This article is part of our FPL Barometer series.
A hectic five-day period from Saturday to Wednesday saw the majority of Premier League clubs play a pair of league matches, and the season-long narrative of unpredictability continued. None of the top four clubs in the table were able to secure three points from a mid-week match, and many popular FPL names provided underwhelming returns for fantasy owners.
The long season includes several busy stretches such as these, and even the best runs of form can eventually succumb to fatigue. Squad rotations and injuries have given others the chance to flourish during this period, while many players who are new to the league are finally hitting their stride after the typical adjustment period. With plenty of new value being generated at a high rate each week, let us take a look at the latest crop.
RISING:
Connor Wickham (FWD)
Wickham has played four matches since returning from injury in mid-February, and he finally has begun to show the quality that has made him such a highly-regarded young striker. The 22-year-old has recorded back-to-back braces in league play and has seemingly ousted Emmanuel Adebayor from the lone striker position at the head of the Palace attack. Playmaker Yannick Bolasie recently returned from an injury of his own, further boosting Wickham's fantasy stock as he appears poised for an extended run in the starting XI.
Wahbi Khazri (MID)
Khazri has established himself as a regular for Sunderland after moving over from Bordeaux in January, and his all-action style has seamlessly translated over to the Premier League. The Tunisian already has a goal and an assist in four league starts, and he has averaged three shots and six crosses per game during that time. Despite Sunderland's poor record, their attack actually ranks 13th in the league and has managed multiple goals in three of Khazri's four starts.
Roberto Firmino (FWD)
Firmino has taken his game to a new level since late January and is currently in the midst of his finest stretch as a Liverpool player. The Brazilian netted a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 3-0 demolition of Manchester City, bringing his tally to four goals and four assists in his last five league matches. A date with struggling Crystal Palace is next on the schedule, presenting Firmino with a golden opportunity to continue his excellent form.
FALLING:
Ben Foster (GK)
Foster was exceptional upon first returning from a long injury layoff in January, but his form has hit the skids of late, as he has allowed eight goals in the last three matches. This stretch has coincided with an apparent change in philosophy by West Brom, who have adopted a more wide open, free-flowing style of play. Foster is still a serviceable matchup play given the right circumstances, but if the Baggies continue to open things, up, he is unlikely to replicate his previous form.
Odion Ighalo (FWD)
Ighalo made a name for himself as an elite goal scorer earlier this season by netting a dozen times in the first half of the season, but he has dramatically regressed as opposing defenses have zeroed in on him. The Nigerian has not factored into a goal in the last nine league matches outside of January's home win over Newcastle, and Watford as a team have managed just eight goals in that span. Ighalo's inflated price tag and his poor run of form hardly make him an attractive fantasy option ahead of this weekend's matchup with league-leading Leicester City.
Olivier Giroud (FWD)
Arsenal have hit an atrocious run of form since their dramatic win over Liecester City three matches ago, but Giroud's personal misery dates back to mid-January. The Frenchman has not scored since hitting Liverpool for a brace on Jan. 13, and he has hardly been a factor in recent matches despite starting in front of the Gunners' talented midfield. Danny Welbeck has played well since making his season debut in the aforementioned Leicester match, and he could soon be given a look in the starting XI if Giroud and the rest of the attack continues to struggle.
