TRANSFERS are set to be replenished on Friday morning (March 3rd) and we’re on hand to provide for gaffers craving suggestions.
As always, it’s unlikely all these specific recommendations will apply to your team but you should be able to apply to same logic to suit your needs to some degree.
OUT: Fabian Schar (£4.3m), IN: Luke Shaw (£3.8m)
It would be overly dramatic to say that the Newcastle gravy train has been derailed but it’s simply factual to say their points have dried up in recent weeks.
The Magpies’ Swiss centre-back has mustered just two points from his last six games.
It won’t be easy for Schar’s backers to disregard him, the 31-year-old has offered tremendous value for money from the get-go and remains the second-best defender in the game.
However, Eddie Howe’s side have just three fixtures to fulfil this month at present and one of them is a trip to the Etihad, where very few defenders escape with any points in tow.
In contrast, Manchester United’s left-back has registered 30 points in his last six outings and he’ll be plenty busy in the coming weeks.
The Red Devils have two Europa League knockout legs against Real Betis around three domestic fixtures, one of which is a home game against 20th-placed Southampton.
OUT: Aleksandar Mitrovic (£4.4m), IN: Ollie Watkins (£4.5m)
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Fulham are another team with just three fixtures prior to the international break and it’s a tricky little set: Brentford, Arsenal, Man United.
That last one is an FA Cup quarter-final and while Marco Silva’s side have proven themselves capable of competing against any side, it’s hard to see their assets earning many points before their fixtures turn favourable again in April.
After a blistering start to the campaign, Mitrovic’s returns have tailed off recently, partly due to some nagging injuries.
The Serbian No9 has just five points to show for his efforts since the start of Game Week 16 – he’s played nine times since then.
On the flip side, Aston Villa’s centre-forward can’t stop scoring.
Watkins has scored in five consecutive games, a run that features meetings with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Unai Emery’s men face Crystal Palace, West Ham and Bournemouth next, three teams below them in the table that have found wins hard to come by in 2022/23.
Alternatively, Gabriel Martinelli (£3.4m) would be a mighty fine replacement for Mitrovic.
The 21-year-old Brazilian rocketed back into form in a big way this past Game Week with a 22-point haul!
OUT: Alisson (£3.6m), IN: Aaron Ramsdale (£3.6m)
Dream Team bosses probably don’t need much encouragement to ditch their Liverpool assets – it’s been a frustratingly inconsistent season for the Reds.
In fairness, their first-choice keeper has been one of their better performers but the Brazil international won’t be relishing March’s match-ups.
Alisson faces Man United this coming Sunday, which means coming up against perhaps the world’s most in-form goalscorer in Marcus Rashford (£6.5m).
And while a trip to relegation-threatened Bournemouth may offer some respite, there could be more minus points on the cards when Jurgen Klopp’s troops travel to the Bernabeu to face a Real Madrid side who recently battered them 5-2 at Anfield.
As for the Gunners’ No1, he’ll feel confident of his clean sheet chances against the Cherries and again later in the month at home to Palace.
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A trip to Craven Cottage is not a straightforward task this term but Ramsdale may also be able to supplement his points tally if selected to face Sporting CP over two legs in the Europa League – he made two appearances in the competition during the group stage with Matt Turner playing the other four.
Premier League glory remains the ultimate goal but Mikel Arteta will realise his side are among the favourites to win the Europa League too and so he may feel compelled to start his first-choice keeper.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
