As the first game week of 2024 dawns on the Premier League, many teams will go into crisis management as they’ll be without players participating in the AFCON and the AFC Asian Cup. While clubs may have the needed backup on the pitch, FPL managers won’t necessarily have the same luxury. However, with the Gameweek 21 set to last 10 days, we’ll give you the best options for your fantasy teams.

The Premier League has reached a critical stage, with important matches coming up. There’s no doubt that fixtures like Manchester City taking on Newcastle United and Manchester United versus Tottenham will grab the spotlight. Off the pitch, FPL managers also have some fixtures that can help them earn excellent scores. So here are some critical tips to follow!

FPL Gameweek 21: Manager’s Guide

1. Players to buy

• Cole Palmer: Chelsea (£5.7m) versus Fulham: Probably the best pick in the FPL ecosystem this season, the Chelsea midfielder has surprised this Premier League. Palmer is the club’s most selected player, with almost 30% of teams going for him, and he has scored 92 points already. In this game week alone, he’s gotten 32% ownership following over a million transfers.
• Diego Jota: Liverpool (£7.8m) versus Bournemouth: With Mohamed Salah out as he represents Egypt in the AFCON, the Portuguese international could play a crucial role in Liverpool’s attack. The fixture against Bournemouth can provide opportunities for Jota. Starting in just eight games this season, Jota scored five goals and provided four assists, scoring 57 points.
• Erling Haaland: Manchester City (£13.9m) versus Newcastle United: The forward has been out for one month, and FPL managers have been deprived of the gold rush he is almost certain to provide. Haaland has a low chance of starting the game against Newcastle United as he’s not 100% back from injury. However, if the Norwegian turns up, it would be a subpar idea to keep him away. And if you did not transfer him out, luck could be on your side, helping you save some transfers.

• Kevin De Bruyne: Manchester City (£10.3 million) versus Newcastle United: The king of Premier League assists has returned to scare the defenders! De Bruyne kicked off his return by providing an assist in the 3rd Round FA Cup match-up against Huddersfield after coming off the bench. The Belgian international could get into the groove quickly as he makes his Premier League return.

2. Players to sell

Apart from the players who will not be available during the AFCON and AFC Asian Cup, you can consider selling these players:

• Rahim Sterling: Chelsea (£7.1m) versus Fulham: Sterling had a great start to the season by scoring five goals and three assists in 13 games. However, the star provided just two assists without a goal in the next seven games.
• Martin Odegaard: Arsenal (£8.5m) versus Crystal Palace: After a reasonable start to the season, the Arsenal captain has been ineffective at scoring. The player hasn’t scored a goal in six games and has provided just two assists.

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3. Players to keep

These are the players you can consider giving more time to:

• Moussa Diaby: Aston Villa (£6.6m) versus Everton: The French star has accumulated four goals and seven assists this season. After a nine-game goal-scoring drought, Diaby got back to scoring ways versus Burnley in Villa’s 3-2 home win. The player can prove crucial to breaking Everton’s defense in the upcoming fixture.
• James Ward-Prowse: West Ham United (£6.6m) versus Sheffield United: With Jarrod Bowen, Antonio, and Lucan Paqueta doubtful for the game, Ward-Prowse may control the attacking midfield a bit more. With his assists and unexpected (but not unwelcome) goals, Ward-Prowse may just surprise you against the team that’s conceded the most goals this season.

4. Captain and Back-up

Erling Haaland: Manchester City (£13.9m) versus Newcastle United: The Norwegian is still the leading scorer in the 2023-24 campaign despite missing quite a few games. With De Bruyne ready to join the squad this week, the midfielder’s playmaking opportunities could give Haaland’s goal-scoring chances a significant boost. That is if the forward gets to play.

Back-up/Vice Captain

Bukayo Saka: Arsenal (£9.0m) versus Crystal Palace: Found in 61% of squads, Saka is one of the most selected players this season. And if that isn’t a testament to the young Brit’s consistency, what is? With 4th-placed Arsenal (hoping to close the gap to leaders Liverpool) taking on 14th-placed Crystal Palace at Emirates, Saka could shine in the match-up.

Premier League FPL top picks for the rest of the season

Erling Haaland/Son Heung-min (captain/midfielder), David Raya (goalkeeper), Trent Alexander Arnold (defender), Kyle Walker (defender), Gabriel Magalhaes (defender), Kieran Trippier (defender), Pervis Estupiñán (defender), Alejandro Garnacho (midfielder), Mohammed Kudus (midfielder), and Ollie Watkins (vice-captain/forward).

The deadline for Gameweek 21 of the FPL was originally 6 AM ET on Saturday, January 13, 2024. But because of the rearrangement of the fixture between Burnley and Luton Town, the deadline has been preponed to 1:15 PM ET on Friday, January 12, 2024.

READ MORE: Premier League News: All Injuries and Updates Ahead of FPL Gameweek 21