Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 12 Picks – Who’s in the Spotlight?
Alright, folks, buckle up because we’re diving into the ‘Fantasy Premier League’ jungle, armed with stats sharper than your ex’s tongue and predictions that are, dare I say, as whimsical as Lee Evans trying to do a stand-up routine in a revolving door.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – £7.9m
First up, we’ve got Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, a man whose price tag is lower than my expectations for a government program. If you’re eyeing that double-up with Cole Palmer (£10.9m), now’s the time! Chelsea’s next fixtures are about as tough as a wet tissue – NINE of their next ELEVEN games score only two on the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR). Who knew fixtures could be kinder than a grandma with cookie dough!
Chelsea’s Fixtures from GW12
| GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Leicester (A) | 2 |
| 13 | Aston Villa (H) | 3 |
| 14 | Southampton (A) | 2 |
| 15 | Spurs (A) | 4 |
| 16 | Brentford (H) | 2 |
| 17 | Everton (A) | 2 |
* FDR: 1 = easiest, 5 = hardest
Jackson’s away form sounds like a travel blog’s best-kept secret, delivering goals like a postman with a prone to pedal cycle. He’s Chelsea’s top scorer on the road this season, and if you’re not looking at him, are you even playing?
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) – £5.5m
Next, we’ve got the Dutchman Jurrien Timber strutting his stuff for Arsenal. With Ben White out, Timber’s stepping up faster than I can say, “Is it too early for a Christmas jumper?” His 10 key passes have him serving assists like a waiter at a five-star restaurant. At just £5.5m, he’s your ticket into that Arsenal backline, which is about to face opponents more forgiving than a parent trying to remember their kid’s birthday.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – £9.0m
Now onto Ollie Watkins, the Aston Villa man whose form has been lower than my social life during a pandemic. But here comes the twist – the upcoming matches could give him a golden chance to rekindle his spark! Hosting a Crystal Palace side devoid of any clean sheets is like finding a free buffet when you’re starving. With 15 big chances this season, Watkins has the potential of an underdog movie. Just don’t forget to add him to your lineup unless you’d like to keep your points tally looking like a newly opened bank account – embarrassingly low.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) – £7.2m
Our penultimate pick is the reviving Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, who’s rediscovered form like a late-night infomercial. He has been the assist king with 11 key passes! With West Ham coming to St James’ Park, Gordon can put on a display worthy of a one-man show. If you want those points to come rolling in, he’s a must-add! We’re talking about the kind of player who can light up your Fantasy squad like a 90s rave.
Sam Szmodics (Ipswich) – £5.8m
Finally, let’s meet Sam Szmodics. This guy is the budget solution no one saw coming, making defenders weep (and not just because they can’t afford him). He’s regained his spot in the Ipswich lineup, scoring goals with the panache of a one-hit-wonder. With a home match against Manchester United, Szmodics could be the secret weapon your midfield has been begging for. And let’s be honest, a player price-tagged at £5.8m would normally be wearing a t-shirt that says, “I’m just here for the cheap beer.”
Final Thoughts: Gameweek 12 is like a big buffet – load up on the right players, and you might just leave with a trophy (or at least some pride). Remember, this is Fantasy Premier League, where the agony is real, the ecstasy is real, and your decisions can be as questionable as that haircut your mate convinced you to get.
Now, go on, roll those dice—just don’t blame me when your season crumbles faster than a chocolate biscuit in a hot cup of tea!
The Scout is predicting five players poised for significant success in Gameweek 12 of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League as managers approach Saturday’s crucial 11:00 GMT deadline.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) £7.9m
If you’re considering adding Jackson as a dual option alongside Cole Palmer (£10.9m) for Chelsea’s upcoming favorable fixtures, now is an opportune moment to act.
NINE of Chelsea’s next eleven matches have received a Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) of just two, indicating favorable matchups.
