This article is part of our Fantrax Waiver Wire series.
The biggest worry for FPL managers the last two weeks has been the status of Mohamed Salah, who aggravated his ankle injury before the international break. He's battled through the pain for a few matches, but no one would blame him for taking off a match or two to return to full health. Because of that, he's been getting transferred out of squads for the past month and that likely continued over the break after the latest ankle news. However, given his popularity at the beginning of the season, it may soon become a differential move if you hold onto him.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
I'm not saying add Salah, but maybe hold onto him because that's what most people aren't doing. He's made the score-sheet in four of his last five starts in all competitions and an extra week of rest should help his ankle. Liverpool's upcoming schedule, which includes home matches against Brighton and Everton following the trip to Crystal Palace, also helps. The differential I'm most excited for is Troy Deeney, who is on fewer than one percent of teams at the Premier League's official fantasy game because he's been out since August. Fortunately, he returned to the bench before the break and with another couple weeks to return to fitness, he could start at home against Burnley. Even better, Watford face Southampton and Crystal Palace in two of their next three after that match. Deeney is the move if you want to get rid of Teemu
The biggest worry for FPL managers the last two weeks has been the status of Mohamed Salah, who aggravated his ankle injury before the international break. He's battled through the pain for a few matches, but no one would blame him for taking off a match or two to return to full health. Because of that, he's been getting transferred out of squads for the past month and that likely continued over the break after the latest ankle news. However, given his popularity at the beginning of the season, it may soon become a differential move if you hold onto him.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
I'm not saying add Salah, but maybe hold onto him because that's what most people aren't doing. He's made the score-sheet in four of his last five starts in all competitions and an extra week of rest should help his ankle. Liverpool's upcoming schedule, which includes home matches against Brighton and Everton following the trip to Crystal Palace, also helps. The differential I'm most excited for is Troy Deeney, who is on fewer than one percent of teams at the Premier League's official fantasy game because he's been out since August. Fortunately, he returned to the bench before the break and with another couple weeks to return to fitness, he could start at home against Burnley. Even better, Watford face Southampton and Crystal Palace in two of their next three after that match. Deeney is the move if you want to get rid of Teemu Pukki or Joshua King if you're still holding onto that sliver of hope. Looking ahead, I'd also plan on dropping Callum Wilson after the Wolves match because their upcoming fixtures could result in some bad performances.
If you have anyone from Aston Villa or Everton, now is the time to get rid of them, and that means John McGinn and Richarlison. Villa have upcoming trips to Man United and Chelsea, while Everton have a gauntlet following their home match against Norwich City. I still have a thing for Adama Traore as long as he's fit, as he's always a threat in Wolverhampton's attack. Their next four include Bournemouth, Sheffield United, West Ham and Brighton. Raul Jimenez isn't technically a differential, but he's cheap and his price will rise with three goals in his last four matches. I've been on Son Heung-Min for a while, and he's made the FPL score-sheet in his last three league starts. Fantasy owners have dropped him four straight weeks, yet a schedule that includes West Ham, Bournemouth and Burnley puts him into the captain discussion for upcoming fixtures. I feel the same way about Willian, though I would probably hold off a week because of the trip to Manchester City on Saturday.
For those looking to drop Lucas Digne during Everton's brutal stretch, there are plenty of viable routes. Leicester are the most reasonable, though Caglar Soyuncu has been one of the most added defenders in recent weeks and there's little reason to spend more on Jonny Evans when he costs more. Either way, Leicester have three straight clean sheets and have the most favorable upcoming slate in the league, which includes home matches against Brighton, Watford and Everton. Wolves aren't getting many clean sheets, but Romain Saiss is at a minimal price and it wouldn't be surprising if they held any of their next four opponents scoreless. For those looking to offload Ederson, I'd turn to Kasper Schmeichel, who is cheaper and a good bet for the long run.
FANTRAX FINDS
If Salah misses out, there will be a lot of teams looking to add another forward (Salah is a forward at Fantrax) this gameweek. I've talked about David McGoldrick before, and he's started the last four matches for Sheffield United. Home against Man United isn't a great spot, but he has four shots on target in the last three matches. Glenn Murray could also return to the starting XI because of Aaron Connolly's injury, though there's a chance Brighton change formation and keep Neal Maupay as a lone striker.
There are a few more midfielders to consider if you need to replace someone like the suspended Bernardo Silva. Jonjo Shelvey is still in consideration while Sean Longstaff serves the final game of his suspension, though his set pieces could be taken by Matt Ritchie if the latter was able to return to full fitness over the break. Marvelous Nakamba may have the best matchup against Newcastle, though he doesn't have upside, and the same goes for Romain Saiss because he's playing as a center-back for Wolves. There are a few other defensive options, but I think Jefferson Lerma may be the safest choice in his return from suspension, as he has two shots in each of his last three starts.
There isn't one matchup that stands out for defenders unless Djibril Sidibe or Mason Holgate are available in your league. That said, Ben Davies and Charlie Taylor are both widely available and the full-backs have started recent matches for their respective clubs. Newcastle are away, though Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett are also usable against Aston Villa.
CAPTAIN DEEP DIVES
This is a mixed bag for captaincy because there aren't any matchups that truly stand out. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will get looks at home against Southampton, but I'm turning to Son against West Ham, who have taken two points from their last six matches, mostly because of Roberto Jimenez in net. You could go crazy and bank on Richarlison or Digne, but I don't like captaining struggling teams. Deeney is on my radar at home against Burnley, while John McGinn and a hopefully healthy Jack Grealish face a depleted Newcastle back line at Villa Park.
