With the Christmas schedule well and truly underway, the differential picks need to come thick and fast so please excuse any relatively basic reasoning over this period! Regarding the gameweek 14 picks, Christian Eriksen picked up an assist, Steve Mounie was sent off and Olivier Giroud and Callum Paterson couldn’t get amongst the points despite starting at home in winning sides. Hopefully there is a bit more luck and a few more points to be had in the midweek gameweek 15.
FELIPE ANDERSON – £7.0m – TSB: 8.1% – Cardiff (H)
Mentioned a few weeks back, enough time has passed to again point fantasy managers towards West Ham midfielder Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian scored his fourth goal in his last four games in the closing stages of the Hammers’ victory at Newcastle, collecting six bonus points across this stretch. West Ham play three of their next games at home and don’t face a top six side for another eight gameweeks; Anderson could be a perfect mid-price option to keep points ticking along while FPL managers work out which premium options to prioritise.
RIYAD MAHREZ – £8.5m – TSB: 2.9% – Watford (A)
It’s completely understandable that Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane are currently the go-to Manchester City options, with both yet again returning attacking points at home to Bournemouth in gameweek 14. However, even as a one week punt, Riyad Mahrez looks due a start as City prepare to rotate as they travel to Watford. Mahrez has scored twice and assisted once in his last three league starts, while Watford have conceded five in their last two games. A brave manager might benefit from Pep roulette this gameweek.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD – £5.9m – TSB: 3.0% – Southampton (H)
Many Tottenham fans voiced their displeasure at Mauricio Pochettino’s benching of centre-back Toby Alderweireld after their North London Derby defeat. After conceding four goals to Arsenal and Jan Vertonghen picking up a late red card, Alderweireld should be back in the starting eleven ahead of a kind-looking home fixture against struggling Southampton. The Saints have only scored 3 goals in their last five away games, 2 of which were against Fulham. Alderweireld also offers the most goal threat of all his defensive counterparts as per the ICT index.
GYLFI SIGURDSSON – £7.4m – TSB: 7.8% – Newcastle (H)
Everton were very unfortunate to go down 1-0 to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby and look improved going into the busy league schedule. Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson has picked up five goals and an assist in his last eight fixtures and looks ready for more as Everton face off against a Newcastle side that just went down 3-0 at home to West Ham in gameweek 14.
DAVID BROOKS – £5.1m – TSB: 3.1% – Huddersfield (H)
Just as it appeared Huddersfield may put a run of results together, they followed victory at Wolves with a disappointing home defeat to Brighton. Next, they visit a team full of budget fantasy assets in Bournemouth, who will be looking to respond to defeat by Manchester City at the weekend. Young Welsh midfielder David Brooks should be considered here, having rested for the majority of the game at the Etihad. For threat, Brooks ranks only behind Callum Paterson of all midfielders under £6.0m, with Bournemouth having scored the most goals of all teams outside the top five. Brooks’ very cheap price not only helps managers find funds for popular premium picks such as Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling, but the youngster has contributed 3 goals and an assist in his last seven starts.
Good luck all!
Written by FPL Forum (@FPLForum)
