FPL Top Picks for Gameweek 16

If you were one of the millions of Fantasy Premier League managers affected by Storm Darragh (the weather event which caused the Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool to be postponed), we are sorry about your points haul.

Many managers gave Mohamed Salah their captain’s armbands and were not able to change it before the deadline following the match’s postponement, we sympathise with you.

If you were one of those who were proactive enough to give the captain’s armband to players like Cole Palmer or Bryan Mbeumo, congratulations to you.

If there is one thing that Gameweek 15 taught every FPL manager, it is to always be prepared for the unexpected. To help you make the tough calls, especially about having several captain options in your team, here is our weekly FPL guide complete with the top three player transfer picks for the week.

Gameweek Analysis

Bryan Mbeumo (£7.6m) is proving everyone wrong with his strong performances for Brentford despite their fixture difficulty rankings being through the roof. A goal and an assist in their last match against Newcastle United followed mooted performances against Aston Villa, Leicester City and Everton. The Cameroon international has made a habit of putting in his best when the opposition are running his team ragged.

This is why we are advising you to stick with him in week 16, especially as they face a Chelsea side who are as porous in their defence as they are prolific in front of goal.

This also means you can give up on Erling Haaland (£14.9m) and any other Manchester City player to bring in Cole Palmer (£11.1m), who is the season’s second most prolific after Salah in terms of matchday points hauls.

These two players, alongside Salah, are great captaincy picks for the weekend. Below, we analyse two other matches where you can pick captains or vice-captains from so you can be insulated from unfortunate surprises like Storm Darragh.

Best Value Games for Week 16

Newcastle United vs Leicester City

Prior to Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s arrival at the King Power Stadium, this would have been an easier match to call. However, both teams—who have always possessed great firepower—are now more than likely to trade blows than for one to slap the other one silly.

Players to watch: Jamie Vardy (£5.6m), Alexander Isak (£8.6m), Jacob Murphy (£4.9m).

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

This match is likely to be a low-scoring match (under five goals in total) with both teams getting on the score sheet. The latter assertion is thanks to the rapid improvement of Oliver Glaser’s side which makes it such that the Seagulls are not guaranteed a straight win to render Crystal Palace assets useless.

Players to watch: Daniel Muñoz (£4.7m), Dean Henderson (£4.4m), Pervis Estupiñan (£5.1m), João Pedro (£5.9m).

Best FPL Players for Week 16

Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) – AFC Bournemouth

Did you know that Antoine Semenyo is behind only Erling Haaland on the list of players with the most shots on goal this season in the Premier League? The Ghana national football team forward has 59 shots, while the Norwegian has 70! Haaland has scored a good number of goals this season from those shots but Semenyo, unfortunately, has yet to hit five goals in the league.

Only efficiency and accuracy separates him from the premium players in FPL, which makes him a great fourth choice midfielder who you can call off the bench for the brutal winter schedule. Why you should go for him this week, though, is that AFC Bournemouth are facing West Ham United at home. The Hammers rank fourth-bottom for goals conceded (28) and shots faced (238). As a result, Semenyo could even be a captaincy option for the week.

Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur may be lacking what it takes to win titles (judging from their topsy-turvy performances this season), but they are not lacking in very valuable FPL assets, like Dominic Solanke. With eight goal contributions (five goals and three assists) in 12 starts, the former Bournemouth striker is slowly racking up the points.

Southampton are their week 16 opponents, which presents an opportunity for captaincy for managers who have him or will make the decision to get him in.

Alisson Becker (£5.4m) – Liverpool

After two months out, one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers is back in action. He warmed up enough in midweek when he was made to work to keep Liverpool in their UEFA Champions League match versus Girona.

Now, he is set for a return to the Premier League to face Fulham, who are a team that likes to shoot. The save points are up for grabs here, making him a great pick for week 16. Also, Liverpool’s next four fixtures are Spurs, Leicester City, West Ham and Manchester United.

Remember that if you still have your first Wildcard chip, you must use it before the game week 19 deadline!