FPL Gameweek 12 – Captain Picks
As the temperature drops closer to those inevitable sub-zero markings, you stare outside your bedroom window and notice the familiar precipitation you expect every year. It brings back those iconic memories that reflect festive cheer and an overriding sense of emotional warmth. Except it's not the snowflakes outside the meteorologists have predicted; it's raining FPL points here at The Stats Zone and last week's clean sweep is just the beginning as fixtures come in thick and fast over the December period. Our first-choice captain last week was Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) who delivered a performance dripping in elegance against a Fulham side that were visibly shaking every time the Belgian picked up the ball. He delivered 28 points for those who captained him and stated his claim for 'necessity' status over the coming weeks. Mohamed Salah (12.3m) delivered the exact same score as he bulldozed a Wolves side marshalled by a hapless Conor Coady. Both Bruno Fernandes (£10.9m) and Timo Werner (£9.5m) delivered slightly less impressive hauls, both assisting in their sides' comebacks against West Ham and Leeds respectably. In a period where numerous big-hitters have hit a hot streak, it is more important than ever to select the correct option to captain your side.
Premium Options
Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) vs FUL (A)
Commonly heralded as the Egyptian King, Salah has certainly etched his name into FPL royalty being the undisputed most reliable asset in the whole game in recent years. After yet another impressive performance in the dismantling of Wolves, the only thing more likely than Mo Salah returning at home currently is a Hector Bellerin foul throw (Salah has returned in four of his five home outings while Bellerin has completed this act a startling five times this season). While Liverpool are on the road to Craven Cottage this weekend, Manchester City succeeded in debunking any possibility of a Fulham revival after their surprising win against a depleted Leicester side in Gameweek 10. City's end product was sloppy against the Cottagers, scoring only twice despite recording 16 shots. Expect Mo Salah and this red-hot Liverpool side to be far more clinical when given the same amount of space. Given Scott Parker's simultaneously admirable and naïve approach of passing out from the back against any side, Mo will certainly be looking to overtake Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the race for the Golden Boot with a potential hat-trick to be bagged this weekend.
Harry Kane (£10.9m) vs CRY (A)
As Gameweek 9 approached, many wrote Harry Kane (£10.9m) off due to the difficulty of the fixture run he was facing. After returning an average of 6 PPG against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, we can finally classify Kane as fixture-proof. Owners will now be rewarded with a fixture that revitalises Kane as a captaincy option as Spurs face their London rivals in Crystal Palace this gameweek. The only thing Harry Kane likes more than a through ball to Heung Min-Son is a London derby and expect Kane to be eager to get a few goals this weekend. While the last three gameweeks have seen the English marksman occupy a quarterback role in Mourihno's side, expect a far less tentative approach from The Special One this time out. While Palace behold a poignant attacking threat in Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze and Christian Benteke, Mou will be confident of the Spurs defence's ability to manage this threat without requiring Harry Kane having to track back. Heung Min Son's incredible 60% conversion rate looks near impossible to maintain and with penalty duties in Kane's favour, expect him to outscore his South Korean teammate this weekend.
Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) vs BRI (H)
Ageing like the port he has the night before matches to help him sleep, Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) looked every bit as quick when put through in the final minute against Sheffield United as he was in Leicester's 2015-16 title-winning campaign. The 34-year-old has done incredibly well to retain his goal scoring potency in a Leicester side depleted by injuries to numerous key players. Wilfried Ndidi and Ricardo Pereira could return to the starting line-up this weekend which would result in the advancement of Youri Tielemans to accompany James Maddison in their currently under-employed creativity department. Vardy is the epitome of strikers who only need one chance and as he continues to massively exceed all xG fanatics. Back him to punish a Brighton defence who has managed only two shut-louts this campaign. The corner flags at the King Power stadium will be calling in sick ahead of this fixture.
Differential Choice
Danny Ings (£8.3m) vs SHU (H)
Gameweek 11 welcomed back Danny Ings (£8.3m) after a brief hiatus from the Saints' recent run of fixtures. Despite showing a few signs of rust in the Southhampton victory, Ings scored and claimed maximum bonus points, reminding FPL managers that he is not only back in the points but has been immediately reinstated as the first-choice penalty taker. Considered 'Mr Reliable' in the budget to medium-priced striker pool over the last two years by many FPL gaffers, Danny Ings will be looking to return to full fitness after being sidelined for over a month following an injury against Villa at the beginning of November. Wilder's troops look like they've been diagnosed with a terminal case of second-season syndrome and their previously impermeable backline looks as open as Mikel Arteta's schedule for 2021. Despite the unorthodox circumstances, Ings will be revitalised after a month's recovery and he will look to pick up where he left off against the easiest of opposition. With James Ward-Prowse delivering perfect crosses and the selfless Adams alongside him, Ings will be hoping for a hefty return this gameweek.
