I'm in the same position. Don't know whether to do Darwin to Solanke now or wait for Haaland.
I do know not owning Solanke has massively backfired!

Solanke's xGI is high in the tougher games

Iraola is somewhat like Bielsa when it comes to attacking, and it's finally clicking at Bournemouth

It's still Solanke by some distance over others at 7.0, imo

But if we're purely considering fixtures, then Jesus is worth a shout

Jesus?

Absolutely, Solanke (8 goals in the last 8 GWs, Watkins 4 goals) nailed, in form and putting his chances in the net.

Darwin (2 assists in the last 8 GWs) is only a backup player who starts about half of the matches and is very wasteful in front of the goal.

I think worth it

Thanks for all the replies folks 😉

In form strikers when the fixtures come thick and fast are always worth having. He's ahead of Alvarez and Cunha for me.

Trent in.

Or Martenelli or Sterling to someone like Gross?

Spurs at home could be a goal fest.

4-3 classic?

I think he'll be back for Everton

But I also think we definitely do not *know* either way, unless there's a clear answer (lmao) from a Pep presser or some team training pics pre-deadline

Just not worth the risk

The assumptions is that he hasn't trained and is very unlikely to have more than max on training before Everton, if that. The type of injury and the length of time away, coupled with a long period until gw21 is some of the reasons for it.
What we know is he won't be matchfit, so if he plays how much time does he play in 19 and 20. And are the alternative that bad?
Salah home looks like a good fixture. Son has Bou. Solanke plays a Spurs defense without CB's.
Unless you kept him you'd have to implement that you're using transfers on it. And as of yesterday, a lot of players went down again. Lascelles injured, Livra benched, Tsimikas injured, etc.

Who is everyone? Those who haven't got the money now they have spread it across their teams? He could be out but I think there is a narrative being built

Darwin is worthless sell him even for a hit. Lose any temptation to start him is worth the hit

I’m starting darwin this week

lol Benching headaches. Look below.

Has to be him or Palmer imo.

Sell him even for a hit so you are not tempted to start him

Save

If you want to get Haaland next week without a hit.

Easy save.

I like Alvarez as he'll be playing through the middle. Jesus not a bad option either as a differential like you say.

Gusto?

Im getting gabriel but others to consider are Porro and Colwill

I'm thinking of captaining him for the boxing day fixtures.

He's hugely involved so the ball will fall for him soon.

Keep the faith.

Not with those next four games, and FTs needed to handle the three premiums: Salah, Son and Haaland

I also don't see a midfielder in the league who I'm in such a rush for that I'll sell Saka before West Ham, Fulham, Palace and Forest

I'll sell him for Salah after AFCON though. Mixed bag of fixtures then

Not at the moment, think he'll deliver over next few games.

Haven't had him for quite a while. Even when Salah & Son I might just go for Bowen & Kulusevski instead. Ødegaard also a consideration if I do go for an Arsenal mid

I would take the chance he gets the nod. I think Trippier might need a rest.

Howe doesn't typically rotate his defence when everyone is fit. There is a chance that he might not want to risk overdoing it with Botman, so Burn could play centre back and Livra at left back. There is a chance Livra could fill in further forward. I think he definitely gets some minutes, but not confident that he starts.

Let's say it together now...

Tsimikas to Trent

Going 433, even considering to keep Solanke (8 goals in the last 8 GWs) over Watkins (4 goals in the last 8 GWs)

Flush with cash = flexible formation. In pratice it'll probably be 343 (Haaland, Watkins, Solanke) most of the time; I can bench Gordon through some of the rougher fixtures / Bailey depending on fitness

Trent

B

You do seem a little obsessed with press conferences, even though we get limited information!!
Either way have a great festive break and enjoy your time with loved ones

Doesn't really make sense to me. If he played 90 anything before that is pretty irrelevant as he was fit enough to play 90. He's probably their most important player atm, I think Howe knows as much.

Valid point that tho it might mean I have to play Nunez instead!

Yeah, think so

Yes, just Darwin and Livra suspects here but you know the risk

Nope, that is the way forward

Lascelles is flagged too keep an eye on that

Nope apart from the steep price, but money is no problem seems to be

Good plan

A

Taaaaa, Trippier GW23

A

A

Porro is a decent enough option but Spurs give away a lot of chances so I am going TAA I think. Need to make up some ground and not many in ML have him.

Still A

Forest pretty dire at the moment so have to play Trip.

Minutes risk when KDB is back too?

A unless B is a FT

Unlikely I feel

Probably Gordon for me, given fixtures & form. But I still like him as a long-term hold

Same as Mentaculus - will have 8 starting forwards and will bench one each week dependant on fixtures. Mainly benching between Gordon, Salanke and at times possibly Palmer

Gordon or B Johnson, but if really mostly will be benched then go cheap McAtee?

I'd probably go Pickford, should be some save points

1G

Probably C, away from home and EVE defence is not bad at all

I wouldn’t bench Alvarez if Haaland still out. He is deffo capable of scoring big. He has been very unlucky this season (I blame myself there). Yes Everton decent but it’s City. They can score against anyone.

Depends how broken Gordon is

I think so yes

Robbo back shortly