FPL top picks for Gameweek 24
Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 24. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.
Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 24 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.
Note: This article was written before Gameweek 23 started. Any changes in terms of injuries will be updated upon its republishing as we draw closer to the Gameweek 24 deadline.
Fixtures
Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures. This will help us pick out some of the best options for Gameweek 24.
Goalkeepers – Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea seem to be improving at the back lately. At the time of writing the Blues have managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League. They face a Southampton team who rank the joint second worst for goals scored (four), fifth worst for attempts on goal (66), joint third worst for shots in the box (38) and joint fourth worst for big chances total (eight).
The stats indicate that investing in the Chelsea defence could be very beneficial. Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.6m) could be the cheapest and most reliable option. At the time of writing the Spaniard has collected 29 points in his last three matches whilst also securing two double-digit hauls. Taking all of those factors into account, Kepa is an easy inclusion into the top picks for Gameweek 24.
José Sá
Wolves may have shown instability at the back this season but things could be on the up after keeping two clean sheets in their last three Premier League matches. Wolves have also been improving on their defensive stats in the last several matches.
The most significant factor towards the backing of José Sá (£5m) is their opponent in the round ahead. Bournemouth have been poor lately. In fact, they have failed to score in six of their last eight matches in all competitions. The Cherries also rank as the worst for goals scored (one), third worst for attempts on goal (57), the worst for big chances total (four) and the worst for shots on target (17) amongst all teams in the last six. Because of that Sá joins the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Fraser Forster
Another team that seem to be showing signs of improving at the back is Tottenham. In their last six matches they have managed to keep three clean sheets, keeping out the likes of Manchester City and Fulham.
Tottenham face a West Ham side who rank the third worst team in the league for shots on target (19) so the potential for a clean sheet is there. It has been confirmed that first team goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is injured and will be out for up to eight weeks. Because of this Fraser Forster (£3.9) is likely start until his return.
Defenders – Reece James
We have already seen that Chelsea are improving at the back. In their last six matches they rank joint second best clean sheets kept (four), joint third best for goals conceded (four) and third for big chances conceded (six). This indicates that Chelsea may be more investable in defence moving forward.
Chelsea have relied heavily upon their attacking defenders in the past. Having to cope without Reece James (£5.7m) has proven difficult because of the offensive threat he offers. James proved his attacking capabilities in one of his most recent Champions League matches where he scored, assisted and kept the clean sheet against AC Milan. James could have bags of potential against Southampton and for that reason walks into the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Manuel Akanji
Manchester City may not be keeping as many clean sheets as we would hope but their stats suggest that they have the potential to. In the last six matches they rank joint second best for shots in the box conceded (39), second best for attempts on goal conceded (58) and second best for shots on target conceded (14).
Finding a cheap but reliable asset within the Manchester City defence could be tough but Manuel Akanji (£5m) could be exactly that. He faces a Nottingham Forest team who rank amongst the worst five teams in the league so far this season for goals scored.
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle have been outstanding this season. Defensively elite Newcastle continue their impressive run at the back. In their last six matches they rank first for goals conceded (one), first for clean sheets kept (five), first for shots on target conceded (nine) and the best for big chances conceded (three).
If you are considering selling Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) don’t and if you are considering buying him then do. He ranks top for chances created and big chances created amongst all defenders this season and faces a Liverpool team who have conceded more big chances than any other team in the league in the last six matches. Do not go without Kieran Trippier.
Ivan Perisic
We have already seen the recent uptake of clean sheets for Tottenham which increases the appeal of their assets. Their opponents West Ham have shown inconsistencies all season but most recently they’ve also failed to score in three of their last six matches.
Interestingly, the Hammers rank joint worst in the league for attempts from set plays conceded (31). This could hugely benefit the likes of wingback Ivan Perisic (£5.5m) who takes some set pieces. With five assists already this season, the Croatian has multiple routes to points in this one and for that reason has to be considered within the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool may be struggling to maintain consistency this season. However with key players back in training like Diogo Jota, we could see a quick turnaround. They also have the potential to double in Gameweek 25, so investing in them early could be beneificial.
The Reds have a fixture against Newcastle in Gameweek 24. Although defensively strong they have struggled to score lately. In fact, they have failed to score in three of their last 10 matches. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) could have potential this week and amongst defenders he also ranks second behind Trippier for crosses (36), successful crosses (11), chances created (10) and big chances created (five) in the last six matches. Taking all of those factors into consideration, Trent Alexander-Arnold makes the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Midfielder – Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal continue to dominate the Premier League as they sit top of the pile. A lot of that is to do with their free flowing attackers. In the last six matches they rank joint second for goals scored (12), first for attempts on goal (103) and first for shots in the box (73). Because of that it will be hugely beneficial to invest in the Arsenal attack.
