The Perfect XI format of Fantasy EPL on Fantrax is going to take the community by storm. Fact. Our good friends at @DPLCommLeague have brought the concept over to Fantrax, and it is sensational. We're here to provide Draft Premier League managers with our very own Perfect XI tips for each gameweek. Details of the concept and rules can be found here!
Check out @DPLCommLeague for further information on the format, regular updates on the latest standings, as well as information on how you can enter.
Fantasy EPL Gameweek 32 Perfect XI
So, what is Perfect XI? Similar to Official Fantasy Premier League game, all managers have full access the entire player pool each week, meaning multiple teams within the league could be completely identical. The main departures from OFPL are the Fantrax Default Scoring, unlimited transfers each week, no budget/salary cap, and live lineup changes available. This means that each week you can select a dream team of Fantrax assets who you think will score the most points on a given gameweek, and have the added bonus of being able to see the real life lineups before your players lock in your lineup. Magic.
The Foreword from Murph:
The Perfect XI from Gameweek 31
GK: Sam Johnstone, 24
DEF: Nelson Semedo, 25.5
DEF: Kurt Zouma, 22.5
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold, 21
MID: Christian Pulisic, 35.5
MID: Kai Havertz, 27
MID: Jesse Lingard, 26
MID: Matt Phillips, 24
MID: Stuart Dallas, 22.5
FWD: Kelechi Iheanacho, 28.5
FWD: Alexandre Lacazette, 25.5
Only two of my recommendations from Gameweek 31 made the Perfect XI. Although Mount scored very well (17th overall for GW31), his fellow out-of-position midfield teammates, Havertz and Pulisic, were even better. The Manchester City full stack recommendation did not pay off. Leeds are a mercurial team that can be hard to predict as shown by the shock 2-1 upset win spearheaded by Stuart Dallas. The thought process to arrive at Aubameyang was good, but he was benched on the day as Arteta opted for Lacazette, who did indeed score well. I will give parting praise to WBA for a repeat performance after thrashing the Saints 3-0 to close the gameweek.
Given that only Tottenham is blessed with a double gameweek for 32, they are the obvious favorites to stack, and we should happily oblige. Spurs have been streaky all season, but the potential to get 120-180 minutes from elite players is unavoidable.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Team: Tottenham
Opponent: Everton (Away) & Southampton (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 196.75
Points Last Gameweek: 2
The Thought: Lloris is one of the least rotated goalkeepers in the league, having played 33 games or more in every season since 2012 with the exception of last season. I fully expect him to play both games of the DGW, barring an injury. His points per game (6.3) is down compared to previous years which is a slight worry. Ultimately, he has the highest upside as you can't predict when Johnstone (or any goalkeeper) is going to get a penalty save or assist.
DEF: Serge Aurier
Team: Tottenham
Opponent: Everton (Away) & Southampton (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 153
Points Last Gameweek: 1.5
The Thought: In season-long draft formats, Aurier is a point of frustration. Owners will know very well how easily he can reach double digits for ghost points alone. On the other side of that coin, you have a player that continues to get rotated with the likes of Doherty and Tanganga and loves to slide tackle into a red card. The important point here is Spurs fortunately play the first game of the GW. If Aurier starts there, I'm locking him in knowing full well there's risk he only starts one of the two games.
DEF: Nelson Semedo
Team: Wolverhampton
Opponent: Sheffield United (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 25.5
Points Last Gameweek: 209.5
The Thought: This is not hyperbole: Nelson Semedo is this season's Anwar El Ghazi at the defender position. Sometimes in draft fantasy, the Fantasy Gods spawn a hero to save your season. Neto, very unfortunately, has suffered a severe knee injury for which he has already had surgery to repair. In his wake, Nelson Semedo has opportunity, fixture, and form. Semedo shared corners with Ait-Nouri after Neto left the game. If he can retain this new responsibility on top of having the some of the best defender fixture runs (SHU, BUR, WBA, BHA), he may feature here for several weeks.
