Here comes GW21, and much has changed following the hectic festive schedule. Enzo Maresca, fresh off winning Manager of the Month, has surprisingly departed his role as Chelsea manager.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa have begun to pull away from the chasing pack, creating a clear gap at the top end of the table.
Watkins (Aston Villa, 10.5% TSB)
With four goals in his last three matches, Ollie Watkins has rediscovered his sharpness, and his renewed impact is clear in Aston Villa’s rise to third place in the league,
opening up an eight-point gap over fourth.
Crystal Palace have not looked as solid as they were last season, making this an excellent opportunity to bring Watkins into your fantasy squad and capitalise on his current form.
Zirkzee (Manchester United, 0.5 TSB%)
Joshua Zirkzee delivered once again last gameweek against Leeds United, making an impact despite limited minutes.
With several players away on AFCON duty and mounting injury issues in Manchester United’s squad, Zirkzee now stands out as one of the few remaining attackers with a natural goal-scoring mindset.
A fixture against Burnley presents a strong opportunity for him to further showcase his talent, even amid ongoing rumours surrounding a potential January transfer.
Bowen (West Ham, 9.6 TSB%)
West Ham United face Nottingham Forest this week in a crucial relegation battle, with 17th hosting 18th and just a four-point gap separating the two sides.
While West Ham have struggled for consistency this season, their captain, Jarrod Bowen, has continued to deliver week in, week out.
A fixture against a direct relegation rival adds extra importance to this matchup, making it a pivotal game in West Ham’s fight for survival—and another opportunity for Bowen to lead from the front.
O’Brien (Everton, 0.7 TSB%)
Another player who has been on my watchlist for some time is Jake O’Brien. Everton have come through a run of difficult fixtures in recent weeks and are set to enjoy a relatively softer schedule over the coming month.
As a regular starter, O’Brien is expected to contribute when opportunities arise—particularly on the attacking side through set pieces and advanced positioning.
A home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers this gameweek presents a good chance for him to make an impact.
