Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 17 Preview – Captain Picks, “Who’s hot, Who’s not?” and Ones To Watch

At the time of writing, we’re all set for a full fixture list with Leeds vs Tottenham being the most intriguing match on offer and Man United vs Villa surprisingly being the most influential game towards the top of the table. Transfer deadline – Friday 1st January at 4pm.

Follow the in-house Yorkshire Post Fantasy Football expert John Mount (@Gameweek38) on Twitter for more FPL hints and tips.

Captain Picks

Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) vs Tottenham (A)

Although Leeds travel South for a tough game vs Spurs this week, they can be encouraged by their recent form.

The Whites have won three of their four last league games and scored 13 goals in the process – the most in the league. Leading their attack is Patrick Bamford. He’s scored ten league goals already this season, has the joint second highest expected goals in the league over the last four gameweeks and is on penalties too.

Harry Kane (£11.0m) vs Leeds (H)

It’s rare to have two captain picks on opposing teams but however strong Leeds may be in attack, their defence is a liability. Leeds have conceded the second most goals in the league so far this season and rank in the bottom three for big chances conceded and shots in the box conceded over the last four gameweeks.

If any player can capitalise on this, it’s Harry Kane. Although the England skipper has failed to score in his last three games, he continues to lead the Tottenham line for shots in the box, chances from open play and like Bamford, takes penalties.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) v Aston Villa (H)

As the fantasy football cliché goes, it’s better to pick players on form rather than on their fixture - and Fernandes’ form hasn’t dropped since moving to Manchester almost one year ago. Across his 29 Premier League appearances in 2020, he scored 18 goals and supplied 14 assists, averaging more than one goal involvement per game.

Beware though, Aston Villa’s defence is on top form. Having kept three clean sheets over their last four games, Villa have conceded the fewest big chances in the league over the last four gameweeks!

The Form Guide - Who’s Hot?

Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa, £5.8m)

With five goals in his last five games, El Ghazi is arguably the most in-form player in the league.

Having started the season as a bench player, due to injuries to Ross Barkley and Trezeguet, the Dutch international has started Villa’s last four league games and taken more shots and shots on target than any player in the league in this period. Although he’s in great form, with upcoming games against Man United, Tottenham, Everton and Man City, January could be a hard month.

Harvey Barnes (Leicester, £6.7m)

Bought by over 75,000 managers this gameweek, Barnes has scored a goal in each of his last two games and has finally regained a spot in Leicester’s starting line-up. He started the season as the Foxes’ first choice left winger but after only two goals in the first seven league games, he failed to make consecutive starts again until December. With new-found form and a favourable fixture schedule, if Barnes can start 2021 like he finished 2020, he will be a bargain at £6.7m.

The Form Guide - Who’s Not?

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa, £7.7m)

Although Villa are in great form and sit fifth in the league, with just two assists and no goals in his last five games coupled with a tough upcoming schedule, now may be the time to cash in on the England international. Although Grealish tops the charts for chances created over the last four gameweeks (22), three of these games were against weak opposition in Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace. As Villa’s fixtures turn with Man United, Tottenham, Everton and Man City up next, chances to create goals will inevitably decrease.

Reece James (Chelsea, £5.2m)

Flagged as having a 75% chance of playing due to nursing a hamstring injury, James has blanked in each of the last five gameweeks as Chelsea’s defence has softened.

This week Chelsea face Man City who have failed to score only twice this season so with little attacking potential and it looking unlikely to gain a clean sheet, time may be up for the Chelsea right-back.

Ones to Watch (Less than 5% ownership)

Rob Holding (Arsenal, £4.4m, 2.2%)

After securing a clean sheet away at Brighton last time out, Arsenal have a favourable run of fixtures against West Brom, Crystal Palace and Newcastle to greet the New Year.

No team has taken fewer shots or created fewer chances than the Baggies over the last four gameweeks so if you bring Holding in now, you should feel confident for an immediate return.

Harry Maguire (Man United, £5.4m, 3.6%)

Having taken more shots than any other defender this season but with only one goal to go with it, you could argue that Maguire is ‘due’ a goal.

With clean sheet potential and with a double gameweek to look forward to, Maguire has everything going for him to make him a fantastic differential.

The Explainer

Transfers

After picking your initial squad, you receive 1 free transfer each Gameweek. Each additional transfer you make in the same Gameweek will deduct 4 points from your score.

If you do not use your free transfer, you are able to make an additional free transfer the following Gameweek. If you do not use this saved free transfer in the following Gameweek, it will be carried over until you do. You can never have more than 1 saved transfer.

For example, since you get 1 free transfer per gameweek, if you make no transfers between gameweeks, you will have 2 free transfers in preparation for the next gameweek. You will incur a 4 point hit per transfer over your free transfer allowance.

Point Scoring

During the season, your fantasy football players will be allocated points based on their performance in the Premier League. Remember, every week your captain scores double points, so pick them wisely!

Points Action

1 For playing up to 60 minutes

2 For playing 60 minutes or more (excluding stoppage time)

6 For each goal scored by a goalkeeper or defender

5 For each goal scored by a midfielder

4 For each goal scored by a forward

3 For each goal assist

4 For a clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender

1 For a clean sheet by a midfielder

1 For every 3 shot saves by a goalkeeper

5 For each penalty save

-2 For each penalty miss

1 to 3 Bonus points for the best players in a match

-1 For every 2 goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender

-1 For each yellow card

-3 For each red card

-2 For each own goal

For more information on the rules of the game, visit https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules

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