Predicting the outcome of each weekend is tough. So many factors go into fantasy lineup decisions, and hopefully this article helps to make some of those toss-ups easier. Below we will preview some of the marquee matchups of the weekend, and highlight some Fantrax players that you should look to pick up and stream as a one week punt.
Fantrax Preview Gameweek 15
Here we outline our Fantasy EPL Preview and how to plan ahead this GW. This is a midweek gameweek sandwiched between two gameweeks. Games will take place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Before we dive into previews, it is important to note that this week you need to have "late game" backups. There could be very surprising rotations, with big name, undroppable players taking a breather. I would look to either keep a spot on your bench empty or have 1-2 streamers from Spurs vs. West Ham or Everton vs. Newcastle - two Thursday games. Any player that could be considered a "streamer" or even slightly higher that is not starting is easily droppable as we enter the festive period.
Matchup Previews
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Prospects: The headlining match of the midweek slot is a tussle between two inconsistent top 6 teams that could both use a much needed confidence boost. United currently sit 5 points ahead of Chelsea, but both teams have looked like they can lose in any given week. It remains to be seen how Ten Hag and Pochettino choose to set up their teams, but my assumption is that Pochettino will try to attack the shaky United back line. Chelsea have scored three or more goals in 3 of their last 4 games. With their entire attack fit and Nkunku likely available off the bench, I would expect Chelsea to put at least 1 if not more past the Red Devils. United, on the other hand, have seemingly forgotten how to attack. The likes of Rashford, Hojlund, and Antony are in very poor form and surely need a big performance to get their season back on track. Without Eriksen or Mount, the midfield is lacking serious creativty and heavily reliant on Bruno. Shaw has been great since his return from injury but asking for your left-back to be your best attacker is never ideal. In terms of fantasy, you surely have to start all your attackers in what could be a very open matchup. When it comes to defenders the usuals - Dalot, Shaw, Maguire, Reece, and Colwill - are all worth a start. But I would look elsewhere for better options instead of streaming the others.
Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest
Prospects: This is probably your best matchup for streamers in what will be an unpredictable encounter. Both teams have had their moments but have largely struggled. I expect this to be a very close game. Fulham have shown in the last few games they can score, but I expect Forest to try and play for a 1-0 victory especially without Awoyini. Starting defenders from either team could pay off if this ends 0-0 or 1-0, which is how I see this playing out. Both teams will be eager to pull fruther away from the relegation zone but also know a draw wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. This should be a very boring encounter with both teams playing it safe.
Spurs vs. West Ham
Prospects: Spurs are coming off an exciting draw with the reigning champions, and will look to carry that momentum forward to this matchup with West Ham. They will welcome back their best defender in Romero, and Richarlison will also be an option to play more than a few minutes. The Spurs midfield situation is still a complete mess, and I would avoid streaming any of those mids aside from Lo Celso. The return of Romero makes streaming their defenders a lot more tempting, especially Ben Davies, who could partner Romero at CB. I am definitely starting all of my Spurs attackers against a mediocre West Ham defence. On the flip side, I am avoiding all West Ham defenders outside of maybe Coufal. But I am happy to start the likes of Bowen, Kudus, JWP, Paqueta, and Soucek. Be on the lookout for a surprise Benrahma start, who would be a high upside MID5 streamer. I see Spurs taking this one but don't be surprised if West Ham put up a fight in what could be a 2-1 encounter.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester City
Prospects: City will be missing key players in Rodri and Doku for this matchup against Villa. The loss of Rodri makes City defenders very unappealing against the 2nd highest scoring team in the league. Villa will know they can get goals past City in similar fashion to Spurs, it just remains to be seen if they can score more than City. I would expect this to be a shootout type game that could end 4-3 for either side. I would be very surprised to see either side keep a clean sheet and would look to avoid starting any defenders unless my hand was forced. All attackers are must starts here. The likes of Kovacic/Nunes should be considered lower end streamers as they just don't get involved enough in attacks to provide much upside.
Punts for the Week
Matt Doherty (DEF, WOL)
Prospects: An early game on Tuesday against a bottom table opposition makes Doherty a great punt. There is a chance he is brought in at LB or RB given their busy schedule. Doherty has showed this year he still knows how to ghost, and should be considered a solid DEF2 if he starts.
Kenny Tete (DEF, FUL)
Prospects: As predicted above Fulham vs. Forest could be a very low scoring encounter. Tete has been a good Fantrax asset in the past and is only 46% rostered. Look to stream him where you can.
Antony (FWD, MUN)
Prospects: There is a good chance Antony starts this week vs. Chelsea. After a decent UCL display, he will be looking to really kick on with a goal here. I like Antony as a FWD3 streamer in this one. He has been dropped in quite a few leagues and could finally get off the mark in the EPL in this matchup.
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