We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, successful dribbles, interceptions, accurate crosses, and aerials, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 3 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System. Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 3 Ghost Point Hunters
Back for the first time. The fantasy season is now in full swing and we're trying to get a W before the dreaded international break. These ghost point protagonists might just help you do that: Trincao (one name like Prince), Declan Rice, and Marcal. This week's article gives you an option at each outfield position and one of them (Marcal) should be on your waiver wire. And the Dr. Peter Venkman award goes to one Diogo Jota.
Trincao
Position: Forward
Team: Wolves
Rostered: 70% (wow)
Ghost Points Per 90: 14.2
Prospects: Although the return of Podence may shake things up a bit, Trincao should be pretty nailed on. And Pedro Neto's injury setback will postpone any further tinkering up front.
Verdict: The diminutive Portuguese showed in GW2 that he wasn't a one hit wonder. His ghost points currently eclipse Sadio Mane. If he and Wolves add attacking returns, the sky is the limit. I'd try a MID3+ DEF3 for him.
As someone who was very high on the young Portuguese who came on a transfer from Barcelona, even I am pleasantly surprised with how well Trincao has done thus far. I did not expect double digit scores and such ghost point capability...and so soon. Following up an excellent performance in GW1, Trincao proved he was no one week wonder, dropping 13 ghost points in GW2. And he reshuffled his deck, showing some versatility. While in GW1 he relied on 5 successful dribbles, his ghost points in GW2 versus Spurs stemmed from a variety of sources: 2 Key Passes, 3 Shots on Target, 1 Accurate Cross Not a Corner, and 1 Successful Dribble. The tricky winger is fun to watch and can do it all on the attacking front. The one knock is the lack of attacking returns - Wolves has yet to score a goal this season - but that will come. Trincao's value will only increase with time; try to get him in now or wait for a potential dip against Man Utd this weekend. Daniel Podence's impending return to Premier League action may scare some managers but I reckon it's Trincao's spot to lose. And Neto ain't coming back any time soon.
Declan Rice
Position: Midfielder
Team: West Ham
Rostered: 92%
Ghost Points Per 90: 14.3
Prospects: Declan Rice is the heart of the Hammers' midfield and should be as reliable as James Ward Prowse. These performances bode well for the future but we could see a reversion to the CDM mean.
Verdict: Is this a brand new Declan Rice? He could be worth the punt to find out. But I'd propose testing the trading waters to see what you can get for him on a high. As we all know, performing midfielders are very hard to find, and these numbers speak for themselves.
As we all know, defensive midfielders rarely score as well as their attacking cousins, other than a few exceptions. Declan Rice has posted some monster scores in the past but hasn't really been a consistent exception to the rule. Last season, he averaged 7.6 points per start and 6.8 ghost points per 90 - standard fare for most CDMs. Step forward 2021/2022 Declan Rice. He is currently 6th overall in our ghost point tracker with over 14 gpp90. In GW2, he delivered over 15 scary scores - 2 Key Passes, 4 Tackles Won, 2 Accurate Crosses Not Corners, 3 Interceptions, 2 Clearances, 2 Successful Dribbles, and 1 Aerial. Rice was a man possessed. It certainly didn't hurt that his team was playing against 10 men for most of the match. But this now two weeks in a row in which Rice has ghosted out. He is seemingly playing a bit further forward, as indicated by his increased touches in the final third, but this is likely a tactical aberration (e.g., playing against ten men). I am still somewhat skeptical he can keep this up and would thus seek to trade him out on a high or at least see what is on offer. Let's see if this new and improved Rice is an imposter.
Marcal
Position: Defender
Team: Wolves
Rostered: 4%
Ghost Points Per 90: 9
Prospects: Surprisingly, he has wrested the LB role from Rayan Ait-Nouri, at least for now. While he is injury prone and could lose the spot, he is a no brainer as a streaming option until proven otherwise.
Verdict: Pick him up off the wire!
I don't usually need an excuse to tout Wolves wingbacks. But thankfully Marcal has given me one with his most recent performance. Over the summer, most of us assumed Rayan Ait Nouri (RAN) who just signed a new contract, would crack on and be the starting LB. But that hasn't been the case - maybe because RAN doesn't speak Portuguese? - as the well traveled Marcal has started the first few games for new manager, Bruno Lage. And he has put in some shifts. GW2 saw the Brazilian drop 9 ghosties from 1 Key Pass, 3 Tackles, 2 Accurate Crosses Not Corners, 3 Interceptions, 1 Clearance, and 2 Aerials. Marcal isn't lighting the world on fire but if he maintains these ghost points and pairs them with an occasional clean sheet and/or attacking return, he would post DEF2/DEF3 numbers. And he is likely on your waiver wire! We'll see if he keeps his spot but go ahead and stream away if need be.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Diogo Jota (FWD, Liverpool): Jota starts, Jota scores. Making it two goals in two games, the Portuguese has an eye for goal. Unfortunately, he hasn't seen dead people yet this season, averaging just 5.8 ghost points per starts and building up an unhealthy goal dependence. He is also a candidate for early substitution. As long as he keeps scoring goals, he'll get you 14-15 per GW. But sooner or later, that will dry up. Act accordingly.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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