As the holiday season envelops us, a flurry of midweek fixtures on the Fantasy Premier League horizon presents a veritable conundrum for managers. The clock is ticking, and the next deadline looms ominously on Boxing Day—more aptly termed Gameweek 18 this season—requiring all FPL teams to finalize their rosters by 11 a.m. GMT.
Amidst this festive chaos, it’s vital to remember that the second wildcard will soon be at your disposal after Gameweek 19, marking these upcoming matches as the final arena for deploying the first wildcard before it vanishes into the ether.
Can Manchester City Reverse Their Fortunes?
On the surface, it may appear that Pep Guardiola’s squad has an accessible schedule, facing Everton at home, Leicester City away, and then back to their own fortress against West Ham United—all rated with a mere 2 out of 5 on the Fixture Difficulty scale. However, let’s not underestimate the Toffees, who have conjured clean sheets against formidable opponents like Arsenal and Chelsea recently. This Boxing Day clash could prove more treacherous than anticipated for City.
With Jarrad Branthwaite anchoring the defense, the Everton side has held rivals at bay magnificently, achieving a clean sheet in five of the last six encounters. But Manchester City, a powerhouse, must find their form soon, and the dynamic duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland igniting the attack could shift the tides remarkably. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to wager on this electrifying combination lighting up the game against Everton at their home ground.
Jesus Poised for Post-Christmas Surge
On the other side of the pitch, Gabriel Jesus’s narrative is rife with potential. Previously relegated to sporadic appearances, the Brazilian forward broke free from the shackles of anonymity with two stunning goals last weekend, following a free-scoring spree in the League Cup against Crystal Palace. This hat-trick has undoubtedly caught the eye of Arsenal’s astute tactician, Mikel Arteta.
With Bukayo Saka sidelined due to injury, a prime opportunity has emerged for Jesus to seize the right wing position, although he remains a versatile option across various attacking roles. Whether it’s playing alongside Kai Havertz or even taking up residence on one of the flanks, Jesus could be gearing up for an extended run in the starting XI, potentially reshaping Arsenal’s offensive strategy.
Join the 66% Club with Salah
Time is of the essence; if you haven’t yet acquired Mohamed Salah, now might just be the window of opportunity closing swiftly behind you. An impressive 66% of Fantasy Premier League managers have already secured his services, and for good reason: Salah stands as the stellar performer in the Premier League this season, failing to notch double points in merely five of his previous 17 outings. Furthermore, amid a postponed fixture against Everton, Liverpool players possess the chance to compensate for the lost game in the days ahead.
With Salah in your squad, the focus may shift towards less heralded differentials. For Liverpool, the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez emerge as enticing, budget-friendly prospects who could deliver substantial returns. Szoboszlai, flushed with confidence after netting three assists and a goal against Tottenham, is keen on continuing this trend of generating opportunities while potentially adding to his own goal tally.
