Gameweek 21 Sleepers XI: Draft EPL

Our Gameweek 21 Sleepers XI article provides Draft managers with a lineup of Fantasy EPL hidden gems. Our starting eleven of Draft Premier League differential picks will help you find a golden ticket to a big score this weekend! These hints and tips will give you a better chance of picking up an all-important victory, as any one of these under-the-radar picks could make the difference in a head-to-head game!

We'll be focusing on players that will bring us not only attacking returns or clean sheets, but also those players that score Ghost Points in the sophisticated and statistics based Fantrax Scoring System!

Fantasy EPL Gameweek 21 Sleepers XI

For this article, we use the percentage rostered calculation from Fantrax and Sleeper. Our only rule is that each player we highlight is rostered in 60% of leagues or fewer at the time of writing. Therefore, there's a good chance some of these players will be free agents in your Draft league! As always, we'll take form, fixtures, projected points, and a healthy dose of intuition into account to make our selections.

So it turns out our first Sleepers XI for 2026 didn't go too bad in the end, landing on a score of 79 FPts. All our picks started their respective games, but there are still some aspects that need a bit of reviewing. So what went wrong? In defence, our Burnley pick was always a rogue one that could have gone extremely well or horribly wrong. Unfortunately it was the latter as Lucas Pires only ended on 1 FPts after conceding 2 goals. On the other hand, a pick we didn't expect to go badly, did. Jake O'Brien was part of the backline that shipped 4 goals to Brentford, but luckily he still ended up with a positive score of 2.75 FPts. In midfield, all of our picks scored under 5 Fpts: Adingra (1.5 FPts in 65 mins), Diego Gomez (2.25 FPts in 79 mins), Dwight McNeil (4.5 FPts in 45 mins) and Emile Smith Rowe (4.75 FPts in 73 mins).We also only got 0.5 FPts from Callum Wilson. Thankfully our other FWD punt, Mateus Mane, absolutely smashed it by scoring 23 FPts, which included a goal and assist, our only attacking returns of the entire Sleepers XI. Staying on a positive note, our other double digit scorers included Joel Veltman (14.25 FPts with a clean sheet), Jaka Bijol (13 FPts after conceding once) and Bart Verbruggen (11.5 with a clean sheet). We definitely took a few risks with this selection of players, so we might go a bit safer for Gameweek 21. So keep reading to see who we go with.

The Sleepers XI table below includes a full team of Starters, as well as 5 Reserves - high-upside players with some question marks around whether they'll start in Gameweek 21. So, keep an eye out when lineups are announced and pick them up if you see them starting, especially if you need to fill a spot on your roster. Read below for the rationale behind each of the Starter selections.

Matz Sels (G, Nottingham Forest)

It has been weird to see Sels on the bench for the last few games for Nottingham Forest. Some people think it to be a lack of fitness, but maybe Dyche had a change of heart and decided to give John Victor a run of games to help turn around Nottingham Forest's fortunes. However, since Victor came in, although they won in Gameweek 16 and kept a clean sheet against Spurs, they have then gone on to lose 4 in a row whilst conceding 8 goals along the way. In Gameweek 20, Victor had an absolute horror show of a performance and then proceeded to get injured and subbed off for Sels. One of the main reasons we're tipping last season's Golden Glove winner is because he's facing West Ham next. Over the past 6 gameweeks, the Hammers have been the worst team in the league, drawing 2 and losing 4 while only scoring 5 goals. In fact they only scored in 3 of those games so there's a chance of a clean sheet here in this massive 6-point affair for both clubs, as they both try to avoid the drop this season.

