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            <p>Fantasy Football Hub's resident captaincy expert <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTanFPL">Chris Tan</a> takes a close look at the Gameweek 21 fixtures to give Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers an edge over their mini-league rivals.</p>
<p>This in-depth look at the matches ahead, complete with a handy shortlist of players to target, is available exclusively to Hub members.</p>
<p>Chris's verdict on the best <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/the-best-fpl-captain">Gameweek 21 captaincy options</a> and punts will be available later this week.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/join?via=blackfridaya"><strong>Offer expires in Gameweek 21 - 30 days free and 30% off!</strong></a></p>
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<h2>Chris Tan's fixture analysis: Gameweek 21</h2>
<p>It feels like a lifetime ago, but in Gameweek 20 we correctly identified that <strong>Mohamed Salah</strong>, <strong>Alexander Isak</strong> and <strong>Erling Haaland</strong> would perform well.</p>
<p>The template is fairly well set but there is less certainty around some of the fringe players, such as who are the best defenders, which midfielders should accompany Salah and <strong>Cole Palmer</strong>, plus a variety of forward options.</p>
<p>This article primarily focuses on the upcoming Gameweek, but the findings are still relevant for future planning.</p>
<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 21: Fixtures</strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_69925" style="width: 559px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69925" class="size-full wp-image-69925" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-fixtures.png" alt="" width="549" height="931" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69925" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - fixtures</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 21: Reverse Fixtures (Gameweek 4)</strong></h2>
<p>Will it be another week for the defenders?</p>
<div id="attachment_69928" style="width: 612px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69928" class="size-full wp-image-69928" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-reverse-fixtures-Gameweek-4.png" alt="" width="602" height="886" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69928" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - reverse fixtures (Gameweek 4)</p>
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<div id="attachment_69927" style="width: 612px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69927" class="size-full wp-image-69927" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-reverse-fixtures-Gameweek-4-team-of-the-week.png" alt="" width="602" height="725" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69927" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - reverse fixtures (Gameweek 4) team of the week</p>
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<h2></h2>
<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 21: Clean sheet and goalscoring odds</strong></h2>
<p>These were taken on Thursday 9 January 2025 and could fluctuate by the deadline.</p>
<p>This is a tricky week.</p>
<div id="attachment_69932" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69932" class="size-full wp-image-69932" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-team-odds.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1300" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69932" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - team odds</p>
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<h2><strong>Team attacking stats - sorted by expected goals (xG)</strong></h2>
<p>Liverpool are levels above, with Newcastle the next best and a large gap between the rest.</p>
<p>`Should we be focusing on bringing in more attacking options from these two sides?</p>
<div id="attachment_69930" style="width: 1356px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69930" class="size-full wp-image-69930" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-team-attacking-stats-sorted-by-xG.png" alt="" width="1346" height="1155" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69930" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - team attacking stats (sorted by xG)</p>
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<h2><strong>Team defensive stats - sorted by expected goals conceded (xGC)</strong></h2>
<p>Southampton fooled us into thinking they had tightened up. “You can’t put lipstick on a pig” and ultimately, they’re the weakest side in the league.</p>
<p>You can’t rely on Spurs for much, but conceding goals is something they consistently do. The other promoted sides are still worth targeting too.</p>
<div id="attachment_69931" style="width: 2296px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69931" class="size-full wp-image-69931" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-team-defensive-stats-sorted-by-xGC.png" alt="" width="2286" height="1154" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69931" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - team defensive stats (sorted by xGC)</p>
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<h2><strong>Individual player stats - sorted by expected points (xPts)</strong></h2>
<p>These stats highlight a few key points:</p>
<ul>
<li>Salah – in a league of his own</li>
<li>Isak – arguably the next best now, rather than Palmer</li>
<li><strong>Bryan Mbeumo</strong> – the ultimate set and forget option.</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_69969" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69969" class="size-full wp-image-69969" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FFStuffImage-2025-01-12T232622.895.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69969" class="wp-caption-text">Bryan Mbeumo's stats</p>
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<div id="attachment_69926" style="width: 2296px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69926" class="size-full wp-image-69926" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-Gameweek-21-Fixture-Analysis-individual-player-stats-sorted-by-xPts.png" alt="" width="2286" height="1166" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69926" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 21 Fixture Analysis - individual player stats (sorted by xPts)</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 21 fixtures analysed</strong></h2>
<h3>Brentford v Manchester City</h3>
<p>City thrashed West Ham, but that’s something they always do, and we can’t get too carried away with the result. When you look deeper into the performance, they were far from dominant.</p>
<p>Brentford ended their away curse, although it was against the worst side in the league. Mbeumo’s performance was talismanic though and despite his next two fixtures, he’s very much worth consideration (plus, City can’t defend).</p>
<p><strong>H2H</strong>: City won the reverse fixture 2-1, they also won both matches last season 1-0 and 1-3. <strong>Erling Haaland</strong> braced in the reverse fixture and scored in the home win last season. <strong>Phil Foden </strong>bagged a hat trick away last season.</p>
<p><strong>Recovery</strong>: both sides have an FA Cup game prior, which leaves them with just two recovery days, however there should be a lot of rotation given the fixture difficulty.</p>
<p><strong>Additional Factors to consider:</strong></p>
<p>Both sides have similar attacking stats and are slightly above average. City have more shot volume but Brentford manufacture a greater number of big chances.</p>
<p>Defensively they both have reasonable stats, however the differences flip here and it’s City that concede more big chances with Brentford conceding a greater shot volume.</p>
<p>So far this season, both of Brentford’s stats are much better at home compared to away. City follow a similar trend but with less variance between the two. The results for both teams reflect the home and away trends.</p>
<p>City’s main weakness is their centre, which isn’t a surprise given their defensive injuries and lack of midfield protection. I expect Brentford to set up with five at the back, which means Mbeumo and <strong>Yoane Wissa</strong> should be the two up top that will benefit from this weakness.</p>
<p>For Brentford, their weakness is their centre and right (they’ve also conceded the most crosses in the league from this side). That should provide a good match up for Haaland and <strong>Savinho</strong>.</p>
<p>Could the Brazilian be the enabler we’ve all been looking for?</p>
<p><strong>Outcome:</strong></p>
<p>The stats suggest this should be a score draw. As much as City have improved, Brentford are very good at home and City haven’t addressed their weaknesses. I predict a 2-2. The bookies’ concur, although they’re leaning more towards a City win.</p>
<div id="attachment_69963" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69963" class="size-full wp-image-69963" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FFStuffImage-2025-01-12T230736.725.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69963" class="wp-caption-text">Savinho's stats</p>
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<h3></h3>
<h3>Chelsea v Bournemouth</h3>
<p>This is the first real blip for Chelsea with a draw, two losses and a draw in their last four. Have they been found out? Bournemouth are not the type of opposition they want to play next.</p>
<p>The Cherries are riding high and pushing for a European place, although they’ve been hit by some injuries recently and their goalkeeper can’t face his parent club. One thing we do know is that Andoni Iraola tends to fare well in match ups against the “big” teams. He’s a quality manager and I get the feeling he’ll be elsewhere next season.</p>
<p><strong>H2H</strong>: Chelsea won the reverse fixture 0-1 and the home game last season 2-1.</p>
<p><strong>Recovery</strong>: both sides have an FA Cup game prior, which leaves them with just two recovery days, however there should be a lot of rotation given the relative fixture difficulty.</p>
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