Game Week 12 Preview: GW12 Quandary Over City and Arsenal Blanks

It would seem like these fixtures just keep coming thick and fast as the World Cup draws closer, and FPL managers seem to have a different problem every gameweek with players to select as a result of the various changes that happen with players' availability, injury or even form.

GW12 is one that we have been speaking about for a while with League leaders Arsenal FC and Manchester City not taking part in this gameweek. This would leave a lot of holes in the teams of many managers as most managers have been heavily reliant on assets from these clubs with an emphasis on Erling Haaland(FWD) who has been spectacular.

Another problem managers would contend with this GW is the suspension of Leicester City's James Maddison(MID) whose 94th-minute booking meant that FPL managers would need to look elsewhere to fill the void in their Midfield.

Gameweek 12 is going to be very interesting with managers getting prepared to take hits, use chips like a wildcard or even maybe Free Hit to survive the absence of Arsenal and City players.

Some of the players we might have to keep an eye for this gameweek to steady ship are;

Ones to Watch

• Mohamed Salah(MID) has to be back in contention as one of the top assets after his great showing in the Champions League against Rangers and then his contribution with the winning goal against high flyers Manchester City. Liverpool have a good picture in West Ham and ig his form is anything we could go by then he will make a good candidate for captaincy.

• Mason Mount(MID) is another player who is doing so well at the moment with 27 FPL points in his last two games. He seems to be one of the only players that is least affected by the Graham Potter changes and for good reason as he seems to be always among the goals.

• James Maddison's(MID) suspension has left managers looking for alternatives in thier midfield Brighton's Trossadr(MID) is a good fit to replace him as he too is the focal point in Brighton's new manager De Zerbi's plans. Another excellent fit to Replave the Leicester midfielder is Crystal Palace Midfield Wilfred Zaha(MID).

• Spurs are still without Kulusevky(MID) and Richarlison(FWD), this means that club captain Harry Kane(FWD) and last season's top scorer Son(MID) could start for Spurs.

• Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke(FWD) has been fantastic this season and if managers are in need of players to fill the void of Haaland(FWD) and Jesus(FWD) in GW12 then he is a great replacement.

GAME WEEK 12 FIXTURES

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest

Brighton might be coming into this game from two straight defeats but this seems to be the game where they could make a mark and perform brilliantly.

Nottingham Forest were brilliant against Aston Villa but fell against Wolves even after posting a very derogatory and confrontational tweet before the game.

Brighton's Leonard Trossard(MID) is a player to watch out for as he has been brilliant all season long and a game against Nottingham Forest could see him return to his best. Danny Welbeck(FWD), Gross(MID) and McAllister(MID) are also in the running to have a great game if things go the way of Brighton.

Brighton Defenders like Webster(DEF) also seem like brilliant addition to any side as it is highly probable that Brighton could finish this game with a clean sheet.

Nottingham Forest have had a rough run this season but can not be written off just yet. Nigerian International Taiwo Awoniyi(FWD) could be giving a nod to start the fixture against Brighton and could bring in returns for managers who put Faith in him.

On paper, this momentum seems to be with Brighton but we all to get a very exciting game filled with twists, turns and hopefully many FPL point returns.

Crystal Palace vs Wolves


Crystal Palace seemed to have turned the curve with regards to unfortunate defeats but still seem to have some difficulty with grinding out results as they were only able to get a draw against Leicester in the weekend. They play against a wounded Wolves side on Tuesday and hopefully they will get a win.

Wolves on the other hand had a brilliant game against Nottingham Forest in the weekend and would really love to build on that especially with their manager and injured attackes crises.

Zaha(MID) is a great addition to any team and has the potential to turn any game around.

Bournemouth vs Southampton

Bournemouth have had a decent start to the season and presently sits 10th in the EPL table with 13 points and play a very compact and defensive game. With premium defenders not necessarily performing at the moment, Bournemouth defenders like Zamura or Mepham could come in at a bargain buy. Forward Solanke(FWD) is doing so well at the moment but so also is midfielder Billing(MID).

Southampton has been given another difficult fixture in Bournemouth and would normally be expected to struggle as a result of their form, but Southampton could have some differentials like Ward-Prowse, Aribo and Che Adams that could probably get returnss against Bournemouth.

Brentford vs Chelsea

Chelsea are playing with a bit of confidence in the attacking department since they bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Aubameyang playing as the focal point for Chelsea FC could bring in attacking returns in goals or assist in the attacking department for the side.

Mason Mount(MID) has also been excellent in the last fixtures, scoring and assisting for fun. He is presently one of the stand-out players in Chelsea at the moment and comes at a considerably cheap £7.7.

