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FPL Gameweek 16 preview, predictions, tips, and picks for Fantasy Premier League lineups. RotoBaller's EPL fantasy football Gameweek 16 preview for 2023/24.
Welcome to Gameweek 16, 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.
Fifteen gameweeks down, 23 to go. Gameweek 15 ended on Thursday night, but Gameweek 16 starts on Saturday morning. There's no rest for the wicked in Fantasy Premier League. The press conference information will be limited, but consider rotation if you are using any free transfers for Gameweek 16.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 16 deadline is 6:00 AM ET on Saturday, December 9, when Crystal Palace and Liverpool kick off an action-packed football weekend. 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 16 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 16!
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 16?
- Euan Leith: Man City travels to Luton after a four-game winless streak in the Premier League. Not only do the Citizens pummel the Hatters, but they don't let in a goal. John Stones and Rodri return to the light blue side and shut down any Luton hopes of a Cinderella Sunday afternoon.
- Jamie Steed: Wolves just kept their first clean sheet at home and now face a Nottingham Forest side that’s failed to score in back-to-back games. Forest have also failed to score in four of their last five away games, and there’s no shortage of tension with manager Steve Cooper on the hot seat. It’s not ideal for them, and Wolves blanking Forest seems probable.
- Tom Bellucco: Strangely, Wolves is again the only squad on my Clean Sheet Radar. No matter how poor Burnley looked, I can't target the same team to go scoreless once again. I can't trust Man U to keep it clean, even at home against Bournemouth. Luton should have some renewed confidence at home against City. So please give me the red-hot Jose Sa and a strong Wolverhampton defense to keep Forest off the board.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan: Kostas Tsimikas received a whole game of rest on Wednesday night against Sheffield United and felt like a lock to start the lunchtime contest against Crystal Palace. The Eagles have conceded 42 chances down their right flank, and it's an open invitation for the Greek defender to whip in cross after cross.
- Jamie: It’s hard to look beyond Trent Alexander-Arnold. His fourth goal involvement in three games on Wednesday solidified him as the in-form defender in FPL. Don’t sleep on Luton’s Alfie Doughty. The left-back got a brace of assists from corners against Arsenal, and although Manchester City isn’t an ideal opponent, they’ve been leaking goals lately. Alexander-Arnold (5.07) and Kieran Trippier (4.59) are the only defenders with more shot-creating actions per 90 minutes than Doughty (4.36).
- Tom: We have to go back to Kieran Trippier traveling to Spurs. He always appears in the biggest matches, and playing at Tottenham has led to many high-paced matches of late. Tripps should have plenty of chances to create overlap chances from the right-back position, not to mention his corner and free-kick prowess.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: When Ivan Toney was suspended, Bryan Mbeumo stepped up. Now, Bryan Mbeumo is injured, and it's time for Yoane Wissa (8.2 percent) to lead Brentford's attack. A road contest versus Sheffield United is an easy transition for the Bees to handle in their first game with Mbeumo. Wissa will be the spear's tip and enter our FPL thoughts as another budget forward.
- Jamie: He didn’t let me down midweek, so I’m sticking with the Wolves forward Matheus Cunha (3.3 percent ). Hwang Hee-chan (8.6 percent) is another excellent option, and I wouldn’t quibble about starting them both. Nottingham Forest looks like a team going through the motions until they replace their manager, and Wolves should run out comfortable winners. Cunha has a goal involvement in his last four games, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he added another two this week.
- Tom: Scott McTominay (2.1 percent) has quietly been racking up all of the minutes he can handle for Man United, but he loudly crashed onto the scene on Wednesday with his two-goal performance. With Bournemouth on tap at Old Trafford, it's a perfect time to cheaply transfer him into lineups plagued by injuries. The Scottish international is in better form than ever.
We have some #FPL price risers for you... 📈
⬆️ Gordon - £6.1
⬆️ Joao Pedro - £5.4
⬆️ Palmer - £5.4
⬆️ McTominay - £4.9
⬆️ Mykolenko - £4.5Have you made the move for any of these assets? 👀 pic.twitter.com/SchxE3cG0w
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 8, 2023
Who is one player you want but can’t have for the Gameweek 16 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: It's time for Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to the mainstream FPL spotlight. I can't get to him in a single move, but he's certainly in my future transfer thoughts, with Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Son Heung-min set to miss gameweeks over the next month and a half.
- Jamie: The Bryan Mbeumo injury means I need to replace him. My original plan was to bring in Martin Dubravka and use the £0.5m I’d save to upgrade elsewhere. But I don’t want to take a minus to bring in a ‘keeper who has to face Tottenham this week. So, that plan will need to wait a week as I’m trying to ensure I have an entire squad at this time of the season with the hectic schedule and squad rotations.
- Tom: Bryan Mbuemo continued his impressive play at Brighton, scoring a goal in his 39 minutes before injuring his ankle. Though the matchup against Sheffield United is one I don't want to miss, I have to take the cautious route until we know more about his ankle injury. I'll be starting someone else in his place, at least for Gameweek 16.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan: If Erling Haaland doesn't smash against Luton, I'll officially be worried about Man City. I've been awful with my captaincy this season, so I fully expect a Haaland blank and three returns from Salah, but I can't turn away the Norwegian robot versus the league's worst defense.
- Jamie: I wouldn’t be averse to putting it on either Wolves duo. But, with six-goal involvements in five away games so far, Cole Palmer is top of the list for the captaincy this week. I’m not worried about the trip to Everton, and Palmer has proven he can provide a solid return regardless of the opposition.
- Tom: Let's get bold... This week, Alex Isak puts another double on his score sheet. We've already alluded to the tremendous offensive environment that Tottenham presents these days, so let's get a couple of out-swingers from Trippier to the feet of the Swede. Isak can do it with his feet, head, or any other body part you'd like, and he takes the penalties if the opportunity presents itself.
Top five most-captained players in Gameweek 15 😫
Did anyone get a haul from their #FPL captain? If so, show us! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wlpP3svxtH
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 7, 2023
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 16?
- Euan: Mohamed Salah outscored Erling Haaland while he bags his 200th goal for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Arsenal ends Villa's impressive home form and continues to lead the league as 2024 draws closer. Brighton keeps its first clean sheet of the season as it welcomes Burnley to the AMEX.
- Jamie: Villa’s 100% record at home is ended, but they still get a point against Arsenal. Despite having the support from the fans, Steve Cooper is sacked as manager of Nottingham Forest after a third consecutive defeat without scoring. And we have six goals scored by defenders this weekend, with two coming in the Sheffield United versus Brentford game.
- Tom: The top two teams in the table drop points as Crystal Palace mucks up an early game at Selhurst Park before Villa picks up another massive home win, hosting Arsenal a few days after defeating City 1-0. This table should continue to be crazy close as we enter the second half of the season!
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
