What does an FPL manager do on a Sunday afternoon? Check for team news, last minute injury updates and wait for the kickoff maybe.
But what if there are no matches in the evening? At least, from the Premier League. Then, they might just get bugged with some crazy idea before catching up the FA Cup third round clashes in the evening.
We have already crossed the halfway mark in the Fantasy Premier League 2024-25. And the template is almost there. When it comes to the midfield, it’s apparently impossible to even think of a midfield without Md. Salah(£13.7m), Cole Palmer(£11.4m) and Bryan Mbeumo(£7.8m).
However, it’s such out the [D]box ideas that make FPL lunatics keep ticking. Testing the keeper of templates from a distance, with a banger of a shot is what constitutes a true fantasy fanatic. That’s how with unfiltered passion and unchecked frenzy, we get hold of a piece of paper and a pen to make an FPL team list without any trace of this ‘Holy Trinity’ — Salah, Palmer and Mbeumo.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.3m)
“Bruno, Bruno, Bruno,
He’s from Sporting like Cristiano,
He goes left,
He goes right,
He makes the defences look shi*e,
He’s our Portuguese magnifico….”
The Manchester United no.10 is justifying this fan chant yet again after two consecutive masterclass performances against two top guns — against Liverpool at Anfield and against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.
He played a key role in the 2-2 stalemate against Slot’s in-form Liverpool, slotting home 7pts in fantasy thanks to a brilliant assist to Licha. Bruno again captained Manchester United from the front, as Ruben Amorim’s army edged past Arsenal in the FA Cup third-round tie.
Bruno has four goals and seven assists in this campaign, with an inspiring xGI of 0.57 per 90’. The Portuguese attacking midfielder, who has been at the centre of Manchester United’s project over the last few years, currently possesses 88pts in his savings account.
Bruno Fernandes can be a great option for the captain’s armband in gameweek21, as the Red Devils have a meeting with bottom-placed Soumthampton at Old Trafford. He seems to be a long-term hold now, with fixtures on his side.
Anthony Gordon (£7.5m)
There’s no stopping Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United with Gordon being a livewire in the attacking-third. He is registering attacking returns, almost regularly.
An integral part of the Newcastle forward trident, with Isak and Murphy being the other two, he is enjoying a great season so far. Five goals and four assists along with 20% of the FPL managers can vouch for that.
Gordon is now probably gearing up for the clash against Wolves at St. James’ Park in GW21. He can be another superb differential option for the choice of captain in FPL, this week.
Just to remind you, Gordon has smashed a jaw-dropping 35pts in the last five matches, without blanking once. His fixtures now look mouth-watering from an attacking perspective, making him another long-term hold.
Jacob Murphy (£5.1m)
You may also double up on the Newcastle midfield. Jacob Murphy has been a revelation in the Fantasy Premier League 2024-25. Having amassed 47pts in the last six outings, Murphy would be one of our top picks for GW21.
He is still owned by less than 6% of the managers, making him a smart differential for this gameweek and beyond.
Amad Diallo (£5.4m)
Doubling up on the Manchester United midfield isn’t a bad idea either. The fast-paced, gifted midfielder from Ivory Coast, has a rare trait to score late, deep into the game and he never disappoints you on a big occasion.
The last gameweek at Anfield, was an acid test for United and Diallo came out with flying colours once again — 9pts, thanks to a late equaliser.
When the Manchester derby was played last time, the former Atalanta winger stole the show with a goal and an assist. He raked in 13pts in that game.
With so many cool forward options in the game ahead of GW21, it would be wise to go for a 3-4-3 shape. However, Ismaila Sarr appears your best bet as the fifth-choice midfielder in FPL.
He is slated for a meeting with Leicester City, this week, at home. And the Palace midfielder has the odds on his side, to make it big.