Ahead of each Premier League gameweek, I'll take a look at sub-50 percent rostered players on Fantrax and Sleeper whose situations may have changed or improved, and assess whether or not they are worth a pickup in season-long leagues.
Fantrax & Sleeper Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 17
Gameweek 17 delivers another busy stretch of Premier League action, and fantasy managers on Fantrax and Sleeper have several high-upside waiver wire pickups to exploit. With players heading out for the African Cup of Nations, injuries piling up and fixture congestion intensifying, this is a key moment to strengthen your squad before the schedule accelerates in December.
Below are the top Fantrax and Sleeper waiver wire pickups for Gameweek 17, highlighted for form, role security and short-term fixtures.
For more help setting your lineup, check out our Fantrax & Sleeper GW17 rankings, GW17 cheat sheets, and GW17 predicted lineups before the weekend matches.
GOALKEEPER
Lucas Perri, Leeds United (6% Fantrax, 14% Sleeper)
Perri and Leeds are trying to stay afloat just above the relegation zone and host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 17. Palace are a top-five side in the table, but while this isn't an easy matchup, it may be one that doesn't have a ton of goals in it.
Palace have only scored 20 times in their 16 matches, the same as Leeds despite being on opposite ends of the table. Perri has totaled 12 saves over his last four starts and could be in line for a decent outing Saturday.
DEFENDERS
Patrick Dorgu, Manchester United (48% Fantrax, 35% Sleeper)
Dorgu hasn't started a match since Nov. 24, but with Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo heading to AFCON, Dorgu could make a return to the XI in the coming period. It's a bit of a stretch since Diogo Dalot is still in Manchester and has been preferred, but he may move to the right side in Diallo's absence.
Dorgu has the most upside of most defenders because of his penchant to get forward, but with the playing time being suspect, it's hard to have a ton of confidence he'll be a mainstay given the questions surrounding Ruben Amorim's possible formation change.
Use our Fixture Difficulty Ranker to spot easy or tough schedules for the rest of the season
Conor Bradley, Liverpool (37% Fantrax, 48% Sleeper)
Bradley served a one-match suspension due to yellow card accumulation at the weekend and should return to the XI against Tottenham due to the injury to Joe Gomez. Bradley has been productive when in the XI, posting over nine points in two of his last three league starts.
The downside has been the playing time as those starts encompass a timeframe beginning at the start of November. Jeremie Frimpong could also return for Saturday's fixture, but Bradley should be the preferred option given Frimpong's lengthy absence from a hamstring strain. It also wouldn't be surprising to see Frimpong move up in the formation given other injuries and absences to the squad in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and possible Dominik Szoboszlai.
MIDFIELDERS
Tyler Dibling, Everton (2% Fantrax, 0% Sleeper)
Dibling could be another beneficiary of AFCON absences as Iliman Ndiaye will join Senegal during the tournament. Throw in injuries to Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and there are real questions as to who will be playing for Everton the next couple weeks.
Dibling has played sporadically since joining the Toffees, but is still thought of highly as a prospect, hence Everton's willingness to bring him in. He's capable of crossing and chance creation from the wing, and his ability to draw fouls will be beneficial for his floor.
Emile Smith Rowe, Fulham (36% Fantrax, 32% Sleeper)
Smith Rowe only went up eight percent (at Fantrax) after last week's article and rewarded those who added him by scoring a goal in a 12.5-point performance against Burnley. Smith Rowe should've been transferred in more ahead of last weekend, but now there's no excuse as Fulham are losing Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze to AFCON, which should entrench Smith Rowe in the starting XI, at a minimum.
Fulham take on Nottingham Forest at home next Monday. Kevin and Adama Traore could also see playing time bumps in the immediate future.
FORWARDS
Jacob Bruun Larsen, Burnley (2% Fantrax, 5% Sleeper)
It's never easy to recommend a player from Burnley, but Bruun Larsen has started two straight fixtures and really caught the eye Saturday by scoring 15 points despite not having a goal involvement during the 3-2 loss to Fulham. Most of his fantasy points came from set pieces with 10 corners taken across the last two matches. That kind of floor is one to chase given the limited options at forward.
Randal Kolo Muani, Tottenham (46% Fantrax, 34% Sleeper)
Kolo Muani has played a bunch over the last couple months despite breaking his jaw a few weeks ago. His ability to play on the wing has helped him remain in the XI while Richarlison starts up top. He hasn't scored or assisted in his last four league starts, but he posted a 10-point performance at the weekend in the bad loss to Nottingham Forest. Tottenham take on Liverpool at the weekend.
