Absolutely shocking post-Christmas showing from my selected side, with just three meaningful returns amongst my squad.
At the back, a Robertson clean sheet – with Rojo letting me down to the point of a negative return. In midfield, his teammate Lingard stepped up despite being a sub, scoring twice against Burnley to earn United’s draw. Elsewhere, Fabregas registered an assist, and that was that for my “advice” this time around.
With Spurs and West Ham not playing until next year(!) now, neither of those two sides have players available this weekend. Rotation is obviously playing a factor right now, but I really hope what I’ve chosen below can help one or two people out there!
Goalkeepers
The boy Pope is back in the team, but only makes the bench as Burnley visit Huddersfield. Instead, in the lineup I’ve gone for Gomes, whose Watford side host hapless Swansea.
Defenders
I have two defenders on the bench, including Gomes’ teammate Zeegelaar, who is back in the Watford side after suspension. Newcastle’s Lascelles also resides there, with his side facing Brighton, who don’t score too often on their travels. In the side, I’ve gone with Robertson again, a man regularly becoming part of Liverpool’s improving backline. Danilo is in too, with City’s latest game away to Palace, whilst Rudiger should feature for Chelsea with Christensen ill and Luiz still sidelined.
Midfielders
In the middle I can’t help but pick Lingard again, though his ownership continues to rise as his form dictates. For Chelsea this time, I’ve gone for Willian, who is due a start and Stoke are pretty awful away, while Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in after looking pretty good in recent outings for the Reds. Finally, Ritchie’s game against Brighton is a nice one, and he is due a return of sorts after a run of six matches without an attacking contribution. On the bench, Ince takes his place after finally breaking his Premier League goalscoring duck this season.
Strikers
Both Jesus and Rashford let me down last week, but I’m revisiting both in the hope that they simply pull through on the basis that they’re big names and a lot of other options look more ugly on paper. My third option is Lacazette, whose ownership has dropped after failing to find the net in his last five. The Frenchman is therefore due a goal, and another positive performance against Crystal Palace (two assists) surely signals a goal is coming!
Good luck, and happy 2018!
Written by Joe McPhee (@JPMc99)
