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Welcome to Gameweek 17, 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 World Cup is over, and we can turn our attention back to Fantasy Premier League and the best part of the calendar. The schedule is always packed around the holiday season, but it's even more exciting after no EPL action for five weeks. We'll have seven games on Monday, two on Tuesday, and Leeds-Man City on Wednesday. The gameweek deadlines will be thick and fast for the next few weeks, so check out our Roundtables to keep your FPL season on the right track.
The Gameweek 17 deadline is 6 am Eastern on Monday, December 26. 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 17
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 17!
Well, that was a hectic few weeks in Qatar. Did any FPL asset catch your eye on the world's biggest stage?
- Euan Leith: Hakim Ziyech was masterful during Morocco's Cinderella-like run through the World Cup. Meanwhile, his Chelsea teammate Christian Pulisic showed he could put a country on his back with a few excellent performances for the USA. Hopefully, this can propel them to more minutes for the Stamford Bridge side and provide FPL managers with a couple more midfield options (not that we are exactly short of them now).
- Jamie Steed: Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford impressed for England, while Julián Álvarez flashed his potential for Argentina. Álvarez is far from guaranteed regular playing time for Manchester City, so he isn't someone I'm rostering right now. The same can be said for Richarlison and Christian Pulisic, who impressed for Brazil and USA, respectively, but have both been bit part players for their clubs.
On the other end of the spectrum, did any player not at the World Cup creep into your FPL drafts?
- Euan Leith: As soon as the Gameweek 16 deadline passed, I got Newcastle's Miguel Almiron into my lineup. He was spectacular before the season hit pause and outscored Mohamed Salah in the first half of the FPL season.
- Jamie Steed: The injury to Gabriel Jesus has opened up an opportunity for Eddie Nketiah for Arsenal while Ivan Toney has been bounced in and out of my team, as I suspect he'll have a chip on his shoulder after missing out on the England squad. Toney will likely face a lengthy suspension soon, so preparing for the end of the season without him is also something to consider.
There were several double gameweeks announced during the break. Which team's double most interests you?
- Euan Leith: Chelsea getting a double gameweek in 19 was interesting, but not enough to get an attacker in my FPL squad. Man City potentially grabbing two DGWs in 20 and 23 will be spectacular. It could be the first chance of the season to play the Triple Captain chip on a certain Erling Haaland.
- Jamie Steed: None of the additional fixtures stand out enough that I'm targeting them. We're likely to see additional rotation with the congested fixture list, so I'm not confident in any of the extra games to take hits for the sake of an extra game or two. Especially with more still to come later in the season, with the FA Cup starting for the EPL teams soon.
- Euan Leith: Honestly, until the Carabao Cup game on Thursday night I was going without both. However, KDB looked stunning and irresistible. I'm taking money out of my defense to shove him into my squad. Liverpool's laundry list of injuries is concerning, and it's hard to justify Salah when KDB is £0.2 million cheaper.
- Jamie Steed: I'm rocking with de Bruyne. Given Belgium's disastrous World Cup campaign, I'm not worried about fatigue or any lingering issues. In fact, after his comments and the fallout from their first-round exit, he may even be extra motivated with a greater spotlight on him than normal.
Of the £8 million midfielders, who is most likely to be in your lineup before the second half of the FPL season kicks off?
- Euan Leith: As I mentioned, sacrifices must be made to fit in KDB. So I'm without an £8 million midfielder right now. Still, I'll go with Bukayo Saka if I change my mind. Gabriel Jesus' injury is concerning, but that propels Saka into a more talismanic role for the London side. Next would be James Maddison for me as the best player for an on-the-rise Leicester.
- Jamie Steed: Saka has been a mainstay in my team throughout the season and will remain that way. Jarrod Bowen being on less than 3% of teams makes him appealing as a pivot, as he's poised to have a bit of a breakout after a disappointing first part of the season.
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 17?
- Euan Leith: Manchester United will be without several key defensive pieces, but they'll keep Nottingham Forest off the scoresheet. The promoted side has scored one goal away from home all year, and it'll give David De Gea a clean sheet in the first game after the restart.
- Jamie Steed: I'm jumping on Everton's defense this week. I'm sure Wolves will be better than they have been under new manager Julen Lopetegui, but I'm still happy to stack Everton defenders and Jordan Pickford this weekend. Manchester United at home to Nottingham Forest also has plenty of appeal.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: Andy Robertson is a trendy differential among FPL teams. He looked solid during the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City. However, with Liverpool's lack of attacking depth, Jurgen Klopp will need Robbo and Trent Alexander-Arnold to supplement the offense.
- Jamie Steed: Despite Leicester City's defensive improvements, Kieran Trippier on set-piece duties for Newcastle United is always a good play. Bournemouth leads the league in goals conceded from set-pieces (ten), and if Reece James is fit and playing, his delivery can be fruitful. Thiago Silva has always been a threat from corners, so he makes a fine play too.
- Euan Leith: Erling Haaland looked like a man possessed on Thursday night. If he brings that sort of intensity to Wednesday's game versus Leeds, another hat trick is in the making.
- Jamie Steed: Kevin de Bruyne is my main pick as Leeds United away should provide opportunities for goals. Erling Haaland's home record is considerably better than away games,s, so de Bruyne gets the nod. Harry Kane scoring a penalty at Brentford is almost a guarantee after his World Cup heartbreak, as that's how soccer works.
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: The unlimited transfers will shake up my FPL squad significantly. I'm going big at the top with Darwin Nunez, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane. I'm also bringing in the in-form Marcus Rashford as Man United moves on from the Cristiano Ronaldo experience.
- Jamie Steed: Everyone is in play with unlimited transfers, but as I'm rostering Haaland, I only have space for two more forwards, with Nketiah, Toney, Callum Wilson, and Aleksandar Mitrović all appealing. Toney is on the outside looking in for me, with a suspension likely forthcoming, but Tottenham hasn't looked good defensively for some time. As mentioned, he should be extra motivated as long as he's on the pitch (which he should be for the next ~ six weeks at least).
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: There's only one man for the job: Erling Haaland.
- Jamie Steed: I'm going with Saka as he's been in great form for the club and counter,y while West Ham's form before the break wasn't good. Gabriel Martinelli is my other main option, as I'm confident one of them finds then net this weekend.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Seven teams pick up road wins to kick off the restart: Spurs, Fulham, Newcastle, Brighton, Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Man City.
- Jamie Steed: It's hard to know what to expect following the break, but I fancy Brentford to take at least a point in a high-scoring game with Tottenham,m while Bournemouth might upset a stuttering Chelsea team on Tuesday.
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!