1. xFPL table

xFPL is calculated primarily using expected goals (xG), assists (xA), which combine as Fantasy Premier League (FPL) involvements (xG + xA = xI), as well as expected clean sheets (xC). These numbers are a result of underlying statistics (i.e. shot type and location will give a probability of scoring = xG). xFPL is the combination of these statistics and factors in appearance and bonus points to give an overall expected FPL point score.

Jiménez tops the Custom Stats xFPL table this week with a score of 13.0. The Mexican took five shots in the box (SiB), the highest of any player this gameweek and was also top for ‘big chances’ (three). Agüero posted similar numbers as well, his five SiB and three ‘big chances’ saw him notch an xFPL score of 10.6. De Bruyne was the week’s most creative player with six attempted assists but only one of these was a ‘big chance’. The Belgium international also took six shots, but none of these were in the box which explains his low xFPL score of 5.5. Salah’s numbers were impressive, the Egyptian created three chances and took four SiB, registering an xFPL score of 9.0 compared to 6.2 for Mané.

2. Salah vs Mané compared

With the double gameweek for Liverpool finally upon us (in gameweek 24), managers are likely to Triple Captain a Liverpool attacker. Using the Fix Heatmaps feature, Salah and Mané are compared for the last five gameweeks. Their points per game (PPG) is quite similar with Mané’s 6.2 slightly edging Salah’s 5.8. In terms of the underlying numbers, there is not much to split them either. Salah has taken 16 shots to Mané’s 17 but the Senegal interantional’s expected goals (xG) (4.49) number is far superior to the Egyptian (2.80) which indicates his chances were of higher quality. However, when it comes to creativity, Salah is miles ahead with 13 attempted assists compared to just seven for Mané. He has also created four ‘big chances’ with the Senegal man creating zero. Both appear great candidates for the Triple Captain chip next gameweek with Salah’s creativity giving him a slight edge.

3. Take a punt on the Hammers?

West Ham are the other team with a double gameweek upcoming and their assets are compared using the Stats Sandbox for the same five gameweek period (as the above section). Haller’s numbers immediately stand out, the Frenchman has taken 14 shots, double that of the next best West Ham asset Snodgrass (seven), the forward is also is second only to Noble for xFPL (15.71 to 18.35). The Frenchman leads the way for shots on target (SoT) (four). In terms of creativity, Cresswell leads the way with nine attempted assists but given the fixtures in the double (lei/LIV) a West Ham defender does not look overly appealing. Snodgrass has posted decent numbers, the Scot has the most assists (two) over the five gameweek period and is second for attempted assists (seven) and shots (seven).