RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 17 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! It's been a quiet couple of weeks in FPL, but the fixture crunch is gearing up for the holidays. After the deadline passes on Saturday, there are four more deadlines between then and January 4, 2025. Buckle up!
There will be an even split of games on Saturday and Sunday. In an odd scheduling quirk, Arsenal and Crystal Palace will play each other for the second match in a row after they meet in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday evening.
The Gameweek 17 deadline for the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, December 21, at 6:00 a.m. ET, when Aston Villa welcomes Man City. 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 17 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 17!
Manager Sackings
Two managers lost their jobs after Gameweek 16. Which team will do better with a new-manager bounce?
Euan Leith: Wolves has the pieces to mount a comeback charge in the second half of the season. However, it must be a late-season charge because the upcoming schedule is not kind. Plus, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.8m) is suspended, and Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) could also be facing a lengthy ban.
Jamie Steed: Southampton can’t do any worse than they have been doing. While Wolves have the better players, they have been imploding over the last two games. A fresh face to lead them should help iron out their indifferences and Wolves has the better chance to avoid relegation and provide some fantasy options.
The FPL Manual (Wale): Wolves will do better under a new manager. However, the potential new boss has a huge burden to shoulder, including dealing with vulnerability from set-pieces and the team's struggling defense, which has conceded 40 goals thus far.
I don’t expect a drastic change in results immediately, but there are signs that this Wolves team will improve under new leadership.
Not-So-Bright City Lights
It’s dark times for the light blue side of Manchester. Is there any Man City player you want in FPL?
Euan: With the midfield trio of Mohamed Salah (£13.4m), Cole Palmer (£11.2m), and Bukayo Saka (£10.6m) returning so well, there's no room for City attackers in my side. However, I've got my eye on Josko Gvardiol (£6.1m) because of his attacking returns and my belief that eventually City will turn this around.
Jamie: As of now, no one. Joško Gvardiol has appeal, but City cannot keep a clean sheet right now. If Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) can stay healthy, he could be the catalyst for a City revival. He may also hold the key to unlocking Erling Haaland (£14.9m).
Wale: Dark times indeed, especially with the Cityzens securing only one win in their last 11 matches. It’s quite tough to root for any Man City FPL asset, with an exemption of Josko Gvardiol (£6m), who tends to, once in a while, get in the midst of a few attacking returns.
At the moment, I will be staying clear of Man City assets until we can see more consistency in results.
Kevin De Bruyne’s (£9.5m) rate of chances created, one every 23 minutes, is superior to all other Premier League players who have made at least one start this season 😮💨#FPL #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/I9YWUbgM8Y
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 15, 2024
Fly Eagles Fly
Crystal Palace is climbing the table. Are you soaring towards any Eagles players?
Euan: With Arsenal and Chelsea in their next four games, I'm trying to hold off on flying with Crystal Palace assets right now. Still, Ismaïla Sarr (£5.7m) popped up with three attacking returns at the weekend and has at least 0.8 xGI in three of his last five games. The Senegal international is one to watch after Gameweek 21.
Jamie: I’ve been rocking Dean Henderson (£4.4m) since the get-go. Pairing him with Daniel Muñoz (£4.7m) has been rewarding recently. With the fullback suspended this week, it may be good to pivot away from them.
Wale: It’s nice to see Oliver Glasner has turned the tides in the league standing for the Eagles. I have my eye on Ismaïla Sarr, the top FPL scorer for Crystal Palace, and could consider bringing him in the new year when the Eagles’ fixtures take a favorable swing.
Lack of Firepower for Gunners
Arsenal is struggling offensively. Does this make you more likely to invest in their defensive assets?
Euan: It's three games on the trot without an open-play goal for Arsenal. They haven't had their full squad together for most of the season, but with Gabriel (£6.2m) and Martin Odegaard (£8.3m) back on the pitch together, I expect the Gunners to return to their title-challenging ways.
