Verbruggen (BHA, Goalkeeper, £4.5m)

Verdict: BUY

Verbruggen is a strong differential shout for Gameweek 33, with a high projected points total suggesting a potential Double Gameweek.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Verbruggen is fully available and has no injury concerns, which is crucial for any FPL asset. He's nailed in Brighton's goal.
Recent Performance: He's shown he can haul, with a fantastic 9-point return in GW32, including a clean sheet and bonus points. This demonstrates his potential when Brighton's defence holds firm, and he's capable of racking up save points.
Upcoming Fixtures: While the individual fixtures against Spurs (A) and Chelsea (H) are challenging, his impressive 'expected points next' of 11.5 strongly hints at a Double Gameweek 33. This significantly boosts his appeal, turning tough single fixtures into a potential goldmine for a budget keeper.
Underlying Stats: His ICT Index of 81.7 and 8 clean sheets this season show he's involved, and his recent saves (4 in GW32, 4 in GW31, 3 in GW30) indicate he's active, which can lead to save points even if clean sheets are elusive.

Risks

Brighton's defensive consistency can be a concern; they are prone to conceding. Even in a Double Gameweek, clean sheets against Spurs and Chelsea are far from guaranteed, meaning he might blank in one or both fixtures. There's also the tough Newcastle (A) fixture immediately after.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for other budget DGW keepers, keep an eye on announcements for other teams. For a single gameweek, someone like Areola (£4.2m) offers a cheaper route into a potentially more solid defence, though without the DGW upside Verbruggen offers.

The Strategic Play

Verbruggen is a prime short-term punt for Gameweek 33, capitalising on his likely Double Gameweek. Bring him in for the potential haul, but be prepared to reassess his value for the subsequent tough fixture against Newcastle (A) in GW34, where a transfer out might be on the cards if you need funds or a more reliable option.

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