Kepa(GK) has been doing very well these past fixtures, and has helped Chelsea to 2 clean sheets in his last 2 outings with very important save against Villa. If he retains his starting position, with the £4.4 price tag he currently has, he would be a great addition to managers.

Brentford is having a good season as well as they currently sit 9th. Ivan Toney(FWD)is a great addition to any FPL team as has already amassed an amazing 65 points this season. Brentford's Ben Mee and Mathias Jensen are also perfect differentials that could easily bolster the score of any manager.

Liverpool vs West Ham

Liverpool's Salah(MID) seems to be back to his great form in the FPL with a wonderful strike against City. This could see many managers handing him the captain's band especially with this seasons favourite Erling Haaland(FWD) having a blank gameweek.

Trent Alexander-Arnold(MID) who hasn't performed up to the standards we know, together with his previous injury concerns is set to make a full return back into the Liverpool side and hopefully among the goals against a as we know he can.

Firminho(FWD) and Darwin have also been amazing great up front and could be lethal to any defence.

West ham are known to be a thorn to the flesh of the Liverpool team and if history repeats itself then it could be damaging for the Liverpool side.

Jarod Bowen(MID) has been a marquee player for the hammers with goals and assists contribution in the last 3 games. He has 38 FPL points already this season, with 23 of them coming in the last 3 games. West Ham's Scamacca(FWD) has also been brilliant this season, scoring very important goals and increasing the attacking threat of his side. He is someone managers should take a close look at.

Newcastle vs Everton

Newcastle are beginning to perform like a team that could be challenging for major titles in England in years to come. Callum Wilson(MID) is back playing games and seems to be fit enough to be among the top strikers in the Premier League. Miguel Almiron(MID) is having his best season in the premier league yet with 47 FPL points and 4 goals,

Everton will be without Defender Nathan Patterson who was putting up a good showing. I believe he will be properly deputized by Tarkowsky. Everton also has brilliant midfielders like Gray(MID) and Gordon(MID) that could easily be differentials if they put up a good showing.

Man Utd vs Spurs

Manchester United drew their last match against Newcastle in the weekend but really showed some promise. With most of their players back and in contention, it could mean a really tough game against a Spurs side aiming to compete for top honours in the premier league this season.

Rashford(MID) seems to be getting back to his best, he is Man Utd top FPL asset at the moment with 44 points, and if his form is anything we should go by then he could continue against Spurs and wreak havoc.

Spurs are doing so well at the moment with Kane performing spectacularly. This would definitely be a great fixture with both teams playing very well at the moment.

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Fulham suffered a heavy defeat against Newcastle in the absence of their talisman Mitrovic who came back in the weekend and helped them against Bournemouth. Bobby De-Cordova Reid has been playing well this season when playing alongside Mitrovic. It will be interesting to see if he can replicate that form.

Ason Villa has had its share of difficult fixtures and seems to be getting improved fixtures that could see players like Ollie Watkins play at their very best to keep his head above water and carry the team with him. He has 1 goal and 2 assists already this season.

Leicester vs Leeds

With Maddison suspended, it would be interesting to see other players like Barnes and Daka step up to the plate. This Leicester side have been playing really well although they do not have the results to show.

Leeds seem to be performing very well with a draw against Aston Villa last weekend and are facing stiff competition in Crystal Palace. Leeds midfielder Rodrigo is having an excellent start to the season with 40 FPl points, 4 goals and 1 assist already to his name. He is one to watch and could be a great addition to any manager's team.

Chips

The absence of Arsenal and City on the fixtures list mean that managers who have been very dependent on these two teams would have to look elsewhere for options, and this could result in using chips like Free Hit or Wildcard.

Most FPL commentators have been leaning toward the Free Hit chip as it helps manager pick only available players for one gameweek and return their original team the next week with their Arsenal and City assets intact.

Captains

Erling Haaland has been giving the nod for major parts of the season and with good reason. however, he wont be available for GW12 and as such managers need to look for other alternatives.

Mo Salah(MID) seems like a great captain selection as he has the ability to turn any game around through his goal or assist contribution. Liverpool play a difficult West Ham side, but if any player stands a great chance of bringing in returns fit for a captain, then it is no Mo Salah

Harry Kane's season has been almost as brilliant as that of Erling Haaland, and with the absence of the City striker many managers would turn to Kane even though it seems like they have a difficult fixture in Manchester United.

Zaha has a great fixture Wolves who haven't been playing at their best. So, it wouldn't be surprising to see managers picking the Ivorian as their captain.

Hive FPL Standing

@skanderh seems to have a good grip on the top spot but being closely followed by the other FPL managers. It won't be a surprise if he gets supplanted this week in the top spot.