Last updated on February 1st, 2021
Written by @IamtheMarkus. Follow him on twitter for regular FPL insights!
Houston we have rotation! It’s sometimes worth the benching dilemmas in order to cope on weekends like this. I got particularly stung, as whilst I have one/two occasionally playing bench players, I had 4 of my first-teamers without a minute to their name. That includes my © and it’s safe to say my vice choice last week didn’t get on much better. Notable absences included Stones, Cancelo, Sterling, Mane, Saka with Kane/Vardy/KdB being the other main injured parties. So all eyes on the pressers on Monday to see what we can glean.
We saw Salah finally grab a brace after 6/7 long games without a goal, budget forwards Wilson and Bamford both hauling as well after quieter periods, Periera driving WBA forward, and two Chelsea defenders scoring from years gone by as GoAlonso and Azpilcueta both appeared on the scoresheet.
TLDR
My © will be Salah
Vice – Sterling
I’m not considering Bamford (partly b/c of the dead leg) and partly I’m expecting Everton to play much better than they did against Newcastle. DCL > Bamford (this week at least) but a very personal opinion that one but this game (and the Chelsea/Spurs game) are not in my considerations this week.
Zaha – TSB ~ 15% – NEW
Newcastle were certainly the better team against Everton, however, Palace tend to favour playing bottom half teams. Whilst Eze took the points for Palace last week, I’d expect Zaha to step up here. Quite low ownership with a good run of fixtures coming in February.
Bruno – TSB ~ 37% – SOU
Marked a very long first year with MUN with yet another disappointing runout. Southampton lost again at the weekend but they seem pretty goal-shy at the moment, though this weekend it was down to the heroics of bodies on the line rather than the Saints forwards not stepping up. Manchester United have somewhat dropped off the pace the last two games but this is as good an opportunity as any to put down a good result in midweek.
Pereira – TSB ~ 2% – SHF
What a turnaround in personal form from this player since big Sam took over, any time WBA score it seems like his name is involved. This must be marked as a big relegation 6-pointer and we should expect a strong showing from this man if WBA are to win. Certainly, an out there pick if you don’t fancy a premium.
Sterling – TSB ~ 12% – BUR
Surely not benched for a second fixture in a row after such a narrow win against Sheffield at the weekend. Creativity and pace will be needed here and with Liverpool still within touching distance of the top of the table, City will be keen to lay down another marker before the game with Liverpool. Both manager and fans were all considered by the performance and narrowness of the victory and will be looking to have a more emphatic win here.
Salah – TSB 41% – WHU
We highlighted last week that it had just been a little too long for Mo to not have a return and that one was surely due and he did indeed deliver (albeit I didn’t own him, so a bit moot). The fixture against Brighton does look appealing. With Mane potentially missing out again with a minor unspecified injury (at the time of writing) many are flying back to Salah who boasts impressive numbers with and without him in the lineup. Currently, a few of the premium options have been stuttering in recent weeks and so many will opt for this man should they not own him already.
