Staff Picks: Best EPL Fantasy Fixture, Week 17

Simon - Stoke City v. Crystal Palace

Whilst there is no doubt of the must watch fixture of the week, Arsenal v Manchester City could end up being anything from the hopeful goal's galore to a tight game where neither side wish to lose. Looking then from the view of Fantasy points I'm going with Stoke v Crystal Palace. Both sides are in great form and in comfortable league positions. With Stoke under Mark Hughes playing a much more appealing style to the eye, this looks a potential end to end game to me and the options in both attacks appeal.

Stoke have been a powerful home side for a few season now and I doubt their fans would have foreseen a front line including such names as Bojan Krkic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay. The first touch, movement and cleaver passing of the trio along with the growing influence of Austrian Marko Arnautovic will cause any defence problems. Shaqiri is well overdue his first Stokie goal but has been suffering with on and off injury hamstring problems, so of the four I would be careful with his selection.

For the Eagles, the playmaking of Yohan Cabaye combined with the pace and drive of Jason Puncheon, Wilfred Zaha and star man Yannick Bolasie has shown themselves extremely suit to playing on the counter away from home. I'd also add a note to direct you to the growing sharpness and effectiveness of Connor Wickham. A few assists and SOT's in recent games have outscored his value with comfort. If you find yourself short of money this week he is a great value filler option as a goal is coming for him at some point.

Charles - Chelsea v. Sunderland

All eyes will be on the Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge against the Black Cats of Sunderland. Are Chelsea and Jose Mourinho ever going to right the ship. Or will Big Sam Allardyce deliver another dagger into the hearts of the Blue faithful?

Last season, of course, Chelsea players were fantasy gold as the Blue cruised to the league championship with room to spare. The parts remained in place, but the effort has not matched the expectation. Can Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Branislav Ivanovic, Thiobaud Courtois and the others get a grip on this match and their season? Sunderland might be a good place to start.

Yann M'vila Has been one of the hottest players in the Prem, the past few weeks and the speedy Frenchman has been just the type of player to give Chelsea difficulty. Unlike Chelsea, there are a lot of bargains to be had from the Black Cats roster. Check out De'Andre Yedlin, for example. In the four matches that he has gone 90', he's delivered 29 points for the bargain price of only 2.408. This leaves a bit of room for more expensive additions.

Chris - Everton v. Leicester City

Sure there are some solid options out there, but this one's right there staring us all in the face, I'm not looking past it and getting cute elsewhere. It's the second highest scoring home team hosting the highest scoring away team, so hopes have to be sky high for a frenetic, back-and-forth, barn-burning beauty at Goodison Park.

You've got an abundance of fantasy stars warranting selection: Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu, Arouna Kone and Romelu Lukaku of the Toffees and Marc Albrighton, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy for the Foxes. For the most part you'll probably want to avoid the keepers and defenders, but offensive threats Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman could deliver as well.

Zach - Chelsea v. Sunderland

Humiliation after humiliation have summed up Mourinho's Chelsea side this season. How could things possibly get worse after suffering their ninth loss of what has been a torrid campaign? It is perplexing to me that a team which so easily strolled to the Premier League title last season could find themselves in a such a predicament in 2015/2016.

You might ask how I could possibly chose Chelsea, yet again, as the best fantasy fixture? On paper this is just simply the best fixture given each sides history and players. But as we have seen, neither of those aspects have helped Chelsea this season. I keep saying the turnaround is coming, but now that seems well and truly far off. It is too farfetched to think that all of Chelsea's expensively assembled squad are having an "off" year and Jose Mourinho must be having some major unseen impact on the players. Unless he can turn things around against Sunderland at the Bridge, Jose out by Xmas is looking more and more likely.

Roberto - Arsenal v. Manchester City

Both sides were able to get all three points in Week 16 and also qualification to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, but the vital part will be how much they can build momentum and add pressure to the team leading the league in Leicester City. Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil have been in excellent form and will need that to continue against the Citizens, who look like they'll be able to count on Sergio Aguero in addition to the exceptional midfield of Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and David Silva. With top spot in the league on the line, expect this to be a fantastic match for attacking points.

Jason - Everton v. Leicester City

Boy will this be a fun one to watch. Two teams that play open football. Two teams that love to counter-attack. Two teams with in-form strikers, technically-gifted midfielders, and wingers who can run and run.

When the Toffees and the Foxes get together on Saturday, we will be treated to some very entertaining football. We also will be treated to some terrific fantasy options. Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and Marc Albrighton will be vital for the visitors, as they have been all season, and with Everton not being a team to park the bus, all three should reward their owners with points.

On the other side, the hosts will roll out numerous fantasy options of their own. Romelu Lukaku continues to produce, and with Ross Barkley and Gerard Deuolfeu playing well in support there should be plenty of chances for them to score.

Keep an eye on the goalkeeper situation for Everton. There are a lot of people who want to see Joel Robles replace Tim Howard in goal after their recent struggles in defense. Howard being replaced, sadly for American fans, will likely lead to an increased confidence in the Everton defense. If Howard starts, this could become a shootout.