FPL top picks for Gameweek 33

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 33. 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 33 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.

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.

Goalkeepers – Robert Sanchez

Brighton rank first on the fixture ticker for the round ahead. This season amongst all teams they rank within the best five teams for shots in the box conceded (201), shots on target conceded (94) and big chances conceded (43). Because of this investing in the Brighton defence could be beneficial.

There has been some rotation between both of Brighton’s goalkeepers so making sure we monitor news will be key. However, at the time of writing Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) started the last match for his side, indicating he could be one to go to.

Emi Martinez

Aston Villa have a game against Fulham next up. Since their new manager has taken over Aston Villa have experienced significant improvements. One of the positions to have made huge progress is the defence. An example of this is the fact that they have bagged four clean sheets in their last six matches.

Their upcoming opponents, Fulham, have been shown some concerning offensive data lately. Although the promoted side have failed to score just twice in their last six Gameweeks they rank the worst in the league for shots in the box (37), joint second worst for big chances conceded (seven) and joint worst for shots on target (19). Because of this, selecting Emiliano Martinez (£5m) could be a great move.

Nick Pope

Although we have seen some recent defensive slip ups from Newcastle lately, they have still maintained some of the best stats in the league this campaign. This season they rank the best for goals conceded (24), second best for clean sheets (13) and second best for big chances conceded (42).

Newcastle face Everton in the round ahead. The Toffees have struggled in front of goal all season. In fact they rank the joint worst in the league for goals scored (24) and joint worst for goals scored inside the box (11). For that reason Nick Pope (£5.4m) eases his way into the top picks for Gameweek 33.

Defenders – Kieran Trippier

Staying with Newcastle, their defenders have been fantastic value for money this season. The fact they have a game against Everton next, one of the worst teams in front of goal this campaign, makes their defence even more investable than usual.

The standout option in the Newcastle backline is Kieran Trippier (£6.2m). The full-back sits as the highest scoring defender in the game so far this season. Taking corners and free-kicks also gives him an additional route to points. In addition, amongst all defenders in the league this season Trippier ranks first for crosses (302), first for successful crosses (109), first for chances created (86) and joint first for big chances created (19).

Alex Moreno

Aston Villa’s impressive defensive run of six clean sheets in their last 10 matches makes their defence increasingly appealing for fantasy managers. Finding a good attacking option from the Aston Villa backline has always been an issue, but that seems to have changed.

The standout option at the back is Alex Moreno (£4.5m). The full-back has been a very consistent asset lately. An example of this is that he has managed to collect five returns in his last six matches. In that same period amongst defenders he also ranks joint second for chances created (13) and joint third for big chances created (two). Moreno picked up two returns in the same games for his efforts and so makes the top picks for Gameweek 33.

Pervis Estupinan

We have already seen that Brighton have been sustaining some of the best defensive stats in the division this campaign. This suggests that the potential for the clean sheet is there. Another factor that reinforces that is their opponents offensive ability or lack of.

Nottingham Forest are struggling and currently battling relegation. Not just this but in the last six Gameweeks they rank joint second worst for goals scored (six), joint second worst for attempts on goal (66) and the worst for big chances total (six). With this in mind, Pervis Estupinan (£4.8m) could be a great option. The full-back also ranks joint second best for chances created (13). With solid clean sheet potential and attacking threat, Estupinan walks into the top picks for Gameweek 33.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have been stringing a run of positive results together for some weeks now. This uptake in form is significant and makes their already appealing assets even more attractive from a fantasy perspective. In terms of defence its been rocky but the Reds have still been sustaining some great defensive data points.

As well as clean sheet potential they have two attacking full-backs that could haul in any given game. One one of those full-backs is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m). Amongst all defenders this season Trent sits second for crosses (194), second for successful crosses (58), second for chances created (54) and joint first for big chances created (19).

Andrew Robertson

West Ham lay ahead for Liverpool. In the last six Gameweeks the Hammers rank joint second worst for goals scored (six), the worst for attempts on goal (64) and joint first worst for shots on target (19). West Ham’s concerning offensive stats make the Liverpool defence even more appealing for the round ahead.

Whilst many back his teammate Trent, some could make a move for opposite full-back Andrew Robertson (£6.8m). The Scotsman has also been impressive in terms of distribution, ranking amongst the best four defenders for chances created and big chances created this season.

Midfielders – Mohamed Salah

Liverpool may be well below their usual extremely high standard of form this campaign but they are still keeping up some great attacking data. This season amongst all teams in the league they rank third for attempts on goal (469), first for shots in the box (343), second for big chances total (97) and third for shots on target (166).

