November Review and December Preview

Welcome to my regular look back at the month’s key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players, which in November saw some impressive returns from those amongst Everton’s ranks in particular. I will also take a look ahead to those with the best fixtures in December, while for Members I’ve also supplied my variation on the goals and assists imminent tables to help predict some under-the-radar options to draft in during the busy festive fixture pile-up.

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland (18) remains in our form guide, keeping two clean sheets as he remains the highest-scoring FPL keeper at only 4.8. In November, however, Costel Pantilimon (21) leads the scoring as new manager Sam Allardyce has turned the struggling Sunderland defence into a fortress over the month of November with two hard-earned clean sheets.

Chelsea man Asmir Begovic (16) also returned two shut-outs from the more expensive keepers, with Everton’s Tim Howard claiming one in addition to a bunch of saves. Though perhaps investment in the Chelsea goalkeeper will be low considering the return of Thibaut Courtois next month, despite their favourable fixtures. Lastly, Norwich’s John Ruddy (12), though only keeping one clean sheet for November, returned a tidy sum due to saves and justified his value through his 4.4 price tag.

One of the community’s posters, Bedknobs and Boomsticks, looked at goalkeepers by saves this season to give an insight into some valuable options.

Defence

Despite playing only two games this month, Patrick van Aanholt (21) was the highest scoring defender of the month at only 4.6. He recorded two clean sheets, a goal and maximum bonus under Allardyce’s Sunderland.

Team mate Sebastian Coates (17) at only 4.2 delivered a tidy sum, with John O’Shea (13) and Younnes Kaboul (14) at a price of 4.3 also getting amongst the points. Though only recording one clean sheet at home to Chelsea, Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld (20) was the second highest scoring defender this month due to bonus points on two occasions and a goal. Team mates Kyle Walker and Danny Rose both retuned 14 points due to attacking returns, as Spurs look to carry threat at the back recently.

For Stoke, the defensive trio of Philipp Wollscheid (15), Glen Johnson (13) and Erik Pieters (18) managed two clean sheets under Mark Hughes and might have had a third against Sunderland were it not for a red card for captain Ryan Shawcross.

Elsewhere, Everton duo Ramiro Funes Mori (14) and Seamus Coleman (17) managed respectable returns despite only one clean sheet. Likewise Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov (17) and Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel (15) scored well with a goal and a clean sheet each. One unlikely hero this month was Aston Villa’s Micah Richards who delivered a clean sheet against Man City and a goal against Watford for a 13-point return. The other surprise player was Christian Fuchs (13) who recorded a clean sheet away to Newcastle in addition to the assist that made history for Jamie Vardy against Manchester United.

Swissguinness examines cheap options from the lower price bracket whereas Najk’s Defender Baseline BPS spreadsheet provides insight into which defenders are thriving from the new bonus point system.

Midfield

For November, there were a few decent options available that delivered nicely. With the long-term injury to West Ham’s key man Dmitri Payet, many looked elsewhere to bring in the points this month.

For those with spare cash, Mesut Ozil (26) once again proved his value for both FPL managers and for Arsenal, delivering in every game this month. Some opted for Manuel Lanzini (20), who was set to take up Payet’s role in the hole and duly delivered. Similarly many opted for Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie (24) whereas others went for the in-form Phillipe Coutinho (23) who missed out last game through injury despite scoring well this month.

Everton duo Gerard Deulofeu (13) and Ross Barkley (34) were also cheap options that interested many, with the latter being the highest-scoring midfielder for the month.

Likewise Bournemouth pair Junior Stanislas (20) and Joshua King (14) also delivered with Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger (17) perhaps being a little too maverick for some manager’s taste.

Bournemouth certainly became the key team to look for cheap midfielders, something that was discussed in Royscalleranne‘s  look at fifth midfielders over Christmas. Eden Hazardous has been a particular supporter of Bournemouth’s King, who royally delivered in the final two Gameweeks of November.

Forwards

For the second month running the popular trio of Jamie Vardy (25), Romelu Lukaku (26) and Harry Kane (22) is included in our form guide. Watford duo Odion Ighalo (19) and skipper Troy Deeney (25) have also opened up a plethora of options to FPL managers with their impressive returns of late. Apart from these five strikers, not many others have shown any decent value for the month of November. Irish Madridista discussed this striker dilemma and looked at their fixtures for the Christmas period.

