Welcome to the Gameweek 14 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! This week, it's a quick turnaround in FPL as Gameweek 13 only ended yesterday. Ten fixtures across three days will occupy our eyes for midweek Premier League action.
After back-to-back emotional wins against Real Madrid and Man City, Liverpool could easily slip up against Newcastle. The Reds are also dealing with defensive injuries, so Wednesday's contest could be heavy on goal-scoring in North England.
The Gameweek 14 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Tuesday, December 3, at 1:00 p.m. ET, when Ipswich Town hosts Crystal Palace. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 14 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 14!
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 14?
Euan Leith: Chelsea has conceded the second-fewest goals (6) over the last six gameweeks and travels to St. Mary's to face Southampton. While the Saints have looked more heavenly than hellish over the previous few weeks, the Blues from London will keep them off the scoresheet.
Jamie Steed: I only have one team keeping a clean sheet this week: Aston Villa. Villa’s form has been poor, but they face a Brentford side that’s just scored four goals against Leicester. While the Bees have scored more goals at home than any other team, they’ve yet to pick up a point on the road. They’ve scored four goals away from home, blanking twice in six games.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I’m backing Aston Villa to secure a clean sheet. Despite recent struggles in securing a win in their past seven matches, Unai Emery’s side has a big opportunity in Gameweek 14 to shut out Brentford, who have struggled to perform in their away fixtures.
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Euan: Gabriel (£6.2m) has been banging in goal after goal this season. However, it's now time for William Saliba (£6.0m) to join the party. Man United is still learning Ruben Amorim's schemes and tactics, which will lead to some confusion in the Red Devils' penalty area, where a soaring Frenchman bags his first goal of the campaign.
Jamie: I’m going with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (£4.4m). On Saturday, he scored his first goal of the season and now has three goal involvements in his last four games. Tottenham’s form is so erratic that this game could finish 4-0 for either team, so let’s chance our arm with the Serbian full-back.
Wale: Marc Cucurella (£5.0m) gained 11 points last time against Aston Villa and helped Chelsea succeed in Gameweek 13. Coming up in an away tie against relegation favorites Southampton, I will be backing the Spaniard to deliver a goal or assist this weekend.
Best Midfielder or Forward Who Isn't Rostered
Who is rostered in 10 percent of teams or less who can grab those FPL points?
Euan: In a matchup versus Leicester City, Jarrod Bowen is poised to shine for West Ham. The English midfielder has a great run of fixtures coming up, and three of his seven returns this year have come away from London. He's in 6.4 percent of FPL squads.
Jamie: Southampton continues to give away multiple chances with their style of play. Chelsea’s press will undoubtedly lead to a goal or two, so stacking their midfielders/forwards is the play, and that leads me to Noni Madueke (£6.4m). He came off the bench on Sunday to get an assist and will likely start as managers look to rotate their starting lineups in midweek.
Wale: Bournemouth’s forward Evanilson (£6.0m) produced a hat-trick of assists in Gameweek 13, securing 12 points without scoring a goal. The Cherries will host Tottenham this midweek at the Vitality Stadium, and with less than 3% ownership, I see Evanilson as the ultimate differential heading into Gameweek 14.
Evanilson has been on FIRE for @afcbournemouth 🔥
How many points will he return in Gameweek 14 at home against Spurs? 💰#FPL pic.twitter.com/BRGEf8jd2t
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 2, 2024
Who is a Player You Want but Can’t Get for Gameweek 14 in FPL?
Euan: I quite fancy Nicolas Jackson, but I've been a bit trigger-happy with my transfers in recent weeks. I will take a calmer approach to the next couple of gameweeks and try to gain a mini Wildcard. Regardless, the Chelsea frontman is an excellent pick in excellent form.
Jamie: For the reasons I like Madueke this week, Nicolas Jackson (£8.0m) is high on the list of possible captains. However, due to the build of my team, I’d need to take a minus or sell Erling Haaland to bring him in. I’m not willing to do either.
Wale: Erling Haaland (£15.0m) has recently been silent in front of goal, owing mainly to Manchester City's poor form. However, with a home game against Nottingham Forest, I believe Haaland will finally end his goal drought and increase his goal tally in Gameweek 14. As it stands, I'm afraid I don't have room for Haaland on my team.
Monday morning price changes 💰
Check in with all of the day's price movements 👉 https://t.co/XWAYtUIFy1#FPL pic.twitter.com/r7xPrIsiLA
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 2, 2024
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Euan: I understand the allure of Cole Palmer versus Southampton, but Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) has at least nine points in six straight games and has five double-digit hauls in that same stretch. Even with the quick turnaround, I'm done doubting the Egyptian King.
Jamie: It may be bullying Southampton at this point, but Cole Palmer (£10.9m) is my pick. A three-game streak without a goal or assist was broken on Sunday with one of each. He could be the biggest beneficiary of Southampton playing out of the back and gifting opponents chances.
Wale: I'm still undecided about who gets the armband, as Mohamed Salah (£13.2m), Cole Palmer (£11.0m), and Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) are all possible options. However, given Brentford's 23 goals conceded and poor away record, I'm tempted to make Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) my captain for Gameweek 14.
Your highest scorers in #FPL so far 👏
Who will score the most points in Gameweek 14? 👀 pic.twitter.com/qclPLMogO4
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 2, 2024
What’s your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 14?
Euan: Man United falls back to Earth with a heavy defeat versus Arsenal. Man City stops the slide with a Phil Foden brace. Meanwhile, Liverpool struggles on the road versus Newcastle but wins the game in the last five minutes.
Jamie: A set of midweek fixtures during a congested period will likely throw up a few surprises. Although a bit vague, that volatility will be reflected by six defenders finding the net and three players getting double-digits who are on less than 5% of FPL rosters. Embrace the chaos!
Wale: Manchester City and Aston Villa return to winning ways, with goals from Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland. Bournemouth surprises Tottenham with a home win, while Arsenal defeat Manchester United.
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