Welcome back to another edition of under the radar and a Merry Christmas to you all! Let us all hope for some festive fantasy goodness this year. Throughout the busy Christmas period it is always difficult to select players who are guaranteed a start, and so it is very important to have a look at players’ chances of getting into their sides respective starting XI’s when considering them as an FPL pick. Although I’ll be doing my best to highlight players who will both play and bring home the FPL bacon it’s impossible for me to actually know who will start and who won’t.
Nevertheless let’s begin.
JONJO SHELVEY, £5.3M, 3.1% TSB
Although the Englishman has been given a more defensive role under Gary Monk due to the introduction of Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Icelandic international’s recent foot injury meant Shelvey was able to resume his previous ‘number 10’ role being the respective Swansea striker. Last season Shelvey was a great budget differential and I now believe it is time for him to regain that form. With 4 goal attempts in his last game he is no stranger to finding the back of the net and his deflected shot led to Ki’s goal in Swansea’s trip to Hull. With a boxing day tie at home to Aston Villa I have a strong feeling that Shelvey will start and play a crucial role, however ultimately the choice is yours. There is a chance that Sigurdsson could be back in the fold and that would mean Shelvey being dropped to a more defensive position. Although his influence may not be as strong, he could still be involved. It’s a big risk that could pay off massively in the next three games and the introduction of a £5.3M midfielder to your side could also free up funds elsewhere.
SANTI CAZORLA, £8.1M, 2.7% TSB
The Spanish midfielder has had a huge influence on Arsenal’s recent performances and has gathered 28 points in the last 3 gameweeks. The midfielder is not only a goal threat (with 7 goal attempts in the past 2 gameweeks) but also a huge creator of chances (being Arsenal’s second most creative player only to Alexis Sanchez – a player who is likely to be rested over the Christmas period). Cazorla has created 33 goal attempts in 16 appearances and his central role behind French striker Oliver Giroud means that there is an exceptionally high chance of an assist or two against QPR who have lost ALL EIGHT away games this season. Expect an Arsenal win and hope for a Santi Cazorla brace if you wish to bring the Spaniard into your side.
That wraps things up for the Under the Radar picks for the Boxing Day games. I hope Father Christmas brings you FPL joy over this festive period and of course a wonderful Christmas.
Dan
@DanRahilly
