Gameweek 12 is upon us in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. Here’s my regular list of captaincy options, clean sheets and match predictions based on what the bookies say.

Captaincy options

The names on the left-hand side are the leaders in FFScout’s captaincy poll, while on the right are the bookies’ fractions bets to score. On the far right are the decimal odds.

1. Jamie Vardy                       1. Jamie Vardy (17/20) 1.85
2. Riyad Mahrez                    2. Wilfried Bony (17/20) 1.85
3. Kevin De Bruyne               3. Anthony Martial (10/11) 1.91
4. Graziano Pelle                   4. Christian Benteke (19/20) 1.95
5. Alexis Sanchez                   5. Graziano Pelle (EVS) 2.00
6. Georginio Wijaldum         6. Alexis Sanchez (21/20) 2.05
7. Wilfried Bony                     7. Riyad Mahrez (13/10) 2.30
8. Anthony Martial                8. Kevin De Bruyne (11/8) 2.37
9. Christian Benteke              9. Sadio Mane (7/5) 2.40
10. Sadio Mane                        10.Georginio Wijaldum (11/5) 3.20

Captaincy Analysis:

This week there seems to be a whole host of different captaincy options. Getting the right one could see a nice jump in the rankings. Pelle usually struggles away from home but takes on a Sunderland side that conceded six in their last game. Mane is another great option among Southampton’s attacking ranks.  Manchester City’s  Wilfried Bony is owned by less 10% of FPL managers and takes on another terrible defensive team in Aston Villa. Scoring and assisting in midweek, the striker is another genuine armband contender this week. Mesut Ozil is a cheeky differential captain this week, with nine assists and a goal so far, he offers a level of consistency that some of his colleagues do not offer at present. However, the two I’m going to offer up are:

1. Jamie Vardy (WAT) – scored in eight consecutive games and doesn’t seem like stopping against a Watford team who have been solid away from home, but we said West Brom could shut them out and look what happened there. Leicester as an attacking team are exciting for FPL managers, with Mahrez and Marc Albrighton in great form also. Vardy offers a strong armband choice this weekend.
2. Romelu Lukaku (whm) – Romelu Lukaku, in my opinion, is losing his ‘troll’ status right now; he is consistently performing. With one goal and two assists last weekend against Sunderland he also looks to be in form. I’ve also picked out Lukaku because he has scored in nearly every single game he’s played against West Ham, who will be expected to attack at home, and with some space being freed up for the Everton man to exploit, I think he’s a great captain choice this weekend.

Clean Sheets

(in order, decimals on the right):

Man Utd (4/6) 1.67

Man City (11/10) 2.10

Liverpool (5/4) 2.25

Southampton (5/4) 2.25

Leicester (29/20) 2.45

Chelsea (8/5) 2.60

Arsenal (17/10) 2.70

Bournemouth (2/1) 3.00

Norwich (21/10) 3.10

Swansea (23/10) 3.30

West Ham (5/2) 3.50

Everton (11/4) 3.75

Newcastle (11/4) 3.75

Stoke (11/4) 3.75

Sunderland (7/2) 4.50

Watford (15/4) 4.75

Crystal Palace (4/1) 5.00

Aston Villa (11/2) 6.50

Tottenham (11/2) 6.50

West Brom (11/2) 6.50

The Matches

Bournemouth (23/20) vs Newcastle (21/10)

The early kick-off sees two struggling teams in the Premier League. Bournemouth have conceded 12 goals in their last three games! Newcastle are 18th in the table which is remarkably one behind the Cherries but it is the latter that is under the most pressure right now. Georgino Wijnaldum (7.0) could be in the points against Bournemouth and Newcastle will need him to deliver on a more regular basis if they are to move up the table. Prediction: A scoring draw, perhaps 1-1

Leicester (8/11) vs Watford (10/3)

Leicester are unbeaten since Gameweek 7, Watford are easily the form side from the promoted teams. Watford are turning into a reliable clean sheet team this season but that is highly unlikely to continue in this game, in my opinion anyway. Watford will look to start strongly and take some away points, I think they will score first and Leicester will have to fight back again; how many times they can do this? Odion Ighalo could well reward his owners who decide to start him for this fixture. He has 20 points in two games and is expected to recover from his minor knock. The Foxes have more quality on the pitch and I think this will shine through in the end. Prediction: 2-1

