Open Thread! Benrahma, Maddison, Watkins and more.

(the more is a special subscription offer!)

Welcome to another FPL Open Thread! If' you’re a paid subscriber you’ve seen the update ranks and the write-ups for each position, the evaluation of Lucas Digne and Raul Jimenez’s injuries and the corresponding increases/decreases in value for their teammates.

In the coming weeks we’ll start talking about January transfer targets, mid-season draft leagues, I’ll be launching 5-a-side 20-team leagues (with prizes!) to run in the second half of the season, and regular columns and open threads will continue apace. Thanks very much for your continued support! I’m leaving the below offer active through the end of December so grab an annual subscription now and you’ll get this season’s mid-season ranks, all of next summer’s draft guide AND next year’s mid-season ranks all included. What are you waiting for?

While were talking discount… Said Benrahma has two assists in his last two appearances, both of them resulting in the winning score for West Ham. While the buying opportunity for Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto is likely over, there remains a narrow window to acquire the former Brentford standout. It’s been significantly limited minutes, but Benrahma has proves the step up in competition isn’t too much for him and he’s bagging FPL points aplenty.

The other name I’m seeing a lot in my mentions for trades is James Maddison. Manager are shopping him for bigger names, others are trying to do 2:1 to buy him while his stock is low(er than usual). Maddison has been outstanding in his injury-limited minutes this year and will continue to be exceptional value moving forward.

One last situation I expect to see popping up in the comments today and for the coming weeks is the attacking quartet at Aston Villa. Conor Hourihane gets the start but posted an abysmal 2pts while the Villans struggled. To make matters worse, Ollie Watkins’ penalty attempt hit the woodwork in the dying moments costing the visitors a vital point against West Ham. Villa’s match with Newcastle has been postponed due to COVID meaning Jack Grealish, Watkins and company likely blank this FPL week. Ollie has six goals, but they’ve come in three games, making him enticing but heart-wrenching at the same time.

If you’re looking to trade Aston Villa assets, getting them in might make the most sense since they’ll now have two matches in hand over most of their opponents following the September postponement of their clash with Manchester City. A couple double game weeks really help boost value for mid-table assets!

Got a question?