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Welcome to Gameweek 14, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
Thirteen gameweeks down, 25 to go. With European fixtures back on the calendar, we will have a split Gameweek 14 schedule between Saturday and Sunday. Newcastle United and Manchester United headline Saturday's contests in the late game. Then Sunday's tilts include an intriguing Chelsea-Brighton tie before Manchester City and Tottenham wrap up the weekend. Don't forget we've got a midweek Gameweek 15, and it'll be a quick turnaround for our FPL squads.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 14 deadline is 8:30 AM ET on Saturday, December 2, when three Saturday afternoon games kick-off. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 14 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. 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!
No one blew away the competition in the Captaincy debate in Gameweek 13. Does having multiple options each week increase the fun of FPL?
- Euan Leith: I've thoroughly enjoyed going against Erling Haaland this season regarding captaincy. Other players have challenged him while he's still banging in the goals. Ollie Watkins, Mohamed Salah, and Son Heung-min have all worn the armband for me at some point during the campaign. More variety in FPL makes the game more fun, and I'm having a great time this season.
- Jamie Steed: Yes, and in a game that causes so much frustration, finding any fun is vital! It can cause as much disappointment, but the best part of FPL is when your captain's choice is your biggest points score, especially when it’s not Haaland or Salah.
- Tom Bellucco: Absolutely! Not knowing which 2-3 players will be the right piece to the puzzle each week opens the door for everyone to make a bold stance on their favorite. If the answer were Haaland each week, it would make our "jobs" much less enjoyable.
Returns for two of the three most-popular captaincy choices 💪
How many points did your captain return in Gameweek 13? ©️#FPL pic.twitter.com/XIRuMVHI5M
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 28, 2023
The very popular Bryan Mbeumo has a tremendous run of fixtures over the next month. Is he a high-priority transfer for Gameweek 14?
- Euan: Yes. Despite a blank in Gameweek 18, Bryan Mbeumo is a high-priority transfer because of his run for the next month. With Luton, Brighton, and Sheffield United in an eight-day timespan, the Brentford midfielder could rack up 20 points in the blink of an eye. Plus, he's turned into a 90-minute man this season and never comes off the pitch for the Bees.
- Jamie: Mbeumo should certainly be atop your watchlists. He has been streaky and isn’t a lock for being a consistent big points provider. Four goals in four games to start the season were followed by four blanks, and some teams he’s due to face will prevent him from having the space to run into that he thrives on.
- Tom: Without a doubt. Mbuemo has catalyzed a surprisingly strong Brentford attack without Ivan Toney. He's a lock for at least two shots every time he starts for the Bees. It's tough to go wrong with the midfielder right now.
Bukayo Saka had another assist on Saturday but generated 0.00 expected goals, and Arsenal generally looked slightly off. Are you still investing a lot of your FPL budget into the Gunners?
- Euan: It's often the sensible route that will allow you to make up ground in FPL, so keeping Bukayo Saka is right. The Arsenal midfielder has had four assists in his last five games and is the fifth-highest-scoring player. Plus, he plays two top-four sides in the next nine games until February. The vibes aren't great, but Saka is still the attacking Arsenal asset I will continue investing in.
- Jamie: I’m not going all in on Arsenal because Saka is the only consistent FPL asset. But the fact they’re top of the table without clicking into top gear suggests to me that now is the best time to make sure you stack them. Many will fade them, so you’ll be ahead of the curve, which is vital if you’re playing catch up.
- Tom: It's still too early to worry here, but we've seen time and time again that Gabriel Jesus soaks up A LOT of shots when he starts. He took four more against Brentford. If we expect him to keep starting, which I do, he's the best answer for the Gunners.
Do you prefer Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon as a budget midfielder?
- Euan: Until Harvey Barnes returns, it's Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle attacker's performances have allowed Eddie Howe to put his name in pen on the startling lineup. The Englishman has already set new career highs with five goals and five assists this season and is in the middle of a leap forward for his career. Newcastle is better than Chelsea, and Cole Palmer relies on penalties to gain his FPL points. I'll take the open-play goalscorer over a pen merchant anytime.
- Jamie: I prefer Palmer as a player, but Gordon has a better situation. Just as you think Chelsea’s showing signs of finding consistent form, Newcastle walloped them. The lack of European football for Chelsea does make Palmer a safer option each weekend, but Gordon seems to have more upside.
- Tom: You can't go wrong with either one here, but Gordon has the upper hand right now. Injuries and lack of depth for Newcastle will keep him in the lineup for 90 minutes for a long time. Gordon continues to improve in Eddie Howe's scheme, and when the counterattack is on, number 10 is usually the one leading it.
A goal and an assist for Anthony Gordon in Gameweek 13 ⚫⚪
The midfielder's 13-point haul has piqued the interest of a fair few #FPL managers... pic.twitter.com/rl7wChfeUC
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 27, 2023
With so many domestic and European fixtures, will you prioritize your transfers on teams not in European competitions until the end of December?
- Euan: It's tricky because the best sides with the best FPL players are usually in Europe. However, Son Heung-min doesn't have European commitments and will start every game for Spurs. Pair him with Bryan Mbeumoand you've got a solid core for your midfield. However, I predict every team with European commitments will rotate their players over the next few weeks (even Salah and Haaland), so FPL managers must ride the rotation wave.
