FPL Tips: Captain De Bruyne and three things to consider

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  • Each week, Sport360 will bring you tips for the English Premier League’s official fantasy football game. Fancy pitting your wits against us? You can join “Sport360 Fans'” league using the code 118790-38575.

    We’re getting used to the Double Gameweeks aren’t we? We’ve had a few of late but none quite like this one.

    Gamweek 37 brings with it the opportunity for players from 10 separate Premier League sides to feature twice and score big.

    This week’s column tells you why you should captain Kevin De Bruyne and picks out three others who could serve you well.

    But first, here’s a look at the tactical geniuses who make up the top five in our fans league this week.

    WHO TO CAPTAIN

    Alexis Sanchez [11.6m] was our captain pick in Gameweek 36 and he just about justified the armband with a goal in his second game of the round against Southampton after blanking against Manchester United.

    The strike ensured that he reached double figures for the week, scoring a total of 14 points over the two matches.

    This week, we’re backing Kevin De Bruyne [10.4m] as he gears up for a massive Double Gameweek.

    After scoring 12 points in Gameweek 33, the Belgian delivered a stunning display with a 17-point haul last time out in a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace. With David Silva back into the mix, he’s been able to affect the game further up the pitch while the Spaniard dictates proceedings in midfield.

    A goal and two assists against Palace makes him the chief candidate for the armband as City take on Leicester City and West Brom at the Etihad this week. Expect the league’s leading assist provider (18) to add to his tally.

    Other options include Sanchez who has good fixtures as well. Eden Hazard (10.6m) is certainly a candidate but is unlikely to play 90 minutes in both fixtures this round while Harry Kane (11.7m) is always in the mix.

    THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER

    There’s a few things you should know before you make your picks for this crucial Double Gameweek. But first, here’s a look at the teams who do feature twice.

    Manchester City – Leicester (H), West Brom (H)

    Manchester United – Tottenham (A), Southampton (A)

    Tottenham – United (H), Leicester (A)

    Chelsea – West Brom (A), Watford (H)

    Arsenal – Stoke (A), Sunderland (H)

    Southampton – Middlesbrough (A), United (H)

    Watford – Everton (A), Chelsea (A)

    Leicester – City (A), Tottenham (H)

    Sunderland – Swansea (H), Arsenal (A)

    West Brom – Chelsea (H), City (A)

    BENCH BOOST

    If you haven’t already used your Bench Boost chip, good on you, because there’s no better time to play that trump card. With a total of 10 teams featuring twice, ideally you should have packed your squad with players from those outfits.

    In that case, you’d have a total of 15 players fetching you points from two games this week. But if you didn’t quite have the foresight to plan ahead, it may still be worth playing that chip if you’ve come close.

    DEFENDERS ARE KEY

    If the Double Gameweeks this season have taught us anything, it’s that defenders are absolutely crucial. With plenty of attackers being rested when the fixtures get congested, it’s the lads at the back who usually ended up delivering the goods with clean sheets and the odd goal or assist.

    While it’s definitely worth trying to fit the likes of Sanchez, De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and the like into your side, don’t forget about the defenders who could score even more points.

    Rob Holding from Arsenal at just 4m is an absolute steal since Arsene Wenger has opted for a three-man defence. He’s started the last two games and secured clean sheets in both. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany (6.0m) has enjoyed a resurgence at City, hitting the back of the net as well.

    If Chelsea secure the league title against West Brom on Friday, there’s every chance that the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa will be rested for the second game of the round against Watford with an FA Cup final on the horizon.

    At United as well, expect drastic changes this week as Jose Mourinho focuses solely on the Europa League final. Eric Bailly’s red card against Celta Vigo rules him out of that final, making him sure starter in the league for the rest of the campaign.

    Where the lesser teams are concerned, some like Craig Dawson (4.8m) could have a goal in him, even if a clean sheet this week is unlikely.


    CITY AND ARSENAL PLAYERS TO DOMINATE THE RUN-IN

    With Chelsea pretty much having the title wrapped up and United prioritising the Europa League, City and Arsenal are really the only teams at the top left with something to fight for. The Citizens currently occupy fourth place but the Gunners aren’t too far behind, only three points adrift in fact with three games to play.

    Expect the two sides to field more or less their best teams for the final three fixtures and operate at full tilt. Sanchez, De Bruyne and Jesus are prime FPL targets in attack but there’s plenty of value in the defence as well.

    With Claudio Bravo injured, City’s Willy Caballero who is priced at just 4.8m could well have three clean sheets to end the season, given the level of opposition he will face.

    Fancy pitting your wits against us? Join the “Sport360 Fans'” league using the code 118790-38575. 

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