In last week’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) roundup, goals from Gabriel Jesus and Miguel Almiron were notable highlights in Arsenal and Newcastle’s home victories. Unfortunately, Jefferson Lerma faced a setback with a hamstring injury, and his return date remains uncertain. Leandro Trossard made only an eight-minute cameo appearance.
As FPL managers prepare for Gameweek 18, commencing earlier than usual due to the Thursday night matchup between Crystal Palace and Brighton, it’s crucial to note the earlier deadline at 6:30 pm BST on that evening. To assist managers in captaincy decisions, we have identified the top five players worth considering based on their current form and upcoming fixture lists.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, priced at £8.6 million, stands out as one of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League. With his recent goal against Brentford, he has propelled Villa to the second position, showcasing consistent performance with four goals and one assist in his last six games. Watkins’ ability to deliver reliable points makes him a valuable asset, especially given his second-tier forward pricing.
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Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures include matches against Sheffield United, currently at the bottom of the table, and fellow relegation strugglers Burnley, both hosted at Villa Park. Although a trip to face Manchester United is on the horizon, Villa’s prowess in exploiting defensive vulnerabilities, combined with their counter speed and incision, could pose a significant threat to the United back line.
With such favorable fixtures and Watkins’ impressive form, he emerges as a compelling option for Fantasy Premier League managers seeking a dynamic and reliable forward.
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)
Dejan Kulusevski, representing Spurs and priced at £7.1 million, has been making waves in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) with a couple of double-digit hauls in the last four game weeks. Despite gaining almost 100,000 new managers, the man in the mask remains a significant differential, boasting an ownership of under five percent.
A key factor contributing to Kulusevski’s appeal is his new role in the Spurs attack. With James Maddison sidelined due to injury, Kulusevski has assumed the creative mantle in Ange Postecoglou’s team, operating as a No. 10. Since Gameweek 12, the first match without Maddison, Kulusevski has created five big chances, a figure surpassed only by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
In the upcoming Gameweek 17 fixture against Everton, Kulusevski will be challenged to showcase his imaginative skills against a defense that has kept four consecutive clean sheets. However, considering Spurs’ favorable fixtures, including matches against Brighton (away), Bournemouth (home), Manchester United (away), and Brentford (home) in the lead-up to February, Kulusevski appears to be a promising long-term investment.
With a total of 77 points and a dynamic role in the team, Dejan Kulusevski presents an intriguing option for FPL managers seeking a differential with significant creative contributions in the midfield.
Andreas Pereira (Fulham)
Andreas Pereira, representing Fulham and priced at £5.3 million, emerges as a recommended Fantasy Premier League (FPL) pick for the upcoming Gameweek 17 fixture against Burnley. Following the backing of Alex Iwobi in the previous week, Pereira is chosen this time based on his recent impressive performances.
Similar to Iwobi, Pereira significantly contributed to Fulham’s back-to-back 5-0 victories against Nottingham Forest and West Ham, amassing 21 points across both games. Notably, all four of his attacking returns were assists, showcasing his creative prowess as a key asset.
Pereira’s role as a set-piece specialist is evident in the statistics, having taken 62 corners for Fulham this season, a remarkable 49 more than their second most frequent taker, Willian. Additionally, he has attempted 77 crosses, ranking eighth among midfielders in the league. Fulham’s upcoming opponents, Burnley, have struggled to defend deliveries into the box, conceding eight goals from set plays, which is joint-most in the league.
With a total of 61 points, Andreas Pereira presents a promising option for FPL managers seeking a midfielder with creative flair and set-piece potential, particularly in a favorable fixture against Burnley at home.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Cole Palmer, priced at £5.6 million, continues to make a significant impact for Chelsea in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL). In Gameweek 17, he produced an impressive performance, accumulating 14 points through a goal and an assist. Palmer’s excellent form has justified his increase in price by £0.6 million since the beginning of the season.
Over the last 30 days, Palmer has averaged 5.2 points per game, showcasing consistency even in fixtures where Chelsea failed to secure victories. With upcoming matches against Wolves, Crystal Palace, Luton, and Fulham, Palmer is set to enjoy a favorable run of games. His growing importance to Mauricio Pochettino’s attack is evident, as he frequently positions himself in high and central areas. Additionally, Palmer has assumed penalty-taking duties for Chelsea.
With his current price and remarkable contributions, Palmer remains a compelling choice for FPL managers, especially considering that only 21% of managers currently have him on their teams. As an influential and dynamic asset, Cole Palmer stands out as a valuable addition for managers seeking a midfielder with consistent point-scoring potential.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Son Heung-min, the midfielder for Spurs, is priced at £9.8 million in the Fantasy Premier League. He currently holds the third position out of 331 midfielders. Son is in excellent form with a form rating of 6.6 and averages 6.8 points per match, securing the second position among midfielders. In Gameweek 17, he earned 2 points.
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Son has accumulated a total of 115 points so far, with an impressive 16 bonus points. His ICT (Influence, Creativity, Threat) Index stands at 150.0, ranking him third among midfielders out of 331. Son is a popular choice among FPL managers, with a TSB% (Team Selected By Percentage) of 42.2%, placing him in the third position out of 331 midfielders.
With his consistent performances and high involvement in the game, Son Heung-min remains a key figure for FPL managers looking for a reliable midfielder.