Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Midfielders Picks for FPL Gameweek 16
After an enthralling midweek round of Premier League matches, the excitement continues with a promising weekend featuring a full slate of games in Gameweek 16.
A standout fixture awaits in the Midlands as Aston Villa, aiming for a top-four position, hosts title contenders Arsenal. Unai Emery’s Villa has established a formidable 14-game winning streak at home, creating a considerable challenge for Arsenal. If Arsenal can bring an end to this streak, discussions about their potential to secure their first league title since 2004 will undoubtedly gain momentum.
Despite recent struggles, Manchester City faced a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park on Wednesday, extending their winless streak in the league to four matches. Despite this form, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are likely to be intrigued by City’s upcoming visit to Kenilworth Road, especially considering Luton Town’s close attempt to secure a point against Arsenal on Tuesday.
Currently topping the bottom of the Fixture Difficulty Chart in FPL for the next five matches, City is set to face Crystal Palace (home), Everton (away), and Sheffield United (home) around the Christmas period after the clash with Luton. With a six-point gap between them and Arsenal, City is eager to swiftly return to the winning column. The upcoming fixtures provide a crucial opportunity for City to bridge that gap and regain momentum in the title race.
As the demanding schedule for Premier League clubs and fantasy managers persists, here are the top 5 midfield Fantasy Premier League (FPL) picks who have the potential to earn you maximum points heading into Gameweek 16:
Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)
Leon Bailey appears to have secured his place as Emery’s preferred second striker over Moussa Diaby, having impressed as a second-half substitute in the Gameweek 13 win against Spurs and subsequently starting in the following matches, finding the net in each of them.
Bailey’s decisive goal against City, although fortuitous with a deflection past Ederson, was backed by a performance that justified the pivotal moment. In that game, the 26-year-old took five shots on goal, with three hitting the target from inside the box.
The upcoming clash between Villa and Arsenal in Gameweek 16 poses a challenge to predict. Villa boasts a formidable home record, but Arsenal has shown a knack for winning tight games. Regardless of the outcome, it seems reasonable to expect goals at both ends, given Emery’s track record of not presiding over a 0-0 draw in the Premier League as the manager of Arsenal or Villa.
Villa’s Leon Bailey is priced at £5.5 million, has accumulated 55 points so far, and is set to face Arsenal at home in Gameweek 16.
Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Top Five Captains for FPL Gameweek 16
Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)
Hwang Hee-chan of Wolves is attracting significant interest from Fantasy Premier League managers as the most purchased player ahead of the upcoming deadline. However, new managers entering the scene should be cautious of the potential “new manager bounce.” There is speculation that Nottingham Forest, Wolves’ upcoming opponent at Molineux, might have a change in management soon, with Steve Cooper expected to depart after a challenging match against Fulham.
Despite this uncertainty, Hwang is enjoying his best form since joining Wolves and aims to continue his impressive run. The South Korean striker netted his eighth league goal against Burnley, positioning him among the top scorers, including Erling Haaland, Mo Salah, and Son Heung-min. Notably, Hwang has been particularly prolific at home, with six of his eight goals coming at Molineux, where he maintains an average of 6.86 FPL points per game.
Price: £5.7m Points: 74 Gameweek 16 fixture: Nottingham Forest (home).
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Cole Palmer has rapidly become a key figure for Chelsea, showcasing his impact even in a lackluster team performance against Manchester United. The 21-year-old, now a talisman for the club, continued his impressive run at Old Trafford by calmly and cleverly finishing just before half-time. Palmer has contributed to eight goals (five goals, three assists) this season, a remarkable output considering his price.
Particularly prolific in away matches, Palmer has notched three goals, three assists, four bonus points, and an average of 7.8 points per game in five outings outside Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s upcoming fixture takes them to Goodison Park, followed by a promising run of games over the Christmas period.
Price: £5.3m Points: 58 Gameweek 16 fixture: Everton (away)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah, priced at £13.1m, encountered his third scoreless outing of the season in the recent gameweek against Sheffield United, maintaining his stats at 10 goals and six assists.
Liverpool, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, has been a goal-scoring powerhouse, netting 34 goals (second highest), and still leading the league with the highest Expected Goals (xG) at 31.84. Their potent attack positions them as a formidable force, and facing Crystal Palace, it presents a considerable challenge for the opposition to contain them.
Despite the blank in the last game, Salah remains a top-tier option this week. Crystal Palace has suffered three losses in their last four matches, while Liverpool is in excellent form. Salah is a guaranteed starter, takes penalties, and boasts an impressive Goal Involvement of 47%, establishing him as the clear talisman for his team.
Considering these factors, Salah emerges as one of the prime captaincy choices for Gameweek 16.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes, priced at £8.3m, has displayed his impact with three goals and three assists, supported by notable Expected Goals (xG) of 4.3 and Expected Assists (xA) of 4.8, ranking third overall.
While Manchester United has encountered challenges in attack this season, they currently hold the sixth position in the league, trailing only three points behind the fourth spot. The recent triumph against Chelsea marked one of their standout performances, evidenced by an impressive Expected Goals (xG) of 4.11. This positive momentum could serve as a turning point for them, particularly with a favorable home fixture against Bournemouth on the horizon.
Bournemouth, having conceded 30 goals (the third most) with an Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) of 26.9 (also the third most), presents a vulnerable defense for Bruno and Manchester United to exploit.
Despite Bruno’s missed penalty in the last gameweek, he remains an excellent option for the upcoming fixture. He poses both goal and assist threats, is a consistent 90-minute player, and crucially serves as the team’s first-choice penalty taker. These factors contribute to his appeal as a robust Fantasy Premier League option for the week.