FPL GW18 Fixture Wise Review | Players that Caught our Eye

Here in this blog, we review the stats and key numbers from FPL GW18 fixtures. This blog is written by @deevyaparekh do give him a follow on Twitter.

FPL GW18 Fixture Wise Review

Tottenham Hotspur (2.56) 2 – 2 (1.53) Liverpool

In a gameweek heavily curtailed by COVID postponements, Spurs vs Liverpool went ahead and was the standout game of the weekend. Spurs, finally returning to action after a nearly 2-week break, set up in a 3-5-2 system with Sessegnon at left wing-back in place of Reguilon, Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks started in a 3 man midfield with Son and Kane up top.

They came in with a strategy to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack and actually did so really well but missed the final pass or, more often, the finish required and should’ve scored more based on the chances they created. Liverpool had what’s likely their first-choice midfield trio all missing along with Van Dijk and played well in long patches but were carved open time and time again on the break. A game that saw a host of poor refereeing decisions, a red card for Andy Robertson, and a great deal of goalmouth action.

Key player stat review from Spurs vs Liverpool

Harry Kane was guilty of being uncharacteristically wasteful after an excellent early finish had put Tottenham in the lead but his xGI was hugely encouraging here with a game-high 1.38 and had a stellar set of metrics like 6 shots inside the box, 2 ‘big chances’ and 2 big chances created. Tottenham might be currently better suited to play counter-attacking football allowing this kind of goal involvement but nonetheless, very positive signs from the forward.

Son benefited similarly from Spurs’ incisive counter-attacks putting up a 1.18 xGI from 2 shots in the box including 1 ‘big chance’, 3 chances created with 2 of them ‘big chances’.

Alexander-Arnold continues to put up unprecedented numbers for a defender this season and is showing no signs of slowing down. A huge 1.34 xGI made up of a nice set of 2 shots, 1 from inside the box and 4 chances created including 1 ‘big chance’.

Jota and Mane put up 3 and 2 shots from inside the box respectively but a relatively quiet game for Mo Salah.

Newcastle United (0.34) 0 – 4 (3.17) Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne started back-to-back games for Manchester City and Joao Cancelo returned to the starting XI with Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan (both battling ankle and back issues respectively) on the bench for City’s second game within 4 days. Kyle Walker was deemed ‘not fully fit’ yet again.

City were their usual brilliant selves and created another big xG total putting 4 past Newcastle. Newcastle were denied what looked like a penalty despite a VAR review but besides that, didn’t really trouble City all that much. With the kind of football that Manchester City are playing, it would take something remarkable for someone to pip them to the league title.

Key player stat-review from Man City vs Newcastle

One-way street xGI values all around here. As is usually the case with City, even though they’ve now scored 11 goals in 2 games, their goal contributions have been spread out all across their squad.

Gabriel Jesus had standout numbers here with 3 shots from inside the box including a big chance and 3 chances created including a big chance for a game-high 1.69 xGI. He continues to struggle to convert his underlying metrics into equivalent output and doesn’t have certainty of minutes making him a risky pick even in a season without too many standouts forwards.

Raheem Sterling does well on his underlying metrics every time he plays but therein lies the problem, he’s not nailed to start even 75% of games with confidence because if he were, he’d be good value even at 10.6. He had 3 shots, 2 from inside the box, and 1 chance created for an xGI of 0.99 here.

Joao Cancelo was the star of the show from an FPL perspective bringing in a monstrous 18 points for owners. He had 3 shots, 2 from inside the box, and created a big chance for a very impressive xGI of 0.73 as a defender.

Wolves (0.29) 0 – 0 (0.81) Chelsea

Chelsea had 7 positive COVID cases in their camp but were rather bizarrely denied a game cancellation which seems a risky decision for the health and well-being of players from both sides. Chelsea started with Kante and Chalobah in central midfield while Mount Ziyech and Pulisic made up the front 3 again and again, the lack of a typical forward was evident as they struggled for fluency in the final third and couldn’t break down a well-drilled Wolves team. Wolves welcomed back Raul Jimenez and had some positive spells of possession in the game but couldn’t really create meaningful opportunities barring a Podence goal that was ruled out for offside.

Key player stat review from Wolves vs Chelsea

An uninspiring game with very little created in terms of underlying metrics. Not caught in the data but Christian Pulisic did work himself into a great opportunity, the best of the game, that was well saved by Jose Sa and would’ve been a Marcos Alonso assist. The two Chelsea fullbacks were limited to only 1 chance created each. Reece James had tucked into central midfield when Saul came on as a second-half substitute which limited his attacking forays.

Mason Mount did manage 2 shots, 1 inside the box, and created 3 chances while also appearing the most likely to make something happen on the eye test and remains the only option from the Chelsea ‘attack’ for me, currently. However, with fixtures turning and blanks upcoming for them, this isn’t the best time to buy.

Wolves have struggled for goals over their last 8 games and no one created an xGI over 0.22 from their team here today but they did limit Chelsea well defensively and their fullbacks might be ones to keep an eye on when their fixtures improve. Marcal and Hoever played wing-backs today but might both be the second choice if Semedo and Ait-Nouri are fully fit.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 19:

FPL GW18 Saturday Fixture Wise Review | Players that Caught our Eye
FPL GW19 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Comparisons, Captaincy
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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