POWER RANKINGS 2016/17: FPL Gameweek's 11-12
Over the course of the season The Hype Train is taking a look into the standards and expectations of each team in the form of a Power Rankings system. The following is based on the research, opinion, and form of players and teams in the Premier league. This respective look at a game played by over three million players isn't perfect, and is a perfect avenue for further discussion on our Social Media accounts. Without further delay let’s take a look from the high flyers to the cesspoolers after Gameweek 11 and prior to Gameweek 12. All aboard.
POWER RANKINGS PARAMETERS
Goal Threat: High - Medium - Low
Clean Sheet Potential: High - Medium - Low
FPL Points Returns: Reliable - Semi-consistent - Inconsistent
FPL Form: High - Medium - Low
Any in-form players?: Player Names
Next 5 Fixtures: Great - Good - Questionable - Very Questionable - Terrible
1) LIVERPOOL
Previous Power Rankings Position: 3/20 (+2)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: High
Any in-form players?: Coutinho, Mane, Firmino, Lallana
Next 5 Fixtures: SOU (a), SUN (h), BOU (a), WHU (h), MID (a)
Liverpool take top spot over Chelsea due to having an established midfield that is carrying teams. Whereas Chelsea have been an emerging threat, the Reds best FPL assets have been on-song for the last 2 months. A run of favourable fixtures boost their ranking.
2) CHELSEA
Previous Power Rankings Position: 9/20 (+7)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: High
Any in-form players?: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Alonso, Pedro, Hazard, Costa
Next 5 Fixtures: MID (a), TOT (h), MCI (a), WBA (h), SUN (a)
Chelsea have a wealth of diversity in their squads, with their defensive assets a must have right now. As one of the only teams capable at the back, they are complimented by the return of Hazard’s form, and Costa has managed to buy time on that 5th yellow card of the season… But for how long? Chelsea have been an emerging presence in the last few weeks, with a lot of their points being lost. Now the FPL is awoken to their points potential, they’ll likely overtake Liverpool in our Power Rankings should their team keep performing.
3) Arsenal
Previous Power Rankings Position: 1/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium to High
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: Medium to High
Any in-form players?: Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott
Next 5 Fixtures: MUN (a), BOU (h), WHU (a), STK (a), EVE (a)
At any given week Arsenal can turn the heat on, both defensively and from an attacking point of view, but besides Sanchez, it’s been a slow month. With fixtures against Swansea, Boro, and Sunderland in a row, we had sporadic returns from Sanchez, Walcott, and Ozil. A little inconsistent and both the Gunners and Spurs fell flat in the north London derby. They fall below Liverpool and Chelsea simply because of their inconsistent reliability for points – an asset we’re finding nearly every week with the 2 sides above the Gunners.
4) Spurs
Previous Power Rankings Position: 2/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium to High
Any in-form players?: Kane, the Defensive (kind of)
Next 5 Fixtures: WHU (h), CHE (a), SWA (h), MUN (a), HUL (h)
Harry Kane returning is a massive plus, but Spurs drop two places, for the same reason as Arsenal. Chelsea and Liverpool are currently operating at a level above the north London sides. Spurs enter a very tempting home game against West Ham, a fixture which Harry Kane scored a last gasp goal last season after missing a penalty seconds before. Spurs always look good and get a result, but pinning their points beside their essential defensive picks is increasingly difficult.
5) MAN CITY
Previous Power Rankings Position: 5/20 (Non-Mover)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Semi-Reliable
FPL Form: Good
Any in-form players?: Gundogan, Aguero, KDB
Next 5 Fixtures: CRY (a), BUR (a), CHE (h), LEI (a), WAT (h)
Remember when the press would have had you believe the title was down to the red and blue side of Mancehster? That’s the story they wanted to tell, but it has been far from reality. If not for some FPL talents performing, the Aguero’s and KDB’s, with Gundogan as an emerging option, they’d have fallen in the rankings due to 1-1 draws against two teams (Southampton and Boro) that City should have dispatched with ease.
