FPL GW34 Saturday Fixtures Review Based on Stats and Eye Test

In this blog, we take a look and review the FPL GW34 Saturday fixtures based on eye test and stats to see which players stand out this week. Written by @fpltrybe(Give him a follow on Twitter) and do check out his YouTube Channel where he produces some quality content weekly!

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FPL GW34 Saturday Fixtures Review

ARSENAL v MAN UNITED

Both teams came into this game with contrasting performances in their respective games last weekend. Arsenal had sent Chelsea packing 4-2 at Stamford Bridge whereas Man United was on the receiving end at Anfield where they let in 4 goals and looked pedestrian at times.

Below is a depiction of the attacking threat of both teams.

(Arsenal in green, Man United in blue)

FIRST HALF

SECOND HALF

Gunners’ xG Shots = 2.79

1^st half = 2.68

2^nd half = 0.11

• Gunners had 12 shots in the first 45 minutes whereas the visitors clocked 11
• 1^st half contributed 80% of the total xG itself which depicts how topsy-turvy the game was
• Strangely, Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty instead of Ronaldo and hit the outside of the right post when Ramsdale had jumped the other way

Man United’s xG Shots = 2.13

1^st half = 1.25

2^nd half = 0.87

• Saka with his 5^th double-digit haul is now the 6^th highest scorer (164 pts) and 4^th highest mid-fielder. This was the third instance where he contributed with a goal & an assist in the same game

• Tavares in his 8^th start of the season was a constant threat to Dalot and kept bombing forward time and time again

• Arsenal, after losing to S’pton, Brighton & Palace, have now beaten their two arch-rivals in a span of 96 hours by scoring 7 goals

MIKEL ARTETA

‘The start of the second half we didn’t start well again. We had some problems occupying certain spaces that they are really good at and they have so much quality to exploit that. Then when they missed the penalty and we changed the shape, and then we scored the goal, that’s when I think the game got where we wanted again.”

LEICESTER v ASTON VILLA

• The Foxes (42 points) began the weekend 9th in the Premier League table. Aston Villa (37 points), meanwhile, at 15th, is still very much within striking distance of the top-10.

Below is a depiction of the attacking threat of both teams.

(Leicester in green, Aston Villa in blue)

FIRST HALF

SECOND HALF

• The first shot from Ramsey – xG of 0.51, after good work from Watkins on the left flank, was the only real chance in the game which had a total xG of 1.46

Leicester’s xG Shots = 0.30

1^st half = 0.17

2^nd half = 0.13

Villa’s xG Shots = 1.16

1^st half = 0.74

2^nd half = 0.42

• 1^st half witnessed a total of 5 chances – only one from the home team
• Leicester has averaged < 3 shots on target in their last 7 PL games – another indicator that their focus lies in Europe

• Not even a single Leicester player in the Top 5 xG Involvement speaks volumes

• Aston Villa had a total of 24 touches in Leicester’s box as compared to Leicester’s 11

• There were no big chances in the first goalless draw of the season for the Foxes
• This was Leicester’s 6^th and Aston Villa’s 10^th clean sheet of the season
• Given his team selection, Brendan Rodgers didn’t appear to be looking past Aston Villa as the Foxes prepare for Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday, but their painfully slow tempo and risk-averse passing painted a different picture.

STEVEN GERRARD

“A draw is enough to satisfy me because after four defeats it is important to stop that. Our performance today was very strong, very good. We came to win but couldn’t quite do that. When you can’t, it is important not to lose so the clean sheet is huge. We’ve come up against a good team who are very technically gifted; over the 90 minutes we shaded the chances.”

Further Read: FPL GW34 Sunday Fixtures Review Based On Stats And Eye Test

MANCHESTER CITY v WATFORD

One team with an aim of winning all the remaining games to lift the title and the other to start collecting some points from their remaining games to survive the dreaded drop to the Championship

Below is a depiction of the attacking threat of both teams.

(Man City in green, Watford in blue)

FIRST HALF

SECOND HALF

• Watford had experienced some heavy defeats at the hand of the Cityzens in the Premier League – the last visit to Etihad in 2019 being the heaviest of all which was an 8-0 thrashing. So, the hope was negligible for the Hornets coming into this game

Man City’s xG Shots = 3.91

1st Half = 1.85

2^nd Half = 2.07

Watford’s xG Shots = 0.44

1st Half = 0.12

2^nd Half = 0.32

• Watford caught City off guard when Hassane Kamara pulled a goal back (xG = 0.09) when his powerful angled drive eluded Ederson.
• KDB put on another masterclass with 2 sublime assists and was rightly subbed off in 57’ with a showdown against Real Madrid coming up in the coming week.
• Jesus had his best game in a blue shirt and scored his 1^st PL hat-trick and overall 4^th for the Blues. He had 7 goals before this game with just three of those in PL. His return to form would give Pep more headaches going into the future games.

