Note: This blog was written prior to the Newcastle vs Man. Utd fixture on 27/12/2021

Caveat - Picks are in below format

1. No.1 predicted by Fix 
2. Alternative high-ownership option. Over 20%
3. Differential option. Under 20%

Cristiano Ronaldo (BUR)

Ronaldo has scored seven goals this season, a total that only Vardy (nine) can better amongst forwards. The Portugal international is also top for shots in the box (SiB) (39), shots on target (SoT) (19) and 'big chances' (12). Man. Utd have scored 26 goals this season with only six sides scoring more. They are ranked seventh for SoT (77) despite playing three games fewer than most teams. Their visitors Burnley have conceded 13 goals in their eight away matches, keeping just one clean sheet. Only Leeds (158) have conceded more shots than the Clarets (154) in away matches while no side has allowed opponents more SiB (108). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 6.9 for Ronaldo.

Mohamed Salah (lei)

Salah has found the back of the net four times over the last six gameweeks with only Sterling (five) faring better amongst midfielders. The Egyptian is top for shots (19) and 'big chances' (seven) over the aforementioned period. Since Liverpool's fixture against Leeds in gameweek 19 was postponed, Salah should be well rested and is rated at 100% to start via our Predicted Lineups feature, a factor which cannot be ignored given the fixture congestion. Liverpool have scored six goals over the last six gameweeks, only Arsenal (17) and Man. City (23) have been more prolific. Their total of 19 'big chances' is only bettered by Man. City (23). Their opponents Leicester have conceded 10 goals over the same period and only Norwich, Newcastle (each 12) and Leeds (16) have been more porous. Meanwhile Southampton (14), Everton, Newcastle (15 each) and Leeds (17) are the only teams to have allowed opponents more 'big chances' than the Foxes' 12. Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 6.7 for Salah.

Harry Kane (sou)

Kane has shown glimpses of a return to form with goals in back to back matches and over the last six gameweeks, only Maupay and Ronaldo (three each) have found the back of the net more often. As the Stats Sandbox image below shows, no forward has managed more shots (15), SiB (12) or SoT (six) than the England international while only Ronaldo and Lacazette (each seven) have landed more SoT than his six. Spurs have scored 10 goals over the last six gameweeks and only Chelsea, Liverpool (11), Arsenal (17) and Man. City (23) have been more prolific. Southampton have conceded 10 goals over the same period with only Norwich, Newcastle (each 12) and Leeds (16) shipping in more. Arsenal, Everton (26 each), Newcastle (27) and Leeds (37) are the only teams to have allowed opponents more SoT than the Saints (25). Our Fix Algorithm currently projects a point score of 4.8 for Kane.