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Welcome to Gameweek 14, Rotoballers! Just like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
The craziness of Gameweeks 11-13 is over, but the schedule is still jam-packed for EPL sides. They'll have a Carabao Cup tie if they aren't playing in Europe. So make sure to stay informed with the press conferences and injury news. There are only three gameweeks until the World Cup, and it wouldn't be surprising to see some popular players taking a seat in one of the remaining three fixtures to rest before Qatar.
The Gameweek 14 deadline is 6 am Eastern on Saturday, October 29. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 14
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!
It's a mad three-week dash until the World Cup. So which players are you targeting for the run-in?
- Euan Leith: If your squad avoids the injury bug, I'll look for teams with two home fixtures. Man City, Bournemouth, Brighton, Newcastle, West Ham, and Liverpool fit that criteria. So, if you have some freedom with your transfers, I'll be looking to bring in the likes of Leandro Trossard, Callum Wilson, and Jared Bowen.
- Jamie Steed: Whoever is healthy! We're seeing a bit of tiredness creep into some teams, and we can expect some rotation before the World Cup, so just looking to ensure you have as healthy a squad as possible before the break seems to make the most sense right now.
Miguel Almiron is on fire with five returns in five games. Should managers chase the rabbit or wait until the unlimited transfer period?
- Euan Leith: Newcastle has the fixtures (Aston Villa, Southampton, Chelsea), and Almiron has the price tag (£5.4 million) and the form. If you're fed up with Wilfried Zaha's performance, I wouldn't mind shipping the Palace forward out for Almiron as a short-term punt before the World Cup.
- Jamie Steed: He's always flashed this sort of potential but has lacked consistency. I don't believe he'll sustain this form going forward, but he should still have his best season in a Newcastle shirt, and I don't think he's someone you should avoid. I won't be chasing the points and dumping someone like Gabriel Martinelli to pick him up.
Pep roulette bit a lot of managers with Phil Foden's benching in GW13. Does that scare you going forward, or is it an anomaly, given he's rarely rotated this season?
- Euan Leith: I'll zig the zag here. I feel like this secures Phil Foden's playing time moving forward. Of course, everyone needs a rest now and then, but the England international has had his and should be good to go for the final three gameweeks.
- Jamie Steed: It is always in play, given City's depth, but I'm sticking with de Bruyne and Haaland (plus Cancelo) as they are the least likely to be rotated as long as they're in a battle for the title and can use the Champions League to rest stars. That will likely change as the season progresses.
Which club has impressed you the most over the first third of the season?
- Euan Leith: Newcastle. They've had several attractive options this season, and Kieran Trippier is the defender on the most squads in the game (60.3 percent). They are in the top four now and don't play a big-six side on the road until 2023.
- Jamie Steed: Arsenal has been excellent and deserves to be top of the table. Fulham has quietly gone about their business, and I've been a Marco Silva fan for some time. I can see them finishing in the top half this season.
Which club has disappointed you the most over the first third of the season?
- Euan Leith: Liverpool is the clear standout choice. Darwin Nunez hasn't integrated himself into the squad as seamlessly as Anfield fans would hope. Every time this team begins to build momentum, they'll shoot themselves in the foot, whether it's injuries or surprisingly poor performances (see the Nottingham Forest game).
- Jamie Steed: Liverpool is the clearest letdown; even with injuries, they haven't looked near their best. I also expected more from Wolves, and after failing to find a permanent replacement for Bruno Lage, I'm not convinced they'll avoid relegation despite having some extremely talented players.
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 14?
- Euan Leith: David Raya's kept the ball out of his net in three of Brentford's six home games this season. On Saturday, he'll welcome a Wolves team that's scored one goal in its previous five games.
- Jamie Steed: Tottenham will look to bounce back from consecutive losses and keep things tight, then nick a goal through Harry Kane, something they've done regularly for years. I also expect Newcastle to keep out a Villa. Unai Emery has a reputation for playing pragmatic football from his time at Arsenal, and I expect him to instill that into Villa early on, with clean sheets the priority. Any improvements in their attacking play will come further down the line.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: If Matt Doherty regains his starting spot in the Spurs squad, I'll back him to grab an attacking return. If he sits, I'll still roll with whoever replaces him.
- Jamie Steed: If Ben Chilwell plays, I like his chances of creating something from a set piece, as he was on corner duty last weekend. The same goes for Kieran Trippier. Keep an eye out for a Tottenham defender to get on the scoresheet as well, given they are tied-first in set-piece goals scored, while Bournemouth has conceded the most goals from set plays.
- Euan Leith: Erling Haaland picked up an injury in Tuesday's game with Borussia Dortmund. As a result, it puts Harry Kane in the driver's seat for the most FPL points scored this weekend. The England frontman is on pace for the second 30-goal season of his career.
- Jamie Steed: I like Kevin de Bruyne to shine this week. Five of his nine assists this season have come in away games despite 75% of Manchester City's goals scored this season coming at home. More than half of City's away goals this season have come from a de Bruyne assist. I also like Son Heung-min this week for the set pieces chance of an assist, and he could do with getting on the scoresheet again soon.
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: It would be Harry Kane. I think my transfer will be Wilfried Zaha out for Bukayo Saka, but if I had another Free Transfer, it would be used to get Kane in the team.
- Jamie Steed: Ivan Toney, as he's at home where he's scored five of his eight goals this season, and Wolves look pretty awful right now. He scored in both games against Wolves last season, but with Haaland, Jesus, and Mitrovic as my front three, I'd struggle to accommodate him in the squad.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: It's Haaland... for now. If Pep Guardiola gives us bad news in the press conference, then it may be all hands on deck. I don't have Kevin De Bruyne, so maybe Ivan Toney can deliver the goods against a lifeless Wolves side.
- Jamie Steed: I'm going with de Bruyne this week. Manchester City doesn't score nearly as many goals away as they do at home, and while Haaland is always a great bet to score, de Bruyne could outscore him this weekend. I haven't got him in my squad, but Mo Salah would get the armband if he were. Salah has faced Leeds four times in the EPL, scoring six times. He has five goals and one assist in the two home games, so as bad as Liverpool are and how much better Leeds are defensively than in previous seasons, this weekend could be the one to repay Salah's fantasy managers.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Aston Villa continues their bounce back after the Stevie G sacking and grabs something versus Newcastle. And Southampton defeats Crystal Palace to turn up the heat on Patrick Viera's seat suddenly.
- Jamie Steed: I don't see many upset chances this weekend, but I think Leeds United and West Ham United at least keep things tight at Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively. I wouldn't be shocked if either picked up at least a point. Eberechi Eze will score, and Andreas Pereira will also get an assist in their games.
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!
