Gameweek 6 of Fantasy Challenge is upon us, and this week’s rule is all about the young guns: players aged 23 or under will score double points. So, who are the best youngsters to target? Let’s dive into the Opta data to reveal our picks.
With our team still sitting comfortably in the top 1% overall, we roll into Fantasy Challenge Gameweek 6 with confidence. The rule tweak this time awards double points to anyone aged 23 or younger at kick-off. Bad luck, João Pedro – you turn 24 a day too early to qualify. A shame, really, because he would’ve been a strong option.
Anyway, let’s look at the Opta Analyst squad, using the data, as always, to back up our choices.
Goalkeeper
Robin Roefs: Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest (A)
Sunderland’s Robin Roefs is the third-highest scoring goalkeeper in FPL this season. That’s not something we thought we’d be writing just over a month into the season. The Black Cats have made a flying start to life back in the top flight, collecting eight points from their first five games, which marks their second-best return at this stage of a campaign in their Premier League history (9 points in 2009-10).
Defensively, they’ve been solid. Sunderland have kept two clean sheets already and are conceding just 0.90 non-penalty expected goals per game. That’s the sixth-best figure in the league and better than both Manchester City (1.12) and Chelsea (1.13).
Key to that defensive strength has been Régis Le Bris’ side forcing their opponents to shoot from range. Only 56.9% of the attempts against them have come from inside the box, the fourth-lowest rate in the division.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are yet to find fluency going forward under Ange Postecoglou, and even at home, we’re happy to oppose them.
Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario is an obvious alternative with Wolves visiting, but at 28-years-old he doesn’t qualify for the double points. That, and we’ve already got a Spurs pick higher up the pitch…
Defenders
Adrien Truffert: Bournemouth vs Leeds (A)
Bournemouth are flying, and their defence deserves plenty of credit. The Cherries have kept three clean sheets in five matches and conceded just one goal in their last four games. They’ve achieved all that despite losing Kepa Arrizabalaga, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi over the summer.
Only Newcastle (37) have faced fewer shots than Bournemouth (40) overall. Since Liverpool peppered them with 19 efforts on the opening matchday, Andoni Iraola’s men haven’t conceded more than six shots in any of their last four matches.
Adrien Truffert has been a key part of their backline and busy in attack too, whipping in 21 crosses – nine more than any other Bournemouth player.
Riccardo Calafiori: Arsenal vs Newcastle (A)
We just can’t quit the Arsenal defence. The Gunners may well have the best rearguard in world football right now, and with Riccardo Calafiori eligible for double points, he’s a very attractive option.
Not only is there the obvious clean sheet potential, but the Italian isn’t shy about getting forward either. Against Manchester City last week, he had more shots (3) and touches in the opposition’s box (7) than anyone else on the pitch. Over the season, he actually leads Arsenal for total shots (10) and sits second for expected goals (1.56).
Newcastle have been excellent at the back themselves, but going forward they’ve been blunt. Only Aston Villa (1.9%) have a lower shot conversion rate than their 5.6%, and they’ve failed to score in five of their last seven league games. This one has the feel of a low-scoring slugfest, and Calafiori should be right in the thick of it.
Other honourable mentions for defenders who are eligible for double points include City’s Nico O’Reilly and Joško Gvardiol, who both face Burnley at home. Destiny Udogie is another strong option if he starts.
Midfielders
Xavi Simons: Tottenham vs Wolves (H)
Here’s that Spurs player we mentioned. Xavi Simons impressed on his first Premier League start against West Ham, setting up a goal from a corner. He seems to be on all set-pieces, at least from the left, which is a handy angle given Wolves’ struggles from them. They’ve conceded 2.9 xG from set-pieces, the third highest in the division.
Even off the bench last time out, Simons gave Spurs a spark. He came on against Brighton with his side trailing 2-1 and immediately created danger, forcing a save from Bart Verbruggen, before skewing another chance wide. He was then heavily involved in the move for Spurs’ equaliser.
Estevão: Chelsea vs Brighton (H)
Moisés Caicedo might be the safer Chelsea pick, but we like the upside of Estevão. His Stamford Bridge career has been a little stop-start so far, yet his flashes of quality have been clear – not least in the Blues’ 5-1 win over West Ham on MD1.
The youngster lasted just six minutes against Manchester United after he was hooked following Robert Sánchez’s early red card, but his numbers show he has the potential to deliver whenever he’s on the pitch. The Brazilian ranks second among Chelsea players for xG per 90 (0.48) and first for expected assists per 90 (0.50). There’s a risk he doesn’t start, but if that happens, Caicedo is a straightforward pivot.
Other names worth a look at include Ryan Gravenberch, who hauled big time last week and is doing more in attack for Liverpool. Crystal Palace’s incredible form gives us pause on picking him, though. Jérémy Doku is creating 2.85 chances per game – the third-highest rate in the league – and looked lively against Arsenal. He could be a differential shout.
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Erling Haaland: Manchester City vs Burnley (A)
It’s slim pickings among eligible strikers this week, so we’re going with the obvious. Erling Haaland might not qualify for double points, but he doesn’t need to. The big Norwegian has scored six of City’s nine league goals this season (67%), has taken 38% of their shots and is involved in everything they do going forwards.
The City striker is currently averaging 1.35 xG and 4.5 shots per 90. With underlying data like that, you just don’t leave him out.
Nick Woltemade is eligible for double points, but he comes up against Arsenal’s defence. Thierno Barry is another left-field option, but his minutes have been too patchy to trust.
Haaland did pop up with a potential back issue this week, but we’ve no real concern about his availability. If he were to miss out, pivot options include Chris Wood (home to Sunderland), João Pedro (home to Brighton) or Richarlison (home to Wolves).
Opta Analyst’s Team Reveal: Gameweek 6 FPL Challenge Picks
So, here’s the squad. A youthful, bonus-hunting lineup ready for FPL GW6 – even if João Pedro’s birthday came one day too soon to join the fun.
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FPL Challenge GW6 Picks: Best Young Players for Double Points Opta Analyst.
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