FPL GW15 Fixture Wise Review | Players that Caught our Eye

Here in this blog, we review the stats and key numbers from FPL GW15 including United’s first game under Ralf Rangnick. Written by @deevyaparekh

FPL GW15 Fixture Wise Review

Manchester United (0.90) 1 – 0 (0.43) Crystal Palace

Man United Formation:

Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge had United line up in what was essentially a 4-2-2-2. Rashford was, as had previously been speculated, the player who was making early runs in behind to try to stretch the defense when United won possession while Bruno and Sancho operated in the half-spaces behind the two ‘strikers’ to create however they did bomb on past them on occasion to suggesting some fluidity in their shape.

Ronaldo dropped deeper on occasion to link-up play with the two central midfielders but took up positions in the penalty box often suggesting he’s going to remain the chief goal threat and get shots off from high-quality zones at a good rate. The fullbacks were high and wide and key elements of the build-up which bodes well for both Telles (5.0) and Dalot’s (4.4) chances of holding onto first-team spots.

Another key element of the play evident from the average position map above, United had Bruno (18) and Sancho (25) both operating in the left half-space with Alex Telles (27) overlapping down the left flank hence creating an overload and numeric advantage down that left side and a lot of their chance creation in the first hour came from that side. The left-sided tilt of their average position map backs this up. Seems like a tactical plot employed by Rangnick and might be another benefit for Sancho and Telles in their creative outputs.

Key player stats from Man United vs Crystal Palace

Bruno Fernandes (11.6, MID) took up a position as one of the two attacking midfielders playing further forward than I had expected personally but he still did primarily operate in the half-spaces and around the box. The Portuguese midfielder had 3 shots, only 1 in the box, and 2 chances created for a game-high xGI of 0.56.

Cristiano Ronaldo (12.3, FWD) had elicited some discussion before Rangnick’s first game but on the evidence of this game, his threat and penalty box presence is going to be undiminished under the new manager. He had a game-high 5 shots, 4 from inside the box with 1 chance created, had the highest penalty box touches this game with 8, and had an xGI of 0.33.

The average position map above might suggest that Ronaldo was deeper than both Rashford and Sancho and while he did drop deep to link up play, his individual heat map below shows his big presence in the penalty box and is very encouraging from an FPL point of view.

Alex Telles (5.0) was one of the players to benefit most from the new manager and the system. He played high and wide on the left flank and had the benefit of being in space to cross on more than one occasion due to a left-sided overload created by him, Sancho, and Bruno Fernandes. He also took some set pieces here to boost his appeal further if he can hold onto his spot. He had 2 shots, 0 from inside the box and 1 chance created, attempted 9 crosses completing only 2 of them, for an xGI of 0.30.

Jadon Sancho (8.9, MID) operated primarily in the left half-space as previously discussed however was able to enjoy more freedom on the ball than previously in his time at the club due to having an overlapping fullback in Telles to draw a defender and also a tactic that involved Bruno operating in the same area for an overload. He had 1 shot, taken in the box and created 2 chances for an xGI of 0.17 in his 62-minute appearance before being subbed off for Greenwood (who operated on the right side rather than the left) and as his heat map below shows, he did have a decent presence on the ball inside the penalty box which bodes well for his influence in goal creation. Keep an eye on his safety of minutes in the next few game weeks, however.

Marcus Rashford (9.4, MID) played highest up the pitch constantly making runs in behind to stretch the play however his individual heat map suggests that his central average position isn’t fully indicative of his role as he was wide on the left and right side most often. The Englishman had 0 shots but created 3 chances for an xGI of 0.20.

Diogo Dalot (4.4, DEF) was high up the pitch and showed some good link-up play in attack and become another potential budget gem if he can hold off Wan-Bissaka for the starting right-back spot.

Crystal Palace were solid if stifled today, Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha, and Connor Gallagher looking good again.

Tottenham Hotspur (1.43) 3 – 0 (1.33) Norwich City

Dean Smith has done a good job at Norwich City since his appointment and has given them renewed hope of survival. He oped to line them up as a 5-3-2 this game and even though it seems like a comprehensive defeat, underlying numbers show that they were better than the scoreline might suggest in this game.

Antonio Conte was still without the injured Christian Romero and Emerson Royal missed out resulting in Tanganga starting right wing-back (over Doherty). Reguilon owners can consider themselves unlucky as the wing-back picked up a yellow card before picking up an injury and being subbed off in the first half. He has, however, expressed on social media that he’s likely to be back very soon.

Key player stats from Norwich vs Spurs

Harry Kane (12.3, FWD) has played well linking up play and anchoring the Spurs’ attack but continues to struggle for goals in FPL terms. In a premium fixture, Harry Kane managed 5 shots, 2 from inside the box for an xG of 0.42 but failed to score. A hurtful blank for owners who are likely to look to spend the money more effectively at this point of time.

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Heung-min Son (10.4, MID) was clinical and delivered a double-digit return for owners here. He had 3 shots, 2 from inside the box, and 4 chances created for an xGI of 0.42 but came away with a goal and an assist.

Ben Davies (4.4, DEF) is an interesting player from this Spurs team. He’s operating further forward than a typical center-back, much like Azpilicueta was for Antonio Conte in his title-winning season at Chelsea. The defender managed 1 shot, taken in the box and a statistical ‘big chance’, and had 2 chances created for an xGI of 0.37. He ended with 2 assists in addition to the clean sheet.

