Sigurdsson set for overdue FPL rewards

As Fantasy Premier League managers rush to acquire Double Gameweek players, there is a danger that key assets such as Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.4m) could be ignored.

The Iceland international followed up his 12th assist of the season in a 2-0 win over Stoke City in Gameweek 34 with a first goal in 11 matches in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Sigurdsson and the Swans now embark on a three-match run of vital encounters that includes home meetings with Everton and West Bromwich Albion, along with a trip to Sunderland. 

The midfielder has suffered a sharp decline in FPL ownership over the last five Gameweeks, with more than 350,000 managers moving him on.

But despite failing to deliver attacking points in five consecutive matches, his underlying statistics have remained hugely impressive.

From Gameweek 29 onwards, Sigurdsson has been bettered only by Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen (£8.9m) for both shots (25 to 30) and shots on target (nine to 11) among FPL midfielders.

As demonstrated by Sunday's sublime free-kick at Old Trafford, Sigurdsson’s prowess at set-pieces is key to his appeal.

He has recorded 52 successful corners this season - 19 more than any other FPL player - and has also scored all three of his penalties, including a conversion in the 1-1 draw with Everton back in Gameweek 12.

Saturday's Liberty Stadium encounter hands Sigurdsson a platform to exploit his dead-ball abilities and maintain recent form. 

Only Middlesbrough (12) have conceded more goals than the Toffees (10) over the last six Gameweeks, while Ronald Koeman's side are without a win in their previous six away matches.

Significantly, Sigurdsson has been directly involved in 53.8% of Swansea’s goals this term, a statistic unmatched by any FPL midfielder.

If Paul Clement's men are to avoid relegation then their playmaker will surely continue to produce the FPL points - a warning of the dangers of overlooking Sigurdsson's claims for the run-in.