Brighton FPL Double Gameweek 25: Neal Maupay faces leaky defences

Brighton are one of two Premier League sides to play twice in FPL gameweek 25 and their double against Watford followed by Manchester United look like the sort of fixtures where a game-leading forward like Neal Maupay can thrive.

Many FPL managers would have pushed Albion assets to the back of their minds in gameweek 24 when the Seagulls were without a fixture. Gameweek 25 though is a different kettle of fish.

Currently, only one Brighton player is owned by 10 percent of FPL managers – goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (£4.6 million). This means that investing in the Albion can provide huge differentials.

Defensive Investment
Before we get to Maupay, let us start with the case for investing in Brighton defensive assets for the double FPL gameweek.

The Albion have kept six clean sheets so far this season. Only six teams have more. Conceding just 23 goals is a record that only four teams have bettered.

Sanchez has made 60 saves and has a Bonus Points System (BPS) baseline of 331, which is the fifth best in FPL. At his price point, he offers managers a cheap set-and-forget goalkeeper with good potential for returns.

Defender Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) could also be a good investment. Prior to his season ending injury with the 2020-21 campaign 11 games old, the right wing back was becoming an increasingly popular FPL asset.

Managers seem to be a little more cautious when it comes to Lamptey this season – and with good reason.

Potter has carefully managed his game time – understandable after 10 months out – and he has played just 814 minutes so far this season from eight starts and seven substitute appearances.

Despite his lack of game time, Lamptey’s returns are good. He has been involved in three clean sheets and one assist and ranks seventh amongst defenders for expected assists per 90 minutes.

He is also 10th for expected goal involvement (xGI) per 90. Therefore, he should be on the radar of FPL managers for double gameweek 25.

All out attack
Leandro Trossard (£6.0 million) was missing for last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Spurs as a result of testing positive for Covid-19.

Potter though said in his Thursday press conference that the Belgian forward was available for selection in gameweek 25. That is good news for the Albion and FPL managers.

So far this season, Trossard has recorded four goals and an assist. He is the Seagulls’ best ‘midfielder’ for expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvement (xGI) with tallies of 4.46 and 6.74, coming second to Pascal Gross for expected assists (xA) with a score of 2.08.

Trossard also has 106 penalty area touches so far this season, which is more than any other Brighton player including Maupay (£6.5 million).

Unsurprisingly, Neal Maupay is top across the Brighton squad for both xG and xGI in FPL. He has returned seven goals from 37 attempts so far this season as well as having nine big chances.

Maupay is currently the fifth highest scoring forward in the whole of FPL. Indeed, in the £7.5 million and under category for forwards, Maupay ranks second.

Saturday opponents Watford have one of the worst defensive records in the top flight. Tuesday opponents Manchester United have kept just one clean sheet in their last six Premier League fixtures.

Maupay has been in good form over the past few months, including topping the WAB Power Rankings for December. He should be licking his lips at the prospects of facing two leaky back lines.

Captain fantastic
Double gameweek players from United will be popular picks for the captain’s armband. Bruno Fernandes (£11.7 million) returned 23 points in his last double and even though he has failed to return since then, the appeal of 180 minutes will make him an attractive prospect.

Likewise, Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5 million) will likely be highly captained as a result of being well-rested from being on the bench for most of gameweek 24’s match at Burnley.

However, FPL managers do not have to captain a double gameweek player. Mohamed Salah (£12.8 million) is back from the African Cup of Nations and has an attractive fixture against Burnley whilst Kevin De Bruyne (£12.2 million) looks a great option against Norwich City.

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