After two quick succession rounds, most Premier League teams enjoyed a normal break as the action returned after a week. This season has been highly competitive, with multiple teams involved in battles for the title, European competition spots, and the dreaded relegation battle. Aston Villa has been the surprise element of this season, defeating the top two sides of last season in consecutive matches and currently sitting third in the table. Everton, on the other hand, has been impressive and has created some distance between them and the bottom three, despite their ten-point deduction. The biggest talking point of the recent rounds has been the injuries, which have impacted some teams more than others and are surely a key aspect for fantasy managers to consider as they test their strategic abilities in the game of KridaFans.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 16
Aston Villa defeated the league leaders Arsenal 1-0 to remain in the title race, currently in third place just two points behind the new leaders Liverpool. Liverpool won their match 2-1 against Crystal Palace. Manchester City returned to winning ways by beating Luton Town 2-1 after trailing at half-time. Bournemouth registered their first-ever win at Old Trafford as they defeated Manchester United 3-0.
Tottenham Hotspurs secured their first win in five games, beating Newcastle United 4-1, who have been hampered by injuries in recent weeks. Everton continued their fine form, beating Chelsea 2-0 to register their third consecutive win. Fulham scored 5 goals in the second consecutive match as they overcame West Ham United 5-0.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 17
With injuries hitting many teams hard in this busy December month, Managers are careful with resources at their disposal. Hence, before exploring potential game-changers for your fantasy team, it's essential to remain vigilant about any significant absences from the starting lineups. These exclusions can wield a considerable impact on your team's performance in the fantasy league, underscoring the necessity of staying well-informed and adaptable in the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy sports:
Notable Absences
Chelsea and Manchester United are both grappling with an injury crisis once again. The former will be without Reece James, Robert Sánchez, and Marc Cucurella, while the latter will be missing Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire in the upcoming matches. Manchester United will also miss Bruno Fernandes in the next match due to suspension, as will Newcastle United with Kieran Trippier, who is also suspended. Crystal Palace will also be without several players, with Sam Johnstone, Odsonne Edouard, and Jefferson Lerma injured, and Jordan Ayew suspended for the next match.
Forwards
a. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) scored the opening goal for Bournemouth in their historic 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The forward has now scored 8 goals this season (his best tally in Premier League) and is hungry for more as Bournemouth face Luton Town next.
b. Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) has either scored or assisted a goal in each of the Wolves' last 5 games. The former Atlético Madrid star was impressive again in the Wolves draw against Forest in the last match and remains crucial for their hope to finish in the top half of the table.
Tip: For 11.6 credits (647.8 points), Fulham’s Raúl Jiménez could prove to be a great gamble for fantasy managers. The forward seems to have rediscovered his previous Wolves form at Fulham this season and has scored goals in both of Fulham's last two matches.
Midfielders
a. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton) scored the opener for Everton in their impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea. The midfielder has often found himself in the forward line this season and has adapted well as suggested by his tally of six goals this season. As Everton looks to rise further in the league table, he remains one of their most consistent performers.
b. Declan Rice (Arsenal) has shown tremendous calmness on multiple occasions this season, as proved by his late winning goals against Manchester United and Luton Town, despite his huge price tag. The midfielder remains crucial for Arsenal as they look to bounce back from just their second defeat this season.
Tip: For 10.1 credits (942 points), Aston Villa’s John McGinn can prove to be a reliable choice for fantasy squads. The midfielder has often produced world-class performances this season for both his club and country as evident from his goal for Villa against Arsenal. He remains important for Villa to continue their contest for the title this season.
Defenders
a. Kyle Walker (Manchester City) has been consistent on the City’s otherwise changing defense line this season. The veteran defender who was linked to move out from City in the summer has shown that he still is one of the best right back in the world.
b. Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) has played all of Newcastle United’s 16 games this season showing his fitness and abilities as well. The defender would be eager to help his side navigate this hectic December month, with the team already struggling with multiple injuries across the pitch, by shoring up their defense.
Tip: For 6.5 credits (632.2 points), Chelsea’s Axel Disasi could be an interesting transfer for any fantasy squad. With multiple teammates injured, Disasi could prove to be the key difference maker for Chelsea as they face Sheffield United in the next match, which could prove to be a great opportunity for them to stabilize their season.
Goalkeepers
a. Alisson Becker (Liverpool) returned to Liverpool's team against Crystal Palace after missing a few games due to injury. The goalkeeper remains crucial for Liverpool as they face rival Manchester United in the next match.
b. Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) made important saves in Brighton's 1-1 draw against Burnley in the last match. The goalkeeper might not be the automatic number-one choice for Brighton this season but has been trusted by De Zerbi on multiple occasions to claim the spot from Jason Steele. As Brighton faces Arsenal in the next match, he would get an excellent opportunity to cement his place.
Tip: For 5.1 credits (704.4 points), Tottenham Hotspurs’s Guglielmo Vicario could prove to be a great transfer choice for fantasy managers. The Italian goalkeeper has shown glimpses of his abilities this season and would be crucial for Spurs to return to form as they face confident Everton next.
What Next?
Compete for a share of the 2.6M $KRIDA prize pool in the 2023-24 English Premier League Season on KridaFans. Last season's winner became $18k+ richer. Sign up for free and experience cutting-edge fantasy football on the Polygon network.
About KridaFans:
KridaFans is a pioneering fantasy soccer platform that rewards users based on their performance through a unique skill-based rarity of player cards, or NFTs. This innovative approach ensures a fair playing field and sets KridaFans apart in the industry.
Website | Twitter | Discord | Blog
