Gameweek 17 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is nearing, which allows us to have a look at some more differential options.
This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth, who we think have the potential to make an impact.
As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN
- FPL ownership: 1.2%
- Price: £5.8m
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) led the line well in the 2-0 win over Chelsea in Gameweek 16 and with an ownership of just 1.2%, could be a decent budget option.
The 26-year-old has endured two injury-hit campaigns but has now started nine of Everton’s last 10 Premier League matches.
During that run, he’s averaging a shot every 28.4 minutes, while his 139.2 minutes per expected goal (xG) is superior to Dominic Solanke (£6.6m, 154.9 mins per xG) and Ollie Watkins (£8.5m, 155.3 mins per xG).
Now, Calvert-Lewin will relish the physical battle against Burnley in Gameweek 17 and his aerial ability could be key. That’s because the Clarets are bottom of the ‘headed chances conceded’ column in the last six Gameweeks.
They are also defensively vulnerable, especially at Turf Moor, and you can see Calvert-Lewin and team-mate Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m) exploiting the spaces left by Burnley with their possession-based approach.
The Toffees are on a great run of form, meanwhile, winning three in a row and Sean Dyche finally seems to have hit upon a style, formation and line-up that works.
Calvert-Lewin is usually Everton’s most reliable source of goals and although he’s sometimes been wasteful this season, looks primed for points in Gameweek 17, given the matchup.
RICHARLISON
- FPL ownership: 1.5%
- Price: £6.6m
Richarlison (£6.6m) has endured a frustrating 18 months at Tottenham but showed glimpses of his old self in Gameweek 16, scoring twice in the 4-1 win over Newcastle United.
Many thought the Brazilian would thrive under Ange Postecoglou but he initially struggled, which affected his mental health.
However, he has since undergone surgery to treat an ongoing groin issue and in his first start since returning on Sunday, looked a real threat. Playing through the middle, he racked up six goal attempts, five shots in the box and two ‘big chances’.
Speaking after the win, Postecoglou said:
“He looks a lot freer in training from when I first arrived. Everything was a bit of a struggle for him when I first got here. You could tell he wasn’t able to play or move as freely as he wanted to and he was kind of labouring through things. That’s a big thing for a footballer because for the most part footballers are always battling with something. There’s always a little niggle. But if it’s something that’s really debilitating that they don’t deal with straight away and have to carry on with, it has an impact on them physically but also mentally.
“They know that every game they go into, every training session, is going to be a struggle. Whereas you remove that from it and they can just play. I think you saw that at the weekend. Not just his goals, but his general work-rate. At least two of the goals came from him winning the ball back for us. He’s able to do that stuff and that gives him more confidence. I hope there’s a lot more to come, hopefully that’s the platform we’ve given him. He won’t be starved of opportunities here and it’s up to him to take those and take his football to the kind of level that we believe he can.” – Ange Postecoglou on Richarlison
Richarlison will now look to kick on against a poor Nottingham Forest side on Friday, who have just one win in their last 12 matches.
Admittedly, the City Ground has generally proved a tough place to go under Steve Cooper, yet they’ve kept just one clean sheet in seven at home this season, so you’d be surprised if Spurs don’t hit the net.
It’s also worth noting Richarlison will be especially important when Tottenham lose Son Heung-min (£9.6m) to the Asian Cup at the start of January, so his minutes projections look decent, especially with Dejan Kulusevski (£7.1m) covering for the injured James Maddison (£7.8m) in central midfield.
With an ownership of just 1.5%, Richarlison feels like a nice under-the-radar pick for the festive period and beyond.
MILOS KERKEZ
- FPL ownership: 0.3%
- Price: £4.4m
Milos Kerkez (£4.4m) will be looking to help Bournemouth continue their fine form when they host Luton Town on Saturday.
The Cherries’ left-back has made a real impact since returning to the starting XI in Gameweek 14, with Andoni Iraola’s side more inclined to use him as an attacking outlet than right-back Adam Smith (£4.4m).
Bombing up and down the flank, Kerkez could thrive against the Hatters, who have conceded 30 chances from their right zone in the last six Gameweeks, more than any other side.
While Bournemouth’s attack is starting to click, it’s worth noting defensive improvements have been equally important, too. In their last five matches, they’ve conceded just three goals, keeping clean sheets against Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
“We needed to know that the work-rate, the defensive consciousness, the togetherness to help each other, because we had difficult duels. I think that has been the key for us, because we normally have the offensive volume. We are going to be dangerous normally, but we needed to improve our defensive form. I think it has been the key to get the results.” – Andoni Iraola
Luton come to the Vitality Stadium in Gameweek 17, before Iraola takes his side to Nottingham Forest. An appealing home matchup with Fulham also follows on Boxing Day, so there is a nice three-match run to target here.
Kerkez is a highly-rated defender who is starting to find his feet at Bournemouth, and at just £4.4m, might be worth a punt.
