This article is part of our FPL Bargain Bin series.
There is not a better time to evaluate bargain players than an abbreviated gameweek. This week, in particular, will be tough to navigate because of the teams that will be absent from the fixture list. Six teams will be missing from league play this weekend, including Arsenal and Liverpool. However, it is not just the fact of missing big-name clubs that will wreak havoc on the fantasy landscape this weekend; big-name players will also need to be replaced. Two names that have played themselves onto many fantasy rosters are Charlie Austin and Christian Benteke. Their recent form has been impressive, but both will be missing from league play this weekend.
The off-week for these teams and players creates quite the conundrum. Both Arsenal and Liverpool will have to make up their match in the future and will earn great potential in a double-gameweek. This means keeping them on your roster for Gameweek 33 provides even more value when you factor their usage in the future. This strategy relies on being able to find budget players to fill the void for a week, and luckily you have come to the right place.
Goalkeeper
Kelvin Davis
Davis gets a Bargain Bin feature for a second consecutive week after not disappointing last weekend. In just over 250 minutes (almost three full matches), Davis has allowed just one goal while making six saves. His 86 percent save percentage and 0.35 goals per 90 minute stats are both top notch. While a lot of the credit certainly deserves to go to the men playing in front of Davis, his fantasy value pays no such attention. Luckily for fantasy owners, a trip to Stoke City should allow the gravy train to keep chugging along.
An injury to Victor Moses has forced him to return to Chelsea, which does not bode well for the Potters. Without Moses in the lineup, Stoke see a drop in nearly half a goal per match (1.3 goals per match with Moses and 0.9 goals per match without) and a significant increase in being blanked (Stoke has been shut out just 11 percent of the time with Moses playing and 31 percent of the time with him out). Without Moses, the Stoke attack becomes very weak, and Davis and a strong Southampton defense will certainly be ready to take full advantage.
Defender
Danny Rose
After missing a spell of matches near the end of 2014, Rose has returned to the Tottenham lineup and looked impressive. His two goals and two assists in 2015 league matches rank second and sixth, respectively, among defenders. The attacking stats have been a pleasant surprise this season, as his two goals and four assists in league play this season are both career-highs, and he does not show any signs of stopping. Over the last two weeks, Rose has attempted five shots while assisting on another two. Should Tottenham's defense provide a clean sheet, production like that would rank near the top of any fantasy scoring list.
Luckily, Gameweek 33 provides a great opportunity for Tottenham to keep that clean sheet. A trip to Newcastle does not sound that enticing, but a quick glance at the absence sheet for the Magpies and the clean sheet opportunity becomes more obvious. With players like Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sissoko suspended, Newcastle will be missing players that have accounted for 52 percent of their league goals scored this season. This all is great for a Tottenham defense that has played much better lately.
Midfielder
Ross Barkley
A Bargain Bin favorite, Barkley has failed to live up to the preseason expectations. After scoring six goals last season, more was expected than the two goals he has managed this term. But that does not mean all is lost for the Everton midfielder. Playing time has been part of the issue; he missed the beginning of the season with an injury, and he has not been a complete regular in the Everton starting XI. When he plays, he still knows what to do. He puts the attack full on and applies plenty of pressure on the opposing defense. Despite the limited playing time, Barkley still ranks third on the team in both shots and shots on target. The last two weeks have seen him in the starting XI, and he has responded by leading the team in both categories. Unfortunately, those two matches came against Top-7 defenses (based on goals allowed).
Gameweek 33 provides Barkley an opportunity to play against a below-average defense. Actually, below average would be putting it nicely for Burnley, as only three teams have allowed more goals this season. The Clarets allow an average of 16.8 shots per game, ranking them 15th in the league. The high shot total bodes well for a midfielder with plenty of skill and opportunity.
Forward
Jamie Vardy
There are not very many footballers playing better than Vardy right now. Over the last three gameweeks, Vardy has collected two goals and two assists. Only two players have more combined goals and assists over that time. This week, Vardy will have a great opportunity to keep his fine run going. Swansea City allows their opponents plenty of opportunities to score. In away matches this season, only three teams allow more than the 17.3 shots per match the Swans concede. This contributes to the jump in nearly half a goal allowed when Swansea City travels this season (1.1 goals allowed per match at home; 1.5 goals allowed per match away). The high shot total will give Vardy plenty of chances to contribute, either with a goal or assist. His dual-threat potential ranks him high this weekend and makes him a great bargain option.
