Gameweek 12 is a great time to Wildcard. We’re in the international break so we both have time to think and players should return fresh and possibly shake off injuries.
It’s also a great week because for many clubs, the fixtures turn. For some, that means a series of upcoming favourable fixtures and for others that means a series of tougher games. In both cases, this should affect our decision on whether we want to have these players in our teams.
The draft
Here is currently my ideal Wildcard team this week. It’s more nuanced as there’s plenty of players who are up for debate and of course decisions are budget dependent. For example, you may have more team value built up so you can actually spend more than someone who has lower team value.
Has anyone seen a clean sheet? Asking for a friend
I can’t talk goalkeepers without talking defence in total. I would want coverage in defence across each of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. This is based on performance so far and upcoming fixtures.
It’s been a year with fewer clean sheets than usual so there’s definitely some bargain options in there but Konate is almost a must at his price. To get a regular starter in the best defence (so far) at £5.3m is an easy decision. Arsenal should also be covered, I’ve gone for Gabriel who’s price has dropped recently. Arsenal may have struggled but they’ve had a tough run of fixtures and their injuries are easing. Whether they are still in the title race is not my concern, I’m only concerned about their FPL potential and it’s high.
Lewis Hall has nailed down the left back spot in a Newcastle side which has started to get going. A decent fixture run ahead and his bargain price makes him another obvious choice.
Image source: BBC Sport
Mazraoui and and Robinson are less clear-cut. Fulham have looked good but have a mixed bag of fixtures so he’s one to rotate. I prefer an attacking line-up for my starting 11 so usually play 3 at the back anyway.
Mazraoui could perhaps be switched to Colwill of Chelsea but I like the United full back because I expect he’ll be given an attacking role under the new manager. That doesn’t come without risk though and it’s possible he’ll get a reduced role depending on who is favoured at wing-back. The Chelsea man is more likely to start and less prone to rotation but this draft already has Sanchez in goal and a Chelsea defensive double up might be a stretch too far. Kerkez of Bournemouth shouldn’t be ignored and could be a good alternative who has more secured minutes.
Finally, Rayan Aït-Nouri is another option and at £4.7m could easily be accommodated. Wolves have a good looking fixture run ahead but are down the bottom of the league table for a reason. Defensively they’ve not been great but Aït-Nouri offers a lot of attacking potential so that might not matter.
In goal I have Sanchez an Fabianski. Sanchez for Chelsea cover but I’m not against Raya and swapping out Gabriel for Colwill…or even going double Arsenal defence.
The ideal Midfield?
The ideal powerhouse midfield would be what you see above, however Smith Rowe would be swapped out for Saka.
The problem there is that the extra cost required means compromise elsewhere. Be that in defence (minimal loose change to be found there to be honest) or some downgrading in attack.
Personally I wouldn’t really change this front 3, I think they are the best picks right now. But of course there’s some good alternative options. I’ll discuss in the attacking options below.
Palmer, Saka and Mbeumo are all flagged but have to be in the conversation in any Wildcard draft. All clubs have good fixtures and Arsenal’s injuries problems look to be getting better so could be a real force going forward.
Palmer and Saka both pulled out of international duty so it’s highly likely they’ll be back ready for game week 12. Probably quite fresh.
Salah also didn’t go on international duty which bodes well for his sharpness and game time.
Bruno makes the cut but it’s a close call between him and Mbeumo. While I’ve included both, you could swap one for Saka but it’s hard to know which is best. Fixtures are similarly decent for both but Man United are an unknown quantity under new manager Amorim.
Image source: unitedinfocus.com
Smith Rowe is the bargain midfielder I’ve gone for. He’s performed well so far and fixtures are, while mixed, generally quite kind. He may prove a good rotation option or a solid starter in your team. It’s a close call with Semenyo. I’ve seen plenty of drafts favouring the Bournemouth man and I can see why; similar fixture difficulty and similar performance so far.
Rogers of Aston Villa make the 3rd possible bargain midfielder pick. Villa have struggled a little bit, probably due to the extra weight of Champions League fixtures. Upcoming fixtures are also mixed but there’s definitely some you’d happily play him in and he’s pretty much guaranteed a start upfront in a strong attacking side.
What about upfront?
The obvious omission is Haaland. I haven’t seen many drafts with him in and for good reason; he can’t justify the price right now.
What I would say, things can change quickly and we all know City will find form and that’ll likely include Haaland’s return to goalscoring form. This draft does retain a route back to him with Isak the change and then a downgrade in midfield.
If you’re looking for that powerhouse midfield then Isak gives way now but that makes any route back to Haaland in the future, pretty tough. Alternatives to Isak include the obvious; Chris Wood but Forest’s fixtures are much tougher than what they’ve had. I’m not saying the goals will dry up but it’s less likely he’ll keep his scoring form going.
Image source: football.london
Wellbeck is a good shout and a close call between him and Pedro but it would be unusual to double up on strikers so it’s one or the other in my opinion. Liam Delap and Evanilson are in the conversation but I’d probably favour Wissa. However, he’s currently flagged so hopefully he shakes that off that knock.
For a slightly more premium option, there’s Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea have a nice set of games coming up and does tend to get a lot of chances when they play well. A bit like Darwin at Liverpool, he’s often wasteful but don’t underestimate his ability to get on the end of things.
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