Transfer recommendations for Gameweek 12: Liverpool and Manchester United double headers ripe with potential
DREAM TEAM managers should be aware that seven teams are set to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 12.
After a full round of Premier League games, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea will be in European action across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Gaffers intent on a points-laden return from the international break should have these double headers in mind when making their transfers ahead of Saturday’s 11:30am deadline.
As usual, we’ve collated some recommendations outside the blindingly obvious names.
Target the European fixtures for bumper returns[/caption]
Luis Diaz (£4.6m)
Arne Slot’s side are set to face 20th-placed Southampton this weekend before they welcome Real Madrid to Anfield in midweek.
Mohamed Salah (£7.3m) is best placed to take advantage but it’s probably worth doubling up on attacking Liverpool assets, with the Colombia winger a shining light.
In fact, only Erling Haaland (£8.6m) and Salah have scored more goals than Diaz in all competitions this season.
There may be some concerns about the 27-year-old after a long flight back from South America but he should get his fair share of minutes across the two fixtures.
Diaz ranks second among Dream Team midfielders having amassed 112 points across the first 11 Gameweeks.
Noussair Mazraoui (£3.8m)
Nobody would put Man United in the same bracket as Liverpool at present but the former’s double header looks mightily appealing on paper.
The Red Devils visit Ipswich this weekend and host Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night – a relatively favourable start for Ruben Amorim as Old Trafford boss.
Mazraoui has racked up 91 points to date, thanks in no small part to 55 tackles (an unmatched tally among defenders) and a healthy return of 13 bonus points.
There’s every chance the Morocco international will be deployed as a wing-back if Amorim implements his preferred 3-4-3 formation, as expected, which would mean more time in the final third.
Mazraoui is already well placed to take points off the Tractor Boys and Norwegian Europa League opposition; a more advanced role would only increase his viability.
Ahead of Gameweek 11 we recommended Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) and the in-form midfielder repaid our faith with a 17-point return so he’s probably worth repeating this week – it’s not too late!
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Lucas Digne (£3.6m)
This suggestion comes with risk as Aston Villa have lost four games on the spin but Saturday’s meeting with Crystal Palace has to be considered a favourable one.
Only Southampton have scored fewer league goals than the Eagles this season.
That being said, one doesn’t pick Digne for clean sheets, it’s his attacking threat that makes him a tempting option.
The Frenchman has provided three assists and created eight big chances this term – no defender has registered more at this juncture.
He was in great form for Les Bleus during the international break too, if that carries any weight.
The Villains’ additional fixture is a home game against Juventus in the Champions League, a tougher test, but Unai Emery’s side have already seen off Bayern Munich in the midlands this term.
Alexander Isak (£5.1m)
We always finish with an alternative recommendation of sorts.
Newcastle’s No14 is hardly a hidden gem but he’s certainly not an obvious option for Gameweek 12 because the Magpies only have one fixture.
However, that fixture happens to be against a beleaguered West Ham outfit at St James’ Park.
Isak has scored in four consecutive games (for a return of 42 points) in a run that has seen Eddie Howe’s mob knock off Chelsea, Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest – he will fancy his chances of extending his streak against the Hammers on current form.
It’s worth noting that our last wildcard suggestions, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£3.4m) and Matheus Cunha (£4.5m), combined for 22 points in Gameweek 11.
Sometimes it pays to think outside the box.
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