Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Midfielders Picks for FPL Gameweek 17
As the Fantasy Premier League season approaches its midpoint, managers still have time to strategize and identify players who can contribute significantly to their point tally. Here are five midfielders we believe could make a positive impact in Gameweek 17, offering managers valuable insights for optimizing their squads in the second half of the season.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool midfielder, has been in fine form with three goals in the last six Gameweeks. In that period, he ranks third for shots in the box (SiB) among midfielders, trailing only McTominay and Garnacho. Salah is also leading in ‘big chances’ (six) and is second for ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) with 3.07. His creativity is noteworthy, ranking second for big chances created (BC) with four and topping the charts for assists with three.
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The Fix Heatmaps feature illustrates Salah’s home form, where he has averaged an impressive 9.7 FPL points per game this season. Liverpool has been prolific, scoring 13 goals in the last six Gameweeks, only behind Man. City and Fulham. Despite Manchester United’s solid defensive record with just five goals conceded and three clean sheets in the same period, they have been fortunate, ranking 19th in shots conceded and 17th in ‘Expected Goals Conceded’ (xGC) with 11.01.
Son Heung-Min (Spurs)
Son Heung-Min of Spurs emerged as the top-scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) asset last week with an impressive 17 points. Over the last six Gameweeks, Son has found the back of the net twice and stands out among Spurs players in various statistics. He leads in goals (two) and Expected Goals (xG) with 1.8, while ranking second in Shots on Target (SoT) with five and assists with three.
Tottenham Hotspur has scored 11 goals in the last six Gameweeks, placing them sixth in the league. They are ranked sixth for shots (86) and third for Shots on Target (SoT) with 38. Son’s upcoming opponents, Nottingham Forest, have conceded 13 goals in the same period, securing just one clean sheet. Only Spurs and Chelsea have conceded more goals. Forest is ranked 11th for shots conceded (76) and ninth for Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) with 8.6.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Cole Palmer has emerged as Chelsea’s primary goal threat in recent weeks, netting three goals in the last six Gameweeks, a tally joint-top among midfielders. His 12 shots during this period stand out, with only Bowen and Foden registering more Shots on Target (SoT) than his seven. Palmer is ranked sixth for Expected Goals (xG) with 2.40, showcasing his consistent goal-scoring potential.
Chelsea has been in excellent attacking form, scoring 13 goals in the last six Gameweeks, ranking third in the league. They lead in both big chances (BC) with 20 and xG with 12.65. On the defensive end, Sheffield United, Chelsea’s upcoming opponents, have conceded 12 goals in the same period, securing just one clean sheet. They are positioned 16th for shots conceded (88) and 14th for Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) with 9.58.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton)
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s role at Everton witnessed a notable shift under Sean Dyche’s managerial tenure, especially after a puzzling exclusion during Frank Lampard’s brief stint. The Malian midfielder, previously a bit-part player, has now become a central figure in Dyche’s transformation at Goodison Park.
Dyche’s impressive achievement includes converting Doucoure into a goalscoring No. 10. The 30-year-old has been Everton’s leading goalscorer under Dyche, netting 11 goals in 31 Premier League appearances this calendar year, with six coming in the current season.
Doucoure’s increased attacking threat is evident in the statistics. This season, he ranks among the top midfielders in shots on target, surpassed only by Mo Salah, Son, Jarrod Bowen, Bryan Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes. His numbers exceed those of players like Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, and Kaoru Mitoma.
Priced at £5.5 million, Doucoure has accumulated 75 points, and Everton faces Burnley in Gameweek 17.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
Amidst Fulham’s impressive back-to-back 5-0 victories, Alex Iwobi has emerged as a noteworthy fantasy football option. Often overshadowed by players from the “Big Six” clubs, Fulham’s recent performances have gone somewhat underappreciated in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Although Fulham’s home form has been more prominent than their away form, the prospect of facing a depleted Newcastle side at St James’ Park in Gameweek 17 could favor Marco Silva’s team. Raul Jimenez, priced at £5.2 million, has attracted attention for his goal-scoring return, but Alex Iwobi, even less owned, has been posting impressive numbers.
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Known for his box-to-box capabilities at Everton, Iwobi has transitioned to a right-wing role at Fulham and has thrived in that position, contributing two goals and an assist in the past two game weeks.
Priced at £5.3 million, Iwobi has accumulated 45 points, and Fulham faces Newcastle in Gameweek 17.