Gameweek 13 was largely a disappointment for the vast majority of FPL managers with numerous big-name blanks. Mo Salah (£13.0m) could only register an assist for Liverpool despite them beating Southampton 4-0, with Diogo Jota (£7.7m) instead doing the damage, the midfielder turned forward bagging a brace and 14 FPL points. Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m) was also on the scoresheet, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.9m) recording his seventh assist of the season. Other events on Saturday were largely uneventful, with goalless draws between both Norwich and Wolves as well as Brighton and Leeds, a result which saw boos directed at the Brighton players from a minority of their own supporters.
If Saturday was bad day from an FPL perspective, Sunday was no better. The postponement of Burnley vs Spurs due to heavy snow was a huge blow to owners of players such as Harry Kane (£12.3m) and Heung-Min Son (£10.4m). With many FPL managers owning Man City defensive assets rather than attacking players due to the threat of rotation, there will have been plenty of groans following a 94th minute strike from Manuel Lanzini (£5.8m) which failed to prevent West Ham from falling to defeat away at Man City, but did proceed to wipe out the clean sheet point bonus for players such as Joao Cancelo (£6.7m), Ruben Dias (£6.0m) and Ederson (£6.0m).
Elsewhere, Jamie Vardy (£10.6m) was back in the goals, scoring twice as Leicester overcame Watford 4-2, whilst Chelsea also failed to keep a clean sheet against Man Utd after a Jorginho (£5.8m) error led to Jadon Sancho (£8.9m) opening the scoring, although the Italian midfielder hit back for the Blues via the penalty spot, securing a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. United forward Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.4m) started from the bench in yet another blow to FPL managers, coming on only to receive a booking late in the piece.
With a turnaround of just under 48 hours between Gameweek 13 and Gameweek 14, we now focus in on the first midweek round of fixtures in this season’s Premier League, casting an eye on some of the juicier matchups from an FPL point of view and marking out those key players who could make a big impact.
GAMEWEEK 14 FIXTURES
Tuesday 30th November
Newcastle vs Norwich (19:30)
Leeds vs Crystal Palace (20:15)
Wednesday 1st December
Southampton vs Leicester (19:30)
Watford vs Chelsea (19:30)
West Ham vs Brighton (19:30)
Wolves vs Burnley (19:30)
Aston Villa vs Man City (20:15)
Everton vs Liverpool (20:15)
Thursday 2nd December
Spurs vs Brentford (19:30)
Man Utd vs Arsenal (20:15)
WILL THE HAMMERS SMASH THEMSELVES BACK TO LIFE?
Whilst they currently sit inside the top four of the Premier League, West Ham are going through a mini-blip, having lost successive league matches away to Wolves and Man City respectively. However, when assessing the quality of David Moyes’ side, then it would be no surprise whatsoever if this proved only a temporary setback with the Hammers getting back to winning ways in Gameweek 14 at home to Brighton. Having a supportive crowd behind them will prove a boost, as will facing a visiting team low on confidence due to not winning any of their last eight Premier League games and having been booed by a small percentage of their fans at the weekend.
Said Benrahma (£6.2m) is currently West Ham’s highest scoring midfielder in FPL, however winger Jarrod Bowen(£6.4m) is hot on his heels with 58 points compared to Benrahma’s 60. Bowen has accrued one goal and three assists across his last three starts and after being fielded from the bench against Man City, the chances are that he starts in Gameweek 14. Despite his recent lean patch, Michail Antonio (£8.1m) is also well worth consideration. Still owned by over 40% of FPL managers, the Jamaican international has not scored in the Premier League since Gameweek 9 and will be desperate to break his duck against the Seagulls.
For Brighton, one player who is drawing excitement from the FPL community is Tariq Lamptey (£4.4m). The right-wing-back is starting get back to his best following a long-term injury and has started his side’s last three league games, acquiring two clean sheets and 16 FPL points. Attacking returns may also be on the horizon for Lamptey in the near future when taking into account his consistent attacking runs and crosses.
MAN CITY SET TO PLAY THE VILLAINS?
It would be fair to say that Aston Villa have not enjoyed playing Man City in recent seasons and who can blame them when you assess the head-to-head record between the two clubs. Villa have lost ten of their last 11 meetings against City in all competitions, a run stretching all the way back to May 2014. More recently, Pep Guardiola’s side have won their most recent five Premier League meetings by a combined scoreline of 17-2. With that in mind, the reigning champions of England are expected to record their tenth league victory of the season in Gameweek 14, although Steven Gerrard and his Villa team will have something to say about that.
When eying up Man City defenders, full-back Joao Cancelo is the obvious choice having already racked up 80 FPL points this season, the second most of any defender, although be aware that the Portuguese international is only one booking away from a suspension. However, choosing a midfielder or forward is trickier when taking into account Guardiola’s penchant for rotation. With injuries starting to bite though, Raheem Sterling (£10.6m) may well be afforded his fourth successive start in all competitions for Man City and with two goals in his last three appearances, looks an enticing FPL selection. Bernardo Silva (£7.3m) is another midfielder that stands out, having netted two goals across the last three gameweeks, accruing 18 FPL points in the process.
BRENTFORD OUT FOR THE CONTE?
Injury-hit Brentford did themselves proud in Gameweek 13, putting in an excellent shift to ultimately overcome Everton by a goal to nil this past Sunday. Whilst the three points was crucial, they came at a cost as head coach Thomas Frank was left with even more injury worries to contend with. On the same day, Spurs saw their match away at Burnley postponed due to the inclement weather, giving them an unexpected opportunity to rest. A week will have passed since Antonio Conte’s men suffered their 2-1 humiliation at the hands of NS Mura in the Europa Conference League when these two sides lock horns in North London and Spurs fans will be demanding a convincing attacking performance against a likely fatigued opposition short of bodies within their squad.
Forward Harry Kane found the net in Slovenia, but is still yet to score at home in the Premier League in 2021-22 and will be looking to take his frustrations out on the Bees. Another player who hasn't proved potent in front of goal recently is midfielder Heung-Min Son, who like Kane will be searching for his first league goal under the new Spurs manager. Brentford however, boast some ammunition of their own going forward. After suffering a drought in front of goal, striker Ivan Toney (£6.7m) has scored in each of Brentford’s last two Premier League fixtures, gaining 14 FPL points as a consequence. Last season’s top goalscorer in the Championship will be looking to make a big statement at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in turn reward those FPL managers who have stuck by him this season.
