Brighton FPL Gameweek 21: Sanchez save rate makes a premium pick
Injury time in FPL gameweek 20 was a cause of celebration for Brighton fans and every Seagulls player from Robert Sanchez in goal to Neal Maupay up top.
It also turned the heads of Premier League watchers around the world as Danny Welbeck scored to give the Albion a deserved draw at European Champions Chelsea. On the balance of play, you could say that Thomas Tuchel’s Blues were lucky to get away with a point.
The 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge meant that Brighton have now picked up four points from the past two matches – and the good news for FPL managers is that the most popular Seagulls assets have all performed well.
Since gameweek 15, Sanchez (£4.6 million) has registered 16 saves. Only 1996 Coca Cola Cup runners up The Leeds United’s Illan Meslier (£4.9 million) and Lucas Fabianski (£5.0 million) have made more.
However, they have conceded 16 and eight goals respectively compared to Sanchez, who has conceded just three. Sanchez is barely conceding at the same time as making some vital stops for Brighton, which is a brilliant combination to have in an FPL goalkeeper.
The Seagulls’ fixtures over the next few gameweeks look kind. They face Everton who could well be rusty after seeing their past three matches postponed.
That is followed by rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex with the Eagles having conceded six goals in their last three and then there is a trip to injury hit Leicester City, currently without their three first choice centre forwards.
Throughout the last five gameweeks, Brighton have one of the best expected goals conceded (xGC) stats in the league with only Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool recording better clean sheet potential than the Seagulls.
The top four play against each other at the weekend and therefore a move from one of their goalkeepers to Sanchez is something FPL managers could target, based on such underlying defensive stats.
Captain Fantastic
When Liverpool’s gameweek 19 fixture was postponed, a number of FPL managers sold Mohamed Salah (£13.0 million) in order to ensure they put out a full strength team.
With Salah due to leave for the African Cup of Nations straight after gameweek 21, there will be many managers who are therefore looking for a differential captain this weekend.
Tottenham have had a strong new manager bounce since the arrival of Antonio Conte and they face a Watford side who they always seem to do well against.
Harry Kane (£12.1 million) has now scored in his last three Premier League matches and teammate Son Heung-Min (£10.5 million) registered 10 points against the Hornets in gameweek 3.
Son also knocked up one of his biggest ever FPL hauls when facing Watford back in the 2016-17 season, returning 19 points for his managers.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£7.8 million) could also be a great differential captain this weekend, having registered seven attempts between gameweeks 17 and 19 – the second best total amongst forwards in that period.
Of course managers that do still own Salah should consider keeping faith with the Egyptian – even after his penalty miss in midweek – as Liverpool face a Chelsea team without either of their favoured wing-backs Ben Chilwell (£5.6 million) or Reece James (£6.4 million).
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2021-22 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout
