Brighton FPL Gameweek 17: Estupinan to shine after Ecuador exploits
The Premier League restarts on Boxing Day following a six-week stoppage for the World Cup. In that time, Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister helped Argentina to lift the trophy but it is another Albion player to shine in Qatar who FPL managers should be considering drafting in ahead of Gameweek 17 – Pervis Estupinan.
FPL prices have been frozen during this Unlimited Transfer Window, allowing managers to make as many free changes to their team as they want. This window closes with the Gameweek 17 deadline at 11am on Monday 26th December.
Brighton have a nice run of fixtures all the way up to Gameweek 26. Therefore, the Seagulls look like a team to invest in, both throughout attack and defence.
Best defensive options
FPL managers have always been able to rely on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (£4.6 million). Sanchez is currently owned by 12.9 percent of players and is the third most popular goalkeeper in the game.
For those managers who do not currently own Sanchez but are considering drafting him in as part of changers to their stoppers, there are several matches coming up for the Albion where clean sheet points look promising.
Sanchez also works nicely in a one-spot rotation with either Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.5 million) or Bournemouth’s Mark Travers (£4.3 million).
In terms of Brighton defenders with plenty of FPL promise, Estupinan (£4.5 million) is the most attacking member of the Albion back line so far this season.
What makes this more impressive is that Estupinan has been gradually introduced to the Seagulls starting XI since his summer move from Villarreal.
Having impressed at the World Cup, the feeling is that Brighton have only just begun scratching the surface of what the left back is capable of.
He has received 11 passes in the final third and made 164 touches in this area of the pitch, which are the best numbers in those two metrices amongst the Seagulls’ defence.
Best attacking options
Leandro Trossard (£7.1 million) has been the most transferred-in Brighton player over the World Cup break. The midfielder has gained over 190,000 new managers so far, due to a team-leading total of seven goals and ten attacking returns.
Three of those goals came away at Liverpool, when he became only the third Albion player to score a top flight hat-trick after Peter Ward and Michael Robinson from the Seagulls’ spell in the old Division One.
Trossard has also created 21 chances for team-mates, a tally that only Pascal Gross (£5.6 million) can better at Brighton. Trossard is currently owned by 27.5 percent of FPL managers, whilst Gross is in just 13.3 percent of squads.
With Mac Allister (£5.4 million) busy winning the World Cup, FPL managers should tread carefully before investing in him.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Mac Allister would be given at least a couple of weeks off following Argentina’s victory celebrations, meaning he would be a very risky pick even for Gameweek 17.
Captains
Norwegian Erling Haaland (£12.2 million) has had a nice rest as his nation failed to qualify for the World Cup. Manchester City face Leeds United in Gameweek 17, who have let in 26 goals during this campaign. Only three teams have conceded more.
Like Haaland, Mohamed Salah (£12.8 million) couldn’t reach the World Cup with Egypt. The midfielder was starting to rediscover some form towards the break, with back-to-back returns in Gameweeks 14 and 15. He also likes facing Gameweek 17 opponents Aston Villa, averaging 6.1 FPL points per match.
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