With a busy midweek schedule for teams involved in European competitions, fatigue becomes a key concern. Managers may also rotate players unexpectedly, which adds another layer of risk.
Since the captain earns double points, selecting the right player becomes even more crucial, as the impact of that decision is significantly greater.
B.Fernandes (£10.1m, Manchester United vs Aston Villa)
Manchester United have the advantage in terms of preparation time, as they are not involved in any cup competitions this season.
Their full focus is on securing a Champions
League spot for next year.
Bruno Fernandes has always been a key player for United, and with some of his defensive responsibilities reduced, he can focus more on his attacking role as a number 10.
This has been reflected in his improved FPL returns since Carrick was appointed manager.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will be playing in the Europa League during midweek, which could give Bruno and his teammates an additional edge going into the match.
Ekitike (£9.1m, Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur)
There may never be a better time to face Tottenham Hotspur than now, as they continue to struggle both on and off the pitch.
The appointment of Tudor has not brought the turnaround many hoped for, with the squad still heavily affected by injuries.
Tottenham’s morale appears low, and they are currently on a run of six consecutive defeats, sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
From the looks of it, things are not improving anytime soon. This situation presents a good opportunity for Ekitike to make an impact.
While he may not be as efficient as he was earlier in the season, his work rate and positive attitude are always impressive. Expect him to bring another moment of joy to the fans at Anfield.
Ballard (£4.6m, Sunderland vs Brighton)
A slightly risky defensive pick, but he has returned an average of 5.3 points over the last four games.
Sunderland have shown solid defensive form this season, particularly at home, which increases the chances of Ballard earning clean sheet and potential bonus points this game week.
Another advantage of selecting Ballard is his security of starts—when fit, he is almost guaranteed to be in the lineup, helping to minimize the risk of rotation.
