Having focused on the Premier League’s three runaway sides, this week we’ll be taking a closer look at six other clubs, each presenting a series of cut-price options through December and heading into January.
As always, we’re consulting our popular FPL Fixture Tracker to help us!
FPL GW 17 Tips – Attack
West Ham
The Hammers have a very kind set of fixtures on the horizon, stretching beyond the next five. However, an expected goals figure of 8.61, is enough to rank them fifth, only trailing last season’s top four.
West Ham’s current top point scorer, Jarrod Bowen (6.5m), has registered 10 attacking returns, and perhaps most crucially, has consistency on his side. The former Hull winger has produced attacking points in seven of his last 11 starts.
Bowen is the standout option right now given that the trio of Michail Antonio (7.9m), Saïd Benrahma (6.0m), and Pablo Fornals (6.0m) have produced a combined two assists in each of their last six. Any one of them could prove to be strong investments, but form is certainly not on their side.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles are expected to score at least one goal in each of their next five games with Southampton, Watford, and Norwich in the mix.
Conor Gallagher (6.1m) is far and away Palace’s top point scorer this campaign. The on-loan Chelsea midfielder has kicked on from last season, ending his joint-longest streak (3) without an attacking return in gameweek 16. Given his price, Gallagher is the obvious choice for anyone keen to back the Eagles.
Elsewhere, Wilfried Zaha (6.9m) has justified his additional outlay but is more than capable of strong returns on any given gameweek. However, with the African Cup of Nations on the horizon, investment isn’t a great idea. As such, it may be worth keeping an eye on Michael Olise (5.4m) and the returning Eberechi Eze (5.9m) as they get additional minutes.
Watford
The Hornets may be 17th in the league table, but they’re all the way up in 9th for expected goals over the next five.
Only Mo Salah has more goal contributions than Emmanuel Dennis (5.8m) since October. The in-form Nigerian has seven goals and six assists in his debut Premier League season, including four goals and three assists in his last five games.
However, Dennis isn’t the only Hornet producing in attack. The similarly priced Joshua King (5.8m) has excelled since joining Watford and has kicked on under Claudio Ranieri. Despite blanking in his last three, King has five goals in eight and came agonisingly close to adding to that tally when he hit the post in gameweek 16.
FPL GW 17 Tips – Defence
Arsenal
The Gunners rank third for expected clean sheets over the next five with a score of exactly 2.0.
Having returned to action, Kieran Tierney (4.7m) is more than justifying his price tag with two assists and two clean sheets in two. If the attacking left-back can maintain his fitness, he’s an excellent choice.
However, Arsenal have no shortage of value picks in defence right now. Two goals, including one last gameweek, have helped Gabriel (5.2m) justify his price point, whilst a string of saves and resulting bonus points keep Aaron Ramsdale (5.0m) in the conversation. Lastly, Ben White (4.4m) may be the least interesting option, but compensates for that with his extra low price.
Wolves
Bruno Lage has improved Wolves’ defensive resolve this term and has a pair of promising fixtures over the next three in Brighton and Watford.
Only Alisson has secured more goalkeeper points (72) than José Sá’s (5.1m) 71. Consistent save points are an added bonus for a keeper with just 14 goals conceded in 16 outings.
In defence it’s a straight shootout between Conor Coady (4.5m) and Max Kilman (4.5m) with each having featured in every minute of Wolves’ Premier League season. Rayan Ait Nouri (4.3m) can save some additional funds but comes with added game-time risks and hasn’t yet proved his additional attacking influence from left wing-back.
Manchester United
We finish up with Manchester United who have improved vastly in defence recently and have a pair of new options ahead of a promising run of games.
Changes at full-back have seen Alex Telles (5.0m) and Diogo Dalot (4.5m) introduced into the side. Telles has a reputation for being an attacking threat and has probed without reward in four consecutive league starts. On the opposite flank, Dalot also provides attacking threat at an excellent price point if United can keep up their new-found defensive resolve. However, both assets come with the caveat of possible rotation with Luke Shaw (5.1m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5.1m) waiting in the wings.
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