The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 17 Ones to watch

The Scout is tipping five players for big success in Gameweek 17 of Fantasy Premier League ahead of Friday's 18:30 GMT deadline.

Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) £5.4m

The midfielder has been a key figure in AFC Bournemouth’s current five-match unbeaten run.

Tavernier has scored twice and supplied two assists in that spell, earning 31 points.
 
The underlying statistics also back up the 24-year-old’s all-round influence on the Cherries’ improving attack.
 
Tavernier was their top creator, producing 11 key passes, while his 12 shots, eight shots in the box and seven shots on target all ranked among their top two players.
 
Bournemouth now embark on a very kind short-term schedule that gives Tavernier the chance to deliver more attacking returns.
 
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), each of their next three matches, against Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, score only two.

Richarlison (Spurs) £6.6m

The Tottenham Hotspur star has the improving form and fixtures to offer excellent value as a midfielder in Fantasy.

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Richarlison delivered his biggest haul of the season against Newcastle United last weekend, scoring twice to collect 15 points.
 
Crucially, he played as Spurs’ lone striker in the 4-1 win, with Son Heung-min (£9.6m) moving to the left flank to accommodate the Brazilian in Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI.
 
Spurs are another side with a fine upcoming run of opponents. Three of their next four matches, including their trip to Nott'm Forest on Friday evening, score only two.
 
Richarlison could also provide a replacement option for Son owners when the Asia Cup gets under way in January. The South Korean could be absent over Gameweeks 21-24 depending on his nation’s progress in the tournament.

Richarlison's goals v Newcastle

Matheus Cunha (Wolves) £5.7m

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Brazilian has been one of the most consistent forwards in Fantasy of late.

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Cunha has delivered attacking returns in each of the last five Gameweeks, amassing 31 points thanks to three goals and two assists. Furthermore, his eight shots on target in that period rank joint-top among all forwards.
 
Wolves have a favourable mid-term schedule ahead, avoiding all of the current top five sides in their next eight matches.
 
Cunha can extend his run of returns this weekend against a West Ham United side who were beaten 5-0 by Fulham last time out.

Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) £5.5m

A recent run of starts has helped the winger emerge as a crucial player for Aston Villa.

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Bailey has been named in the Villa first XI in each of the last three Gameweeks and has been involved in three of their four goals in that period.
 
He scored against Bournemouth and Manchester City and supplied an assist against Arsenal to total 20 points.
 
Villa’s home meeting with Sheffield United in Blank Gameweek 18 could make Bailey an effective value pick as managers look to navigate the reduced round of matches.
 
Their encounter with the Blades is one of three matches that score two in the FDR over the next five Gameweeks, along with contests against Burnley and Everton.

Bailey's goal v Man City

Julian Alvarez (Man City) £6.9m

The Argentinian's short-term appeal in Fantasy has undoubtedly risen as a result of Erling Haaland’s (£14.0m) foot injury.

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Alvarez started up front in the Norwegian’s absence against Luton Town, supplying his eighth assist of the season in the 2-1 win.
 
Combined with his four goals, that means the forward has been involved in 12 goals in 2023/24 Fantasy, matching his tally from the previous campaign.
 
If managers have the squad to easily bench Alvarez for Man City’s BGW18, the champions’ festive schedule suggests he could be worth the outlay.
 
Each of their next three matches score two in the FDR, starting with a home meeting with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 17 in Fantasy Premier League