Pingreen is back with his tips for FPL week 21, as he shares why you should have some Manchester United cover in your team and keep faith in an out-of-form Arsenal forward.
Hello FPL fans! My name is Pingreen, and I’m back to share my top picks for Gameweek 21 and beyond, right here on SportsCasting. I finished 700th in the world in 2022/23 and ranked 1,330th last season, so make sure you take my advice seriously.
Last week saw two Premier League managers lose their jobs in Sean Dyche and Julen Lopetegui – and if you don’t start gaining places in the family mini league, you could be next.
Pingreen’s FPL Week 21 Tips
Captain Pick
Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m) – SOU (H)
Before I talk about who my captain pick is, I’ll quickly mention why it isn’t Mohamed Salah for once. The Egyptian faces a very tricky away trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, who are joint 2nd for the fewest goals conceded in the division this year. If anyone can still have success, it’s Salah, but that doesn’t mean I think there aren’t better options this Gameweek.
The best of those alternatives for me is Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder is in fine form at the moment, with goal contributions at Anfield and The Emirates in the last week.
But let’s be honest, the main reason he’s my captain pick is because he faces a woeful Southampton defence. They are giving up a league-high 2.30 xG per 90 this season and have also conceded a league-high 44 goals. I’m backing Bruno to heap more misery on the Saints.
Defender
Noussair Mazraoui (£4.4m) – SOU (H)
Not to pile on Southampton too much, but my defender pick is also part of the United team who play them this week.
As well as their league-high goals conceded, the Saints also have the league-low number of goals scored. Even a Manchester United side that has had their defensive troubles this season should be able to keep a clean sheet in this home fixture.
None of their defenders offer any outstanding attacking threat, but Mazraoui comes in at a very affordable 4.4m and has started 18 out of their 20 games this season, making his minutes look very secure. He has only registered one goal contribution this campaign, but if there’s ever an opponent to add to that against, it’s this one.
Midfielder
Eberechi Eze (£6.6m) – LEI (A)
After a rocky start to the season, Eze and Crystal Palace are back up and running. The attacking midfielder has 3 goal contributions in his last 3 games, finally cashing in on some of that 0.49 xGI per 90 he has been averaging this campaign.
I’d be surprised if he didn’t pick up a goal or an assist for the 4th game on the trot this week with the Eagles’ trip to Leicester. Ruud van Nistelrooy hasn’t steadied the ship as much as fans may have wanted, with the Foxes having conceded 2 or more goals in their last 6 outings.
Forward
Kai Havertz (£7.8m) – TOT (H)
Watching the German striker miss multiple chances in Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Manchester United on Sunday and also failing to convert his penalty in the shootout – I wasn’t expecting to make Havertz my striker pick this week, but here we are.
Despite his frustrating end product at times, Havertz’s underlying numbers are still really good. His 0.61 xGI per 90 still beats out other popular striker picks like Cunha and Wood. He has 9 goal contributions on the season, which is respectable but could be a lot better.
The main reason I’ve landed on him as my striker pick is, once again, the opposition. Spurs’ defensive struggles continue, with a makeshift backline of Spence, Gray, Drăgușin, and Porro. Their 1.68 xGA per 90 is the 5th highest in the league and doesn’t look like getting any better until they get more defensive starters back from injury. I expect a lot of goals in this North London derby, especially for Arsenal.
