Your Essential Fantasy Premier League Guide for Gameweek 12
The Premier League makes a welcome return this weekend following the international break, and with it comes the crucial Saturday 11am deadline for Fantasy Premier League managers. After a pause filled with international drama, managers are now scrambling to finalise their squads for the upcoming fixtures. This Gameweek 12 presents a fantastic opportunity to gain ground on your rivals with some savvy selections.
Liverpool Assets Offer Strong Potential
With a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon for Liverpool, investing in their key players could pay significant dividends. Virgil van Dijk, priced at £5.9m, is a formidable defensive option. The commanding centre-back has registered an impressive 119 defensive contribution (DefCon) actions this season, the second-highest in the league. His threat was evident in the last match against Manchester City, where he had a goal disallowed.
In attack, Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) emerges as a compelling midfield choice. With three goals to his name this campaign, the Dutch international is poised for an increased role. Liverpool is expected to reshuffle their attacking line following the injury to Florian Wirtz, potentially handing Gakpo a starting berth and a chance to add to his tally.
Defensive Gems and In-Form Attackers
Looking beyond Merseyside, Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz (£5.8m) continues to be a standout asset. The attacking wing-back has caught the eye with his forward runs but has also been a cornerstone of a resilient Palace defence. The Eagles have kept five clean sheets in their opening 11 games, making Munoz a source of points at both ends of the pitch.
For those seeking a midfielder in blistering form, Bryan Mbeumo (£8.5m) of Manchester United is a prime candidate. The Cameroonian forward has been in sensational touch, scoring four goals in his last four appearances. His underlying statistics are equally dominant; no other midfielder has registered more than his 14 shots on target or created more than his eight big chances.
A Differential Pick with Point-Scoring Promise
If you're looking for a less conventional option to climb the rankings, consider Alejandro Garnacho (£6.4m). The former Manchester United winger, now at Chelsea, is owned by just 1 per cent of FPL managers. Under the management of Enzo Mareca, his minutes on the pitch have steadily increased, leading to a corresponding improvement in his output. This weekend presents a golden opportunity for the young Argentine, as Chelsea faces a Burnley side that has already conceded 22 goals in the 2024/25 season.
