GW30 Lessons: Sterling makes his move

After his hat-trick against Watford, Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) is just five points off the top of the Fantasy Premier League player standings.

Owned by 13.9 per cent, the Manchester City winger was a major differential.

Just 199,403 managers handed Sterling the armband and banked a 42-point haul.

Mohamed Salah (£13.4m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.9m) were the most-selected captains for Gameweek 30, both being given the armband by over 1.4million managers.

But the pair managed just one assist apiece as Sterling’s tally shook up FPL mini-leagues.

On the charge

Sterling has averaged 7.2 points per match this season, more than any other player, as he chases down top points-scorer Salah.

He also has form on his side and, at 198 FPL points, is just five behind the Liverpool star at the top of the player standings.

The winger has four double-figure hauls in his last six Gameweek starts and will be a major factor for FPL managers over the run-in. 

Long-term view

Sterling's appeal is boosted by a Double Gameweek 35 against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. 

But those managers eyeing a move for him should wait until the weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals have passed.

City are without a fixture in Gameweek 31 as they face Swansea City in the last eight.

Should they beat Swansea, City's Gameweek 33 home match with Cardiff City would also need to be rescheduled.

That could lead to yet another Double Gameweek for Pep Guardiola’s men, further strengthening Sterling's claim as a must-have in FPL midfields. 

Also in this series

Part 1: GW30 Lessons: Hazard offers timely reminder