The return to action after the international break was certainly that – full of action.
There’s lots to digest for FPL managers and lots to consider for game week 13, so let’s get to it.
As always, if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
How much longer can this go on?
The law of averages suggest that Man City will hit some form soon, but as each week goes by and another loss is inflicted, you’ve got to wonder.
It’s just so unusual given the last decade of City dominance – they just can’t buy a win. Even mid-week they gave up a 3-0 home lead to Feyenoord in the Champions League in the last 15 minutes. Alarm bells are ringing.
Image source: telegraphindia
Most FPL players who still hold City players will be on 1 or 2 of Haaland, Gvardiol and Lewis. I see the case for holding each of them last week; everything suggested Spurs would be ripe for a City backlash due to their missing defence (Romero and Van De Ven) and style of play.
4-0 later, and things feel different.
Let’s get serious, there’s plenty of managers still holding these players and if you’ve seen it through this far, do you switch now?
City’s next fixture is Liverpool away. A team that’s flying high and typically done well against Pep’s men. However, after that it’s not too bad.
I think the conversation can be split in 2. Defenders and Haaland.
Defensively City have been poor. They’ve conceded 17 goals in their last 6 games. They appear error strewn (in particular Gvardiol but also Ederson, plus Walker’s effectiveness has dropped off massivley), lacking in confidence and look vulnerable to one particular type of attack – the fast break. It’s happened over and over this season and so many of the goals conceded start with City on the ball high up the pitch, they lose possession and within moments it’s in the back of their net.
The fact there’s a clear and obvious weakness makes me lean heavily away from City defenders. It’s not “bad luck” or other teams scoring unlikely goals (35 yard screamers), it’s a genuine flaw in the defence. With options like Timber, Gabriel, Saliba and Raya for Arsenal or cheaper options in better performing defences like Konate or Lewis Hall or Van Hecke, it just isn’t worth keeping City defenders.
The chat around Haaland is more nuanced. He’s clearly out of form in the league; 2 goals in the last 7 (2 goals in the last 4 depending how you want to cut it). But, when you look at those fixtures, there are goals in there for him. Liverpool will be tough and I wouldn’t bet on him scoring however every other game you would be happy with him under normal circumstances.
In short, my view is that you can’t hold a £15m player who just isn’t giving the returns when there’s plenty of other players that money can go on. Saka (has great fixtures and in good form, plus Arsenal’s injury crisis is over), Palmer (great fixtures for a long time), Salah (has been great so far as has Liverpool).
There’s no shortage of strikers who are outscoring Haaland right now – Isak, Jackson, Pedro, Cunha to name a few. All much cheaper too.
You’ve got to ask, if City and Haaland are supposedly going to turn this around, how long will you wait? I think you’ve waited long enough – you can always get him back in later when things look better!
Top strikers
I’ve been talking about Cunha for a few weeks now and for those who brought him in early, when Wolves’ fixtures turned, you’ve got to be happy.
Image source: premierleague.com
It’s definitely not too late either, the fixtures continue to be good and his form doesn’t look like letting up.
Cunha’s value is shooting up and is now £7m. I still think he’s good value for that however for £5.6m João Pedro looks incredible value. Brighton’s fixtures are great, Pedro is on penalties and seems to be their key man in attack – I see no reason why he shouldn’t be in.
Jackson was the one to benefit from the start of Chelsea’s kind fixture run. That run stretches out nicely into the new year and beyond. I do have my reservations (such as being on 4 yellows so 1 away from a ban), I’ve owned Jackson before and he can be hit and miss. His finishing is better than he gets credit for though, his reputation as a poor finisher is probably a bit harsh.
I do still favour Isak over Jackson but he does cost a bit more. It’s a close call and I’d be happy with either in my team.
The Arsenal
If you haven’t already, now is the time to jump on Arsenal players. The ideal is 2 defenders plus Saka.
Image source: skysports
No other attacker is so consistent in this team – Odegaard can return on his day but is more about making the team work rather than notching up goals and assists. Saka on the other hand has been very consistently in the goal involvements for Arsenal and with nice fixtures ahead, he should really be in your midfield.
As for defenders, Raya in goal is a great option and Gabriel (although yellow flagged with a knock so wait and see on his fitness nearer the deadline) and Saliba are nailed on when fit. Timber is a bit cheaper at £5.5m and as a wing-back gets some more attacking threat but I’m not sue about his longer term game time when other players are fit. He’s a nice option but a bit more of a risk than the others.
