Ahead of a jampacked April fixture list, where the matches and FPL deadlines are squashed tightly together, it will be vitally important to keep an eye on your squad and make sure the transfers are made in good time!
With Declan Rice netting his third international goal during the break, let's see what the West Ham United skipper can bring to your FPL team as the Irons prepare for a double Gameweek!
Rice Rice Baby!
Over the international break, Declan Rice found himself on the scoresheet, striking in England’s 2-1 win over Italy.
The West Ham United skipper, who also impressed in his country’s 2-0 win over Ukraine, converted the rebound from Harry Kane’s blocked shot from close range.
Rice has struck twice in the Premier League in 2022/23 and will take confidence from the Hammers’ next match being against Southampton, the side he opened his season account against in October.
Here, Rice struck a sensational equaliser to see the Irons leave St Mary’s Stadium with a point and the skipper secure ten FPL points - five for his goal, three in bonuses, and two for minutes played.
In recent matches, Rice has found himself with the license to rotate as part of midfield three alongside Brazilian Paquetá and Czech Tomáš Souček – the trio have started the last four Premier League games together for David Moyes.
As a result, he curled in his team’s third in the Hammers’ 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest at London Stadium last month – his second Premier League strike of the season following that well-struck effort at St Mary’s Stadium.
There, the No41 combined with Saïd Benrahma and found the bottom corner from the edge of the area past a powerless Gavin Bazunu.
As it stands, Rice’s price sits at £4.7m – a slight fall from a starting price of £5.0m. The skipper’s ownership also stands at 3.1%.
As the Hammers start a double Gameweek with fixtures over Southampton and Newcastle played in quick succession, Rice, who has 79 FPL points to his name this season, could be a differential in GW29.
Southampton One to Watch: James Ward-Prowse
Southampton’s skipper has a bit of a record when it comes to set-pieces, and in doing so has become a valuable asset over the years.
James Ward-Prowse has created the most chances from set-pieces in the last two FPL seasons. He recorded a career-high total in 2021/22 (159 points) thanks to 15 goal contributions.
This campaign, a ten-point haul recorded from a 3-3 against Tottenham Hotspur last time out saw the 28-year-old reach a century of FPL points for this term.
His 2022/23 total stands at 105 as he heads to east London, with a best Gameweek haul of 15 returned against Everton in mid-January.
As it stands, 6.3% of managers have the England midfielder in their team – but sitting at £6.3m, a slight fall from a starting price of £6.5m, there is plenty of competition from the likes of Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and our own Paquetá, who all occupy a similar price bracket.
Newcastle One to watch: Alexander Isak
Undoubtedly, FPL bosses will be tempted by Alexander Isak’s recent run of form. The Sweden striker struck as Newcastle United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1, before a brace from the former Real Sociedad forward saw the Magpies repeat the winning scoreline at Nottingham Forest.
In those two games, Isak has registered 20 points. His best Gameweek haul of the season came at the City Ground, where 13 points came courtesy of a brace, a bonus and minutes played.
The £6.7m forward has seen his ownership surge in recent weeks – and will no doubt be a player to watch as his return to form and fitness continues with Newcastle hoping to get over the line and into the top four.
