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FLP tips: Chelsea's steely defence could produce another clean sheet

FLP tips: Chelsea's steely defence could produce another clean sheet
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Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho hit form before the international break, while Thomas Tuchel's arrival at Chelsea has seen their defence tighten up.

Chelsea provide defensive strength while Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho is Fantasy Premier League's form player as domestic action resumes.

With managers looking to shape their squads for the season run-in, the PA news agency looks at who the statistics point to for gameweek 30.

Call on Kelechi

Top attacking picks for FPL gameweek 30
Kelechi Iheanacho is gameweek 30's top recommendation (PA graphic)

Iheanacho scored five goals in three games before the international break, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United, and a maximum three bonus points in each of those games helped him rack up 44 of his 55 points this season.

PA's Transfer Score metric combines a player's form – accounting for 50 per cent of the rating and obviously boosting Iheanacho's standing – with cost, ownership and upcoming fixture difficulty rating (FDR).

Games against Iheanacho's former club Manchester City on Saturday and at West Ham next week drive up Leicester's FDR and there will naturally be concerns his run of scoring form – also including an FA Cup double against Manchester United – is unsustainable.

At £5.7million and with less than three per cent ownership, though, there is still the chance to be an early adopter at low risk.

What is more, it is rare for a striker to rate highly in transfer score this season – his mark of 84 leads the league this week and is 15 points clear of the next best frontmen, Southampton's Che Adams and Burnley's Chris Wood.

Bet on big guns at the back

Top defensive picks for FPL gameweek 30
Luke Shaw leads the way but Chelsea's defence offers huge appeal (PA graphic)

Between defenders and goalkeepers, Chelsea and Manchester United provide five of this week's six recommendations, with United full-back Luke Shaw's transfer score of 80 trailing only Iheanacho in the league-wide ratings.

Thomas Tuchel's side then complete the top five, with Andreas Christensen (77) and Cesar Azpilicueta (75) followed in the rankings by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (74).

With West Brom, Crystal Palace and Brighton next on the schedule and Fulham also on the horizon, it is no surprise the Blues are tipped to build on their run of four successive clean sheets in the league and fantasy managers would be wise to take advantage.

Top goalkeeping picks for FPL gameweek 30
Keeper Edouard Mendy maintains Chelsea's domination (PA graphic)

United goalkeeper Dean Henderson's average of 6.7 fantasy points per game while deputising for David De Gea drives up his transfer score to 71 but beware – the Spaniard is now available after paternal duty and a subsequent period of quarantine so should be expected to return this week.

That may make Leeds' Illan Meslier a more appealing option – his form is better in any case, with only higher ownership and a slightly trickier run of games keeping his transfer score a point below Henderson's.

Midfielders fall back

Top midfield picks for FPL gameweek 30
All change in midfield with Leandro Trossard on top (PA graphic)

Midfield has been where the action is for much of the season, but week 30 sees the balance change.

Increased ownership has finally caught up with Ilkay Gundogan after a relative dip in form – the same is true of his Manchester City colleagues in defence – while the numerous Premier League forwards filed as FPL midfielders have not been living up to their hefty price tags.

Brighton's Leandro Trossard assumes the mantle of our top pick this week – he scored against Southampton and Newcastle before the international break, where he bagged a brace for Belgium against Belarus – and while games against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea cap the Seagulls' appeal, his transfer score of 71 is unmatched in midfield.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is just two behind, with Wolves' Joao Moutinho rounding out the podium.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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