Hey everyone!

Follow me on X at u/peter_lof for Draft updates.

Looking back at last week’s thread, at least Chelsea and Newcastle clean sheets provided some points. Murphy continues to deliver big, but I assume he was highly contested in your leagues as well. Unfortunately, I missed out on him and had to stick with Rutter for his fifth consecutive blank! 😅

The Boxing Day Gameweek is here, with a shorter rest period than usual, followed by another full GW shortly after. Expect rotation, if not this GW, then definitely by GW19.

This week’s games are tricky to predict. Both Wolves and Southampton are under new managers and achieved unexpected results last GW, with a win and a draw each. I’m not ready to gamble on their players just yet.

Here are some quick thoughts on the upcoming matches:

• Liverpool & Arsenal are my only solid picks this week, with Bournemouth as a close third.
• Chelsea vs. Fulham: I don’t expect Chelsea to crush here. Fulham have taken points from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Spurs in their last five games.
• Man City vs. Everton: City should win, but Everton is tough to break down. An early City goal could make it 3-0, but if not, I can see a 0-0 stalemate.
• Newcastle vs. Villa: Newcastle are on fire, but Villa has the quality to pull off big results, as we’ve seen in the Champions League.
• Wolves vs. Man United: No clue what to expect. Wolves beat Leicester, and United got smashed by Bournemouth. Based on that, maybe a Wolves win? But United has looked like a team in every other game.
• Southampton vs. West Ham: Another tough call. West Ham are unbeaten in three games, with draws against Bournemouth and Brighton. A draw seems likely here too.

Now, onto the players before my family starts complaining about me being absent!

Goalkeepers

Stefan Ortega (MCI) vs. Everton
Ederson was out against Villa, and we haven’t seen updates yet. If you have a secondary keeper you don’t care much about, make the switch.

Defenders

Dean Huijsen (BOU) vs. Palace
I almost recommended him two weeks ago but went with Kerkez instead. Both are solid picks this week, but Huijsen’s 2 goals in 4 starts are impressive.

Joe Gomez (LIV) vs. Leicester
Here he is again. Only one clean sheet in his last four games since Konaté’s injury. Against Leicester at home, this should be a guaranteed CS. After conceding avoidable goals against Spurs, I think Liverpool will tighten up defensively, not that Leicester’s attack is particularly scary.

Man City Defenders vs. Everton
Surely City won’t concede here, right? (How many times have we said that this season?) Akanji is available in my main league, will try to snap him up. With Stones and Dias likely out, Aké should play centrally. Guardiola might do something unexpected, but Gvardiol, Akanji, Aké, and Lewis/Walker should make up the def.

Midfielders

Gabriel Martinelli (ARS) vs. Ipswich
He’s here for managers in smaller leagues. His season hasn’t been great (4g/2a), but he finally scored against Palace. With Saka out, Martinelli needs to step up!

Leandro Trossard (ARS) vs. Ipswich
Another player who could "benefit" from Saka’s absence with more starts. Similar stats to Martinelli (3g/2a). Arsenal will need to adapt without Saka, which could be a blessing in disguise for FPL managers.

Dango Ouattara (BOU) vs. Palace
I almost put him here last week. With Tavernier out, he’s a starter. He has 1g/2a in his last three games. I’m putting a lot of faith in Bournemouth this GW.

Justin Kluivert (BOU) vs. Palace
Penalty taker Kluivert makes the list. Five of his six goals are from penalties, but he’s still a decent pick assuming Bournemouth dominates this game.

Anthony Elanga (NFO) vs. Spurs
He has to keep his spot, right? Two goals in two games, now facing a wrecked Spurs defense. Liverpool could’ve scored even more against them. Nottingham is back to winning ways, defeating Man United, Villa, and Brentford recently. Gibbs-White is the best pick from their midfield, but he’s likely already taken.

Julio Enciso (BRI) vs. Brentford
Gamble pick of the week. He looked lively in his cameo against West Ham. After five games without a win, Brighton might mix things up. My favorite Kadioglu hopefully return soon, but Enciso could be their magic man in the meantime.

Strikers

Gabriel Jesus (ARS) vs. Ipswich
If he’s available, everyone will rush to grab him. His last two performances make him a must-pick.

Jhon Durán (AVL) vs. Newcastle
Four goals in his last four games they can’t bench him now. It’s not the easiest game, but as I mentioned earlier, Villa might pull this one off. Tough spot for Emery with Watkins wanting to get back into the eleven.

Niclas Füllkrug (WHU) vs. Southampton
Wasn't great against Brighton. But he's at least an option now in a world of very few available attackers.
Might be benched here, but he's more of a speculative pick

Good luck and merry christmas! =)