West Ham (8/5) vs Everton (13/8)

Which West Ham will turn up? The one that has beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, or the team who have lost to lower sides in the league? I’m not a fan of Andy Carroll in the current setup, he offered nothing in the defeat to Watford last time out and I believe he is hindering the Hammers’ output when he plays. Everton, meanwhile, looked impressive against Sunderland, not because they won 6-2 but because they re-grouped at 2-2 and went again, a sign of a good team for me. Lukaku has been mentioned in the article so Arouna Kone also needs a mention, at 4.8, he offers amazing value but question marks remain over his ability to finish 90 minutes. Prediction: 1-2 away win

Sunderland (19/5) vs Southampton (7/10)

Sunderland face a Southampton team who are currently in great form, their defence seems to be well drilled with Ryan Bertrand returning and Virgil van Dyke putting in a MOTM performance against Bournemouth (in my opinion anyway). The problem with Big Sams’ tactics, is that they are very clear and obvious, making it easier to defend against. Can Pelle improve his away form? I’m not sure, but I expect Southampton to win this one quite comfortably. Prediction: 0-2

Man Utd (3/10) vs West Brom (17/2)

Attack attack attack! Or is it a lack of? Anthony Martial seems to be the only real goal outlet Manchester United have right now despite Rooney grabbing the goal in midweek. They still, for me, are missing are World class striker to take them to the next level. West Brom, despite conceding 3 to Leicester last week, still hold one of the most defences in the league, in terms of clean sheets. Possibly highlighting how good Leicester are this season. Marcus Rojo has started the last 3 and returned 22 points (8,6,8), grabbing an assist in the process. Could be good value at 5.4m in FPL. Prediction: a low-scoring affair – 1-0.

Norwich (7/5) vs Swansea (17/10)

Norwich have lost the last 4 games in a row and seem to be stuck in abit of a rut as of now, Swansea have an attacking problem of their own and the only player seem to be making an impact right now is Andre Ayew with Gomis seemingly going missing, although he does sit high up in Jonty’s goal imminent table which would offer owners who still have him some cause for optimism heading into this game. Prediction: 1-1

Stoke (13/5) vs Chelsea (EVS)

Are Chelsea turning the corner? Not for me, they limped across the line in midweek, no thanks to Willian again, who continues to be the only bright spark in an average Chelsea team who have completely stagnated this season. However, they do come up against a Stoke team who continue to under-perform, especially infront of goal. Cesar ‘Dave’ Azpilicueta (5.9m) does have the fixtures on his side if you fancy Chelsea to turn it round this week. Prediction: 1-1 , Stoke will be aggressive, in Chelseas’ face and I fancy that man Diego Costa to get sent off in this one.

Aston Villa (11/2) vs Man City (½)

The early Sunday kick-off sees Villa face in-form Manchester City, the new manager could not face a harder fixture for his first game. Unlike Norwich, I cannot see Villa providing much of a problem for the array of attacking assests that City possess. A well rested Kevin De Bruyne will be fancy his chances of getting in the points and I thoroughly believe him to be a contender for the armband this week. I’m backing him to score (11/8). Prediction: 1-4

Arsenal (6/10) vs Tottenham (18/5)

Both teams have great Premier League form, Arsenal have won 5 in a row, Tottenham have Harry Kane scoring again and look to have a settled midfield, the crucial battle in this game, looks to be Dier vs Ozil, I firmly believe the winner of this contest will tip the scales in their favour for their team. The big games need the big players and they don’t come much bigger than Alexis Sanchez, his natural quality and talent shines through and is a joy to watch at times. If Ozil can get the better of Dier, he can supply Sanchez and Giroud with the ammunition to win this one. Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool (8/13) vs Crystal Palace (4/1)

Liverpool face an away trip all the way to Rubin Kazan on Thursday evening which is far from ideal preparation for a Sunday meeting with Crystal Palace. Luckily for Liverpool, Palace are toothless upfront right now and I feel with a full healthy squad, Palace would be coming away with a win. Joel Ward (4.4m) is a bargain for your FPL squads, nailed on and with decent fixtures coming up, could be a canny purchase. As for the game, a scrappy affair. Prediction: 1-1

Anytime goalscorer treble > Lukaku + Vardy + KDB > 10.6/1

Good luck for Gameweek 12 and enjoy the international break.