1. xFPL review

The biggest double gameweek of the season has concluded and it was Eriksen who topped both the xFPL and FPL (Fantasy Premier League) tables with a goal and two assists over Spurs’ matches. The Dane attempted 10 assists, more than any other player. No player took more shots than Kane’s nine, registering a xFPL score of 10.7, indicating he was unlucky not to be involved in any of the goals. Doucoure’s underlying numbers are also impressive, with six shots in the box (SiB) and three attempted assists. No player was afforded more ‘big chances’ than Martial’s three, as the Frenchman posted a xFPL score of 15.9, the third-highest this week. De Bruyne looks back to his best as he created nine chances and took six shots, notching a xFPL score of 15.7. 

2. The decline of Pogba

Pogba managed no FPL involvements in any of Man. United’s three goals over the two double gameweek matches, and the Frenchman has managed only one assist over his last six games. Using the Fix Heatmaps feature, Pogba’s statistics are compared for the last six gameweeks (gameweek 27 to 32) with the six gameweeks prior (gameweek 21 to 26). Pogba averaged 7.7 points per game for the earlier period, registering six FPL involvements (four goals, two assists). His expected goals was 3.99, and he took 26 shots, 17 of which were in the box and 12 on target. He also attempted 11 assists. In the second period, he averages just two points per game, with an expected goals number of 1.33. He took just 10 shots, of which only four were in the box and landed four shots on target. He attempted nine assists, which is still close to his earlier numbers. His defensive numbers however show improvement, with interceptions up to 10 from five, and 11 tackles to nine, indicating that he has been shackled with more defensive responsibility by Solsjkær, and this might have contributed to his decline in FPL output.

3. Foxes on fire

With their 2-0 win over Bournemouth, Leicester have now won their last three matches under Rodgers, scoring seven goals and conceding just two. With a favourable fixture against Huddersfield in gameweek 33, their assets are compared using the xFPL table for the last four gameweeks. Unsurprisingly, Vardy tops the table with a score of 24.6, but the duo of Maddison (21.4) and Pereira (20.2) are close behind. Tielemans has managed four FPL involvements to Maddison’s two and the pair are similar in terms of shooting statistics, with each landing three shots on target (SoT) but Maddison’s creativity puts him ahead of the Belgian, with 14 attempted assists to his seven. H. Barnes has taken nine shots but only landed one on target, which puts him below the pecking order. Chilwell has attempted seven assists to Pereira’s five, and is only behind the Portuguese on xFPL score by virtue of the latter’s one ‘big chance’ created.