After what felt like an interminable interlude, Fantasy League is back!
And the gameweek kicks off with a bang at The King Power Stadium where Leicester host Chelsea.
It’s a massive game for both sides. If the Foxes triumph, they will be 11 points clear of Frank Lampard’s men, and surely that would represent a vice-like grip on third place (at least).
But if Chelsea take home the three points, the chase would really be on.
And we think Callum Hudson-Odoi could fire their charge. The young England winger has only made six Fantasy League appearances this term, but that’s been enough to register one goal and four assists.
Pro-rate his points tally of 11 across Chelsea’s entire league season, and he would be Chelsea’s second-top Fantasy League points scorer.
And now that he’s getting a run in the first XI with Christian Pulisic out injured, we can see him picking up more and more points.
There are also some fascinating battles at the bottom of the league this weekend.
First up is Newcastle vs Norwich at St James Park.
Steve Bruce has a quite shocking injury crisis – 10 players are currently injured or doubtful – but he can at least count on the returning Allan Saint-Maximin for the visit of the Canaries.
And what a boost it could be for the Toon having their flying forward back.
Adama Traore has shown what an impact pace and power can have in recent weeks, and that’s surely the template for Newcastle’s former France under-21 international too.
He has just one goal and two assists this Fantasy League campaign, but we think he could be an outside bet for points in the coming months.
Aston Villa’s trip to Bournemouth is also huge for both teams’ fortunes.
Villa are riding high – at least morale-wise – after their Carabao Cup win over Leicester, and could that signal a turnaround in their season?
They have been missing injured striker Wesley’s goals, but they have moved to address that in the January transfer window by bringing in not only Borja Baston from Swansea on a free transfer, but also Mbwana Samatta, the first Tanzanian to play in the Premier League.
Bournemouth could badly do with some new firepower themselves. They have scored the second-fewest goals in the league this season, and will desperately hope for better from the likes of Josh King, Dom Solanke and Callum Wilson over the coming games.
Finally the stakes are just as high at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
David Moyes has recorded just one win in five games since his return as manager, and therefore his charges’ outing against Brighton is a must-win game.
The Scot has certainly been backed by the Irons’ board, with Jarrod Bowen looking set to arrive from Hull City in a £20m deal.
And with 16 goals for the Tigers in the Championship, the 23-year-old forward could be one to bring into your squads once he’s through the Hammers’ door.
