In this article…
Well, that escalated quickly. For a second GW running, there was drama, goals, and red cards everywhere, but luckily we’re here to guide you through it all and decide those critical next moves. I’ve got you covered, so let’s discuss everything from GW16. This is the best place to find all the essential information you need to know, to continue your march towards top spot in that work league!
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⚔️ Gameweek 16 Review – 60 Points (47 Average)
Usually, it’s the midfield taking the lead, but now the forwards and defenders have contributed to adding points from all areas of my team, finally! Defence improved from GW16, but it could have been huge. At 90 mins Cucurella (5pts) was on for a monster haul of 15 points before he conceded and was subsequently sent off. Another sending-off in the same week too as Robertson (-3pts) was given his marching orders; 2 red cards in one week – the first time that has ever happened to me!
Luckily, Raya (6pts) was there to recover slightly with a clean sheet. My attacking players delivered again with Jackson, Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno all scoring 9 points, then Salah doing Salah things. This time only with an assist (5pts), but the man just does not blank! Elsewhere, Palmer (3pts) and Evanilson (2pts) blanked but are staying put, the same can’t be said for Konsa (1pt), Robertson and Buonanotte (1pt) who are blanking more often than not and at least one will leave my team for GW17. It could have been a monumental GW but overall, a wonderful week with a good rank rise.
📋 Gameweek 16 Transfer Recap
Each week so you know @FplVeteran is doing the demanding work for you, we revisit key decisions from last week’s review. This GW for the first time, we review my differentials. Under 15% ownership is normally difficult to predict returns from, but not this week! Returns from all but one of my 5 chosen few, including some mega hauls from the clinical Son and mega cheap £5.2m Amad Diallo.
| Out | Points |
| Son | 14 |
| Amad | 13 |
| Enzo | 5 |
| Solanke | 5 |
| Odegaard | 3 |
| Total | 40 |
✅ The Best 3 Transfers IN for Gameweek 17
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland – Man City (£14.9m, 38%)
Opportunity, Opportunity, Opportunity! At a time when I see Haaland again in the top two most transferred-out players this GW, I do indeed see much opportunity! As managers, after a while of our players blanking we kneejerk react after having lost patience, without considering the full picture. Now we know Haaland is super expensive and must return many points (in my opinion, 10 points per GW) but his upcoming fixtures and Man City’s need for goals and 3 points are crucial for the Citizens’ title chances.
Haaland hasn’t become a poor player overnight and Everton, Leicester, and West Ham (3 of the next 4 games) haven’t all of a sudden become poor fixtures not to attack. At 38%, I think this is the lowest I have seen Haaland this season and even myself, who over the season has been a staunch NO HAALAND advocate, can see the possible switch. Everton have failed to score in their last 4 away games, Leicester have conceded 8 goals in their last 8 and West Ham have only won once in their last 8 games – the reasons are adding up. If you already have him then keep and give serious thought to transferring him into your team, it could pay off well.
🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£13.4m, 63%)
I know this looks straightforward, but there are many who still don’t have it. Salah is on course to have his highest FPL points total ever in a season, and the Liverpool attacker just can’t stop returning. Liverpool aren’t halfway through the season yet but already Salah is on 156 points, only 55 points short of last year’s 2023/2024 tally of 211.
Only a staggering 2.39 points per GW of the remaining 23 games is required to match last season – I was so amazed at that stat, I had to recheck the maths. Even his highest season total of 303 is in danger of being broken as Liverpool charge towards the title. Further below in the captain’s choice, I will touch on the fact Salah just doesn’t blank and though often FPL managers are hesitant to say a player is essential, he is ESSENTIAL.
🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes – Man United (£8.4m, 14%)
Man United are back… Well, somewhat they are. Under the right manager and only a few games in, Man United are free-scoring and becoming more resilient, you don’t need much more evidence than a late comeback win against their rivals across Manchester to see Bruno is too good of a player not to start assisting, scoring goals and FPL points, and finally this season he has begun returning.
