The Premier League returns this Saturday for Gameweek 12, ending the international break after Gameweek 11 and kicking off another exhilarating football weekend.
Fantasy Premier League managers have carefully analysed transfer opportunities and monitored injury updates to fine-tune their squads.
With plenty of key talking points to discuss, the stage is set for an exciting round of fixtures.
FPL Gameweek 12 Fixtures
The Foxes are hosting Chelsea.
Arsenal are facing Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
Crystal Palace are set to visit Aston Villa.
Bournemouth are at home to Brighton.
Brentford have an away game against Everton.
Fulham are welcoming Wolves.
Manchester City clash with Spurs at the Etihad.
Liverpool are away to Southampton.
Ipswich host Manchester United.
Newcastle are facing the Hammers at home to close out the weekend.
FPL Assets Leading On Form For Gameweek 12
Let’s start by looking at the current form amongst FPL assets for Gameweek 12.
Goalkeepers:
- Matz Sels is still leading with 6.0
- Jordan Pickford is second with 5.0
- Łukasz Fabiański sits at third with 4.7
Defenders:
- Ola Aina moves one up with 6.0
- Virgil van Dijk is tied for first with 6.0
- Murillo dos Santos is third with 5.8
Midfielders:
- Mohamed Salah stays first with 11.0
- Bruno Fernandes is second with 9.7
- Bryan Mbeumo takes third place with 7.7
Forwards:
- Matheus Cunha is ahead with 9.0
- Alexander Isak is second with 8.7
- Yoane Wissa takes the third spot with 8.3
The Egyptian King Reigns Supreme In FPL
It’s no shock that the player once dismissed as a “one-season wonder” has cemented his place as the most sought-after asset in FPL.
Mohamed Salah shattered records during the 2017/18 campaign, becoming the highest points scorer in FPL history, amassing an unprecedented 303 points
Since then, Salah has consistently demonstrated his value, surpassing the 200-point mark in every season since joining Liverpool in 2017.
As we approach the midpoint of this season, the consensus among FPL managers is clear: if the Egyptian winger remains injury-free, he’s set to be the standout performer once again.
With 8 goals and 6 assists to his name so far, Salah is averaging an impressive 1.27 goal involvements per game.
It’s no wonder he’s become the most transferred-in player this week as managers scramble to secure the services of one of the game’s most reliable point scorers.
The Noticeable Shift In Tactics
Recent transfer trends have revealed a shift in strategy among FPL managers.
Ahead of Matchweek 12, the top five most transferred-in players are all attacking assets, highlighting a clear preference for goal involvement over defensive returns.
This marks a departure from the more balanced approaches often seen earlier in the season.
In line with this trend, it’s no surprise that Trent Alexander-Arnold has emerged as the most transferred-out player this week.
The Liverpool full-back, who is the priciest defender in the game, is battling injury concerns, prompting many FPL managers to offload him.
The funds freed up by replacing Alexander-Arnold are likely being reinvested into bolstering attacking options.
This would align with the growing emphasis on maximising offensive output.
Where Does This Leave Erling Haaland?
While FPL managers have been strengthening their squads with ample attacking options, Erling Haaland is the second most transferred-out player behind Trent Alexander-Arnold this week.
Despite a standout international break in which Haaland scored against Slovenia and netted a hat-trick against Kazakhstan just three days later, FPL managers have not been swayed to bring him into their attacking setups.
However, some FPL managers are opting to stay patient with Haaland for good reason.
The Norwegian striker will face a Tottenham defence that will be missing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
Spurs have only managed two clean sheets this season; surprisingly, Manchester City have the same record.
With both teams struggling defensively, this fixture has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, and when goals are on the cards, Haaland is usually right in the mix.
Battle Of The Beasts At The Back
Over the past few weeks, two central defenders have been the subject of much debate.
At the start of the season, FPL managers were confident in Arsenal’s defensive setup, with Gabriel and William Saliba considered reliable picks.
While Arsenal’s defensive solidity was questioned at times throughout the season, Gabriel remained a popular choice for many.
However, it’s now clear that Liverpool boasts the best defensive record in the league, which likely explains why Virgil van Dijk has become the most transferred-in defender ahead of the upcoming Gameweek 12.
Both Gabriel and van Dijk are excellent options, but who comes out on top? Let’s take a look at the statistics:
Price
When considering a transfer, every FPL manager first checks the player’s current value.
Both Gabriel and van Dijk are premium defence options, with Gabriel priced at £6.1m and van Dijk slightly higher at £6.3m.
