Brighton FPL Gameweek 32: Surprising reasons to invest in Albion strikers
You might need to sit down before you read this. Ask a Brighton fan if you should invest in Albion strikers for your FPL team, and 99 percent would say it is the most stupid decision you could possibly make. On a par with spending £14 million on Jurgen Locadia.
Brighton have not won a game since a 2-0 victory over Watford back in gameweek 25. Over the intervening seven gameweeks, the Albion have weighed in with only one goal. It has been dire.
A lot of FPL managers have jettisoned Brighton assets as a result, especially strikers. That solitary goal came from defender Lewis Dunk away at Newcastle United, meaning that Neal Maupay opening the scoring at Vicarage Road is the last time an Albion forward contributed a goal or an assist.
Believe it not, however, but the underlying stats suggest that the tide might be about to change for Graham Potter and Brighton.
The Seagulls actually rank ninth for expected goals (xG) over the last four gameweeks. They are also third across the Premier League for xG from set pieces – only Aston Villa and Southampton can better them in that regard.
In the same period, only the top three clubs have enjoyed more possession in the final third than Brighton. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are not bad company to be in. Just Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have had more touches in the final third than the Seagulls.
Brighton are also joint-third with Aston Villa for chances created in this time with only Arsenal and Tottenham having created more.
The Albion’s 69 goal attempts puts them equal with Liverpool and a lot of those shots have been blocked – more than any other team, in fact.
This suggests that Brighton have been very unlucky not to return more goals and FPL points throughout their seven game streak without a win. Perhaps Brighton fans shouting shoot has actually been helpful, contrary to Potter’s belief?
The Seagulls’ bad luck has to turn at some point and as a result, FPL managers could consider investing in one of Brighton’s attacking options.
Maupay (£6.5 million) is top for goal attempts in this period with 14, closely followed by the 12 of Alexis Mac Allister (£5.2 million) and 10 from Leandro Trossard (£5.9 million).
In fact, Trossard has received more passes and had more touches in the final third than any team mate, suggesting he is very likely to be involved in all attacking play. In addition, he is top across the Brighton team for non-penalty expected goal involvement (NPxGI).
Finally, Brighton are on the road in gameweek 32. Scoring away from home has tended to be less of an issue that putting the ball in the back of the net at the Amex, so it would not be a surprise to see them strike at the Emirates Stadium.
Captain Fantastic
With Manchester City and Liverpool playing each other, many FPL managers will look at different captaincy options this weekend.
Harry Kane (£12.5 million) has been in excellent form for Spurs as they push for a top four finish. The striker has returned in seven of his last eight Premier League matches.
He is also top for recent goals, with seven during the last six Gameweeks, as well as being top for attacking returns (12).
However, even with a dip in form and a difficult fixture, FPL managers shouldn’t overlook Mo Salah (£13.3 million).
Salah has returned in all of his last three league meetings against City and Liverpool will determined to beat the reigning champions to gain an advantage in the title race.
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