Welcome back to the Hive FPL - Finally!
That felt like the longest international break of them all but we can now put it behind us and focus solely on club football for most of the rest of the season.
In between times, the main talking points have been regarding the men in the dugouts. Amorim has formally taken charge at United and FPL fans will be interested in seeing whether his arrival can see an uptick in performances from any of their key players. Meanwhile Pep has signed an extension to his contract at City. Presumably the hope for both Manchester clubs will be that these pieces of news provide a much needed bump to their fortunes this season.
Player wise, there are quite a few star names who missed the international break due to injuries but I don't think we should be surprised to see them return to Premier League action this weekend. Still, worthwhile keeping a close eye on the press conferences for updates on the availability of the players you're banking on making the difference this weekend!
Here's run down of the players and fixtures to target in GW12...
It'll be interesting to see what reception Maresca gets at the King Power. However, regardless of the feelings the locals may have towards their ex-boss, the early kick-off, gives Chelsea a great chance to move to the top of what is a massive chasing pack. 4 points separate 11 clubs from 3rd to 13th and given the form of any of the sides in there, you'd be a brave man to make a bold prediction for the final standings come May.
Madueke (MID) was on of the beneficiaries of the long list of players to pull out of the England squad. He's started all but 1 Premier League fixtures this season and that was the opening day defeat to City. However, outside the hat-trick against Wolves he's delivered just 2 goal involvements. That being said, over the past 5 GWs his threat rating on the ICT is the 4th highest in the league suggesting that another bumper points haul might be just around the corner for those who have stayed faithful.
Leicester will be without the suspended Buonanotte (MID) who is starting to establish himself as a viable 5th midfield option. Vardy (FWD) is also a doubt but there have been multiple times this season where he's risen from the physio's bench to put in a big performance for the Foxes. No bitching about 'player workload' from him - he loves the big stage and will be desperate to improve on a fairly poor record of 4 goals in 21 appearances vs Chelsea.
It wasn't that long ago that Arsenal were odds on favourites for the title. Now with no win in 4, they find themselves 9 points off the pace and with a potential tough game against one of the surprise packages this season.
For their part, Forest will be disappointed not to have converted their lead at home to Newcastle last time out into points which would have taken them clear in third place.
Player wise, it was beginning to look obvious that Saka (MID) needed a break with 2 fairly ineffective performances against Newcastle and Chelsea. With Odegaard's (MID) return and a fairly good looking run of fixtures to come then you'd imagine that Saka's ownership will rise beyond the 25% that have him in their side at present.
For Forest, there can be only one man to select. Wood's (FWD) remarkable run continues with 22 goals in his last 31 Premier League starts. Forest however do have a tough run of games coming up including this one and then trips to both Manchester clubs in their next 4 fixtures. I suspect we'll know a lot more about their genuine Champions League credentials by Christmas.
Villa have enjoyed some wonderful nights in Europe so far this season but the emotional as much as the physical outlay that's required seems to have left them a bit flat in the league so far. They also come into this fixture with a number of injury concerns not necessarily to the players that FPL managers were likely to buy in but certainly to key squad members who make the side tick.
A 2-0 home defeat to Fulham leaves Palace and their manager in a precarious position. I'd be surprised if Glasner lasts into the New Year if his side can't put in a couple of decent performances soon.
Until then, I doubt anyone will be brave enough to bring in any Palace players to their side but if you wanted to go off-piste then Ismaïla Sarr (MID) looks to be the benficiary of Palace's recent injury problems and has looked their most threatening attacker over the last couple of games.
A South Coast derby and one contested by 2 pretty good teams. Bournemouth have been excellent at home this year, winning their last 3 Premier League matches at the Vitality including victories against City and Arsenal. Meanwhile, Brighton have been a far more determined and organised side on their travels recently meaning this one is difficult to call.
Semenyo (MID) is one of a number of Bournemouth players carrying a knock but you'd expect him to start. In terms of goal threat this season, he's ranked 3rd on the ICT behind only Salah and Johnson. No other midfielder costing under £6mil ranks anywhere close. Bournemouth also have an appealing run of fixtures up to Christmas so expect the current 10% ownership to grow.
As far as injuries are concerned, Brighton have actually had more than anyone this season to date but it appears that those players are beginning to return. Joao Pedro (FWD) and March (MID) have been popular FPL picks in the past but they might need to wait to get a chance in the first team. Mitoma (MID) has expected goals of 2.6 this season but has scored just once, in the opening fixture. Can he break that drought?
