Gameweek 17 gave us plenty of ponder ahead of the season’s first Blank Gameweek and we’ve digested it all, singling out three key things learned as Gameweek 18 draws into view.
GORDON INJURY STATUS UNCERTAIN!
Owners of Anthony Gordon (£6.2m) will have been very happy to see him start against Fulham last weekend, the winger grabbing an assist and 6 FPL points as Newcastle defeated Marco Silva’s side 3-0. However, it’s clear that Gordon is not operating at full-fitness and after being on the rough end of a nasty tackle by Moises Caicedo in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, his availability for Gameweek 18 is now in doubt. Newcastle make the trip to Luton in what is sure to be an emotional fixture for all concerned and with just under a quarter of FPL managers owning Gordon at the time of writing, those people will have a big decision to make.
CAN JESUS FILL HAALAND’S SHOES?
Replacing an asset as lucrative and as expensive as Erling Haaland (£13.9m) isn’t an easy feat, especially when fantasy bosses know that they may have to buy the Norwegian forward straight back very soon. However, Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) could be a contender to step into the breach for at least the next gameweek when taking into account his recent returns. The Arsenal striker is coming off the back of a goal and 9 FPL points against Brighton, meaning that he has now racked up 22 points across the last three gameweeks.
PALMER FOCAL POINT FOR CHELSEA!
Despite the plethora of personnel within the Chelsea squad, one player stands out from the rest when it comes to FPL appeal. Cole Palmer (£5.6m) was a star in Gameweek 17, the midfielder bagging a goal, an assist and 14 fantasy points. Three times this season Palmer has managed to net a double-figure haul of points and like Jesus, the 21-year-old has accrued 22 FPL points over the course of the past three gameweeks. He remains a steal at his current price-tag and should attract significant Gameweek 18 interest.
