A lot of assessment can be made over GW21, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup semis added to all the competitions there’s the on going January transfer window. Manchester United, Wolves and Spurs will have to play added fixtures as they have replay their FA Cup matches due to draws while United, City, Leicester and Aston Villa have the return legs of the Carabao Cup to play. A lot of changes can take place in the starting line ups of these club’s and we can remain focused only on the in-form players and injuries to make the best of the matches in this month.
1. AFC Bournemouth
Vs Watford (H)
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2. Arsenal
M. Pepe (9.1), F. Aubameyang (10.8)
Vs Crystal Palace (A)
I have been rooting for Pepe to perform in FPL for a few gameweeks now and the French man looked decent against Manchester United despite not being at his best. Pepe could make a good switch for Alli, where Spurs go up against Liverpool. Aubameyang scored a great header against United. This arsenal duo actually make good replacements for Kane and Alli.
3. Aston Villa
M. Grealish (6.4)
Vs Manchester City (H)
Jack Grealish and James Maddison are battling it out on twitter as to who’s having the better season. Grealish beats Maddison in most of the head to head battles when it comes to chances created, fouls drawn, etc. Manchester City have not been at the best at the back this season and the Villa captain could play a pivotal role in helping his club take a lead at Villa Park but we all expect City to watch win this fixture.
4. Brighton and Hove Albion
Vs Everton (A)
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5. Burnley
F. Wood (6.2)
Vs Chelsea (A)
The New Zealand forward has scored 8 goals for the Clarets making him their top scorer. Burnley don’t take a lot of shots at goal and often lack creativity. But whenever they do create, it’ll be Chris Wood who Chelsea will have to worry about as the Blues shaky and inconsistent at the back.
6. Chelsea
M. Willian (7.2), M. Mount (6.3), F. Abraham (7.8)
Vs Burnley (H)
Despite dropping points in GW21 Chelsea still remain 4th in the table as ManUtd, Spurs, Wolves and Sheffield too stumbled. Willian has stepped up in recent Gameweeks and will be one to watch. Abraham scored against Arsenal and bagged an assist last GW. Tarkowski and Mee form quite a formidable partnership in defence which could make it difficult for Abraham but I still have faith in the young Englishman.
7. Crystal Palace
Vs Arsenal (H)
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8. Everton
D. Digne (5.7), M. Richiarlison (8.0), F. Calvert-Lewin (5.9)
Vs Brighton (H)
I’m expecting managers to hawk down for him having scored thrice in his last three games. Richiarlison prevented City from keeping a clean sheet as scored his 7th goal of the season. Calvert-Lewin and Richiarlison will cause Brighton all sorts of problems as the Seagulls haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home in the last 5 away games.
9. Leicester City
D. Pereira (6.4), M. Maddison (7.7), F. Vardy (10.0)
Vs Southampton (H)
I would rather have Grealish over Maddison but since Villa play Mancity, I’ll go for Maddison in this one. Maddison has over 6 goals and 3 assists and has been Leicester's most creative player. Jamie Vardy is back! The league’s top goal scorer missed out his last two outings for the foxes but featured in the semi final clash against Villa.
10. Liverpool
D. Alexander-Arnold (7.5), M. Mane (12.3), M. Salah (12.3), F. Firmino (9.3)
Vs Tottenham (A)
I won’t say much about this game except that Tottenham have been really poor and when they face the league’s best attacking side, I only expect havoc.
11. Manchester City
M. KDB (10.6), M. Sterling (11.8), M. Mahrez (8.4), F. Aguero (11.7)
Vs Aston Villa (A)
Another great fixture where managers should try and coup as many points as possible. Manchester City almost scored 6 goals against Manchester United in the semis of the Carabao Cup. The Citizens were clinical but not too clinical and only managed to score 3. They now face Aston Villa who have a knack of conceding and are prone to defensive errors.
12. Manchester United
M. Martial (7.9), F. Rashford (9.2)
Vs Norwich City (H)
Rashford managed to score a consolation despite an extremely poor display from Manchester United vs City. Martial and Rashford are some of the in-form players that have been making the headlines for the last two months and the two will have a go at Norwich at home as the Red Devils will want to bounce back after their recent poor displays.
13. Newcastle United
Vs Wolves (A)
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14. Norwich City
M. Cantwell (4.9)
Vs Manchester United (A)
This one is just a hunch. Cantwell has played well against the big 6 and he gets the opportunity to do so again against Manchester United. Pukki will miss out due to a hamstring injury.
15. Sheffield United
F. Mousset (4.8)
Vs West Ham (H)
Sheffield United have scored the least goals for a team that is in the top half of the table. The Blades are having a pretty good season despite many pundits having dismissed them to remain in the PL at the start of the season. Lys Mousset will be the man to look forward to having scored 5 goals for the club and a goal that was cancelled out last GW by VAR which would’ve raised his tally to 6.
16. Southampton
Vs Leicester (A)
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17. Tottenham Hotspur
Vs Liverpool (H)
18. Watford
F. Deeney (6.2), F. Deulofeu (6.1)
Vs Bournemouth (A)
Watford have been playing some explosive football having picked red cards in each of their last 3 games and are unbeaten in 4. The Hornets forwards are beginning to put in some work and it looks like Nigel Pearson has added a sting to the team.
19. West Ham
M. Anderson (6.6), F. Haller (7.0)
Vs Sheffield United (A)
Both Haller and Anderson were on the scoresheet in West Ham’s 4-0 victory over Bournemouth. You might want to keep in mind these two player when the Hammers play twice in GW24.
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers
M. Moutinho (5.4), M. Traore (5.7), F. Jimenez (7.5)
Vs Newcastle United (H)
Any game at the Molineux is a tough one. Wolverhampton have not won any of their last 3 games and will be looking to bag all 3 points in this one. Moutinho has had some good games at home while Traore is a threat to any opponent. Jimenez has provided some good attacking returns and almost scored against United in the FA Cup as his effort hit the wood work.