- Jamie: Not necessarily, although it will factor into my decision-making. For some teams, this week’s European fixtures might seal their fate until the next stage of the competition. That will allow managers to rest their stars for Matchday 6 and keep them fresher for the EPL games.
- Tom: It makes sense to keep this in mind, as some players might get subbed more often if they came off a Euro competition or have one coming up. However, this concept is low on my priority list, with the table as tight as it is.
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 14?
- Euan: Aaron Ramsdale had enough shaky moments against Brentford to seal his fate as the backup to David Raya for the remainder of the season. As a result, I'm backing the Gunners to keep it clean versus Wolves this weekend.
- Jamie: Liverpool conceded just two goals in their six home games and welcome a Fulham side that has scored six in seven away games. They managed just one goal in their last five visits to Anfield and still lack a regular goal-scoring option.
- Tom: Brentford at home to Luton Town is the easy answer. If James Maddison sits again for Tottenham, I don't see them scoring against a stout Man City squad at the Etihad.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan: Harry Toffolo (0.2 percent TSB%) is creeping into my thoughts as an FPL asset. The Nottingham Forest defender has started four of the last five games and has had two assists in his last three. The left-back has produced 0.16 expected assists in the previous two contests and should be set up for a big day against an Everton side that just shipped three goals to Manchester United.
- Jamie: Trent Alexander-Arnold is thriving in a freer and more advanced role. His equalizer at the weekend capped off a brilliant performance, and he could very well find himself with a clean sheet and an assist or another goal.
- Tom: He's been getting close, but I think this home match against Man United is when Kieran Trippier finally gets back on the score sheet. Please give me a curling free kick in the top corner, sending St. James Park into a frenzy.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: Mohammed Kudus (2.7 percent TSB%) has four attacking returns in the last three games and is living up to the offseason hype. The Ghanaian midfielder has four consecutive 90-minute appearances for West Ham with two double-digit hauls and two games with at least 0.40 expected goal involvements. Of his five returns this season, only one has come at home. I'm backing him to double his home total against the injured Crystal Palace on Sunday.
- Jamie: Kudus has started West Ham’s last four EPL games, tallying four goal involvements after his brace of assists on Saturday. They have all come away from home, but he’s facing a Crystal Palace side that’s conceded two or more in four of their last five games.
- Tom: Willian looked great for Fulham in their match against Wolves on Monday night. Look for him to stay hot against a Liverpool defense that sometimes struggles with active midfielders.
Willian securing the points late into Gameweek 13 👀
Hands up if you were one of the #FPL managers with the Brazilian in your team! 🙋♂️ pic.twitter.com/4QGKLcGejr
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 28, 2023
Who is one player you want but can’t have for the Gameweek 14 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: I'm struggling with the decision to take Ollie Watkins out of my lineup for Darwin Nunez in Gameweek 14. Watkins has done nothing wrong, but it is the right time to take a punt on a player like Nunez. With Fulham, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace in the next three games, Nunez could bring in three to four returns. The problem is his expected minutes. If he starts in Liverpool's Europa League fixture on Thursday, I will pass him by for one more week.
- Jamie: I’ve got to say Alexander-Arnold will top my FOMO list this weekend. With only one transfer available, I’d have to take a minus to bring him in. Given his price tag, I’d need to sacrifice Haaland or Salah to do so. That’s not something I’ll be doing.
- Tom: The production from Anthony Elanga for a team that desperately needs a consistent scoring option is promising, but the lack of expected goals has me waiting to see if he can keep this up before I buy in despite a valuable price.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan: Salah at home is inevitable. In six home games, the Egyptian averages 10.3 FPL points per game. Salah scored 16, eight, and 16 points in the last three tilts at Anfield. He has the highest predicted points in our Gameweek 14 rankings (spoiler), and it's another opportunity to go against the Norwegian robot this season.
- Jamie: Continuing with the Liverpool love this weekend, Mo Salah is sporting the armband. I like Ollie Watkins as an option this weekend, while Palmer and Saka are also on the shortlist. Going back to the first question, choosing one is all part of the fun.
- Tom: Mo Salah at home against Fulham is too juicy to pass up. I won't overthink this one this week. Let's hope Tottenham can keep Erling Haaland in check and Salah can account for several goals early on.
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 14?
- Euan: After a five-goal thriller, Brighton wins another away game against Chelsea (and half its former squad) with another five goals in the net. Elsewhere, Manchester United continues its impressive domestic form with a surprising victory over Newcastle, and Man City trounce Tottenham by four goals.
- Jamie: Brighton beats Chelsea in a game that sees five or more goals scored. Everton beat Nottingham Forest, leading to the first EPL managerial casualty of the season. And after correctly predicting a midfielder on less than 3% of teams score a brace last weekend (thank you, Marcus Tavernier), I’m saying the highest-scoring midfielder this weekend will be someone on less than 5% of teams.
- Tom: Newcastle, Liverpool, and Aston Villa will combine for 10+ goals this weekend. Find the goalscorers from those matches, and you'll have a fantastic Gameweek 14!
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
