The 16th Man: Gameweek 14

A good Fantrax manager successfully builds a starting XI to be feared. A winning Fantrax manager builds a fearsome squad of 16 to be reckoned with!

The aim of this feature is to provide you with several options with which to fill that 16th roster spot ahead of a match day. If it doesn’t work out, you can simply dump them back on to the Waiver Wire.

For one reason or another, the players who feature in this article every week won’t be one to use a waiver on and will certainly be too much of a risk to start in our Differential XI, whether that be due to the fact they’re coming back from injury or working at earning a recall.

Here are your 16th man contenders for Gameweek 14!

Reece James | Chelsea | Defender | Fixture: West Ham (H)

Still low ownership, well worth holding. Frank Lampard clearly trusts Reece James and the youngster should get plenty of minutes over the busy festive period. A start against West Ham should yield a good return.

Michy Batshuayi | Chelsea | Forward | Fixture: West Ham (H)

Tammy Abraham has been ruled out of this week’s game with West Ham and with the severity of the injury still unknown he may miss out against Aston Villa in midweek too. Getting Michy Batshuayi in this week is an absolute no brainer.

Jesse Lingard | Manchester United | Midfielder | Fixture: Aston Villa (H)

After captaining the team in Kazakhstan on Thursday, you think it’d be unlikely that Jesse Lingard plays again on Sunday. However, after a catastrophic 70 minutes against Sheffield United, it’s unlikely that United will start with three at the back and two in central midfield again this week. Due to a simple lack of options, another start for Lingard looks likely.

Robbie Brady | Burnley | Midfielder | Fixture: Crystal Palace (H)

This one is a real punt. Robbie Brady is a FPL legend of the past and it currently appears that his best days are behind him in the Premier League. However, if Brady is going to get minutes at Burnley, it will be over the next few weeks. Worth a gamble with your 16th spot.

Naby Keita | Liverpool | Midfielder | Fixture: Brighton (H)

Fabinho’s injury means minutes will be shared out more evenly over the coming weeks, with Naby Keita being one of those who looks like he will benefit. James Milner, Adam Lallana and (perhaps most relevantly) Alex Oxlade Chamberlain should all see plenty more action.

Jeffrey Schlupp | Crystal Palace | Defender | Fixture: Burnley (A)

Bit of an odd one, but Jeffrey Schlupp may gain back some of his fantasy relevance due to Andros Townsend’s supposed injury. Townsend should be rotated at the very least over a busy period of fixtures, leaving Schlupp (a defender) playing as a forward. Good value.

Demarai Gray | Leicester City | Midfielder | Fixture: Everton (H)

Is Brendan Rodgers likely to change a winning formula? You wouldn’t think so, but he seems to think highly of Demarai Gray and wants to give him more time on the pitch. Watch this space…