EPL Game-Week 13 FPL Player Picks

Straight to business this week fellow FPL managers: There are simply too many important questions to be answered that will affect transfer comings and goings in game week thirteen. Jose Mourinho is not even near the top of the list, but we’ll get to him in a little bit.

Sky Sports gave us the shocking news that Mo Salah will be out of the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and while this has yet to be confirmed by Liverpool, it would be smart to have a plan in place if/when they do. Salah is in more than 25% of teams currently, and his extravagant price is not a luxury managers can afford to leave sitting on the bench.

The game of the week takes place in Manchester, as City host Chelsea. Frank Lampard in his first season managing in the top flight finds himself above Pep Guardiola after twelve weeks. If anyone had placed a bet on that, they would have been paid handsomely. These are two of the highest scoring teams in the league, so there is no need to sell attacking assets. It would be wise to try to avoid defenders in this class if possible however.

Looking at Tottenham, I would not make rash decisions simply because Jose Mourinho has been installed. The internet has been full of Heung-Min Son at left back and other sorts of jokes, but let’s adopt a wait-and-see approach. Mourinho has had high scoring teams at Chelsea and Real Madrid, and this team has much more quality than he inherited at Manchester United, so it’s very possible the results of the move are positive.

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Goalkeepers

Orjan Nyland (£4.3, Aston Villa v. Newcastle)

Word is Tom Heaton will not yet be back from injury, so this is a fixture that should provide the Norwegian a decent entry into starting a Premier League game.

Bernd Leno (£5.0, Arsenal v. Southampton)

Arsenal need to keep more clean sheets, this is a good opportunity to begin doing that.

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Defenders

Diego Rico (£4.3, Bournemouth v. Wolves)

This is a tough fixture, Raul Jiminez will be aiming to leave the sheets at the Vitality stadium very dirty but Eddie Howe has his team looking solid defensively lately.

Ben Chillwell (£5.7, Leicester at Brighton)

The England left back spot looks to be his now, the next step is getting Leicester into the Champions League.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2, Liverpool at Crystal Palace)

I was shocked to realize Liverpool have recorded only two clean sheets this season. They have to do better there, but still we pay the big money for TAA based on his assist potential.

Ben Mee (£5.0, Burnley at Watford)

Traditions must be kept; we therefore select a defender facing Watford.

John Lundstram (£4.9, Sheffield United v. Manchester United)

Leicester are the only team to concede less than the blades. Our favorite out of position player is a good shout this week even against Rashford and Martial.

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Midfielders

James Maddison (£7.5, Leicester at Brighton)

Roy Hodgson should be aware he will be facing a very confident player coming off the international break.

Sadio Mane (£12.1, Liverpool at Crystal Palace)

As previously discussed, Salah may be out of this one. Mane would probably be the choice either way, having scored in the last two games.

Richarlison (£7.9, Everton v. Norwich)

Returns in three of the last four could mean the Brazilian is getting into form. This game could have a high score so give him a shout.

David Silva (£7.6, Manchester City v. Chelsea)

This is a gamble, but Silva will be rested, having had no international commitments. Chelsea are not a great defensive team, so he will have the opportunity to really open them up.

John McGinn (£5.8, Aston Villa v. Newcastle)

The midfield battle against the Longstaff brothers will be tough for Villa. McGinn has the guile to come out on top and lead his team to a win.

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Forwards

Harry Kane (£10.8, Tottenham at West Ham)

Jose Mourinho rates him as the best, and the new manager boost might see Spurs dominate proceedings in the first game of the weekend.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0, Arsenal v. Southampton)

This is why I went with cheap midfielders, we have another premium forward in the picks. Arsenal have been off the boil of late but this is a game they should win.

Chris Wood (£6.2, Burnley at Watford)

When in doubt, check the fixtures and look for the Watford game. Wood had a goal in the last game and will surely have chances in this one.

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All eyes will be on the early kickoff this week, the return of Jose Mourinho will attract eyes. How do you think the Tottenham players fortunes in FPL will be impacted? Whom would you be transferring in this week? Please let us know in the comments.

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