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Game-week 16 was certainly frustrating; we had two fixtures postponed after our deadline due to Covid outbreaks. First Everton vs Manchester City was called off, then Tottenham vs Fulham. That was certainly bad news to those owning assets for those sides. Of course the main concern is player safety, and our thoughts are with those affected.
We understand the outbreaks are within the Man City and Fulham camps this time around. This means some players in game-week 17 will have had more of a break than some of the other players, so this could be a good time to capitalize, but the infected teams are at risk of missing again.
Here are our Fantrax picks for game-week 17:
Goalkeepers
Vicente Guaita - $7.63 - Sheffield United (H)
Eagles’ shot-stopper Guaita is a firm favorite this week, simply because of the opposition he faces. The Blades are in dismal form and find themselves rock bottom of the table still. They are struggling to score, with just one goal in their last three matches. Guaita saved a penalty last time out, so he should be full of confidence coming into this fixture.
Bernd Leno - $8.72 - West Brom (A)
Our other pick for this position is another goalkeeper who saved a penalty in recent times. Leno did well to keep out a Jorginho penalty in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea in game-week 15. He then went onto claim a clean sheet last time out in the win against Brighton. Arsenal faces a West Brom side that has scored just the once in the last three game-weeks.
Defenders
Patrick Van Aanholt - $6.03 - Sheffield United (H)
Van Aanholt completes a defensive double-up for the Eagles in our picks this week. As mentioned in the piece for Guaita, this fixture will give Van Aanholt a chance for a clean-sheet. In addition, Van Aanholt is attack-minded so he may have success further up the pitch. He was rested last time out, so he should be raring to go for this fixture.
Ben Mee - $8.43 - Fulham (H)
The Clarets captain stole the headlines in game-week 16, bagging the only goal of the game in a dramatic 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. The Clarets have tightened up at the back recently and now face strugglers from Fulham. Hopefully Mee now has a taste for goal and will continue to be a threat from set-pieces.
Yerry Mina - $12.26 - West Ham (H)
Everton was idled by another team’s Covid outbreak, so Yerry Mina should be fresh for this fixture. Mina has scored two goals so far this season and has four clean-sheets. West Ham has stuttered recently, so this game has the potential to provide opportunities at both ends of the pitch for the towering defender.
Midfielders
Eberechi Eze - $10.37 - Sheffield United (H)
Eze was handed a rest in the 1-1 draw with Leicester last game-week, so we’re expecting him to return to Palace’s line-up this round. He extends our Palace gang-up this week, the enticing fixture against the Blades offering the Eagles a chance to end their five match streak without a win.
Marcus Rashford - $14.66 - Aston Villa (H)
Rashford has really spun into life in recent times for United. Bruno Fernandes is no stranger to our player picks, but Rashford boasts four goals in as many games recently, which is hard to ignore. He’s significantly cheaper than Fernandes and offers great value, especially when he’s in this current mood.
Gabriel Martinelli - $1.20 - West Brom (A)
Martinelli is very much a budget and differential pick, but he’s a solid choice if you need to free up funds elsewhere. Since his return from a long-term injury, Martinelli has really injected life into a struggling Arsenal side. His energy, pace and desire in the last few games has reminded us of what a quality player he is and how he’s been missed. It should only be a matter of time till he starts returning the goals and assists.
Forwards
Jamie Vardy - $19.24 - Newcastle (A)
The Foxes Talisman was given a rest in game-week 16 until the 76th minute when he entered in search of an equaliser. He didn’t score, but hopefully his rest helped keep him fresh for this game-week. Vardy has one goal and three assists in his last three games.
Michail Antonio - $6.23 - Everton (A)
West Ham’s talisman is finally fit again after missing nine (!) full games. Antonio was a pivotal part of the Hammers’ success both last summer and early this season. He always looks a threat and will be a huge boast to the East Londoners as they take on a stuttering Everton side.
Chris Wood - $5.78 - Fulham (H)
The Burnley frontman may not have gotten on the scoresheet against Sheffield United, but he has another promising fixture in which he can be expected to deliver. The Clarets have been steadily improving, so they’ll be hoping to see off fellow strugglers Fulham. Wood is getting closer each game-week, so this may be the one where he nets again.
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[ Everton hosting West Ham on FRIDAY is our one early-kickoff fixture this game-week, so those two lineups should be confirmed in the countdown hour before our deadline. Come back to NMA to see those lineups and other late news (e.g. Covid and/or snow postponements!), and to discuss deadline tactics in NMA’s Pre_Deadline Chat! ]
What do you think of our selections this week? Are you going to diversify your team as much as possible? Please let us know your thoughts and join us in the comments!
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