DEF: Luke Shaw
Team: Manchester United
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 267.75
Points Last Gameweek: 2.75
The Thought: If you follow Genie or Thunshot, you know Shaw's merit this season. I likely don't need to go too deep on this, but Shaw plays Burnley at home. Burnley have upped their xG over the last month through the form of striker pair Chris Wood and Matej Vydra, but United should be able to neutralize those two players using Maguire, Lindelof, and one of McTominay/Matic. This is a dream matchup and should be a bounce back game for the prolific LB.
MID: Bruno Fernandes
Team: Manchester United
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 548
Points Last Gameweek: 6.5
The Thought: Against Burnley, I fully expect United to get 20+ shots. Bruno was left out of the last gameweek Perfect XI recommendations because "Classic Top 6" matchups are a flip of the coin at times. As evidence, Bruno couldn't reach double digits despite the 3-1 scoreline. Many of the cliches associated with Burnley's defense do not really apply in recent months. Burnley haven't kept a clean sheet since February versus 10-man West Brom.
MID: Paul Pogba
Team: Manchester United
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 193.25
Points Last Gameweek: 18
The Thought: This recommendation serves as a smart tip and an easy way to earn brownie points from Genie. It's been too long since we've discussed Pogba in the atmosphere of perfection and elitism. The Ole reign has not been kind to Pogba whether due to injury or role within the starting team. After returning from an extended absence though, Ole handed Pogba two consecutive EPL starts where he delivered an assist in each game. A true box-to-box midfielder, he finds way to fill every stat column when he's on form.
MID: Jesse Lingard
Team: West Ham United
Opponent: Newcastle United (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 157.5
Points Last Gameweek: 26
The Thought: Well, on a train, I met a dame He rather handsome, we kind looked the same He was pretty, from New York City I'm walking down that old fair lane I'm in heat, I'm in love But I just couldn't tell him so
I said, train kept a-rolling all night long Train kept a-rolling all night long Train kept a-rolling all night long Train kept a-rolling all night long With a heave, and a ho...
That train is the Jesse Lingard hype train. Hop on board, there's still plenty of room.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne
Team: Fulham
Opponent: Leeds United (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 387
Points Last Gameweek: 0
The Thought: Rested due to midweek Champions League games, Kevin did not feature versus Leeds. Manchester City play Chelsea at the weekend in the FA Cup, so we may be at the same spot. Regardless, Manchester City have plenty of midfielders that you can swap if he is benched with comparable upside. Ilkay, Foden, and KDB are all worthy of a spot versus Aston Villa who appear to be fading.
FWD: Harry Kane
Team: Tottenham
Opponent: Everton (Away) & Southampton (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 484.5
Points Last Gameweek: 2.5
The Thought: By now, we all know what this is about. Between Kane and my second forward recommendation, you're making chalk plays here. I will go out on a limb and say that Kane gets two goals and an assist - MINIMUM! - over these two games. Everyone will own him in Perfect XI leagues, simply. If you're significantly behind in the DPL league though and want to avoid Spurs completely, hold a MID/FWD spot for one of the several Chelsea attacking group that will start vs. Brighton.
FWD: Son Heung-Min
Team: Tottenham
Opponent: Everton (Away) & Southampton (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 417.5
Points Last Gameweek: 21
The Thought: The Kane and Son stack is not quite as prolific as when they torched the league circa September 2020. Even so, the goal/assist contribution tied to this pair since Eriksen departed the club is undeniable. These two attackers have the best chance to feature in both games, and Son has a points floor that will insulate you from a disaster-class should Spurs decide to take a holiday.
FWD: Kelechi Iheanacho
Team: Leicester City
Opponent: West Bromwich (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 139.5
Points Last Gameweek: 28.5
The Thought: It's been four years since Pep decided Kelechi was surplus to needs at Manchester City, resulting in his in-league transfer to Leicester City. A sub most of his career, the key injury to Barnes has renewed Kelechi's place in the first team XI. Since then, he has rewarded his coach with 8 goals. While Big Sam's side have turned a corner in the Goals Conceded department, Leicester should win this comfortably, especially if Rodgers lets those athletes previously in the doghouse for off-field activities back into the XI. Until I can see with my own eyes a game where both Vardy and Kelechi feast, I'm always taking Kelechi first... another Jesse Lingard type statement I never thought I'd write here.
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