Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week | FPL Gameweek 15
In the recent batch of midweek Premier League fixtures, another contender for game-of-the-season unfolded as Arsenal secured an exhilarating 4-3 win over Luton Town, maintaining their slender lead at the top. Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United, keeping the pressure on Arsenal, while Aston Villa claimed a well-deserved 1-0 win over reigning champions Manchester City.
Manchester United relieved some pressure on Erik ten Hag with a 2-1 triumph over Chelsea, and West Ham United secured a similar scoreline against Tottenham Hotspur, who became the first team in Premier League history to score first in five successive games without winning any.
Brighton & Hove Albion staged a comeback to beat Brentford 2-1, maintaining their European ambitions. However, Nottingham Forest faced a 5-0 defeat to Fulham, increasing the pressure on manager Steve Cooper. Crystal Palace suffered a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, Burnley returned to losing ways with a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Everton shocked Newcastle United with a 3-0 victory, lifting them off the bottom of the rankings.
In light of these performances, Sports Dunia has selected its Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for gameweek 15.
Robert Sanchez (Chelsea)
Sheffield United’s goalkeeper, Wes Foderingham, played a crucial role in keeping the scoreline down against Liverpool. Despite being on the losing side, Foderingham’s performance was noteworthy for his contributions in goal. Similarly, Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez had an impressive outing at Old Trafford. He made seven saves during the match, showcasing his goalkeeping skills. Notably, he correctly guessed Bruno Fernandes’s direction to deny a penalty, leaving Old Trafford with his head held high despite Chelsea’s loss.
Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton)
Amid Brighton’s persistent injury crisis and Roberto De Zerbi’s inclination to rotate his resources, 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood found himself thrust into an unfamiliar right-back role for the match against Brentford. Despite his lack of experience in the position, the Seagulls academy graduate had a memorable night.
Hinshelwood made a crucial defensive contribution by clearing a Yoane Wissa attempt off the line. Shortly after this defensive highlight, he went on to score his first senior goal, playing a key role in Brighton’s second-half turnaround. Hinshelwood’s versatility and impactful performance made the evening a noteworthy one for the young academy graduate.
Pascal Gross (Brighton)
In a similar vein, Jack Hinshelwood’s fellow midfielder, Pascal Gross, typically a lynchpin more familiar with the demands of an emergency defender, took on the role of left-back on Wednesday evening with magnificent results. Gross first leveled the scores with a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Brighton’s comeback by providing the back-post delivery for his teenage teammate, Jack Hinshelwood, to head home. Gross’s versatility and impactful contributions in both defensive and attacking capacities showcased his effectiveness in adapting to different roles within the team.
Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Top XI picks for your FPL Team | GW 15
Craig Dawson (Wolves)
In our selection, we also include two traditional center-backs who played in their favored positions. Craig Dawson played a crucial role in solidifying the Wolves backline in their victory over Burnley. His performance exemplified his experience, winning four out of five aerial duels, making nine clearances, and completing 89% of his passes. Dawson’s contribution contributed to the resilience of the Wolves defense and earned him a spot in our selection.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Ibrahima Konate certainly deserves recognition, but in Liverpool’s victory over Sheffield United, Virgil van Dijk managed to slightly outshine his French teammate. With Joel Matip sidelined for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, Van Dijk played a crucial role in easing any concerns about the defensive line. He won four out of five aerial duels, made two interceptions and two tackles. Additionally, he showcased his attacking prowess by scoring a volley reminiscent of a seasoned number nine. Van Dijk’s all-around performance contributed significantly to Liverpool’s success in the match.
Dwight McNeil (Everton)
Scoring for the second consecutive Premier League game, Everton’s Dwight McNeil, who was also the match-winner against Nottingham Forest, created havoc for the Newcastle backline at Goodison Park on Thursday. McNeil’s dynamic performance included robbing Kieran Trippier of the ball, and instead of opting to pass to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he decided to go for the goal himself. This decision paid off as the ball sailed into the far side of the net. Additionally, McNeil showcased his playmaking abilities by providing a deft touch to Abdoulaye Doucoure, which was credited as an assist. McNeil’s impactful contributions and goal-scoring form have been instrumental for Everton in recent matches.
Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Assigning Scott McTominay to a midfield role may seem redundant given the Manchester United player’s proficiency in the penalty area, as evidenced in the clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford. McTominay’s first goal showcased his skill as he delicately lifted the ball before crashing a volley home. In the second half, he extended the Red Devils’ lead with a powerful header at the back post, bringing his tally to five goals for the league season and placing him at the top of his team’s scoring charts. McTominay’s goal-scoring prowess and impact in the penalty area have been a significant asset for Manchester United in the league.
Andreas Pereira (Fulham)
From a current Manchester United midfield enforcer to a former one, Andreas Pereira played a pivotal role in Fulham’s dominant performance against Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian midfielder was actively engaged in nearly every positive aspect of Fulham’s play during the match. Despite being unlucky not to score himself, as he hit the woodwork with a free-kick, Pereira showcased his playmaking skills by providing two assists—one for Raul Jimenez and another for Tom Cairney.
Pereira’s performance in the match was described as a masterclass in playmaking, highlighting his influence in creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
Pereira is one of three Fulham representatives in our gameweek 15 selection. While the South American contributed with a pair of assists, Alex Iwobi secured a more conventional brace in the English capital. Iwobi managed to stay onside to score the opening goal and followed it up with a clever finish as the ball bounced awkwardly for him. Both Pereira and Iwobi played crucial roles in Fulham’s performance, showcasing their attacking prowess and goal-scoring abilities in the match.
Raul Jimenez (Fulham)
Completing the three-pronged Fulham selection, Raul Jimenez ended a nearly four-year drought without a Premier League double since scoring twice against Southampton for Wolves in January 2020. The Mexican striker joined Alex Iwobi in the braces club this week, first crashing home into the roof of the net from Pereira’s delivery. He then showcased his skill by skipping past Odysseas Vlachodimos and adding a touch of flair to proceedings with a cheeky backheel into the open net. Jimenez’s goal-scoring exploits and creative contributions highlighted his impact in Fulham’s impressive performance.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Last but certainly not least, Gabriel Jesus’s football intelligence was rightfully praised on Tuesday evening, where the Brazilian showcased his skills against Luton. With the score still level, Jesus demonstrated awareness by taking a quick throw-in as Hatters players scrambled back, resulting in Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal. Additionally, Jesus rose highest for a header of his own and displayed finesse by delicately lifting the ball through to Kai Havertz. These contributions played a significant role as Arsenal emerged triumphant in a seven-goal spectacle. Jesus’s football intelligence and impact on the game were crucial elements in Arsenal’s success.