Ayden Heaven (D, Man Utd)

Just because Amorim has been fired, doesn't mean that Heaven should or would be dropped from the squad. The Red Devils are actually quite limited for options in their backline as the likes of De Ligt and Maguire are still out injured, so they only have a few fit options left. Manchester United face Burnley next, and despite the lack of clean sheets for the Manchester club this season, Burnley's goals have dried up since the start of the season as well. The Clarets have only scored 6 goals in their past 8 games, and have failed to score a goal in 2 of their last 3 games. Although Heaven doesn't have the best points history this campaign, with his highest score of the season being 10 FPts with a clean sheet, we'd still back him as a DEF-4 pick as is the norm against one of the promoted teams in the league that looks to be going back down to the Championship.

Hugo Bueno (D, Wolves) 

After being a nailed option in the Wolves setup from Gameweek 6 till 11, Hugo Bueno missed the next 6 gameweeks. This seemed really bizarre as the Spanish DEF was basically one of Wolves' best players with the 2nd best gPP90 of 10.7 of all players with more than 5 starts for the club. He was basically performing like a DEF-1/2, regardless of conceding multiple goals or keeping zero clean sheets. He's now started the last 3 gameweeks in a row and seems to be back on set piece duty as well, taking 7 of their last 10 corners. He's also gotten assists in back-to-back games, scoring 11 FPts against Man Utd and 24 FPts against West Ham, which also included a clean sheet. If Bueno is truly a nailed option for the rest of the season, then you'll definitely want him for the foreseeable future.

Kristoffer Ajer (D, Brentford) 

Sepp van den Berg has not started the last 3 gameweeks in a row, either through being absent altogether or due to being benched. Coincidentally, Ajer has started the last 3 games in a row as the starting CB alongside Collins in a back-4 system. During this 3 game spell, Ajer has been averaging just under 11 PPS, with no attacking returns and only 1 clean sheet. He's been 2nd for interceptions (4), blocked shots (5) and aerials won (9) as well as being 1st for clearances (35) amongst all of the Bees' outfielders over the last 3 games. It's fair to say that no one expected Brentford to be this good this season, especially after losing so many key players and their manager. Sunderland are up next, another team that has smashed everyone's expectations, but the Black Cats are better known for their defensive performances than their attacking ones. Sunderland have scored only 3 goals in the past 6 gameweeks, the fewest in the division, so there could be a clean sheet on the cards for Ajer and his teammates.

Ola Aina (D, Nottingham Forest)

After such a lengthy spell out, we saw Aina return to the Forest starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 3 against West Ham, who are ironically the next team that he faces. Nottingham forest (17th place) are only 4 points above West Ham (18th place), so this is probably one of the biggest fixtures for both clubs as they desperately try to avoid being relegated. The problem is, is that they've both been the worst teams in the league over the last 4 gameweeks, with only West Ham getting 1 draw amongst a pile of 7 losses in 8 matches between both clubs. On the plus side, Nottingham Forest look a bit more put together at the back now that their original defensive unit from last season are all fit again, as opposed to West Ham who are still missing players like AWB and Diouf. Aina scored 8 ghosts in 68 minutes against Aston Villa, so if you think Forest can keep a clean sheet against West Ham, we're expecting around 13-15 FPts from the Nigerian DEF. A decent punt for the first game of the gameweek as your DEF-4.

Brenden Aaronson (M, Leeds)

Over the past 4 gameweeks, Leeds have been the 8th best team in the league. They're starting to look like they could actually survive relegation this season. One player who has been key to this run of form is Aaronson. He has started the last 4 games in a row for them and even with his 2.5 FPts stinker against Liverpool, he's actually been averaging just under 11 PPS. To be fair, his ghost points haven't been the best but who needs those when he's gotten attacking returns in 3 of those 4 starts (1 goal and 2 assists). Leeds haven't lost since Gameweek 13 and up next they are away at St. James' Park against Newcastle. It also feels like the Magpies have been enabling opposing outfielders to score well against them, ghost points or otherwise. So given his current form, I'd be very tempted to roll out the American as my MID-4.

