Gameweek 17 Player Picks

No time to rest as game week 17 takes us in to the final round of games before the holiday period.

Darren Randolph

Randolph gave us the clean sheet win combo midweek against Burnley. Hull city are a little livelier coming forward than Hull and West Ham do not look a back to back clean sheet side to me. Still at his price many of us will pick Randolph as our keeper this week.

Victor Valdes

Boro were given a lesson by pool in midweek but Swansea travel terribly. I can see the Boro focus on keeping a clean sheet being a problem for the Swans and Valdes price will have dropped after the Liverpool defeat.

Callum Chamber/Fabio

Same logic as Valdes and they are both nice prices. Fabio may lose his spot to George Friend but if not he is the better option of the duo.

Hugo Lloris

Hugo also gave us the clean sheet win combo midweek against Hull and if they can hold Hull you assume they also hold and beat Burnley.

Chris Brunt

Fantasy machine in FPL it’s a harder game for him against United. His set piece supply can always offer an assist and there is a chance of a clean sheet in there on top.

Dimitri Payet

Payet provided the phantoms without a goal or assist in gameweek 16. I see him doing the same in 17 but this time providing the goal/assist.

Eden Hazard

It was a big blow to all to hear Hazard was to miss the lip licking trip to Sunderland midweek but no fear he now faces equally as porous a defence in Palace. If like me you are paying retail in Fantarx you will want firm assurance from Conte that he is fully fit.

Etienne Capoue/Nordin Amrbat

I have missed all but one of his moments in 2016/17 but In FPL this week I think I may just take a gamble with him. He should get one or two chances and he can save me using a transfer.

I have been looking for a chance to try Amrbat for a couple weeks. For a current rice of £5.82 in Fantrax he has scored 17, 7 and 8 in his last three but has been a livewire and at the heart of most of the Watford breaks. He has the look of a player who can take advantage of Sunderland sloppy moments.

Adnan Januzaj

I will guess he starts again against Watford and with his career continuing to drift from wonder kid to wasted talent he needs to grow up soon. Home games suit him better and he is a great one week gamble option.

Adam Lallana

3 goals and 1 assist since coming back from injury, Lallana is in the form of his career under Klopp. While Coutinho /Firmino often gets the headlines Lallana seems to make much of them tick. His cool and calm approach should be the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the derby.

Charlie Adam

Adam survived up 9 more Fantrax points against the Saints where Stoke spent most of the game with 10 men. He faces Leicetsre next who like to sit deep and encourage teams onto them. Should set up chances for Adam to test the Leicester keeper a few times.

Jack Wilshere

Playing a sequence of games for the 1^st time in a long time Jack is enjoying his spell at Bournemouth. In game week 16 he finally added a fantasy score in Fantrax and if he can continue doing again he will be a great filler option.

James Milner

Merseyside derbies under the lights often bring penalties and James Milner doesn’t miss penalties. He is now too expensive for most in Fantrax but if you are looking to pick someone different with good potential return, Milner is an option.

KDB

Finally playing central again he had a great first half against Watford but is still searching for that goal. Tough opposition but playing at home he is hard to avoid.

Alexis Sanchez/Theo Walcott

Arsenal were poor at Everton but Man City’s defence plan is almost as made for the Gunners as it was for the Foxes in week 15. Sanchez is the consistent fantasy option but now very expensive in both formats. Should Arsenal play it right they should be able to play almost any ball over the top or through the middle for Theo Walcott to run just as Jamie Vardy did. Walcott lacks the ruthless finishing at times but surely gets at least a couple one on ones with Bravo.

Christian Eriksen/Del Alli/Son

There is no hotter midfield player right now than the Dane. Multiple goals and a few assists thrown in he faces Burnley which is a great chance to continue that form. Depending on your funds must in a game where he will at least return value.

Alli meanwhile has been all around the attacking moments and is due a goal. Son got a rest midweek and I think will start this one, he is maybe the under the radar selection we all miss.

Ross Barkley

Ross got the nod by Koemann in the win over Arsenal and provide an assist in his Fantrax 12pt score. With the opening spaces in front of the Liverpool defence he could prosper further. A big gamble but my gut says he scores if he starts.

Paul Pogba

Finally showed signs of his worth as he made one and scored one in the tougher than expected win at Palace. With WBA parking the bus it may take a pot shot from distance or a late run into the box to break them down, Pogba does both well.

Diego Costa

STILL no suspension and facing Palace. Hold if you have discount and consider even at retail in Fantarx (in FPL until his ban happens or extends to needing 10 yellows I would avoid).

Jermain Defoe

Watford have plenty of spirit and I think can win this game but they also give team’s chances. Defoe is one of the league’s best at taking those. Still a great price in FPL.

Divock Origi

5 goals in 5 games he is bang in form. While this could be the game that run ends (I have picked him up in FPL which no bloody doubt increases that chance) he is so cheap it’s worth the risk.

Harry Kane

Massive flop in week 16 and still not looking that sharp. A home tie with Burnely should at least offer chances and he is a very likely captain for most in FPL.

Romelu Lukaku

I cannot see a reds clean sheet and Lukaku is of course the most likely to punish them.

Stall