Brighton FPL Gameweek 17: Christmas fixtures kind to Albion
Compared to other Premier League teams, Brighton have a relatively friendly looking set of Christmas games spread out quite well which could be useful for FPL managers.
The Seagulls travel to West Ham United on December 21st having never lost at the London Stadium. Brighton then welcome a Brentford side with a poor away record to the Amex Stadium on Friday 27th December.
Last season’s equivalent matches brought in four points and a clean sheet. In addition, six days between games is a luxury not many clubs are afforded this time of year.
Taking all this into account, here are a couple of interesting Brighton players for FPL managers to consider going into Gameweek 17 and with Christmas approaching.
Georginio Rutter (£5.5 million)
Brighton have scored in every game bar one so far this season – September’s 0-0 home draw against Ipswich Town. £40 million club record signing Georginio Rutter has been involved in six goals with five of those involvements coming since Gameweek 6.
The versatile attacker has started 12 of the Albion’s last 13 Premier League matches. His place in the side looks assured over Christmas with Danny Welbeck being described as “not in the best shape” by Hurzeler in the pre-West Ham press conference.
Rutter was particularly threatening during the Gameweek 13 draw with Southampton. He took six shots that day with four coming inside the box.
For FPL managers, the appeal of Rutter comes from being listed as a midfielder and his price point. He is at a similarly low cost to popular but frustrating midfield assets like Morgan Rogers (£5.3 million), Antoine Semenyo (£5.7 million) and Emile Smith Rowe (£5.5 million).
Those wanting to sell Rogers, Semenyo or Smith Rowe could identify Rutter as a good way out. West Ham and Brentford rank inside the worst four for conceding chances.
The Bees meanwhile have also allowed the most shots on target in the Premier League this season (105). Rutter could enjoy a Christmas feast against such defensively frail opponents.
Bart Verbruggen (£4.5 million)
Thomas Frank’s side have been the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde side when it comes to home and away form. They boast the best home record in the Premier League but have just one point from eight away matches.
Owners of Bart Verbruggen will also be encouraged to see Brentford have the fewest away shots (62) and fourth-least overall attempts (174). This gives Verbruggen clean sheet potential.
The last couple of FPL campaigns have ended with a goalkeeper costing an initial £4.5 million as the position’s highest scorer. David Raya (now £5.6 million) and Jordan Pickford (now £4.9 million).
It tends to be a price point of great value. Verbruggen looks the best option with the only other feasible choices being Dean Henderson (£4.4 million) and Mark Flekken (£4.5 million).
Captaincy
Popular armband wearers Cole Palmer (£11.2 million), Mohamed Salah (£13.4 million), Erling Haaland (£14.9 million) and Bukayo Saka (£10.6 million) all underwhelmed last weekend. Between the four, they managed one solitary assist.
And all four are away from home in Gameweek 17. Haaland and Manchester City go to Aston Villa. The Citizens are in full blown crisis mode having won just one of their past 11 matches.
Saka and Arsenal are at improving Crystal Palace. Palmer and Chelsea meanwhile need to find a way through an Everton defence with six clean sheets in nine matches, including when shutting out the Gunners last weekend. With that in mind, Salah at Tottenham could be the most appealing.
Otherwise, it could be a week for maverick choices. Newcastle forward Alexander Isak (£8.7 million) has six goals and three assists in eight appearances. Raul Jimenez (£5.5 million) meanwhile will lead the Fulham attack against managerless Southampton.
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