Blimey, defence really let me down this week! To be fair, I’d reckon the majority of the FPL world were in this boat really, with all of the big teams conceding goals and just four clean sheets out of 20. Thanks to Lossl, I did have one between the sticks.
In midfield, both Mahrez and Son delivered well for me, with the Korean in particular looking bang in form right now. His assist for Eriksen’s goal was sensational – the definition of a defence splitting through ball.
Up top, Bony got Swansea’s only goal against West Brom, which was good news for me. Lacazette blanked, as did Wilson, who was sub and had to watch Defoe notch twice – I went for the wrong Cherries striker there.
As has been the case of late, I left absolutely nothing on the bench.
A midweek set of games means a quick turnaround and plenty of rotation. There’s a fair few gambles in here, meaning I won’t be offended if you don’t take my advice. Unlike you, I get to completely change this team each week depending on fixtures, but hopefully there’s one or two that could help you out if you’ve got a space and the budget this week.
Goalkeepers
On Sunday I had Mignolet (1.6%) on the bench, so I was pretty pleased he didn’t save the Rooney penalty he faced. This time around I’ve got him in the lineup, because I think Liverpool will take their anger out on West Brom after the draw with Everton. As backup, Pope (4.8%) takes a spot against a Stoke side which is pretty poor away from home, while Burnley are decent on their own patch.
Defenders
Ok, so Christensen has annoyed me, so he’s been bombed. As I said above, my eggs are in the Liverpool defensive basket this week – I hope Alan Pardew’s record of no goals scored yet continues. Gomez (5.4%) and Robertson (0.8%) are both in; they’re cheap, their fixture is nice and neither of them are Lovren. Holgate (1%) also comes in after the Merseyside Derby having played each of the last three games. Finally I’m going with a more maligned Manchester pair in Lindelof (1.3%) and Mangala (0.1%). City’s man I’ve gone with before for this team and it burned me, but I’m sure he’ll start Wednesday with Kompany now injured too. Rojo also took a knock Sunday, and I think Lindelof – who has been improving – will go from the off against Bournemouth.
Midfielders
It’s probably overkill to have both Son (2.7%) and Mahrez (5.6%) in the lineup again this week, but they’re both hard to drop when looking so in-form. Despite the fixture overload, Son is looking arguably Spurs’ freshest option right now. And Mahrez, well he looks a different player under Claude Puel and I don’t just mean because his hair is now old-school Eminem blonde. I’m also plumping for Lingard (1.7%), who will surely be as energetic as usual when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Wednesday. My last two midfield picks are gambles, with Arnautovic (0.5%) needing his goal at the weekend to be the turning point in his – so far – poor season with West Ham. Arsenal are visitors to London Stadium, where their poor away record will again be put to the test. Finally, Bernardo Silva (0.6%) is my biggest risk, as his City starts have been few and far between this season. But I think he’s due one against one of the division’s poorer sides, so I’ve gone for him here.
Strikers
Another big risk is up front, where I’ve selected Llorente (0.1%). Hear me out. Though he’s not started a game for Spurs in the league yet, I’ve seen some rumours on Twitter that Kane may be rested when Brighton visit Wembley. If that’s the case, Llorente should be well capable of scoring more than a point – all he’s managed in each of his appearances so far this term. Despite his expense, I’m also gambling on Ibrahimovic (0.3%), given the scorn that’s being poured all over Lukaku this week. It’s not usually Jose’s style to take a player out of the limelight for his own good – I just think there’s a chance he drops the Belgian this midweek. Lastly I’ve got Calvert-Lewin (7.7%), who has four returns in his last four games and should have a positive game against a Newcastle side that’s in pretty bad shape of late.
Good luck this midweek.
Written by Joe McPhee (@JPMc99)
