Pras returns with his latest set of Fantasy Premier League tips for Gameweek 16, revealing which FPL players you should buy, hold and sell/avoid ahead of the weekend’s action and beyond.
I’m Pras and welcome to my weekly series for SportsCasting, where I will be providing my thoughts on my FPL Gameweek 16 tips.
For context, over the last 12 seasons of FPL I have achieved four top 10k finishes, including two top 5k finishes. My seasonal average over the last seven seasons is around 21k.
Every week, I’ll be giving you advice on whether to buy/hold or sell the key defenders, midfielders and attackers in FPL. As a fixtures guy, my advice will always have a lens of immediate fixtures but also long-term viability and implications.
FPL Gameweek 16 Tips: Who To Buy, Hold and Avoid
Defenders
Buy – Having played 90 minutes in the champions league midweek, Trent Alexander-Arnold looks to be back to full fitness. He has a great run of games starting with Fulham at home this week. He could well have a double gameweek soon (whenever the Everton game is rescheduled). Feels like a great time to bring him in. He’ll certainly be coming into my team this week.
Hold – Gabriel has been a frustrating own recently. His injury troubles coupled with Mikel Arteta being coy on his fitness is never ideal, especially at a time when our defences are stretched. I still think he is a long term hold and the priority should be to perhaps improve the bench strength i.e. 4th defender rather than selling.
Sell – it might be time to sell your Man City defenders. I do think their fixture run is improving substantially from GW18 onwards, but the number of injuries are resulting in too many big chances conceded. Moreover, Gvaridiol who typically offers attacking threat is having to play a lot of minutes as the left center back. Due to price and if budget allows, maybe a Rico Lewis can be held, but by and large this isn’t a team I’d confidently invest in right now. A very strange thing to write, but this is where we are.
Midfielders
Buy – Enzo Fernandez has been a revelation in the new box to box midfield role. He has consistently joined the attacks as the 5th man making runs into the box. 90 minutes in the last 4 premier league games. 3 goals and 3 assists in the last 5. He is not a must buy, but for 5.0m he feels like a great 8th attacker right now. But manage your expectations – he wont average 1.2 returns a game forever.
Hold – We are undergoing a weird phase in FPL where there is no clear 4th midfielder. No one below 10m is really standing out. However, I think if you own Bruno Fernandes or Mbeumo, they can be easily held until another option emerges or funds are needed in other positions. They have a tough game this week, but easily playable in GW17. If you have other issues, I suggest to deal with those before taking out penalty/set piece taking 90 minutes men.
Sell / Avoid – Ruben Amorim has been ruthless with rotation even since he took the reigns at Man Utd. Especially in the front 3. Neither Garnacho nor Rashford are nailed in that team so despite the attractive price, I’d be tempted to sell and move on until a clear choice emerges.
Forwards
Buy –Alexander Isak is on excellent from and has a long run of great attacking fixtures. He ticks the box of good minutes, talismanic and has penalties. A delay in Callum’s Wilson’s return only further boosts his appeal.
Hold – There have been some disappointed Matheus Cunha owners last couple of weeks, but he is home to an Ipswich side that could easily ship a couple of goals. He is still their main man, plays 90 minutes, great for bonus points when he returns. I’d give him Ipswich and Leicester i.e. the next 2 and then reassess.
Sell/Avoid – Yoanne Wissa heads into a very tough run of fixtures that includes Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City all in the next 7 games. At a time that so many budget friendly options are doing well, it feels like a decent time to jump ship.
For a detailed review, I co-host a podcast called @theFPLWire, and you can follow @Pras_FPL to find full analysis courtesy of one of the best FPL Twitter accounts.
