Big Numbers
18 November 2025 139 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Calling all stataholics – it’s time for our Gameweek 12 ‘Big Numbers’ article, reflecting on the opening chunk of 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) action.

Poring through all of the Opta and StatsBomb data available in our Members Area, we’ll discuss the most eye-catching stats from the season so far.

You can, of course, filter and sort all of the data used (and more) within your own parameters via the Members Area.

Only subscribers can read the full article; those wishing to sign up to our site and continue reading, and see a list of the benefits that Membership brings, can do so by clicking here.


GOALKEEPERS

Big Numbers: 22 stand-out stats for FPL Gameweek 12

11 save points registered by both Robin Roefs (£4.7m) and Martin Dubravka (£4.0m), the most in 2025/26 to date. In fact, the Sunderland shotstopper also leads the way for double-digit hauls (two) and bonuses (six). His 81.3% save rate for shots on target is beaten only by Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7m).

+4.40 expected goals (xG) prevented highlights just how much Guglielmo Vicario (£5.0m) is bailing Tottenham Hotspur out. Opposition shots on target should’ve resulted in 14.40 goals, rather than 10. Whereas Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher (£4.5m) is the opposite, with -3.90 (13.10 v 17).

7 clean sheets have been picked up by David Raya (£5.9m), the most of all goalkeepers, but Arsenal’s defence is so strong that he’s not collected any save points since Gameweek 1. The Spaniard has also stopped none of the eight big chances he’s faced, suggesting the Gunners’ excellent defensive record has little to do with him at present!

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 10 Scout Picks: Calafiori part of Arsenal triple-up

2.21 xG registered by Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m), the most among defenders. He’s also the number one defender for attempts (19) and box shots (13), though Jurrien Timber (£6.1m) leads the way for expected goal involvement (xGI, 2.78). The latter’s five shots on target are bettered only by Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz (£5.8m).

141 defensive contributions made by Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) this season. That’s the best total of all defenders, as is his tally of 18 DefCon points.

Ahead of Liverpool’s nice-looking fixtures, Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) comes second with 119 actions. The champions like leaking big chances, though.

11 shots from distance from Matty Cash (£4.6m) is partly why Aston Villa are one of the biggest xG overachievers (+3.64). The team is amongst the worst for accumulating box shots (74) and big chances (15), but every shot from right-back Cash has been a long ranger, of which two were goals.

3 big chances without scoring puts Sepp van den Berg (£4.5m) ‘ahead’ of other defenders. He’s therefore the position’s biggest xG (-1.48) and xGI underachiever (-1.66).

Considering he’s picked up a respectable 10 DefCon points, managers may sense some joy in the next six matches, where they face Burnley, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Speaking of the Old Gold….

52 open play crosses registered by Hugo Bueno (£4.4m). FPL interest is low in someone with no attacking returns, part of a backline still without any clean sheets. But Bueno is number one in all positions for open play crosses, and way ahead for successful ones (21).

The sole defender boasting more passes into the opposition penalty area is Kieran Trippier (£5.0m).

MIDFIELDERS

Is Mbeumo a better FPL pick than Fernandes? 4


FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

139 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Ah what the hell! I have 6 flagged players, anyone beat that?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      just played FH last GW as well

    2. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Wow. I have four plus Timber about whom there was some injury concern I read.

      Yep, FH gone for me too.

  2. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    2 fts...

    Do I do:

    A) Wolt + Kudus to Thiago + Szobo (play Yoro, Everton H)
    B) Kudus + Gabriel to VVD/Cash + Szobo (bench Wolt)

    Not sure I want VVD tbh, don't trust Pool defence. Also my plan before Gabriels annoying injury was A. (But keep Yoro on bench).

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Probably has to be B then Thiago in for Wolt next week is what I’m planning on

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Yeah that is the sensible transfer(s).

  3. Dutchy FPL
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    If Enzo, Gabriel and Semenyo are all out, really considering Free Hit. How does this look?

