This article is part of our Fantrax Waiver Wire series.
Similar to the midweek matches, there is one day of rest between Gameweek 15 and Gameweek 16. It almost feels like a prep for the upcoming schedule which features matches almost every day at the end of the month. And while Manchester City and Tottenham don't have to worry about upcoming Champions League matches, Chelsea and Liverpool are both in need of points, and there's no telling what Frank Lampard or Jurgen Klopp will do with their respective lineups this weekend.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
Instead of focusing on schedules and players to add, which I did a few days ago, I'll tell you which players to drop ahead of the busy season. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is at the top of the list despite coming off a brace last weekend. While he's on penalties, he's been unimpressive since a hot start and has failed to score in six of his last eight league starts. He's the third-most popular forward and has a difficult upcoming stretch that includes three away matches and two at home against Man City and Chelsea. The away opponents may not be difficult, but trusting Arsenal away isn't a great strategy. I'll put Raul Jimenez in this spot as well, even though he's in form. Similar to Aubameyang, Jimenez has a couple seemingly favorable away trips but also matchups against Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool. Lys Mousset, Danny Ings and Chris Wood are at the top of my list for differentials, and depending on Sergio Aguero news, Gabriel
Similar to the midweek matches, there is one day of rest between Gameweek 15 and Gameweek 16. It almost feels like a prep for the upcoming schedule which features matches almost every day at the end of the month. And while Manchester City and Tottenham don't have to worry about upcoming Champions League matches, Chelsea and Liverpool are both in need of points, and there's no telling what Frank Lampard or Jurgen Klopp will do with their respective lineups this weekend.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
Instead of focusing on schedules and players to add, which I did a few days ago, I'll tell you which players to drop ahead of the busy season. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is at the top of the list despite coming off a brace last weekend. While he's on penalties, he's been unimpressive since a hot start and has failed to score in six of his last eight league starts. He's the third-most popular forward and has a difficult upcoming stretch that includes three away matches and two at home against Man City and Chelsea. The away opponents may not be difficult, but trusting Arsenal away isn't a great strategy. I'll put Raul Jimenez in this spot as well, even though he's in form. Similar to Aubameyang, Jimenez has a couple seemingly favorable away trips but also matchups against Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool. Lys Mousset, Danny Ings and Chris Wood are at the top of my list for differentials, and depending on Sergio Aguero news, Gabriel Jesus is still a viable target.
The masses are holding onto Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount in the midfield despite sub-par output. Both are on more than 25 percent of teams at the Premier League's official fantasy game, yet Son Heung-Min has outscored them by himself the last four gameweeks. Dele Alli is a tad cheaper and has been a nice boost for Spurs with an appearance on the score-sheet in five of his last seven starts. The clear replacement for Mount is Jack Grealish, who is back from injury and taking the majority of set pieces for Villa. Their next two matches aren't great (v. Leicester, at Sheffield United) but home against Southampton and Norwich City should produce goals.
The price and ownership of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are a bit extreme for defenders who aren't getting clean sheets. Not to mention, there's a chance one or both of them are rested at Bournemouth this weekend ahead of their trip to Salzburg. Either way, Liverpool don't have a Gameweek 18 match because of the League Cup. In addition to Leicester having two more clean sheets than any other club (and five more than Liverpool), their defenders are much cheaper and they don't have to worry about UEFA play. Caglar Soyuncu's ownership continues to rise, but Jonny Evans is now the same price and has started every match.
FANTRAX FINDS
Dealing with fixture overload is a little easier in Fantrax and draft leagues because you can switch players after the gameweek starts. That likely proved vital for some with Liverpool's changes, and it could again this weekend with more players likely to be rested. While Sheffield United struggled to convert their chances Thursday against Newcastle, Lys Mousset and David McGoldrick should return to the starting XI against Norwich. The only other low-owned forward in a somewhat good matchup may be Ismaila Sarr, who has given a spark to Watford on the wing and is home against Crystal Palace.
Midfield has become bleak if you're looking for consistent starters, but there are options as long as you're fine with waiting until lineups are released. Joe Willock has started the last few matches for Arsenal, though he has done little in them, even in favorable situations. I'd rather consider Leander Dendoncker, who is starting at center-back and at least accrues defensive stats. A trip to Brighton isn't the best situation but there are worse. Unless you're playing in a smaller league, there aren't a ton of choices, especially since a lot of the Norwich guys are gaining popularity like Onel Hernandez and Kenny McLean. Harry Winks and Eric Dier can be late adds, depending on who starts, mostly because they're home against Burnley.
There isn't one team that stands out for a clean sheet unless you trust the Tottenham back line or want to take a chance on Newcastle (v. Southampton) or Watford (v. Crystal Palace). Players like Paul Dummett and Kiko Femenia are mostly unreliable in fantasy, though that depends on your league. I'd go Federico Fernandez for Newcastle, recently healthy Christian Kabasele for Watford or Adam Webster home against Wolverhampton.
CAPTAIN DEEP DIVES
For the first time in a couple gameweeks, picking a captain isn't straightforward. You could go Gabriel Jesus and Man City in the derby, but they've been unreliable all season. Tottenham make the most sense at home against Burnley meaning Son and Harry Kane will get the most armbands. Unfortunately, the only other options may be Chelsea and Liverpool, away at Everton and Bournemouth, respectively. But because of Champions League, I'm not sure that's the safest bet. I'd rather go with the public and back Spurs or take a swing with Jimenez or Aubameyang (the forwards I told you to drop). The true differential captain has to be Chris Wood because Spurs are giving up goals to everyone, and he's getting multiple chances every match outside of the recent loss to Man City.
