Best FPL players for Gameweek 12: Best defenders, midfielders and forwards | OneFootball

Who are the best FPL players for Gameweek 12?

Four-time top 1k and six-time top 5k finisher Abdul Rehman uses the Hub's Opta, Prediction, Comparison and Fixture tools to identify the best Fantasy Premier League players for Gameweek 12.

Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate FPL Gameweek 12 Guide, which has everything you need to make the best decisions ahead of the deadline.

Best FPL defenders for Gameweek 12

Lewis Dunk (£4.6m) – Brighton

Fixture: Nottingham Forest (H)

Brighton have only conceded 11 goals this season (third) with an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 11.3 (third).

They have been one of the best defences in the league and among the top five for the past few years.

They have probably their best chance of the season in keeping a clean this week as they play Nottingham Forest at home.

Steve Cooper's side have scored the second-least goals (seven) in the league with an expected goals (xG) of 10.26 (18th) which makes them one of the worst attacking sides in the league.

It's not a surprise that Brighton are the favourites to keep a clean sheet in Blank Gameweek 12 at 49%.

Dunk is their most-nailed defender, which is exactly what you need during this busy schedule.

He also has attacking threat, as we know he can always get on the end of a delivery from a corner or free-kick.

Dunk has started every game so far and as the club captain should be nailed to start this one too.

He has the second-highest xG amongst his defensive teammates and we know he has goalscoring pedigree, with 12 goals in his last five seasons.

Lewis Dunk Stats

Kieran Trippier (£5.7m) – Newcastle United

Fixture: Everton (H)

Trippier has five clean sheets this season with one goal and two assists. He has registered an xG of 0.36 and created 22 chances with an expected assists (xA) of 1.98 - first among defenders.

Newcastle United have one of the best fixtures of the Gameweek, playing Everton at home.

The Toffees have scored eight goals (eighteenth) with an xG of 12.03 (15th). They have really struggled in front of goal over the past few seasons and it still isn't looking good for them.

Newcastle on the other hand have been good both in defence and attack. They have actually conceded the least goals (nine) so far with an xGC of 14.5 (10th).

During this run they have played Manchester City (H), Brighton (a), Liverpool (a) and Manchester United (a).

Trippier also has the advantage of having a lot of attacking threat in his locker. He is on direct free-kicks and corners also so has many avenues to points.

The Toon are also a resolute defence now too, with the likes of Nick Pope (£5.3m) and Sven Botman (£4.4m) helping tighten up their backline.

Newcastle are the second favourites to keep a clean sheet (41%) in Blank Gameweek 12.

Kieran Trippier Stats

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) – Liverpool

Fixture: West Ham United (H)

Alexander-Arnold has only one goal and one assist so far this season, with his returns coming in Gameweek 4.

He is still putting up decent stats though and with good fixtures, he will come good again.

He has an xG of 0.72 and created 14 chances with an xA of 1.42 (fourth among defenders).

Liverpool have a decent fixture from a defensive and attacking view which bodes well.

West Ham United have scored only nine goals (17th) this season with an xG of 12.92 (12th). They haven’t been the best at all but have been improving as of late.

The Reds have conceded 12 goals (fourth) with an xGC of 13.8 (eighth) which is nowhere near the level they have been at for the past few seasons, however they will only improve as the season goes on.

They are the fourth favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 12 (39%) and are also the favourites to score 2.5-plus goals (44%).

Alexander-Arnold always has chances of attacking returns against any opposition. His final ball is among the best in the league and he is on free kicks and corners also.

The 23-year old is predicted to be the highest-scoring defender (5.1 points) for Blank Gameweek 12 according to our Points Prediction Tool.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Stats

Marc Cucurella (£5.1m) – Chelsea

Fixture: Brentford (a)

Since Graham Potter has taken charge at Chelsea they have only conceded two goals and kept four clean sheets. They are now performing as expected at the back.

The Blues have another good chance to keep a clean sheet against Brentford in Blank Gameweek 12.

Chelsea have actually conceded the second-least goals (10) so far with an xGC 14.2 (ninth) and have clearly improved recently.

The bookmakers also have them as the third favourites to keep a clean sheet in Gameweek 12 at 40%.

Cucurella should be good for a start in Gameweek 12. He was taken off at half-time in Gameweek 11 due to a tactical switch, so won't be as fatigued.

