Storm Darragh hit the UK this weekend and no doubt had an impact on the Premier League with the Merseyside derby postponed and tricky weather conditions affecting the games that went ahead.
Let’s get stuck into what we learnt from the weekend’s fixtures.
As always, if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
Liverpool game postponed
Everton P-P Liverpool
Image source: yahoo.com
With the game called off, many Salah owners would have been disappointed given his form. Never an easy fixtures but the reds have had the better of this fixture for some time and Salah has often been decisive.
Although this meant many were without one or more of their players, the positive is a double gameweek for Liverpool in the future. Early indications suggest game week 25.
If you have your triple captain chip still, this could be the week.
Chelsea refuse to slip up at Spurs
Spurs 3-4 Chelsea
Image source: nytimes.com
3-4 on paper looks like it was an end to end goal fest. In reality, the story of the game was one of Chelsea dominance.
2 slips by Cucurella led to an early 2-0 lead for Spurs. However, Chelsea went on to take control and were just too much for Spurs.
Palmer was exceptional as was Enzo, who is becoming an FPL option despite not being the typical profile of player for that. Chelsea played Lavia in the middle with Enzo however with Caicedo at starting at right back, this gives Enzo the freedom to get forward knowing the other two will occupy the middle. This freedom has led to 6 goal involvements in the last 5 games – not to be ignored for a midfielder of £5m in a title contending side.
Jackson was the main disappointment, after being rested mid-week, he failed to get a return. Nonetheless, Palmer showed his value again with an 18 point haul
Spurs on the other hand are struggling. They can’t keep a clean sheet nor can they seem to manage games particularly well. There’s undoubted quality and players who will get attacking returns but the inconsistency makes their players and difficult one to bet on for FPL managers.
Wood sinks Man United
Man United 2-3 Forest
Image source: manutd.com
With the fixtures turning harder for Wood and Forest, many sold him on the basis he probably couldn’t keep his scoring levels up. He’s proved that wrong. Suddenly now the fixture list doesn’t look so bad.
Credit to anyone who kept him despite the naysayers. He’s now one to consider bringing back in – he doesn’t appear to be slowing down and there’s a lot of other misfiring forwards who could make way.
Speaking of misfiring, United went back to their old ways – fragile at the back. They looked so vulnerable from set plays (as they did the week before against Arsenal).
There are no United options right now with Amorim doing a lot of chopping and changing as he figures out the players he wants to rely on. Fernandes is the only one who is sure to play and has any decent chance of returns. Even then, he’s a bit expensive and United too inconsistent to bet on.
Mbeumo punishes the sellers
Brentford 4-2 Newcsatle
Image source: brentfordfc
Bryan Mbeumo was the most sold player ahead of the week but he punished managers with a 13 point haul. To be fair, he’s been so quiet the last few weeks and the fixtures don’t look great on paper. However, it’s worth noting that Brentford’s home form is the best in the league (their away is the worst).
I’m still concerned that with Wissa, Thiago and a few others, there’s a lot of attacking players to fit in which pushed Mbeumo out to right wing where his FPL points are more limited.
6 of the next 7 games are very tough, starting with Chelsea away next. I think he’s still a sell but don’t underestimate Brentford at home.
Newcastle in contrast, looked lethargic. Compared to their performance against Liverpool the game before, they offered so much less. Isak impressed though, with another goal (and it could have been more). With good fixtures coming up, he’s a serious option still.
City continue to labour
Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City
Image source: mancity.com
It happens to every team eventually, but we all just gave up hope that City would ever run out of steam. However, their problems are not going away. The mileage in the legs of the team, especially the midfield, and the lack of Rodri, continue to mean they can be gotten at.
Palace aren’t exactly world beaters this year as they’ve struggled to replace Olise’s output but they managed to take a point from the visitors.
Haaland scored which will please those who still own him (which is a fair few) but it’s not yet the consistency or numbers that are required of his price tag.
