Caveat - This blog was written prior to the matches on 28/12/2023.

In this blog the Top Five Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Key Players for Gameweek 20 are discussed. Every FPL Gameweek, picks will be in the below format:

1x Defender or Goalkeeper

2x Attackers less than £8.5m

2x Attackers £8.5m or over

Headliner - Mohamed Salah (NEW)

Salah has scored just two goals over the last six Gameweeks but he has been a bit unlucky, the Egyptian international is second for shots in the box (SiB) only to Garnacho (17 vs 18) amongst midfielders while only Bowen (2.59), Almiron (2.71) and McTominay (2.97) have registered a higher 'Expected Goals' (xG) tally than his 2.48. His creativity numbers have been strong as well, he is eighth for chances created (14) and sixth for 'big chances' (BC) created (three). Liverpool have scored 11 goals (fourth) over the last six Gameweeks, they are top for shots (121) and third for xG (10.73). Their visitors Newcastle have conceded 11 goals (17th) over the last six Gameweeks and have kept just two clean sheets. The Magpies are ranked 16th for shots conceded (89) and 20th for 'Expected Goals Conceded' (xGC) (12.63). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 6.3 for Salah.

Son Heung-Min (BOU)

Despite being moved to the left-wing, Son continues to be a pivotal player for Spurs. As the below image from our Match Stats feature shows, over their last five league games he is second amongst their players for goals (two) and xG (1.8) while he is top for SoT (six) and assists (two). Spurs have scored 12 goals (third) over the last six Gameweeks and are ranked sixth for SiB (57). Their visitors Bournemouth have been in excellent form with just four goals conceded and three clean sheets over the same period. The Cherries are ranked seventh for shots conceded (66) and first for xGC (4.37). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 7.0 for Son.

Julián Álvarez (SHU)

Álvarez found the back of the net against Everton after a barren spell, the Argentinian has taken seven SiB (14th) over the last six Gameweeks and is seventh for xG (2.17) amongst forwards. His creativity numbers have been excellent over that period, he is top amongst forwards for attempted assists (14), BC created (three), xA (1.72) and assists (two). Man. City have scored 10 goals (fifth) over the last six Gameweeks, the Manchester side are second for BC (19) and sixth for xG (9.74) despite playing a game fewer. Their visitors Sheff. Utd. have conceded 13 goals (20th) over the same period and have kept just one clean sheet. The Blades are ranked 11th for shots conceded (84) and 16th for xGC (10.70). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 5.0 for Álvarez.

Jarrod Bowen (BHA)

Bowen has found the back of the net three times over the last six Gameweeks with only Richarlison and Kudus (four each) more prolific amongst midfielders. He has taken nine SiB (13th) but is top for BC (five) and third for xG (2.59). West Ham have scored eight goals (12th) over the last six Gameweeks and are ranked 18th for shots (54). Their visitors Brighton are the only team yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season and have conceded eight goals over the aforementioned period. The Seagulls are ranked fifth for shots conceded (59) and 10th for xGC (9.10). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 4.9 for Bowen.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (NEW)

Alexander-Arnold has been the league's most creative player across all positions over the last six Gameweeks with 28 attempted assists, eight BC created and 3.04 xA. He trails only Porro (13) for shots (11) amongst defenders while only Moreno (1.06) and Burn (1.52) have registered a higher xG. Newcastle have scored just six goals over the same period with only Man. Utd. (five) and Sheff. Utd. (four) faring worse. Liverpool have conceded just five goals over the last six Gameweeks and have kept three clean sheets. Only Arsenal (41) and Man. City (46) have allowed opponents fewer shots than the Merseyside outfit (51). They are top for BC (21) and xG (15.51) over this period but have struggled on the road recently with their last three away matches yielding just one goal. Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a 20% chance of a Liverpool clean sheet and a point score of 5.1 for the right-back.