In this week's Fantasy Premier League player comparison, we turn our attention to two midfield talents that have been lighting up the Premier League: Phil Foden of Manchester City and Diogo Jota of Liverpool. With FPL managers constantly on the lookout for the next big transfer to boost their squads, we dive deep into the stats to see which of these two could be the golden ticket with their upcoming double Gameweeks.

Player Performance Analysis

Phil Foden, with a cost of £7.9m in FPL, has been a key figure for Manchester City this season. He has amassed 124 FPL points over the season, indicating his vital role in City's attacking prowess. Foden's ownership among the top 100k managers is substantial at 50.8%, reflecting his popularity and reliability. This season, he has scored 8 goals, over performing his expected goals (xG) of 5.70. In terms of FPL assists, Foden has made a significant impact with 7 from 4.95 expected assists (xA), showcasing his ability to create chances as well as finish them. This Gameweek, Foden has been transferred in by 156,591 managers, signaling his current form and appeal.

Diogo Jota, priced slightly higher at £8.1m, has played fewer minutes (946) than Foden but has still managed to leave a mark with 86 FPL points. His effective ownership in the top 100k is 34.9%, with 8 goals to his name, outperforming his xG of 4.47. This indicates Jota's finishing ability, making the most of his opportunities. With 5 FPL assists and an xA of 2.11, Jota has also been over performing in terms of creating goals, underlining his importance to Liverpool's attack. A staggering 180,552 managers have brought him in this Gameweek, possibly influenced by his recent standout performances.

A selection of statistics per match using the Fix Comparison Matrix tool.

Upcoming Fixtures Comparison

Manchester City's next five fixtures are a mix of challenges and opportunities, with home games against Everton, Chelsea, and Brentford, a home clash against Manchester United, and an away game against Liverpool. These fixtures offer Foden a platform to continue his form, especially with the advantage of playing at home in four out of these five matches.

Liverpool's schedule seems slightly more favorable on paper, with Diogo J. facing Burnley and Luton at home, along with away fixtures against Brentford and Nottingham Forest. However, Liverpool has a blank Gameweek 26, which could disrupt momentum for Jota's owners.

Manchester City sit top for attacking fixture difficulty, whereas Liverpool are third in the Fixture Planner tool.

Predicted Points Table

The projected points for Foden and Diogo J. in the upcoming Gameweeks are as follows:

Foden is predicted to outscore Diogo J. in the upcoming fixtures, particularly benefiting from a double Gameweek 25. The standout fixture for Foden appears to be DGW25 against Chelsea & Brentford at home, where he's expected to achieve the most points.

Conclusion: Foden or Diogo J.?

When considering stats, predicted points, and upcoming fixtures, both Foden and Diogo J. present compelling cases for inclusion in FPL squads. Foden's consistent playing time this season, coupled with Manchester City's fixture list, might edge him ahead for some managers. However, Diogo J.'s ability to outperform his xG and xA suggests he could be a game-changer on his day. Ultimately, the decision may rest on individual FPL strategies, such as the need for differential picks or managing blank Gameweeks. Both players have the potential to significantly impact FPL fortunes, leaving the choice intriguingly open to interpretation.