Gameweek 20 in FPL allows us to restore some normality after the chaos of GW18 and GW19. Many managers will have used their bench boost or triple captain chip to maximise returns in the big double GW19. A huge number achieved a three-figure points score in Gameweek 19.
However, a normal Gameweek 20 still presents opportunity to score big despite two big-hitters colliding when Tottenham meet Liverpool. Here are a few players who could make an impact.
Harry Maguire – Defender – Man Utd – 5.4m
Table-toppers Manchester United face the club propping up the table, Sheffield United, in Gameweek 20. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are in outstanding form having gone 13 unbeaten in the league. Harry Maguire has played every minute this season. The England international has been much-maligned in his time at Old Trafford but the Manchester United captain has impressed since the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham.
Six clean sheets from 19 games is disappointing however, the Red Devils have a kind upcoming fixture list. Not only will Maguire look for defensive returns but he will also be keen to improve on his one goal for the season. He averages 1.2 shots per game yet has managed just a single goal. Maguire could be close to a goal glut which would justify his 5.4m price.
Owned by less than 5% of FPL managers, Maguire is a potential medium-term differential amidst kind fixtures.
Ilkay Gündoğan – Midfielder – Man City – 5.5m
Kevin de Bruyne’s injury opens up a slot in midfield or attack for a Manchester City player. With four goals in his last six games, Ilkay Gundogan is the standout option.
Gundogan has played nine of the last ten Manchester City matches, completing 70 minutes or more in all of those appearances. The Germany international has excelled for Guardiola’s men in recent weeks and appears a certain starter, particularly in KdB’s absence.
Oddly, Gundogan hasn’t registered an assist in the league yet. While this is a concern, his 1.4 key passes per game plus heightened responsibility without his Belgian teammate mean that this should change in the coming weeks.
At 5.5m, Gundogan is outperforming his price tag at the moment. He is an exciting option and a player it is worth bringing in.
Paul Pogba – Midfielder – Man Utd – 7.7m
The second Manchester United player on the list, Paul Pogba has seen a real resurgence in recent weeks. Despite his agent, Mind Raiola, acting up in the media, Pogba appears to have got his head down and worked hard. In turn, he has produced some terrific recent performances.
Two goals in three appearances, including a screamer away to Fulham, exemplify Pogba’s resurgence. Against Fulham, Pogba was outstanding as he scored, made four tackles, three interceptions and completed 85.7% of his passes. It was a complete midfield performance from a man with such a complete skillset.
At 7.7m, Pogba is relatively cheap in FPL. Gameweek 20 is kind to Manchester United, with Pogba at home to Sheffield United. The Frenchman would be quietly confident about adding another attacking return. Owned by just 2.9% of managers, he is another potential differential from Manchester United.
Emile Smith-Rowe – Midfielder – Arsenal – 4.5m
As with previous suggestions for Tomas Soucek and Raphinha, Emile Smith-Rowe’s status as a cheap midfielder makes him hugely enticing.
At 4.5m, Smith-Rowe is one of the cheapest midfielders in the game. In five starts, the young Englishman has delivered some form of return in each of those, whether that be a clean sheet or an attacking statistic. Three assists in five Premier League games is an excellent start to life in the Premier League for the youngster.
Smith-Rowe is only owned by 3.9% of managers, making him not only an excellent short-term punt in midfield but a potentially exciting differential in a side making a surge under Mikel Arteta. However, the imminent arrival of Martin Odegaard could threaten Smith-Rowe’s place. This means that proceeding with caution should be the modus operandi when it comes to the young Englishman. However, he could be a gamble worth taking.
Timo Werner – Forward – Chelsea – 9.2m
There’s very little recent precedent to suggest that Timo Werner is anything other than an expensive mistake in FPL. However, Thomas Tuchel’s imminent arrival at Stamford Bridge is surely with maximising the talents of Werner and his compatriot, Kai Havertz.
9.2m is as cheap as Werner will likely be all season. With only four goals and four assists in 20 league appearances, it’s no wonder Werner’s price has plummeted.
However, Werner is underperforming his xG, which could suggest an upturn in form is closer than it seems. If, as can often be the case, one goal sparks Werner into life, then he could be an exciting option for FPL managers in Gameweek 20 and beyond.
His explosive style of play makes Werner a fearsome opponent when in form. If Tuchel can create a reaction from Werner, owning the former Leipzig man sooner rather than later could be the type of gamble which catapults a team in the FPL rankings.
