Introduction
This season FPLbet will have a weekly series of forward look articles designed to try and improve your points and profits. Whether you are an avid FPL player or whether you like to dabble in Football Index, Footstock, Sportstack or traditional betting, this article should be your first port of call before picking your teams or placing any bets for the week's Premier League fixtures.
All data is from the last six gameweeks and the information in this article is correct as of 31 December 2020.
The forward look - GW17:
| Everton | v | West Ham |
| 52% | Win % | 26% |
| 36% | Clean sheet % | 23% |
| Calvert-Lewin (6) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Balbuena (3) |
| Iwobi (2) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Coufal (2) |
| Calvert-Lewin (25.9) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Soucek (28.1) |
| 9 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 12 |
| 5 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 15 |
| Man United | v | Aston Villa |
| 59% | Win % | 23% |
| 31% | Clean sheet % | 15% |
| Rashford (6) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | El Ghazi (6) |
| Fernandes (4) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Grealish (3) |
| Fernandes (38.5) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | El Ghazi (44.8) |
| 22 (most) | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 14 |
| 15 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 3 (second fewest) |
| Tottenham | v | Leeds United |
| 57% | Win % | 25% |
| 28% | Clean sheet % | 14% |
| Kane (2) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Bamford (5) |
| Son (2) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Rodrigo (2) |
| Lloris (25.9) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Bamford (34.1) |
| 7 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 13 |
| 4 (third fewest) | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 22 (most) |
| Crystal Palace | v | Sheffield United |
| 52% | Win % | 25% |
| 44% | Clean sheet % | 36% |
| Benteke (2) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | McGoldrick (3) |
| Eze (1) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Brewster (1) |
| Guatia (27.9) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Ramsdale (25.0) |
| 7 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 4 (joint fewest) |
| 17 (joint second most) | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 17 (joint second most) |
| Brighton | v | Wolves |
| 38% | Win % | 36% |
| 36% | Clean sheet % | 36% |
| Dunk (3) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Silva (2) |
| Jahanbakhsh (2) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Neto (2) |
| Dunk (33.9) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Neto (26.5) |
| 12 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 4 (joint fewest) |
| 10 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 10 |
| West Brom | v | Arsenal |
| 17% | Win % | 63% |
| 17% | Clean sheet % | 42% |
| Grant (2) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Lacazette (3) |
| Pereira (1) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Bellerin (1) |
| Johnstone (26.5) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Tierney (29.9) |
| 4 (joint fewest) | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 9 |
| 13 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 7 |
| Burnley | v | Fulham |
| 44% | Win % | 30% |
| 40% | Clean sheet % | 31% |
| Wood (7) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Cavaleiro (4) |
| Westwood (3) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Robinson (2) |
| Wood (33.0) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Lookman (26.0) |
| 8 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 10 |
| 13 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 13 |
| Newcastle | v | Leicester |
| 18% | Win % | 62% |
| 18% | Clean sheet % | 44% |
| Wilson (2) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Vardy (6) |
| Wilson (1) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Justin (2) |
| Darlow (23.3) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Justin (32.1) |
| 5 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 10 |
| 15 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 9 |
| Chelsea | v | Man City |
| 32% | Win % | 46% |
| 25% | Clean sheet % | 27% |
| Giroud (5) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Sterling (6) |
| Mount (4) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | De Bryune (6) |
| Pulisic (28.4) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Sterling, De Bryune (39.4) |
| 20 (third most) | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 21 (second most) |
| 7 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 2 (fewest) |
| Southampton | v | Liverpool |
| 20% | Win % | 62% |
| 15% | Clean sheet % | 36% |
| Adams (4) | Most big chances (last 6 GWs) | Salah (5) |
| Adams (3) | Most big chances created (last 6 GWs) | Salah (2) |
| McCarthy (30.9) | xFPL (xG, xA and xCS combined) | Salah (39.4) |
| 11 | Team big chances (last 6 GWs) | 15 |
| 7 | Big chances conceded (last 6 GWs) | 13 |
Braveheart's GW16 review:
In the last article, I unveiled my desired chip strategy. Those plans might be scuppered by the latest coronavirus developments with Everton v City and Spurs v Fulham being postponed in the last gameweek and now requiring rescheduling. That being said, I'm pleased with how GW16 went for my team. Despite only fielding 10 players, I ended up with 64 points and a big green arrow up to 310k. The Leeds treble-up in particular was a highlight with Dallas (12), Raphinha (8) and Bamford (8) returning well for my team. This was complimented by returns from McCarthy (9), Robertson (9) and Fernandes (6). Other than the rotation and postponements, Captain Salah blanking was a disappointment. Though it could have been worse as many had no captains this week due to the postponements. So I'm very pleased with how the week went.
Braveheart's GW17 reveal:
At the time of writing, I plan on free-hitting in GW18 and so I have 1 FT to use this week. James and Maddison did not feature last gameweek due to injury concerns so I will be reading the press conference updates from Lampard and Rodgers with particular interest. Chilwell/Zouma and Barnes are potential replacements under consideration with an eye on DGW19. I'm delaying doing anything until as close to the Friday evening deadline as possible (in case for fixture rescheduling news, injury updates and/or coronavirus developments). So please keep an eye on my Twitter on Friday!
My "bus team" (no transfers yet made) for GW17 is as follows:
- McCarthy v Liverpool (h)
- Robertson v Southampton (a)
- Justin v Newcastle (a)
- Coufal v Everton (a)
- Salah v Southampton (a)
- Fernandes (vice captain) v Aston Villa (h)
- Maddison v Newcastle (a)
- Soucek v Everton (a)
- Kane (captain) v Leeds (h)
- Adams v Liverpool (h)
- Bamford v Tottenham (a)
- Bench: Johnstone, Raphinha, Dallas, James
The team is not set in stone until the deadline so please follow me at @FPLBraveheart on Twitter for any updates. All the best and I hope everyone reading gets green arrows in GW17. But, most importantly, stay safe out there (or, more accurately, at home)!
Also, I hope everyone reading has a happy, healthy, safe and successful 2021!
