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, shots on target, successful dribbles, interceptions, and tackles, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 35 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 35 Ghost Point Hunters
With that dreaded DGW now in the books, we only have four GWs left. The end is nigh; act accordingly. On the big board we have a group of pensioners: Ivan Perisic, Thiago Silva, & Jamie Vardy. GPH can never be accused of being ageist. Honorable Mention, meanwhile, includes: Maddison, Eze, Koch, & Worral. And keeping with the theme of granting the Dr. Peter Venkman Award to players regardless of their immense personal meaning to us (& their spectacular hair), we wipe away the tears and call James Ward Prowse up to the podium.
Ivan Perisic
Position: Midfielder
Team: Tottenham
Rostered: 92%
Ghost Points Per Start: 8.5
Ghost Points Last GW: 12.5
Prospects: Nailed on at LWB barring Davies slotting back in and he's one of the few who is consistently performing.
Verdict: Try and get him in - be creative.
Spurs won the summer transfer window, as we were told. Part of that was the signing of Ivan Perisic, an aging winger but someone who always cooked in the Conte system. It hasn't gone to plan - although many of us thought this was exactly how it would go - but the Croatian has shown some glimpses of brilliance.
Fantasy-wise, outside of Kane, Perisic has been one of the most consistent scorers this season. And he's turning it on at the right time. He has a respectable 8.5 gpps but his 11 ghost point form is even more impressive, and will help you get past the line ROS. His latest outing delivered 12.5 scary scores (along with an Assist): 2 Key Passes, 3 Tackles Won, 1Accurate Cross Not a Corner (ACNCs), 2 Interceptions, 5 Clearances, 2 Successful Dribbles, & 1 Blocked Shot. Perisic is worth trying to acquire before the run in.
Thiago Silva
Position: Defender
Team: Chelsea
Rostered: 84%
Ghost Points Per Start: 7.4
Ghost Points Last GW: 11.75
Prospects: Now seemingly back fit, unless he has an injury setback, he should be first on the teamsheet ROS.
Verdict: The Chelsea schedule is rough so play that up in trade talks (if he isn't on your wire). Don't give up too much but Thiago is the only one we trust.
The Chelsea dip's horse has truly been beaten to death. And we refuse to do it. We'll simply say that they have been a shambles. Thiago Silva is one of the few who can still hold his head high. He just hasn't been fit enough to do so - and he's no spring chicken.
The goal drought is well known but the defense, for it part, has also been a mess. Cleansheets have been hard to come by for Chelsea and Super Frank, lord knows, is not known for managing a staunch defense. Silva, though, has a penchant for nicking headed goals and can ghost when called upon. He showed that mid-week against Arsenal - although shipping 3 masked it. He did by putting in a shift: 1 Tackle Won, 7 Clearances, 4 Blocked Shots, & 5 Aerials. The Blues have a rough set of fixtures but still have Bournemouth this weekend and host Forest. If Silva is dropped, pick him up. Or try to get him on the cheap.
Jamie Vardy
Position: Forward
Team: Leicester City
Rostered: 57%
Ghost Points Per Start: 3.2
Ghost Points Last GW: 12.5
Prospects: Rolling back the years, he looks somewhat like his old self under Dean Smith. While he ghosted this past GW, don't expect it to continue. The Vardy Party is historically a goal dependent affair.
Verdict: We advised picking him up before last week with Nacho's injury but it might not be too late. If he is still on your wire, get on it.
Fantasy managers have long tried to predict when Vardy's legs would go. For most of this season, they have been on ice. He's only started 16 games and scored 3 goals thus far. However, the cream is rising to the top - and at the right time.
With Iheanacho out, Vardy started against Everton (after nicking a goal from a sub appearance the previous game) and delivered. In addition to a goal, he dropped an uncharacteristic 12.5 ghosties, stemming from 1 Key Pass, 2 Shots on Target, 2 Clearances, 3 Successful Dribbles, 1 Blocked Shot, & 5 Aerials. We shouldn't expect this from here on out - his 3.2 gpps is pretty standard fare - but Vardy will be dangerous as he desperately tries to keep his Foxes up.
Honorable Mentions:
James Maddison (Leicester City MID; 20.5 ghosts): We all know he has it in his locker to ghost. He just needs to stay fit. Early returns from the Dean Smith era look good (12 & 20.5 ghosties, respectively, in the past 2 games). He should close out the season nicely.
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace MID; 13 ghosts): The Eze train continues apace; the guy has been pulling up trees since Roy Hodgson made his glorious return. His ghost point form is over 12 points and he is showing no signs of letting up. Will keep you in good stead ROS.
Robin Koch (Leeds United DEF; 10.5 ghosts): Rostering Leeds DEFs is not for the faint of heart. They conceded a record number of goals in April. However, with Big Sam & and his antiquated methods returning to the Prem - expect a low block that may shore up the backline and result in more ghosts. We shall see. Schedule is brutal but let's live a little bit.
Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest DEF; 10.75 ghosts): Rostering Forest DEFs has also been no picnic. Felipe has seemingly gone off the boil so there is an opening for a ghoster. Worrall was the pick of the litter this past GW. He has a cheeky matchup v Saints over the weekend - could be a surprising differential.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton MID; 1 ghost): It gives us absolutely no pleasure whatsoever to do this. We never thought in a million years that we'd be in this horrific position. But here we are. JWP has left us no choice but to relegate him to Venkman status. Everyone can have an off game, even GOATs like him. But he's had a few ones on the trot. He is only mustering a 5.5 ghost point form. Most recently, he only mustered 1 single solitary ghost point against Newcastle - only 1 Interception. JWP rosterers look away. While he is in bad form, his current ghost point per start average - 8.7 - is actually par for the course (his gpps was 8.2 & 8.6 the past two campaigns, respectively). What's missing are the attacking returns as Saints are rock bottom. Let's hope he makes a move over the summer and gets back to his best. In the meantime, pour one out for him.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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