After a highly successful GW11, including good captaincy returns for Kevin de Bruyne, Gameweeks 12 and 13 await.
Midweek fixtures create medium-term selection dilemmas for FPL managers. Many players are rotation risks, particularly at top clubs with big squads. Injuries are sure to be a factor in December, making FPL strategy even more complex.
With a short turnaround between Gameweeks 12 and 13, this double preview will look at the best five players to transfer in ahead of an exciting schedule.
Jamal Lewis – Defender – Newcastle United – £4.3m
Newcastle’s Jamal Lewis is an appealing pick for two reasons; fixtures and price. Newcastle’s fixtures in the next three are West Brom (H), Leeds (A) and Fulham (H). For a club with poor attacking statistics, targeting Newcastle’s defenders is the best way of trying to capitalise on their fixtures.
From left-back, Lewis is more likely to provide assists in general play. 1.1 crosses and 0.9 key passes per game indicate Lewis’ inclination to get forward.
At £4.3m, Lewis is a low-budget defender who could reap the rewards. Targeting Newcastle’s kind three fixtures seems like a sensible choice, and at £4.3m, Lewis can always be benched in the future at low expense.
Mohamed Salah – Midfielder – Liverpool – £12.3m
Mohamed Salah is surely the best captaincy choice for Gameweek 12, with a fixture away to Fulham holding huge appeal. Anybody without Salah in their squad could transfer him in with the knowledge that Liverpool’s fixtures after Tottenham in Gameweek 13 appear very kind.
Salah as a long-term hold is as reliable an option as it gets. Nine goals and two assists from his 10 league appearances represent consistently excellent returns from the Egyptian superstar.
At £12.3m, Salah is the most expensive player in the game. However, his returns are inarguable. Salah delivers more often than not and targeting a good run of Liverpool fixtures in the medium-term is a strategy you should be looking at. Salah is the best Liverpool attacker in the game.
Jack Grealish – Midfielder – Aston Villa – £7.7m
After a week’s rest following Aston Villa’s postponed Gameweek 11 fixture, Jack Grealish should be energised and raring to go.
Grealish has been outstanding so far this season. Five goals and five assists show outstanding attacking returns. Meanwhile, the underlying numbers of 2.9 shots and 2.9 key passes per game indicate a player at the peak of his powers.
Grealish’s form is only heightening the clamour for his inclusion for England. Maintaining his form would, therefore, be brilliant for both England and FPL managers. With four fixtures that can be attacked, Grealish is surely a must-have at 7.7m.
Timo Werner – Forward – Chelsea – £9.5m
Timo Werner is on the verge of an explosive hot streak. Despite missing multiple chances in recent weeks, including an open goal against Leeds, the German is consistently finding himself in goalscoring positions.
Chelsea’s xG against Leeds was an astonishing 4.66, highlighting their excellent attacking form. Werner’s haul of four goals and three assists in 11 Premier League appearances is decent if not spectacular.
However, with a generous Everton defence in GW12, Werner could be the man to capitalise. A player of his quality missing the chances he is surely won’t continue. When the German finds his shooting boots, a hot streak is imminent. FPL managers will be desperate to find Werner at his best.
Patrick Bamford – Forward – Leeds – £6.2m
Patrick Bamford just cannot stop scoring. While Raphinha remains a good midfield option, Bamford is absolute gold-dust for FPL managers.
A forward at £6.2m who appears immune to difficult fixtures and is performing consistently well is so difficult to ignore.
Eight goals and an assist, plus no sign of letting up, ensure that Patrick Bamford has emerged from early-season pace-setter to consistently excellent striker in the Premier League. Unlike other players, his early-season streak appears to be maintained. Therefore, he is arguably the best-value FPL asset in the game and an absolute bargain at 6.2m.
The hectic fixture schedule means FPL managers have little time to adapt in the coming weeks. Therefore, safe and reliable picks are probably the best route to success, rather than differentials. The five above are all certain to be selected and have points potential in fixtures. Gameweeks 12 and 13 are for safe picks amidst probable rotation.