After a horror start to the season, Everton have lost just 1 of their last 6 in the league and are slowly pulling away from the drop zone. A win here would put them just 3 points behind Brentford and ensure that they just keep in touch with that huge chasing pack all looking to move up the table. The Bees have struggled on their travels this season with 6 defeats on the bounce.
What you do generally get in Brentford matches is goals! 44 of them in the 11 matches they've played so far but you'd imagine that Everton won't be tempted into playing an expansive game.
Everton's best attacking threat this season, McNeil (MID), missed the trip to West Ham and is still a doubt for this one. Similarly, Brentford's top point scorers this season Mbeumo (MID) and Wissa (FWD) are also not a guaranteed starters for this match.
The great thing for FPL managers when selecting from both these teams is the lack of changes they've made in the Premier League so far. Fulham have made just 7 changes to their starting XI this season, by far the lowest in the Premier League (the average is 20 and highest by Bournemouth is 27). Wolves aren't far behind though with the 3rd lowest number of changes at 14. It means if you have invested in players from these teams, you can be confident that they'll start!
This game and indeed a lot of fantasy game weeks might well be decided by the performance of the forwards on both sides. Raul (FWD), Cunha (FWD) and Strand-Larsen (FWD) have a total of 18 goal involvements between them this season.
What odds on Wolves old-boy Traore (MID) having an impact on this game? We know that Gary O'Neil likes to push his full-backs high up the pitch so if he starts, the Fulham wide man could have a lot of space to run into.
With the ink still wet on his new contract, Pep will be keen to break City's 4 match losing streak. However, they face a side that has become a bit of a bogey team for them even throughout the long periods of success. What you'll get from this Spurs side performance wise is anyone's guess. They can look like very fluid one week and then very flat the next.
City also have a number of their injured attacking players returning to fitness although there are a few question marks over who'll start at the back. Similarly, Spurs will be without Van de Ven (DEF) and Romero (DEF) is a doubt too. On that basis, you'd think that this should be a fairly open and entertaining match.
If that is the case then might it be the game that those who have stayed faithful to Haaland (FWD) are hoping for? Just 2 goals in his last 6 games have seen his net transfers decrease by over 770k in the last 2 GWs.
The problem that City have developed this season is that if Haaland doesn't score then who does? The Croat pair of Kovacic (MID) and Gvardiol (DEF) have both chipped in with 3 very useful goals each but the remainder of their much vaunted midfield is struggling. By contrast, Spurs have shared the goals around with Solanke (FWD) and Johnson (MID) leading the way with 4 each. Equally Son (MID) has 7 goal involvements in his last 9 Premier League matches vs City while Kulusevki (MID) has 5 in 5.
It's top versus bottom! Stranger things have happend but you'd assume that this will be a routine win for Liverpool and the chance to further extend their surprise lead at the top.
Conversely, the fact that Southampton are bottom is no great shock. They have problems at both ends of the pitch with just 7 goals scored this season and 5 blanks in 11 matches. They also like to gift the opposition a cheap goal or 2 for good measure too.
Given that they come up against the meanest defence in the league this season, it should give FPL managers a high level of confidence that their defensive or attacking Liverpool assets will be in for some big points this week! Of course with a home match against City and then an away trip to Newcastle, then you'd really want any transfers in for this match to perform here and now.
All eyes will be on the performance of United under their new manager. Tactically, it's difficult to imagine that Amorim can have a major impact given the very short amount of time he'll have had with those away on international duty so really the point to look for will be the energy of this United side under their new coach.
Of course, FPL managers will still be keen to see the kind of positions that players like Rashford (MID) and Fernandes (MID) take up as a clue to whether they become (as has been the case in the past) must haves in your squad. Rashford has an XG of just 0.9 this season which means he's not missing chances, he's just nowhere near the right places on the pitch to score them in the first place! That surely has to be high on the new coaches' shit list.
Ipswich finally managed to break their duck at Spurs last time out but the Tractor Boys have been a tough nut to crack at Portman Road all season recording battling draws against Villa and Brighton in recent weeks. They've got goals in them too with Delap (FWD) netting in 5 of his last 6 Premier League matches and Szmodics (MID) getting 2 in his last 3.
