Premier League Game-Week 12 Fantrax Player Picks

At long last I’ve finally had a solid week across all of my fantasy squads. Although I only managed 88 points in our flagship NMA-11 league, that was enough to move me into 8th place overall with 1026 points. Team Shocking and [TyF] CutThroat Piranhas] shared the honors for the week, each posting 125 points. On the season, Team Tampatonz remains on top with 1099, with Sparta FC in the runner-up spot on 1071. (Alehouse WAGs, managed by our blog editor Jeff, is tied for 9th along with [TyF] Ozdal City*, just five points behind me.)

I scored a 96 in the NMA-17 league, leaving me in 26th place for the campaign on a total of 1192 points. Team c444si won the week with a return of 151 points, while SUNSEEKER followed close behind with 144. Team Minhtruong sits atop the season’s leader board with 1307, while Team C444si and Ken’s KMFC are tied for second place with 1297. Stats&Luck is just one point behind them in third.

Finally, in the NMA-Sub league, I put up 102 for the week, good enough for first place on the overall leader board with 1149. Team stormtrooper84 won the week with 132 points, while HELLENIC POWER, KMFC, and Curious Jorginho rounded out the top four with 124, 123, and 122, respectively. On the season, Team Captaingerrard is right on my heels with 1146, while KMFC is in third with 1127.

But that’s enough looking backwards — we have a deadline approaching in just two days! Yep, Round 12 is another “non-standard” game week, with matches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So make sure to lock in your transfers before the window closes on Friday!

Also, be mindful of this week’s European tournament matches. In Champions League action, Chelsea played Ajax to a 4-4 draw last night, and Liverpool defeated Genk 2-1. Mason Mount left the pitch on the hour mark with an ankle injury; he’s now a serious doubt for the weekend. Today, Tottenham and Manchester City play CL matches, and Arsenal will see action in the Europa League. Manchester United and Wolves play their Europa League ties tomorrow.

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Friday 8 November 2019

• Norwich vs Watford

Saturday 9 November 2019

• Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
• Burnley vs West Ham
• Newcastle vs Bournemouth
• Southampton vs Everton
• Tottenham vs Sheffield United
• Leicester vs Arsenal

Sunday 10 November 2019

• Manchester United vs Brighton
• Wolves vs Aston Villa
• Liverpool vs Manchester City

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Goalkeepers

Kepa Arrizabalaga ($6.15, CHE vs CRY): Chelsea haven’t lost a league match since September 22, and the Eagles are among the lowest-scoring teams in the Prem. We should be able to count on victory points from Kepa, and a clean sheet could be in the works too.

Alex McCarthy ($1.80, SOU vs EVE): Angus Gunn lost his spot in Southampton’s S11 after he let nine goals slip by him in the historic loss to Leicester. McCarthy was named in his place last weekend, holding Manchester City’s high-powered attack scoreless for 70 minutes before ultimately succumbing to a respectable 1-2 defeat at the Etihad. He has earned another start then, and at home against a 17th-place Toffee side that has mustered only 11 goals this season. He’s your value-play GK for this week.

Paulo Gazzaniga ($2.57, TOT vs SHU): Coming in at a price only slighter higher than McCarthy’s is Paulo Gazzaniga. Although Sheffield United are in decent form and actually sit well above Spurs in the table, the Blades do not sport a particularly prolific offense. At $2.57 Gazza is a solid value for this week’s home match.

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Defenders

Kieran Tierney ($1.95, LEI vs ARS): The young full back hasn’t exactly set the fantasy world on fire since claiming his spot on the left of Arsenal’s back line, but his price enables you to spend elsewhere, and sooner or later he’s bound to come good.

Diego Rico ($10.80, NEW vs BOU): Now here’s a guy who has been setting the fantasy world on fire — he has put up double-digits in five of his seven starts, including each of his last three. He now costs a sobering $10.80, but his average returns match his price tag. This week he squares up to a Newcastle offense that has managed only nine goals this season. If you can find the cash, he could be worth the investment.

Djibril Sidibe ($3.16, SOU vs EVE): The Saints sit in the relegation zone and have scored a mere ten goals this season. Sidibe is a decent enabler who could even surprise you with a clean sheet this week.

Serge Aurier ($5.27, TOT vs SHU): Aurier’s fantasy returns tend to be all over the map, and he’s as likely to be shown straight red as he is to score. But he’s averaging 6.5 ppg, and for the price he’s a decent gamble for the visit of Sheffield’s conservative offense.

Emerson ($6.49, CHE vs CRY): Emerson was given the nod over Marcos Alonso in last week’s league match, and given Alonso’s performance in last night’s CL game, I’d expect Emerson to get the league start again this weekend. There is no denying that Chelsea’s defense is among the league’s worst, but hey, so is Palace’s offense.

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Midfielders

Christian Pulisic ($11.92, CHE vs CRY): The young American is searing hot — he has now equaled fantasy starlet Mason Mount’s goal tally and exceeded his assists. He should run circles around 30 year-old Joel Ward this weekend.

James Ward-Prowse ($14.01, SOU vs EVE): JWP has posted double-digit returns in each of his last three. Southampton are in the drop zone just three points behind Everton, so Ralph Hassenhüttl will push for a result on Saturday. That could mean good things for JWP’s fantasy returns.

Dele Alli ($5.81, TOT vs SHU): With two goals over his last three games, Alli has forced his way back to fantasy relevance, and his price is still sweet.

Robert Snodgrass ($8.80, BUR vs WHU): Like JWP and Alli, Snoddy is another former NMA-favorite whose engines have reignited after a long cold spell. The Scot has scored two goals and put up 38 points over his last two games.

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Forwards

Callum Hudson-Odoi ($3.70, CHE vs CRY): The Champions League injury to Mason Mount could create room in Chelsea’s S11 for Hudson-Odoi to start against the Eagles this weekend. If he does, he’s a steal at $3.70.

Anthony Martial ($8.90, MUN vs BHA): United is so much better with Martial in the side, and he’s priced under $9 for the home match against the Seagulls.

Allan Saint-Maximin ($5.31, NEW vs BOU): This guy’s real-life and fantasy performances have been steadily improving. When I’ve seen him play, he’s looked the most dangerous Geordie on the pitch. At $5.31, he’s unlikely to disappoint.

Harry Kane ($16.42, TOT vs SHU): His absence from Round 11 due to illness broke many a fantasy manager’s heart. But he has been passed fit for tonight’s CL match, and the multiple-time Golden Boot winner’s Fantrax price is very reasonable for a premium striker.

Raul Jimenez ($14.64, WOL vs AVL): Jimenez actually tends to perform better on the road, but only three teams have conceded more goals than Aston Villa. I like the Wolves’ Mexican striker this week.

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I’ve avoided players from the week’s — possibly the season’s — biggest game: Liverpool vs Manchester City. Are you buying any players for this clash of titans? Will you hold onto the ones you already have? What other options have caught your eye this week? Please let us know in the comments below.

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