Gameweek 12 saw the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and João Cancelo and Antonio Rudiger. In order to help accommodate some of these premium defenders, we’re taking a look at plenty of budget-friendly options this week.
As always, we’ll be using our popular FPL Fixture Tracker to help us!
FPL GW 13 Tips – Attack
Liverpool
Perhaps not the most obvious place to find budget-friendly players, the Reds nonetheless offer some intriguing options. Liverpool have a league-high expected goals tally of 13.53 over the next five fixtures.
The standout attacking pick that doesn’t cost 11.0m+ is surely Diogo Jota (7.5m). Roberto Firmino (8.8m) is Jota’s main issue but with the Brazilian absent until at least mid-December, Jota should have a clear run of games ahead. Five goals and an assist is a very decent return given Jota’s affordable price.
At this stage, every man and his dog owns Mo Salah (13.0m) in FPL. The Egyptian has an ownership of 72% and hasn’t blanked since gameweek 2. That form is surely the only reason Sadio Mané (11.9m) features in under 5% of FPL sides. No other midfielder or attacker has scored more than Mané’s 71 points.
Chelsea
The table-topping Blues have an exciting set of fixtures ahead with a managerless Manchester United followed by Watford, West Ham, Leeds, and Everton.
Curiously, no midfielder or attacker has scored more than 50 points. Mateo Kovacic (5.2m) leads the midfield scorers with 46 points but remains injured for the time being. Also on the injury table but nearing returns are attacking pair Romelu Lukaku (11.5m) and Timo Werner (8.6m). As tempting as it may be, it’s wise to wait and see for both these attackers.
Elsewhere, Kai Havertz (8.1m) hasn’t hit the ground running this season, whilst Mason Mount (7.5m) has had a stop-start few weeks. Therefore, anyone looking to capitalise on Chelsea’s strong run should probably look towards their red-hot wing-backs. Reece James (6.1m) has five attacking returns and three clean sheets in four, and Ben Chilwell (6.0m) has a similarly impressive four attacking returns and four clean sheets in six.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles have scored 18 goals so far this season, only topped by last season’s top four and West Ham. Their fixture list offers a set of promising match-ups with their opponents currently sat in 15th, 17th, 8th, 11th, and 13th respectively.
Conor Gallagher (6.0m) has kicked on from last season’s loan at West Brom with his form earning him his first England cap. Nine attacking returns in his last ten games, including two double-figure hauls in his last three highlight why Gallagher finds himself in almost a quarter of all FPL teams.
Often described as a streaky player, Wilfried Zaha (7.0m) may well be worth considering given back-to-back goals in gameweeks 10 and 11. It’s difficult to justify picking Zaha over Gallagher but anyone fancying an Eagles could do much worse. Speaking of double up, the rejuvenated Christian Benteke (6.3m) has four goals in four starts and is on course for his best return since 2016/17.
FPL GW 13 Tips – Defence
Brighton
Just five sides have kept more clean sheets than Brighton’s four. The Seagulls have a strong set of games ahead, ranking them fourth behind the league’s current top three for expected clean sheets.
Robert Sánchez (4.6m) is available once again after serving his suspension and is a decent choice for anyone on a wildcard. In defence, Shane Duffy (4.3m) is a safe choice ahead of the more expensive Lewis Dunk (5.0m) and Marc Cucurella (5.0m).
Also worth a mention is the attacking Tariq Lamptey (4.4m), who has featured in the last five and has started the last two as he rebuilds his fitness.
Wolves
Having only conceded 12 goals this season, Wolves are perhaps a little unfortunate to have just three clean sheets to their name. Norwich and Burley up next offer an opportunity to improve on that tally.
José Sá (5.0m) is a reliable choice but like Romain Saïss (5.0m) and Nélson Semedo (4.9m) the added expenditure is unlikely to be worth it. Instead, Conor Coady (4.5m), Max Kilman (4.5m), Rayan Ait Nouri (4.3m) are the Wolves’ defenders of choice right now.
Arsenal
A 4-0 loss to Liverpool last time out brings Arsenal back down to earth after a run of strong results. Nevertheless, the Gunners have shown enough to suggest there is plenty of FPL value in their backline.
Aaron Ramsdale (4.8m) continues to prove his critics wrong and remains a great choice even at an increased price point. Elsewhere, Gabriel (5.1m) is good value in isolation but cheaper options make him less appealing, whilst Kieran Tierney (4.8m) can rarely remain injury-free for long.
If you’re looking for a no-thrills, safe and reliable choice, Ben White (4.4m) is the way to go. Anyone looking for a gamble should consider attacking full-back Nuno Tavares (4.3m), who has put together a run of four consecutive league starts.
Photo by Daniel Norin on Unsplash
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