Regarding investment, I'm happy with my share in Bukayo Saka up top and Jurrien Timber (£5.7m) at the back. I'm trying to keep most of my budget in the front eight, so I'll gladly take the £0.5m in savings from Timber over Gabriel or William Saliba (£6.3m).
Jamie: When Ben White was ruled out for a few months, I brought in Jurriën Timber (£5.7m) and am still rolling with Bukayo Saka (£10.6m). I likely won’t splurge on another defensive option, and I’m conscious we saw something similar from the Gunners around this time last season before they burst into life.
Wale: Yes, most definitely. Arsenal's defense has always been the focal point for securing FPL points for most of the season. The Corner Kings - the defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba, have a combined five goals in the league and are among Arsenal’s top goal-scorers.
I see myself doubling up on the Gunners’ defense soon for potential clean sheets and attacking returns.
Did you bring in William Saliba ahead of his price rise? 📈
With 30 points in his last three matches, it's no surprise #FPL managers are acquiring the Arsenal defender 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SsFuFVJqbq
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 18, 2024
Craving Some Cottagers
Fulham has tied Arsenal and Liverpool in their last two games and has the second-easiest schedule over the next six games. Who do you want from Craven Cottage?
Euan: Emile Smith Rowe (£5.5m) and Antonee Robinson (£4.8m) deserve some praise, but my eye has turned towards Raul Jimenez (£5.5m). He's the seventh-best forward in terms of value this season and makes an excellent pivot for any managers with the soon-to-be-suspended Matheus Cunha.
Jamie: Emile Smith Rowe has been on my team since the offset. He’s struggled a bit of late but has the talent to get back amongst the goal involvements soon. He’s certainly had his best performances against sides in the bottom half of the table, which should continue.
Wale: My go-to Fulham asset right now is Antonee Robinson. The American international has contributed six assists for the Cottagers. The wingback runs down the left flank, and his touches in the box make him a significant attacking threat in Fulham’s backline.
I’m not sure who to bank on in attack besides Alex Iwobi (£5.7m), but I will pay close attention to Fulham's attacking options in the coming weeks.
Bang in form with a favorable run approaching...
Which @FulhamFC assets are you considering for the festive period? 🎁#FPL pic.twitter.com/6lzgV7GXGn
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 17, 2024
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 17?
Euan: Chelsea has a great run of fixtures over the next few weeks, starting with a trip to Everton. The Toffees have failed to score in five of their previous six league games, and this could be precisely what the Blues need to pick up their fourth clean sheet of the campaign.
Jamie: Fulham has not kept a clean sheet at home this season. But they won’t have a better chance than against a Southampton team that’s scored just four goals on their travels (eight games). They’ve blanked in three of their last four away games, and even a change in management likely won’t see that change.
Wale: I would put my money on Fulham this weekend to keep a clean sheet against 20th-place Southampton. Southampton are in a precarious position this season and have not done well on their travels in the league, scoring only four goals in their away games. As such, Fulham will be a favorite to secure clean sheet points against the Saints in Gameweek 17.
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Euan: With Manchester United's weakness at corner kicks, it's hard to look past Bournemouth this weekend. Milos Kerkez (£4.7m) is the most popular Cherries defender in the game, but I'm backing the lesser-owned Illia Zabarnyi (£4.4m) to notch a set-piece strike.
Jamie: Antonee Robinson (£4.8m) has three assists in his last three games. He’s facing Southampton at home, so everything points towards another solid return from the American international.
Wale: I've already mentioned his name, so I might as well go all out for Fulham with my response. Fulham’s wingback, Antonee Robinson, is the best FPL defensive asset to target for attacking returns for Gameweek 17. Go Robinson!
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: Martin Odegaard (£8.3m) continues to go under the radar in FPL at 5.9 percent roster rate. The Norwegian maestro has produced at least 0.41 xGI in four of his last five contests but only has two attacking returns to his name. That'll change this weekend in a London derby versus Crystal Palace.
