Buy or Avoid: FPL Gameweek 17

We were all recently blessed with 5 FTs to make up for all our players going to AFCON.

Two issues here:

But if you’re not in the same desolate situation as I am, here are some players you should, or most definitely should not, buy for FPL Gameweek 17.

Next 4: tot, WOL, LEE, ful
Form: 13, 13, 1, 1

Alexander Isak is like a kid who saved up to buy one particular toy, only for it to be out of stock once he finally has enough.

Nick Woltemade’s done well for Newcastle. For Sunderland too this past weekend. Yoane Wissa just scored in the Carabao Cup. And Hugo Ekitike looks like one of the best strikers in the world.

If Hugo Ekitike’s minutes are secure, he’s a fantastic option. While I don’t expect him to take penalties (Szoboszlai, anyone?), he’d be the starting CF for one of the best attacks in the league, and he’s already proved that he can return consistently.

That said, with Isak lurking in the background, we can’t exactly be sure of Ekitike’s minutes. So I’d make this move only if you have 3+ FTs, or a robust enough squad that you can manage a benching down the line.

Next 4: WHU, nfo, sun, CHE
Form: 6, 12, 0, 4

Lionel Messi’s been reborn. And he’s French. Well, that’s just unfortunate.

Rayan Cherki is a seriously good footballer who appears to have forced his way into Pep Guardiola’s first-choice XI. While I don’t expect him to get 90s (perhaps 70-ish minutes instead), City’s next three fixtures are incredible, and Cherki gives you pretty good value in midfield.

If you don’t have the money to buy Foden, I’d happily get Cherki. If I had to choose between the two, I still maintain that Foden is better, but hey, an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.82 is utterly insane, and I’d love to buy Cherki myself.

Note: If you already have Haaland, Foden, and O'Reilly, we wouldn’t recommend getting him in. If you’re without O'Reilly, he’s a good option.

Next 4: MUN, che, ars, NFO
Form: 15, 2, 6, 3

While Morgan’s name is certainly an affirmative, those fixtures most definitely aren’t. Plus, an npxGI of 0.20 is honestly just really bad.

So while Rogers has the minutes going for him, there isn’t really much else to suggest he’s worth buying, which makes him a rather easy avoid.

Next 4: BUR, bre, che, ARS
Form: 6, 3, 4, 1

Semenyo’s the greatest pump-and-dump scheme in FPL history. He returned 10 times in 8 gameweeks, became more overpriced than… literally everything these days, and then forgets how to kick a football. Oh, is this where I mention he’s one yellow card away from being suspended?

That said, Semenyo has a really good fixture this week. He’s facing Burnley at home, has good underlying data, and loves to shoot. He’s also Bournemouth’s second-choice penalty taker and gets about 15 minutes as the first choice when Kluivert is subbed off.

I think he’s a fantastic one-week punt if you haven’t spent all your AFCON FTs yet.

Next 4: NFO, whu, cry, LIV
Form: 16, 8, 8, 10

Fulham are just so… bland. Apologies, I’m not sure how that’s relevant, but still so very true.

Wilson, though, looks to have nailed down a spot in Fulham’s starting XI. He should see an xMins bump with his competition leaving for AFCON, and he’s in possibly the best form of any Premier League player out there.

And while his underlying data isn’t great, Fulham’s next three fixtures are great, and I can definitely see a few returns in there. Wilson’s cheap, too, so he should be an easy buy for most teams.

I think I prefer a few alternatives, but I don’t mind Harry Wilson at all.

Next 4: WHU, nfo, sun, CHE
Form: 6, 6, 0, 4

Nico O’Reilly is the barrier between Cherki and me. And between the opponent and City’s goal. Neat.

Let’s say Haaland and Foden are the best City assets. Spots in midfield are valuable, considering the other options, you know, your Brunos, Sakas, Szoboszlais. But there aren’t that many defenders who make you go, “wow.”

And then you have O’Reilly. 6’4”, an npxGI of 0.25/90 while averaging nearly 8 DEFCONs/90, playing for one of the best defences in the league. How’s that for a Hinge profile?

Considering he’s also nailed on, I think O’Reilly is a very easy buy. The upside is huuuge.