After a long and arduous international break, Fantasy Premier League returns this weekend for what is the start of a football carnival with ten gameweeks over the next 40 days. Gameweek 12 kicks off with fantasy favourites Chelsea travelling to Leicester while the resurgent Arsenal take on Liverpool at Anfield.
There are plenty of exciting options for managers to choose from at the moment – especially in defence – and here is our best team for Gameweek 12.
GK: Vincente Guaita (LEE) – £4.6m
Crystal Palace have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the last two weeks against Manchester City and Wolves and have been the 2nd best defence in the league in terms of expected goals conceded, making Guaita an excellent option for this week’s fixture versus Burnley.
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) – £7.7m
Alexander-Arnold registered a hat-trick of assists for England while on international duty and is currently the highest-scoring defender in the game, making him an essential asset for fantasy managers.
DEF: Joao Cancelo (MCI) – £6.5m
Joao Cancelo starred in gameweek 11 – registering two assists and a clean sheet away to Manchester United – and has taken a team-leading 26 shots for Manchester City this season.
DEF: Reece James (CHE) – £5.9m
Reece James has three goals, one assist and 41 points in his last three gameweeks, making him the most explosive defensive asset in the game while playing at right-wing back in this Chelsea system. The Blues have also kept three clean sheets in their last four games, giving James the opportunity to score points on both ends of the pitch.
DEF: Tino Livramento (SOU) – £4.5m
Tino Livramento has scored 27 points in the last four gameweeks and could add to that tally this weekend as Southampton take on the worst offensive team in the Premier League – Norwich City – who have only scored five goals all season.
MID: Conor Gallagher (CRY) – £5.9m
Conor Gallagher has registered consecutive double-digit hauls in the last two gameweeks and is now the second-highest scoring midfielder in the game behind Salah, making him the best budget option in FPL.
MID: Phil Foden (MCI) – £8.3m
Phil Foden has registered six attacking returns in six starts for Manchester City this season while playing as a false nine and takes on an Everton side that have conceded a league-leading 13 big chances over the past four matches.
MID: Mohamed Salah (LIV) – £13.0m
Mohamed Salah is a must-have asset in FPL right now, with the Egyptian winger holding a 50-point lead at the top of the FPL points standings in the opening 11 games of the season.
FWD: Harry Kane (TOT) – £12.2m
Harry Kane scored seven goals over the international break for England and could be an excellent option for this week’s fixture against a leaky Leeds defence at home.
FWD: Callum Wilson (NEW) – £7.4m
Callum Wilson takes on a Brentford defence that have conceded eight goals in their last four matches, and the Englishman could be one of the biggest beneficiaries from Eddie Howe’s appointment at Newcastle.
FWD: Michail Antonio (WHU) – £8.2m
Michail Antonio has registered the most shots and created the most chances amongst all forwards this season, and is the focal point of a West Ham attack that have scored the 3rd most goals in the league.
Captaincy Pick
Mohamed Salah remains the go-to option for FPL managers given his extraordinary run of form, but Harry Kane could be an excellent differential as Spurs look to turn things around under Antonio Conte at home to Leeds United.
Shivaan Shah