Squawka
·19 December 2024
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Yahoo sportsSquawka
·19 December 2024
FPL managers are at the most congested phase of the season, with four gameweek deadlines coming up in the next fortnight and no let up in the schedule.
So, who are the top 10 FPL picks by predicted points ahead of FPL Gameweek 17 – 20?
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Chelsea attackers remain key targets, especially since they’ve scored 14 goals in the last four gameweeks, with five consecutive wins in the league. Striker Nicolas Jackson has contributed three goals and one assist in this time, although he is walking the suspension tightrope and is just one yellow card away from a one-match ban. Chelsea have three away games in the next four.
Bryan Mbeumo continues to silence his critics, becoming the fourth player to break the 100-point barrier this season, and the only one of the non-premium players to do so. He’s now scored ten goals in this campaign and should be considered fixture-proof. The Bees fixtures do turn, with Nottingham Forest and Arsenal the next visitors to Brentford, plus a trip to Southampton in Gameweek 20.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is one of six strikers to make this top 10, with the Eagles’ recent 3-1 win away at Brighton providing them with a significant confidence boost — they are now unbeaten in their last five, with Mateta contributing a goal and an assist in this time. Hosting Arsenal in Gameweek 17 isn’t the most attractive entry point, but then Palace face Bournemouth and Southampton.
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood remains one of the most consistent goalscorers in the league this season and is one of just five players to reach double digits for goals. His side sit comfortably in the top four, with Wood producing two goals in the last four gameweeks, plus he’s on penalties. Forest do have three away trips in their next four, with Everton and Wolves in Gameweek 19 and 20 attractive games.
Wolves striker Matheus Cunha is facing FA charges following some ugly scenes at the end of the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich last weekend, but it’s hoped that any suspension won’t come into effect until after their trip to Leicester City in Gameweek 17. Cunha has 11 goal involvements for the season, with his side set for a new manager bounce following the departure of Gary O’Neill.
Alexander Isak remains an enticing fantasy pick, bagging three goals and two assists in the last four gameweeks. Isak has the routes to points and is on penalties. A trip to Ipswich Town in Gameweek 17 feels like a promising entry point, before the Magpies’ schedule becomes tougher, with three away games in this four gameweek period — including at Man Utd and Spurs.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka remains their most consistent fantasy performer by some margin, with 16 goal involvements for the campaign. The Gunners have some attractive fixtures, including Ipswich Town visiting the Emirates in Gameweek 18. Saka sits top for big chances created in the last four gameweeks with five, with his set-piece deliveries becoming an important source of goals for his side in this most recent period.
GW17-20 fixtures: Aston Villa (A), Everton (H), Leicester (A), West Ham (H)
Predicted points: 29.4
Erling Haaland’s ownership has dropped below 40% for the first time this season, with just one goal and one assist for the two-time Golden Boot winner in the last four gameweeks. However, Manchester City’s schedule over the festive period is attractive, facing Everton, Leicester City and West Ham through Gameweek 18 – 20. If Manchester City find their form, Haaland could do serious damage in this spell.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is a great buy for Christmas, facing Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in the next four gameweeks. He’s a must-own when you consider the Blues’ balance of form and fixtures, with Palmer contributing four goals and two assists in the last four gameweeks. Palmer is hungry for goals, sitting top for both shots (19) and big chances (6) over this most recent period.
Mohamed Salah deservedly takes top spot for predicted points over this festive period, where you can captain him in any game. He has 10 double-digit hauls and just two blanks for the season, averaging over 10 points per game. He hasn’t blanked in eight consecutive games and should avoid rotation after the midweek off in Liverpool’s EFL Cup quarter-final win against Southampton.