Salah, Son, Kudus and several other players will be missing Gameweek 21 due to their participation in the African Cup Of Nations/Asia Cup and in this blog the best midfield options to replace them are compared

As the above image from our Fix Algorithm shows, Foden (19.0), Saka (18.9) and Palmer (18.2) are the top three projected midfielders for the next four Gameweeks. Ødegaard (18.2) and Bowen (18.1) round off the top five with Richarlison (16.0) in 10th. The numbers for the above players are compared using the Fix Comparison Matrix over the last six Gameweeks in the image below. Saka is excluded as he is currently the most owned player in FPL and most managers already own the Arsenal man. Averages are used since some players missed a game.

Martin Ødegaard (CRY)

Arsenal have struggled in front of goal recently and this is exhibited by Ødegaard's underlying numbers. He is bottom of the comparison for FPL points (3.7), goals (zero), shots on target (SoT) (0.7) and 'big chances' (zero), which is a cause for concern. Especially worrying as managers are already invested in the Arsenal attack through Saka. His shot volume is decent with 2.7 shots per game (third) but the fact he is bottom for SoT and BC indicates these are low quality attempts. However, he is top for attempted assists (3.7), but as the 0.3 BC created (fourth) shows, these are low quality chances.

Jarrod Bowen (shu)

Bowen has averaged a healthy 5.7 FPL points per game (fourth) over the last six Gameweeks and has averaged a goal every other game. The shot volume (2.0) is not great (fifth), but he lands a large percentage of these on target (1.3) (second) and gets afforded a decent number of BC (0.7) (second). The creativity numbers appear low, with just 0.8 attempted assists per game (fourth), but these are good quality chances (0.5) (third). There is a concern as to how the absence of Kudus and Paqueta will affect West Ham's attack but the Brazilian international is expected back for Gameweek 21.

Phil Foden (new)

Foden has started every league game for Man. City over the last six Gameweeks and averaged 6.0 FPL points per game (third), but the Man. City attackers has found the back of the net just once over that period. He is taking a decent number of shots (2.6), but has been afforded just one BC over five matches. The creativity numbers are where he shines, he is second for attempted assists (second) and top for BC created (0.8), with three assists in five league matches. However, with De Bruyne and Doku nearing fitness, there could be some concerns about his gametime in the long run.

Richarlison (mun)

Richarlison has started each of the last five league games for Spurs but has had his minutes managed due to a back issue, with an average of 63 minutes per game over the last six Gameweeks. He has scored five goals over that period and is second for shots (2.8) and top for BC (1.2) by a significant margin. Playing as a striker, he is creating very little with 0.3 attempted assists (fifth) and zero BC created (fifth), so the goals are the primary source of points for the Brazilian. Son and Sarr unavailable is something to monitor though, as this could restrict the service he gets.

Cole Palmer (FUL)

Palmer registered his biggest FPL haul of the season with 18 points against Luton and is top of the comparison for FPL points per game (8.4) over the last six Gameweeks. He is also top for goals (0.8), shots (3.6) and SoT (1.6). The BC numbers are healthy as well with 0.8 BC involvements per game. The Chelsea man is also third for attempted assists (2.2) and the cheapest option in the comparison at £5.6m. He looks the standout replacement for the tournament departees.

Who has the best Fixtures?

As the above image from our Fixture Planner shows, Man. City and West Ham have the best fixtures from the options under consideration with the two teams ranked sixth and seventh for Attack Difficulty. West Ham's next two against Sheff. Utd. and Bournemouth look particularly appealing with the games against Man. Utd and Arsenal in 23 and 24 being more difficult. The home game against Burnley in 22 is the big draw for Man. City assets. Spurs (13th) have away trips to Man. Utd. and Everton, with home games against Brentford and Brighton over that period, while Chelsea (17th) host Fulham and Wolves with away games at Liverpool and Palace. Arsenal are 19th with Palace, Forest, Liverpool and West Ham in their next four.