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Welcome to Gameweek 13, RotoBallers! This is our third year covering FPL, and we are bringing you more coverage than ever. We publish two weekly articles: a staff roundtable preview and our weekly rankings. Then, once a month, we have our newest report, The Watchlist, a review of the previous month and a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
12 gameweeks down, 26 to go. This weekend starts with the most prominent fixture on the Premier League calendar for the last five seasons: Man City versus Liverpool. It should be an incredible game; hopefully, it delivers in every aspect. Outside of that showdown, Newcastle versus Chelsea, Spurs-Villa, and Man United traveling to Everton are the games to watch.
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 13 deadline is 6:00 AM ET on Saturday, November 25, when Man City welcomes Liverpool in an early title clash. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 13 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 13!
Erling Haaland picked up an ankle injury over the international break. Are the alarm bells sounding again, or can FPL managers be patient?
- Euan Leith: We should wait until Pep Guardiola's press conference before the weekend. While it won't be a crystal clear indication of Erling Haaland's status, we may be able to glean something from the manager. Also, scroll through X to find any training photos of the big Norwegian.
- Jamie Steed: I’ve no doubt he’ll start this weekend for Manchester City. It seems like the sort of injury players pick up when they have a big club game on the horizon and their international fixture has nothing at stake. The injury wouldn't rule him out if it were the other way around.
- Tom Bellucco: I'm still sticking it out with one of the most valuable FPL players ever. I want to keep him in my starting lineup in case his ankle was more of a scare than anything. Unless we get more confirmation that he will miss multiple weeks come Friday afternoon, I'd like to keep Haaland in my lineup and pair a high-upside bench option with him to provide some security.
There were several other knocks picked up by FPL contributors over the last week. Which one will be the most impactful?
- Euan: Jarrod Bowen's injury comes at an inopportune moment, as I considered bringing him into my FPL squad. Like Haaland, we must wait for David Moyes' comments in the press conference on Thursday or Friday before making firm decisions about Bowen's availability. If he is clear of the dreaded flags, he is a high-priority transfer for me in Gameweek 13.
- Jamie: Of all the players to have picked up an injury over the last seven days, it seems like Kaoru Mitoma will most likely impact FPL teams. It appears he’ll only miss one game, but that’s at Nottingham Forest, a side that’s kept just one clean sheet at home this season. Seems like 36.5% of FPL managers will need to find an alternative for this week.
- Tom: I've been loving Jarrod Bowen's shot props the past few weeks, as he plays all the minutes he can handle and is not reluctant to let one fly. However, I'll be hesitant with him with shot props and FPL lineups now, knowing he's nursing a knee injury. West Ham is deep enough to sub him out, and they might get up a couple of goals in the first half against Burnley.
If Haaland is healthy, it’ll be the Norwegian versus Mohamed Salah in the early kickoff. Would you captain either of these FPL stalwarts?
- Euan: Mohamed Salah's splits at Anfield compared to away from Liverpool are pretty striking. The Egyptian scores 10.5 FPL points per game at home, but that number drops to 6.3 FPL PPG on the road. If Haaland is healthy, I would prefer him over Salah. Still, with an early kickoff after an international break, I'm more likely to look elsewhere for my captaincy.
- Jamie: Haaland missed City’s 4-1 win over Liverpool last season and is one of only two teams he’s failed to score against in the EPL (Brentford being the other). Despite my being confident he’ll start this weekend despite the ankle injury, I’d be worried he is only fit enough to start on the bench. So, I’d side with Salah, especially given the Egyptian has a goal involvement in his last six EPL matches against City.
- Tom: I'll steer clear of Haaland, fearing that he might only play 60 minutes in this one. I'm curious if Man City will try to slow this match down and win a classic 1-0 brawl coming off a disappointing 4-4 draw with Chelsea last time out. As such, I'll look elsewhere for captainship despite the star-studded match at the Etihad on Saturday morning.
With the busy upcoming schedule, who are a few bench assets FPL managers should look to bring into their sides?
- Euan: Kostas Tsimikas is £4.6m but seems to have the starting left-back role for Liverpool. Tino Livramento is in the same price range and can play anywhere on the right side for Newcastle at £4.5m. In the midfield, Cole Palmer, at £5.1m, is a great value, and Cameron Archer for Sheffield United is a perfect £4.5m forward who plays most of the minutes every week.
- Jamie: Leon Bailey hasn’t started a Premier League game for Aston Villa since Matchday 2. Yet he still has three goals and three assists this season. That includes three goal involvements off the bench in his last four games. Cody Gakpo has a nice run of fixtures after this weekend and is appealing, while Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson should continue to deputize on the wing.
- Tom: Matheus Cunha has two great matchups in Fulham and Burnley, with Arsenal thrown in. He continues to get great looks in transition and plays tons of minutes for Wolves.
Who is the biggest FPL surprise through the first third of the season?
- Euan: Marcus Rashford sits outside the top 40 midfielders in total points this season. In Erik ten Hag's second season, many expected Man United to take another step forward, but it's all gone pear-shaped. Rashford is lackluster on the left wing and hasn't come close to hitting the highs of the 2022/23 campaign. The England international was incredibly popular at the beginning of the season but now sits in only 12.9 percent of FPL squads.
- Jamie: There’s been no shortage of unheralded, cheaper options performing well. Joachim Andersen, Douglas Luiz, and Dominic Solanke all rank high in their respective positions. The biggest surprise must be Marcus Rashford, not in a good way. There are 40 midfielders to have scored more than Rashford’s 35 points, despite the Manchester United man having started all but one game and being the fourth-most expensive option at the position.