A couple of quiet ones for Palmer
Maybe I’m more focussed on it because I brought him in recently, but it seems Cole Palmer is a bit off the boil at the moment. I watched him in the Man United game and then the Leicester one, in both he had very quiet games.
Chelsea fans may correct me on this, but he’s usually more active and influential throughout the game. Not to mention, we’re not seeing much in the way of returns – 3 blanks in a row. Just like Jackson, fixtures are really good so in theory is a long term hold/buy but I do think Saka is the better choice of the 2 right now.
The Mbeumo dilemma
From must have to question mark; Mbeumo has become a bit of a problem for many.
He couldn’t stop scoring but since his 15 point haul against Ipswich in game week 9, he’s only managed 1 assist. the fixtures are tough too:
Simply put, this isn’t the week to sell. Brentford are much better at home than away so the Leicester fixture is a nice one.
After that, I think he is probably one to move on because of the fixtures. Wissa’s return has also shifted him into a wider attacking role which has coincided with his reduced FPL points.
His price is a bit awkward though – at £7.9m you are either looking at a cheaper options like Rogers, Semenyo, Smith Rowe etc. or you need to fund an upgrade which means it’s not a 1 transfer move.
If the rest of your team is strong enough, you could hold and simply rotate him, but realistically how many goals is he getting in these upcoming games?
What to do with Semenyo
For such a bargain player, it’s frustrating he’s suspended, but in the grand scheme of things he’s not tying up much cash.
Image source: premierleague.com
He’s an easy hold but also a not but. The fixtures ahead are pretty decent so I’d be happy for him to come back in next week. It’s just a shame he’s missing a good fixture against Wolves.
McNeil loves a shot
The stats show that a good number of managers are moving off McNeil; no returns since game week 8 and a clear tailing off of points.
Watching him vs Brentford, you can see is central to everything Everton do going forward. He certainly loves to shoot, unfortunately it was mostly from outside the box so low quality chances. He’s so cheap many will just hold and leave him on the bench but switching him out is tricky unless you’ve got some funds in the bank because he’s not going to net you much cash.
Raul goes quiet
Raúl Jiménez could easily have bagged himself a goal this week, he missed an absolute sitter early on against Wolves.
It went from bad to worse for owners as he was subbed off on 70 minutes for Muniz. The threat to his minutes grows and we should watch whether he’s still in the Fulham starting lineups going forward. I’m expecting more rotation now his form has dipped.
Robinson on the other hand looked really good and should have got 2 assists, but for poor finishing. This bodes well for owners who have him primarily for his attacking returns. Fixtures are tough for Fulham so be prepared to rotate or transfer out.
Salah continues to march on
Another 2 goals and some lovely bonus points rewarded Salah owners. The Egyptian continues to be the top pick right now.
Image source: tntsports
He’s a machine, similar to Bruno Fernandes, he just doesn’t miss games. Nor is Slot appearing to be interested in rotating him (another 90 minutes in Europe midweek against Real Madrid shows this).
The only issue is a tough fixture against City at home this week. But how tough is it? It could be the best time to play them given their difficulties – Salah turns up for the big games and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was the deciding factor.
Amorim gives us more questions than answers
Rashford upfront, Bruno switched position mid-game, Mazraoui in the back 3 while Amad played right wing-back and Garnacho in number 10, to name a few of the decisions Amorim made.
Image source: standard
Initially it seemed like a master stroke as Amad teared forward from deep to cross for an early Rashford goal. However, the flaws in the players soon showed up – Rashford isn’t a number 9, Casemiro and Erikson don’t have the intensity to be the 2 man central midfield.
It’s hard to predict who will play the next match and in what position. I’m expecting them to blow hot and cold and the only prediction line-up I’m prepared to make is that we won’t see that starting 11 again.
Everton at home means keeping who you’ve got, but I wouldn’t go buying. The fixtures get really tough after that (Arsenal and City for example) and I plan to sell Bruno after the Everton game.
Maybe later in the season when their fixture get nicer again and the team has settled into the new style and formation we can have a better idea of who’s best to pick. Until then, Man United are not real options.
Don’t forget Brighton
I’ve mentioned Pedro and I think he’s the pick of the bunch but their form and fixtures mean they are a team to target.
Van Hecke is a great priced option for defence with solid minutes and a good chance of clean sheets given the fixtures.
Mitoma is probably the next best attacker after Pedro. He’s pretty nailed on to play whereas the other striker options of Ferguson and Welbeck could get some rotation.
Estupiñán is a potential great differential. His attacking output when he’s fit is great, and with injuries there is limited competition for places at full-back. It’s a punt but one that’s got potential.
If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
