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The fixtures are coming thick and fast
As we edge closer to Christmas, Premier League fixtures begin to come thick and fast. The infamous period between the 22nd December and the New Year, when clubs will have to play four games in the space of 10 days, is a test of team’s sustainability, their squad depth and the manager’s ability to rotate his players.
With that in mind, you might find yourself making a lot of changes to your FPL team, as you too will need to keep your squad fresh and try to avoid fielding players who have been rested in real life.
But as always, we have five suggestions for you.
1. Florin Andone – Brighton and Hove Albion, £5m
He’s not had the easiest start to life in the Premier League, but Andone made an impact for Brighton on Tuesday night, scoring Brighton’s third goal before half-time against Crystal Palace. Andone replaced the injured Glenn Murray, who could be out for the entirety of the Christmas period, paving the way for Andone to start a run of games. He has – understandably – only been selected by 0.2% of managers, but could be about to hit a run of form. And there are few easier grounds to score at right now than Turf Moor.
2. Sol Bamba – Cardiff City, £4.5m
If you’re looking for a cheap defender to free up cash for other more glamorous players, look no further than Sol Bamba. The Cardiff defender is one of the cheapest on the market and while Cardiff don’t often win, he has collected 44 points this season – more than Héctor BellerÃn and John Stones. Cardiff are at home to Southampton this weekend, who will still be getting to grips with the methods of newly appointed manager Ralph Hassenhuttl.
3. Richarlison – Everton, £7m
Firstly, Richarlison has the benefit of being categorised as a midfielder while playing as a striker, meaning you can effectively fiddle the system and shoehorn in a fourth forward. He’s also facing his former club Watford this weekend, which happens to be where his love affair with Marco Silva began – a partnership which has blossomed further at Everton. It’s written in the stars for him to get on the scoresheet at the weekend.
4. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández – West Ham, £6.2m
Hernández bagged a brace against Newcastle last weekend, starting alongside Marko Arnautović in attack. With Arnautović a doubt for West Ham’s next game, Hernández could start as a lone striker this weekend, when West Ham will make the short trip down to Crystal Palace, who are still mourning the defeat to arch-rivals Brighton on Tuesday night.
5. Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson – Burnley, £5.9m
Burnley are slowly coming back to life after a slow start to the season, and Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson is has amassed more points (56) than any striker in their squad. Their highest point scoring player is Joe Hart, which speaks volumes about the club’s fortunes, but the Iceland international has been able to make a difference from the wing. Burnley are at home to Brighton this weekend, who will be without the suspended Shane Duffy.
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