A week is a long time in football, and in the FPL world, it can feel like an eternity.
Earlier this week, I made a few notes while looking over my team. I don’t like impulse decisions, but the triple captain chip was set to be used this weekend.
Mohamed Salah’s form this season against a makeshift and inexperienced Leeds United team was a match made in heaven. Leeds have conceded seven against Manchester City, three against Chelsea and four against Arsenal.
A trip to Anfield with half a team was a disaster waiting to happen. But that plan is now out of the window.
Leeds United have confirmed a rise in Covid-19 cases which means the game is off, while Watford will no longer tackle Wolves for the same reason.
So within the space of 48 hours, we have gone from an-all out attack approach with Salah to potentially removing him from our team.
Two Ways to Go – But Be Aware
There are two ways to look at Liverpool’s upcoming schedule. Either the time is now to jump ship, with Salah due to feature at AFCON in January, or managers keep him for the tasty tie with Leicester.
Those that want a one-week wonder could also transfer him out and bring him back in for the fixture against the Foxes, but be wary of the price hike if you choose this option.
Due to the ever-changing situation, we’ve had no choice but to remove Salah, but that’s mainly down to a lack of options.
Taking a -4 hit and using two transfers has allowed us to bring in Son Heung-Min, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva, while we have removed Salah, Diogo Jota and Michail Antonio from our ranks.
With that in mind, we will unveil our team for the week. Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!
Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale
Who else? The Gunners keeper nearly got another clean sheet against Leeds United last weekend, while this week he faces Norwich.
The Canaries should struggle to score past the England international, and he has every chance of keeping a clean sheet, with an away win to nil a risk worth taking at 5/4.
Defenders – Ben White, Antonio Rudiger, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot
White’s reasoning is no different to Ramsdale’s, while Rudiger continues to be a mainstay in our team due to his standing in the Chelsea defence.
Cancelo’s incredible display against Newcastle means he stays put, while United face the Magpies this time around, so it’s worth bringing Dalot back in.
Midfielders – Emile Smith Rowe, Phil Foden, Son Heung-Min, Bernardo Silva
Smith Rowe seems to have overcome his injury, and that should be good news for us as he looks to continue his scoring record. Foden was a naughty boy last week, but he and Silva should combine beautifully against a Leicester team who are struggling at the moment.
Son, who is 7/5 to score anytime against Crystal Palace, replaces Salah in our midfield, but for how long is a debate for another day.
Forwards – Cristiano Ronaldo, Ollie Watkins
Watkins has had a week’s rest, and he will be bang up for the fixture against Chelsea as Steven Gerrard’s side look to turn up the pressure on the Blues.
Last but not least is Ronaldo. We are going to lean on him heavily this weekend, with the Red Devils taking on Newcastle.
Captain – Cristiano Ronaldo
*All odds correct at time of writing