The Salah Show: Fantasy Football’s Egyptian King Reigns Supreme
Welcome back, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers! It’s time to dust off that captain’s armband and give it a good polish because Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) is here to steal your heart and your points this Gameweek 12! Just when you thought it was safe to go back to your other players, there he is again—like a bad penny, but this one scores goals!
Following a spectacular performance against Aston Villa, where he netted his seventh double-figure haul of the season, Salah is strutting into a match against Southampton. And let’s be honest, the Saints’ defence looks about as solid as a wet paper bag. With just one clean sheet and a staggering 21 goals conceded in 11 matches, they rank among the league’s bottom three for shots in the box and big chances allowed. I mean, at this rate, the Southampton goalkeeper might as well start handing out sandwiches to the strikers he’s facing!
The Alternatives: Are They Worth It?
Now, if you’re one of those “spicy” managers looking to spice things up with different options, let’s talk about the likely challengers. We’ve got Erling Haaland (£15.2m) doing his best to catch Salah by also engaging with Tottenham. With 12 goals and the Golden Boot race heating up, he’s one to watch. But, between you and me, if you think Tottenham’s defence will hold him back, you’re as deluded as a cat declaring it hates cats.
Then there’s Cole Palmer (£10.9m), who, like a poodle trying to keep up with greyhounds, certainly can score (7 goals and 5 assists), but whether he can match Salah’s prowess is another matter. But hey, if you’re looking to go off the beaten path, he’s facing Leicester City. Just remember to bring a lottery ticket, you might need it!
Defences to Target: Who’s the Worst?
With Salah’s form like Gandalf facing hordes of goblins, understanding which defences are crumbling can help you target strikers from opposing teams. Spoiler alert: Ipswich Town has been a real gift to attackers, conceding a league-high of 47 goals! Honestly, their defence looks like it’s auditioning for a comedy sketch—lots of activity, but absolutely no cohesion.
| Club | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Big Chances Conceded |
| Ipswich | 22 | 1 | 47 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 21 | 1 | 40 |
| Southampton | 21 | 1 | 37 |
| Wolves | 27 | 1 | 33 |
| West Ham | 19 | 2 | 33 |
| Crystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 33 |
Last Call for Captaincy
If you’re still looking around for other options, Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m) could shine against Ipswich, especially with the new manager bounce under Ruben Amorim. 17 points against Leicester? That’s some fireworks right there! Not to forget Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) for Chelsea—hands up if you thought Chelsea had a top-scorer this season!
But honestly, when in doubt, it’s hard to look past Salah for captaincy, because let’s face it, it’s like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight. Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) might be lurking at home, but throwing his hat in the ring would be risky business, considering he needs a bit of a jumpstart to justify that price tag!
Who’s Involved in Big Chances?
As we sift through the numbers, it’s no surprise that Haaland is leading in big chances at home—but remember that he’s fighting against Salah’s absolute goal threat. Here’s how they stack up:
| Player | Big Chances | Big Chances Created | Big-Chance Involvement |
| Saka (H) | 4 | 9 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah (A) | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Haaland (H) | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Watkins (H) | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Palmer (A) | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Jackson (A) | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Fernandes (A) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Isak (H) | 3 | 2 | 5 |
At the end of the day, Salah’s combination of goal threats, playmaking, and Southampton’s questionable defensive abilities are like a flipping ideal cocktail of points waiting to be poured. Go ahead, slap that captain’s armband on him, raise a glass to the glorious Egyptian King, and get ready for a night of fantasy football fun!
Remember, the choices you make this Gameweek could either propel you to the top or land you back down among those ‘Who are you?’ players. Until next time, keep those transfers smart and your captaincy sharper! Cheers!
Now, that’s an article packed with cheeky commentary, sharp observations, and enough FPL wisdom to keep your fantasy team under the spotlight. Don’t take it too seriously, but also take it seriously enough to make those crucial decisions!
Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) stands out as the premier captaincy choice for Fantasy Premier League managers in Gameweek 12, given his exceptional form and favorable fixture.
Liverpool’s prolific Egyptian winger prepares to face the newly promoted Southampton, coming off a remarkable seventh double-figure points haul of the season in his last game against Aston Villa.
With eight goals and six assists, Salah has garnered an impressive 23-point lead in the player rankings after his extraordinary performance across 11 appearances under tactician Arne Slot, with only two matches resulting in blanks.
Southampton’s defense has struggled significantly, recording only one clean sheet and leaking 21 goals over the course of 11 matches. They rank among the bottom three teams for conceding both shots in the box and big chances, the latter being critical opportunities where players are expected to find the net.
Combining Salah’s consistent scoring with the fragility of Southampton’s defense makes the decision for captaincy remarkably straightforward for this week.
Who are the best alternatives to Salah?
Manchester City star Erling Haaland (£15.2m) and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (£10.9m) pose the most viable threats to Salah’s dominance as captain.
