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            <p>Fantasy Football Hub's resident captaincy expert <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTanFPL">Chris Tan</a> takes a close look at the Gameweek 17 fixtures to give Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers an edge over their mini-league rivals.</p>
<p>This in-depth look at the matches ahead, complete with a handy shortlist of players to target, is available exclusively to Hub members.</p>
<p>Chris's verdict on the best <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/the-best-fpl-captain">Gameweek 17 captaincy options</a> and punts will be available later this week.</p>
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<h2>Chris Tan's fixture analysis: Gameweek 17</h2>
<p>Last week, we highlighted that whoever started on the right for Newcastle - which was <strong>Jacob Murphy -</strong> would have a great match-up based on Leicester’s positional weakness. He scored twice and could have scored a hat-trick.</p>
<p>In addition, we identified the Foxes' set-piece weakness and how <strong>Lewis</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> could exploit it.</p>
<p>We drew attention to Brighton’s vulnerable left side and suggested <strong>Ismaila Sarr</strong> could benefit and a 17 point outing suggests that he well and truly did.</p>
<p>This week, we’re all looking for those edge pieces that can complement the template that has formed to try to get an edge, especially given some of the tough fixtures. Who are the best options to go for?</p>
<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 17: Fixtures</strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_69374" style="width: 460px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69374" class="size-full wp-image-69374" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FPL-Gameweek-17-Fixture-Analysis-fixtures.png" alt="" width="450" height="661" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69374" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 17 fixtures</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 17: Clean sheet and goalscoring odds</strong></h2>
<p>These were taken on Tuesday (December 17) and could fluctuate by the deadline.</p>
<p>There aren't as many standout fixtures this week.</p>
<div id="attachment_69378" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69378" class="size-full wp-image-69378" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FPL-Gameweek-17-Fixture-Analysis-team-odds.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69378" class="wp-caption-text">FPL Gameweek 17 team odds</p>
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<h2><strong>Team attacking stats - sorted by expected goals (xG)</strong></h2>
<p>Chelsea are clearly the in-form attacking team at the moment and they’re performing in line with their xG, although that has been inflated by penalties.</p>
<p>Bournemouth and Liverpool are racking up the big chances but Bournemouth aren’t converting theirs. These three teams are the leading attacking options at the moment.</p>
<div id="attachment_69376" style="width: 681px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69376" class="size-full wp-image-69376" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FPL-Gameweek-17-Fixture-Analysis-team-attacking-stats-sorted-by-xG.png" alt="" width="671" height="593" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69376" class="wp-caption-text">Team attacking stats</p>
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<h2><strong>Team defensive stats - sorted by expected goals conceded (xGC)</strong></h2>
<p>Ipswich are tightening up a little. The main teams to target at the moment are Southampton and Leicester.</p>
<p>Manchester City, Spurs, Brentford (away) and West Ham also fairly leaky.</p>
<div id="attachment_69377" style="width: 1158px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69377" class="size-full wp-image-69377" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FPL-Gameweek-17-Fixture-Analysis-team-defensive-stats-sorted-by-xGC.png" alt="" width="1148" height="589" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69377" class="wp-caption-text">Team defensive stats</p>
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<h2><strong>Individual player stats - sorted by expected points (xPts)</strong></h2>
<p>These stats highlight a few key points:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mohamed Salah</strong> is in a league of his own</li>
<li><strong>Cole Palmer </strong>is exceptional but still a level below Salah, which is worth consideration when contemplating captaincy</li>
<li><strong>Erling Haaland</strong> was topping the stats for a while but wasn’t converting, whereas now his stats are fairly average.</li>
