{"id":313122,"date":"2018-12-12T23:36:55","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T04:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=313122"},"modified":"2018-12-12T23:36:55","modified_gmt":"2018-12-13T04:36:55","slug":"preview-fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/12\/12\/preview-fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

The busy festive period continues with Gameweek 17. Let’s look ahead to what’s in store for Fantasy<\/a> Premier League<\/a> managers this week.<\/p>\n

Preview: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 17<\/h1>\n

Rotations and injuries are affecting most well-laid plans. The top 6 teams all will be playing after European fixtures so Premier League managers may spring some surprises with their team selections.<\/p>\n

Captaincy Picks<\/h2>\n

The standout\u00a0FPL fixture this week is Tottenham Hotspurs<\/a> vs Burnley<\/a>. Harry Kane<\/a> is the obvious pick for the armband. He got a rest against Leicester and it is unlikely Spurs will rest their talisman again unless absolutely necessary. Obviously, people will think about the Cardiff game earlier in the season when Kane was the most popular captain and only got 1 point but you have to make him your captain if you own him. He also seems to be creating some chances for others these days so an assist is also not out of the question.<\/p>\n

Manchester City<\/a> at home always tend to do well. They are facing Everton this week who conceded 2 to Watford last week and are hardly watertight at the back. However, they played really well against Liverpool and could prove to be quite difficult for the Citizens who are having somewhat of an injury crisis. Sergio Aguero<\/a> and Kevin De Bruyne<\/a> are back in training and could make the squad this week so it is easing somewhat. With Sterling and Sane playing the full 90 minutes against Hoffenheim, there is a good chance of Mahrez starting.\u00a0Raheem Sterling<\/a>\u00a0seems to be the top captaincy pick from City.<\/p>\n

Other Top Contenders<\/h3>\n

Christian Eriksen<\/a>, Dele Alli<\/a>, and Lucas Moura<\/a> could all do well against Burnley. With Trippier out, Eriksen will be on set-piece duties. A Spurs defender could also do well.<\/p>\n

Arsenal<\/a> are traveling to take on Southampton<\/a> this week. This could be a good match for the deadly duo of\u00a0Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang<\/a> and Alexandre Lacazette<\/a>. The Saints played well against Spurs last week and under the new coach, this will be their first home game. So, it may not be plain sailing for the Gunners as the Southampton players will try their best to impress their new manager, Ralph Hasenh\u00fcttl.<\/p>\n

Eden Hazard<\/a> had a great game against City last week. The mercurial Belgian sometimes struggles away from home and this will be a tricky trip to Brighton for Chelsea<\/a>. However, if Hazard turns it on, it could be curtains for the dogged seagulls.<\/p>\n

Mohamed Salah<\/a> scored a brilliant and somewhat unexpected hattrick to punish those who decided to sell him last week. He has one of the nastiest fixtures in the English League calendar to tackle this week against Manchester United<\/a>. This is traditionally a scrappy game with very few goals and Liverpool players might be a bit tired after that<\/em> intense Napoli game. They also have injury concerns with Matip already ruled out and Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> and James Milners<\/a> doubts. Joe Gomez<\/a> is also out with a long term\u00a0injury so Klopp has some key decisions to make this week.<\/p>\n

Differentials to Consider<\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, Mahrez is likely to start this week. He could be a great differential.<\/p>\n

Aleksandar Mitrovic<\/a> at home to West Ham could be a very interesting pick this week. From the same match,\u00a0Felipe Anderson<\/a> and Robert Snodgrass<\/a> are also worth considering. This London derby could have a fair few goals in it.<\/p>\n

Roberto Pereyra<\/a> at home to Cardiff could be a good option as well. He was in great form earlier and with a goal against Everton last week, could he be back to that early form?<\/p>\n

Top Picks<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Harry Kane<\/a> (12.5)<\/li>\n
  2. Raheem Sterling<\/a> (11.6)<\/li>\n
  3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang<\/a> (11.5)<\/li>\n
  4. Christian Eriksen<\/a> (9.3) Or Lucas Moura<\/a> (7.0)<\/li>\n
  5. Mohamed Salah<\/a> (13.0)<\/li>\n
  6. Eden Hazard<\/a> (10.9)<\/li>\n
  7. Aleksandar Mitrovic<\/a> (6.7)<\/li>\n
  8. Roberto Pereyra<\/a> (6.2)<\/li>\n
  9. Riyad Mahrez<\/a> (8.5)<\/li>\n
  10. Felipe Anderson<\/a> (7.3)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Main image credit:<\/p>\n

    Embed from Getty Images<\/a>