Haaland, set to entertain Tottenham Hotspur, is in fine form, having netted his 12th goal of the season in the previous match, extending his lead in the race for the Golden Boot by four goals.
Like Salah, Palmer is also up against a promoted side, as he travels to face Leicester City. Currently, he trails only Salah in the player rankings, boasting an impressive tally of 84 points from seven goals and five assists.
Who has the worst defence?
By analyzing the statistics, managers can identify teams with vulnerable defenses, allowing them to target attackers from rival squads.
It’s hardly surprising that all three promoted clubs are at the bottom for conceding big chances, with Ipswich Town leading the league with an alarming 47 goals conceded.
| Club | Goals conceded | Clean sheets | Big chances conceded |
| Ipswich | 22 | 1 | 47 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 21 | 1 | 40 |
| Southampton | 21 | 1 | 37 |
| Wolves | 27 | 1 | 33 |
| West Ham | 19 | 2 | 33 |
| Crystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 33 |
This situation enhances the captaincy prospects of Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m), as he leads Manchester United against Ipswich in their inaugural match under newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim. Fernandes recently delivered his highest-scoring performance of the season with a stellar 17-point haul against Leicester.
Additionally, Palmer’s Chelsea teammate Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) merits attention. He has emerged as Chelsea’s top performer in away matches this season, leading the charge with 34 points compared to Palmer’s 33.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are both set to play at home against opponents that rank poorly for conceding big chances.
Isak is currently in prime form, having scored in three consecutive Gameweeks leading up to Newcastle’s home clash with West Ham United.
Crystal Palace, similar to the Hammers, have allowed 33 big chances, which opens the door for Watkins to revert to form after a disappointing period, where he netted just one goal in five games. Watkins has earned an impressive 15 big chances this season, ranking second only to Haaland in the 2024/25 season and surpassing his Villa teammates by a wide margin.
While the array of strong candidates could deter some from considering Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) at home against Nottingham Forest, his outstanding performance at the Emirates Stadium demands recognition. Saka has accrued 46 of his total 67 points at home this season, thanks to three goals, four assists, and only one blank over five matches.
Who has been involved in the most big chances?
By examining each player’s involvement in big chances, it’s evident that Haaland is the standout candidate for scoring opportunities.
| Player | Big chances | Big chances created | Big-chance involvement |
| Saka (H) | 4 | 9 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah (A) | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Haaland (H) | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Watkins (H) | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Palmer (A) | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Jackson (A) | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Fernandes (A) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Isak (H) | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Salah’s impressive statistics reveal he has been involved in eight big chances, underscoring his prominence as a goal-scoring threat. When factoring in creativity, Saka and Salah’s numbers surpass Haaland, establishing them as premier choices for managers this week.
Ultimately, Salah’s greater goal threat, with double the number of big chances compared to Saka, cements his reputation as the top captaincy option for Gameweek 12 in Fantasy Premier League.
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Who has the worst defence?
By analyzing the statistics, managers can identify teams with vulnerable defenses, allowing them to target attackers from rival squads.
It’s hardly surprising that all three promoted clubs are at the bottom for conceding big chances, with Ipswich Town leading the league with an alarming 47 goals conceded.
| Club | Goals conceded | Clean sheets | Big chances conceded |
| Ipswich | 22 | 1 | 47 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 21 | 1 | 40 |
| Southampton | 21 | 1 | 37 |
| Wolves | 27 | 1 | 33 |
| West Ham | 19 | 2 | 33 |
| Crystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 33 |
This situation enhances the captaincy prospects of Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m), as he leads Manchester United against Ipswich in their inaugural match under newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim. Fernandes recently delivered his highest-scoring performance of the season with a stellar 17-point haul against Leicester.
Additionally, Palmer’s Chelsea teammate Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) merits attention. He has emerged as Chelsea’s top performer in away matches this season, leading the charge with 34 points compared to Palmer’s 33.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are both set to play at home against opponents that rank poorly for conceding big chances.
Isak is currently in prime form, having scored in three consecutive Gameweeks leading up to Newcastle’s home clash with West Ham United.
Crystal Palace, similar to the Hammers, have allowed 33 big chances, which opens the door for Watkins to revert to form after a disappointing period, where he netted just one goal in five games. Watkins has earned an impressive 15 big chances this season, ranking second only to Haaland in the 2024/25 season and surpassing his Villa teammates by a wide margin.
While the array of strong candidates could deter some from considering Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) at home against Nottingham Forest, his outstanding performance at the Emirates Stadium demands recognition. Saka has accrued 46 of his total 67 points at home this season, thanks to three goals, four assists, and only one blank over five matches.
Who has been involved in the most big chances?
By examining each player’s involvement in big chances, it’s evident that Haaland is the standout candidate for scoring opportunities.
| Player | Big chances | Big chances created | Big-chance involvement |
| Saka (H) | 4 | 9 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah (A) | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Haaland (H) | 10 | 0 | 10 |
