FPL Team of the Week Features Arsenal Focus for Burnley Clash

With just two weeks remaining in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, managers are looking for high-impact picks, and the upcoming fixture list presents a standout opportunity: Arsenal at home against Burnley. The Gunners, who are chasing a league title, face a Burnley side with a leaky defence, making their attacking assets particularly appealing for FPL managers.

This week's FPL Team of the Week, assembled with a £100m budget for a Free Hit scenario, heavily features Arsenal players, alongside other strategic choices aimed at maximizing returns in the penultimate gameweek.

Key Facts

Goalkeeper and Defence Selections

In goal, Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford (£4.8m) is a notable pick, facing Crystal Palace at home. Kelleher has shown a pattern of clean sheets every other week since Gameweek 29, and with Palace potentially rotating players ahead of their Europa Conference League final, a clean sheet is a strong possibility.

Arsenal's defence is well-represented, with Gabriel (£7.3m) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (£5m) both featuring. Gabriel has been a consistent performer, with only one blank in his last eight games, including an 11-point haul last week. Lewis-Skelly, who might even play in midfield, offers an additional route to defensive and potential attacking returns against Burnley.

Elsewhere in defence, James Tarkowski (£5.7m) of Everton is included after a 15-point haul in his last outing. Malick Thiaw (£4.9m) from Newcastle United is another "defensive contribution" (defcon) monster who has been close to a big points return lately, facing a West Ham side that has struggled to score.

Midfield and Forward Punts

Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) of Manchester United is highlighted as a potential "exploder" against Nottingham Forest, needing two assists to break the Premier League single-season record. His teammate Casemiro (£5.9m) is also an interesting choice, having scored in his last three home games and potentially playing his final match for the club.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.2m) from Everton is presented as a differential pick, offering affordability and consistent returns in four of his last five games, with a favourable fixture against Sunderland.

Upfront, Erling Haaland (£14.6m) remains a staple despite Manchester City's recent wobble, as he is in goal-scoring form and City are pushing for the title. However, the standout captain pick for the week is Viktor Gyokeres (£9m) of Arsenal.

Captaincy Pick: Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal's home fixture against Burnley is seen as a prime opportunity to boost their goal difference, which could be crucial in the title race. Gyokeres's home form is particularly impressive, with nine league goals compared to five away. His home xG (expected goals) of 6.2 is significantly higher than his away xG of 3.5. Statistically, he averages 0.52 goals per game at home compared to 0.25 away. He also delivered a 16-point haul in his previous home match against Fulham, making him a compelling captain choice for this gameweek.

Igor Thiago (£7.3m) of Brentford is another forward to consider, despite missing a sitter in his last home game. He returned six points and had two big chances, suggesting a goal haul is due.

Bench Options for Flexibility

The suggested bench includes Bernd Leno (£4.9m) from Fulham, James Garner (£5.2m) of Everton, James Hill (£4.2m) from Bournemouth, and Rio Ngumoha (£4.3m) of Liverpool, providing cost-effective options and potential cover.

FPL managers should consider these insights as they finalize their teams, keeping in mind the strategic advantages offered by Arsenal's fixture and the individual form of key players in these crucial final weeks of the season.

Fuente: BBC Sport Football RSS https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1d2x5glrwlo?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss