By Caroly Kipkoech
Gameweek 13 of the Premier League brings us one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season: Liverpool vs Manchester City. Two of the league’s heavyweights are set to collide in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Anfield.
The Fantasy Premier League is characterised with its busy December schedule with a lot of games.
The Gameweek 13 deadline is set at a time of 21:30 (EAT) on Friday so make sure to get your house in order before clocking off for the weekend.
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF GAME WEEK 6
FORMATION: 3:5:2
GOALKEEPER: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
The Seagull’s goalkeeper offers the potential of save points at the very least at home to Southampton. Verbruggen has earned seven points from stops alone in the last five Gameweeks, in addition to a clean sheet and two bonus points.
DEF: Gabriel (Arsenal)
The Brazilian center back offers huge potential at both ends of the pitch at West Ham United. Gabriel is the second top-scoring defender in Fantasy this season, amassing 51 points thanks to two goals, four clean sheets and four bonus points.
DEF: Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton)
Brighton’s Pervis Estupiñán offers an intriguing differential option for Gameweek 13. Despite managing just eight points from 613 minutes this season, he has played the full 90 minutes in each of the last four matches, suggesting improved fitness and form.
DEF: Ola Aina (Nottingham)
A home encounter with Ipswich Town gives the Nottingham Forest full-back the chance to continue his fine start to 2024/25. Aina has a goal and four clean sheets to his name and has earned bonus points on three of the four occasions that Forest have recorded a shutout.
MID: Dejan Kulusevski (Spurs)
Kulusevski is seemingly a favourite of Ange Postecoglou, the Swede playing 90 minutes in all but three league matches this season and with the way he is performing, that run will likely continue this weekend against a Fulham side who fell to a shock 4-1 home defeat against Wolves last weekend.
MID: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka’s eight assists and four league goals have been massive for Arsenal this season as they remain just inside the top four, and after a goal and an assist against Forest in the last league game, that should put him in good stead for the West Ham clash. With the Hammers yet to beat anyone inside the top seven, this could spell a tough test for Julen Lopetegui’s side.
MID: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
A return to the Gtech Community Stadium should help the Brentford talisman this week, who has blanked in his last three on the road. His record on home turf is sensational, with seven goals and one assist — no player can better his 60 points in home games this season. He has the routes to points, given his set piece involvement and penalties.
MID: Son Heung-min (Spurs)
Spurs captain Son Heung-min continues to show consistency, he’s produced one goal and two assists in his last four starts, with a hugely significant win for his team last time out, beating Man City 4-0 at the Etihad.
They host Fulham, who had a shocking 4-1 loss to Wolves last time out. Spurs are the Premier League’s top goal scorers this season, with 27 goals and so owning a piece of their attack is highly attractive.
MID: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – CAPTAIN
Mohamed Salah justifiably edges out his rivals at the top of the predicted rankings for Gameweek 13 and should be considered as the best captain pick despite the visit of Man City. It’s a good time to face the current champions given their recent losing streak.
Salah’s consistency is incredible this season, with eight double digit hauls in 12 appearances, with 16 attacking returns already. He’s scored the most fantasy points of any player in the last four gameweeks.
FWD: Chris Wood (Nottingham)
Chris Wood has been a frustrating hold for his owners following his eight goals in the first 10 gameweeks of the season.
He blanked in the 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle and then found himself benched for the trip to Arsenal following the international break, having covered significant miles with the New Zealand national team.
Managers should back him for at least one more week, with Ipswich the latest visitors to the City Ground, conceding 10 goals in their last four on the road.
FWD: Joao Pedro (Brighton)
Brighton’s Brazilian has made an immediate impact since returning from injury, with double-digit returns in back-to-back Gameweeks. Joao Pedro has averaged 7.0 points per match this season, joint-top with Erling Haaland (£15.1m) among forwards in Fantasy.