Having gotten 2 ‘big chances” over the last 3 GWs in an improving defense at a basement price of 4.4, Ben Davies is a very interesting proposition for managers looking to move away from big at the back and pump more money into their midfield and forward lines. His heat map below shows how we operate in left spaces further forward up the pitch than the typical centre-back, proving an underlapping left-sided passing option while the left wing-back overlaps out wide.

Teemu Pukki (5.9, FWD) continued to make a good impression. He had 2 shots, both from inside the box and 1 chance created for an xGI of 0.55.

Leeds United (1.18) 2 – 2 (1.03) Brentford

The main talking points coming out of this revolved around the strikers for both teams – Patrick Bamford was fit enough to return to the bench for Leeds after a long layoff while Ivan Toney missed out due to suffering from Covid, likely resulting in him missing their next 2 games.

Canos played as a striker alongside Mbeumo for Brentford. Leeds opted for what seemed like a 3-3-1-3 on paper at the start of this game with Luke Ayling returning from injury and getting a start while Tyler Roberts led the line. A first-half injury for Cooper meant he was replaced by Jack Harrison forcing a slight reshuffle of shape. Patrick Bamford came on for the final 20 mins and with his only shot of the game, snatched a point for Leeds deep into added time.

Key player stats from Leeds vs Brentford

Sergi Canos (5.5, MID) played OOP in Toney’s spot and had a good performance. He had 4 shots, all from inside the box, 2 big chances, and created 1 chance for a game-high xGI of 0.79 including a very impressive 0.77 from xG. Bear in mind that Canos will revert to his wing-back role most likely when Toney does return in a couple of games but it’s one to keep an eye on in the event that he displaces Bryan Mbeumo in the future. He’s also a cheap and high upside one-week punt against Watford for anyone looking for a budget midfielder.

Bryan Mbeumo (5.5, MID) put up decent numbers as he always does. 4 shots, 2 from inside the box, and 1 big chance created for an xGI of 0.30 for the Frenchman.

For Leeds, even though Tyler Roberts did put up strong underlying numbers, it would be expected that he’ll forego the striker spot for the returning Patrick Bamford. Bamford (7.7, FWD) came on for the last 20 mins and scored off his only shot of the game, a ‘big chance’ inside the box created by another returnee, Luke Ayling.

Raphinha (6.7, MID) looked to operate mainly in wider areas of the pitch without getting into the box all that much, managing 1 shot, taken from outside the box and 4 chances created including 1 big chance for an xGI of 0.40. He bagged his first assist of the season.

Aston Villa (2.21) 2 – 1 (0.94) Leicester City

Gerrard’s Aston Villa look more and more impressive with every passing week in their 4-3-3 structure. They had young Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia on either side of Ollie Watkins as their front 3 in this game having lost Leon Bailey to injury and Danny Ings still being unfit. For Leicester City, it’s worrying times. Their results haven’t been good and just as worryingly, neither have their underlying metrics specifically their defensive numbers which are really poor. Patson Daka started this game in place of Jamie Vardy which can be assumed to be a change to protect Vardy due to the high number of games and intensity of his play and his age.

Key player stats from Aston Villa vs Leicester City

My big takeaway from watching Villa under Gerrard is Matty Cash (5.0, DEF) on the cusp of a fixture turn after their next game. Gerrard’s Rangers team had attacking fullbacks playing a prominent part in their offense and Cash is showing some very positive signs. The full-back had 3 shots, all from inside the box and created 2 chances for an xGI of 0.39. His heat map attached below shows the areas he’s taking up and receiving possession inside the box meaning he’s a player I’m actively looking to bring in as he’s someone with potential for points at both ends of the pitch.

In this Villa team brimming with options, Ollie Watkins (7.5, FWD) is another great one. The forward had 2 shots, both ‘big chances’ from inside the box, and created 2 chances for an xGI of 0.72. Owners were unlucky not to have returns from him and he’s another player who could do very well over Villa’s upcoming run.

John McGinn (5.8, MID) had no shots but created 3 chances including 2 big chances hence notching up an xA of 0.53.

An interesting performance from the talented Jacob Ramsey (4.5, MID) playing one of the flanks, He had 2 shots, both from inside the box including 1 big chance and also created 2 chances including 1 big chance for an xGI of 0.43. He might not keep a hold of his spot when Ings or Bailey are fit but should he do so, he shoots up to being the best 4.5m option in midfield in the game.

For Leicester, a pretty subpar performance overall with a few silver linings. Patson Daka (7.1, FWD) comes with a strong previous pedigree and he did manage 2 shots, both from inside the box and 3 chances created here but as with him and Iheanacho, they’ll struggle for minutes in this shape with Vardy fit.

A player I like when fit and firing is Harvey Barnes (6.5, MID). He managed a full 90 mins notching 2 shots from inside the box and 1 chance created for an xGI of 0.25.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 16:

What is FPL CUP? What are the rules? How to win the 2021/22 FPL CUP?
2021/22 FPL Chip Strategy: What to do with the Elusive Boosts

We have also made an elaborate guide covering every rule and chip available in FPL for the 2021/22 FPL Season ~ 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League Season Rules, Tips | The Ultimate Guide

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