December proved a very fruitful month for Wolves as they won three games in a row for the first time in the Premier League and then of course ended 2018 in style by defeating Spurs away 3-1 putting on probably their best ever Premier League performance. This was somewhat predictably followed up with a defeat at home to Crystal Palace, but then we beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup thanks to goals from the ever-brilliant Raul Jimenez and Maestro Ruben Neves. This leaves us with two defeats in eight games which is excellent form for a newly promoted side. An attacking duo stood out FPL wise over the course of the Christmas period.
Raul Jimenez 6.4M
The Mexican striker caught my eye in pre-season and then basically had me ramming him straight into my team for week one when FPL said his price was 5.5M. I am so glad I did as he is now 6.4M and has been a real standout for Wolves this season, he has provided six goals and six assists in FPL and is now on seven for the season after scoring against Liverpool on Monday. He is the best budget striker in the game and maybe the best in the last few seasons which other managers have noted as no other player has had as many prices rises as the Mexican. Given how well Wolves have done against the top sides this season, this makes Jimenez an even better budget striker as you can play him in the tougher fixtures and still think he has a decent chance of returning points. He has two goals and an assist against Spurs in two games, an assist against Arsenal, and a goal against Chelsea. Jimenez is basically fixture proof and even with City away next there is no reason to think he will not return points as City have not keep a clean sheet since game week 13. Jimenez has had 65 shots this season all so with 48 in the box and with the return of a certain Portuguese attacker, Jimenez will be in the points especially from game week 23 onwards.
Diogo Jota 5.9M
The return to form of Jota at the start of December was the catalyst for the three-match winning streak as he returned two goals and an assist in those three games. Sadly, for us he came off against Bournemouth injured and only returned against Liverpool in the FA Cup. He came back how he left by setting up Jimenez to open the scoring, Jota looked like he had never been injured and was sharp throughout the game causing plenty of problems with his movement and direct style. Him and Jimenez in the games they have played together as a pair have clearly formed a formidable partnership as they link up very well and give Wolves a real edge in attack and ability to break at pace. Currently owned by 0.1% in FPL, Jota is a huge differential for the upcoming weeks and a cheap one at that. A midfielder who is playing upfront is always an attractive option but given Jota is naturally a forward and is a good finisher then he is a no brainer for your side. Unlike Costa, Cavaleiro and Traore, Jota is extremely unlikely to suffer from rotation so is guaranteed a lot of minutes.
GW23-29
Wolves have a run of fixtures which have a real chance of a very good point return if we can play to our potential. The run starts with Leicester City at home with games then against, West Ham, Everton, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Huddersfield and Cardiff. I like the look of the games against West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth the most as they will attack us and leave us space to counter and play our own football, plus they are extremely poor defensively too. This run has potential for a good amount of goals and clean sheets, but this is never a guarantee as Wolves proved with defeats earlier in the season against Huddersfield and Cardiff, but never the less the potential is there.