Premier League fantasy football: Why Casper Schmeichel, Aaron Lennon and Willian should be in your XI

The top picks for your Fantasy Football team this weekend

With teams approaching the business end of the Premier League season, fantasy managers need to start making savvy moves with regards to their player choice, in order to make a charge up the table.

The Independent have teamed up with daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com and together we have analysed the key stats to identify four players that simply must be in your fantasy football team this weekend.

Oulala's extensive database of statistics, which comprises of 70 different criteria sourced straight from Opta, is the perfect tool to identify players set to have an inspired end to the season.

Aaron Lennon has been in great form of late, netting five goals in his last seven games - and all from just eight shots. That works out at a conversion rate of 63 per cent, which, for a midfielder not known for his knack for bagging goals is a pretty decent return. Even more impressive is the fact that all eight of those shots have hit the target. Aside from that, the former Spurs midfielder has created 10 chances and managed 12 successful take-ons - which ranks him at 3rd and 2nd best respectively among his Toffees teammates during that period. Everton are at home this weekend against an Arsenal side struggling for form. With Lukaku bagging a brace against Chelsea last weekend, you fancy Lennon to lay on some chances for the Belgian, if he isn’t able to find the net himself.

Kasper Schmeichel has been an underrated linchpin in Leicester City’s success so far this campaign. The trio of Vardy, Mahrez and Kanté have grabbed the headlines, and rightly so, but the Dane has been ever-present in net for the Foxes this season. In his last 11 games, Schmeichel has kept seven clean sheets – letting in just six goals. He has made 20 saves in those matches, which works out at over three saves per goal conceded. Schmeichel has also claimed 30 catches, and made six successful punches. Leicester travel to Palace this weekend, hoping to continue their stout defensive run. The Leicester shot stopper will be hoping to prevent the Eagles from scoring in the league for the first time since mid-January.

Georginio Wijnaldum made a sterling start to life in the Premier League following his move from PSV Eindhoven. After an initial flurry of goals, the Dutch forward has endured a leaner spell of late, only natural with the team’s poor form. With the appointment of Rafa Benitez as head coach, though, fantasy managers should be optimistic that Wijnaldum can replicate the sort of run that saw him shortlisted for the Player of the Month gong in January. A new manager can often have a huge impact on individuals players’ output, and the Toon Army will be hoping to see the same here. In his last 10 games, Wijnaldum has led the Magpies in the goals department, with two, whilst also laying on one assist. More encouragingly, he has created 19 chances, and has managed a shot accuracy of 67 per cent. Newcastle host the Tyne Wear derby this weekend, and Wijnaldum will be key if Newcastle are to get a result in a fixture that hasn’t been kind to them in recent meetings.

Willian has undoubtedly been Chelsea’s player of the season. Even when the Blues were really struggling earlier on in the season, the Brazilian looked most likely to get something going for the team. He has developed into a great set-piece taker; an invaluable asset to any team and fantasy manager. If Chelsea are to have any sort of chance of threatening the Champions League places, Willian will have to be in inspired form. He has enjoyed a decent run of late, netting twice and assisting two other goals in his last 10 games. During that period, the Brazilian has created a team-best 28 chances and made 35 successful take-ons, which also ranks best among his teammates. Chelsea host West Ham this weekend, and the Blues will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats against PSG and Everton.

Stats supplied by daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com

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