Fantasy Premier League: 5 players to pick for gameweek 17

We are back again with our weekly Fantasy Premier League column. As usual have five players upon whom you should turn a keen eye on whilst making your all so precious transfers this week.As the Premier League action heats up during the festive period, the pieces will be coming thick and fast. So, keep an eye on this space.Let’s make your lives easier. Here is this week’s list of five players that you should transfer in the Fantasy Premier League.

#1 David Silva (Manchester City)

Manchester City have arguably the easiest run-in during this busy Christmas period with the three of their next four games scheduled at home against Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland. The only away game during the next four sees them away at The Hawthorns in Gameweek 18 against a not-so-in-form West Brom side.

If the Citizens are to truly challenge for the title, they need full points from this stretch of fixtures. With Sergio Aguero out for the foreseeable future, the driving force for Manuel Pellegrini’s men has to come from their more than capable midfield.

David Silva at 8.8 is like a stock in the market that is ready to boom anytime soon and just as any other market forecaster would tell you, the best time to buy a formidable stock is when it is at it’s lowest. With an ownership of just 6.1%, he can become the real differential in the days to come.

#2 Charlie Austin (QPR)

QPR and Harry Redknapp have again found life at the top end of English football tough to endure so far. Charlie Austin, the R’s much prized buy from last season, however, has scripted a different story altogether.

The burly English forward has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water. His last 10 games has seen the English forward score 7 goals, whilst also providing a couple of assist to go along the way.

Austin so far has been the fire that has kept the hearts of the Rs faithful warm. He is still the reason that the Loftus Road outfit can still dream of pulling away from the dreaded relegation places which they currently occupy.

QPR find themselves entertaining West Brom, Crystal Palace and Swansea in three of their next four games and need to capitalize on the run-in if they are to pull away from the bottom of the table. Even if you don’t have faith on the Londoners, you can rest assured that Austin will find ways to rattle a few goals in during the festive period.

#3 Stewart Downing (West Ham)

West Ham have the easiest fixture on paper this weekend when they entertain bottom of the league-Leicester City. The Foxes are winless in their last 11 games, having lost 9 of them.

West Ham meanwhile have undergone a mini-revival of sorts and find themselves in a Champions League spot after 16 games, which their play so far fully deserves. While Diafra Sakho has added a whole new dimension to the team up front, the most vital cog in the machinery for the Hammers has arguably been Stewart Downing.

The England international’s career has taken a turn for the better with a move to the centre of the midfield, where he has seamlessly integrated into the team as its main playmaker. The revitalised Downing has been one of the most impressive players in the Premier League this season with direct runs, penetrative passes and wonderful distribution causing hovocs in and around the opposition defence.

While games against Chelsea and Arsenal are forthcoming, I won’t bet against Downing performing against these big dogs as well, as he has done all season.

#4 Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Tottenham, like many other clubs enjoy three of their next four games at home. This will surely entice a number of owners to flock to the Tottenham squad.

While Christian Eriksen has resoundingly staked a claim at being the number one option from Tottenham with his recent performances, it’s hard not to turn an inquisitive eye at London’s latest sensation, Harry Kane. The young Englishman has now become the third highest scorer in all competitions amongst all Premier League forwards after netting a double in the League Cup quarter-final against Newcastle in midweek.

His performances should be enough by now to warrant him a starting place Mauricio Pochettino’s side and with lowly and gaol-shy Burnley paying a visit to White Hart Lane on Saturday, the 5.1 priced forwards, should provide you with a cheap but effective option at the front.

#5 Joe Hart (Manchester City)

It’s not every week that I recommend anyone to spend their precious transfers on a goalkeeper, but the enticing set of fixtures set to welcome Manchester City during the festive period looks like an early Christmas gift for the defending champions. After, signing a new contract at The Etihad earlier this week, Hart is set to bestow even more happiness if things go as expected.

If your team is fairly set and you still have a couple of free transfers up your sleeve, Joe Hart should be the man for you to get. Priced at a hefty 6.1 (quite steep for a goalkeeper), Hart is still worth the trouble considering the run-in that he about to encroach upon.

I can’t find any reason why Hart shouldn’t deliver more than 20 points in the next four games, and that from your goal-keeper, sir, is as nice a Christmas gift you can ever get in the world of Fantasy Premier League.