The price difference between the two is minimal, making it difficult to decide based on price alone.
Defensive Work
When comparing these two players, there are some notable differences in their defensive statistics.
Gabriel has made 17 blocks this season, significantly more than Virgil van Dijk, who has only 1.
On the other hand, van Dijk leads in interceptions, with 20 compared to Gabriel’s 6.
Both players have completed 7 tackles, but van Dijk is ahead in headed clearances and aerial duels won.
In terms of clean sheets, Liverpool have kept 6, while Arsenal have managed 3.
Moving The Ball Around
Interestingly, Gabriel has attempted 6 crosses into the box this season, while van Dijk has not made any.
Gabriel has completed 592 passes, a significantly lower number than van Dijk’s 919.
Both players have created 1 big chance for their team, but van Dijk is the only one of the two to have recorded an assist.
Going Forward
Gabriel’s attacking statistics double those of van Dijk in several areas.
Gabriel has attempted 12 shots, compared to van Dijk’s 6, and 4 of Gabriel’s shots were on target, while van Dijk managed just 2.
Regarding goals, both players have relied solely on headers, with Gabriel scoring two-headed goals and again doubling van Dijk’s one-headed goal.
Time For Alexander Isak?
FPL managers, especially those who have moved on from Erling Haaland, are facing a challenging decision regarding premium forwards.
While several solid options exist, such as Matheus Cunha, Danny Welbeck, Chris Wood, and Evanilson, many managers are uncertain where to allocate their funds for a top-tier forward.
Ollie Watkins, who delivered fantastic returns last season, is priced at £9.0m, but after a slow start to this campaign, he is viewed by many as somewhat of a gamble.
So, who can step in as a premium forward and deliver consistent returns if Haaland or Watkins are absent?
Alexander Isak certainly makes a strong case.
He’s been in great form for Newcastle, scoring in each of his last three Premier League games.
What makes his recent run even more impressive is the quality of the opposition.
In their last three games, Newcastle faced Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Those would be tough fixtures for any team, but Isak found the net in all three, proving he can deliver against big clubs.
Isak has certainly caught the eye of many FPL managers, and those who have hired him will hope his excellent form continues.
Making Informed Decisions
Many Fantasy Premier League managers are looking at various options for players with creative capabilities and attacking prowess.
Looking at expected goal involvement and assists over the last six game weeks for Premier League players might offer some insight into who are good options.
Expected Assists (xA)
Matheus Cunha: 2.26 xA
Mikkel Damsgaard: 2.02 xA
Phil Foden: 2.02 xA
Dejan Kulusevski: 1.97 xA
Raúl Jiménez: 1.94 xA
Expected Goal Involvement (xGI)
Erling Haaland: 5.84 xGI
Cole Palmer: 4.16 xGI
Dominic Solanke: 4.1 xGI
Brennan Johnson: 3.97 xGI
Raúl Jiménez: 3.67
Differential Captain Pick Of The Week :
Darwin Núñez
With Diogo Jota sidelined due to injury, Darwin Núñez has led Liverpool’s line during their impressive campaign so far.
While Núñez has shown plenty of energy and creativity, he has recently struggled to convert those performances into goals.
However, that changed in Liverpool’s most recent match against Aston Villa, where Núñez showcased his skill by rounding Emiliano Martinez and finishing expertly from a tight angle.
Although most FPL managers are unlikely to hand Núñez the captain’s armband this weekend, those seeking an extremely bold differential captaincy pick might find no better option than Darwin against Southampton, who are bottom of the table.
Playing Your Free Hit?
Most managers will be saving their free hit for double game weeks later on in the season.
Those who are tempted to use their free hit this weekend might find some value below:
GK: Martinez (£5.0m)
DEF: Gabriel (£6.1m)
DEF: Robinson (£4.7m)
DEF: Hall (£4.4m)
MID: Palmer (£10.9m)
MID: Saka (£10.1m)
MID: Salah © (£12.9m)
MID: Rogers (£5.4m)
FWD: Núñez (£7.1m)
FWD: Isak (£8.5m)
FWD: Mateta (£7.3m)
BENCH: Kerkez (£4.4m)
BENCH: Kluivert (£5.3m)
BENCH: Vestergaard (£4.0m)
BENCH: Cahill (£3.9m)
Final Thoughts
The world of FPL is full of ever-changing dynamics, presenting unique challenges for millions of managers globally.
This article aimed to provide valuable insights into essential data and the opportunities emerging across different areas of the game.
Best of luck to all managers this weekend.
May your decisions and strategies lead to a successful Gameweek 12.
Comments