We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, successful dribbles, interceptions, accurate crosses, and aerials, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 30 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Gameweek 30 Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System.
Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 30 Ghost Point Hunters
For the inaugural Ghost Point Hunter article, we are going to look at three players who have shown over the season, not just the past gameweek, that they have a special connection with the after-life. These three have been racking up ghost points throughout the season and are not the elite assets/big names that will set you back multiple premium players to get them.
Consistent playing time will be an issue, but that is why they will be cheap and "getable". When they play, they are money, and getting them in now could be key to winning over the home stretch of this season. If you have the room, it is worth rostering these high-impact assets.
Anwar El Ghazi/Messi
Position: Midfielder
Team: Aston Villa
Rostered: 63% (I pity the 37%)
Ghost Points Per 90: 12.2
Prospects: Should get his opportunities with the problems in the Villa front-line; Grealish's return lifts all boats.
Verdict: I would try and trade a reliable MID or FWD like McGinn, D Rice, or C Wood (reliability for upside).
First up, no surprise here. The man, the myth, the legend, Anwar El Ghazi/Messi. The mercurial Dutchman is 3rd overall in our Ghost Point Tracker, averaging a mouthwatering 12.2 ghost points per 90 minutes played. Many of these points come from shots on target - Anwar loves a crack from distance - racking up 2 points for each of his staggering 22 shots on target in just 9 starts. While he is a ghost point machine, he has also slotted in 6 goals (the same amount as Firmino and more than Werner).
The only rub is his lack of starts, making him a luxury asset that you want on the roster to throw in when he does start. With Villa struggling, one of the attacking spots up for grabs (Barkely has a rumored contractual issue, while B Traore & Trezeguet have flattered to deceive lately), and Super Jack Grealish coming back, AEG will have opportunities to put up some monster scores. And Villa still have 10 games left to play - more than most, with a potential Double Gameweek. Try and get him in.
Hakim Ziyech
Position: Midfielder
Team: Chelsea
Rostered: 95%
Ghost Points Per 90: 10.7
Prospects: Rotation and congested fixtures means Ziyech will get a few starts ROS, and he has the ghosts.
Verdict: I would trade a nailed on MID 4/5 plus one (e.g., Shelvey & DEF streamer).
Next, we have a similar type of player, someone who has struggled for starts but can ghost out (in a good way) when he does play. Hakim Ziyech has shown flashes of brilliance (fantasy and in real life) this season but has yet to nail down a starting role or put in consistent performances week in, week out. However, he still ranks highly with regard to ghost points, rounding out the top 10 with 10.7 gPP90. Most of his ghosts stem from key passes but he is fairly well-rounded. A month ago versus Manchester United, he delivered nearly 20 ghost points, so he still has it in his locker despite petering out a bit over the season.
Ziyech, like most of Chelsea, is still getting used to "Tuchel-ball" but with the rotation and the Blues remaining in several competitions, he should get some opportunities in the premier league. And he is another one who should be relatively cheap given his lack of starts but is able to throw a knockout punch for your team when given the chance.
Serge Aurier
Position: Defender
Team: Tottenham
Rostered: 81%
Ghost Points Per 90: 9.4
Prospects: The RB spot should largely be his and with a good schedule (DGW GW32), he is primed for ROS.
Verdict: I would trade a low end MID or FWD plus one if need be (e.g., Welbeck or Fraser & streamer).
Last but not least, the ghost point-lover's defender, and one of my favorites despite being a Spud, Serge Aurier. He has long been a Fantasy EPL cheat code, effortlessly logging numerous key passes, aerials won, interceptions, tackles won, and successful dribbles. Unsurprisingly, he remains high on the ghost point list, especially for a defender, clearing 9.4 ghost points per 90 this season. The right back, however, has had an up and down season, posting some great scores but also seeing the injury table or bench a fair share of gameweeks.
But he is back fit (although Mourinho has said he is "managing" his knock) and his fellow RB, Matt Doherty, seems to be fully left out in the cold, with Japhet Tanganga the lone competition for the coveted spot. Serge still scores very well (there have been multiple games this season when Aurier matches Reguilon's score despite the latter having an assist and Serge just relying on ghost points). Given his recent absences and "competition" in the spot, one should be able to get him relatively cheap, just in time for this important stretch. I like Serge's odds to play the majority of the rest of the games and to post some nice scores. Tottenham has a favorable schedule, including a double gameweek in GW32, which should put Serge in the fantasy kill-zone.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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