Everton are one of the teams who have a strong double gameweek this week, as they host Southampton and travel to the Hawthorns in midweek. Southampton are in a terrible run of form, losing 7 out of their last 8 league games, conceding 24 goals in this period whilst scoring just 5. West Brom meanwhile have kept just one clean sheet in this period, and have conceded 16 goals, third highest in the league.
Everton are in hot pursuit of the top 4, after a spectacular performance against Liverpool last weekend, winning for the first time at Anfield since 1999. Everton are 5 points off the top 4 with a game in hand, so wins against Southampton and West Brom are imperative in order to stay in the top 4 race. The return of Allan and DCL will be a massive boost for Everton this weekend, with Allan providing defensive solidity and energy in the middle of the park.
The standout options for Everton this weekend are Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.7m) and Lucas Digne (£6.1m). DCL has a goal conversion rate of 23.6%, highlighting how clinical the Everton striker has been this season relative to Kane, Bamford, Watkins and Antonio, who all have conversion rates below 16%. Only Salah (17) and Bruno Fernandes (15) have scored more goals in the league this season than DCL (13), highlighting how consistent he has been. A key factor as to why he is an essential this week and a strong captaincy option is that Everton for the first time in a long time have a full strength team, which should boost Everton's creativity.
Lucas Digne is also a fantastic option for this week, and is top for big chances created per 90 for defenders (0.42). The return of Allan should provide the Frenchman the freedom to make marauding runs down the left flank and pick Calvert-Lewin out, given that Kyle Walker-Peters remains side-lined and Bednarek continues to start at right back, who struggled against Raphinha.
Villa are another team to have a strong double gameweek this week, with games against Leeds and Sheffield United. Only West Brom have conceded more big chances than the Blades and Leeds this season, which highlights the likelihood of attacking returns for Villa assets this gameweek.
Ollie Watkins (£6.5m) will undoubtedly spearhead the Villa attack in both games, and has 14 FPL goal involvements this season. Watkins also has the third highest xGI this season (12.97) for forwards.
A differential pick from the Villa side this weekend is Bertrand Traore (£5.9m), who has an ownership of just 0.8%. The Villa wide man has 7 goal involvements in his last 12 games and an xGI per 90 of 0.4 this season, which is higher than Rashford, Harvey Barnes and Phil Foden. Traore is the man for your team if you are brave enough to go for an Aston Villa attacking double up, due to the uncertainty surrounding Jack Grealish's injury.
