12 Dec, 2024

Game Week 16: Sam FPL’s Key Questions

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What to do with AVL: Konsa/Digne

Last game week, Konsa rewarded his owners with a precious clean sheet and 2 bonus points. On the other hand, Digne was benched for Maatsen due to the quick turnaround.

Although Aston Villa kept a clean sheet last game week, I don’t expect them to get another consecutive one in game week 16. The Villains play away from home, and they tend to concede in away games. They’re ranked as the 3rd worst team for shots conceded from set pieces, with 16 shots, and I expect Wood and Nottingham Forest centre-backs to provide a huge threat from set pieces and score.

If you own any of them, you should comfortably bench him. Selling is not a bad option either. They shouldn’t be able to keep a CS in their next 4 games.

Watkins

The English forward failed to return last game week after being benched for Duran, who scored Aston Villa’s winning goal over Southampton. Many FPL managers captained Olli and were disappointed by his 1 point. He’s arguably one of the best forwards in the league and had a great impact on the game after his entry, missing a big chance and creating another one.

He also got a knock in the Champions League, but even if he passes fit for GW16, I believe his minutes aren’t secured, and Duran poses a huge threat to his minutes. Unfortunately, Emery couldn’t settle on a formation to include both. He likes to rotate and have good players on the bench to use when needed. Personally, I’d recommend selling him to Isak, who is more nailed and has better form and fixtures.

Best 5.0m midfielder?

When I talk about a 5.0m midfielder, I mean a bench enabler or something like the 8th attacker. You shouldn’t expect him to return every game. You’ll need to start him in some easy games and will bench him in many other weeks. For this price tag, we have 3 picks: Rogers, Enzo, and Amad.

Enzo’s new advanced position has provided returns in the last 4 games—3 goals and 3 assists during GW11-15. Meanwhile, Amad has decent form under Amorim despite playing wide as an RWB. He has registered 5 assists since GW11. Rogers, on the other hand, has only 1 goal since GW11, and his fixtures turn bad.

Enzo and Rogers have better expected minutes than Amad, while Enzo and Amad have better fixtures than Rogers. If you have Rogers or Amad, you can bench them this game week if the rest of your team permits. But if you need to buy one for the next few game weeks, the following is my order of preference:
1- Enzo
2- Amad
3- Rogers

R. Lewis replacements

Lewis is going to be suspended for next game week after his red card vs. Crystal Palace in game week 15. In addition, he was benched twice in the last 6 game weeks, and we will likely see more benchings during the festive period. If you’re in the market and looking for a new defender, I think I have some good options according to fixture swings in the upcoming few game weeks:

• Game week 16: It’s going to be Arsenal defenders. Saliba is a good pick after his back-to-back headers, and Timber offers advanced attacking threat. If Gabriel is fit for GW17, I’d recommend benching him in GW16 to get him back for his great schedule.
• Game week 17: Fulham has a decent run of fixtures after the Liverpool game, and their stats are decent as well. I highly recommend Robinson for that run.
• Game week 18: It’s an unpopular opinion, but let’s mention it: Liverpool may fail to keep a clean sheet in their next 2 games vs. Fulham and Tottenham. They may end up getting back-to-back CS, but the odds and projections suggest that both Spurs and Fulham can score. So, getting your Liverpool defender can be done ultimately in GW18.
• Game week 19: Crystal Palace is going to have an amazing run of fixtures by GW19. They have a poor record for CS this season, but it doesn’t matter for a player like Munoz, who is almost a winger this season. He is the top defender for xG, has 2 goals and 2 assists, and should benefit from his advanced positions against these leaky teams by registering more goals and assists.

Captain Salah or Palmer?

Salah reaching 150 points in just 14 GWs is huge. During this period, he has 10 double-digit scores, including his 18-point haul in game week 14 with a brace, an assist, and 3 bonus points. Salah was rested after the Merseyside derby was called off, started on Wednesday night, and scored from the penalty spot.

Meanwhile, Palmer registered another 18-point score in game week 15 with his 2 penalties and an assist for Enzo. He doesn’t feature in Chelsea’s European participations and was rested for midweek. Both will play in front of their home crowds and have good home records. Salah faces Fulham, the 3rd-best team for xGC per game this season and the 2nd-top team for xGC in away appearances, while Palmer faces Brentford, which is the 3rd-worst team for xGC in away matches.

Brentford is almost the 3rd-best attacking team according to xG per game at home and an average team defensively at the Gtech Community Stadium. However, when they travel away from home, they are one of the worst teams both offensively and defensively.

Another point against Salah captaincy: Mac Allister is going to be suspended vs. Fulham, and this may affect the Reds’ midfield and team creativity. Personally, I’m slightly leaning towards Palmer, but it’s not locked yet. I’ll post my final decision in my Saturday tips and team selection video.

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By: SamFPL

Last Updated: 12/12