Gameweek 12 was very much the round of the full-backs, with all the heavy-hitters accruing significant hauls of FPL points through not only their defensive stability, but also their attacking potency. Reece James (£6.1m) set the tone with an assist in Chelsea’s commanding 0-3 triumph over Leicester, with fellow full-back Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) also grabbing an assist against his old club, whilst central defender Antonio Rudiger (£5.9m) was on the scoresheet. James’ 12-point haul was better later in the day by Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m), who racked up two assists and a clean sheet to gain 15 FPL points as his Liverpool side thrashed Arsenal 4-0. Joao Cancelo (£6.6m) wasn’t to be outshone though, the versatile Man City full-back recording an assist of his own and 12 Fantasy points in Man City’s 3-0 win against Everton. Even Sergio Reguilon (£5.1m) got in on the act, scoring the winner for Spurs in their 2-1 defeat of Leeds.
From a results perspective, all eyes were on Vicarage Road as Watford stunned a lifeless Man Utd, crushing the Red Devils 4-1 with four different goalscorers. Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m), Joao Pedro (£5.4m), Emmanuel Dennis (£5.3m) and Josh King (£5.6m) all found the net, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m) set up Donny van de Beek (£5.7m) for United’s only goal. Unsurprisingly, this result saw the end of boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked the following day. However, it was a good weekend for managers taking charge of their new clubs for the first time. Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa overcame Brighton 2-0, whilst Norwich’s Dean Smith was also victorious, beating Southampton 2-1. Whilst Eddie Howe was absent from St. James’ Park due to a positive Covid-19 diagnosis, his side played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford.
After a highly entertaining round of fixtures, we now take a closer look at Gameweek 13, picking out those fixtures that should prove lucrative points-wise for FPL managers, whilst mentioning some key players as we do.
GAMEWEEK 13 FIXTURES
Saturday 27th November
Arsenal vs Newcastle (12:30)
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa (15:00)
Liverpool vs Southampton (15:00)
Norwich vs Wolves (15:00)
Brighton vs Leeds (17:30)
Sunday 28th November
Brentford vs Everton (14:00)
Burnley vs Spurs (14:00)
Leicester vs Watford (14:00)
Man City vs West Ham (14:00)
Chelsea vs Man Utd (16:30)
SOUTHAMPTON TO KLOPP A BEATING?
Whilst Southampton are not to be underestimated, the expectation is that they will fall to defeat away at Liverpool in Gameweek 13, a ground where they have conceded 11 goals across their last four Premier League visits. The last time Southampton found the net in the Premier League at Anfield was back in October 2015, and after seeing how Liverpool ruthlessly dispatched Arsenal last weekend, it’s easy to understand why the Reds are tipped to triumph once again here by a significant margin.
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold offers multiple ways of returning FPL points whether it be through a clean sheet, attacking returns or both, not forgetting the bonus point system. With one goal, three assists and 27 FPL points over the course of the last two gameweeks, the flying full-back is expected to accrue another significant score in this one. It would also be remiss not to mention Liverpool’s three frontmen. Mo Salah (£13.0m), Diogo Jota (£7.5m) and Sadio Mane (£12.0m) are all listed as midfielders on FPL despite being fielded as part of a front three and each will be hunting goals in Gameweek 13. Salah is comfortably the highest scorer in FPL at present, with 125 points to his name having gained at least one attacking return in every gameweek since the second weekend of the season. Jota was on the scoresheet against Arsenal in Gameweek 13 as was Mane, who has recorded an attacking return in every Liverpool home Premier League fixture so far this season.
CARRICK AT THE WHEEL FOR MAN UTD
As Man Utd search for an interim, or indeed a permanent boss to replace the departed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick will likely take control of the side against league leaders Chelsea in Gameweek 13. The former United player oversaw a 0-2 away win over Villarreal in the Champions League midweek, but Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will pose a far tougher challenge. The Red Devils have won just one of their last seven Premier League games, whilst Chelsea sit three points clear at the top having scored the most number of goals (30) and conceded the least (4).
If United are to get anything from this match, they need Cristiano Ronaldo on top of his game in front of goal. The Portuguese talisman netted once again in the Champions League midweek and needs to transition his goalscoring form in Europe domestically. FPL managers however, will be encouraged that Ronaldo has racked up 17 Fantasy points across his last two away fixtures, with one goal and two assists. Chelsea meanwhile boasts a plethora of FPL options in defence, who are all capable of attacking returns given their freedom to push forward by head coach Thomas Tuchel. Those options include right-back Reece James, left-back Ben Chilwell and centre-back Antonio Rudiger, whilst goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (£6.3m) has seven Premier League shutouts to his name so far this season, only Man City stopper Ederson (£6.0m) can match that.
HOWE WILL ARSENAL BOUNCE BACK?
Following their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Liverpool in Gameweek 12, a response is expected against Newcastle in Gameweek 13 from an Arsenal side who before that match had won their last three Premier League fixtures and not lost in their most recent eight. However, when taking into account how much more threatening Newcastle looked going forward under their new management team. We may be in for entertaining affair at Emirates Stadium.
Midfielders and forwards from both teams appeal from an FPL point of view. Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe (£5.9m) has firmly established himself as one of the biggest midfield bargains out there having nailed his place in the Gunners starting line-up, acquiring three goals, an assist and 32 FPL points across the last four gameweeks. For Newcastle, forward Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.8m) showed signs that he will play a crucial role offensively under Howe in Gameweek 12, scoring once and setting up another in the Magpies’ 3-3 draw against Brentford. Whilst fellow forward Callum Wilson (£7.4m) did not pick up an attacking return, Newcastle’s main striker came very close and it would be no surprise if he were among the goals in North London.
