Every new Gameweek brings to light new information about teams and players that can influence our Fantasy decisions. Injuries, new signings, tactical shifts, new roles, and young players emerging are all essential parts of the decision-making process when a fantasy manager evaluates trades, waiver wire pickups or drops. In this new article, we aim to list everything that happened during the weekend and our takeaways through fantasy-tinted glasses.
Fantrax Takeaways Gameweek 15
Here we outline our Fantasy EPL Takeaways from the previous gameweek and how to interpret them for draft fantasy.
Key Injuries and Suspensions
Son Heung-Min (LIV, DEF)
Prospects: Son came off in some discomfort, and videos have surfaced of him seemingly in pain on the bench. It remains to be seen if he just took a heavy knock or this is an injury that will cause him to miss out.
Replacement: If Son misses out I would expect Johnson to go up top and one of Richarlison/Gil to come into the XI more consistenly. If Son is out Spurs attack is taking another huge blow and their attackers bar Kulusevski get even more unappealing.
Verdict: Wait to see more news but im not jumping to pick up any Spurs attackers.
Joel Matip (LIV, DEF)
Prospects: Matip may have played his last game for Liverpool. It was confirmed that he ruptured his ACL, and will miss the rest of the season. Matip has been a reliable player for Liverpool over the years, and despite his age this season has been no different.
Replacement: Matip being out means a lot more time for Konate and some Gomez starts as well. Konate is the biggest benefactor here, but with the busy schedule and Konate's injury record, Gomez could be worth a stash if you have the room.
Verdict: Matip is an obvious drop, and if you are able to pickup Konate or Gomez they are worth an add.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (ARS, DEF)
Prospects: Tomiyasu was set for a scan on his calf injury that apparently didn't look good. We can expect Tomiyasu to be out for quite some time probably at least until the new year. He has been in decent form as of late so this will be a huge blow for him.
Replacement: Surprise fantasy star Ben White is even more of a lock now with this injury.
Verdict: Trade in White if you can as he is a high-end DEF2. Tomiyasu is a drop if you are holding him.
Bryan Mbeumo (BRE, FWD)
Prospects: Mbeumo rolled his ankle in the midweek game, and is for sure out for the weekend games, but could also face some time on the sidelines according to early rumours. This is a huge blow to Brentford who are still without Ivan Toney.
Replacement: Wissa came on for Mbeumo when he got hurt and him and Lewis-Potter should see an increase in playtime.
Verdict: With Mbeumo probably out for a while and AFCON ahead now may be the time to see if you can even get FWD2 value for him. If he is out for the next 6+ weeks due to AFCON and the injury it will be a big blow to fantasy teams. In leagues under 8 teams, he could well be considered droppable, unfortuately, but wait for more information about the length of the layoff.
Tyrick Mitchell (CRY, DEF)
Prospects: Mitchell got a hip injury in the loss to Bournemouth and will at least miss the weekend.
Replacement: Clyne is the obvious replacement here, but is in no way worth a stream vs. Liverpool.
Verdict: Other than Andersen all Palace defenders are droppable especially ahead of the Liverpool game.
Alexis MacAllister (LIV, MID)
Prospects: MacAllister suffered an injury in the win vs. Sheffield United. It seems like a very bad cut to his knee that might make him miss the weekend matchup vs. Palace.
Replacement: We could see Endo get another start and Gakpo drop into midfield to accomodate for Nunez here. Look out for Gakpo's value when starting in midfield as it is considerably lower than in the front 3. Jones, Leiiot, Endo, Gravenberch all have a chance to make up the 2 remaining non-Szoboszlai spots of the midfield 3.
Verdict: MacAliister is a streamer at best and a very easy drop.
Luca Koleosho (BUR, FWD)
Prospects: Koleosho suffered a bad knee injury vs. Wolves and will miss the majority of the season. Despite just the one goal Koleosho has been a bright light for Burnley with his direct approach to attack and his pace and dribbling will be surely missed.
