Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 17: Chip Strategy and Player Selection - Episode Hero Image

Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 17: Chip Strategy and Player Selection

Let's Talk FPL · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • Prioritizing players with confirmed starting roles, like Eze and Edouard for Crystal Palace, mitigates rotation risk under manager Glasner, ensuring consistent minutes despite potential fatigue or injuries.
  • Investing in defenders like Richards (Palace) or Keane (Everton) offers short-to-medium term value due to favorable upcoming fixtures, despite potential long-term competition or challenging away games.
  • While Anthony Gordon's penalty-taking and fixture run are appealing, his recent inconsistent minutes and potential for early substitutions suggest a sell might be prudent for teams with transfer flexibility.
  • Harry Wilson presents a stronger short-term option than Elliot Anderson due to recent form and more favorable upcoming fixtures, though his long-term sustainability remains debatable.
  • Rolling a transfer and maintaining a 4-4-2 formation allows for greater flexibility and more strategic moves in subsequent weeks, especially when facing difficult fixture runs or injury concerns.
  • The Bench Boost chip should be utilized in Gameweek 17 if the bench is reasonably strong, as delaying it to Gameweeks 18 or 19 may not offer significant advantages and consumes valuable time.
  • O'Riley is likely the superior Man City option over Akanji due to more secure short-to-medium term minutes, despite Akanji's differential appeal and potential for early substitutions.

Deep Dive

The Fantasy Premier League landscape heading into Gameweek 17 is defined by player availability and strategic transfer decisions, with a particular focus on managing squad depth and optimizing chip usage before the Christmas period. The key implication is that while individual player form and fixtures are important, the timing of strategic moves, especially the Bench Boost chip, has significant knock-on effects for future squad composition and flexibility.

Several key players are in doubt or returning from injury, creating immediate selection dilemmas. Liverpool's Szoboszlai is a fitness concern but likely to start if fit, though his four yellow cards present a risk of suspension. Gakpo is nearing a return but will miss Gameweek 17, potentially impacting the minutes of other Liverpool attackers. Arsenal's Ben White and Gabriel are out, with Gabriel's return timeline uncertain, making Eze a more reliable short-term pick for Arsenal coverage. Brighton's Welbeck is also a doubt, and with Arsenal away next, his transfer appeal is diminished. Brentford's Henderson and Thiago are also carrying slight doubts, though confidence remains high that Thiago will start and is a viable Bench Boost option. Crystal Palace's manager has disclosed his starting XI, indicating Eze and Edouard as potential short-term punts due to injuries and Afcon absences elsewhere. Everton's DCL is out for an extended period, impacting transfer options, while Manchester United's De Ligt and Maguire are unavailable.

These team news updates directly influence player selection and transfer strategies, particularly concerning the Bench Boost chip. The podcast strongly advocates for utilizing the Bench Boost in Gameweek 17 or 18, emphasizing that the opportunity to use it again after Gameweek 19 is limited, as a new set of chips becomes available. Delaying the Bench Boost to Gameweek 18 or 19 is only advisable if the bench significantly improves with minimal transfers, otherwise, the risk of not using the chip outweighs potential marginal gains. The analysis of potential transfers highlights that while players like Harry Wilson offer good short-term returns, the long-term sustainability and transfer efficiency must be considered, especially when compared to more stable, albeit less exciting, options. Ultimately, the strategic decision to roll a transfer, as the podcast host intends to do, is presented as a viable option when the team is otherwise well-positioned and the ideal move is unclear, preserving flexibility for future gameweeks.

Action Items

  • Audit team news for 3-5 key players (Szoboszlai, Gabriel, Welbeck, Henderson, Thiago) to assess injury status and potential impact on starting minutes.
  • Track player availability and minutes for 2-3 players with recent injury concerns (e.g., Mount, Cunha) to inform short-term transfer decisions.
  • Measure the correlation between player price and expected points for 5-10 midfielders to identify potential value differentials.
  • Analyze fixture difficulty for 3-5 teams (e.g., Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle) over the next 4-6 gameweeks to inform long-term transfer strategy.
  • Evaluate the benching risk for 3-5 players with a history of limited minutes (e.g., Gordon, Mount) to determine optimal squad construction.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"So basically, if he's fit, he will be in that 11 against Spurs in Gameweek 17. There is still some doubt there, obviously, because Slot hasn't said he's definitely available, so I probably wouldn't buy him this week. And also, he's on four yellow cards, so if he does start and picks up that fifth yellow, he'll then miss Wolves at home, which will be super frustrating."

The speaker, Andy, is discussing the availability of a player named Szoboszlai for an upcoming match. Andy explains that the player's participation depends on his fitness assessment and potential yellow card accumulation, which could lead to a suspension. Andy advises against purchasing the player this week due to these uncertainties.

"For Arsenal, Ben White is out. It doesn't sound as bad as maybe people first were saying. Arteta said he's evolving well. Let's hope we can have him in a few games, so maybe 19 or 20, possibly he could be back. I still think Timber will play the large majority of minutes, so I wouldn't really panic too much there, and if you've got Ben White, he's an easy sell."

Andy provides an update on Arsenal player Ben White's injury status, relaying manager Arteta's comments. Andy suggests that White's return might be in a few weeks and that another player, Timber, is expected to continue playing significant minutes. Andy concludes that Ben White is an easy player to transfer out of one's fantasy team.

