Burnley have another double, while top clubs Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all out of action with the former two playing in Sunday’s League Cup final.
Previous week lessons
With Burnley on the double for the second successive gameweek, there’s some decent data offering insights into which Clarets to select, led by goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Ben Mee and Connor Roberts. But the obvious reposte is Burnley are 18th and battling the drop.
However, the Clarets have conceded only 29 goals this season which is the seventh least, so they’re a relatively tight defence so you can feel assured they shouldn’t cop a hiding. Burnley also managed two of their three wins for the season last gameweek which was a surprise, stunning Brighton 3-0 away and Tottenham 1-0 at home. Can they repeat that given they’d only won once in 21 games prior to last gameweek? Maybe the revival has begun.
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has not provided good value for his price for long periods this season but back-to-back double figures scores, aided by two goals, an assist and a clean sheet, suggest he may be worth considering again as a long-term option.
With Tottenham having a few catch-up fixtures to come and a gameweek 27 clash with leaky Leeds United, it’s worth targetting their best attacking option who looms as Son Heung-Min who netted a double against Man City. New signing Dusan Kulusevski is a cheaper option but he’s getting plenty of shots.
New Options
We’ve already mentioned Kulusevski at Spurs, which is increasingly appealing when you consider gameweek 27 opponents Leeds have shipped 16 goals in their past four games.
Burnley forward Wout Weghorst has been traded in by plenty of coaches ahead of their latest double, having netted 14 points with a goal and an assist last gameweek. Similar to Kulusevski, Weghorst moved to England in January and thus he’s under-priced. On a double, he’s a captaincy option with the Clarets facing Crystal Palace away and Leicester at home.
Another who may have burnt you in the past is Luke Shaw who has re-established himself with Man Utd, providing two assists and helping them to a clean sheet in their past four games.
Who to captain?
With big names like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka out of action, the attention for captaincy may be wisest on Burnley players on the double.
We’ve already mentioned Weghorst, while Burnley’s defensive record - as explained - is solid enough to consider Pope in between the sticks. If not, Leeds’ defensive woes offers potential for Son or Harry Kane - if you own him and are brave given his unconvincing form.
Injuries
Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet is no certainty to play their first game of the double due to a foot injury which has left him “touch and go”.
Jota and Liverpool may not be in league action this gameweek but it’s worth noting the Reds are hoping he’ll play some part in Sunday’s League Cup final, meaning if you still own him, he may be worth keeping.