Rico Lewis’s sending off means he’s suspended but only for 1 match. Given his price he may not be worth moving on but City aren’t exactly keeping clean sheets so it might be an opportune time.
None of Palace’s big names shone and the likes of Eze and Mateta just simply aren’t options right now, especially with a mixed but mostly difficult fixture run ahead.
Arsenal stumble in London
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
Image source: BBC Sport
This was always going to be a tough one. It kind of had it written in the stars with so many ex-Arsenal players now at Fulham. Arsenal continue to be incredible from set plays and the goal threat of Saliba, Timber and Gabriel (when fit) combined with their defensive solidity, make them great options.
On that, no sign of Gabriel which surprised me. It’s a luxury transfer to switch him to one of the other two I named but we jut don’t know when he’ll be back. I expect next match but I said that the last 2!
Fulham are having a great season having strengthened well. After the Liverpool game, up next, they have a nice run of fixtures over Christmas and into the New Year. Raul got their goal and remains a solid bargain striker option. The fixtures suggest he’s worth holding, if not bringing in. I’d probably rate Wood above him though but I’m certainly not against having both.
Leicester
Leicester 2-2 Brighton
Image source: premierleague.com
Brighton dominated this game but crumbled at the end under Leicester pressure. Pedro and Mitoma didn’t return despite getting good minutes and having some chances. With some good fixtures ahead, they are definite holds if you have them and not bad buys if you don’t.
It may be tempting to jump on the Leicester bandwagon given their new manager bounce with Ruud at the helm (seeing how many cliches I can get in one sentence), however, their upcoming fixtures are very hard. Fans should probably be glad they got the 4 points from the last 2 games because it’s going to be tough to get much from the next 5.
Vardy is the best shout and probably on penalties too but I think there’s better options such as Pedro, Wood and Raul, in that price bracket.
Watkins rested against weak Saints
Villa 1-0 Saints
Image source: premierleague.com
Watkins was rested and Duran got the start and goal. However, Ollie could have got a couple of returns when he came on but failed to be clinical enough. He’s been talked about as an option but I’m generally keeping clear of Villa, too inconsistent, focus and energy being taken by Europe and some rotation creeping in.
Saints continue to be a team to target…for attackers playing against them. They do like to give chances away by simply giving the ball to the opposition as close to their goal as humanly possible. Hard to watch and the only surprise is Villa didn’t put them more clearly out of their misery.
Cunha disappoints in key match
West Ham 2-1 Wolves
Image source: eurosport.com
Wolves and Cunha with them, have dropped right off. The fixtures have been and continue to look good on paper but they’re in a relegation battle for more reasons than a tough fixture run at the start.
As a Cunha owner myself, Ipswich at home then Leicester away are worth holding him for but beyond that, he’s probably one to move on.
Bowen with a goal, assist and 3 bonus points was the real winner here. He’s one of those players who seems so consistent but as soon as you bring him in he goes quiet. There’s no getting away from it, West Ham have been poor this season but Bowen has kept up decent numbers. I find Bowen hard to recommend but he certainly has his credentials – he’s likely to outscore Mbeumo over the next few games so could be a good switch up.
Bournemouth and Ipswich don’t provide much for FPL managers
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth
Image source: reuters.com
Bournemouth aren’t to be ignored – they are a good side for sure. However, from an FPL perspective they are hard to select from with such variety in their attacking players returning. Good for them that they aren’t over reliant but bad for FPL managers wanting certainty.
Evanilson, Semenyo, Kluivert – these are all options, however rotation is coming into play and even if they start it’s not clear who is likely to shine on any given day. The fixtures are decent so any of these Bournemouth players are worth holding but I’d struggle to pick any one which is a good buy.
Ipswich continue to look robust and competitive but for FPL managers I see little in terms of obvious targets. Liam Delap has gotten a lot of plaudits this season (and rightly so) but he’s not getting enough returns to make him a recommended buy. Tough fixtures are ahead for Ipswich so I wouldn’t be buying from this shop right now.
If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
