EPL Waiver Wire (under 50% rostered) for week 16 is here! Yes, week 15 just finished, but you’ve only got one day to prepare for this weekend’s full set of fixtures. The mid-week games were full of surprises. Arsenal stayed atop of the league but needed a late… okay very late Declan Rice goal to capture the win against a resolute Luton. Aston Villa shuts out Manchester City, propelling them over the reigning champions in the league, Fulham scored five goals (they only had 16 before the game), and Everton won at home 3-0 to climb out of the relegation zone. This is why the EPL is the best league to watch, and most difficult to manage a fantasy team! You just never know.
That being said, keep looking at the matchups for your EPL waiver wire pickups for the week. Keep watching the injury reports, as we saw more players come off early. While that’s tough for those players, it gives opportunities to other players and you, as a manager, to fill a roster spot.
EPL Waiver Wire picks for week 16 are listed below in order of most to least rostered in Fantrax.
Week 15 Fantasy EPL Waiver Wire
Jarrad Branthwaite – Defender – 34% – Everton vs Chelsea
The Everton defender once again showed that he deserves his place in Everton’s starting 11. It was a massive win for the home side against Newcastle. They have dug themselves out of the bottom four for now. The Everton fans showed up full of spirit and were fully engaged and backing their players, as they feel the injustice of the points deduction. Chelsea have been a bit of a mess this season too. Branthwaite be could a player to stash.
Vitaly Janelt- Midfielder – 29% Rostered. Sheffield United vs Brentford
The Bees are frustratingly inconsistent, and it won’t help that their offensive playmaker and top goal scorer, Bryan Mbueno, is out for about a month. Janelt has gone a full 90 minutes in his last three games, and with injuries, I think he will get another full game. He’s not putting up huge numbers, but he is active on both sides of the ball making him an option to fill in those midfielder gaps. More importantly, Brentford travel to SHU who still have the worst goals for, goals against, and overall record in the EPL. I’m looking at Bees players in general for this matchup.
Billy Gilmour – Midfielder – 29% Rostered – Brighton vs Burnley
There’s nothing too glamorous and Billy Gilmour, but he puts in a good shift each game that he starts. He is also capable of creating chances for some of the attacking Seagulls, although the number of non-injured attacking players keeps dwindling. Gilmour (and players like Facundo Buonanotte, who is also a solid EPL waiver wire choice) have a better chance to both play and be involved. Brighton also play Burnley, who sit 19th in the league and have conceded 33 goals, 2nd worst in the EPL.
Raul Jimenez – Forward – 29% – Fulham vs West Ham
The Mexican forward scored two goals in the 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest. Strikers love confidence. He has started four in a row and scored another goal over that stretch. Fulham have scored 5, 3, and 3 goals in their previous three matches, including three away to Liverpool. West Ham will be a test, as they haven’t lost in four, although West Ham have given up at least one goal in each of those. Jimenez is an EPL Waiver Wire choice with a big upside.
Week 16 starts on Saturday with Crystal Palace and Liverpool and ends with a massively important game for two teams, Tottenham and Newcastle, who want to stay in the hunt for a top-four spot. Be poised and ready to make changes on the EPL waiver wire as quickly as possible. Good luck!