Gameweek 17 presents a crucial period for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, as multiple deadlines loom in quick succession with three fixtures spread over nine days. With key incidents from GW16—such as Rayan Aït-Nouri’s red card and Marc Cucurella’s price rise despite his own red card—FPL managers need to make sharp decisions.
Moreover, popular captaincy picks failed to deliver significant returns last week, making the captaincy choices trickier than ever. In this BUY-HOLD-SELL analysis for GW17, we highlight two players to buy, two to hold, and two to sell to help maximize your team’s performance during this hectic period.
FPL Gameweek 17 Transfer Tips: Two Players to BUY
Alex Iwobi (£5.7m) – MID, Fulham – 5.2% TSB
Alex Iwobi has emerged as a top-performing budget midfielder (under £8.0m) since Gameweek 9. His consistent returns across multiple metrics make him a standout option:
- 2nd for Goals Scored among budget midfielders.
- 2nd for FPL Points and Bonus Points System (BPS).
- 3rd for Bonus Points.
Fulham’s upcoming fixtures further bolster Iwobi’s appeal, starting with a very favorable home game against bottom-of-the-table Southampton. In his current form, Iwobi is integral to Fulham’s attacking output, and with ownership still under 6%, he provides a perfect differential option to capitalize on.
Why You Should Buy Iwobi:
- Excellent fixture against Southampton (H).
- Budget-friendly price at £5.7m.
- Consistent attacking returns and bonus points.
Jamie Vardy (£5.6m) – FWD, Leicester – 9.4% TSB
Jamie Vardy has turned his fortunes around under new management, thriving under Van Nistelrooy’s system. Leicester faces a fragile Wolves defense in GW17, and the statistics speak for themselves:
- Wolves rank 20th for Goals Conceded and Clean Sheets.
- They are also 17th or worse for Shots Conceded, xGC, and Shots on Target Conceded.
Vardy’s performances since Van Nistelrooy’s appointment have been stellar:
- 1st for FPL Points among forwards.
- 1st for Big Chances Created and Goals Scored.
- 2nd for xGI (Expected Goal Involvement).
At just £5.6m and below 10% ownership, Vardy offers a fantastic one-week punt for FPL managers targeting differential picks.
Why You Should Buy Vardy:
- Wolves’ poor defensive form.
- Proven goal-scoring form under new management.
- Budget-friendly forward option with huge upside.
FPL Gameweek 17 Transfer Tips: Two Players to HOLD
Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) – FWD, Wolves – 23.8% TSB
Despite being one of the top three most-sold forwards this week, Matheus Cunha remains a hold-worthy player for GW17. While he faces uncertainty due to misconduct charges, he is still eligible to play against Leicester—one of the league’s worst defensive teams:
- Leicester ranks 20th for Shots in Box and Set Pieces Conceded.
- They also rank 19th or lower for xGC, Clean Sheets, and Big Chances Conceded.
Cunha delivered a strong 9-point performance in GW16 and remains a key attacking outlet for Wolves. Leicester’s vulnerabilities present an excellent opportunity for Cunha to deliver once again.
Why You Should Hold Cunha:
- Excellent fixture against a leaky Leicester defense.
- Wolves’ primary attacking threat.
- Still eligible to play despite FA charges.
Cole Palmer (£11.2m) – MID, Chelsea – 63.6% TSB
Over 14,000 managers have already transferred out Cole Palmer following his blank in GW16. However, it’s important to note that this was Palmer’s first blank in four matches, and his underlying stats remain solid:
- xGI (Expected Goal Involvement) of 0.54 highlights his potential.
- Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures are favorable, offering Palmer a chance to bounce back.
Given his high ownership and proven ability to deliver, managers should remain patient. A good fixture run could see Palmer rewarding those who stick with him.
Why You Should Hold Palmer:
- Promising underlying stats.
- Favorable upcoming fixtures.
- Consistent role in Chelsea’s attack.
FPL Gameweek 17 Transfer Tips: Two Players to SELL
Rayan Aït-Nouri (£4.8m) – DEF, Wolves – 10.4% TSB
Aït-Nouri’s FPL stock has plummeted following his red card in GW16, leading to suspension for Gameweek 17. Beyond that, Wolves’ defensive fixtures take a significant downturn:
- Starting GW18, Wolves face tougher opposition.
- Aït-Nouri remains on four yellow cards, increasing the risk of further suspensions.
At this stage, it’s wise to sell Aït-Nouri and reinvest in a defender offering more stability and attacking potential.
Why You Should Sell Aït-Nouri:
- Suspended for GW17.
- Tougher fixtures ahead for Wolves.
- Disciplinary concerns with four yellow cards.
Nick Pope (£5.0m) – GKP, Newcastle – 5.2% TSB
Nick Pope’s injury during Newcastle’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford has ruled him out for an extended period. Pope sustained ligament damage and is expected to miss at least seven matches, including key clashes against top opponents like Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed the news:
“He’s likely to be out for around a month. It’s unfortunate timing given the number of games.”
With so many fixtures over the Christmas period, holding onto Pope is no longer viable. Moving him out for a playing goalkeeper is essential.
Why You Should Sell Pope:
- Out for at least a month with ligament damage.
- Misses crucial fixtures during a busy period.
- Newcastle’s defense less reliable without him.
Conclusion
With multiple deadlines approaching quickly, Gameweek 17 is all about strategic planning. Investing in form players like Iwobi and Vardy, holding faith in Cunha and Palmer, and selling underperforming or unavailable players like Aït-Nouri and Pope can make a significant difference in your team’s performance.
Plan carefully, choose your captain wisely, and stay ahead of the curve in this action-packed FPL period!
FAQs
1. What happened to Gianluigi Donnarumma during the match?
Donnarumma suffered a facial injury after colliding with Wilfried Singo, leading to a dramatic moment in PSG’s match.
