As the Premier League pauses for yet another international break next week, this week is poised to be pivotal, especially for managers grappling with their teams' performance. Manchester City's return to the top of the table last week marked a significant shift after Tottenham Hotspurs faced their first loss of the season. Arsenal and Liverpool also faltered, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling title race as City historically maintains their lead. Similarly, the bottom of the table is witnessing an intense struggle, with Luton Town edging out of the relegation zone but merely two points above the bottom-placed Sheffield United, who clinched their first win last week. With considerable movement in the points standing, fantasy squads are likely to experience significant shifts as the teams brace for a bustling holiday season.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 11
Manchester City dominated their match against Bournemouth with a resounding 6-1 victory, while Liverpool narrowly secured a draw against Luton Town, courtesy of a late goal from Luis Díaz. Newcastle United and Manchester United both clinched narrow 1-0 wins against Arsenal and Fulham, and Everton had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Brighton at Goodison Park.
Tottenham Hotspur faced their first defeat this season, losing 4-1 to Chelsea after being reduced to nine men. Aston Villa faced a setback with a 2-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, but Crystal Palace secured a win by the same margin against Burnley. Brentford claimed a thrilling victory of 3-2 against West Ham United in a game that was a nail-biter but ended in the Bees' favor.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 12
Before diving into identifying potential game-changers for your fantasy team, it's crucial to be vigilant about any significant absences from the starting lineups. These exclusions can significantly impact your team's performance in the fantasy league, emphasizing the need to stay well-informed and adaptable in the constantly changing landscape of fantasy sports:
Notable Absences
Liverpool will face Brentford without the services of Alexis Mac Allister, who is suspended after picking up his 5th yellow card this season. Newcastle United will miss Dan Burn for a few months due to injury, and Bruno Guimarães will also be absent in the next match, serving a suspension for his 5th yellow card. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur will be without several players due to suspensions and injuries, including Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie for their red cards, along with Micky van de Ven due to injury.
Forwards
a. Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) enjoyed one of the best games of his career against Bournemouth last week where he had record of 4 assists in a single game in addition to his goal. Manchester City’s summer recruit has quickly filled the boots of Riyad Mahrez and would be important for their next game against Chelsea.
b. Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) showcased an impressive performance in the last game despite his team's loss. The English forward has maintained consistency throughout the season, contributing 7 goals to his club's tally. He'll be eager to guide his team back to winning ways in their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest.
Tip: For 10.9 credits (616.2 points), Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon could be a great choice as a forward under 11 credits. With Alexander Isak out due to injury, Gordon is likely to be Newcastle’s main threat going forward as he proved in the last game against Arsenal.
Midfielders
a. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) came to the rescue of his side in the game against Fulham as he scored a late winner. United’s captain remains their biggest asset as they try to recover from a sluggish start to the season and would be hoping he delivers again as they face Luton Town next.
b. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) converted a penalty and assisted one of Jackson's three goals as Chelsea overcame Spurs 4-1. The midfielder from Manchester City’s academy seems to be thriving at Chelsea as he eagerly looks forward to proving himself against his former side in the next game.
Tip: For 10.4 credits (704 points), Arsenal’s Declan Rice is a safe transfer for any fantasy squad. Declan Rice seems to be justifying his huge transfer fee as he has already proven himself to be the man for the big games at his new club.
Defenders
a. Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspurs) would be looking at his biggest challenge in Tottenham’s jersey as he would be tasked to solidify Spurs' defense against Wolves in the absence of Romero and Udogie. The Spanish right-back has adapted well in the premier league and would be a reliable choice for Spurs as well as fantasy teams.
b. Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) scored an important late goal for his side which secured their win in the last match. The defender has been consistently good for his side this season and would look to continue in a similar fashion against their next opponent Everton.
Tip: For 6.4 credits (491 points), Brighton’s Lewis Dunk offers significant value to fantasy managers looking for proven choices. As Brighton plays Sheffield United in the next game, Dunk can offer a great return for the fantasy managers in terms of points.
Goalkeepers
a. Alisson Becker (Liverpool) would be crucial for Liverpool as they face Brentford in the next game. Brentford is known for their quick transition play and is in the top half of most shots and most shots on goals this season, highlighting the need for a great goalkeeper between the goalposts.
b. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) had an off day against Nottingham Forest, coming off the back of winning the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Villa's number one will likely be looking forward to the upcoming match against Fulham, offering him an opportunity to redeem himself against a team that has been struggling to score goals.
Tip: For 5 credits (375.2 points), Everton’s Jordan Pickford presents an intriguing choice for those seeking a change in the goalkeeper position in their squad. Everton has seen improvement in their games in the last few games and Pickford could play a significant role for them against Crystal Palace to help them continue their good run.
What Next?
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