Ah Monday night football. As domestic leagues battle FIFA over the football calendar, you do have to wonder why we persist with holding matches at 8pm on a Monday night?
Anyway, Newcastle's season looks to have turned a bit of a corner with impressive wins over Arsenal and Forest of late. Given West Ham's current form then you'd back them to make it 3 on the bounce.
Barnes (MID) who started the season like a train has been left on the bench for those 2 matches but you wonder if Eddie Howe will take a more agressive approach from the off considering the relative strength of the opposition. With 3 in 3 Isak (FWD) is performing in the manner than many expected him to this season. The bigger question is can he stay fit? If he does, his current ownership of 18% will go much, much higher!
The Hammers have taken 7 points from their last 5 games but have just 2 all season on their travels. They've failed to score in their last 2 matches while they've only kept 1 clean sheet all season. This will be a real test of Lopetegui and how much the dressing room still believes in him.
Division 1
GW11 Results
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamzy F.C | @shamzy | 33 | 91 | Skander | @skanderh |
| NONZ FC | @nonsowrites | 46 | 46 | Suffragette City | @talesfrmthecrypt |
| Legion fc | @b0s | 37 | 59 | Likodra FC | @teofilex11 |
| FC McKane | @mckane | 61 | 38 | Solat FC | @reservedsingle |
| Herbae | @herbae | 40 | 54 | @BlockchainFPL H2H | @blockchainfpl |
| Espressos | @aaalviarez | 36 | 44 | Hungry Lions | @gvkanten |
| Creekside FC | @pappyelblanco | 44 | 73 | Whyte FC | @Ipalibo |
| YAGMAN FC | @yagman01 | 63 | 49 | INEOS REVIVAL | @deniskj |
| HallAnd Oats FC | @thoth442 | 49 | 38 | Vickoly FC | @vickoly |
| Simcard FC | @akomoajong | 48 | 46 | Lazz | @martinlazizi |
GW12 Fixtures
| Team | Hive Account | Team | Hive Account | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skander | @skanderh | v | Simcard FC | @akomoajong |
| Lazz | @martinlazizi | v | HallAnd Oats FC | @thoth442 |
| Vickoly FC | @vickoly | v | YAGMAN FC | @yagman01 |
| INEOS REVIVAL | @deniskj | v | Creekside FC | @pappyelblanco |
| Whyte FC | @Ipalibo | v | Espressos | @aaalviarez |
| Hungry Lions | @gvkanten | v | Herbae | @herbae |
| @BlockchainFPL H2H | @blockchainfpl | v | FC McKane | @mckane |
| Solat FC | @reservedsingle | v | Legion fc | @b0s |
| Likodra FC | @teofilex11 | v | NONZ FC | @nonsowrites |
| Suffragette City | @talesfrmthecrypt | v | Shamzy F.C | @shamzy |
Division 2
GW11 Results
| Team | Hive Account | Score | Score | Team | Hive Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 idiots | No Hive Account Linked | 55 | 39 | ARFANTASY FC | @arfa |
| Tengo Rangers FC | @tengolotodo | 59 | 53 | Mollina United | @femisapiens |
| Tricky Trees 2024 | @doombot75 | 33 | 33 | Holte Me Close | @stuartcturnbull |
| Monitox | No Hive Account Linked | 29 | 56 | Diistroyers | @diikaan |
| Ref's team | @sperosamuel15 | 72 | 39 | Newton Heath FC | @samirich |
| Lame Ducks | No Hive Account Linked | 41 | 43 | Mighty Fc | @twicejoy |
| Ifeyemi Fc | @valchiz | 33 | 57 | TGIF | @gentleshaid |
| Jungle Boy | @george-dee | 64 | 61 | Hiveheadz | @borran |
| Olawalium FC | @olawalium | 42 | 73 | Dapomola fc | @dapomolaaaa |
| Kraken99 | @kraken99 | 39 | 54 | Tilia | No Hive Account Linked |
| Micheal Fc | @micheal87 | 35 | 60 | GunnersLoverFC | @nwt93 |
| racibo | @racibo | 56 | 43 | Trinex fc | @og-gamershub |
