By this point, Arsenal has already lowered the expectations of their followers with consistent campaigns away from Champions League football and an inability to reclaim elite-European status after changing the manager, twice as well as general underperformance. The potential cup success means nothing to Draft Fantasy football managers, but what does – is their capability to comprehensively win their final two games against Aston Villa and Watford.

 

So why back Arsenal players now? Based on ownership percentages; there are likely to be a few available in your league. It may be a broken record, but Arsenal plays much better without pressure. Toward the end of the season, when there are only meager positions to play for – the Gooners produce the football that would win them the league (should they have done it consistently from the start).  With a maximum finish of 59 points – Champions League football is unobtainable; and the ever-so undesirable Europa League creeping in as a reality, there’s little to fret over. As seen on the pitch that Arsenal could defeat Liverpool on Wednesday.

Their last two opponents come in the form of Aston Villa this weekend and Watford at home on the final day. Both of which have good omens for the Gunners; as they’ve not lost at Villa Park since 1998; and have comprehensively bossed the fixture since 2014; winning all seven meetings between the sides since then. Villa’s five losses since the restart don’t bode well for this on-point visiting Arsenal side.

The North London side don’t have quite as good a record against Watford but won the last two fixtures at the Emirates, 3-0 and 2-0. Again the form table ranks the sides as chalk and cheese. Arsenal has even made a legacy for turning up on the final day; having won all their last eight ends of season games.

 

 

 

Goals on the South Coast

On paper, the meeting between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton doesn’t sound so appealing. Yet below the surface, there’s a goal-fest brewing given what’s on the line. Eddie Howe’s team needs to distance themselves from the drop-zone; whereas Ralph Hasenhüttl understands the wider implications of finishing higher in the league. Giving the selling culture the club has developed over seasons past, he needs to maximize his income with a decent league placement.

Danny Ings has stepped up to become a contender for the Golden Boot, whereas Bournemouth’s goal threat is shared around Callum Wilson, Harry Wilson, and Joshua King. All of which should be on the waiver alerts for the weekend, as there are goals afoot in this fixture; with the two teams fighting toward their respective end of season targets.

 

 

Stream against Crystal Palace?

There’s no surprise that Norwich City sits in the lower ebbs of the form table, relegated six losses from six games; but another aviary-fancying side, Crystal Palace, find themselves in similar straits. Having the same record in the same period but conceded more goals, the club from South East London are statistically the worst for form.

The Eagles come up against teams vying for European spots; Wolves and Tottenham have had incentives to play for since the restart. Unless Roy Hodgson can motivate his team, their opposition may register cricket scores against them; having already secured safety from relegation.

Given the lack of goals and the fragile defense, the shrewd Draft Fantasy manager will capitalize by bringing opposition players on respective weekends to score a multitude of points at the expense of Crystal Palace’s shortcomings.