The Headline Pick: Kevin De Bruyne – Arsenal & Burnley
Manchester City’s pair of Double Gameweek fixtures puts them centre stage when it comes to selecting assets for the Premier League resumption. Pep Guardiola is renowned for rotating his squads, but Kevin De Bruyne is their key player and is expected to start both games.
Kevin De Bruyne has created the most chances in the Premier League this season, and is well ahead on the assists charts, with 16 officially, and 18 in fantasy terms. While many players may get off to a slow start to the resumption, De Bruyne’s capabilities from set pieces should support his returns.
He’s already seen over 70,000 transfers in at the time of writing, which is the fourth highest purchase rate. I’d expect to see his ownership exceed 50% by the Gameweek 30+ deadline, with many managers awarding him the captains armband too.
De Bruyne is now available to back at 10/1 to score against Arsenal this midweek.
The Budget Pick: Jack Grealish – Sheffield United & Chelsea
If you’re short on funds or reluctant to sell your big name players from Liverpool and Manchester United in favour of Double Gameweek players, Jack Grealish is easier to slot in at his £6.4 million price tag. The fixtures are mixed but the stakes are high for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa sit 19th in the Premier League table, with a game in hand and have the opportunity to leapfrog Bournemouth, Watford and West Ham in their opening game. Jack Grealish is at the heart of Aston Villa’s creative capabilities, having seven goals and seven assists this season.
The Lions will be bolstered by the return of John McGinn from a broken ankle, to support Grealish in midfield. The Villa captain found himself in hot water for breaking lockdown rules in late March and will look to redeem those actions with his impact on the pitch.
The VAR Pick: Ederson – Arsenal & Burnley
Instead of chasing penalty conversions with the return of the Premier League and VAR, I’m looking to tip a goalkeeper who could benefit from Stockley Park getting back underway. Ederson has two penalty saves from his Premier League career.
Manchester City’s opponents Arsenal and Burnley have been awarded three and two penalties respectively this campaign. There will be high hopes for clean sheets from the current title holders: they already have ten, including one in the reverse fixture against Arsenal. He’s guaranteed to play both games.
Ederson has made 50 saves this season and always carries an outside threat of an attacking return. He assisted Sergio Aguero last season in the Premier League and is particularly outspoken about wanting to take spot-kicks at the other end of the pitch – a hot topic for City with their poor conversion rate from penalties this season.
You can back VAR and bet on Arsenal to miss a penalty against Manchester City at odds of 17/1.
The Sleeper Pick: George Baldock – Aston Villa & Newcastle
While Manchester City are likely to draw most suitors ahead of the Double Gameweek, the other three sides with two fixtures should not be overlooked. Sheffield United have been particularly impressive this season, currently sitting 7th in the Premier League table with an outside shot of securing a top 4 finish.
Much of their success comes from resolute defensive performances, with ten in total this season. Their wing back system has been a huge support in this and George Baldock has been a big beneficiary of this, with the licence to roam forward.
He has six attacking returns this season: two goals and four assists. He’s also grabbed seven bonus points this campaign and has completed 91 crosses. He’s played every minute so far this season, which should eliminate fears of rotation in the double.
The Wildcard Pick: Raheem Sterling – Arsenal & Burnley
Despite fears of rotation, Raheem Sterling could be the wildcard option who is worth the risk for the Double Gameweek. He’s had a disappointing campaign following a promising start to the season, but the break may given him a reset and some much needed confidence.
Sterling started the season with a hat trick and goals in the next two games, demonstrating his ability to hit the ground running after a lengthy absence. He also scored in the reverse fixture against Arsenal, a match that City won 3-0.
He has a high ceiling for returns, although it’s difficult to predict how Pep Guardiola will rotate his squad. There are five days between games and while the title is not completely wrapped up, expect Manchester City to be ruthless in their approach.
Sterling, to score two or more goals is 11/2 against Arsenal.
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Source: Betfair Premier League
