In this brave new Premier League world with five substitutes, attendance figures at a static zero, and Arsenal seemingly unable to battle for fourth place; much is possible going into the final three games of the English top-flight.

Manchester City vs. AFC Bournemouth

Perplexities shroud Manchester City’s encounter with AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday night. The form table suggested Eddie Howe’s side were sinking to relegation; written off at every juncture. The Cherries ripped up the weekend manuscript and produced their biggest win of the season against a much-favored Leicester City side who are striving for Champions League football.

Given UEFA’s new ruling on Manchester City’s participating in the European competitions; and the Citizens could still win the FA Cup; there’s everything to play for Pep Guardiola – excluding the Premier League.

Yet on their current course, the Sky Blues have shown no signs of letting up; after all, two successive 5-0 victories are not the product of a team who are ready for their holidays. In totality, the fixture presents no firm indication as the form book has gone out the window. Pep rotation during all this just deepens the frustration for the Draft Fantasy manager trying to garner points toward the end of the season.

West Ham vs. Watford

Another fixture presenting a muddle of information is the game taking place at London Stadium on Friday night. West Ham United enter in a positive, yet little sporadic form; defeating Chelsea, drawing with Newcastle, losing to Burnley before Antonio’s four goals last weekend sent Norwich back to the second tier.

Watford has put together back-to-back victories for the first time in 2020. While the Hornets were provisionally written off this season, Nigel Pearson has lifted their fortunes – famously defeating Liverpool 3-0 before the lockdown.

The prompt Draft Fantasy manager will have picked up players from respective sides, expecting goals. With the last five years producing regular fixtures between the sides, there has not been single a bore-draw produced from them; with both sides usually scoring in the process.

Given the two sides are locked 16th and 17th respectively, equal on 34 points each, there’s every reason to expect an exciting game for Draft Fantasy managers who have adopted players from these sides.

Norwich City: Flocking the Nest

With their 4-0 thrashing at home, Norwich City’s Premier League status was confirmed to a one-year tenure. Even the most passionate Canaries follower will have umbrage with the contemporary side donning the famous yellow strip.

In Draft Fantasy terms, the side there has also been little to get excited about either. Promoted sides very rarely tempt DF manager with their players, yet Norwich did have one exception to the rule this season with Teemu Pukki. The Finnish international scored 29 goals in the Championship in the campaign prior, enough to cajole some to procure his services in front of goal.

Pukki started well, scoring at Anfield on the opening weekend; after which scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 home win against Newcastle United. Yet when the Autumn sun retired, Pukki quickly became less relevant and with no goals since the restart, or as far back as mid-January, the Finnish international has become an undesirable placeholder. While he’s overdue a goal; and the side can essentially play without fear now they are already relegated; Norwich may play better; yet it is still unlikely Pukki will score against away from home at Chelsea, away at Manchester City or even against an in-form Burnley at Carrow Road.

The other Canaries like Todd Cantwell, Emi Buendía, and Mario Vrančić may still be on the benches of some teams, given their relatively good performances in a below-par side. However, they may be better shifted to the waiver wire – and potentially set as a target for next year, should they transfer to another PL side for the next campaign.