Cianan’s Column: GW18: How to navigate the festive fixtures

It’s the festive season, and there is a lot of football to be played, meaning there’s a lot of FPL, too. Who do you need in your team over this period? Well, let’s find out.

Ekitiké should be in your team. Isak is out injured, and thus Wolves (H) and Leeds (H) in the next two weeks, with long-term minutes security, make the Frenchman very desirable – and that’s without factoring in his 11.6 points per game over the past three weeks. Would I sell Thiago to fund Ekitiké? Probably. The Brentford striker isn’t a horrible asset, largely because he takes penalties for a team that wins a lot of them, but I still prefer the switch.

Another way to fund the Ekitiké move is by selling Fernandes, who is facing time on the sidelines due to an injury he picked up at the weekend (keep an eye out for injury updates). Foden isn’t viable as most already own the City winger, but if you don’t, he’s one of (if not the) best long-term FPL assets (aside from the robot himself, Haaland). His minutes, goal involvements, and underlying data are superb, making him my number one replacement. But since you probably already own him, look to Cunha. He is, at the time of writing, £1.3m cheaper than Fernandes (coming in at £8m), and has brilliant fixtures until GW22. Newcastle (H) this week isn’t bad, and after that it’s a glorious trio of Wolves (H), Leeds (A), and Burnley (A). Owning both Ekitiké and Cunha provides a keen advantage, as you have back-to-back weeks with attackers facing a woeful Wolves side at home.

Another great long-term option is Everton defender Tarkowski, or their goalkeeper Pickford, given the Toffees’ generally sturdy defence and solid upcoming fixtures. Keane also works and is cheaper than both, but will likely be dropped when Branthwaite returns from injury, though this is unlikely to occur until at least mid-January. Pickford is the safest option; Tarkowski offers good DEFCON potential and slight goal-threat, though he is one yellow card away from suspension; Keane will last you at most six gameweeks, but is the cheapest and has the best goal-threat while retaining DEFCON viability. Dealer’s choice.

To conclude, as mentioned earlier, there are a lot of games coming up, leading to some inevitable squad rotation, which is why I’m beginning to warm to Rice. There’s a dearth of desirable mid-price point midfielders, so it may be worth considering a downgrade from Saka to Rice, freeing up money that can be more effectively spread around the squad while taking advantage of the latter’s minutes security and remarkably consistent points-scoring.

I’d like to close by wishing all readers a joyous Christmas. May your FPL teams be merry, and the green arrow bright!

Rapid recommendations

● Calvert-Lewin’s goals will dry up. He’s fine as a rotation striker but not as a regular starter, especially with Leeds’ upcoming fixtures.
● Do I love the look of Rogers as a pick? Yes. Do I love their next two fixtures (Chelsea (A) and Arsenal (A))? No. Buy him in GW20 for Forest (H).
● Why people are buying Wilson now is beyond me. You’ll need to sell him by GW20 at the latest.
● As a punt, Wirtz is fine, but he simply hasn’t displayed the output required so far this season to make him an easy recommendation. He’s still on zero goals and only two assists this season.
● Reminder for anyone who hasn’t, use your chips. Everyone receives new ones after GW19, so use them or lose them. PSA: The best triple captain fixture remaining is probably Haaland v Forest (A) this week.

The Boar standings

1st: Dwight Club (1083) – managed by Cianan Sheekey
2nd: parths11 (1032) – managed by Parth Malik
3rd: Jimall Lascelles (1020) – managed by Jamie Pakes