Let’s Hope Spurs and Arsenal Pick Up 3 Points this Weekend!?

Dec 14

Gameweek 17: #FPL Preview – Written by @NiallHawthorne

I’m not saying that GW16 was bad for me, but I can confirm that I spent most of last weekend sticking shiny gems onto the outside knuckles of a marigold glove, painting myself blue and clicking my fingers frantically, trying to make at least half of this living nightmare turn into dust and disappear, which ironically is what most of my FPL squad did. (Ed: Yes the new Avengers trailer is live. We are all excited)

How bad was it? Put it this way, I had Yedlin on -3 coming off the bench into my team which hadn’t hit 30 points yet.

And you think YOU have problems? Please…

Now that I have your full confidence, time for my GW17 tips!

Defender: Sead Kolasinac, Arsenal

I’ve been avoiding Arsenal defenders all season long because, well, they’re a bit crap at the actual defending lark, but Kolasinac now figures in my thoughts thanks to his penchant for bombing down the flanks with regularity as well as a first clean sheet for Arsenal since GW7. Is this the start of a new era to rival Adams, Bould, Dixon and Winterburn? Hardly, but with the likes of Southampton, Burnley and Brighton on the horizon, and an ownership of under 3%, he could well be an interesting differential to consider.

(ED: Live action shot of Kolasinac from GW16)

Midfielder: Heung-Min Son, Tottenham Hotspur

Three goals and three assists in the last six GWs is too good to ignore, especially when combined with the favourable fixtures in Spurs future.

It’s little wonder really that Son is now playing with freedom and like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Imagine what you’d be like after avoiding mandatory military service in an army that shares a border with a despot lunatic that likes to do mad things like threaten nuclear war and be friends with Donald Trump. Yep, you’d most likely be ripping Burnley apart next Saturday afternoon too, just like Son will.

Forward: Javier Hernandez Balcazar, West Ham United

With the news breaking last week that the beloved family quiz show ‘Blockbusters’ was making a comeback to our screens, that old gag resurfaced which proved that in the days before the internet, British people found anything funny.

Seriously, a young fella says, “I’ll have a P please Bob” and thirty years later there’s still a titter in a room of over-40’s. Talk about a more innocent time. Personally, I can’t wait until a contestant on the new version of the show makes a winning run from one side of the board to the other using the letters LGBTQ and there won’t be as much as a smirk. That’ll show how much we’ve developed in the intervening years.

Anyway, I digress. Forget getting a ‘P’ and giggling, get yourself a ‘Little Pea’ and laugh at all those who don’t.

(ED: Stock photography outdated slightly)

Captain: Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur

I know this week seems to be a bit Spurs-centric, but they’re facing Burnley at home. That’s the same Burnley who conceded three to a Liverpool side with Origi up front and without Firmino, Mane or Salah. Kane has four goals and two assists in his last five starts, and he’s going to give Burnley some unmerciful stick.

Outsider: Callum Paterson, Cardiff City

A cheap midfielder playing up front for his side with four goals and an assist to his name already this season, and under 2% ownership, with Watford, Palace and Leicester to come in the next few weeks.

Are you not entertained?