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 36 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 36 Ghost Point Hunters
The end is nigh. The season of must win GWs is upon us. What better time to scrape the bottom of the barrel? GPH digs into the bargain bin for the big board this week: Moises Caicedo, Jeffrey Schupp, & Abdoulaye Doucoure. Meanwhile, the Honorable Mention section is filled with a few more household names: Lucas Digne, James Milner, Christian Eriksen, John McGinn, James Tarkowski, Joao Pedro, & Eddie Nketiah (doesn't get any more high-profile). Finally, Jarrod Bowen takes home the un-coveted Dr. Peter Venkman Award this week. Blow some bubbles with that.
Moises Caicedo
Position: Midfielder
Team: Brighton
Rostered: 4%
Ghost Points Per Start: N/A
Ghost Points This Past GW: 13.5
Prospects: Has looked bright when given the nod. Has started the last 5 & should get more opportunities ROS.
Verdict: Stream away if you need a solid MID with upside in a pinch.
Who? Not many folks are familiar with one Moises Caicedo. These are the hipster finds for which you rely upon GPH. We shall not disappoint. The young Ecuadorian has only been given 5 starts this season - but they have come in the last 5 GWs. Potter seems to have taken a recent shine to the lad. And he has shown some real quality.
Fantasy-wise, Caicedo has been hit or miss. He popped up with an assist in his debut v Arsenal but then went quiet for a few games. That was until this past GW, where he dropped over a dozen supernatural scores. These stemmed from 2 Key Passes, 1 Shot on Target, 4 Tackles Won, 2 Interceptions, & 2 Successful Dribbles. In short, he was pretty prolific. Now all this needs to be taken with a hefty pinch of Andean salt. His opponents, Wolves, were dreadful, and most of the Seagulls had their way with them and ended up with decent scores. GPH wants to see more ghosting before signing up. But Caicedo is one to keep an eye on ROS and potentially next season.
Jeffrey Schlupp
Position: Midfielder
Team: Crystal Palace
Rostered: 11%
Ghost Points Per Start: 6.1
Ghost Points Last GW: 13
Prospects: Hasn't been nailed on but will get at least a few more starts in the run in.
Verdict: Good stream this week, even better for the DGW next week (provided he starts the first game).
No stranger to draft community veterans. Jeffrey "My Name Is Jeff" Schlupp is a legend, delivering random ghost point-laden hauls for Crystal Palace and previously Leicester. He needs no introduction. However, he may need a reintroduction. If Schlupp can get a run of games ROS, he can be quite dangerous.
The knock on Schlupp has always been game time. When he starts, he usually delivers. But lack of consistent playing time means he is usually picked up and dropped more than a bad habit (or a dirty penny?). Such is life for ole Jeff. True to form, he has been benched by Vieira recently, but got a run out this past GW v Southampton. And he didn't disappoint, shipping 13 Caspers, procuring them from the following: 3 Key Passes, 1 Tackle Won, 2 Accurate Crosses Not Corners (ACNCs), 1 Interception, 2 Clearances, 3 Successful Dribbles, & 1 Aerial. A solid all around performance for Schlupp. A nice match up at home to dead man walking Watford, followed by a DGW? Yes, please. Pounce if he starts.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Position: Midfielder
Team: Everton
Rostered: 45%
Ghost Points Per Start: 5.8
Ghost Points This Past GW: 11.5
Prospects: Nailed on, with a solid floor and ghosting potential.
Verdict: Pick him up for the DGWs!
Where to begin with this guy (Abdoulaye Doucoure)? The Douc has taken us on quite the rollercoaster ride this season. First, he had an Autumn to remember, dropping double digit scores like they were going out of style. Then he hibernated for the Winter - failing to eclipse 10 points from mid-October until the present day. A spring rebirth?
Former manager Rafa Benitez tactically had Doucoure firing, putting him in good offensive positions in which to rack up some puntos. But he and Everton then dropped off a cliff. Enter Super Frankie Lampard and his scores were still on the mediocre side. But none of this matters. Why? Because we're currently in a DGW frenzy! Nailed on holding midfielders like Doucoure are solid gold for such occasions. And the fact that he seemingly found form at just the right time is a bonus. This past GW v Chelsea, he posted double digit ghosts, snagging them from a variety of sources: 3 Key Passes, 2 Tackles Won, 2 Interceptions, 1 Successful Dribble, 1 Blocked Shot, & 1 Aerial. Everton will need him to keep up these box-to-box performances in the crucial upcoming fixtures, which happen to be back-to-back DGWs. Get him in!
Honorable Mention:
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa DEF; 11.5 ghosts): Who was expecting that? Lucas rose from the dead, returning the starting XI in spectacular fashion. He also lasted more than 15 minutes! Impossible is nothing. He also ghosted. Granted, it was Norwich. But it's exciting, especially given Villa's back-to-back DGWs.
James Milner (Liverpool MID; 11.5 ghosts): The old dog doesn't have any new tricks, but his current bag is good enough. He refurbished his ghosting bonafides and is a solid stream if he gets another start ROS (but don't count on him for the DGW).
Christian Eriksen (Brentford MID; 11 ghosts): GPH has banged on about him for weeks now. The Dane is a ghosting machine with a seemingly double digit floor - crosses for days.
John McGinn (Aston Villa MID; 9.5 ghosts): The same applies to the Scot. Unflashy, he goes on about his business and gets you over 9 EVERY.SINGLE.WEEK.
James Tarkowski (Burnley DEF; 11.5 ghosts): Somehow the big fella survived an own goal to stay in the black. He also remained in the top two for total ghosting avg this season. We salute you.
Joao Pedro (Watford FWD; 10.5 ghosts): JP regularly scrounges up double digits, by hook or by crook. The kind of asset you want in a DGW - act accordingly.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal FWD; 15 ghosts): Sir Edward did his best El Ghazi impression (sans the overwhelming talent, obviously). Four shots on target (3 of which were quite tame) - keep it up, and maybe score one?
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham MID; 2.5 ghosts): GPH went out on a limb last week and said that no West Ham asset is worth rostering ROS. Doesn't mean you drop, but merely that you trade out given that there are so many better players that aren't rotated, focused on Europe, and devoid of DGWs. When Jarrod Bowen surprisingly started and scored a goal v Arsenal, did that put us in the mud? Afraid not. Because the West Ham man went out of his way to score less than 10 with a goal. Milner, Schlupp, & co. - as outlined above - scored more just in ghosts this week. How did he do it? Well, he got a yellow card for diving and did little else apart from the goal. Bowen is a weird one; despite being on sets, he can go cold on the ghosties from time to time. Trade out on a "high".
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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