The current market would suggest that many gaffers are targeting Manchester United and Liverpool assets this week, with plenty of interest in particular in the Hugo Ekitike/Florian Wirtz double-up ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Anfield.
Ruben Amorim’s United host rock-bottom Wolves at Old Trafford, and one player makes this week’s best differential picks. Another defence that seems increasingly vulnerable is that of Bournemouth, so a Chelsea forward could offer a timely route to points to mark the perfect end to the old year.
In the coming weeks, those willing to plan, monitor, and act decisively can seize an advantage, turning the festive fixture frenzy from a threat into an opportunity.
As ever, here are three players that could be a huge help in obtaining that much coveted green arrow.
The categories are:
- Player 1: Max 10% ownership
- Player 2: Max 5% ownership
- Player 3: Max 2% ownership
1. Pedro neto, £7.3m (Midfielder, Chelsea, 8.7%)
There is no bigger contrast in goals conceded home and away than Bournemouth’s record this season. The Cherries visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this week fresh from conceding four at Brentford and on a nine-game winless run.
Andoni Iraola’s side have only shipped six goals in nine games at the Vitality Stadium, but they have now let in 27 on the road in the same number of matches.
That doesn’t bode well against a wounded Chelsea side eager to get their season back on track following another three points dropped from a winning position against Aston Villa.
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‘Double trouble for Forest’ – Neto free-kick puts Chelsea 2-0 up
Video credit: TNT Sports
Enzo Maresca’s men have now let slip a league-high 11 points having taken the lead, and the news that both Cole Palmer and Reece James are doubts won’t lift the mood among supporters.
As Palmer continues to regain his fitness, Joao Pedro’s pattern of scoring his goals in spurts this season is of course welcome, but the trend of scoring in no more than two straight games at a time would suggest another name will need to come to the fore against Bournemouth.
Pedro Neto is low-key having a fine season and offers a route into the Chelsea forward line that should profit from the ongoing uncertainty plaguing the visitors, not helped by the speculation surrounding Antoine Semenyo’s future.
Neto has so far earned 80 points – more than any other Chelsea midfielder – and he offers the perfect option as a one-week punt for those FPL managers still with a Free Hit or looking to dead-end their team before using the second Wildcard in GW20.
2. Patrick Dorgu, £4.1m (Defender, Man Utd, 4.3%)
And yet, it would not be reactionary to jump on an asset who has been heavily derided for his defensive performances since arriving from Lecce for £25 million last winter.
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Patrick Dorgu is a low-risk differential option given his price
Image credit: Getty Images
We saw glimpses of why United signed him during the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, with his high pressing leading to an assist for Matheus Cunha’s equaliser. Dorgu fell just shy of the 10 Defensive Contributions threshold at Villa Park, but he collected the two additional points against Newcastle for taking a similarly combative approach.
There is plenty of upside in United’s next fixture. Wolves have struggled for balance this term, short on fluency in the final third while remaining vulnerable when forced back into their own half.
Against a United side increasingly dependent on wide overloads, much of the play is likely to be channelled down Dorgu’s flank – creating the potential not only for defensive returns, but for meaningful involvement at the attacking end.
While his FPL sample size remains limited, the underlying signals are encouraging: consistent starts and a growing willingness to operate high up the pitch. For managers, that combination is precisely what elevates a defender from a safe pick, particularly in a fixture that suits his hybrid role.
3. Igor Jesus, £5.8m (Forward, Nottingham Forest, 1.2%)
Fulham’s Raul Jimenez would have been the ideal sub-2% pick, but his goal at West Ham has taken his ownership up to 2.4%. It was the Mexican’s fourth goal involvement in his last seven outings, including two match-winners in his past two appearances.
But, in line with the rules, a striker who showed his qualities in defeat against Manchester City was Nottingham Forest’s Igor Jesus. With Chris Wood set for an extended spell on the sidelines, the burden will fall on Jesus to once more provide the saving grace at Christmas for Sean Dyche’s side.
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‘Fantastic move’ – Hutchinson gets Forest level against City
Video credit: TNT Sports
Everton are the visitors to the City Ground, and while David Moyes’ side kept a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor last time out, Forest are a far superior outfit capable of causing more problems and taking advantage of the attacking options currently sidelined for The Toffees.
If FPL managers have to target a £5.8m striker to free up funds, Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin is available for the same price as Jesus, but going against the grain could make up for the points lost on the league’s most in-form marksman.
With a trip to West Ham also on the horizon in GW21, now feels a good time to welcome Jesus.
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