    Verbruggen (Dubravka)
    Virgil - Senesi - Richards (Andersen, Heaven)
    Saka - Bruno - Mbeumo - Gakpo - Sarr
    Haaland - Mateta (Guiu)

    Anyone missing?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      I threw this together the other day (pre Munoz news)

      Mamardashvili
      De Ligt - Munoz - Lewis-Skelly
      Saka - Salah - Sarr - Mbeumo - Bruno
      Ekitike - Mateta

      Think it's worth potentially betting against Haaland at SJP - will be a tight game, and I can't really see him getting more than a goal, even in his form.
      Could all go horribly wrong, of course.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Think this team is asking for trouble

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Can you elaborate please?

      2. Dutchy FPL
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Its a nice gamble, but I think its better to just own him and captain someone else to spread the risk a bit. I'm still captaining Haaland I think

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Not sure about Gakpo but seems template but solid

      1. Dutchy FPL
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers

  4. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 10 days ago

    Will u sell gab or guehi first?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      No idea until we know how long they are confirmed out for

      1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
          2 months, 10 days ago

          Reports on talk sport this morning that Gab our for at least 2 months

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 10 days ago

      Thoughts on the best 5m and below defenders ? I have triple palace already x

      A) Senesi
      B) De Ligt
      C) O’Reilly
      D) Van Hecke
      E) Other

      1. BR510
          2 months, 10 days ago

          If not free hitting in 13 - Oreilly, If free-hitting - De Ligt (but bring O'reilly in on FH13)

          1. BR510
              2 months, 10 days ago

              But De ligt the best I reckon - nailed, defcon, fixtures, improving defence and Licha coming back (Lisandro Martinez)

        • BR510
            2 months, 10 days ago

            Bruno or Mbeumo

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 10 days ago

              The latter is behind everything good at United right now

              1. BR510
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  Cheers

                • Podorsky
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  I've gone both.

            2. Positive vibes
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 10 days ago

              Hi, A or B?
              A. Richards, Mbuemo
              B. VVD, Sarr

              Thanks

              1. BR510
                  2 months, 10 days ago

                  A

              2. DavvaMC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                2 months, 10 days ago

                I have 2FT's and 0.9 ITB.

                A. Roll Transfer
                B. VDV > Konate

                Petrovic / Dubravka
                Calafiori / Senesi / VDV / Gudmundsson / Alderete
                Saka / Eze / Sarr / Semenyo / Enzo
                Haaland / Mateta / PedNO

                Thanks

                1. BR510
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    Gudmunsonn - Richards or VDV to Konate. Keep JP and sell next week

                    1. BR510
                        2 months, 10 days ago

                        VDV --> Richards, Semenyo --> Mbeumo work?

                  • Stimps
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    If Gabriel gets red flagged is he still able to fall in price or is price locked?

                    1. RedLightning
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 15 Years
                      2 months, 10 days ago

                      His price could still fall, but it would take a greater number of net transfers out for it to happen.
                      His price would be locked later on when the flag is removed.

                  • RalphieFPL
                    • 3 Years
                    2 months, 10 days ago

                    Should I FH if this was my team for this GW? (still have WC in hand also)
                    Raya
                    Timber, Guehi, VVD
                    B.Fernandes, Semenyo, Sarr, Minteh
                    J.Pedro, Bowen, Haaland

                    (would be vvd and minteh in for Gabriel and Reijnders)
                    Thanks!

                    1. BR510
                        2 months, 10 days ago

                        no

                    2. BR510
                        2 months, 10 days ago

                        Is munoz injured?

                        1. Skonto Rigga
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 8 Years
                          2 months, 10 days ago

                          Left the Colombia squad early for "family reasons"

                      • marpy016
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        2 months, 10 days ago

                        Which option to cover possible Semenyo injury:

                        A) Play KDH
                        B) Ditch for -4