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 33 Perfect XI
So, what is Perfect XI? Similar to Official Fantasy Premier League game, all managers have full access to 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.
Check out our Gameweek 33 Perfect XI tips below. These are our recommendations for the best eleven players this weekend!
GK: Rui Patricio
Team: Wolves
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 176.75
Points Last Gameweek: 12
Rostered: 71%
The Thought: In the last 10 games, Wolves have earned 5 clean sheets. Over that same period, Patricio sees an average of 4.6 save opportunities per game. With Pedro Neto out rest-of-season and Jimenez still working back to fitness, Wolves lack any true edge up front. As a result, I would expect more of the same game flow-wise in a low-scoring, low-chances affair at home. The call is not without risk as Burnley have scored goals now in 6 consecutive games...
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Newcastle (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 290
Points Last Gameweek: 18.75
Rostered: 100%
The Thought: No defender has scored better than TAA in the month of April. Averaging 22.75 points per start, the feat is even more impressive as Liverpool have only kept one clean sheet in three April games. The points are coming from all angles, most notably 9 key passes resulting in two assists. As the star-shine is fading on the prolific Liverpool forwards, TAA is pushing to justify the first round ADP he had many months ago.
DEF: Seamus Coleman
Team: Everton
Opponent: Arsenal (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 103
Points Last Gameweek: 7.25
Rostered: 22%
The Thought: Just a meaty stone's throw away from Anfield, the second Perfect XI defender also comes from Merseyside... and isn't named Lucas Digne. Putting forth an Everton defender recommendation not named Lucas Digne is a rare sight, but Coleman is the 2nd best defender in the month of April. This comes on the back of 7 key passes, 2 assists, and 2 clean sheets. Context is everything here to as Arsenal look much more interested in UEL after following up a massive 4-0 rout with a 1-1 draw vs Fulham.
DEF: Dan Burn
Team: Brighton Hove Albion
Opponent: Sheffield United (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 133
Points Last Gameweek: 20
Rostered: 17%
The Thought: As my rank slips in the DPL Perfect XI League, I find my selections leaning more and more to the differential (and somewhat crazy). I can't fault you if you want to lock in Luke Shaw once more, or play some angle of the West Ham/Chelsea game. For me, I'll be targeting the most overpowered scoring category in the defender column. The only stat where a center back can play exceedingly average and conceded multiple goals and still maintain 8-12 points if their forehead is slabby enough: Aerial Duels Won.
Now before I turn this entire article into a vicious diatribe about the most flawed aspect of Fantrax standard scoring, let me just commend Dan Burn for winning 7 aerial duels last gameweek versus Chelsea. Against Sheffield, you can expect the ball will be in the air more often than not, and you can expect Dan Burn to be slightly higher than his marked attacker.. Oh.. and why do some players always have both their first and last names said in commentary?
MID: Matheus Fellipe Costa Pereira
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Opponent: Aston Villa (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 309.5
Points Last Gameweek: TBD (WBA vs LEI not played at the time of writing)
Rostered: 99%
The Thought: There exists a fool's chance that Big Sam can still save West Brom from the relegation drop. Pending the results of the Thursday game vs Leicester City, the Baggies could see themselves within 6 points off Burnley. Has any team played as consistently well in one half of a season and then as consistently poor in the second half as Aston Villa have? Dean Smith can rant and rave about how Villa is bigger than just one player, but results are results. Villa have lost 3 in 5, and that impenetrable defense is long gone.
Now enter Matheus Pereira with his 20, 47, 8.5, and 11 points in four games. His floor should be stable enough to not burn managers at the top of the league, and his upside could vault those who own him far up the team standings.
MID: Bruno Fernandes
Team: Manchester United
Opponent: Leeds United (Away)
Total Fantasy Points: 558
Points Last Gameweek: 5
Rostered: 100%
The Thought: When someone like Bruno delivers on such a regular and consistent basis, absorbing two low single digit gameweeks in a row at least gives you pause. Upon closer inspection though, Manchester United have won both games convincingly 3-1. In the most cliche way, you could say Bruno is probably "due" a penalty kick soon. Additionally, Manchester United are scoring well, so I would speculate the dip in points is more due to other players stepping up - Pogba, Cavani, and Greenwood notably - and less due to any sort of role change for Bruno is the XI.
MID: James Maddison
Team: Leicester City
Opponent: Crystal Palace (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 265.5
Points Last Gameweek: TBD (WBA vs LEI not played at the time of writing)
Rostered: 100%
The Thought: With this player, you have to be willing to stomach swapping him out for an Ayoze Perez or a Youri Tielemans if he doesn't start. Leicester play the last game of the week on Monday. Rumors speak to Maddison starting today though, giving him only a few days rest which is a concern. The upside may outweigh the risk though because his matchup, Crystal Palace, conceded 3 goals in the span of 30 minutes to Chelsea one gameweek back. The bye week can't solve the fact that Palace simply don't have the quality to oppose Rodger's team - especially if Vardy and Kelechi maintain form.
MID: Jesse Lingard
Team: West Ham United
Opponent: Chelsea (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 168
Points Last Gameweek: 10.5
Rostered: 88%
The Thought: Against every fiber of my being, Jesse Lingard makes the XI against Chelsea. My fandom has nothing to do with my reluctance. Statistically, Chelsea are one of the worst matchups for Fantrax midfielders and forwards all season. Tuchel has only pushed that dial further. Having said that, I'm not sure how any of us bench a player with 7 goals in 8 starts.
FWD: Mohamed Salah
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Newcastle United (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 380
Points Last Gameweek:0
Rostered: 100%
The Thought: Benched vs Leeds United, the Liverpool star man can't be pleased considering he is only two goals behind golden boot forerunner Harry Kane - who missed out Wednesday with injury. Long-term drama and future club transfers aside, Salah will start this match. Despite the narrative of how inconsistent Liverpool have been this season in attack and defense, Salah holds the 2nd most points for Fantrax forwards. With TAA improving his play from the right, the whole attack should be unlocked versus Newcastle.
FWD: Sadio Mane
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Newcastle United (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 377.5
Points Last Gameweek: 16.5
Rostered: 100%
The Thought: On the opposite flank, Mane holds the 3rd most points for Fantrax forwards despite having only 8 goals to Salah's 19. It speaks the caliber of player Mane is. By the numbers, he's a better dribbler, aerial threat, and defender than Salah - ensuring a mountain of ghost point potential. With Spurs and Man City out of the gameweek on blanks, the attacking choices because far more clear. Faced with either stacking against Leeds or Newcastle, the choice is obvious.
FWD: Ollie Watkins
Team: Aston Villa
Opponent: West Bromwich Albion (Home)
Total Fantasy Points: 369
Points Last Gameweek: 11.9
Rostered: 92%
The Thought: Watkins has quietly produced well for a team deprived of Jack Grealish. Scoring double digits in all three April starts, Watkins is finding a way to link up with whomever gets the started in the attacking midfield. Watkins a special mix of being an aerial monster (121 duels won on the season) while having the pace needed for the modern EPL and pressing game. I like Watkins here as someone who isn't making enough noise yet to be on many radars leading up to the WBA game.
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