Niko’s Supercoach EPL Watchlist | Gameweek 21

Firstly, apologies to those who have been following my articles as I’ve been AWOL for a bit over a week, and that means three game weeks during these festive fixtures.



I’ve been staying active enough with the game, in between river floats, to climb up to rank 195.  



However, I largely must thank Declan Rice as the VC for the latest jump. 



There has been a bit of chaos with team selection, injuries, managerial sackings and now the January transfer window to contend with.



My team is looking ok, but I think it’s time to go hard and try to erase this 250-point deficit and win this thing.



I’ve managed to hold Cucurella and Bruno Fernandes, which means I’ve saved trades by not flipping, but there’s one glaring omission in the shape of some Brazilian centre-back God who can’t stop scoring on his return from injury.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Buy</h3>



Enzo&nbsp;Fernández (£8.48M, Chelsea&nbsp;MID, B/E -10)



Back in form at the right time for the fixture swing. 



I’ve gone with the cheaper Palmer, who is on penalties, but you could go with both, as the fixtures are that good.



Malick&nbsp;Thiaw (£8.92M, Newcastle DEF, B/E -8)



Scrapy lucky goal, but he’s in the box for set pieces, so always a chance. 



Toon defence is good, and the fixtures match with Leeds and Wolves next. 



Igor&nbsp;Thiago (£8.93M, Brentford&nbsp;FWD, B/E -7)



Coming off a hat-trick against Everton and 34 points, he’s a buy if you need a forward, but the home games look much better than the away ones for the foreseeable future.



Thierno&nbsp;Barry (£5.81M, Everton FWD, B/E -5)



Two goals in two suggest the young Frenchman is now settled in, and the form could continue.



Jack&nbsp;Grealish (£6.61M, Everton&nbsp;MID, B/E -3)



He’s the creative outlet and coming off two assists and a date with the struggling Wolves next.



Gabriel (£11.86M, Arsenal&nbsp;DEF, B/E 1)



I was hoping to get him on the cheap returning from injury, yeah, nah. 



He’s a must-have and fixture-proof with his scoring and clean sheet potential.



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Jean-Philippe&nbsp;Mateta (£5.82M, Crystal Palace&nbsp;FWD, B/E 4)



Yes, Palace look a little cooked, but the minutes are back suggesting he’s overcome his knee soreness.  



On penalties, the club has invested in January and at the end of the day, they are still a good side. 



I’m considering him as a long-term play with an eye on playing him when I need or the fixtures warrant it i.e. Burnley and Wolves at home GW26 &amp; 27.  



Also has Leeds and West Ham at home on the run home.



Jarrod&nbsp;Bowen (£7.35M, West Ham&nbsp;MID, B/E 4)



Clearly, the best VC for those without an Arsenal or Liverpool nuff.  



I’m expecting a response and for him to lead from the front as skipper. 



If they don’t win this one at home, it will be nearly impossible for them to stay up.  



Now or never for the Irons.



James&nbsp;Tarkowski (£10.57M, Everton DEF, B/E 10)



They conceded four and he still scored 6 points. 



His upside is very good, and I’m expecting a big bounce back after the terrible loss and for the captain to lead the way.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hold / Watch</h3>



Bruno&nbsp;Guimarães (£10.50M, Newcastle MID, B/E -5)



Seven goals and four assists, but a lot of them have had luck associated with them. 



I just don’t think it can continue.



The fixtures and minutes are there if you want to dive in, but I’m not considering trading him in.



Yankuba&nbsp;Minteh (£6.42M, Brighton MID, B/E 11)



A kick in the guts, not starting against Burnley for the owners, missing with a thigh injury.



I suspect he’ll be back right away.



I’d be benching him for City and keeping him for the run of three home games in the four that follow.



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Hugo&nbsp;Ekitike (£10.96M, Liverpool FWD, B/E 17)



You were probably going to bench him for Arsenal away anyway. 



Keep him for Burnley at home.



Phil&nbsp;Foden (£11.28M, Manchester City MID, B/E 25)



His touch and positioning are still there, and I’m banking on a return to form.



He’s doing enough with key passes, crosses etc. to keep his scores ticking along.



No plans on trading for me.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sell</h3>



Antoine&nbsp;Semenyo (£9.12M, Bournemouth&nbsp;FWD, B/E 27)



I’m surprised he’s still 9% owned; perhaps they are ghost ships.



Will make a move to City, and his minutes will plummet.



Must sell IMO.



Joško&nbsp;Gvardiol (£10.27M, Manchester City&nbsp;DEF, B/E 26)



City have a defensive injury crisis with him and Dias limping off against Chelsea.



Pep says the injuries don’t look good, and they will be without them.



I’d be selling both as there’ll probably be more of a focus on attacking due to the defensive injuries.



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Patrick&nbsp;Dorgu (£10.29M, Manchester United&nbsp;DEF, B/E 25)



The cash run is over, and perfect time for selling.  



You could keep him for one more if you’re happy for points potential against Burnley over a cash drop, and saving a trade.



Riccardo&nbsp;Calafiori (£8.42M, Arsenal DEF, B/E 14)



Out injured, and you should be swapping him to Gabriel or Timber.



Virgil&nbsp;van Dijk (£7.05M, Liverpool&nbsp;DEF, B/E 9)



If you’re a sicko, you could hold him and bench him for Burnley that follows, but I’ve had enough.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Current Trade Plans and Captains</h3>



OUT: Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Rogers



IN: Gabriel, Bowen, Mateta



Bank: £30k



Trades:  10 and 1 boost



VC: Bowen



C: Haaland

Niko’s Supercoach EPL Watchlist | Gameweek 21

Discussion (0)

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