We are nearing the end of the season and the whole world is watching closely. Liverpool and Man. City are separated by just one point and both will need to remain flawless in the remainder of the season if they are to hold the title in their hands at the end of the season. Both have supposedly weaker opponents this week in Watford and Everton, but both teams could upset the big boys as relegation is at stake for them. For the Toffees, there is even more at stake as they will naturally want to prove themselves in the traditional Merseyside derby.

Goal:

Jordan Pickford (69₵, Everton): Let’s move on to the only player in this preview who plays for a club that has to face Man. City or Liverpool. The England national goalkeeper is going through a very mixed season with Everton, but every now and then he shows how strong he is. Especially against derby rivals Liverpool he likes to show his class. Despite a 4-1 defeat in the first leg, he made over 200 points and will be given plenty to do this time around and the chance to show just how strong he is.

Defence:

Liam Cooper (113₵, Leeds): At the start of the season, every SPITCH manager will have had him on their radar as the Scot played each of Leeds’ first 14 games and scored under 200 points in just two games. The captain then suffered a serious injury in early December and did not make his comeback until 2 April. In the two outings after his injury, he scored 293 and 279 points. He has come at a high price, but if the defensive captain continues to play like this and finds his old form, he could become a point machine again.

Yan Valery (26₵, Southampton): After a couple of individual errors by Mohammed Salisu, which the club’s management says were caused by distractions such as contract negotiations and a possible move to Newcastle, 23-year-old centre-back Yan Valery will get a chance to prove himself. He made a solid 206 in the last game against Arsenal and was also allowed to play through in the midweek game despite a rather underwhelming performance. He will most likely start again against Brighton and at this price you could save quite a bit of budget with him.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (95₵, Man.City): With Kyle Walker out and Ake and Stones questionable, He is one of the cheapest outfield players at the Citizens to have featured this season and could play a crucial role in the game against Watford. He is still one of the more expensive defenders compared to others, but a City player always has enormous scoring potential.

Marcos Alonso (98₵, Chelsea): After the bitter Champions League exit, the Blues can put full focus on the FA Cup final and the remaining matchdays in the Premier League. With West Ham, they do not have the easiest opponent, but the Spaniard could still show his class. He scored 265 and 523 in the last two fixtures and with a strong overall average score of 238, is a player you can field in just about any game.

Midfield:

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (22₵, Leicester): Easily one of the cheapest midfield alternatives available at SPITCH at the moment and then one who can score really strongly. In his last two Premier League games he made 513 and 293 points, shot on goal four times, set up one and scored once himself. An even game is expected against Aston Villa, but the 23-year-old could deliver again.

Thiago Alcantara (132₵, Liverpool): After his outstanding performance against Man. United, I just had to include him in this preview. Everyone who watched the game was certainly reminded of his best days at FC Bayern. With his 96% passing rate and an overview that very few are blessed with, he showed the football world how beautiful this sport can be. In the Merseyside derby, he will be looking to enchant us once again and if he can build on his performance from last game, he could score really strongly.

Kai Havertz (139₵, Chelseal): After another disappointing performance from Lukaku, Kai Havertz looks set to be back in the Blues’ starting line-up and show how he can fit into Thomas Tuchel’s new system. In what is expected to be a German double forward, the 22-year-old could prove himself perfectly alongside his national team colleague Timo Werner, who seems to have finally found his old form after the formation change. In addition, Havertz normally always shows a good game and in the last four games he has an outstanding point average of 336.

Attack:

Edward Nketiah (28₵, Arsenal): A points average of 20 is less promising now, of course, and the 51 points in the last game don’t make it any better, but after his brace in the postponed match against Chelsea, the English striker talent might have got going and at a price of just 28₵ you’re not even taking a big risk giving him a chance and if he can score twice against Chelsea, he can do it against any other club.

Teemu Pukki (58₵, Norwich): Apart from his performance on matchday 31 against Brighton, the Finn has been really good for the last five matchdays. In the other four games he averages 397 points, scoring well above his normal average of 126, and in his current form is also well worth more than 58₵. Relatively cheap, with good prospects despite playing for the Premier League’s last-placed side.

Wilfried Zaha (64₵, Crystal Palace): Another player who is scoring well above his scoring average at the moment. In his last four games, he averaged 305 points, managed to score three times and converted a penalty. Against Leeds, Crystal Palace are actually rated as relatively clear favourites and the 29-year-old could once again show his class.

Other alternatives:

Other players to keep an eye on are Nuno Tavares (51₵, Arsenal), who comes on every now and then and makes good plays, Bruno Guimares (76₵, Newcastle), who shone with a brace last matchday and Timo Werner (111₵, Chelsea), who seems to have finally found his form.

About me: For several months now, I have been supporting SPITCH as an intern in the various divisions. Through my experience on the free pitches, I want to help you find interesting players that maybe not everyone has on their radar.