Tyrick Mitchell brace puts underrated defender in focus ahead of favourable double header in Gameweek 4

NO player earned more Dream Team points than Tyrick Mitchell (£4.1m) over the weekend. The 27-year-old scored twice away to Fulham on Saturday to give Pierre Sage his first win as Crystal Palace head coach. Mitchell starred for Palace at Craven Cottage Credit: Dream Team Mitchell banked 16 points by the time he was replaced by Ben Chilwell (£3m) midway through the second half with the substitute going on to score his side’s all-important third goal in the 3-2 victory. The Eagles’ No3 was a tad fortunate with his second goal but he might argue that such luck is earned by persistently taking up threatening positions in the penalty area. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Mitchell excelled last season to finish on 279 points, a total only bettered by four defenders. Following Oliver Glasner’s switch to Nottingham Forest, he started the new campaign slowly with just three points to show for his efforts across the first two Gameweeks. However, his brace at Craven Cottage represents ample compensation and Gameweek 3 is not done yet as Palace will host Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. Mitchell excelled last season Credit: Getty Looking further ahead, Gameweek 4 brings a favourable double header of Ipswich (h) and Lech Poznan (h). The latter being the South Londoners’ first Europa League fixture of the season, with at least another seven league phase games to follow. Mitchell’s 16-point haul has put him in the spotlight and Dream Team managers would do well to consider him among the viable options for Gameweek 4 — barring availability issues. Most read in Football Gaffers should know that chasing lost points is futile. It would optimistic in the extreme to expect another brace from Mitchell as he’s not a regular goalscorer. Prior to Saturday, he had scored four goals in 209 Premier League games. But he is a proven Dream Team performer with multiple routes to points. Last season, he ranked joint-seventh in his position for big chances created and first among all players for tackles, not forgetting eight goal involvements and 16 clean sheets. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he notched another double-digit haul in Gameweek 4 with both Ipswich and Lech Poznan due at Selhurst Park. Sage needed the win at Fulham to ease some early pressure Credit: ALAMY That being said, Palace’s defensive numbers are a concern. It’s early days but they have conceded eight goals in their first three games, allowing their opponents 59 shots (20 on target). Sage will be hopeful of improvements in defence as their next three top flight opponents – Ipswich, Leeds, Nottingham Forest – have scored just nine league goals in as many games at the start of this campaign. Mitchell currently features in 0.8% of teams. How to claim £30 in football free bets Midnite offer Download the Midnite app or create an account online HERE* Register using the code: BETGET30 Deposit a minimum of £10 Place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/1 Free Bets will be credited upon settlement of your qualifying bet Comment now