Brighton FPL Gameweek 34: Flying Dutchman Veltman one to consider
Strange results can sometimes occur after a team has been officially relegated and that is exactly what happened to Brighton as they lost 1-0 to Championship-bound Sheffield United – a defeat which could have ramifications for Graham Potter’s team selection and Joel Veltman in particular going into FPL gameweek 34.
Brighton were without the suspended Ben White at Bramall Lane, meaning that Veltman (£4.4 million) shifted from right wing back to play as one of Potter’s three central defenders.
With White certain to be restored instantly to the starting XI against his former club The Leeds United this weekend, Veltman seems likely to revert back to the more attacking role in which he has flourished since his bargain £900,000 move from Ajax in the summer – including when winning the WAB February 2021 Player of the Month award.
Even whilst operating as a centre half at Sheffield United, Veltman still ranked joint third among defenders for chances created in gameweek 33. His output should be even greater with more licence to get forward against Leeds.
Many FPL managers invested in Veltman and his fellow Brighton defenders for the trip to Bramall Lane, believing a clean sheet to be on the cards against a Blades outfit who had managed just one goal in six coming into the game.
A shutout may have eluded the Albion, but they still performed relatively well defensively. Sheffield United had just seven efforts on goal on route to victory.
Like Veltman, Lewis Dunk (£4.9 million) offered something going forward as the gameweek’s top defender for passes. The Brighton captain would be another shrewd player to pick ahead of Leeds, although one that is more expensive than Veltman.
For Albion forwards at Bramall Lane, it was an all too familiar story of squandered chances. Neal Maupay (£6.0 million) was top of the expected goal (xG) underachievers across the eight Premier League games last weekend, with Danny Welbeck (£5.5 million) just outside the top 10.
In layman’s terms, this means that both players were unfortunate not to register attacking returns for Brighton and FPL points for fantasy managers who are invested in them.
Choosing between Welbeck and Maupay ahead of the visit of Leeds is difficult for FPL bosses who are looking to invest in the Brighton attack.
Maupay leads the way for touches, goal attempts and shots in the box when the pairs’ output is assessed over the last six gameweeks but Welbeck crucially has the edge when it comes to actual FPL attacking returns (three to one).
At half a million cheaper and just 0.9% owned in comparison to Maupay’s 2.3%, Welbeck could prove to be a great differential between now and the end of the season.
Captain Fantastic
Gameweek 34 is set to be a normal gameweek with all teams playing once. As a result, FPL managers will be able to make an educated decision about their captain based on form and fixtures.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (£11.8 million) returned to the Spurs starting XI for the League Cup final on Sunday and as a result, he will be a popular pick for his club’s gameweek 33 fixture against Sheffield United.
Kane has returned in three of his last four Premier League starts and, if he continues to score at the same rate as he has this season, could overtake Thierry Henry and go sixth in the all-time Premier League goal scoring table.
Leicester City attacking assets also look like nice captain picks this weekend. Jamie Vardy (£10.3 million) ended a seven game goal drought in gameweek 32, whilst the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.2 million) has banked attacking returns in six of his last seven starts.
The Foxes’ frontmen should have ample opportunities to score well against a Southampton team who have conceded 14 goals in their last five Premier League matches – not to mention the fact that Leicester hit the Saints for nine 18 months ago.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2020-21 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout
