Lack of playing time a major risk in Gameweek 12 FPL gamble

It’s hard to recall a week, where clubs up and down the country have had such lengthy injury lists and the conclusion of the latest international break means that a number of players will also be touch and go for GW12.

Despite the fact that we’ve crept into the top 5,000 places in the Official Fantasy Premier League rankings, we know that much more is needed if we are to have a real crack at the leader-board. We will have to take a few chances and if you are familiar with our daily fantasy football preaching, you will know that we like to hammer home the importance of playing time, so putting this at risk could be seen as a cardinal sin.

Having said that, the FPL format does give you the buffer of substitutes to help you keep that scoreboard ticking. Wilfried Bony, Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Bertrand, Fraser Forster and Daley Blind are all far from certain starters this weekend, leaving us close to the bare bones.

However, ahead of Gameweek 12, we have two players very much on our radar, even though bringing them in is fraught with risk.

The 2016/17 ‘Must-Have’ FPL Pick

Eden Hazard is back to his best. He’s outperforming every other FPL player on a points per game basis and we’re not expecting that to change as the season progresses.

Arsenal’s Mesut Özil is a model of consistency but we just cannot see him matching Hazard on a week to week basis due to the latter’s greater goal threat.

The German midfielder will be the makeweight to get the in-form Chelsea player into our squad but we’ll have to free up funds elsewhere to make it happen.

The Classic ‘Out of Position’ FPL Pick

Selecting an out of position player in your fantasy squad is one of the smartest moves you can make but only if you get it right!

Chris Brunt is back in action for West Bromwich Albion after an eight-month lay-off, having endured a quite remarkable recovery programme. Tony Pulis used him at left-back last season which led to his misclassification but since returning he’s played in a more familiar midfield role.

The Northern Ireland international, a major threat from set-pieces, took 80 corners for the Baggies when chipping in with 2 goals and 10 assists in the 2014/15 EPL season. He’s no guaranteed starter due to stiff competition for places in the Albion midfield but his upside makes him an intriguing proposition and home games against Burnley and Watford up next, with an away game at Hull City sandwiched inbetween certainly adds to the appeal.

Ryan Bertrand is cut from the squad to make way for Brunt.

It’s something of a double-edged sword but hopefully we will manage to get 11 players on the pitch and our transfers will justify their inclusion!

Will our GW12 FPL gamble pay-off ?