In addition, more often than not, he is top for bonus points and with a great run of games v Southampton and Wolves over the festive period and beyond, you can set and forget in your team. Bruno has barely missed a game over the years for United too, so that risk is also minimal and not really worth considering. Currently, at his rank and % owned, he is a huge rank booster asset to have and shortly many more will own, and get in on him fast. Alternatively, if you don’t have the funds, Amad Diallo at only £5.2m is an easy pivot.
❌ The Best 3 Transfers OUT for Gameweek 17
🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha – Wolves (£7.1m, 24%)
A tale of Jekyll and Hyde. With a goal and all 3 points bonus v Ipswich, it looks all rosy for Cunha, but not anymore. The FA have just charged him with misconduct following the final whistle after an altercation with a member of the Ipswich staff. That could and most probably should result in him missing the next 5 games through suspension.
As a current owner who has loved every one of his many points, it pains me to say that we should transfer him out, if he doesn’t play he can’t score points. Yes, if you want to bench him for those games, be my guest but with the quick run of upcoming games, take him out for now and think about it further down the line. FPL is often a reactive game; we see many players that pop up as a new option and keeping him will stop you from those choices. Trust me, take him out for now.
🇮🇪 Caoimhin Kelleher – Liverpool (£4.5m, 4%)
This one is short and sweet.
Allison is back.
Kelleher is the backup keeper and just does not get a look in when Allison is fit.
If you transferred him in, it’s time to transfer out.
A non-player who will plummet in price is just not a winning formula.
🏴 Andrew Robertson – Liverpool (£5.9m, 5%)
Well, this was a disaster. At the beginning of the season I had both Trent and Robertson, trying to be clever and cover both for their attacking returns and run of clean sheets. Owning him has been a whirlwind ride, 18 points in the first 3 GWs, to losing his place in the team and then finally being sent off. Every time I tell myself this is the GW he goes something pops up, but no more. This GW he will be transferred out and you should follow my advice.
0 attacking returns, minimal bonus points and all while at an expensive price of £5.9m, all point to punting him from your team. I think he again could lose his starting place, due to poor form and keeping fresh for Champions’ League games. Being Scottish I have a real soft spot for Robertson, well…had.
Top Tip – A Full playing squad. We often forget that outside circumstances can often affect our teams, so we have to be prepared. Over the years we have had many postponement’s due to many varied factors but this week it was because of the British weather. Even a manager such as myself who has been playing FPL for the last 20 years sometimes needs reminding not to forget this key rule. I only had 9 players scoring points which is not ideal for rank, so take heed and ensure you have at least 14 playing players. If you do, you will benefit greatly when ultimately it happens again.
🦸 Gameweek 17 Captaincy Selections
🏴 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£13.4m, 63%)
Anddddddd return to normality. Last GW was the first time in quite a while I had recommended a different captain than Haaland or Salah, but I have no option, it has returned. 4 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 v Tottenham looks set to be repeated, especially because Spurs are leaking goals constantly (10 goals in the last 5 games). Couple this with the fact Salah has only blanked twice in 15 games, it leaves you with the simple decision of giving him the armband. It really is that straightforward.
Alternative Captain Options
I am set on my Salah selection but there are differing options, though risky. Saka v Crystal Palace and Palmer v Everton are good but are slightly overrated, especially away from home. I personally like the Bruno v Bournemouth or Isak v Ipswich much better, even the outside Bowen v Brighton to me is more appealing. In truth though, if you don’t go with Salah in his current form, then they are all as risky as each other.
Top three for me this GW: Salah – Isak – Bruno
👁️ FPL Veteran’s Vision and Verdict
Currently, my team for the following GW looks great, but with 2 FT’s I have many ways to move. First thing is first though, I have to deal with Robertson, Cunha, Cucurella and Veltman. One wrong move and you’re slightly behind, so each transfer I will have to think through. As normal attacking wise I am set, it’s just the defenders that continue to frustrate.
The moves that I am planning to make are Cucurella and Robertson out for Saliba and Gabriel, I need some stability in my backline and the double arsenal defence ensures that. I am spoilt for captaincy choices this week, an important thing to have.
Conclusion
For my final GW17 team and football insights/analysis throughout the 2024-2025 season. Look out for my special articles and follow me on X @FplVeteran_ for daily fantasy football content.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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