Jhon Arias (M, Wolves)

Arias finally got his first goal, and attacking return, of the season. Many managers who punted on draft day had to basically wait half a season to get their rewards, assuming anyone actually still rosters the Colombian midfielder. In Gameweek 20, Arias also put up his highest score of the season, 17 FPts, which strangely had more defensive scoring contributions than attacking ones. Even though it's only the third time that he has scored 10 or more fantasy points, he's facing Everton next, a team that just conceded 4 goals against Brentford. And believe it or not, Wolves have actually been improving under Rob Edwards, as they've been the 12th best team in the league over the last 4 gameweeks, scoring 5 goals along with a win and a draw. The Toffees have also been over-performing defensively this season, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them concede again in Gameweek 21.

Joelinton (M, Newcastle)

Joelinton seems to have shaken off his injury woes and looks to be a permanent starter in the Magpies XI again. In his last 2 starts, he scored 23.75 FPts against Burnley, which included his first goal of the season, and he then followed that up with a 7.25 FPts score against Crystal Palace. With Leeds up next, and Wolves on the horizon, it feels like a great time to pick up the Brazilian as your MID-4 option. There's tonnes of rotation still happening for teams, and so he could be a great backup option in case one of your studs is MIA. Despite the lack of attacking ghosts in his most recent score, he's still been fairly consistent with the clearances and aerials won, showing his defensive requirements that Newcastle might need when they come up against a resurgent Leeds team that have been deploying more and more defenders who are 6-feet plus. He's definitely shown that he can get multiple attacking returns in past seasons, so you could do a lot worse than an asset who has usually averaged around 8 PPS when fit.

Joshua Zirkzee (F, Man Utd)

Now that Amorim is gone, there's a chance that Zirkzee might benefit in terms of regular minutes and starts. It was very strange to see the Dutch forward be subbed off at half-time, after scoring the Red Devils' only goal against Wolves. He was then benched against Leeds, where he came off the bench to assist their lone goal as well. If Zirkzee can nail down a spot and play near 90 minutes in games moving forward, he has shown in the past that he can score well and be a reliable pick (18 FPts vs Crystal Palace & 11.75 ghosts versus Everton). Burnley are an obvious fixture to target, and it's hard to see Man Utd's in-form striker be benched again, especially with the likes of Bruno just coming back from injury. If he starts, I'd easily play him instead of a defender this gameweek.

Randal Kolo Muani (F, Spurs)

According to our Fixture Difficulty Tracker, Spurs have 2nd best rated fixture for all forwards in Gameweek 21. This shouldn't come as a surprise as they take on the Cherries, who are currently on their worst run of form under Iraola. Bournemouth have been showing relegation form over the past 10 gameweeks, with 0 wins in 10 games and losing half of them. They've conceded the most goals (24) during that run, and it doesn't seem to be easing up anytime soon. Now with Semenyo looking likely to go to Man City in a few days, their defence could be under even more pressure with no real outlet for their attacks when transitioning from defence to attack. If Kolo Muani was to get the start against Bournemouth, I'd gamble on the Frenchman as my FWD-2. He put up a gameweek high 5 successful dribbles against Newcastle last gameweek, as part of his 8.25 ghost score. With 4 attacking returns in 3 appearances in the UCL, can he finally get off the mark in the league?

Thierno Barry (F, Everton) 

It's hard to believe but Barry is currently one of the most inform forward options in the league at the moment. Over the past 3 gameweeks, he's been averaging just over 14 PPS. Granted he also scored 2 goals in 2 games, but that's the form you're wanting when Everton are facing Wolves next! Even though the Midlands club seem to gaining a bit of momentum under Rob Edwards, they're still one of the worst teams in the league and have conceded the 2nd most goals (40) this season. Another trend we've noticed is that Moyes has also deployed both Barry and Beto together in a 2-striker system, so maybe he starts with both in Gameweek 21 as Moyes and his boys try to bounce back after a crushing defeat against the Bees.

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