By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our expert
Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?
Read his expert advice every week.
*Don’t forget the FPL deadline for this round – make your transfers and get your team sorted before 18:15 BST on Tuesday 01st April*
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Ismaïla Sarr (5.6m) has really come into his own for Crystal Palace recently.
Indeed, the winger has scored three times in his last two Premier League appearances and also found the back of the net as the Eagles beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday to make the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
With his lighting quick speed and ability to create something out of nothing, Sarr is a constant threat to opposition teams.
The Senegal international’s stats make for good reading too. Sarr is averaging 0.6 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes in the Premier League and registered 1.81 xGI (1.35 xG and 0.46 xA) against Ipswich Town in GW28. This is impressive for a player who is priced at just 5.6 million.
Crystal Palace face Southampton away from home in GW30. This could be a fruitful fixture for the Eagles in terms of attacking returns.
No Premier League team has conceded more xG (69.6) than Southampton this season with the Saints currently rooted to the bottom of the table.
On top of this, Palace have a double gameweek coming up in GW32 and another one likely in GW33 due to the club’s involvement in the FA Cup final four.
Omar Marmoush (7.3m) has made a fast start to life as a Manchester City player.
The Egyptian has registered four goals and one assist in the Premier League since making the January move from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Etihad Stadium. He already looks worth the €70m fee City paid for him.
Marmoush has given Manchester City the energy and attacking electricity they have lacked since Julian Alvarez left and with Erling Haaland suffering an injury against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, it’s likely he will start up front in GW30.
Statistically, Marmoush is averaging just 0.39 xGI per 90 minutes in the Premier League. However, the Egyptian will likely have more opportunities to find the net as a centre forward.
City face Leicester City at home in GW30. The Foxes have conceded the second-most goals in the Premier League this season and so this could be a match for Marmoush to add to his tally.
The 2024/25 champions will also have a double gameweek at some point later in the season due to their run in the FA Cup. Marmoush is an attacking asset who should be on your radar.
Long shot
Only 1.9% of FPL managers own Tino Livramento (4.5m), hinting at the battle he has had with Lewis Hall for game time on the left side of Newcastle’s defence.
However, with Hall sidelined until the end of the season, Livramento is now a nailed on starter for the Magpies with Newcastle about to embark on a favourable run-in, starting with games against Brentford and Leicester. This will be followed by a double gameweek in GW32.
It would make sense to load up on three Newcastle assets for the remainder of the season.
Alexander Isak can’t stop scoring and will be in most FPL teams. Anthony Gordon will also be a popular pick once he returns from suspension while Dan Burn and Livramento could be attractive defensive options.
Upcoming games to follow
After a long break from FPL action due to the international break and FA Cup weekend, there will be plenty to keep an eye on in GW30.
Bournemouth’s home match against Ipswich Town could be a fruitful one for Justin Kluivert (6.3m), Antoine Semenyo (5.7m), Evanilson (5.7m) and Milos Kerkez (5.2m), all of whom could deliver returns against the struggling Tractor Boys.
Manchester City are at home to Leicester City. The aforementioned Marmoush could be a good option while Joško Gvardiol (6.0m) and Phil Foden (9.2m) could also deliver.
Finally, Crystal Palace’s clash with Southampton deserves some attention from a FPL point of view.
The Eagles have many options worth highlighting, with Sarr, Jean-Philipe Mateta (7.5m), Eberechi Eze (6.7m) and Daniel Munoz (5.1m) chief among them.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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