentioned how bad of a place Manchester United is in right now. Gakpo should benefit from their inability to defend any ball into their penalty area.
Wale: Even with the absence of Arsenal’s ‘Star Boy’ Bukayo Saka (£10.3m), the Gunners’ attack has sprung into life in recent weeks, scoring nine in their last three matches. One player high on my watchlist from Arsenal’s frontline is Gabriel Jesus (£6.8m).
Since Gameweek 17, the Brazilian has amassed 30 FPL points and is in red-hot form with five attacking returns for Arsenal in that timeframe. With 7.5% ownership, Jesus is a solid differential option.
Gabriel Jesus this season:
Gameweeks 1-16 - No goals or assists
Gameweeks 17-19 - Five goals and assistsIs the £6.8m @Arsenal forward fast becoming an #FPL must-have? 💰 pic.twitter.com/LArcgCaxss
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) January 1, 2025
Who is a Player You Want but Can’t Get for Gameweek 20 in FPL?
Euan: Despite a 15-point haul in Gameweek 19, I'm not sure I can bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m). First off, the goal was a little lucky with a deflection, but his price point is too hard to justify with other attacking options like Lewis Hall, Antonee Robinson, Daniel Munoz (£4.7m), and Nikola Milenkovic (£4.7m) costing so much less.
Jamie: I’ve only got two Liverpool players but would need to take a minus to bring in a third and maximize on their game this week. It’s not something I want to risk if they opt to rotate things a bit. Luis Díaz (£7.6m) might give me some FOMO this weekend if they don't alter their attack.
Wale: One player I would love to have this weekend but can’t bring in, thanks to his high price tag, would be Man City’s Erling Haaland (£14.8m). Man City ended their poor run of form last time against Leicester; this week, the Cityzens would be buzzing to improve their performances when they welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium.
Did I forget to mention the 24-year-old has seven goals scored in his last five outings against the Hammers? Well, it's too bad, as it will be a big miss not having Haaland in my FPL team for Gameweek 20.
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Euan: This is a little boring for the game, but it's a rinse and repeat with Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) until further notice.
Jamie: Sticking with the theme of the week, I can’t risk not captaining Mo Salah. He’s already surpassed 200 FPL points and loves playing against Manchester United. Salah has faced them 11 times in the last five seasons in all competitions. He has 14 goals and six assists in those games. Salah should be able to add to those numbers.
Wale: As Liverpool fans sing, “Mo Salah, Mo Salah, Running down the wing, Salah, la, la la, the Egyptian King!” Liverpool is set to host Man United in the Northwest Derby, and I expect Mohamed Salah to get on the scoresheet against the Red Devils.
There's no point in overthinking it; Salah gets the armband for me this weekend.
Mo Salah is head and shoulders above the rest 😮💨#FPL pic.twitter.com/xTrnlXUthF
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 30, 2024
What’s your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 20?
Euan: Liverpool has scored six, three, and five goals in their previous three games. Therefore, it'll be a surprise when they only squeeze out a 2-0 win over Man United on Sunday.
In FPL land, Fulham sweeps the high-scoring awards with Bernd Leno (£5.0m), Antonee Robinson, Alex Iwobi (£5.9m), and Raul Jimenez (£5.5m) topping their respective positions.
Jamie: Crystal Palace makes it four consecutive games without a win for Chelsea. Eberechi Eze (£6.6m) outscores Cole Palmer (£11.4m) in the process.
Wale: My bold prediction for the weekend would be that Liverpool secures a 3-0 home victory against an out-of-form Man United side. Man City’s Erling Haaland scores a brace and racks up a double-digit return for FPL managers, while Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo gets an attacking return against Everton.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
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