With Erling Haaland’s unexpected absence from Manchester City’s lineup against Luton, Fantasy Premier League managers found themselves scrambling to recall their vice-captain choices. Haaland’s apparent injury raises questions about whether to retain him in the squad or explore more budget-friendly alternatives.
As the season approaches its halfway point, strategic decisions become crucial for optimizing point accumulation and setting the stage for the second half. Here are five forwards who could make a significant impact in Gameweek 17, providing FPL managers with options to consider when making transfer decisions or contemplating the use of available wildcards:
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Dominic Solanke, priced at £6.4 million, is enjoying a stellar season with Bournemouth. Having already notched eight goals and one assist, he boasts impressive underlying statistics, including an expected goal (xG) of 8.2 and an expected assist (xA) of 0.87. As the talisman for his team, Solanke has played a pivotal role in their success.
Bournemouth’s upcoming fixture against newly promoted Luton presents a golden opportunity for Solanke and the Cherries. Luton has struggled defensively, conceding 32 goals (18th) and holding the unwanted title of the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) in the league at 34.5.
Andoni Iraola’s team is expected to be strong favorites in this encounter, making Solanke the player most likely to accumulate fantasy points. Solanke boasts the highest goal involvement (43%) among his teammates, indicating his crucial role in Bournemouth’s attacking endeavors.
The 26-year-old forward is also the designated penalty taker, ensuring additional scoring opportunities. Nailed to start and having played the second-most minutes (1425) among all attackers in the league, Solanke has been a consistent presence in the starting lineup, further solidifying his fantasy appeal.
Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Captains for FPL Gameweek 17
With a plum fixture against Luton on the horizon, Solanke is well-positioned to add to his impressive attacking returns tally, making him a compelling option for fantasy managers in Gameweek 17.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Gabriel Jesus, priced at £7.9 million, is showing promising signs for Arsenal. Having returned from injury, Jesus brings a differential element to the fantasy landscape and is poised to leverage his great form in Europe for success in the Premier League.
The Brazilian striker has been a consistent starter in Arsenal’s last four league games, showcasing his impact with a goal and assist in the recent 4-3 victory over Luton. Given a well-deserved rest for the midweek dead rubber Champions League game, Jesus is now gearing up for the upcoming Gameweek 17 fixture against Brighton.
Facing a Brighton side yet to secure a clean sheet in the league this season, Jesus presents a tantalizing prospect for FPL managers. His goal-scoring and playmaking abilities, coupled with Arsenal’s upcoming favorable fixtures, make him an appealing differential option.
With Jesus returning to full fitness and displaying good form, fantasy managers may find him to be an enticing addition to their squads. The Brazilian’s potential impact in the Premier League, backed by Arsenal’s favorable fixtures, adds to the allure of considering him for Gameweek 17 and beyond.
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
Julian Alvarez, with a price tag of £6.9 million, has been a standout performer this season, making substantial contributions with four goals and eight assists. His expected goal (xG) of 4.2 and expected assist (xA) of 4.0 place him as the third-highest-scoring forward in the fantasy football game.
In the upcoming Gameweek 17, Manchester City squares off against Crystal Palace, presenting a promising scenario for the reigning league champions. Crystal Palace faces potential challenges with the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone (£4.7m), who sustained an injury in the previous game week. Additionally, Tyrick Mitchell (£4.7m) is likely to be sidelined due to a hip injury.
Manchester City, leading the league in goals scored with 38 and boasting the third-best expected goals (xG) at 31.46, is anticipated to dominate the match at home against Crystal Palace. The favorable circumstances set the stage for a challenging night for Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
With City being the favorites to score 2.5 or more goals at an impressive 55%, and the potential injury concern surrounding Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez emerges as a pivotal player for fantasy managers. Alvarez has logged the most playing minutes among City attackers this season (1,319), and if Haaland is unavailable, Alvarez’s playing time is expected to receive a further boost.
Positioned to feature as the number nine, Alvarez is poised for enhanced goal-scoring opportunities, making him an attractive fantasy football option for Gameweek 17.
Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town)
Elijah Adebayo of Luton Town is a budget-friendly option in the forward position, priced at just £4.8 million. This makes him an economical choice for FPL managers, allowing them to allocate funds to other areas of their squads. With Erling Haaland sidelined due to injury, Adebayo becomes a viable and cost-effective replacement.
Despite Luton Town finding themselves near the bottom of the table, Adebayo has been quietly making an impact. He has found the back of the net in his last two outings, notably against formidable opponents in Arsenal and Manchester City. This recent run of form suggests that Adebayo is hitting his stride at a crucial juncture.
Looking ahead, Luton Town has upcoming fixtures against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Sheffield United in the next three weeks. Given Adebayo’s recent goal-scoring exploits and the relatively favorable fixtures, he could prove to be a differentiator in tightly contested gameweeks. Adebayo’s ability to contribute with goals makes him an intriguing budget option for FPL managers seeking an affordable yet potentially rewarding forward.
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Darwin Nunez, priced at £7.6 million for Liverpool, has been an impressive performer with 11 attacking returns despite making only 9 starts. His ability to deliver even when coming off the bench underscores his impact and goal-scoring prowess. Notably, he holds the second-highest expected Goal Involvement (xGI) among Liverpool players, following closely behind Salah.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that Darwin carries a rotation risk, meaning his playing time may not be guaranteed in every fixture. Despite his notable contributions, the depth and competition within the Liverpool squad could result in occasional bench appearances for Darwin.
As FPL managers consider including Darwin in their squads, it becomes essential to weigh the potential for attacking returns against the risk of rotation. Monitoring Liverpool’s team news and the manager’s decisions regarding the starting lineup will be crucial in determining the optimal times to deploy Darwin for maximum fantasy football impact.