Final Word Gameweek 28 | Supercoach EPL trades, captains, PODs


<p>Back to the battleground – a low-scoring weekend left the Bolywood Bhoys with 86, ending a 4-week run of triple-figure scores – dropping the overall ranking 80 spots and, more importantly, seeing us fall to Matt Jurman in a H2H. </p>



<p>Time to regather ourselves for one more run – 11 games to go – trades down to 9, and knowing the blank gameweek is ahead.</p>



<p>Particularly heartbreaking to watch Viktor Gyokores score a brace against Spurs after his non-return and my decision to trade him last weekend, but the move was always going to happen if he didn’t score against two teams where there was ample opportunity.</p>



<p>One thing that has bedded in is the importance of targeting teams playing against Tottenham on the run-in – as discussed on the podcast – I think they’re the lowest performing team in the competition at the moment – it’s going to take 4 weeks for new manager Igor Tudor to bed down a new formation as he looks set on doing – so late in the season.</p>



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<p>On the chopping block for the final quarter of the season – <strong>Foden</strong> heavily, heavily rotated, but I’m reluctant to trade yet, given 1) their run for the next three weeks is as soft as it gets, you’ll need to be awake for team-lists to make the hold worthwhile though. 2) The player I’d like to move to <strong>Emi Buendia </strong>is still under heavy rotation threat from the likes of Barkley, Sancho &amp; even Abraham.</p>



<p>(Side Note &#8211; Villa are going to finish this season strong – mark my words – but just who is making up the team each week is up in the air – aside from Matty Cash &amp; Morgan Rogers).</p>



<p><strong>Saliba </strong>and <strong>Raya </strong>are likely the others to go – not because I don’t still trust Arsenal’s defence – but I certainly don’t trust it to the extent I did two months ago, and ultimately <strong>Gabriel</strong> &amp; <strong>Rice</strong> are the more consistent scorers.</p>



<p><strong>Cole Palmer </strong>would be out this week if I had the trades, but while he’s playing, I can’t justify a trade when I already own Fernandes, Rice &amp; Szoboszlai. </p>



<p>I may think about re-investing some in defence after the blank gameweek, but it’s not part of my immediate planning.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Map to Gameweek 31</strong></h3>



<p>I still hold 4 Arsenal assets and 3 from City – the way I’m sitting, I need to clear 3 of them in Total over the next 3 weeks to ensure I have 11 players ready for GW31.</p>



<p>That means 11 fit starters &amp; we re-assess again before the FA Cup blanks late in the season.</p>



<p>So the 3 mentioned above look to be moved aside… but not yet. </p>



<p>Aside from Foden, none are rotation risks &amp; Arsenal did look an improved side against Spurs.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trade Plans</strong></h3>



<p>My view is further forward this week – and after discussing last week with Niko &amp; this week with Matty, how soft Brentford’s run-in is (at least until they visit United in GW34) – <strong>Igor Thiago </strong>is back at the top of my shopping list. </p>



<p>He scored a brace against Burnley in their earlier meeting and has a goal and an assist in the two games (1 in the league, 1 in the EFL Cup) where Brentford have met Bournemouth already this season.</p>



<p><strong>Estevao’</strong>s return to Brazil came at a really inopportune moment during the season and meant he hasn’t been able to break into the first team. </p>



<p>I’m sure he’ll be featuring in the season previews for next season, though – if he doesn’t burst through with a goal and an assist in 3 weeks time against Newcastle.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Captaincy Thoughts</strong></h3>



<p>No loop this week with no players in either of the Friday or Saturday early kick-offs, so it’s a straight toss-up between <strong>Bruno Fernandes </strong>and <strong>Erling Haaland </strong>– the City centre-forward has looked improved over the past couple of weeks and scored twice on his only previous visit to Elland Road a few seasons ago.</p>



<p><strong>Fernandes </strong>and United looked a little sluggish against Everton on Tuesday Morning but were professional enough to come away with a result anyway. </p>



<p>More than happy to stick the VC next to the Portuguese maestro, just in case Haaland is rested.</p>



<p>Palmer against Arsenal is a no-go, and Szoboszlai continues to score but also continues to be utilised by Arne Slot as a right-back.</p>



<p>Arsenal’s recent dip at the back means I’m not going back to the well with Gabriel just yet, either.</p>



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<p><strong>Trades/Captaincy</strong></p>



<p>Thiago IN</p>



<p>Estevao OUT</p>



<p><strong>Captaincy</strong></p>



<p>VC: Fernandes</p>



<p>C: Haaland</p>


Final Word Gameweek 28 | Supercoach EPL trades, captains, PODs

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