- Tom: The easy answer is Marcus Rashford. Where has he been? How had Erik ten Hag struggled to find a way to unleash such a talented forward?
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 13?
- Euan: Through five away games, Arsenal has made it clear that they have zero intention of conceding on the road. Per fbref.com, the Gunners are tops for expected goals allowed at 4.3. Mikel Arteta wants to get in and out of these away fixtures with a scrappy 1-0 win, and we should expect that from his Arsenal side on Saturday night.
- Jamie: There isn’t a standout option, albeit I fancy the Luton Town and Crystal Palace game to end goalless. But Everton certainly appeals this week. Their 5.7 xGA at home is sixth-best in the league, while opponent Manchester United’s 5.7 xG on the road is third-lowest. The 10-point deduction might light a fire under Everton this week, so don’t be surprised if the Toffees repel United.
- Tom: This is a strange week where I see a path for goals for almost every club. I'll go with Crystal Palace despite them traveling to Luton. I can see their defensive back four stepping up to make up for a lackluster performance against Everton last time out.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan: Tottenham and Aston Villa play with extremely high-line defenses, and there will be plenty of room to exploit behind these defenses. Therefore, Matty Cash and Pedro Porro will have many chances to grab attacking returns. I favor Porro for now, but I won't be surprised to see both of their names in the stats by the end of the weekend.
- Jamie: I’m returning to an old favorite this week and opting for Kieran Trippier. Newcastle’s injury crisis means they might need to rely on set-pieces for a goal, and Chelsea looked anything but assured defending balls into the box against Manchester City. Tottenham’s nine-men also came close to scoring from set plays against them prior, so the Newcastle man is my pick.
- Tom: Tino Livramento has to see some time for Newcastle this weekend, as Lewis Hall has been added to the list of Magpie injuries. He is not shy about pushing forward and overlapping on the wing, and he has swung some nice balls in during his limited playing time thus far.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
- Euan: Gabriel Martinelli (7.4 percent TSB%) hasn't hit last year's highs during the current campaign, but things are looking up for the Brazilian. Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus can make the starting XI for the Gunners in Gameweek 13, and this will open things up for Martinelli. The midfielder was electric when Arsenal was at full strength last year, especially when Jesus was on the pitch.
- Jamie: I’m digging deep this week and going with Everton’s Jack Harrison (0.1% rostered). I’ve mentioned Manchester United’s attacking struggles away from home, but Everton’s recent upturn in form shouldn’t be ignored either. Harrison has started their last five games and picked up one goal and three assists. He tallied 37 goal involvements (100 starts) in his three EPL seasons with Leeds United before moving to Everton, so he has the pedigree at this level, too.
- Tom: I'll stick with Eberechi Eze again this week, as the Crystal Palace midfielder continues to look vital for this Eagles attack. He's still just 4.0 percent selected, and he played a full 90 minutes in the last match with a converted penalty and another shot on goal.
Who is one player you want to, but can’t, have for the Gameweek 13 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
- Euan: I wouldn't mind grabbing Jarrod Bowen for my FPL squad, but I'm trying to be patient with my transfers. If Spurs look rough with Maddison again, Son Heung-min may be the man on the chopping block.
- Jamie: I like James Ward-Prowse’s chances of picking up a few assists or goals at Burnley. Unfortunately, a never-ending injury crisis is preventing me from making some moves I want to. With Jarrod Bowen already rostered, I’m loathe to have two West Ham midfielders, given who I currently have.
- Tom: I think we need one more week before I can try to buy low on Alexander Isak, but the time is coming. Callum Wilson has had to play way too many minutes recently, so once Isak is back healthy, he should get tons of run in a Newcastle squad that is desperate for a playmaker. Keep your eye out for his return.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan: I made the wrong call with Ollie Watkins in Gameweek 12, but I'm giving him a chance at redemption in Gameweek 13. Erling Haaland versus Mohamed Salah is too close to call, and Watkins is the talisman for Aston Villa's attack. With Tottenham still struggling along the backline, I feel Watkins can reward my faith and bag me more points than the two FPL legends playing in the early kickoff.
- Jamie: The aforementioned Jarrod Bowen is currently wearing the armband. Burnley averaging three goals against per game at home certainly makes any West Ham player a solid option. Bowen has scored in all six away EPL games, and a seventh is definitely on the cards.
- Tom: Bruno Fernandes is a bit risky, but the offense continues to flow through him, providing him with nine shots over his last three EPL fixtures. With Everton dropping deep to avoid runs from the wings, Fernandes should find space once again. I'll take him to score at least one goal and notch an assist at Goodison Park to help get the Red Devils back on track.
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 13?
- Euan: Liverpool beats Manchester City at the Etihad and climbs to the top of the table. Elsewhere, Everton stuns Man United behind a raucous Goodison Park crowd, and Chelsea goes on the road to pull off an impressive victory against Newcastle.
- Jamie: I’m sticking with Everton upsetting Manchester United, while Nottingham Forest will add to Brighton’s recent league woes. After the seven Saturday games see more goals scored by away teams than the hosts, the three visiting teams on Sunday and Monday all blank. And a midfielder on less than 3% of teams scores a brace.
- Tom: Looking around for clean sheets, I had a hard time. So, I suppose by bold prediction, this week is simple: I expect goals! Let's get crazy and say that only one of the 20 clubs fails to score this weekend (Luton Town), which makes strong goalkeeping a premium commodity for FPL managers this week. Also, it sounds like I'll be placing a few BTTS and Over wagers in the coming days!
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
