Fantasy Football

Everton star Richarlison should play despite injury against Southampton

Everton star Richarlison is expected to play on Saturday despite picking up a calf injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian limped off with a calf strain after scoring two goals in 85 minutes for the Toffees. Richarlison tallied 14 Fantasy Premier League points, third most in gameweek 1.

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Everton star Richarlison should play despite injury against Southampton

Richarlison’s 14 FPL points make him the perfect late addition for managers. The winger costs just £6.6m in FPL and his excellent return against Wolves shows managers can still get a great deal on him.

Everton have a fantastic run of fixtures upcoming. Southampton, who showed very little against Burnley last weekend, and arrive at Goodison for gameweek 2. Bournemouth, Huddersfield, and West Ham will meet Everton in their following fixtures. Only Bournemouth won in their opening fixture as the Cherries downed Cardiff.

Why managers should pick Everton star Richarlison now

Richarlison was Everton’s brightest player going forward against Wolves. That shouldn’t change in the coming weeks. Everton have never replaced the goals of Romelu Lukaku. Last season’s high goal man Wayne Rooney is also gone. Cenk Tosun was signed during last January’s transfer window to lead the Everton line. He has scored five goals in 15 matches, but Tosun won’t be the striker Lukaku. He may not even be the goal scorer Rooney was.

Richarlison offers Everton a constant goal threat. The Brazilian can also pick out a teammate and assist a goal. Richarlison tallied eight assists for Watford last term.

Manager Marco Silva’s tactics play to Richarlison’s strengths. Everton attack down the wings and they have plenty of pace in both Richarlison and Theo Walcott on both sides. Walcott only managed two points in gameweek 1 and failed to make much of an impact. Therefore, FPL managers may want to stay away from the former Arsenal man in gameweek 2.

Leighton Baines, Everton’s left-back, gives Richarlison a license to roam forward. Baines’ defensive capabilities mean Richarlison doesn’t have to worry about tracking back. Walcott and Sheamus Coleman on the other side aren’t quite as solid of a duo. Richarlison will be the out ball for Everton on Saturday.

Southampton featured a 3-4-2-1 against Burnley. The defensive formation will most likely be deployed at Goodison Park. If Richarlison can get one-on-one with Southampton’s centre-backs, he could create goals. Wolves also deployed a three-man backline and Richarlison took advantage of it last Saturday.

FPL managers looking for a bargain shouldn’t hesitate in making £6.6m Everton star Richarlison their go-to player this weekend.