FOUR teams are set to pull double duty in Game Week 34 and so gaffers with transfers in reserve (as we advised) may feel now is the time to target some specific fixtures.
We’ve identified three players (outside of the blindingly obvious candidates) capable of bagging plentiful points this coming week for your consideration.
Manuel Akanji (£4.6m)
Dream Team bosses may have a tough time second-guessing Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up against Everton this coming Sunday.
If Manchester City were to drop points against Everton then that would leave the door open for Arsenal to ramp up the pressure by reclaiming top spot in the Premier League but the decorated tactician will also have one eye on Real Madrid’s visit to the Etihad in midweek.
This dynamic makes it hard to predict which players will feature in both fixtures, therefore maximising their point-scoring potential.
Akanji has played a part in 18 consecutive games and has only missed one in the last 33 so he’s as good a shout as any to match-up both the Toffees and the La Liga giants.
Naturally, the threat of Vincius Junior, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo means the Swiss defender will do well to contribute to a clean sheet on Wednesday night but City will feel confident of repelling Sean Dyche’s men at the Etihad.
Ilkay Gundogan (£3.4m) is another strong contender to double up in Game Week 34 as City’s skipper seems to be the only one capable of playing the No8 role in the exact manner Guardiola prefers – he banked 16 points this Game Week and features in just 4.3% of teams.
Callum Wilson (£4.4m)/Alexander Isak (£4.4m)
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We couldn’t split the difference in terms of personnel but it appears to be a great week to back a Newcastle striker.
The Magpies take on Leeds at Elland Road in the early Saturday kick-off which means a meeting with the Premier League’s worst defence (69 goals conceded).
Eddie Howe’s men may have blanked against Arsenal last weekend but they scored lorry-loads of goals in April, 22 in seven games to be precise.
Both Wilson and Isak benefited hugely from that prosperous run with the former scoring eight goals in the space of just 309 minutes on the pitch!
Whether the 31-year-old plays alongside the Sweden international or the pair are forced to share minutes, recent returns suggest both are immensely viable options.
As if a match-up with Leeds’ leaky defence isn’t reason enough to take a punt on Wilson/Isak, Newcastle are also due to host Brighton on Thursday night with the Seagulls coming fresh off a shock 5-1 defeat to Everton.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men will pull double duty in Game Week 34 but back-to-back away days at Arsenal and Newcastle represents a stiff challenge.
Said Benrahma (£3.5m)
A massive differential option here (0.7% ownership) for those in need of a wildcard.
The Algerian winger has spent a fair amount of time on the bench this season but he starts more often than not for West Ham and given he’s coming off the back of a goal (and Star Man award) against Man United, David Moyes is likely to back him at Brentford this weekend.
The Hammers will then travel to the Netherlands on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tie with AZ Alkmaar – Benrahma has earned over a quarter of his 129 Dream Team points in the continental arena in 2022/23.
This suggestion hinges on how West Ham get on against the Eredivisie outfit in the first leg this evening, so keep an eye on that encounter.
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Benrahma has scored ten goals, provided five assists, and claimed three Star Man awards this season and only ten midfielders have produced more points at this stage.
It’s worth noting that one of those men above him in the rankings is team-mate Jarrod Bowen (£4m), who has also taken full advantage of the Europa Conference League match-ups to enhance his points total.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