Chelsea’s fixtures from GW12
| GW | Opp. | FDR | GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Leicester (A) | 2 | 18 | Fulham (H) | 2 |
| 13 | Aston Villa (H) | 3 | 19 | Ipswich (A) | 2 |
| 14 | Southampton (A) | 2 | 20 | Crystal Palace (A) | 2 |
| 15 | Spurs (A) | 4 | 21 | Bournemouth (H) | 2 |
| 16 | Brentford (H) | 2 | 22 | Wolves (H) | 2 |
| 17 | Everton (A) | 2 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
Chelsea will kick off this run with a challenging away fixture at Leicester City this weekend, while they will also face another promoted team, Southampton, in Gameweek 14.
Jackson has proven his away form can yield substantial Fantasy returns; he finds himself leading Chelsea’s scoring charts with four goals, two assists, and a total of 34 points accumulated during five away matches, edging out Palmer, who sits at 33 points.
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) £5.5m
With an injury sidelining fellow full-back Ben White (£6.2m), the Dutch defender Timber is anticipated to enjoy a series of starts in Arsenal’s defense.
Timber’s ability to provide assists is underscored by his impressive statistics; despite featuring in just eight of the first 11 Gameweeks, he has tallied ten key passes, placing him at fourth for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s squad, after navigating through a tough streak of opponents, is now set to face a series of more manageable fixtures, with each of their next nine matches scoring no higher than three on the FDR.
Available at just £5.5m, Timber offers an affordable pathway into the Arsenal defense, making him an attractive option for several Gameweeks ahead.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) £9.0m
The Aston Villa forward Watkins has experienced a dip in form, managing to find the back of the net only once in his last five appearances.
This weekend, Villa face a Crystal Palace side currently struggling defensively, presenting a prime opportunity for Watkins to return to goal-scoring ways.
Watkins enjoys the benefit of three favorable home matches in the next four Gameweeks, with disadvantaged defenses from Brentford and Southampton as subsequent opponents.
In terms of underlying data, Watkins has racked up 15 big chances this season, placing him second only to Erling Haaland (£15.2m), significantly outperforming any of his Villa teammates.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) £7.2m
The Newcastle United winger Gordon has significantly increased his contribution in home fixtures in recent weeks.
Gordon notably scored against Manchester City in Gameweek 6 and provided a crucial assist for Alexander Isak (£8.5m) in their win against Arsenal in Gameweek 10.
His recent form indicates a resurgence reminiscent of the previous season, where he emerged as a standout performer in home matches, securing 133 points.
Against West Ham United, Gordon’s impressive 11 key passes in home games underline his potential for creating scoring opportunities.
Sam Szmodics (Ipswich) £5.8m
The Ipswich Town midfielder Szmodics is on form and boasts a favorable fixture list that provides a budget-friendly option for fantasy managers.
Recently, Szmodics reclaimed his spot in the starting XI after impressive performances, including goals against Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur.
His statistics reveal his emerging threat, with his five big chances ranking highest among all midfielders in Fantasy over the past four Gameweeks.
A home clash against Manchester United precedes an appealing stretch of matches, opening the door for Szmodics to shine as a budget acquisition.
How does Anthony Gordon’s current form impact his FPL value ahead of upcoming fixtures?
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has been making significant strides this season, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset for FPL managers. Priced at £7.2m, Gordon has become an integral part of the Newcastle lineup, especially with his ability to contribute both goals and assists.
Over the past few matches, Gordon has demonstrated his versatility on the pitch, actively involved in Newcastle’s attacking plays. He has tallied several key contributions, making him an appealing option for those looking to bolster their midfield.
As Newcastle prepares for their upcoming fixtures, which include several teams with less robust defenses, Gordon’s chances to produce attacking returns seem promising. His ability to capitalize on defensive errors and create scoring opportunities underscores his value in the FPL landscape.
with a series of favorable matchups on the horizon and a current form that suggests he can deliver, Anthony Gordon stands out as a worthy consideration for FPL teams looking for impact players in the midfield.