In this article…
Plentiful options. With the 24/25 season now in full swing, many players are beginning to hit form, supplying us with more options now than ever to consider in each position and climb that rank ladder. Luckily, we’ve got you covered, so let’s discuss everything from GW12 and how best to proceed forward. This is the best place to find all the critical information you need to know, to continue your march towards top spot in that work league!
You can also follow our Fantasy Premier League Football Tips throughout the season for gameweekly insights and opinions.
The 24/25 season is well underway, and our experts are continuing to roll out their Premier League predictions, so now is the perfect time to get involved. We will remain across all the action on the continent, the EFL, and in Scotland in our various Football Betting Tips & Predictions, with fresh tips available here on Andy’s Bet Club everyday.
⚔️ Gameweek 12 Review – 62 Points (49 Average)
The rank rise continues. As we know, less in defence is the way to go, with another underwhelming week from my backline. Robertson (1 pt) started at least but might as well not have as Liverpool conceded two goals to Southampton. The only defensive shining light was Raya (6 pts) with a clean sheet. The ‘King’ Mo Salah (13 pts) reminded managers just why he is essential with yet another double-digit haul.
Mbeumo (3 pts) was unlucky to not score again but Palmer & Fernandes both with 2 points were a let down, I expected at least one to go off. Up top, Cunha (16 pts) with another outstanding display and huge score, but my two other strikers, Evanilson and Isak, blanked despite having a decent combined xG of 1.22.
Overall, I am happy with the score and though we always want more points as FPL managers, we continue in our journey to the top.
📋 Gameweek 12 Transfer Recap
Each week so you know @FplVeteran is doing the demanding work for you, we revisit key decisions from last week’s review. This GW we revisit my transfers out. Another clean sweep… well, almost. Calvert-Lewin delivered yet another blank, whilst Chris Wood blanked and picked up a yellow card for a sub-optimal 1-pointer. Son did get an assist, but in a 4–0 win, the damage was minimal.
| Out | Points |
| Calvert-Lewin | 2 |
| Son | 6 |
| Wood | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
✅ The Best 3 Transfers IN for Gameweek 13
🇧🇷 Joao Pedro – Brighton (£5.6m, 12.7%)
The forgotten man who many had as their second striker at the beginning of the season has returned. After missing 5 games through injury, Pedro came on against Man City to change the game, score and assist to ensure Brighton prevailed in GW11. He then went on this GW to score 12 points for his highest points tally of the season so far and with Southampton and Leicester in his next three, I expect him to beat this total again and again.
Team, you know we love opportunity, and we aggressively attack the newly promoted teams, especially Southampton; resulting in always having at least one player facing them each week. A fit, firing Pedro is also great to help us accumulate those free transfers (FT), as his next 6 fixtures are good enough to hold him through. Within this period you will see his ownership grow, so get on him early to maximise his potential to boost your rank.
🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha – Wolves (£6.9m, 16.6%)
Haaland who? Owning Cunha is the gift that keeps on giving. Watching him play is entertaining, watching him score screamers is entertaining and owning him to amass points is fulfilling. Seemingly he has developed into a prime Son clone in terms of finishing, again converting a lower xG into goals, case in point v Fulham he converted 0.77 xG into 2 goals and 16 points.
He was the GW12 highest scorer, the most transferred in player (532,447), and is only second to Mo Salah as the most in-form player, bottom line, there is no downside to owning him moving forward.
If you do still need any convincing, however, look at his next five fixtures, Everton, West Ham, Ipswich, Bournemouth and Leicester. Look at the damage he has done so far, over this period it could get good, very good! At this point in the season, he is fast becoming the third or fourth name on the team sheet and is a lock for the foreseeable.
Cunha is good enough to take the step up into a much better team but until that time, we will see him flourish in a sub-standard Wolves team and I am here for it. Yes, Wolves won’t win these upcoming games, but they will score goals and that’s all I need from him. He is absolutely locked for me.
🏴 Bukayo Saka – Arsenal (£10.2m, 28%)
It’s been a while since Saka made an appearance on the Transfers in section. Yes, he is included due to a high points score in GW12 but there is a greater reason why he is mentioned. The return of Martin Odegaard is massive for Arsenal, and particularly Saka. Odegaard’s range of passing and balance he brings ensures Saka the freedom he requires to run rampant and score goals and points, exactly what he did v Nottingham Forest this GW.
I admit, I forgot about the attacking prowess and how heavily involved in most of Arsenal’s goal returns he is, and I am now considering his inclusion. With many cheaper options in each position, more managers now can afford Saka alongside Palmer and Salah, so think about including him.
❌ The Best 3 Transfers OUT for Gameweek 13
🏴 Rico Lewis – Man City (£4.8m, 13.2%)
I’ve finally had enough of what we initially thought was a cheat code of a defender in FPL. Originally, we were right to think a starting £4.5M player for the current Premier League champions was an absolute gift and it was, but not now. Man City’s mini-slump has pushed us away from many of their players, and none more so than the young Englishman.