6) SOUTHAMPTON
Previous Power Rankings Position: 4/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: Medium to High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Semi-Reliable
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Austin, Redmond
Next 5 Fixtures: LIV (h), EVE (h), CRY (a), MID (h), STK (a)
In our recent stats article looking at alternative tables, Southampton don’t rank very highly. They’ve been an emerging threat as the season progresses, even in the Europa League. Charlie Austin’s 5 goals in 7 games alone is enough reason for their inclusion in the top 4. The reliable defenders they have at their disposal is just a cherry on top, but still not an option a lot of FPL managers are taking. They take 6th due to their potential, and a good fixture list. Don’t think Liverpool’s a good home game? The Anfield club has just kept one clean sheet all season, and The Saints have failed to score at home just once over the last 12 months – against Chelsea during GW10’s 2-0 defeat. They drop nonetheless. 2 losses on the spin is worrying.
7) EVERTON
Previous Power Rankings Position: 6/20 (-1)
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low to Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Good
Any in-form players?: Lukaku, Bolasie
Next 5 Fixtures: SWA (h), SOU (a), MUN (h), WAT (a), ARS (h)
Lukaku aside, the Toffees are struggling for points. Stekelenburg’s returns immediately halted after saving 2 penalties at the Etihad (do you believe in karma?), whilst Leighton Baines has vanished off the face of the arth after so much promise. As predicted, Barkley’s form is more inconsistent than a season viewing of The Walking Dead, with the only real alternative Lukaku’s assist-king, Bolasie. In Lukaku they’ve got one of the top FPL essentials, and his goal threat, especially heading into a home game against Swansea, is a reason Everton remain in the top half of our power rankings.
8) WEST BROM
Previous Power Rankings Position: 7/20 (-1)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Chadli, Phillips, Rondon
Next 5 Fixtures: BUR (h), HUL (a), WAT (h), CHE (a), SWA (h)
Despite not keeping a clean sheet since GW3’s 0-0 draw away at Middlesbrough, the Baggies have failed to score in just 3/11 games this season. WBA have also only lost 2 games from their last 7 games, with their losses predictably coming against Liverpool and Man City. They’ve picked up points against Spurs and even won at Leicester during GW11. West Brom are in a good vein of form, which is why we’ve put them ahead of Man United in the Power Rankings. They’ve also more FPL options, especially in value goalkeepers and defenders. West Brom also have a goal scoring midfielder in Chadli, something United are lacking, and an in-form forward in Rondon.
9) MAN UNITED
Previous Power Rankings Position: 10/20 (+1)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Ibrahimovic, Blind
Next 5 Fixtures: ARS (h), WHU (h), EVE (a), TOT (h), CRY (a)
Zlatan scored. Pogba scored. Rooney saw minutes. It’s not news that leaps the pages in the FPL after just 11 weeks, even if the BBC Sport will have you know that Man United are still the undisputed title favourites. A very comfortable win sees United leapfrog Watford in our Power Rankings, and that is down to Zlatan finally coming good after so many weeks of nothingness. They’re competing in the mid-table of our affections as they’ve no real midfield options, an inconsistent set of defenders, better goalkeeping alternatives, and a generally overpriced team. Zlatan included. United also face a tricky few sides in the top half, so could very well slip further in our estimations should Jose not get his way.
10) WATFORD
Previous Power Rankings Position: 8/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium to High
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Holebas, Gomes
Next 5 Fixtures: LEI (h), STK (h), WBA (a), EVE (h), MCI (a)
Watford have just come out of a good run of fixtures, which saw 3 consecutive clean sheets, and established Jose Holebas as perhaps the best value defender in the FPL this season. Reality came crashing down after a 6-1 defeat at Liverpool, meaning the Hornets slip a couple of places. One downside over their good run was the lack of points from Troy Deeney, who we pinned to have a good 5 weeks, but only managed the 1 assist, even having one taken away from him at home to Hull. Nevertheless they are proving the occasional return, with the prospect of rotating their defenders into your squads a good option for the next 5 games.
11) STOKE CITY
Previous Power Rankings Position: 17/20 (+6)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Semi-Reliable
FPL Form: Good
Any in-form players?: Allen, Shaqiri
Next 5 Fixtures: BOU (h), WAT (a), BUR (h), ARS (a), SOU (h)
In Joe Allen, Stoke have a reliable and cheap points outlet. In the rest of their squad they’ve got inconsistency. One week Shaqiri will score 2 goal of the month contenders, then the next weekend he doesn’t play due to an unknown, magical injury that grows like a weed. Bony’s beginning to show signs of the powerhouse that he was at Swansea. With a fixture list that includes Bournemouth, Watford, and Burnley in the next 3, the potential for Allen and Bony, and even Grant in goal to perform, could provide a genuine differential for your FPL squads.
12) BURNLEY
Previous Power Rankings Position: 15/20 (+3)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: Good
Any in-form players?: Heaton, Vokes
Next 5 Fixtures: WBA (a), MCI (h), STK (a), BOU (H), WHU (a)
Heaton, Vokes, and Defour, have seen their individual stocks in the FPL rise this season, even if some of the ownership figures doesn’t represent this. Heaton is the number one Goalkeeper for a reason. He’s made the most saves, and gained more bonus points than any keeper in the league. Like with Defoe at Sunderland, Heaton propels Burnley up our Power Rankings. Heaton is the keeper to have this season. It also helps that Burnley have some good games on the horizon.
13) BOURNEMOUTH
Previous Power Rankings Position: 11/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Adam Smith, Charlie Daniels
Next 5 Fixtures: STK (a), ARS (a), LIV (h), BUR (a), LEI (h)
The Cherries have recently slipped to a couple of worrying defeats in the league against Boro and Sunderland, two fixtures Fantasy players were counting. Adam Smith is in good FPL form, and Daniels is looking dangerous again, but other points are currently sporadic. The Cherries are like an on/off switch. Can be great one week, then terrible the next. A run of fixtures which includes Arsenal, Liverpool, and Leicester, it could be a tricky run for Bournemouth.
14) SUNDERLAND
Previous Power Rankings Position: 19/20
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Defoe
Next 5 Fixtures: HUL (h), LIV (a), LEI (h), SWA (a), CHE (h)
Sunderland have leaped this high because none of the other teams have Jermain Defoe. The Englishman has 6 goals this season, and 61 points. Defoe is joint 9th in the list of best performing FPL players this season, and is level with Sergio Aguero on points. Defoe plays most minutes, only missing 8 this season, is on penalties, and is an assured goal scorer. Defoe deserves the plaudits. No other player has over 30 points, so aren’t worth mentioning in the same conversation. If it wasn’t for Defoe, they’d be permanently bottom of our Power Rankings.
15) CRYSTAL PALACE
Previous Power Rankings Position: 14/20 (-1)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: McArthur, Zaha
Next 5 Fixtures: MCI (h), SWA (a), SOU (h), HUL (a), MUN (h)
Benteke has scored 4 headed goals this season, including one during his last outing in a 3-2 defeat at Burnley. That was Benteke’s only goal, and only FPL return, in 5 games. Aside from a sprinkling of Zaha’s form, and James McArthur’s occasional heroics, Palace aren’t offering a lot for players, and look vulnerable. There’s a reason the Eages are lowly owned this season. A visiting Man City aren’t likely to help the cause for getting Pardew to 40 points for the season.
16) MIDDLESBROUGH
Previous Power Rankings Position: 20/20 (+4)
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Friend, Gibson
Next 5 Fixtures: CHE (h), LEI (a), HUL (h), SOU (a), LIV (h)
Boro might just have been the bane of the FPL over the past few weeks. Expected to be rolled over on their travels to Arsenal and Man CityBoro stifled 2 of the Premier League’s big boys, Boro fought to 2 brilliant results away from home. There were FPL points to be had in Arsenal defenders and Aguero (who scored against Boro, but was booked), but in general Boro did well to frustrate, and we all know somebody out there who benched a George Friend for both fixtures, only to be left empty handed. A run of fixtures against more of the big boys could be what Boro need as they aim to further frustrate the title challenges of the established ‘big boys’.
17) SWANSEA CITY
Previous Power Rankings Position: 12/20 (-5)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Sigurdsson, Fabianski
Next 5 Fixtures: EVE (a), CRY (h), TOT (a), SUN (h), WBA (a)
Swansea have played an attractive brand of football over the past few years, but with the sale of Ashley Williams and Andre Ayew this season, and a generally poor start to the season, the Swans truly looked doomed based off what we’ve seen. The only element keeping the Welsh side out of our Power Rankings relegation zone is a patch of fixtures that are clearing up, and the reliability of Sigurdsson and Fabianski to deliver on FPL points. Gylfi in particular is a mouth-watering prospect even when Swansea are deep in the mud of a relegation battle. The Iceland international is on penalties, free kicks, corners, and general set-piece opportunities. Gylfi’s delivery has provided 2 assists from the past 2 games, is still classified as a differential, and could make or break Swansea’s season.
