Brighton FPL Gameweek 35: Bank on the flanks with Albion wingers
After that six game losing streak through February and March, the Albion have now taken points from four of their last five Premier League fixtures. And the most notable aspect of the turnaround? The way Brighton are using their wingers – which is good news for FPL managers.
Over their last six matches, the Seagulls sit fourth for successful crosses having delivered 27 into the oppositions’ penalty area.
Brighton also rank in the top 10 for overall chances created and chances created from the left flank over the same period, again highlighting an increased use of wingers.
This makes Albion players who are used as wingers down that left-hand side an attractive FPL investment. Potter has spent recent matches changing formation and personnel to specifically target weaknesses in the opposition.
It remains likely however that it will be Marc Cucurella (£4.9 million) or Leandro Trossard (£4.9 million) who operates out on the left when Brighton travel to Wolves – perhaps even both, depending on what Potter settles on doing.
Trossard had spent most of the campaign playing through the middle, either as a number 10 or alongside Neal Maupay.
He has thrived in international football for Belgium though as a left wing back and Potter decided to copy Roberto Martinez by using Trossard in that position, starting with the trip to Arsenal.
The switch has proven a roaring success. Trossard has since returned in each of his last three Premier League matches for Brighton, including goals in the wins at Arsenal and Spurs. Only seven midfielders have more attacking returns from their last four outings.
In addition, he has played more successful passes in the final third than any other teammate. From the Albion squad, only Enock Mwepu (£5.9 million) has more FPL points in the last six matches than Trossard.
At the back, Cucurella and the Brighton defence have kept two clean sheets in the last four gameweeks. The Spaniard has created seven chances in the last six matches – level with Trossard and more than all other Brighton defenders.
Those are remarkable numbers when you consider he has spent most of those games playing in the Albion’s back three rather than as a roving wing back.
His 17 crosses during this period – five of which were successful – rank third across the Brighton squad. With Trossard and Cucurella in such fine form, it is little wonder the Seagulls have had so much joy down the left.
Captain Fantastic
Tottenham’s Harry Kane (£12.5 million) has blanked in the last two gameweeks. However, he has an excellent record against gameweek 35 opponents Leicester City.
Kane’s biggest ever FPL return came against the Foxes and he has returned in seven of his last nine Premier League fixtures against them, which includes five double-digit hauls.
The England captain averages 9.23 points per match versus Leicester and with Spurs needing to win in their race for fourth place, he looks a good pick.
For managers looking for a differential captain, Everton have conceded 42 chances from the left flank since gameweek 23 – the fifth-most in the league.
This could make both Marcus Alonso (£5.6 million) and Mason Mount (£7.7 million) good options for the armband, as they can expect to get a lot of joy at Goodison Park.
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