One player many should consider is Martin Ødegaard (£7m). The midfielder is in fantastic form and the fact he has picked up six double-digit hauls this season reflects just how explosive he can be. As well as being a fine creator he also loves to shoot. In fact, amongst all midfielders in the last six he ranks second for attempts on goal (19). With a game against Aston Villa next, Ødegaard has to be considered amongst the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Bukayo Saka
Many could be questioning why the Arsenal offensive options continue especially when Aston Villa have improved under their new manager. However their opponents have kept just two clean sheets in the last six matches. In the same period they also rank second worst for big chances conceded (20) and interestingly rank amongst the worst six teams for crosses and chances conceded down their left flank.
Most of Aston Villa’s defensive fragilities in the last six matches could play into the hands of Bukayo Saka (£8.3m). Saka takes his teams penalties which gives him an additional route to points. The winger has already created seven goals and seven assists this season and could well extend that against Aston Villa.
Riyad Mahrez
Manchester City have averaged more than two goals scored per match in the Premier League this season so investing into their attack could be key long term. They also rank joint second for big chances total (18) in the last six matches.
Riyad Mahrez (£7.7m) seems to be becoming reliable again in terms of minutes, starting the last four Premier League matches in a row. In his last six matches he has accumulated an impressive 40 points, averaging 6.6 points per match. The Algerian midfielder is fantastic when given the chance and whilst he’s in favour he is an easy addition to the top picks in Gameweek 24.
Marcus Rashord
Manchester United may have been hindered by their recent draw against Leeds, but their offensive line should not be underestimated. In the last six games they rank joint second for goals scored (12), third for total attempts on goal (85) and joint second for shots on target (28).
One player every fantasy manager should have in their teams is Marcus Rashford (£7.2m). The midfielder has proven to be captaincy material over the last several weeks. Picking up 47 points in his last six matches whilst also averaging 7.8 points per game in that same period. Rashford is in unavoidable form and for that reason cements his place amongst the top picks for Gameweek 24 especially against a poor Leicester.
Kaoru Mitoma
Brighton are scoring plenty of goals lately and that’s what we want as potential investors. No team in the league has scored more goals then them in the last six matches (15).They face a Fulham side who this season rank the worst team in the league for big chances conceded (66).
Kaoru Mitoma (£5.3m) should be on every managers radar. In the last six matches amongst all midfielders he ranks joint second for goals (four), joint second for attempts in the box (13) and joint second for big chances total (five). The Brighton midfielder has also notched up two back-to-back hauls in his last two matches whilst also returning in the three before that. In great form and with a great fixture, Mitoma walks into the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Erling Haaland
Manchester City’s attacking numbers are fantastic and they face a newly promoted side next up. Their opponents may have improved defensively lately but the last time Nottingham Forest faced a good attack they lost 3-0 (Manchester United).
Erling Haaland (£12.2m) has huge potential in Gameweek 24. Sitting as the highest scoring player in the game and in relentless form, not only should Haaland be considered as an absolute essential but he also stands out as the most obvious captaincy option.
Eddie Nketiah
Arsenal have fired themselves all of the way to the top of league this season. This campaign the league leaders have netted two or more goals in a whopping 14 matches. Their attack has been relentless excluding the odd match so investing heavily into their attack could be key, especially with their great fixtures ahead.
Until Gabriel Jesus is fully fit, Eddie Nketiah (£6.8m) leads the deadly attack. In the last six matches amongst all forwards he ranks third for goals (four), third for attempts on goal (21), joint second for attempts in the box (20), joint third for big chances total (seven) and second for non penalty expected goal involvement (5.17). Eddie Nketiah has to be considered amongst the top picks for Gameweek 24.
Harry Kane
Some within the FPL community may be surprised by Tottenham’s offensive stats this season. Amongst all teams they rank third for goals scored (41) and second for shots on target (116) so investing in their attack could be key.
Harry Kane (£11.8m) is the standout option and one of the best in the entire game. Sitting as the second highest scoring player in FPL, Kane has been extremely consistent. Amongst all players in the league in the last six matches he ranks joint second for goals (five), joint first for attempts on goal (28), first for shots in the box (22) and joint second for headed attempts on goal (eight). Harry Kane is one of the best options going into any given Gameweek so is an easy inclusion into the top picks for Gameweek 24.
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