Fantasy Premier League 2017/18: Essential tips for Gameweek 14

A congested run of fixtures in December could see managers employing smart FPL strategies gain ranks drastically
December's packed schedule could see FPL managers employing smart strategies gain ranks drastically

#2 Choose players from teams playing fewer games

Watford v West Ham United - Premier League
20-year-old Richarlison has been in terrific touch this season for Watford

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal play in both the UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa League, as well as the Carabao cup, apart from, of course, the Premier League.

Leicester City, Bournemouth and West Ham play in the Carabo cup, while Liverpool and Spurs play in the Champions League.

This leaves eleven teams who are playing in just the Premier League in the next month. Players from these eleven teams are less likely to be victim to rotation. Most of us have a handful of stars from the top 6 clubs, but it may be a good idea to not be entirely dependant on them.

Here are three excellent options for each position from teams that are playing only in the Premier League in December:

Goalkeepers: Nick Pope - Burnley (£4.6), Heurelho Gomes - Watford (£4.5), Lukasz Fabianski - Swansea (£4.5)

Defenders: Kiko Femenia - Watford (£4.5), Shane Duffy - Brighton (£4.6), or any Burnley defender!

Midfielders: Wilfried Zaha -Crystal Palace (£6.9), Richarlison - Watford (£6.6), Pascal Gro? - Brighton (£6.0)

Forwards: Salomon Rondon - West Brom (£6.0), Oumar Niasse - Everton (£5.0), Andre Gray - Watford (£6.3)

It is also important to be aware of situations of the teams in other competitions to decide how likely they are to be rotated in the Premier League.

For example, Spurs are already through as group-toppers in the Champions League, which means they could afford to rest their star players in their inconsequential final group game against APOEL, in which case, the Premier League fixtures might not necessarily witness any rotation.

Similarly, Manchester United play Championship side Bristol City in the Carabao Cup, which could see them field a weaker side. Chelsea, on the other hand, face a tough Athletico Madrid in the final game of the Champions League, where a win would give them the opportunity to top the group.

They also face Bournemouth, who would be focussed on getting their hands on some silverware, in the Carabao cup. This could see a few Chelsea stars missing some games due to rotation. Be wary!

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