Replacement: Gudmundsson could see an uptick in starts. He is a decent MID5 streamer in friendly matchups, but don't expect him to light up the world.
Verdict: Koleosho is an obvious drop, with Gudmundsson a good waiver add.
Tactical Discussions
Newcastle Injuries and Fatigue Adding Up
Observation: Newcastle have been great this season, but could find themselves struggling over the festive period. Their lack of depth due to injuries was surely shown in their loss vs. Everton. Their consistent starters are starting to feel the effects of both the Prem and UCL and the scheudle does not get any easier over the next few weeks. Is now the time to trade out your Newcastle assets? It might be with the exception of set and forget Trippier. Trippier is easily a set and forget DEF1 and given Newcastle's struggle you may not get top dollar for him. The likes of Gordon, Almiron, Isak etc.. are all worth trading out if you can even get 80 cents on the dollar with the upcoming schedule and injuries.
Verdict: Newcastle will still have a decent season, but will be eagerly waiting the return of their injured players. Until then, expect a mixed bag of results and fatigue to set in on players not used to this congested of a fixture list.
Rashford the Problem?
Observation: Rashford finally being dropped led to a much needed win vs. Chelsea. This is good for United, good for Ten Hag, bad for Rashford. Antony, Garnacho and Hojlund looked more in sync than we have seen the United attack in some time. This could spell some time on the sidelines for Rashford until we start to see a change in his form. This is a big call from Ten Hag as Rashford has been United's golden boy for some time and seeing him get a few games or more on the sidelines will need to backed up with wins. Antony would probably be the first to rotate out and he is one that is surely worth trading out on a high after 12 ghost points. We know based on history this will not continue and if you can get any sort of value for him I would jump at that. When it comes to Rashford surely noone will give you an asset even near his draft value. You will probably just have to hold him and hope he gets back into the XI with a change in form. If you can sell him to a United fan in your league for 2 more useable assets such as Doughty + Shaw I would definitely try for that.
Verdict: Look to trade out Antony on a high, but Rashford will be a tough sell for any useable assets.
Aston Villa in the Title Race?
Observation: Villa have quietly been one of the best teams of the season, and are firmly in a title race. How long will they be involved? It remains to be seen. Right now they are just 4 points off Arsenal and play them at the weekend. This is a massive game as Arsenal are coming off a poor display vs. Luton despite the win, while Villa are the first team in a while to shutout Manchester City. After the Arsenal game, Villa have a very friendly schedule against: Brentford, Sheffield United, Manchester United, and Burnley to close out 2023. They will be looking to take as many points from these games and enter 2024 in a top 2 position. They have to be taken seriously at this point, with the likes of Watkins, Diaby and Luiz some of the standout assets. McGinn is starting to show some fantasy life, and at this point you just want a piece of the Villa attack. If you can trade them in wihtout giving up your soul or your first born I would attempt to do so. Their defenders are still not my favourite to stream, and despite their good position in the table I just don't trust them to keep a clean sheet. Matty Cash has been very poor as of late and is now a serious rotation risk, he is one to try and sell, or even drop if he doesn't start the weekend.
Verdict: Try to trade in the Villa attack without over-paying.
Can Luton Avoid the Drop?
Observation: Despite the loss, Luton can be extremely happy with their performance vs. Arsenal, and have a lot of positives to take into the Manchester City game. Luton are just one point from escaping the relegation zone and have every chance of staying up this season. The likes of Doughty, Barkley, Morris, Adebayo, and Ogbene have been their standout attackers, with their defenders putting in a shift every time they go as well. Doughty's set pieces and creation have been nothing short of spectacular, everything Giles dreamed of, and will be key to their survival. Barkley staying fit will be key to them escaping the drop, but this team should never be counted out. In terms of fantasy assets, streaming their defenders is always like throwing a dart you just don't know how they will do. I would only stream this in somewhat favourable matchups and would lean to streaming them at home instead of away.
Verdict: If you can trade in Barkley or Doughty I would. Both are decent MID2 options going forward, but it might be hoping they dud against City and you can get them slightly cheaper.
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