FPL top picks for Gameweek 17
Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 17. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.
Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 17 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.
Goalkeepers – Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea hit a low patch before the World Cup, so the international break probably came at the right time. Graham Potter’s managerial start was a success as he evidently tightened up the Chelsea backline. One of the key contributors to that was Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.5m).
Kepa managed to keep three clean sheets in the six starts he made for Chelsea. The goalkeeper is currently in training and appears to be close to ready. At such a low price it could be difficult to avoid Kepa, especially as he faces a team that have made the least attempts on goal this season in Bournemouth.
Jordan Pickford
Everton face a Wolves side that have scored less goals than any other team in the Premier League with eight. This shows a clear indication that they are struggling to score and for that reason, it could be beneficial to invest in the Everton defence.
One of the best ways to invest in the Everton backline could be via Jordan Pickford (£4.5m). Everton have conceded more shots in the box than any other team in the league this season which could also help Pickford claim save points. Combined with the clean sheet potential, we could even see a big return from the Everton goalkeeper this week.
David De Gea
Man United have been improving under their new management and the results are there to see. Their defence, although needs work, have proven they can keep clean sheets. An example of this was when they collected six out of seven clean sheets in matches between October and early November.
The reds face a side that have are the worst team in the league for shots on target, Nottingham Forest. One way into the Man United defence could be David De Gea (£4.9m). At a nice price and good clean sheet potential, David De Gea makes his way into the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Defenders – Reece James
We have already covered the Chelsea defence but this player could be considered as an attacking asset. Chelsea can play with a wing back system that allows their wingbacks to find themselves in some of the most advanced positions on the pitch.
Reece James (£5.8m) can be explosive and he has picked up one goal and one assist in his domestic campaign so far. He also managed to match that total in his Champions League match against AC Milan, securing a huge 20-point haul in Champions League Fantasy. Reece James is currently in full training so there is a chance he could start against a poor Bournemouth.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It has been a rough season for Liverpool overall, especially in their defensive performances. However, the reds have proven to be one of the best defensive sides in England over recent seasons so the potential is there.
Liverpool face an inconsistent Aston Villa next up and one player who could take advantage of that is Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m). Amongst defenders Trent is the second best for successful crosses, third for chances created and joint first for big chances created. He has the ability to haul against any team and if Liverpool can tighten up, those odds increase massively. Trent Alexander-Arnold takes his place amongst the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle’s great form is very hard to ignore, certainly from an FPL perspective. Defensively they have been fantastic and rank the joint best in the league for goals conceded and clean sheets kept. For those reasons, it could be wise to invest, even with a match against Leicester next.
Kieran Trippier (£5.9m) sits as the highest scoring defender in FPL with a whopping 96 points, which is 22 points ahead of second place. Trippier ranks the best in league for crosses, successful crosses, chances created and big chances created amongst all defenders. Kieran Trippier has to be considered as one of the priorities amongst the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Luke Shaw
Its no secret that Nottingham Forest have struggled in the top tier this season. Offensively they are struggling and that benefits the assets of their opponents. Because of this, investing in the Man United defence does look very appealing this week.
Luke Shaw (£4.8m) has seemingly lacked confidence recently but his recent efforts in the World Cup could reignite his old form. Shaw managed a huge eight key passes for England and if he can translate that into his domestic form, he could be a fantastic asset moving forward.
Joao Cancelo
Man City remain one of the better defences in the league as they are the second best for goals conceded, joint second for clean sheets kept and the best for total attempts conceded. Investing in the Man City defence is absolutely vital for rank.
The standout option in the Man City defence is without a doubt Joao Cancelo (£7.4m). The Portuguese full back spends more time in his opponents half than his own, sits as the third highest scoring defender and ranks first for touches in the penalty area amongst defenders. With two goals and one assist already, Joao Cancelo makes the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Midfielders – Marcus Rashford
Man United may have started the season slow, but their form is improving. Offensively their stats have been up there with some of the best teams in the league recently. In the last six matches, amongst all teams they are the third best for attempts on goal, joint third for big chances total and joint second for shots on target.
