After the FA Cup break there is a midweek round of Premier League games so with that comes more Big Man Bakar FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 21.
FPL Tips: Big Man Bakar Answers The Key Gameweek 21 Questions
Top FPL tips pundit Big Man Bakar returns this midweek for Gameweek 21 as he runs the rule over some more key questions that managers will be pondering.
All in time for the FPL Gameweek 21 deadline at 6pm on Tuesday 14th January.
Q) Who is the best captain this week?
This week feels like one where captaincy is really close. Whenever the decision is this close, I prefer to have a look at the odds with the best football betting sites.
This is what they suggest: (to score or assist this week)
- Palmer 69%
- Isak 69%
- Salah 64%
- Fernandes 62%
I think Isak has the better fixture, but since the odds of him and Palmer to score are virtually identical, I prefer the Chelsea talisman as a result of superior expected minutes.
Isak’s hamstring issue increases his risk of an early substitution this week, which is enough to deter me—especially in such a tight decision. I’m comfortable betting against Salah this week.
Most will captain him, but I see an opportunity to go against the grain—Forest rank among the top three for xG conceded, lowering his usual ceiling. If you’re chasing rank, Fernandes might be worth a shout.
Dalot’s suspension along with the likely absences of Mount and Rashford means that Bruno is also likely to play in the front three, where he is likely to prosper from a FPL point of view.
Q) Why is it important to save transfers this week?
I plan on stacking up as many free transfers as possible before working out what chip strategy to opt for.
The uncertainty regarding the future blanks and doubles makes saving our transfers even more critical, as we would want to have as many free transfers in hand when information becomes available.
There will be plenty of transfers required to navigate these upcoming doubles and blanks, especially keeping in mind the need to use transfers to switch managers for the Assistant Manager chip as well.
There are plenty of unknowns at this point so it’s important to realize the need to let go of short-term gains for longer term benefits.
Q) Bruno Fernandes or Anthony Gordon if buying one this week?
I’d lean towards Bruno – I see him being more of a long term pick. Newcastle might blank in Gameweek 29 which may mean that Gordon would have to be sold, while Bruno Fernandes is likely to be a long term hold.
In fact, United have a great fixture against Leicester in blank Gameweek 29.
Q) Odegaard to Bruno Fernandes?
I think I’d make the transfer. I still think Odegaard is a good asset to hold. Arsenal should score at least a couple of goals against Spurs and I’d expect Odegaard to still be on penalties.
Having said that, I think that Fernandes is a better asset to own for the weeks to come. Southampton are by far the worst team for xG conceded this season – conceding over 2 xG per game, so chances are that any new Bruno owners are rewarded straightaway.
Q) Mbeumo to Bruno Fernandes?
I think I’d make the transfer if I can with one free transfer, but not if you need two to facilitate the switch. It does seem too much of a luxury to offload a valuable player during a time of potential fixture turmoil, especially when he’s expected to play as part of a front two against a City defence that is likely to offer plenty of spaces in behind.
Q) What to do with Joao Pedro?
Joao Pedro is an injury doubt at the moment but a combination of his cheap price, penalty duties and secure playing time make him a good asset to hold.
If you have a playable eighth attacker in the form of Rogers, Amad or Semenyo, you have ample bench cover to cover for his potential absence.
There are not too many forwards that appeal around Pedro’s price point which also helps.
Q) Semenyo – keep or sell?
Semenyo has underwhelmed this season, but his numbers suggest that he is still operating at 0.5 xGi per 90.
Bournemouth are third in the league for xG this season and have been fixture proof in terms of delivering goals irrespective of the opposition they are facing.
Hence, irrespective of the challenging fixtures ahead, I believe Semenyo remains a good long-term option.
Q) Best cheap defender to buy this week?
With doubts over Palace and Newcastle featuring in Gameweek 29, I’d lean towards a Man United defender. Man United are the bookmaker favourites for a clean sheet this week – which is not often something you get to read.
Dalot’s suspension means that Mazraoui will definitely start – and very likely as a wing-back as well. At just £4.4m, he should be good value looking at United’s favourable schedule.
What’s also crucial to note here is that he has a good fixture against Leicester in Gameweek 29, a Gameweek where some teams are expected to blank.
Q) Should Trent’s minutes be a concern?
Alexander-Arnold is an interesting one at the moment. A poor performance against Man United and the Real Madrid transfer rumours have cast some doubt over his minutes.
It’s impossible to accurately predict his minutes going forward but since he scored in the FA Cup and was taken off before the 60 minute mark, we have to assume that his minutes in the short term should be fine.
His strong fixture run and a double in 24 make him a strong pick at the moment. It’s worth noting that he leads all defenders in expected goal involvement (xGI) while playing in the league’s tightest defence based on expected goals conceded (xGC).
Q) Thoughts on Raul Jimenez?
Raul Jimenez has surely done enough to keep his spot in the Fulham team for the short-term. He’ll be good value for his price, and is more of a buy than a sell at the moment.