"For Brentford, their press conference was on Thursday, and Keith Andrews said about Henderson and Thiago, 'I don't know yet. They've been with the medics today. We'll see how they are.' So he didn't say they were fine, didn't rule them out either."

Andy reports on the injury status of Brentford players Henderson and Thiago, quoting coach Keith Andrews. Andrews indicated uncertainty about their availability for the upcoming match, stating they were being assessed by medical staff. This suggests a potential doubt for these players.

"So, would you transfer in Keane or Richards as a cheap defender? I've said this quite a lot over the last couple of gameweeks, it really depends which weeks you need these players for because at a price of 5 million or below, they are quite benchable. So if you need someone this week, but not next week, that might change who you want to bring in."

Andy discusses the decision between two budget defenders, Keane and Richards, for fantasy football. Andy emphasizes that the best choice depends on the specific gameweek needs, as both players are considered "benchable" due to their low cost. This implies that their immediate availability for a particular match is the primary factor.

"So, is Anthony Gordon a sell? I want to say no, but I think the correct answer might be yes, and it feels horrible to say that because the fixtures coming up are really good. Like, Manchester United away in 18's not terrible, then it's Burnley away, Palace at home, Leeds at home, Wolves away. He's first-choice penalty taker, he's only 7.3 million, and okay, Chelsea at home this week's not great, but after that, it's quite good."

Andy analyzes whether Anthony Gordon is a player to sell in fantasy football, acknowledging the player's good upcoming fixtures and penalty-taking role. Despite these positives, Andy expresses a personal inclination to say "yes," indicating a conflict between the player's potential and current concerns. This suggests that despite favorable circumstances, there might be underlying issues making him a sell.

"So, would you still bench boost with Thiago? Simple answer is yes, because I am pretty confident that he will start. If you are less confident or do not want to take the risk, then obviously delay the bench boost, but it's worth pointing out you've only got three weeks to use it now: 17, 18, 19. That is it."

Andy advises on using the "bench boost" chip in fantasy football, specifically concerning the player Thiago. Andy expresses high confidence in Thiago starting, making it a recommended gameweek for the bench boost. Andy also highlights the limited remaining time to use this chip, emphasizing the urgency.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "Fantasy Football Hub" - Mentioned as a source for expected goals data.

Articles & Papers

  • "Fantasy Football Hub" - Mentioned as a source for expected goals data.

People

  • Andy - Host of the podcast.
  • Arteta - Manager of Arsenal.
  • Bayo - Player mentioned as a forward option.
  • Ben White - Player for Arsenal.
  • Bradley - Player for Liverpool.
  • Branthwaite - Player mentioned in relation to Keane's potential return.
  • Cherki - Player mentioned as an option.
  • Cole - Guest, proprietor of Unexpected Points newsletter.
  • Cunha - Player mentioned as a comparison for Mount.
  • Doku - Player for Manchester City.
  • Edouard - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Eze - Player mentioned as an option for Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
  • Fimpon - Player for Liverpool.
  • Foden - Player for Manchester City.
  • Gakpo - Player for Liverpool.
  • Glasner - Manager of Crystal Palace.
  • Gomez - Player for Liverpool.
  • Gordon - Player for Newcastle.
  • Gvardiol - Player for Manchester City.
  • Haaland - Player for Manchester City.
  • Hall - Player mentioned in relation to Jarell Hall.
  • Henderson - Player for Brentford.
  • Hetherington - Mentioned in relation to Brighton.
  • Hughes - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Jellison - Player for Everton.
  • Kamara - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Keane - Player mentioned as a defender option.
  • Laquire - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Le Fée - Player mentioned as a rotation piece for Sunderland.
  • Liverpool - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Maguire - Player for Manchester United.
  • Mason Mount - Player for Manchester United.
  • Mateta - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Mitchell - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Moyes - Manager of Everton.
  • Munoz - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • O'Reilly - Player mentioned as an option.
  • Palace - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Rodon - Player for Crystal Palace.
  • Saka - Player for Arsenal.
  • Salah - Player for Liverpool.
  • Saliba - Player for Arsenal.
  • Sunderland - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Szoboszlai - Player for Liverpool.
  • Thiago - Player for Brentford.
  • Timber - Player for Arsenal.
  • Van Dijk - Player for Liverpool.
  • Van Heck - Player mentioned as a defender option.
  • Van Den Berg - Player for Liverpool.
  • Welbeck - Player for Brighton.
  • West Ham - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Wilson - Player mentioned as a forward option.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Arsenal - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Brentford - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Brighton - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Burnley - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Bournemouth - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Chelsea - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Crystal Palace - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Everton - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Fantasy Football Hub - Source for statistical data.
  • Fulham - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Leeds - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Liverpool - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Manchester City - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Manchester United - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Newcastle - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • PFF - Data source for player grading.
  • Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Data source for player grading.
  • Sunderland - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • Spurs - Team mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Premier League - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Carabao Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Football Association - Governing body mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The English Football League - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Scottish Premiership - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Championship - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The National League - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's Super League - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's Championship - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's National League - League mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's League Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Trophy - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Vase - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • The Women's FA Cup - Competition mentioned in relation to player news.
  • **The Women's League Cup

---
Handpicked links, AI-assisted summaries. Human judgment, machine efficiency.
This content is a personally curated review and synopsis derived from the original podcast episode.