They face a very poor Nottingham Forest defence in Gameweek 17 so investing in the attack could be beneficial. One way to do that could be with Marcus Rashford (£6.7m). The midfielder impressed during the World Cup, scoring three goals in five matches played. Marcus Rashford has bags of potential and for that reason makes the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Miguel Almiron
Newcastle have been fantastic this season and although defensively brilliant, their attack should not be ignored. In the last six matches Newcastle rank first for goals scored with 12, averaging two goals per match.
The most obvious choice in the Newcastle attack is Miguel Almiron (£5.8m). The midfielder is in brilliant form having scored eight goals and created one assist in his 16 matches so far. In fact, in FPL Almiron has hit five returns in a row. With a match against Leicester next and at such an enabling price, Miguel Almiron walks into the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Phil Foden
There is no doubting the quality and potential in the Man City defence but their attack can be just as rewarding. Amongst all teams in the league this season they rank first for goals scored, first for goal attempts and first for big chances total.
Another way into the Man City attack, excluding the obvious, would be Phil Foden (£8.3m). Amongst all midfielders in the league Foden ranks joint third for goals with seven and joint second for goals in the box. His opponents Leeds, rank the worst team in the league for goals conceded and the second worst for big chances conceded in the last six matches.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool started the season below their usual high standards but their recent results do reflect improvement. In the last six matches, amongst all teams in the league Liverpool rank first for attempts on goal, first for shots in the box and first for shots on target.
Investing in the Liverpool attack seems essential and there is no better way to do that than investing in the main man and penalty taker Mohamed Salah (£12.8m). Salah has been on and off this season. However in the last six matches, amongst all players he ranks joint second for goals, first for attempts on goal and second for big chances total. With a match against an inconsistent Aston Villa next, Mohamed Salah has to make the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal have been relentless for the majority of the season, with fantastic underlying offensive stats. In fact, this season, Arsenal rank second for goals scored, third for attempts on goal and fourth for shots on target. Investing in the Arsenal attack seems like a very good move.
One of the cheapest and most effective ways into the Arsenal frontline could be Gabriel Martinelli (£6.8m). The midfielder is looking great this season and has already picked up five goals and two assists, returning on average every other game. Even with a match against West Ham next up, Gabriel Martinelli deservedly makes his way into the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Forwards- Erling Haaland
We have already seen that Man City have one of the best attacks in the league and a large factor towards that has been Erling Haland (£12.2m). The striker is the highest owned player in the game and sits as the highest scoring player in FPL as well.
Going without Haaland could be catastrophic to rank and mini-league position as he is also the most popular captain on a game weekly basis. Topping most of the offensive stats, Haaland has to be in every single team going into the Gameweek ahead.
Harry Kane
Tottenham may seem unreliable at times but one thing is clear, their offensive line is not. This season amongst all teams in the league they rank third for goals, third for attempts in the box and third for shots on target. They face Brentford who in the last six rank the worst team for total attempts conceded and the worst for shots on target conceded.
The standout and most obvious option would be main man and penalty taker Harry Kane (£11.6m). The striker has only blanked in three of his 16 matches played so far. As well as this, Kane has just come back from the World Cup after scoring two goals and creating three assists from his five matches. Against a poor defence, Harry Kane has plenty of potential and for that reason makes the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Darwin Nunez
Liverpool have been sustaining great attacking stats lately so managers could even choose to double up on the progressive attack. With injuries to both Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, one player is seemingly nailed in the frontline moving forward.
That player is Darwin Nunez (£9m). Darwin Nunez has proved he can score goals especially in his most recent match against Southampton where he secured a 13-point return from his two goals and three bonus points. Some may even decide to try to cover Salah with him but either way, Darwin Nunez makes the top picks for Gameweek 17.
Who could return points in Gameweek 17? Take a look at our best players against their opposition article here.
