Gameweek 35 Ghost Point Hunters: Draft EPL

Ryan Barnes
Apr 29
4 min read

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

Mats Wieffer

Position: Midfielder

Team: Brighton

Rostered: 10%

Ghost Points Per Start: 6.1

Ghost Points Last GW: 10.5

Prospects: Brighton has been such a weird team this season - a proper rollercoaster of results, performances, and fantasy points. There are still points to be had, however. Up step Mats Wieffer, a central midfielder who transferred over to Brighton over the summer but has been injured for most of the campaign. He has slotted in at Right Back lately and has actually been ghosting well.

Most recently, Wieffer delivered 10.5 scary scores from 1 Key Pass, 2 Shots on Target, 3 Tackles Won, 1 Interception, & 1 Aerial. This is his second double digit ghosting effort in a row after he dropped 11.5 ghosties plus an assist in GW33. These are good signs. If he continues to start in this role, he'll be a solid MID4/5 in the mold of a Lewis Cook ROS.

Verdict: Pick him up!

Joe Willock

Position: Midfielder

Team: Newcastle

Rostered: 15%

Ghost Points Per Start: N/A

Ghost Points Last GW: 8

Prospects: We didn't want to go back to the well either. Joe Willock has burned us more times than we care to remember. But as fantasy managers, we must have short memories. So when he made the starting xi over the weekend due to Joelinton's absence, we took notice.

And he put in a decent shift. In just 66 minutes, Willock dropped 8 ghosties, which came from 3 Key Passes, 1 Blocked Shot, & 2 Aerials. It must be said that it came from a one sided match against relegated Ipswich Town, who were also a man down for much of the game. And Willock, as we intimated above, is notoriously inconsistent. But he can deliver some upside, and Newcastle are bang in form and have a lot to play for. Keep him in mind.

Verdict: Can serve as a decent midfield streamer ROS, especially if Joelinton's knock keeps him out for the remainder of EPL games.

Sepp Van Den Berg

Position: Defender

Team: Aston Villa

Rostered: 32%

Ghost Points Per Start: 8.2

Ghost Points Last GW: ? (at the time of writing, he has yet to play against Forest this GW)

Prospects: The Liverpool exile SVDB has shown some of the talent that led Brentford to prise him away from Anfield. But he and the Brentford defense just can't seem to show consistency. We know it's odd to flag someone who has yet to play this GW but we felt it was necessary given that he ghosts well, is relatively low rostered, and can do a job ROS.

Van Den Berg is a sneaky pickup in playoff leagues as a DEF4. His 8+ ghost point per start average and the favorable schedule make him worth the punt/stash. Again, the Bees have a relatively leaky backline but they're also very active. We know that Collins and Pinnock, and Mee before them, have put up monsters. And SVDB has it in his locker.

Verdict: Pick him up for upcoming schedule, particularly if you are in a playoff league. In GWs 36-38, the Bees face Ipswich Town, Fulham, & Wolves - not a bad schedule for a DEF 3/4 that can ghost.

Not So Fast:

Kenny Tete (Fulham DEF; 13.25 ghosts): Yes, Tete, fresh from his long layoff, has posted double digit scores the past two GWs and his last performance was ghost-laden. But this was against an out of form Chelsea and the worst team in the league, Southampton. Fulham's remaining fixtures include tricky matchups against Aston Villa, Man City, and Brentford, with Everton at home the only kind one left. This is a tough stretch for a defender. As such, we're weary about making him set and forget ROS.

One(s) To Watch:

Sven Botman (Newcastle DEF; 2.75 ghosts): So the Dunking Dutchman (we doubt he can actually dunk despite his towering stature but alliteration dictates that we must call him that) doesn't historically ghost that well. But the few data points this season show that he might be a changed man. His last two starts yielded8 scary scores in both matches. He's now back from injury, and again, Newcastle are in form and far from the beach ROS as they chase CL qualification. But will Eddie Howe alter a lineup that has been so great of late? TBD but Botman is worth monitoring.

Category Killer Winners:

Key Passes: Dominik Szoboszlai (8)
Successful Dribbles: Mohammed Kudus (7)
Aerials: Joachim Andersen (10)
Accurate Crosses Not Corners (ACNCs): Jacob Murphy (4)
Tackles Won: Kenny Tete (5)
Interceptions: Moises Caicedo (4)

Dr. Peter Venkman Award:

James Garner (Everton MID; 1.75 ghosts): There was a time when we could count on James Garner's floor. There was a brief stretch last season where his set pieces and defensive acumen yielded a healthy amount of points each GW. He still shows flashes but he can also drop some stinkers, which he did this past GW and why he is receiving the Venkman treatment. He failed to eclipse 2 ghosts against Chelsea. He could only muster the 1 Tackle Won and 3 Clearances. All is not not, however. Garner, just a GW ago, dropped 10 ghosties. And the Toffees have a few tasty fixtures ROS. But we just don't know if we can trust him anymore. We'll have to pass.