Mateta (CRY, Forward, £8.1m)

Verdict: HOLD

Mateta is fully available and has some decent fixtures ahead, but his recent output has been inconsistent, making him a risky pick for new managers.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Mateta is fully available and nailed in the Crystal Palace attack, with no injury concerns reported.
Recent Performance: He's bagged 7 goals this season, but his recent form is a bit patchy. After a 9-point haul in Gameweek 10 and a goal in Gameweek 13, he's also delivered blanks in Gameweek 11, Gameweek 12, and Gameweek 14, including a mere 2 points in his last outing. This inconsistency is a concern for managers looking for reliable returns.
Upcoming Fixtures: Palace face Burnley (A, difficulty 2) and Fulham (A, difficulty 3) next, which are decent opportunities for attacking returns. However, a tough home fixture against Manchester City (H, difficulty 4) follows, which could see him blank.
Underlying Stats: Mateta's Threat (482.0) and ICT Index (87.1) are respectable for a forward, indicating he's getting into good positions. His 7 goals without any assists suggest he's primarily a goal-scorer, but his xG has been up and down, reflecting his inconsistent output.

Risks

The primary risk for Mateta is his inconsistent FPL returns, as evidenced by recent blanks. While he's nailed, Palace's overall attacking output can be streaky. The upcoming fixture against Manchester City is also a significant hurdle.

Alternative Options

For a similar price point, managers might consider Dominic Solanke (£7.0m), who has been in strong form for Bournemouth, or potentially Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) if Chelsea's fixtures turn. Both offer more consistent recent returns or better fixture runs.

The Strategic Play

If you already own Mateta, holding him for the next two favourable fixtures against Burnley and Fulham could pay off, hoping he can convert his chances. However, if he blanks again, or ahead of the Manchester City game, he becomes a prime candidate for a transfer out. For managers without him, it's best to avoid for now and monitor his performance, as there are more reliable options in his price bracket.

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