The best way into the Liverpool frontline is Mohamed Salah (£12.9m). The Egyptian has banked four returns in his last matches including two double-digit hauls of 14 and 21 points. To further highlight Salah’s up-take in form, in the last six Games weeks compared to every other player in the league he ranks joint first for goals (six), joint third for shots in the box (18) and joint second for big chances total (seven).

James Maddison

Leicester face Leeds in the round ahead. In the last six Gameweeks when compared to every other team in the league they rank the worst for goals conceded (20), the worst for shots in the box conceded (72), the fourth worst for attempts from set plays conceded (29) and the worst for big chances conceded (22). Because of this they are a team to target.

One of the best ways into the Leicester attack is James Maddison (£8.1m). The midfielder has picked up nine goals and six assists this season. He also takes set pieces which gives him an additional route to points. In addition, amongst all players in the last six matches Maddison ranks joint fifth for chances created (13) and joint third for big chances created.

Marcus Rashford

It been a very good campaign from Manchester United. The Reds sit third in the Premier League because of that. They are also looking more convincing in front of goal this season ranking in the best six teams for attempts on goal (441), big chances total (84) and attempts on goal (156).

Manchester United face a Tottenham side who have been consistently inconsistent. Conceding two or more goals in two of their last four matches, highlighting their defensive fragilities. The standout option for the Reds is Marcus Rashford (£7.1m). Rashford has bagged seven double-digit hauls this season, emphasising his explosiveness in FPL. Since the restart amongst all players he also ranks joint third for goals scored (11), joint third for attempts on goal (47) and joint second for big chances total (17).

Alexis Mac Allister

Brighton have been an exciting watch this season. One of the biggest contributing factors towards that is their frontline. This season they rank first for shots on target (172) and sit in the best four teams in the league for attempts on goal (455), big chances total (87) and minutes per chance (6.1).

One route into the Brighton attack is Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m). The midfielder takes his sides set pieces and penalties giving him more routes to points. He also sits joint second amongst all players in the last six Gameweeks for attempts (23) which highlights his hunger in front of goal.

Solly March

The appeal of the Brighton attack is heightened even more this week as they face a game against the struggling Nottingham Forest. This season the newly promoted side sit joint third worst for goals conceded (56), third worst for shots in the box conceded (311) and fourth worst for big chances conceded (75).

Nottingham Forest are a team to target and because of that, doubling up on the Brighton attack could be very beneficial. Another player who should be considered is Solly March (£5.2m). At such a good price-tag it could be difficult to exclude the midfielder. Amongst all players in his position none have created more chances than March in the last six (20). He also ranks joint second for big chances created in the same period (four).

Forwards – Ollie Watkins

Its been a fantastic season for Aston Villa as they chase for European qualification spots. To highlight their recent scoring form in the last six Gameweeks they rank second amongst all teams for goals scored (13). What is even more significant is that they play Fulham in the round ahead who rank as the worst team in the league for big chances conceded (91).

Ollie Watkins (£7.7m) has been in relentless form as of late. The penalty taker has bagged a whopping nine returns in his last 10 matches, making him the most in-form player in the league. Amongst all players in the last six he also ranks first for goals (six), joint first for shots in goal (23), first for shots in the box (22) and first for big chances total (nine). With all of this considered, Watkins was one of the first names into the top picks for Gameweek 33.

Erling Haaland

Manchester City face league leaders Arsenal in what could one of the most pivotal games this campaign. Arsenal have been amazing this season but their recent slump is a massive cause for concern conceding two or more goals in all three of their last matches.

One man who can take advantage of Arsenal’s defensive woes is Erling Haaland (£12.1m). The Norwegian has been relentless this season scoring a massive 32 goals and producing five assists. Not only this but Haaland is the highest owned and highest scoring player in the game. His explosiveness can be proved in the fact he has collected more double-digit hauls than any other player this season (10).

Alexander Isak

After a recent goal drought Newcastle look to be turning their form in front of goal around. Prior to their 3-0 loss to Aston Villa they scored two or more goals in five back-to-back matches. Everton lay ahead for Newcastle who rank joint second worst for shots in the box conceded (333) and joint third worst for shots on target conceded (156).

Everton have also conceded two or more goals in four of their last six matches, putting a big target on their back. The standout Newcastle attacker is Alexander Isak (£6.7m). The Swedish international seems to be cementing is position in the starting line-up. He has also picked up a return in four of his last six matches.