The Spaniard can also play at left centre-back and left wing-back, which will work in his favour in terms of playing time.

He has two assists this season, with an xA of 0.66.

Marc Cucurella Stats

Best FPL Midfielders for Gameweek 12

Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) – Liverpool

Fixture: West Ham United (H)

Salah has three goals and four assists this season but now looks to be picking up his output.

He has four goals in his last two games in all competitions, which included a five-minute hattrick against Rangers in Liverpool’s Champions League match last week.

He has clearly been playing a lot more advanced and central, looking at his average position maps in the last two games, which has resulted in an upturn in fortunes.

Liverpool have a decent home fixture against West Ham in Blank Gameweek 12.

The Hammers have been good at the back this season only conceding 11 goals (third) with an xG of 12.92 (12th) but the Reds are going to be strong favourites for this one.

They are the clear favourites to score 2.5-plus goals (44%) this Gameweek and Salah is also the favourite to score at any time (49%).

Despite their poor season so far, Liverpool have still scored 21 goals (fourth) with an xG of 18.71 (fifth).

Although Salah’s underlying numbers have not been as good as in previous seasons, he still has the best xG (4.01) among midfielders and has created 26 chances (second) with an xA of 2.41 (sixth among midfielders).

The Egyptian is predicted to be the highest-scoring player overall (7.3 points) for Blank Gameweek 12 according to our Points Prediction Tool.

Mohamed Salah Stats

Mason Mount (£7.7m) – Chelsea

Fixture: Brentford (a)

Mount hasn’t had the best start to the season, however he seems to have really found his feet again since the arrival of Potter.

He has two goals and two assists in his last two games.

We also know he is a proven FPL asset. He scored 11 goals and made 11 assists last season for Chelsea.

The London club have a decent fixture from an attacking point against Brentford in Blank Gameweek 12.

The Bees have conceded 17 goals (15th) with an xGC of 16.8 (15th). They are in the bottom five for defensive stats.

Chelsea have been a much-improved side since the arrival of Potter and Mount looks to be one of his most-trusted players.

He has started in all six of the games under the new manager while other big names such as Reece James (£6.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£9.9m) have been rotated.

Mount is also on corners and free-kicks so will always have many avenues to points. He is one of the few players for Chelsea who has both goal and assist threat.

According to our Points Prediction Tool he has a 49% chance of returning anytime.

Mason Mount Stats

Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) – Brighton

Fixture: Nottingham Forest (H)

Trossard has been one of the surprise packages of the season. He has five goals and two assists with 19 shots in the box and an xG of 3.47 -fifth among midfielders. He has also created 15 chances with an xA of 1.32.

He has started every game so far for Brighton.

The Seagulls have a fantastic fixture in Blank Gameweek 12 as they welcome Forest to the Amex.

Forest have been one of the worst defensive sides in the league. They have conceded 23 goals (19th) with an xGC of 18.8 (19th).

Brighton, on the other hand, have been good in the final third and even with the new manager that doesn’t look like changing.

They have scored 14 goals (ninth) with an xG of 18.01 (sixth) so have been unfortunate not to have scored a fair few more goals.

Brighton are also the second favourites to score 2.5-plus goals in Blank Gameweek 12 according to the bookmakers.

Trossard is predicted to be the third-highest scoring midfielder (5.9 points) according to our Points Prediction Tool.

Leandro Trossard Stats

Wilfried Zaha (£7.5m) – Crystal Palace

Fixture: Wolves (H)

Zaha has had a decent start to the season, with four goals and one assist in eight league starts.

He has 17 shots in the box with an xG of 3.53 (third among midfielders) and has created 10 chances with an xA of 1.78.

Crystal Palace have a home game against Wolves in Blank Gameweek 12, who have struggled this season.

They have conceded 12 goals (fourth) with an xGC of 13.4 (seventh) and have always been a strong defensive side.

But they will do well to keep Palace out here, especially with the Eagles being at home. Although Palace haven't been the best going forward this season, they have had some tough fixtures in the early part of the season.

They have played Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Palace are going to be strong favourites for this one and with Zaha as their talisman, best player and penalty taker he will be the one most likely to be involved in any goals they score.

He has a 62% Goal Involvement (GI) in the games he has played for them this season, which is the highest among midfielders in the league.

Wilfried Zaha Stats

Best FPL Forwards for Gameweek 12

Harry Kane (£11.4m) – Tottenham Hotspur

Fixture: Manchester United (a)

Kane continued his fine form with a goal last gameweek to bring his total to nine goals and two assists.