<li>Are <strong>Bruno Fernandes</strong> and <strong>Alexander Isak</strong> the missing pieces of the template?</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_69375" style="width: 1144px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69375" class="size-full wp-image-69375" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FPL-Gameweek-17-Fixture-Analysis-individual-player-stats-sorted-by-xPts.png" alt="" width="1134" height="589" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69375" class="wp-caption-text">Individual player stats</p>
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<h2><strong>FPL Gameweek 17 fixtures analysed</strong></h2>
<h3>Aston Villa v Manchester City</h3>
<p>It’s going from bad to worse for City. They weren’t exactly convincing against Manchester United but they were 1-0 ahead at home and minutes away from a result.</p>
<p>To draw from that position was a disaster but to lose was unfathomable. The rate of their decline is unprecedented and the solution is unclear.</p>
<p>Villa finally get a week off to recuperate which will be a relief, as they tend to struggle after European games.</p>
<p>They’re also not in the best moment, although they have an enigma in <strong>Jhon Duran</strong> who is so good he’s almost forcing their talisman <strong>Ollie Watkins </strong>out the team.</p>
<p>City won 4-1 at home last season and lost 1-0 away. Villa held them to a 1-1 draw away the season prior too, which suggests City struggle at Villa Park. <strong>Phil Foden </strong>scored a hat-trick in the 4-1.</p>
<div id="attachment_69384" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69384" class="size-full wp-image-69384" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Watkins-v-Duran-2.jpg" alt="Ollie Watkins v Jhon Duran" width="800" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69384" class="wp-caption-text">Ollie Watkins v Jhon Duran</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4><strong>Additional factors to consider</strong></h4>
<p>Both sides have reasonable xG but are struggling when it comes to goal conversion. On the eye though, City severely lack creativity, which is dumbfounding given their talent levels.</p>
<p>Defensively, Villa have the edge and a top-quality goalkeeper. City are so vulnerable on the transition and the team has lost all confidence.</p>
<p>Reviewing the respective home and away attributes, both sides have a better record and stats at home.</p>
<p>City concede a high volume of big chances and are most vulnerable from their centre. Whoever starts up front for Aston Villa tends to hoover up their big chances and will do well in this match-up.</p>
<p>Villa’s weaknesses are their right side and in the air. <strong>Jeremy Doku</strong> has been starting on that side recently, although he’s about as effective as <strong>Adama Traore</strong> and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the main beneficiary being <strong>Josko Gvardiol</strong> again.</p>
<p>If City could keep clean sheets, his ownership would be a lot higher.</p>
<h4><strong>Outcome</strong></h4>
<p>On current form, I can’t see City beating Villa away and I don’t expect either side to keep a clean sheet therefore I’m going with a 2-2 prediction, which is broadly how the bookmakers think it will go.</p>
<div id="attachment_69385" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69385" class="size-full wp-image-69385" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gvardiol-GW1-16.jpg" alt="Josko Gvardiol's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69385" class="wp-caption-text">Josko Gvardiol's stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Brentford v Nottingham Forest</h3>
<p>Brentford should be treated as two different teams - the home version that would be topping the league if all games were at the Gtech Community Stadium and the away version that would be in the relegation zone.</p>
<p>Forest are fourth in the league after 16 games. That’s seriously impressive and it’s a reasonable enough period that it can’t just be dismissed as short-term variance.</p>
<p>They’ve built a sold defensive side, with threat on the counter and a reliable striker. It’s effectively Nuno Espirito Santo's original Wolves team reborn.</p>
<p>Historically, Brentford tend to win the home clash against Forest and the away match has been a draw. Last season, it ended 3-2 and 1-1. <strong>Chris Wood</strong> scored in the away match.</p>
<p>Brentford travel to Newcastle for a game on Wednesday night and they’ll see the League Cup as an amazing opportunity for silverware, which suggests they’ll go full strength. That will result in fatigue though, which gives Nottingham Forest an advantage going into this.</p>
<div id="attachment_69364" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69364" class="size-full wp-image-69364" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Wood-GW1-16.jpg" alt="Chris Wood's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-69364" class="wp-caption-text">Chris Wood's stats</p>
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FPL Gameweek 17 fixtures analysis: Teams and players to target

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