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 32 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 32 Ghost Point Hunters
Back for the first time. GPH took the blank GW to contemplate just hanging it up but just couldn't leave you in the lurch. So here we are, ready for the business end of the season. Let's get it. The big board features ghostly stallions at the back: Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, & Kyle Walker Peters. Meanwhile, honorable mention mostly flags Brighton players that flattered to deceive this week: Leandro Trossard, Solly March, John McGinn, & David Raya (the first GK to make the list). And while the Dr. Peter Venkman Award had many worthy contenders this week, in keeping with the theme of fraudulent seagulls, goes to the little guy, Tariq Lamptey. Enjoy that, son.
Liam Cooper
Position: Defender
Team: Leeds
Rostered: 29%
Ghost Points Per Start: 9.5
Ghost Points Last GW: 16
Prospects: The captain is back and should be nailed on ROS. Leeds blanks in GW33 but does double in GW36 and Cooper is largely matchup-proof given his ghosting prowess.
Verdict: Pick him up!
We missed you, Liam Cooper. Prior to this past GW, Captain Fantastic hadn't started a Premier League game since the beginning of December. When he's played, he has proven his ghost point bonafides. He posted a ghost point per 90 of over 11 last season and he has been relatively close to those numbers when healthy this season. The injury really killed his fantasy prospects but now he has 7 GWs to remind us.
In his first game back, a date over the weekend with Southampton, Cooper didn't skip a beat, delivering 16 supernatural scores. He kept it simple and sourced all of them from three categories. He posted 4 Interceptions, 8 Clearances, 10 Aerials (!). While Leeds does blank in GW33, they have a seemingly good matchup v Watford this GW and also double in GW36. And with the big man getting back to his ghostly ways and the Yorkshire club getting more solid at the back, he should be terrific value ROS. In some leagues, you may have missed the boat. But if he is still on your wire, get some Cooper in your life.
Grant Hanley
Position: Defender
Team: Norwich City
Rostered: 7%
Ghost Points Per Start: 9.0
Ghost Points This Past GW: 14.25
Prospects: As nailed on (& as manly) as it gets.
Verdict: Stream away this GW v Burnley & when needed in other decent matchups ROS (rarities). But proceed with caution.
Manly Hanley. GPH will seize any excuse to feature the mound of testosterone that is Grant Hanley. Thankfully, the Scotsman has provided ample reasons to do so. He can be spotty, especially given Norwich's leaky defense. But he has it in his locker to ghost out, making him stream-worthy for those with the courage to do so.
Against Brighton, he conducted a seance. The result was over 14 ghosties. Hanley achieved this feat via 1 Tackle Won, 1 Interception, 13 Clearances, 3 Blocked Shots, 6 Aerials. With the Burnley giants coming to town - and the aerial points that come with it - this GW, Hanley wouldn't be the worst streamer in the world. At least you'll be original (and you can use the greatest gif in history extolling your move).
Kyle Walker Peters
Position: Defender
Team: Southampton
Rostered: 48%
Ghost Points Per Start: 8.3
Ghost Points This Past DGW: 9
Prospects: Consistent starter at RB. It wasn't his best ghost point performance but he still did the business.
Verdict: Now is the time to pick up KWP, with eyes on the double in GW33.
The 2nd best WP - by a distance - on the south coast, Kyle Walker Peters is a very serviceable fantasy asset. The Saints went through a spell of solidity at the back but that has come and gone. But he continues to persevere, boasting a decent ghost point avg of over 8 points per start and also pops up an attacking return every now and again.
Against Leeds this GW, Walker Peters did just that, as he was fortunate to nab an assist - and it was the most Southampton assist ever. KWP just happened to get fouled and the free kick GOAT, Ward-Prowse, stepped up and unsurprisingly buried it. But he also got his ghost on, with 1 Shot on Target, 2 Tackles Won, 6 Clearances, & 7 Successful Dribbles (his bread & butter). The Saints host a goal-shy, Champions League weary Chelsea this GW and then have a decent DGW against Arsenal and Burnley. Even if they don't get any clean sheets, KWP has the ghosts and the ability to nick a return, which can make up for it. He's one to target this week.
Honorable Mention:
Leandros Trossard (Brighton MID; 11 ghosts): Back from the dead? Well, yes, but just temporarily. A matchup with Norwich will do that for you. Despite a DGW in GW33, Brighton's schedule ROS is terrible. And this is just a momentary blip - Trossard & co will revert to type. Deal out or drop.
Solly March (Brighton MID; 16.5 ghosts): More ghosty than Trossard this season, March put up real nice numbers. But again, this is the Norwich effect. Not opposed to streaming but Solly isn't an ROS hold.
John McGinn (Aston Villa MID; 15 ghosts): The grouchy Scot (redundant?) has been quietly going about his ghostly business. His ghost point tallies over the past 3 GWs: 15, 11, 9.5. He hasn't scored less than 9 points in over a month and a half. Try to get him in.
David Raya (Brentford GK; 16.25 ghosts): In an unprecedented move, someone between the sticks is featured this week. Other than the sheer fact that he played against GPH this week, how can one begin to explain how Raya dropped 14 total points despite no clean sheet or penalty save? We can't.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Tariq Lamptey (Brighton DEF; 2.75 ghosts): Is there anyone more mercurial than one Tariq Lamptey? One day he's an unplayable world beater, the other he's injured for months, and a smattering of mediocrity in between. This season, he has remained true to himself, showing flashes of brilliance but not enough to hold him long term. But up against Norwich, he's surely worth a punt, no? Well, thank goodness for the clean sheet, or else Lamptey would have posted barely anything this GW in that seemingly favorable matchup. In stark contrast to most of his colleagues, the tiny right back couldn't conjure any ghosts. He delivered a Shot on Target & an Accurate Cross Not a Corner (ACNC) - a paltry haul that was then dinged by a yellow card and a dispossession. Lamptey can't be trusted. End of.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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