EPL Game-Week 12 FPL Player Picks

Last week was surprising, with plenty of fantasy managers hoping for Manchester City to demolish Southampton. Many were let down by their captain choice of Raheem Sterling or Kevin De Bruyne, which just shows that anything can happen in the Premier League.

After high-scoring Champions League football on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the weekend’s Premier League will be a tricky one to predict. Fixtures include the European champions Liverpool facing current English title holders Manchester City, while in-form Leicester will host a problematic Arsenal side.

With another international week just around the corner threatening to stop our fantasy momentum, here are the players to consider.

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GOALKEEPERS

Aaron Ramsdale (£4.6, Bournemouth v Newcastle)

Bournemouth’s defensive approach has finally been ticking, with Ramsdale keeping three consecutive clean sheets, the last one against Manchester United. Newcastle has found pace moving forward, but Bournemouth’s form has a slight edge right now and will be hunting for another clean sheet in this fixture.

Nick Pope (£4.7, Burnley v West Ham)

Nick Pope is in a different class at Turf Moor compared to away, having most of his clean sheets with his supporters near his goal post. West Ham is struggling up front, which is why Pope is a favourite to keep another clean sheet. Burnley has kept three clean sheets out of five at home this season, conceding only to Liverpool and Chelsea.

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DEFENDERS

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2, Liverpool v Manchester City)

Keep in mind, he’s not picked for the likelihood of having a clean sheet. It’s because the defender actually has the second most chances created in the league, behind only Kevin de Bruyne. TAA is Liverpool’s secret number 10 and will have a major impact against City.

Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

John Lundstram (£4.8, Sheffield United v Tottenham)

Who expected this “defender” (he actually plays out of position in midfield) to have the most points last week, scoring twice plus getting credit for a clean sheet? If only he would have been your captain choice, right? Despite Spurs picking up the pace when it comes to goals, the Blades have been in form and Lundstram’s contributions are vital for his side. He’s every fantasy manager’s favourite defender at the moment, so continue the loyalty and keep starting him.

Ricardo Pereira (£6.3, Leicester v Arsenal)

An expensive pick but he can be worth it. Pereira has been essential for Leicester, and the Foxes face a real test in defense against Arsenal. The team’s focus will be to stay compact in Brendon Rodgers’ backline when facing the Gunners’ Aubameyang and Pepe, which possibly means a third straight clean sheet.

Nathan Aké (£5.0, Bournemouth v Newcastle)

Bournemouth has kept three consecutive clean sheets, and Nathan Ake has played a big part in this achievement. Ake has played every minute for his side and faces Newcastle that lacks power moving forward, which is why this creates another opportunity for a fourth straight clean sheets despite an away fixture.

Fikayo Tomori (£4.8, Chelsea v Crystal Palace)

Frank Lampard’s team will look to make his defensive side solid, and Tomori is an important factor in that effort. He has kept a clean sheet in each of previous two games at Stamford Bridge and faces a Palace side that has scored just four goals in the previous four matches.

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MIDFIELDERS

Daniel James (£6.2, Manchester United v Brighton)

James has been the brightest star for the Red Devils, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims to create scoring chances through his crosses into the box. The Welsh winger will look to confuse Brighton’s fullbacks and find gaps for an assist or two.

Christian Pulisic (£7.3, Chelsea v Crystal Palace)

Pulisic has finally found his groove for Chelsea, becoming a regular for his side after a difficult start to the season. Captain America has bagged three and provided one assist in his last two league games. He gets another opportunity to keep his momentum going against Palace at home.

Heung-Min Son (£9.6, Tottenham v Sheffield United)

Red card recinded, Son is the only hope to help Spurs reverse momentum and move forward. Facing Sheffield’s defense will be no easy task, but after providing one assist last weekend and scoring four goals in his past two Champions League games, he will make sure his momentum continues.

Sadio Mane (£12.0, Liverpool v Manchester City)

The Senegal winger will be fired up to disprove Pep Guardiola’s comments about him being a “diver”. Mane has produced ten goals in all competitions, with five assists as well. His contributions have helped Liverpool win 10 of their 11 league games and will be important against Man City.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2, Manchester City v Liverpool)

It would be an injustice to exclude Kevin De Bryune if Mane can make the list. If KDB finds his form, nobody can outshine him, and he will be the difference maker against Liverpool. KDB and Mane are the real game-changers who can reach another level altogether during a mega-match such as this.

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FORWARDS

Jamie Vardy (£9.4, Leicester v Arsenal)

The Vardy party hasn’t shown any signs of stopping anytime soon. The Englishman already has 10 goals in the Premier League, scoring 19 in 21 matches since Brendon Rodgers has taken over. He faces Gunners who have kept but a single clean sheet in their five fixtures away from the Emirates this season, so expect Vardy to score one or more to keep the party going.

Tammy Abraham (£7.9, Chelsea v Crystal Palace)

Abraham faces the Eagles who have not kept a clean sheet away from Selhurst Park, conceding nine times in those five away fixtures. Expect Tammy to put the ball in the net.

Raul Jimenez (£7.2, Wolves v Aston Villa)

After a difficult start, Jimenez reminded everyone that he can’t be ignored. His goal last week means he has now scored two in his last three games, and now he faces a Villa side that has lost four of five away matches and is yet to keep a clean sheet so far.

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What players are you planning to pick or drop? Who is worth risking in fixtures such as Liverpool v City or Leicester v Arsenal? Are you planning to go all-in with your bench boost chip for this week or the wild card if you still have it? What players will you go for following European football and travel midweek? Please let us know in the comments below!

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