18) WEST HAM
Previous Power Rankings Position: 13/20 (-5)
Goal Threat: Low to Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: No
Next 5 Fixtures: TOT (a), MUN (a), ARS (h), LIV (a), BUR (h)
After a rosy first 5 games of the season in the FPL for Michael Antonio, his plight as a Fantasy option highlights just how far West Ham have fallen. After scoring 5 goals 4 consecutive games, West Ham as a unit have only scored 4 goals from their last 6 games, failing to score more than one goal per game in that run. Antonio’s points dried up, West Ham as a defensive option was a mistake from the get-go, and Payet, due to the club he chose to stick with, has almost vanished into obscurity alongside the rest of the team. West Ham are worthy of their place in the bottom three, especially with a run of 4 games that could see them cemented in the relegation places should their form not dramatically improve.
19) LEICESTER
Previous Power Rankings Position: 16/20 (-3)
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: No
Next 5 Fixtures: WAT (a), MID (h), SUN (a), MCI (h), BOU (a)
In our recent stats breakdown, Leicester actually have more points from their forward players than any other club in the league. Their firepower up front is spread thin across Vardy, Ulloa, Okazaki, Slimani, and Musa, who have all been rotated into action this season. It’s in stark contrast not only to last season, but when comparing Leicester’s other positions. Despite being top of the forwards list, their defenders have more points. The only upside currently to a side inflated in price due to quite possibly the greatest title win there ever was, is that at least Leicester have some potential options to pick from. A fixture trio of Watford, Boro, and Sunderland, could also tempt players, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was the home defeat to West Brom. A corner might have been turned, in the wrong direction. There is only one way up for Leicester, and if not, relegation in the real world might actually be a possibility. We certainly hope not.
20) HULL CITY (-2)
Previous Power Rankings Position: 18/20 (-2)
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Snodgrass
Next 5 Fixtures: SUN (a), WBA (h), MID (a), CRY (h), TOT (a)
Hull are just like Sunderland, but worse. Robert Snodgrass, when not walking the injury and suspension tightrope, has been a prolific points scorer on his day with 56 points, but the rest of the team has been quite literally useless. For this team to be worse than Sunderland says something. Will Keane’s injury is one of a dozen; they bought far too late in the summer transfer market to gel their squad, and in general, even though Hull perhaps have the most favourable fixtures of the lot, we’d prefer Defoe to make the impact. It’s a massive game between the pair for GW12, with relegation and safety in the balance. If Hull lose, we might just pin them here for the rest of the season.
To conclude, here's the Power Rankings table that The Hype Team had compiled for this week heading into Gameweek 10. In brackets indicates how many places each team has risen or fallen in our Power Rankings since the last round of games.
FPL Gameweek 9-10: Power Rankings 1-20
Liverpool (+2)
Chelsea (+7)
Arsenal (-2)
Spurs (-2)
Man City (Non-mover)
Southampton (-2)
Everton (-1)
West Brom (-1)
Man United (+1)
Watford (-2)
Stoke (+6)
Burnley (+3)
Bournemouth (-2)
Sunderland (+5)
Crystal Palace (-1)
Middlesbrough (+4)
Swansea (-5)
West Ham (-5)
Leicester (-3)
Hull City (-2)
For comparison, here’s how the Power Rankings shaped up last week from Gameweek 8 to Gameweek 9.
FPL Gameweek 8-9: Power Rankings 1-20
Arsenal
Spurs
Liverpool
Southampton
Man City
Everton
West Brom
Watford
Chelsea
Man United
Bournemouth
Swansea
West Ham
Crystal Palace
Burnley
Leicester
Stoke
Hull
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015 specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, television, live music, festivals, and any relevant topic in the public eye.
You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, or visit our website at www.thehypetrain.co.uk
For all FPL Gameweek build up, check out the Weekly Hype page now.
All aboard.
