FPL Barometer: Reeling Rambo

FPL Barometer: Reeling Rambo

This article is part of our FPL Barometer series.

With Leicester City wrapping up a run to the Premier League title that has been as impressive as it's been improbable, another wrench has been thrown into a hectic Matchweek 37 slate that already includes eight clubs with two fixtures scheduled. Only a handful of sides have a meaningful incentive to field their strongest lineups this week, as Manchester United, Southampton and West Ham scrap for a European spot while Sunderland, Norwich and Newcastle desperately try to avoid the drop. Season-long owners will be inclined to get the most bang for their buck by selecting players who will feature twice this week, but the possibility of heavy squad rotation could affect them as well as those in daily formats.

RISING

Mark Noble (MID)
Noble netted a brace in last weekend's dominant win over West Brom, giving him four goals in his last two league starts. The 28-year-old's recent success has coincided with him settling into a central midfield role in West Ham's 4-4-2 formation, and he seems to be benefiting from his license to go forward with Chiekhou Kouyate next to him to absorb many of the defensive responsibilities. Noble has also emerged as West Ham's penalty-taker, as both of his goals versus Watford in Matchweek 33 came from the spot, adding to his appeal as the Hammers host both Swansea and Manchester United this round.

Willian (MID)
Willian became somewhat of a forgotten figure as he sat out nearly a month because of an injury, but he seems to be hitting his stride after returning, with a goal and an assist to go along with seven shots and 11 crosses in his last two league matches. The winger provides undeniable upside when he is in top form, and he seems primed to continue his recent success this weekend versus a hapless Sunderland side, with next week's match versus Liverpool serving as an added bonus for season-long owners.

Antonio Valencia (DEF)
Valencia's career as an out-and-out winger at Manchester United seems to have come to an end, but he has settled into the right fullback position of late and has revived his FPL relevancy. The Ecuadorian has been given the green light to roam forward since moving to the position, and he has responded with a pair of assists on 16 crosses in the last three games, contributing to a clean sheet and an unbeaten record during that span. He is an especially attractive option versus a weak Norwich side this weekend and should retain value heading into next week's matchup with West Ham as well.

FALLING

Roberto Firmino (MID)
Firmino was in good form heading into April, but he failed to continue that momentum by scoring just once in seven matches. Liverpool will play a pair of fixtures, at home against Watford and Chelsea this round, but Firmino could miss out on at least one of those games since Liverpool will play the second leg of their Europa League semifinal on Thursday.

Aaron Ramsey (MID)
Ramsey has just one assist and four shot attempts in five games since returning from a month-long absence. The Welshman has been deployed in a deeper central midfield role, limiting his opportunities to go forward and all but eliminating his opportunities to put balls into the box, as he has averaged roughly one cross per game during that time. Arsenal have plenty of attacking options capable of carrying the load in that regard, and Ramsey's value will remain tepid as long as he continues to operate in a defensive capacity.

Odion Ighalo (FWD)
Ighalo's shocking drop off now spans over three full months, as he has still not scored a league goal since the end of January. The striker will face Liverpool and Norwich in Matchweek 37, but his poor form makes him much less attractive in a round that should be chock full of value options with so much expected squad rotation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tate McIntyre
Tate is a former RotoWire contributor. He is a former college soccer player as well as an avid supporter of Arsenal, FC Dallas and America's team: The Dallas Cowboys.
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