Fantasy Football Sidekick: Maximise March and Salah's double gameweek

We're in the final stretch for the Premier League season with the international break now over. With little room for manoeuvre in your Fantasy Premier League table, it's perhaps key you think in the long-term to maximise your points haul. With that in mind, Fantasy Football Sidekick is here to help with your picks, with stars from Liverpool, Fulham, Tottenham, Brighton and Crystal Palace all featuring. 

Mohamed Salah - Liverpool (vs Manchester City & Chelsea) 

Manchester City have lost just the once at the Etihad Stadium. Liverpool have collected fewer away points than basement boys Southampton in 2022/23. A City home win is a banker, right? That may well be expected as we gear up for the return of Premier League football following the international break, but despite a poor away record this season, the Reds will still give the defending champions a run for their money. 

The last two league meetings between the pair at the Etihad Staidum have ended in a draw, with Mohamed Salah routinely giving the City backline nightmares. Indeed, Salah has scored 10 times against City in his career; against only Manchester United (12) has he scored more. Liverpool may have their issues on the road, yet Salah's five away league goals ranks seventh in the Premier League, and if the Reds are to spring an upset, then the 30-year-old will again be key. With Liverpool in action against Chelsea next week, too, Salah is a good option for the double gameweek. 

Carlos Vinicius - Fulham (vs Bournemouth) 

A moment of madness at Old Trafford prior to the international break means Aleksandar Mitrovic faces a lengthy ban. The Serb received his marching orders in Fulham's 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, but he is likely to be sidelined for longer having been charged by the FA with violent and improper conduct. Mitrovic may have endured a downturn in form since the World Cup, however he still has 11 league goals to his name, and his absence is a blow. 

There is a way to capitalise upon the 28-year-old's absence, however, and that could be by picking his expected replacement on the frontline, Carlos Vinicius. Mitrovic's good form means Vinicius has been restricted to just 556 minutes of Premier League action this season, but despite a lack of game time, the Brazilian has still scored two and assisted one. Available for just £5.4m on Fantasy Premier League, and selected by just 0.2% of users at the time of writing, Vinicius is a potential cost-saving addition that will likely lead the Fulham attack between now and the end of the season. 

Wilfried Zaha - Crystal Palace (vs Leicester) 

Crystal Palace's 4-1 loss at Arsenal prior to the international break extended their winless run to 12 league matches, with a poor run not only costing Patrick Vieira his job, but sucking the Eagles into a relegation scrap. Palace have a huge run of games looming, starting with Saturday's welcome of relegation rivals Leicester. Roy Hodgson has returned to the Selhurst Park helm and supporters are hoping for new manager bounce this weekend. 

And while out of form, one who may benefit from Hodgson's return to south London is key forward Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian has endured a disappointing season by his standards, netting just six league goals, the most recent of which came in a late 2-1 win at West Ham prior to the World Cup, but he'll see the Foxes as the ideal opponent to get back among the goals. Leicester are the 30-year-old's joint-favourite opponents having scored eight career goals against Brendan Rodgers' side, so one to consider this weekend. 

Solly March - Brighton (vs Brentford & Bournemouth) 

Another double gameweek consideration now, this time on the south coast as Brighton gear up for meetings with Brentford and Bournemouth. Since domestic duties resumed back in December following the World Cup, Solly March has been in superb form for the Seagulls, and is now their joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League this season having struck seven times, an impressive haul for a player whose first goal of the campaign didn't come until Boxing Day. 

March is behind only Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in the Premier League form guide, reinforcing his recent decent showings under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, with a goal against Grimsby in the FA Cup prior to the international break marking his fourth goal in his last six outings. Brighton will have their work cut out to get the better of Brentford and Bournemouth, yet March's good form means he is a solid pick for the double gameweek. 

Pedro Porro - Tottenham (vs Everton) 

It's all a bit calamitous at Tottenham right now. Without a head coach, and with a director of football now banned worldwide for 30 months, the season is ending on a sour note. Spurs will hope off-field issues won't impact their performances on the pitch, starting with Monday's trip to Everton. The north London side have a good record at Goodison Park - they are unbeaten at Everton in the league since 2012 - but the Toffees are starting to pick up speed under Sean Dyche in their bid to consolidate a top-flight spot. 

Nevertheless, should Spurs continue with a three-man defence under Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason, then Pedro Porro should come into consideration for your Fantasy Premier League side, not just for Monday's game, but beyond too. At one stage of the campaign, Spurs had three right wing-back options on the books, however, Djed Spence has gone out on loan to Rennes, Matt Doherty was released from his contract and joined Atletico Madrid, while Emerson Royal is ruled out for the rest of the season. With no competition, Pedro Porro is a guaranteed starter and after the January arrival scored against Southampton prior to the international break, he'll earn those sweet attacking returns for a defender. Of course, we'll overlook the slip against Scotland in midweek...