| Kane and Unable | @jmehta | 56 | 47 | Headies | @Headies |
| samostically | @samostically | 65 | 47 | Outside of Time | No Hive Account Linked |
| Wanderteam | @kelvinpeters | 49 | 43 | Ballgasms | @preshpresh |
| rubilu | @rubilu | 76 | 81 | Happyboys FC | @happyboy1 |
| RHYDA | @rhyda1 | 49 | 43 | Holozing.com | @acidyo |
| The Beast | @iamchuks | 45 | 56 | Tangram | @desro |
| Hornstra XI | @elvis123 | 51 | 74 | Change Name | No Hive Account Linked |
| Formidable Milano | @damolexy | 61 | 32 | ALH | No Hive Account Linked |
| Coldone | @nasfyneboy92 | 60 | 55 | SportsNerd | @saf-ul-wahab |
| foloxfc | @thelonegreywolf | 40 | 59 | The Urge | @kenzzi |
| Change Name | No Hive Account Linked | 59 | 70 | Cygnus FC | @donjaun |
| ArgyeeChitthuFC | @agct1226 | 34 | 40 | KELLYMAN FC | @justfavour |
| Hadji | @hadji | 62 | 28 | The Dream Team | @spidersilk |
| The Cella’s | @blanchy | 35 | 25 | HIVE KILL STEEM | No Hive Account Linked |
| Chris Football Club | @hiveworld | 41 | 58 | OG Squad | @graat |
| Yahuzah | @yahuzah | 42 | 62 | Stevenson FC | @stevenson7 |
| Smiley Team | @carita-feliz | 41 | 44 | Hungry Lions | @gvkanten |
| Barca | @muka-vybz | 32 | 48 | Akatsuki | @seki1 |
| Emeka4 | @emeka4 | 48 | 52 | ACX United | @pvmihalache |
GW12 Fixtures
| Team | Hive Account | Team | Hive Account | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happyboys FC | @happyboy1 | v | ARFANTASY FC | @arfa |
| Ballgasms | @preshpresh | v | Holozing.com | @acidyo |
| Outside of Time | No Hive Account Linked | v | Tangram | @desro |
| Headies | @Headies | v | Change Name | No Hive Account Linked |
| Trinex fc | @og-gamershub | v | ALH | No Hive Account Linked |
| GunnersLoverFC | @nwt93 | v | SportsNerd | @saf-ul-wahab |
| Tilia | No Hive Account Linked | v | The Urge | @kenzzi |
| Dapomola fc | @dapomolaaaa | v | Cygnus FC | @donjaun |
| Hiveheadz | @borran | v | KELLYMAN FC | @justfavour |
| TGIF | @gentleshaid | v | The Dream Team | @spidersilk |
| Mighty Fc | @twicejoy | v | HIVE KILL STEEM | No Hive Account Linked |
| Newton Heath FC | @samirich | v | OG Squad | @graat |
| Diistroyers | @diikaan | v | Stevenson FC | @stevenson7 |
| Holte Me Close | @stuartcturnbull | v | Hungry Lions | @gvkanten |
| Mollina United | @femisapiens | v | Akatsuki | @seki1 |
| 11 idiots | No Hive Account Linked | v | ACX United | @pvmihalache |
| Tengo Rangers FC | @tengolotodo | v | Emeka4 | @emeka4 |
| Tricky Trees 2024 | @doombot75 | v | Barca | @muka-vybz |
| Monitox | No Hive Account Linked | v | Smiley Team | @carita-feliz |
| Ref's team | @sperosamuel15 | v | Yahuzah | @yahuzah |
| Lame Ducks | No Hive Account Linked | v | Chris Football Club | @hiveworld |
| Ifeyemi Fc | @valchiz | v | The Cella’s | @blanchy |
| Jungle Boy | @george-dee | v | Hadji | @hadji |
| Olawalium FC | @olawalium | v | ArgyeeChitthuFC | @agct1226 |
| Kraken99 | @kraken99 | v | Change Name | No Hive Account Linked |
| Micheal Fc | @micheal87 | v | foloxfc | @thelonegreywolf |
| racibo | @racibo | v | Coldone | @nasfyneboy92 |
| Kane and Unable | @jmehta | v | Formidable Milano | @damolexy |
| samostically | @samostically | v | Hornstra XI | @elvis123 |
| Wanderteam | @kelvinpeters | v | The Beast | @iamchuks |
| rubilu | @rubilu | v | RHYDA | @rhyda1 |
Things are getting interesting now, 9 matches in 6 gameweeks
Yeah thick and fast. Squad rotation will be the thing to watch
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