Lewis has now registered just 1 point in 3 matches. He has never scored more than 6 points in a single match, only has 2 clean sheets all season and only 1 bonus point in 11 games. This season there is no reason to have much money at all in our backlines and regardless of price, all this information points to transferring out sooner rather than later and for me, he’s a top priority to be moved on. I would rather pay the extra money for a more secure, clean sheet reliable player.
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland – Man City (£15.1m, 56.7%)
I said it, I said it, I said it! Haaland is too expensive. Nobody could have foreseen the levels he performed to in his opening five matches. Even the most avid fan would agree they were surprised with the points amassed at the start of his season.
Another point we need to discuss is how other strikers are now performing. At the start of the season, options were few and far between, with not even one other striker being an option, but now we are spoilt for choice. Cunha, Pedro, Evanilson, Wissa, Isak, Delap. Essentially, the list is endless; also factor in most of these options are almost an eye-watering £10m cheaper, in my opinion, it’s a straightforward option to remove.
This not only allows you to replace with an in-form striker but offers a greater balance to your team, which is vital over the upcoming busy festive period and beyond. Last GW Cunha scored 14 points more than Haaland and is £8.2m cheaper, allowing you to upgrade Joe Garner to Mo Salah.
Almost 500k managers have realised this and have already taken Haaland out of their teams. As a manager who was very brash about Haaland being overpriced, finally, validation has arrived, and I will be honest with you, it tastes sweet.
🏴 Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool (£6.9m, 19%)
This is the second defender in our transfer-out section and the second player I own. As we said, big at the back is not the way to play FPL this season and a premium price of £6.9m for current form Alexander-Arnold is overpriced. In the past, he has been an exceptional asset to own, scoring goals, assisting at will and collecting clean sheets for fun, but you’re only as good as your last game.
In fact, let’s talk about his last five games. A measly 6 total points, and 0 attacking returns and he came off injured in the only game Liverpool kept a clean sheet in, raising doubts as to whether he is now even fit. That alone should be enough to confirm that currently, he is not hitting the heights we anticipated for him this season.
I have given him too much time in which to repay my faith and now he will leave my team, and honestly, you should do the same. Yes, there’s a strong chance later in the season I bring him back, but until he starts performing to his expensive price tag he won’t catch my attention.
Top Tip – Less is more. Sometimes making that transfer does not work out and it puts you in a worse position than before. Try to think through each transfer in or out methodically and ultimately conclude whether it is worth it or not. Try to weigh up the predicted points of who you’re bringing in and see each free transfer as a cost of 4 points. This way you will think twice before making a move and often can save you a free transfer, budget and regret.
🦸 Gameweek 13 Captaincy Selections
🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£13.1m, 54.8%)
For captaincy we heavily use fixtures as a guide and this would indicate looking at better options, but are there any? Yes, many players have great home fixtures v relegation-threatened teams but with Salah’s constant double-digit hauls and Man City’s current form, I don’t see this being much of a risk.
Often, we think a hard fixture is to avoid but the high-performance players can return points regardless of the opponent. Yes, I have thought about placing the armband on others, but I don’t think I can bet against the ‘Egyptian King’ delivering.
Alternative Captain Options
This week there ARE viable different options. Saka v West Ham, Pedro v Southampton, Mbeumo v Leicester, and Cunha v Bournemouth are my favourite picks and, in all honesty, should be considered instead of automatically choosing Salah.
Outside risky but rewarding picks are Fernandes v Everton and Isak v Palace. Most managers won’t select either of these two but both more than have the capability to score highly. For me, first choice is Salah, but I am giving thought to Isak.
👁️ FPL Veteran’s Vision and Verdict
Big games, Big Decisions, Big Month. With the busy festive period of 45 games in 90 days upon us, we need to think carefully about each and every move we make going forward. My plan for the last few weeks was to save a FT but I keep having to use it due to a suspension or injury. The Man United lads are going nowhere with huge potential upsides and a great home fixture v Everton as are Cunha, Salah, Mbeumo & Palmer; again all with desirable home ties.
I am more than happy with my team currently but do have an eye on bringing Arsenal assets back in with Saka and both their CBs performing well due to the return of Odegaard. Brighton’s Joao Pedro is firmly on my radar; he plays a Southampton side we attack every single GW, but with my team already having 3 strong attackers, whether he can force his way into my side is the question I need to answer.
The one issue, even though he is cheap, is Rico Lewis. 1 point in the last 3 games is not workable for me even to sit on the bench and I would rather spend a little extra and have a player I can more greatly rely on – even from a newly promoted side.
Conclusion
For my final GW13 team and football insights/analysis throughout the 2024-2025 season. Look out for my special articles and follow me on X @FplVeteran_ for daily fantasy football content.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
18+ please gamble responsibly.