• KDB had 0 assists in the first 19 game weeks and has now racked up 6 in the next 14
• Along with KDB, Laporte and Rodri were subbed off with 20 odd mins left in the game
• Mahrez made a sub appearance for 20 mins

PEP GUARDIOLA

“Nothing changes. When we won against Brighton we were two points behind [before the game], now we’re four in front. Brighton was a ‘final’. We had another ‘final’ today and we won it. Now we have an opportunity to play a ‘final’ against Leeds. Nothing changes. We have to win all five games to be champions.”

Further Read: FPL GW34 Sunday Fixtures Review Based On Stats And Eye Test

NORWICH v NEWCASTLE

The real issue to be decided in this match was that of a probability of a feared relegation. Norwich’s relegation, of course. Norwich got out of a seven-game losing streak as recently as April 2nd when the Canaries drew to a 0-0 final result with Brighton in a forgettable game.

Below is a depiction of the attacking threat of both teams.

(Norwich in green, Newcastle in blue)

FIRST HALF

• Norwich had a decent spell in the first 15 minutes which then faded away instantly as the Magpies got control of the game
• Norwich had 2 attempts to the visitors’ 5

SECOND HALF

• Any chance of a comeback from the home team was killed by Bruno Guimaraes as he scored his 3^rd in 2 games with a beautiful chip over Krul’s head

Norwich’s xG Shots = 0.51

1^st Half = 0.34

2^nd Half = 0.18

Newcastle’s xG Shots = 1.76

1^st Half = 0.85

2^nd Half = 0.91

• Schar’s rest came as a surprise to many FPL managers as Howe rang the changes and called his skipper Lascelles back
• With this clean sheet, Newcastle now has 7 clean sheets – three of those coming in the last 4 games
• Bruno G now has 4 returns from his last 3 starts and will be crucial for his team in the next 3 games against Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal

• Dowell had the best chance for Norwich in the 17’ when Pukki did well to handle two Newcastle defenders and make space for Dowell only for him to hit the ball way above the bar

• Joelinton under Howe has become a player that Newcastle had hoped for when he was signed three years back.
• Brazilian had just the two touches in Norwich’s box and scored with both of them
• Newcastle United moved into the top half of the Premier League today – five months after hitting rock bottom.

DEAN SMITH

“The scoreline, I don’t think it was a 3-0. I thought there was nothing in the game until they scored that first goal.”

Further Read: FPL GW34 Sunday Fixtures Review Based On Stats And Eye Test

BRENTFORD v TOTTENHAM

Spurs came into this match with a shock from last week’s defeat to Brighton. The race to the 4^th spot with Arsenal has been a riveting affair thus far with both teams showing inconsistency in stringing a run of wins.

Below is a depiction of the attacking threat of both teams.

(Brentford in green, Spurs in blue)

FIRST HALF

SECOND HALF

Brentford’s xG Shots = 1.02

1^st Half = 0.42

2^nd Half = 0.60

• Brentford dominated the first half and were unlucky not to lead at the break after Ivan Toney struck the bar with a header early on.
• Spurs failed to find their rhythm before the break with Harry Kane’s speculative lob the closest they came to a goal.
• Christian Eriksen who was playing his first match against his former club since returning to the Premier League, saw his deflected shot go wide after the hour mark.

Spurs’ xG Shots = 0.89

1^st Half = 0.05

2^nd Half = 0.84

• Antonio Conte’s side looked lethargic against the dogged and determined Bees outfit
• Another 90 minutes, another 0 attempts for Spurs and it will now be worrying for the Italian manager with just 5 games till the end of the season

• Brentford hit the woodwork twice with Ivan Toney and looked the likeliest to win this game
• Spurs took almost half an hour to get their first shot which was wild off-target

• Form guide (last 5 games)

L-L-L-W-W (Arsenal)

W-W-W-L-D (Spurs)

• London derby on May 12^th seems to be the perfect finale in this topsy-turvy race for the coveted 4^th spot

ANTONIO CONTE:

“We didn’t deserve three points,’ said manager Antonio Conte. ‘Now we have to try to prepare for the last five games in the best possible way and stay in this race. The draw was fair. We have to accept this. We’re trying to do our best.‘

Data Source:

FotMob

SofaScore

Fantasy Football Scout’s Member Area

If you like this article, please do give Anuj a follow and feedback @FPLTrybe on Twitter for more FPL content.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 35:

How to Effectively Use Free Transfers Till The End of The FPL Season
FPL GW34 Sunday Fixtures Review Based On Stats And Eye Test
FPL Chip Strategy For The Remainder Of The Season | All Scenarios

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