He has an xG of 8.12 (second) and has created 20 chances with an xA of 3.55 (third). He has returned in every game since Gameweek 1 and it’s the best start to the season he has ever had after 10 games.

Spurs have a tricky fixture in Blank Gameweek 12 as they travel to Old Trafford.

Manchester United have conceded 15 goals (14th) with an xGC of 12.8 (sixth). They are not the worst side defensively but Spurs are good going forward and Kane looks to be the clear talisman for them this season.

Tottenham have scored 22 goals (third) with an xG of 18.84 (fourth) and I can’t see either of these sides keeping a clean sheet this week.

Kane now has a goal involvement of 62% (second overall) and is the main source of goals for Spurs. He has penalties, is nailed to start and his stats and output have been among the best in the league.

Under Antonio Conte he is averaging 6.3 points per match. He has played 38 games in the league under the Italian and scored 25 goals and 12 assists, which is quite remarkable.

Our Points Prediction Tool has him as the second-highest scoring player overall (6.1 points) for Gameweek 12.

Harry Kane Stats

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.7m) – Fulham

Fixture: Aston Villa (H)

Mitrovic made his return from injury last gameweek and scored on his return, bringing his tally to seven goals for the season.

His stats and output have been fantastic, with an xG of 6.7 (third) - and he also has an xA of 1.66.

Fulham have a good fixture in Blank Gameweek 12 as they welcome Aston Villa to Craven Cottage. The Villans have conceded 13 goals (13th) with an xGC of 13.2 (sixth).

The Cottagers have been good forward and with Mitrovic back are going to score plenty more goals. They have 16 goals (seventh) with an xG of 12.96 (11th).

The Serbian is the talisman for Fulham and has a massive 67% goal involvement for them, which is the highest in the league. He is on penalties and is also the first name on the team sheet.

The bookmakers also have him at a healthy 40% to score at anytime in Gameweek 12.

Aleksandar Mitrovic Stats

Callum Wilson (£7.3m) – Newcastle United

Fixture: Everton (H)

Wilson currently has three goals in six starts with an xG of 3.06. He has also created six chances with an xA of 1.07.

He has now started the last three games and looks to be over his injury concerns.

Wilson is one of the best forward options in the game when he is fit and he has a great fixture this Gameweek to add to his returns.

Newcastle welcome Everton to St James' Park who have struggled this season.

Everton have only conceded 11 goals (third) but with an xGC of 17.8 (18th) so are overperforming massively in defence. They are very fortunate not to have conceded a lot more goals.

The Toon on the other hand have been great, scoring 17 goals (sixth) with an xG of 19.03 (third).

They have been unlucky not to have scored more and I see them scoring a few against the Toffees this week.

They are third favourites to score 2.5-plus goals (31%) in Blank Gameweek 12. Wilson is also the third favourite to score at anytime at 44%.

He is on penalties, nailed to start, and is the talisman for them when he plays.

Wilson is predicted to be the second-highest scoring forward (5.4 points) for Gameweek 12 according to our Points Prediction Tool.

Calum Wilson Stats

Dominic Solanke (£5.7m) – Bournemouth

Fixture: Southampton (H)

Solanke now has two goals and four assists this season and is staking a claim for the best budget forward in the game.

He has an xG of 1.57 and has created five chances with an xA of 1.35. He has provided fantastic value at only £5.7m.

Bournemouth have another favourable fixture as they take on Southampton at home.

The Saints have conceded 18 goals (16th) with an xGC of 16.8 (16th). Although the Cherries haven’t been the best going forward with only 10 goals, they been good against the bottom-half teams.

They have scored nine of their 10 against Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and Aston Villa, who are all bottom half.

Southampton sit in 18th position.

Again the fixture is there for Solanke and he is clearly a decent player who will get a fair few attacking returns this season.

He is the most likely to score for Bournemouth, is their talisman and the first-choice penalty taker for them.

Solanke also has the highest goal involvement for his side at 42% and this trend won't change as the season goes on.

He is predicted to be the fifth-highest scoring forward (4.9 points) in Gameweek 12 according to our Points Prediction Tool.

Hub Power Rankings

To conclude, I will rank these Gameweek 12 players in accordance with our Power Rankings for Hub members.

Best FPL players for Gameweek 12