With the international break upon us, I know I’m happy to have some time to reflect on the prior game week (and FPL season so far) and think ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
As always, if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
Personally, I’ve found this season more challenging than past ones. Am I the only one who’s captain picks and transfer decisions just haven’t paid off so far? My general strategy over the years has been fairly safe with the long game in mind – pick players based on at least 4-5 fixtures and don’t panic buy and sell just because your player blanks and others have a good week. As someone who has stuck by Haaland for some time now, perhaps that strategy has cost me in this period when Salah has been the best premium.
Image source: skysports
I think the international break comes at a good time for many with fixtures set to turn for many teams and injuries clearing up for some key players.
Is it Wildcard time?
If you haven’t already done it, then I can’t see a better time than now. The fixtures turn for a host of clubs and so some shifts in attention are needed.
There are also a number of key players coming back from injury and some interesting players also coming into form.
If you’ve already used the Wildcard chip then you obviously have no choice but to wait until you get another one in the new year.
If you’re one of those who is yet to use it, then it’s game week 12 or you hold it until as late as possible, hit it before then end of the year (or you’ll lose it!!) to set up for the fixtures in early 2025. This tactic essential gives you 2 wildcard for the second half of the season and allows you to try to make a charge through to the end.
While this is viable and could work out really well, it’s only really for those who’s teams are already well set up for the next 8-10 game weeks. I don’t think it’s worth holding out if you’re not looking in great shape because the drop off in points might be too big to make up later in the season.
Here are some teams who’s fixtures look good going forward:
Arsenal and Chelsea are probably the most notable teams appearing on this list in that they have some of the premium players that many will look to target. Palmer and Saka in particular.
Brighton have been decent so far but look like a great team to target with their immediate fixture run. While Newcastle have hit some form going into a favourable set of fixtures and Wolves tough run of games has come to an end for the time being.
There’s lots of players to be targeting on Wildcard (or just generally too).
I’ll be posting some Wildcard drafts soon.
Let’s talk Liverpool
I omitted Liverpool from the fixtures above, not because they have good / bad fixtures coming up but because they’re top of the league and looking good for it. the question for everyone is whether it’s sustainable or is it build on sand?
A new manager with a different approach to the previous has got the team firing in all competitions. Salah looks incredible (and easily the best player in FPL so far this year) and should definitely be in your team if you can make it happen.
Salah is also getting a rest over the international break given he’s not been called up. Even better!
Image source: BBC Sport
Beyond Salah, I think their defence is great and should still be targeted. Konate for the price is crazy value but Van Dijk for a premium pick is certainly not a bad choice. Trent is perhaps too expensive given his returns have not outstripped VVD but he can provide a lot – Trent is also an injury concern so definitely hold fire on buying for now.
Midfield and attackers other than Salah is where it gets tricky. Darwin Núñez is obviously a dangerous player – he will get chances but he’ll also miss a lot of them. He’s also not guaranteed to keep his place. Diaz and Gakpo will be taking minutes off each other and while the midfield looks good, there’s not a standout FPL pick in there.
And onto the fixtures:
Game weeks 13 and 14 are obviously tough ones but Salah usually influences big games like the ones against City and while Newcastle is a tough place to go, they’re capable of getting something there. After this, the fixtures look fairly nice on paper so Liverpool assets are a sensible long term pick for sure.
What to do with City players?
There’s a lot of column inches covering City’s possible demise but write them off at your peril.
Last season, something similar happened and then they went on something like a 24 match unbeaten run the claim the title. Yes, they’re missing Rodri and defensively they look quite vulnerable – Brighton really exposed that last week – but they’ve lost 2 games in the league, we shouldn’t get carried away.
From a strictly FPL point of view, there’s a strong argument against their players as assets. Haaland is the notable one at £15.2m (falling from a high of £15.4m due to him being sold off by so many managers) his return just doesn’t justify that price. However, I promise you this will change, it’s just a matter of when. Right now, he’s not worth it but Pep is an expert at adjusting the tactics to find solutions to problems so I’m confident he’ll get City firing again.
Image source: manchestereveningnews
Haaland will come back into the picture and I predict a scramble to bring him in at some point. It could be next week or it could be in a month’s time. Individual form, team form, team injuries and his price combine to make him not worthwhile right now though.
In defence, Rico Lewis has been a popular pick given his relatively low price and game time but he is now getting rotated more, not providing attacking returns and City just aren’t keeping clean sheets. Many are selling and his price is due to drop. Is one to sell I think, mainly because I think his game time will be more limited as players return from injury and the natural rotation a young player is likely to get.
Gvardiol is the other popular pick. He’s returned well recently with goals and bonus points but he actually plays into City’s defensive vulnerability. He’s probably not an urgent sell but I think VVD or Gabriel are better picks at that price point and Konate even better given his lower price.
We don’t talk about Bruno
I’ve been advising that it’s a punt to go for Bruno Fernandes the last 2 weeks and, while it was, it’s paid off a lot. He’s found himself higher up the pitch and with it FPL returns have come.
Image source: thepeoplesperson.com
With the new manager in place, I expect he’ll utilise Bruno in a similar attacking fashion which was lacking under Ten Hag, this should lead to more returns.
Don’t expect wonders though, the fixtures are mixed and a new tactical system is going to implemented so there’ll likely be hiccups.
Bruno is also a fairly high price and with many looking to have a combination of Salah, Palmer and Saka in their midfield, Bruno will likely block out having Mbeumo.
Bruno vs Mbeumo is a tough call but with Wissa back for Brentford, we could see Mbeumo play a bit deeper and so lower his attacking returns.
The other Man United picks are tough, Garnacho and Amad could be great but we don’t yet know if they’ll make the starting 11 under Amorim nor what their role will be. The safest minutes come from Mazraoui and Dalot but I question how much attacking return they’ll provide and so you’re relying on elusive clean sheets.
Why would you recommend Arsenal?
Yes, I think now is a good time to jump on Arsenal players.
I think many are holding them to the incredibly high standards of the title challenges of the last 2 years but they’re not suddenly a bad team. Odegaard has been a huge miss, and their failure to find adequate cover is an issue, but he’s back and looked incredibly fit against Chelsea.
Image source: football.london
Context is important, Arsenal have now played all of last year’s top 10 teams, 6 of which were away from home and suffered some punishing red cards. Yet, they find themselves in amongst it and more favourable fixtures ahead with injury issues easing.
Saka is yellow flagged but (like many) he’s dropped out of England duty and I fully expect him back fit for game week 12.
Defensively Arsenal are still strong. They’ve not had the clean sheets but the above factors have played into that. Gabriel has dropped in price but I think he’s one of the best defensive assets in the game – now might be a great time to buy.
Raya is also getting sold a lot but I think many owners are missing the wider context and I think he’s the best premium GK out there.
Take a look at Brighton
Look at where the Seagulls are in the table and then look at their upcoming fixtures:
Now explain why Wellbeck or Joao Pedro are not in your transfer plans?
Wellbeck has been sensational and I can see why he’s a popular pick but I would actually lean towards Pedro.
Image source: theguardian
I’d go as far as to say he may be the best value pick in the game right now. This isn’t just because of his influence on the City game but let’s face it, he’s Brighton’s best player. The manager has even said it, he’s their talisman. at £5.4m he’s an absolute bargain – he’s on penalties, their key player and Brighton’s fixtures scream goals. If you can find a better pick at his price point, please tell me!
We’ll be back with some more ahead gameweek 12, including our team reveal.
With this being a popular Wildcard week, I’ll be posting some Wildcard drafts to take a look at.
If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
