Another gameweek has come around and it’s the penultimate chance for FPL managers to play their hand before they are left to ruminate over their choices during the World Cup break.
Two massive encounters over the weekend await us, with Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge and Spurs welcoming a hit-or-miss Liverpool.
However, the real bone of contention appears to be the fitness of Erling Haaland, only emphasizing the importance of getting the selection for the rest of the team spot this week should the Norwegian miss out.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa host Manchester United with a new manager Unai Emery in the dugout for the first time.
Question marks galore, let’s nonetheless dive into a few possible options to take a punt at.
Transfer Ins:
Callum Wilson (£7.5)
The Newcastle United striker is vying for a place in England’s World Cup squad and seems to have hit top form just at the right time.
With a haul of 19 points the previous gameweek, Wilson could be a real handful for the Southampton defence while landing points for 11.6% of the managers that own him.
Marcus Rashford (£6.7)
United have away fixtures against Villa and Fulham, however, both are amongst the teams that have allowed the opposition to take shots the most, which could prove to be fertile ground for a rejuvenated Rashford.
The 25-year-old has offered a much greater threat with a healthy ratio of 0.65 expected goals from 3.15 shots attempted per 90 this season.
Diogo Dalot (£4.8)
Considering the fact that Manchester United are taking on an uncertain Villa, has a much-improved defence and Dalot himself has accrued 49 points until now, the Portuguese is a great option in defence at a sub £5 price.
The Portuguese international has found regular game-time under manager Erik Ten Hag and has impressed on either end of the pitch, which is surprising given his TSB of only 13.7%.
Transfer Outs:
Ivan Toney (£7.4)
The Brentford man had a prolific start to the season but upon receiving his 5th yellow card against Wolves, he’ll be serving a one-game suspension against Forest.
With a tough visit to Man City on the horizon for the Bees as well, the forward remains a good pick to move on for this week.
Wilfried Zaha (£7.5)
If you’re among the 20.7% of the FPL managers who still own Zaha, it’s probably a good time to let the Palace man go as lesser expensive options are available for the amount of threat he is currently offering.
It doesn’t help that Crystal Palace have seen the goals dry up, with them trending towards one of the lowest expected goals for this season away from home, where they’ll be for the next 2 gameweeks.
Ivan Perisic (£5.5)
The Croatian emerged as a good FPL pick due to him being a defender despite operating more as a winger.
However, a fixture against Liverpool could be touch-and-go in terms of being able to keep a clean sheet, while his offensive output might be curbed by Spurs having lately looked more inclined to sit back.
Differential Picks:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9)
Another player who would be keen to impress Gareth Southgate, Calvert-Lewin has found his match-fitness back after injury, featuring for his first full 90 minutes against Fulham on GW14.
With relatively easy fixtures against Leicester City, who have one of the worst defensive records this season and Bournemouth, the striker could prove to be key for the 0.9% of FPL managers that own him.
Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5)
The Argentine is only in 4.2% of all the FPL teams and has a decent return of 51 points, most of which come in clusters of double-digit returns, which remain possible with Brighton’s form and Mac Allister’s regular place in the starting eleven.
Combine that with Wolves’ form, especially in the defensive and attacking thirds of the pitch, the midfielder could certainly make the difference this week.
Aaron Cresswell (£4.8)
West Ham’s weekend opponents Crystal Palace have one of the lowest expected goals while playing away from home, which lends itself well to newfound defensive solidity, much of which is thanks to Cresswell.
The left-back has also capable of creating chances from crosses which combined with a very probable clean sheet could be the difference for the 2.6% of the FPL managers.
Captain Picks:
Erling Haaland remains the favourite to be captained even with doubts surrounding his place in the City line-up.
The prolific striker could well end up being on the scoresheet by coming off the bench, which is probable if Pep Guardiola is indeed correct about not being sure about giving him the start.
With Fulham visiting the Etihad having had the worst expected goals against throughout this campaign, signs are ominous for the cottagers.
In light of that, any one of City’s players with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Joao Cancelo could be safe bets in Haaland’s absence.
Options elsewhere lie in the shape of Mohamed Salah or Harry Kane, both of whom are head to head in the last game of the weekend, while Gabriel Jesus has a history of scoring against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
