This article is part of our FPL Barometer series.
Matchweek 33 yielded another healthy total of 29 goals, good for 2.6 per game because of the extra fixture, and we can expect even more in round 34, when 10 teams will play twice. Owners in season-long formats should focus on players from these clubs when making transfers, though a fair amount of squad rotation can be expected, giving added value to some typical fringe players. This week will also likely see the likes of Wayne Rooney, Diego Costa and David Silva return to Premier League action, adding even more options for consideration. With so much to sift through, here are a few names to key in on for this busy FPL slate:
RISING:
Christian Eriksen (MID)
Eriksen attempted three shots and provided an assist in last week's 3-0 thumping of Manchester United, which was his third straight game factoring into a goal after an eight-match drought. The 24-year-old playmaker is hitting top form again, and he should be a good bet to enjoy continued success this weekend against a Stoke side sans Jack Butland coming off a match in which they allowed four goals in a loss to Liverpool.
Divock Origi (FWD)
Origi appeared to be headed back to the bench just a couple of weeks ago, but he could be playing his way into the first team on a more consistent basis after netting three goals to go along with an assist in his last four games. The 20-year-old has now clearly leaped ahead of Christian Benteke on the depth chart, and if manager Jurgen Klopp reshuffles the lineup to include him with Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, he would instantly become a weekly FPL factor.
Wayne Rooney (FWD)
Rooney missed a month because of an ankle injury but was included in the squad for Wednesday's FA Cup win over West Ham and even made a brief cameo. His return comes at an opportunistic time for fantasy owners, as the Red Devils will play a pair of matches in which they host last-place Aston Villa and 16th-place Crystal Palace. Rooney was in exceptional form prior to the injury, and if he re-enters the starting lineup upon returning to league play, he could make an immediate FPL impact.
FALLING:
Romelu Lukaku (FWD)
Lukaku's fantasy prospects looked strong heading into Everton's two-game slate in round 33, but he landed just two shots on goal over the 180 minutes and will be 42 days removed from his last league goal when Everton face Southampton on Saturday. Lukaku managed to remain productive for a while despite the struggles of sidekick Ross Barkley for most of 2016, but he will need the latter to regain his form if he is to snap out of his own slump.
Marc Albrighton (MID)
Albrighton's total of six assists in league play appears respectable at first glance, but he hasn't actually set up a goal since mid-December and still hasn't scored since netting on the season's first weekend. The winger continues to serve as a decent option in formats that reward action stats because of his propensity to pump in crosses at a high rate, but his numbers indicate that a large percentage of those crosses are rather hollow, limiting his value in standard formats.
Wilfried Zaha (MID)
Zaha sits at four goals and two assists on the season, but he hasn't factored into a goal in his last eight matches and has started just once in the last three, as Crystal Palace have their full complement of midfielders available once again after an injury-plagued couple of months. Zaha's production comes mostly from the peripheral stats he generates, and he should struggle to provide fantasy returns deserving of a roster spot if he is unable to find his way into the lineup on a regular basis.
