Last updated on April 22nd, 2021
Written by @IamtheMarkus. Follow him on twitter for regular FPL insights!
The dust has barely settled on the ESLs rise and fall and the fixtures for the prior round are still ongoing but here we are making our considerations once again. The prior gameweek started brightly with a Kane brace but any early joy was marred by the ankle injury wobble and a no-show in the second game as Spurs struggled with Southampton.
A few familiar names of late continue to appear amongst the points – Lingard, TAA, Greenwood, Sigurdsson as well rolling back the years. Iheanacho was amongst the cup scorers as well.
With blanks for Spurs, Man City, Southampton and Fulham, we are down a few of our regular 11s with one or two players no doubt having to reach deep into their benches in this coming week. Of the fixtures available, we do get to see which of Chelsea or West Ham wants to play Champions League football after both looked a little out of sorts last week with a goalless draw and a loss to Newcastle combined. With Leeds taking points from Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks, the fixture against Manchester United looks potentially like a level contest. Leicester facing Crystal Palace is one to keep an eye on, whilst Arsenal’s young forwards will surely be given the nod against Everton. Liverpool do face a Newcastle team with two victories in a row who surely must think themselves safe above the relegation zone on 35pts.
TLDR
My © will be Iheanacho
Vice – Salah.
After a benching in midweek, it’s likely to see Salah on the front foot against Newcastle but the form of the Leicester frontman is too good to pass up, barring any major issues on Thursday night of course.
Iheanacho -TSB ~ 17.1% – West Brom
Another appearance on the score sheet in the cup with a game against WBA first up on Thursday night. His form is there and the fixture looks good against a Palace side who really can’t be trusted to defend. Surely it’s Jamie Vardy’s turn to score a goal but Kelechi is no doubt the man of the moment.
Barring any injury scares against WBA on Thursday this is my form/gut pick for the following game week. Another 5% this week so far to his ownership but still looks a mighty fine value differential to any squad.
Salah – TSB ~ 32.3% – Newcastle
A benching in midweek and a draw will surely encourage Klopp to start the Golden boot chaser.
Newcastle have managed to win two back-to-back games but perhaps their heads may now turn to the beach with premier league safety a little more assured.
Salah and his teammates will no doubt still feel quite aggrieved after bearing quite a lot of fan uproar with recent events amongst a remarkably timid season by their own high standards of recent years. Whilst Newcastle held their own in the reverse fixture, I can’t see the same happening again here.
Cavani – TSB ~ 3.4% – LEE
Just the 45 minutes against Burnley but he got his goal and was largely involved in turning the tide and winning the game. Fully integrated and switched on, this is my pick of the Manchester cohort this week. He is at the head of the attack and seemingly in a purple patch.
Greenwood has been shining and he did go on a hot streak this time last year so could be a worthwhile alternative but with Kane due to miss a game due to the blank this is a nice transfer waiting to happen.
Pogba is seemingly affecting the returns of Bruno so I am not so interested in © there for now.
Pereira -TSB ~ 4% – AVL
It’s crunch time for the West Brom men with a handful of games left to get the points required to beat the drop. Attacking threat plus on penalties, closest thing to a talisman for the Baggies at the moment. He & Robinson are some of the most in-form players in the league points-wise atm.
Villa seem to have lost their way a little bit and whilst Martinez will somehow rack up the baps for making a thousand saves, I’d back Pereira to score.
