Holly Shand from Fantasy Football Community returns with captaincy corner and her three player picks in three positions for Gameweek 21.
Gameweek 20 threw up major rotation, but plenty of captaincy success, especially through the vice captain chip. Only Vardy, Salah and Sterling blanked out of the ten most-captained players, meaning those who went with Salah and Sterling were the only ones to miss out on points. Guess where my armband lay in a dismal week?
Gameweek 21 could spell more rotation, so be careful with the Vice Captain chip. We can be sure of starts for Jamie Vardy and Kevin De Bruyne, with those two becoming the routine picks. There could be benefit in giving the armband to a differential though. There's a break in the Premier League schedule after this round of New Year games, with FA Cup action for all our sides this weekend and League Cup semi-finals the following midweek for Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester and Aston Villa. Most managers will look to rotate for the weekend cup games, so rotation could be less of an issue in this weeks games.
Captaincy Corner
The shield pick is likely to be the most captained player of the week, allowing you to play safe and keep pace with the pack. The sword pick will be a less popular selection: if they perform it can shoot you up the overall rankings, but the risk from failure is higher.
Shield Pick: Jamie Vardy vs Newcastle (A)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/11
Vardy looks to be guaranteed of a start this week, with the obligatory baby celebration well on everyones radar. He already has a brace against Newcastle this season, in a 5-0 win in the reverse fixture. Despite a recent blank and rest, he's still high on the form charts with three goals and one assist from his last four starts. Spot-kick duty could also be a contributing factor for him in this game. After a torrid time with the armband of late, I'm pretty certain of giving him the armband now that the fixtures have improved. With just one win in their last four games, it's time for the Foxes to put on a big performance to start 2020 with a bang. No side has conceded more shots on target than Newcastle over the last four games. Will you play safe with the Shield Pick?
Sword Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Sheffield United (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/11
While Jamie Vardy looks an intriguing option, a home game for Liverpool could pave the way for Mo Salah to be handed the armband. He's been excellent at home this season and has three goals in his last four games. Salah has had 10 shots on target in this spell too, only Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have more. Sheffield United conceded two goals away to Manchester City in the last gameweek, with fatigue setting in which will impact on their defensive promise in this game. He should be on penalties too, if James Milner isn't on the pitch. For those hunting a differential captain, Salah is a good option to consider. He could be due a rest soon though. Are you going to take a risk in selecting the Sword Pick?
Holly's Hopefuls
I share my top three players for each Gameweek, selecting one defender, one midfielder and one striker. These are players that I'm tipping for the FPL Dream Team and they could also make intriguing differential captain decisions for you to consider too.
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Sheffield United (H)
If anyone was unconvinced by Trent Alexander-Arnold's attacking potential in Gameweek 19, that fine display of one goal and three assists in a single game demonstrates his worth. He has created three big chances in his last four games, with Liverpool keeping clean sheets in every single game in this run. The hope of a clean sheet, attacking return and bonus points in this one is high. Their opponents Sheffield United failed to score in the reverse fixture, or just a few days ago against Manchester City when they visited the Etihad.
MID: Raheem Sterling vs Everton (H)
Sterling has dropped off the radar recently, despite having three goals and one assist in his last four starts. He has been excellent in the festive period and got on the scoresheet in the reverse of this fixture, which Manchester City won 3-1. He has had four big chances over the last four games which is the highest of all midfielders. Again there's a possible threat of rotation, but it's a big game for Manchester City as Carlo Ancelotti comes to town and Sterling has only missed one Premier League game all season.
FOR: Danny Ings vs Spurs (H)
I'm still regretting overlooking Danny Ings two months ago when his incredible scoring run began, every week he punishes me for not owning him with yet another goal. He has four goals in his last four starts and scored in the reverse of this fixture. Spurs have their own defensive struggles, conceding 48 shots in their last four games. Ings has capitalised on five defensive errors for the opposition this season.
Until next time…
Good luck and Happy New Year!
Holly
Find even more Fantasy Premier League Tips over on Holly's website: Fantasy Football Community
