Fantasy Football Tips for Gameweek 12 in the Premier League
The dreaded international break is over and football fans can take solace from the fact club football will not have to pause again until March next year. There are colossal fixtures all over Europe this weekend, starting with Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United, as Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho renew their rivalry.
This isn’t the only big fixture in the Premier League this weekend and the WhoScored tipster has examined the matches to provide fantasy football fans with some tips they should consider ahead of gameweek 12.
MARCOS ALONSO (CHELSEA)
Chelsea are currently enjoying their best defensive run in a single league season since November 2009 after keeping five clean sheets on the spin since Antonio Conte changed the set-up of the team to a 3-4-3 formation.
Marcos Alonso’s arrival was mocked by many following stints at Sunderland and Bolton, but the Spanish left-back has played an important part in their renaissance. The 25-year-old is currently the fourth highest rated player in the Premier League (7.88) and is providing the foundations on the left for which Eden Hazard has been able to thrive in attack. Not only is Alonso proving a capable defender - averaging 4 tackles per game - but he has also contributed in attack, with one goal and one assist to his name in his six league appearances.
Conte’s side travel to Middlesbrough in Sunday’s only fixture in the Premier League and they should be confident of continuing their title winning form. The two sides haven’t met since 2013 but Chelsea have won each of the last six contests and haven’t conceded a goal in that time. It’s been a decade since Boro last scored a goal against the Blues and their barren run looks set to continue this weekend.
MARCUS RASHFORD (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Arsenal may be the favourites ahead of their clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but Jose Mourinho’s side have cause for real optimism on Saturday.
Not only has Jose Mourinho not lost a competitive match against Arsene Wenger - a run that stretches 14 matches - but Arsenal have failed to score against a Jose Mourinho side in competitive action since 2007. Not only that, but Arsenal haven’t won at Old Trafford in the league for a decade. Even with Guillermo Varela at right-back, Michael Carrick at the heart of United’s defence and Memphis on the pitch back in February, United still triumphed.
United fans can expect a similarly patched up team this weekend with almost their entire regular back four sidelined through injury. Mourinho will also be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been ruled out of this fixture through suspension. However, United fans will be delighted to see Rashford return through the middle, where many feel is his best position.
The 19-year-old cemented his spot in the United first-team with a brace in their 3-2 win over Arsenal in February and he will be looking to make the most of his rare opportunity up front on Saturday.
EMRE CAN (LIVERPOOL)
It has taken a long time for Emre Can to return to full fitness this season, but the Germany international has slotted back into the Liverpool first team with ease and is even thriving in a more advanced position.
The 22-year-old is no longer the deepest midfielder in Liverpool’s midfield three, with captain Jordan Henderson now occupying that role in the team and carrying it out brilliantly. Henderson has completed more passes than any other player in the Premier League this season (800) and has quickly established himself as the heartbeat of the team.
As a result, Can has been forced to adapt to a new role in the team. Not only is the German expected to help out defensively, but he has also been given the license to bomb forward and link up with attack. He comes into this match having scored in back-to-back league games for the first time in his career.
In seven league matches this season Can has already scored as many goals as he managed in his first 57 league matches for the club. With Adam Lallana expected to miss out on a reunion with his former club this weekend, there will be even more expected of Can against Southampton.
ROBERT SNODGRASS (HULL)
Mike Phelan will hope their somewhat undeserved 2-1 win over Southampton can prove the turning point in their season. Hull had lost six league matches in a row before their final game before the international break and now they travel to Sunderland, in what is surely a six pointer for both teams as they look to steer clear of the bottom three.
The Tigers can welcome back some familiar faces to the starting XI this weekend, starting with key man Robert Snodgrass. The Scotland international has scored four of Hull’s 10 league goals this season and it has already become apparent that his performances will be central in their bid to avoid relegation back to the Championship at the first attempt.
In Premier League history Hull have only recorded more wins against Fulham (4) than against the Black Cats (3), and they should be looking to continue their positive record against David Moyes’ side, who have not won back-to-back league games since May.
ONES TO AVOID
Just as Everton’s climb towards the top half of the table went under the radar, their descent has also gone equally unnoticed. They have only won one of their last six matches in the Premier League and are now six points adrift of fourth place Arsenal.
They welcome a struggling Swansea side on Saturday, which may appear the home banker to some, but their record history against the Welsh outfit isn’t particularly inspiring. The Toffees have failed to beat Swansea in each of their last five matches and a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea before the international break would have knocked confidence severely.
It may also be worth checking up on any South American players in your fantasy football teams. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino only returned to Liverpool on Wednesday night and may not be in the best of shape following action with Brazil, while a decision will be made on Alexis Sanchez on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s clash with United.