Many have turned to one of the Watford strikers in order to fund a move for Sergio Aguero, who has had a slow start upon his return from an injury that came merely days after his five-goal haul against Newcastle in October. Given he has suffered a small drop in price, many are beginning to scramble to get him in ahead of the winter fixtures, especially after his goal against Liverpool recently. However, there are a few that have erred on the side of caution. Jonty discussed this with the community, as did Beavis of Barbados. With the City striker taken off early in his last game as a precaution perhaps wariness is needed until his fitness and game time show signs of improvement.

December Preview

With the December fixtures nearly upon us, it is wise to look ahead at favourable fixtures and try to select players that will get both decent minutes and decent point returns. Below I have selected players from the teams that I feel have the best December fixtures.

Manchester United (WHM/ bou/ NOR/ sto/ CHE)

In my opinion, there are far better attacking options from teams other than Man United recently. What they do offer is a decent defensive record this season, and for that reason I expect this to continue with goalkeeper David de Gea (5.6) and centre-back Chris Smalling (6.8), though the latter’s price may deter some.

Everton (CPY/ nor/ LEI/ new/ STO)

The return of the talismanic Leighton Baines (6.1) should help boost the Toffees’ defence and add an attacking element this Christmas. Likewise the presence of in-form Romelu Lukaku (9.0) up top should spell goals for Everton. Many will be going with Deulofeu and Barkley, however I don’t think the latter will continue to be sustainable over the next month judging by his recent stats.

Tottenham (wba/ NEW/ sot/ NOR/wat)

Mauricio Pochettino’s side has looked quite solid recently at the back, in addition to signs of attacking prowess. Toby Alderweireld (5.4) is certainly worth having due to his goal threat and love for bonus points. Likewise set-piece expert Christian Eriksen (8.4) should be seen as a valuable asset alongside the popular Harry Kane (9.6).

Arsenal (SUN/ avl/ MCI/ sot/ BOU)

November was not a good month for Arsenal, with the Gunners failing to win a single game. Nevertheless, Hector Bellerin (5.9) could be a decent option at least for attacking returns over the next few games, even if clean sheet points appear to have dried up.  With the likely loss of Alexis Sanchez through injury, Mesut Ozil (9.3) gets the vote to be Arsenal’s saviour as his game time looks assured.

Manchester City (sto/ SWA/ ars/ SUN/ lei)

Man City’s defensive returns have fared poorly lately due to many factors including injuries, so for this month we can’t look past their attack. Man City saw the return of one key player in Sergio Aguero (13.1) who gets the nod, and also look set to welcome back playmaker David Silva (9.9) who should aid their goalscoring ability. Though Raheem Sterling has looked sharp at times, the last spot goes to Kevin De Bruyne (10.6) who exploded last game with a goal and two assists in Man City’s 3-1 victory over Southampton.

Liverpool (new/ WBA/ wat/ LEI/ sun)

It seems Jurgen Klopp has begun to make his mark on Liverpool recently with some great performances from players and some surprising results such as the 4-1 mauling of Man City at the Etihad. One benefactor of this success is Phillipe Coutinho (8.4) who has scored four times in his last three games. With question marks over the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, new signing Christian Benteke (8.3) should see a lot of minutes, though will likely share time with other players over Christmas, most notably Roberto Firmino (8.1), who can be deployed as a forward and attacking midfielder. Alberto Moreno (4.9) could also be a nice asset should Liverpool tighten up in defence for their great fixtures.

Returns Imminent

In Gameweek 14, many players that were ‘due’ delivered, such as Kevin De Bruyne (16), Yannick Bolasie (15), Junior Stanislas (14), Joshua King (5), Gerard Deulofeu (5) and to an extent Alexis Sanchez (4) whose pitch time was marred by injury. Some of those that failed to deliver were Yohan Cabaye, Dan Gosling, Willian and Eden Hazard.

My ‘Goals Imminent’ table takes a look at players that have been unlucky in their goal returns lately, and tries to indicate which players are getting into threatening positions for next Gameweek. Some may be under the radar and others may be more obvious but what this table shows is how often a player is getting shots away inside the opposition box but failing to score for various reasons.

Likewise for more creative players, I have put together an ‘Assists Imminent‘ table in order to gauge what players are ‘due’ in terms of assists. It is important to mention that both tables should be viewed together as simply ‘Returns Imminent’ considering a player that is getting very far forward may choose to square the ball for an assist instead of taking the shot himself. Likewise for those in the ‘Assists Imminent’ table, it is important to look at creative players with a high number of penalty area touches or shots inside the box that might score.