As a result, make sure you tinker with your line-up or make trades appropriately, particularly Son Heung-Min owners.
New Options
Mason Mount has struck form for Chelsea with two goals and two assists in his past two games, totalling recent scores of 13 and 12. He’s making a compelling case to be a key midfield option.
OK, bear with us on this one. Divock Origi could be a left-field cheap option, having scored late last weekend, before also netting in the Champions League in midweek. With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah set to depart for the African Cup of Nations in January, he may be worth grabbing while cheap.
It’d be rude to not mention Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa who scored a double to top score for the round. He won’t do that every game week especially this one against Liverpool but credit where credit is due.
Previous week lessons
Bernardo Silva is the form FPL player, netting a double last gameweek to bring in a run of scores; 15, 10, 2, 8 and 8, with a five-game average of 8.6. He’s also a must-have midfielder now.
On the flipside, City teammate Joao Cancelo has been frustrating owners with scores of 2, 2 and 1. City haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past five games in all competitions which has been part of the problem.
Michail Antonio offered some reward for the patient coaches who’ve retained him, with a score of 5. It’s worth noting the assist that contributed to that score was very fortunate.
Who to captain?
As always, Mohamed Salah is the obvious option, particularly with Liverpool at home to Aston Villa who haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past three games.
There are decent alternative options, with Chelsea hosting leaky Leeds United, meaning Mount comes into the equation, while Jamie Vardy’s Leicester City host Newcastle.
The other tantalising match-up is Manchester United going to Norwich City, who have conceded 31 goals, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes into consideration but neither has compelling form.
Injuries
In-form Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt for Arsenal with a hip/groin worry, while popular Brentford forward Ivan Toney will miss due to COVID-19.
Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is out with a wrist injury, Danny Ings has a thigh complaint and West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell is still nursing a back problem.