The first Fantasy game week of 2021 offers a chance at redemption after a difficult game week 16.
The Fantasy Premier League season was thrown into further turmoil with the postponement of the Everton vs Man City and Fulham vs Tottenham games this week. Amidst the huge turnover of games and Covid-19 quarantining, Football Castle has put together the best differentials going into the Game week 17 deadline on New Year’s Day. Friday, 1st January 2021 at 04:00 PM (GMT)
Here’s a guide to manoeuvre the fixture postponement, as Game week 18 includes a double game week. The renewal of the wildcard chip further provides some respite, hence, plans must be put in place for game weeks 18 and 19.
A Gameweek to forget for #FPL captains, as not one of the top ten most-popular options scored…
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 31, 2020
Salah – 3️⃣
Kane – 0️⃣
Son – 0️⃣
Fernandes – 6️⃣
Vardy – 1️⃣
De Bruyne – 0️⃣
Calvert-Lewin – 0️⃣
Werner – 1️⃣
Aubameyang – 3️⃣
Mane – 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/nD9qC06xQe
Differentials
Nick Pope (£5.4m): The Goalkeeper is enjoying some improved form with Burnley as he kept Sheffield at bay last time out. Pope recorded 11 points in consecutive game weeks recently and would look to similar fortunes vs Fulham as one of the few keepers with a low-rank opponent in GW 17.
Andy Robertson (£7.3m): The left-back is the current highest-scoring defender in FPL and only Liverpool player who hasn’t missed a single minute in the league. Robertson offers solid points attacking and defensively and although he might concede goals against Southampton, his upcoming double game week is certainly worth the investment.
Bukayo Saka (£5.2m): The Arsenal youngster has been a major catalyst behind the Gunners’ consecutive wins since breaking the seven-game winless streak. Saka has scored once and provided two assists against Chelsea and Brighton and would be key to breaking down West Brom’s deep block. Additionally, he faces Crystal Palace and Newcastle in subsequent game weeks
The 19-year-old has registered 15 assists since the start of last season, the most for Arsenal. He was a reliable budget differential in my 2019/20 FPL team and is proving his worth as Arsenal’s biggest fantasy asset in recent weeks.
Patrick Bamford (£6.5m): The striker is a hot-shot this season at 48.6% ownership despite missing from the scorers in the five-goal fest against West Brom. Bamford supplied two assists to further emphasize his importance to Leeds’ cause and his status as a must-have in your attack.
At a bargain price of just £6.5m, the 27-year-old has blanked in only six of his 16 appearances and is likely to deliver against Tottenham as well as subsequent fixtures against Brighton and Southampton.
James Maddison (£7.2m): The England midfielder has recorded 25 points in his last four game weeks and should have had more owing to a disallowed goal against Spurs. Maddison is primed to produce against Newcastle where he scored a New Year’s Day screamer at St James’ Park 12 months ago. Karl Darlow might have impressively kept out Liverpool but away-day King, Jamie Vardy, and Maddison offer a different threat to the Magpies keeper.
Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m): The Dutchman is in red-hot form with five goals in his last four starts, one more than his previous Premier League total. El Ghazi has recorded 42 points from the last five game weeks as Aston Villa take on Manchester United in GW 17. Jack Grealish’s influence remains but he has blanked in four of the last five games, making El Ghazi a perfect alternative.
Marcus Rashford (£9.5m): The Man Utd man scored a last-minute winner against Wolves last time out. He is a huge differential given Bruno Fernandes’ form alongside United’s improved fortune in recent games. The England international has four goals in his last four starts and faces Aston Villa then Liverpool and Fulham in a double Game week.
Christian Pulisic (£8.2m): After a frustrating spell with injuries, Pulisic is hitting form in terms of performances as he has started Chelsea’s last four games. The American hit four shots against Aston Villa and next faces Man City who avoided a Covid crisis in postponing their last game. Three of City’s first choice backline – Kyle Walker, João Cancelo and goalkeeper Ederson – are part of the five players still in quarantine and this feels like the perfect time to get Pulisic in considering he also faces Fulham and Leicester thereafter.
Wishing you and yours a healthy, winning 2021.
Do you have any Fantasy Premier League GW17 questions ahead of the deadline on New Year’s Day?
Let us know in the Comments section below, Looking forward to what you have to say!
