No need for a big introduction this week – let’s get to the picks!

Cenk Tosun, FWD, Everton

It is Turkish delight for Evertonians, at least those who think Tosun will do a better job filling the Romelu Lukaku-shaped hole in the attack better than Oumar Niasse, Sandro Ramirez, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin might actually benefit if he plays a support role and Wayne Rooney stays as the number 10, but Niasse will go back to the bench and Sandro’s short stay in the Premier League appears over.

The crop of forwards available on the waiver wire is pretty meager right now, and Tosun is worth a high claim if you have one.

He scored eight in 16 in the Turkish league before this transfer, and had an impressive 20 in 33 the year before. On top of that, he had five international goals in 2017. Here’s hoping that form continues for Sam Allardyce’s revival project.

Next up: Away to Spurs, home to West Brom, home to Leicester.

Virgil Van Dijk, DEF, Liverpool

Some astute Draft Fantasy managers may recall a “Virgil Van Dijk” that used to play for Southampton. This Van Dijk, who knows plays for Liverpool, is one and the same!

All jokes aside, both the player and new manager Jurgen Klopp must be happy to have this long transfer saga over with. Even better, Van Dijk’s dream debut in the FA Cup tie last weekend saw him net the game winner.

That performance essentially sums up the value of Van Dijk and why Liverpool paid so much money for him. The strong Dutch defender has a goal threat in him when he gets into the six yard box, and he is especially well suited for TIR leagues where he figures to be heavily involved.

Liverpool probably won’t expect to keep many more clean sheets than they do now, but Van Dijk can only help. Now the world’s most expensive defender, he is available in about half of all leagues and will start immediately.

Next up: Home to Manchester City, away to Swansea, away to Huddersfield.

Andros Townsend, MID, Crystal Palace

Every year in recent memory, Townsend goes on a multi-game tear. The problem is, this hot-streak is always hard to predict.

However, with Crystal Palace playing much better attacking football under Roy Hodgson, that time could be now. He has a goal and two assists in his last three and the upcoming schedule is reasonably favourable.

He is nailed on to start on the wing and Christian Benteke and Wilfred Zaha’s solid play will benefit Townsend.

Luka Milivojevic is an intriguing alternative in the Palace midfield, but Townsend is more likely to create from open play or on the counter, which suits the Eagles’ current playing style.

Only 13% owned, and you can always trade him back out if something better comes along.

Next up: Home to Burnley, away to Arsenal, away to West Ham.

Luke Shaw, DEF, Manchester United

Shaw is not new to the waiver wire, but when he was listed here over a month ago, he had not yet broken back into the Manchester United starting XI.

Shaw is now ringing in 2018 having started and finished the last three while accruing two clean sheets. Let us hope that his New Year resolution will be to impress Mourinho and keep his spot.

Stoke scare no one at the moment, and United will want revenge on Burnley after they fought back to a 2-2 draw several weeks prior (which is also a reminder to see if Jesse Lingard – 18% – is available in your league).

Shaw is less than 30% owned and just as tantalising a long term prospect as ever. Shaw is as sure a Red Devil starter in defense as anyone while Antonio Valencia remains out.

Next up: Home to Stoke, away to Burnley, away to Spurs.

Dwight Gayle, FWD, Newcastle

Dwight Gayle (15%) has not set the world on fire as of late, but a home matchup with struggling Swansea makes him worthy of a spot start.

That is, assuming he starts, but he has been fairly predictable in starting and then coming off the bench, and is expected to make the first XI if that same pattern persists.

To his benefit, Joselu has not been banging in the goals either, so the starting job is still very much up for grabs, just crying out for someone to earn it.

Gayle, then, is an option for the gamblers and prospectors who are comfortable with risk.

Next up: Home to Swansea, away to Manchester City, home to Burnley.