Jamie: It’s a risk to play him, but Jhon Durán (£5.8m) has started Aston Villa’s last two EPL games and scored in them both. We’ve seen Manchester City leaking goals at an alarming rate, so don’t be surprised if Durán’s 3.0% of FPL managers are celebrating again this week.
Wale: Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy (£5.6m) is my favorite differential for Gameweek 17. Since the appointment of Ruud Van Nistelrooy as Leicester City's manager, the Foxes’ attacking output has significantly improved within a short span of time.
Hosting Wolves next, who are without a manager and infamous for its porous defense this season. I see Vardy getting among the goals for Leicester City, likely contributing a double-digit haul for fantasy managers.
Who is a Player You Want but Can’t Get for Gameweek 17 in FPL?
Euan: Diogo Jota (£7.2m) returned to the pitch and promptly bagged a goal in his first action since Gameweek 8. The Portuguese poacher is Liverpool's best finisher, and I want to take a punt on him before the masses flock back to him. However, I may have other fires to put out before the deadline.
Jamie: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) hasn’t had a vintage year so far, but I fancy him making a mark against an erratic Tottenham team this weekend. Given that I have three of the big-priced midfielders, I cannot afford to bring in a costly defender without multiple changes.
Wale: With big thanks to Ruben Amorim, Man United’s Amad Diallo (£5.2m) has been in a rich vein of form, giving the Ivorian more minutes and transforming his attacking play. Amad has also contributed 38 FPL points in his past five games, just one point shy from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.6m) 39 FPL points within that timeframe for half the price.
Unfortunately, my fantasy team has two suspended defenders for Gameweek 17, so I have a bigger fish to fry in defense. I will be forced to ignore Amad, or else I might need to take a point hit to bring in the 22-year-old winger.
Are you considering any @LFC defensive assets for Gameweek 17 and beyond? 👀
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 18, 2024
One of the best-value midfielders in #FPL right now 💰
Have you brought in Amad for Gameweek 17? 🔀#FPLPod
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 17, 2024
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Euan: It says a lot about Mohamed Salah's (£13.4m) terrific season that a five-point showing versus Fulham was a disappointment. I'm giving the armband straight back to the Egyptian King in an up-and-down contest against the always-attacking Spurs.
Jamie: If Southampton hadn’t sacked Russell Martin, I’d have put the armband on Emile Smith Rowe. I’m still confident of him bagging a return, but it’s a bit riskier, so I’m likely going with Mo Salah (£13.4m) this weekend.
Wale: My top two captain picks are Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, with a home game against Nottingham Forest, and Arsenal's ‘Starboy,’ Bukayo Saka, facing Crystal Palace. It's pretty tight, and I'll probably make up my mind on who gets the armband by the Gameweek 17 deadline.
What’s your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 17?
Euan: The worry level rises at Man City after Aston Villa piles on the misery against the reigning Champions. Elsewhere, Cole Palmer blanks for the second week in a row while Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah bag double-digit returns.
Jamie: Bournemouth takes all three points at Old Trafford, reminding Manchester United fans that there’s still plenty of work to do. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace frustrates Arsenal and all but ends the Gunner's faint title hopes.
Wale: My bet is on Tottenham stepping up in the big games and securing a home victory against Liverpool. Chelsea’s Nico Jackson get his 10th league goal against Everton, while Man United keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth at the Old Trafford.
A fine season continues for Nicolas JACKSON 😉#FPL pic.twitter.com/01qXkXuRjZ
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 16, 2024
Join the Rotoballer FPL League
Fancy pitting your wits against fellow RotoBallers? Then, join our free league to compete against the team and our dedicated FPL fans. Head to the official FPL site, click the Leagues and Cups tab and enter the RotoBaller league code: b278pa.
Go head-to-head against your friends and family in mini-leagues 🏆
Pick your squad and compete for #FPL glory now! ⬇️
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
Stick around for more 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League content coming soon. Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
