However, the stars don’t always align when it comes to points, making your research all the more crucial. So who are the key transfer targets with an appealing two fixtures ahead of them?
Kepa Arrizabalaga vs Man City (H) & Fulham (A)
Picking Chelsea defenders is notoriously tough, with Graham Potter well known for rotating his squad.
Age means that Thiago Silva is prone to missing the odd game, especially when there’s a tight turnaround between fixtures, Marc Cucurella has the threat of Ben Chilwell being back in training, Kalidou Koulibaly offers little goal threat and Cesar Azpilicueta could be rested for a right winger.
Therefore, Kepa is the most sensible route into the Chelsea defence for the double and although the fixtures are tough, he’s still great value as a long-term pick between the sticks. On three of the four occasions he kept a clean sheet prior to Gameweek 18, he also collected bonus points. Save potential will be high against Manchester City too.
Andreas Pereira vs Leicester City (A) & Chelsea (H)
The demand on our midfields remains high right now but the mainstay in the fifth midfielder slot all season has been Andreas Pereira, with two goals and six assists. His link up play with Aleksandar Mitrovic only increases his appeal, with this pair combining on a number of occasions so far this season.
Pereira is heavily involved in set pieces for Fulham. He sits second for successful crosses in the box since the restart (7) only behind Kieran Trippier, and he has taken seven corners and three free kicks in this time. He’s created six chances and it’s only a matter of time before he registers another attacking return.
Kai Havertz vs Man City (H) & Fulham (A)
Following on from the selection headache in Chelsea’s defence, it’s also never easy to predict who’s going to starting up front in the Blues’ flexible front line.
While Mason Mount is a good pick in midfield, the selection template is more fluid up front and that could play beautifully into the hands of Kai Havertz – our pick for not only these two games but also for the longer term.
The German faces up to Manchester City at home and Fulham away, the latter of whom he scored a brace against during 2021/22 in his only Premier League appearance against them to date. He was also in good form at the World Cup – despite Germany’s early exit – and is looking brighter and brighter in the number nine role.
