GW13 represents a big challenge for FPL managers this week, with very few appealing fixtures. This combined with numerous flags and players returning from international duty, makes this week the hardest to call of the season thus far.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool
The Premier League top two kick the weekend off when Manchester City entertain Liverpool at the Etihad.
The two most expensive assets in the game go head to head here and having both in a dream team seems an odd call given the difficulty of the game for both Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.
Salah has an excellent recent record against Manchester City; however if I was to own any player in this game then it would be Haaland.
Burnley vs. West Ham United
Jarrod Bowen owners can consider themselves very unlucky should he miss out on the plumb fixture of the gameweek.
Burnley have struggled all season, especially at Turf Moor, where they are yet to claim a point.
West Ham aren’t in great form, but you’d back them to record a comfortable win here and Bowen, who still could play, would have been an excellent captaincy option.
Should we get news that Bowen is fit, then he’s an easy pick this week. Mohamed Kudus is an easy replacement in a FH side though, with the Ghanian international making a superb start to life at West Ham.
Luton vs. Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are another side who have a decent fixture this week and I’d expect to see a couple of their assets in teams this week.
Luton Town are another side yet to win at home this season, whilst Crystal Palace have already recorded clean sheet away wins against the other two promoted sides.
A defensive option alongside Eberechi Eze is probably the best way to go.
Sheffield United vs. Bournemouth
Bournemouth produced their best performance of the Andoni Iraola era before the international break, as they easily beat Newcastle United.
They will be looking to build on that in GW13 when they face Sheffield United, a side that have struggled this season.
Dominic Solanke’s campaign has gone under the radar, with only three strikers (Haaland, Ollie Watkins and Julian Alvarez) scoring more points than him.
He remains owned by less than 5% of managers and in a tough week to predict, he could be an excellent differential pick.
Brentford vs. Arsenal
A trip to Brentford is far from easy, but I’d still want a couple of Arsenal assets in a free hit side this week.
William Saliba returned a 15 pointer in the fixture last year, scoring with a clean sheet alongside three bonus points in the 3-0 win for Arsenal.
He’s comfortably the best defensive pick and Bukayo Saka is the safest bet when it comes to an attacking perspective.
Gabriel Martinelli will return late following international duty and he has struggled somewhat this season, so I’d be looking to avoid him this week.
Tottenham vs. Aston Villa
Given Tottenham’s injury list and Aston Villa’s risky high line, I’m expecting goals in this one on Sunday.
Son Heung-Min has an excellent record against Villa, scoring six and assisting one in seven matches against Sunday’s opponents.
Should Bowen not be fit, then Son will be my captain this week and he’s a lock in a free hit side.
In my predictions I’ve gone for a 2-2 here, so it make sense to have some Villa coverage.
Ollie Watkins’ returns have dried up slightly in recent weeks and as a result, Moussa Diaby is perhaps the better pick.
GW13 Dream Team: Areola; Dalot, Andersen, Saliba; Son (C), Saka, Eze, Bowen, Diaby; Haaland, Solanke
