Key Highlights
- Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) is a reliable attacker with strong fixtures.
- Raul Jimenez (£6.2m) offers secure minutes and good upcoming matches.
- Kevin Schade (£7.0m) could be an explosive pick due to his low ownership.
- Piero Hincapie (£5.4m) is a solid defensive option with strong fixtures.
- Harry Wilson (£5.3m) provides good attacking potential and set-pieces.
Fantasy Premier League Strategy: Maximizing Returns During the Festive Period
The run-up to Christmas in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is notoriously chaotic, with matches coming thick and fast. Rotations by managers can be unpredictable, making it challenging for FPL enthusiasts to maintain consistent performance. However, an advantage can be gained through well-selected differentials—players who have attractive fixtures, will play regularly over this period, and possess various routes to points but remain under-owned.
Key Differentials for the Festive Period
Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) – The Under-Owned Talisman
Despite being one of the most reliable attackers in the Premier League over the past two seasons, with a combined 29 goals and 17 assists, Jarrod Bowen has only been owned by under six per cent of FPL managers at time of writing. His performance has picked up, delivering points in his last two games (one goal and one assist respectively). A West Ham United forward, Bowen is virtually guaranteed to play 90 minutes in every match when fit and available, making him invaluable during the rotation chaos of the Christmas programme.
Forgotten Forward: Raul Jimenez (£6.2m)
Raul Jimenez, who has a goal and three assists since Gameweek 8, is another proven asset with low ownership (one per cent at time of writing). Despite setbacks following his head injury in November 2020, Jimenez finally looked near his best last season. His minutes look secure for the coming weeks, making him an excellent option to differentiate your attack without sacrificing expected returns.
Kevin Schade (£7.0m) – The Wildcard with Upside
Kicking off every game since Gameweek 2, Kevin Schade has been one of Brentford’s most reliable attackers. Suspended this weekend, he looks a fine option from Gameweek 17 onwards. With Dango Ouattara heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Sunday’s home game against Leeds United, Schade’s minutes should be even more secure. His underlying numbers show promise with three goals and two assists in four completed seasons at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Defensive Gem: Piero Hincapie (£5.4m)
Piero Hincapie presents an intriguing differential defensive option, especially given Gabriel’s absence due to a thigh problem. Arsenal should start Hincapie in the upcoming matches, with a potential William Saliba injury potentially making him a longer-term option. As the cheapest route into the league’s best defence, Hincapie offers plenty of upside and secure clean sheets.
Harry Wilson (£5.3m) – The Fixture-Friendly Creator
Hailing from Fulham, Harry Wilson provides low-risk value with his reliable attacking potential. With Nigeria internationals Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze set to depart for AFCON after the weekend trip to Burnley, Wilson is likely to be in the line-up if fit. His fixtures give him plenty of opportunity to exploit three of the division’s leakiest defences, making him a viable differential.
By selecting these players, FPL managers can potentially climb the rankings as we enter Gameweek 16 and the busiest stretch of the season.
These differentials offer unique value by providing consistent returns or the potential for explosive performances during this festive period.
Stay tuned to Abdul Rehman’s expert insights on Fantasy Premier League strategy, where he has played the game for over 15 years and has finished in the top 1k four times. His deep understanding of the game, combined with his experience as a pundit, makes him an invaluable resource for FPL enthusiasts.
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