Brighton FPL Gameweek 26: Veltman is the main man for the Albion
FPL gameweek 26 is the biggest double gameweek of the season and although Brighton are one of only six teams who do not play twice, they do have a man – or in this case a Veltman – who you should be considering for your team.
Positives from Monday’s defeat to Crystal Palace were thin on the ground. The performance of Brighton goal scorer Joel Veltman was one of the few, as were some impressive underlying stats which will have turned the heads of shrewd FPL managers even if the final score was a bit of a disaster.
The Eagles only having two shots on target for example augurs well ahead of the trip to a West Bromwich Albion outfit who do not possess the same quality of clinical forward as Palace.
Seagulls aside, their are seven additional matches scheduled between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Accordingly, FPL managers should see this as an opportunity to either extend their leads in mini-leagues or claw back much needed points deficits.
Brighton’s defence
Veltman (£4.3 million) produced his first FPL attacking return of the season in gameweek 25 with his first Brighton goal in the 2-1 defeat to Palace also earning him a bonus point.
The wing back sits 16th amongst defenders for creativity and his stats suggest that, with the exception of teammate Lewis Dunk (£4.9 million), he is the best option in the Albion backline for attacking threat.
Brighton may not have the benefit of a double gameweek, but they do face a West Brom side who have conceded in all bar one of their last five matches.
If you are looking to invest in the Seagulls backline, then Dunk and Veltman therefore look to be the best options because of the potential attacking upside that they offer.
Another Brighton defender with a liking for getting forward is Tariq Lampety (£4.6 million). Graham Potter said in his Thursday press conference that Lamptey is closing in on full fitness and could make the bench at the Hawthorns.
It is probably too soon to consider investing in the right back, but FPL managers should watch the impact that his return has on the personnel deployed in the Brighton defence as both he and Veltman would appear to be vying over one position in the starting XI.
Graham Potter may be loathe to change things in his back five though. The Brighton defence still ranks in the top four for the fewest big chances conceded over the last four matches, whilst only Manchester City have given up fewer shots inside the box than the Seagulls. And let’s not forget that the Albion have five clean sheets in their last seven outings.
As the below heat map shows, Brighton largely pinned Crystal Palace in their defensive third for much of gameweek 25. In total, the Eagles touched the ball just twice in the opposing penalty box, and it just so happens that both of those resulted in goals. That will not happen every match – not even to Brighton.
Brighton’s attack
Pascal Gross (£5.8 million) continued to impress in gameweek 25, producing 11 crosses and firing off two shots. The budget option now sits sixth for creativity among midfielders and when facing a West Brom side who have been susceptible at the back, he could be a great differential pick.
Gross is owned by just 0.3 percent of FPL managers and because Brighton play only once in double gameweek 26, a lot of FPL managers are sure to overlook the German playmaker. He could therefore supply points which not many rival managers will acquire.
However, with blank gameweek 29 not too far away, Albion assets are a great option for anyone who needs to a build a team for that round without a wildcard or free hit chip.
Brighton managed 25 shots, 20 in the box, 13 corners and 74 percent of the possession in the Palace game and were unlucky to lose. They are definitely playing well enough to promise attacking returns moving forward.
Captain Fantastic
Gameweek 26 captaincy decisions will be all about the form of the players and what their double gameweek opponents look like. On paper, Spurs have the best fixtures facing both Burnley and Fulham.
Harry Kane (£11.1 million) will be a popular captain having produced 14 goals and three assists in 14 career games against the Clarets and the Cottagers combined.
Bruno Fernandes (£11.6 million) is also likely to be in demand having returned 45 points in the last four gameweeks. The Manchester United man now sits first in the ICT index for midfielders for both influence and creativity.
Manchester City players should not be overlooked either. City have scored 14 goals in their last five matches and kept four clean sheets in the same period, so they are In excellent form. Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1 million) has returned 46 points in that time – and he missed a game through injury.
FPL managers may also flock back to Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8 million) after he registered his first start of since gameweek 19 in last time out against Arsenal. De Bruyne’s ownership is now at just 11.3 percent and so he would be a differential captain option.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2020-21 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout
