FANTASY FORECAST 2017/18: FPL Gameweek 12
Ahead of each Gameweek in the Fantasy Premier League the Hype Train invites a special guest onto its Fantasy Forecast, where the three members of the Hype Team and its Guests will duel for FPL supremacy in predicting Premier League scores, as well as going head to head in picking a Scout Picks squad for the relevant Gameweek. In addition, we give our insight into who are the players to watch and those to drop, both for traditional FPL leagues and the Draft mode, as well as providing insight into captaincy picks, differentials for the week, and more. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek Deadline
For the 2016/17 Premier League season, the FPL deadline will be one hour before the commencement of the week's first game. The Premier League website lists each FPL deadline, you can always ask on social media, and you can also view a real time countdown on our Weekly Hype page.
How does our Forecasting work?
We have taken to our Hype Team, and the FPL Community, to compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. We are asking the questions that dominate each week in the Fantasy Premier League: who to pick, who to avoid, who to captain, and who may surprise. The 3 members of the Hype Team, and a Guest, will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead. For the sake of respecting the rules of the Forecast, we have provided an example of what we're sending out to interested parties.
Premier League Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with PL predictions and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the FPL Forecast. A perfect score is worth 3 points whilst a correct result is worth 1 point.
FPL Gameweek Forecasting: Answering the regular questions that come up every single week in the Fantasy Premier League community that helps with identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, players to consider for the Draft game, the wildcard differential players, as well as general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, without any budget, using the rules of the FPL - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club (chips will not be feature of these weekly picks)
Each team must pick a Captain, labelled as (c) and a Vice Captain listed as (vc).
Fixture Prediction: 2017/18 Points Table
In our predictions a perfect score is 3 points, and predicting the right outcome is worth 1 point (aka if a team wins but, you predict it, but don't get the perfect score). Below is the Gameweek and overall rundown of our Premier League predictions series for the season.
Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam): 6 (1), 4 (2), 8 (3), 3 (4), 9 (5), 6 (6), 7 (7), 7 (8), 4 (9), 12 (10), 5 (11) = 71pts
Phil Jones (@HypeTrainPhil): 10 (1), 5 (2), 6 (3), 4 (4), 9 (5), 5 (6), 5 (7), 3 (8), 3 (9), 8 (10), 4 (11) = 62pts
Robert Austin (@HypeTrainRob): 4 (1), 5 (2), 8 (3), 2 (4), 7 (5), 9 (6), 8 (7), 10 (8), 8 (9), 6 (10), 5 (11) = 72pts
Special Guests: 4 (1), 4 (2), 7 (3), 2 (4), 2 (5), 8 (6), 13 (7), 9 (8), 3 (9), 10 (10), 4 (11) = 66pts
Special Guests
GW1 - @FPLConnect: 4 points (0 perfect, 4 correct, 6 wrong)
GW2 - @FPLsleuth: 4 points (0 perfect, 4 correct, 6 wrong)
GW3 - @FPLBraveheart: 6 points (1 perfect, 3 correct, 6 wrong)
GW4 - @FPLJournalBlog: 2 points (0 perfect, 2 correct, 8 wrong)
GW5 - @FPL_Ted: 2 points (0 perfect, 2 correct, 8 wrong)
GW6 - @CGA_FPL: 8 points (1 perfect, 5 correct, 4 wrong)
GW7 - @FPLMad: 11pts (3 perfect, 2 correct, 5 wrong)
GW8 - @OddsOnFPL: 9pts (2 perfect, 3 correct, 5 wrong)
GW9 - @FPL_vs: 3pts (0 perfect, 3 correct, 7 wrong)
GW10 - @TheTinkerMen: 10pts (2 perfect, 4 correct, 4 wrong)
GW11 - @FPLStag: 4 pts (0 perfect, 4 correct, 6 wrong)
Individual Gameweek Predictions
GW1: Sam (6), Phil (10), Rob (4), @FPL_Connect (4)
GW2: Sam (4), Phil (5), Rob (5), @FPLsleuth (4)
GW3: Sam (8), Phil (6), Rob, (8), @FPLBraveheart (7)
GW4: Sam (3), Phil (4), Rob (2), @FPLJournalBlog (2)
GW5: Sam (9), Phil (9), Rob (7), @FPL_Ted (2)
GW6: Sam (6), Phil (5), Rob (9), @CGA_FPL (8)
GW7: Sam (5), Phil (7), Rob (8), @FPLMad (11)
GW8: Sam (7), Phil (3), Rob (10), @OddsOnFPL (9)
GW9: Sam (4), Phil (3), Rob (8), @FPL_vs (3)
GW10: Sam (12), Phil (8), Rob (6), @TheTinkerMen (10)
GW11: Sam (5), Phil (4), Rob (5), @FPLStag (4)
FPL Scout Picks: 2017/18 Points Table
Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, using the rules of the FPL - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club (chips will not be feature of these weekly picks). Below is the Gameweek and overall rundown of our Premier League predictions series for the season.
Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam): 82 (1), 61 (2), 58 (3), 23 (4), 60 (5), 72 (6), 55 (7), 54 (8), 51 (9), 45 (1), 59 (11) = 620pts
Phil Jones (@HypeTrainPhil): 81 (1), 57 (2), 38 (3), 49 (4), 58 (5), 73 (6), 65 (7), 63 (8), 46 (9), 48 (10), 57 (11) = 635pts
Robert Austin (@HypeTrainRob): 67 (1), 43 (2), 48 (3), 36 (4), 74 (5), 78 (6), 68 (7), 39 (8), 47 (9), 55 (10), 55 (11) = 610pts
Special Guests: 54 (1), 45 (2), 41 (3), 40 (4), 72 (5), 77 (6), 81 (7), 53 (8), 26 (9), 52 (10), 56 (11) = 597pts
Special Guests
GW1 - @FPL_Connect: 54 points (Captain Kane, 2pts)
GW2 - @FPLsleuth: 45 points (Captain Lukaku, 12pts)
GW3 - @FPLBraveheart: 41 points (Captain Kane, 4pts)
GW4 - @FPLJournalBlog: 40 points (Captain Mane, -4pts)
GW5 - @FPL_Ted: 72 points (Captain Kane, 4pts)
GW6 - @CGA_FPL: 77 points (Captain Aguero, 22pts)
GW7 - @FPLMad: 81pts (Captain Kane, 26pts)
GW8 - @OddsOnFPL: 53pts (Captain Kane, 4pts)
GW9 - @FPL_vs: 26pts (Captain Jesus, 2pts)
GW10 - @TheTinkerMen: 52pts (Captain Salah, 8pts)
GW11 - @FPLStag: 56pts (Captain Kane, 4pts)
Individual Gameweek Scout Picks
GW1: Sam (82), Phil (81), Rob (67), @FPL_Connect (54)
GW2: Sam (61), Phil (57), Rob (43), @FPLsleuth (45)
GW3: Sam (58), Phil (38), Rob, (48), @FPLBraveheart (41)
GW4: Sam (23), Phil (49), Rob (36), @FPLJournalBlog (40)
GW5: Sam (60), Phil (58), Rob (74), @FPL_Ted (72)
GW6: Sam (72), Phil (73), Rob (78), @CGA_FPL (77)
GW7: Sam (55), Phil (65), Rob (68), @FPLMad (81)
GW8: Sam (54), Phil (63), Rob (39), @OddsOnFPL (53)
GW9: Sam (51), Phil (46), Rob (47), @FPL_vs (26)
GW10: Sam (45), Phil (48), Rob (55), @TheTinkerMen (52)
GW11: Sam (59), Phil (57), Rob (55), @FPLStag (56)
GW12 PREDICTIONS
Arsenal 1-1 Spurs
Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
West Brom 0-1 Chelsea
Burnley 1-0 Swansea
Liverpool 2-0 Southampton
Leicester 1-3 Man City
Bournemouth 0-0 Huddersfield
Man United 1-0 Newcastle
Watford 3-0 West Ham
Brighton 1-0 Stoke City
FPL FORECASTING: GAMEWEEK 12
ATTACKING POTENTIAL
Liverpool (H) vs. Southampton
Man City (A) vs. Leicester
Watford (H) vs. West Ham
Man United (H) vs. Newcastle
Chelsea (A) vs. West Brom
DEFENSIVE POTENTIAL
Chelsea (A) vs. West Brom
Burnley (H) vs. Swansea
Liverpool (H) vs. Southampton
Bournemouth (H) vs. Huddersfield
Huddersfield (A) vs. Bournemouth
Man United (H) vs. Newcastle
Watford (H) vs. West Ham
Brighton (H) vs. Stoke City
TRANSFERS IN/OUT
IN: Nick Pope (GK), Joe Gomez (DEF), Eden Hazard (MID), Glenn Murray (FWD)
OUT: Ben Foster (GK), David Luiz (DEF), Raheem Sterling (FWD), Tammy Abraham (FWD)
DIFFERENTIAL PICKS
I do the weekly wildcards, and below is the link to the article.
There is one other man who I have been raving about in the past few weeks and that man is Andreas Christensen, the man who has ousted David Luiz out of his place in the Blues defence. West Brom tend to lose to Chelsea is scrappy, one-goal affairs so it is easy points for a cheap Chelsea defender.
CAPTAINCY
Captain (C): Mohamad Salah - I'm backing goals this weekend, and there is no better player to look at other than the 'King of Egypt' Mo Salah. Having terrorised West Ham with Mane before the international break the new Liverpool system has Salah playing as more of a central striker, a pivot for his pace to stretch teams. Coutinho and Lallana will also be playing this weekend, so the depths of Liverpool's reformed attack could pay dividends for the Egyptian. Liverpool's feeder club have no idea how hard this fixture is going to be.
Vice-Captain (VC): Nick Pope - Guaranteed points playing in goal, so why can't Pope be considered a viable captain option for GW12? Burnley host Swansea this weekend, and it isn't as if they are scoring goals for fun. Averaging 5.6pts a game so far this season, Pope has my uncontested backing as the best goalkeeping option this week, and much safer an option than some of the strikers.
GAMEWEEK COMMENTS
I never know what is going to happen once the international break ends, it’s just chaos, but I'm thinking that it might be a drab affair this weekend all round. On paper, there is more opportunity for defensive returns, and not so many clear cut winners by more than a one-goal margin. I would say be brave and bold with your line-up, and apart from Arsenal and Spurs assets in your fantasy team it could be a quite standard week. Everyone is expecting thrills and spills, but I'm expecting an underwhelming return for the Premier League this weekend.
GW12 SCOUT PICKS
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Nick Pope (VC)
DEF:Joe Gomez
DEF: Eric Bailly
DEF: Cesar Azpilicueta
MID: Mohamad Salah (C)
MID: Richarlison
MID: Leroy Sane
MID: Philippe Coutinho
FW: Alvaro Morata
FW: Harry Kane
FW: Romelu Lukaku
Substitutes
BGK: David de Gea
BMF: Wilfried Zaha
BDF: Andreas Chistensen
BDF: Ben Mee
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 12
Arsenal 1-3 Spurs Bournemouth 1-0 Huddersfield Burnley 1-0 Swansea Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton Leicester 1-4 Man City Liverpool 0-0 Southampton West Brom 0-2 Chelsea Man United 2-1 Newcastle Watford 3-0 West Ham Brighton 1-1 Stoke
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 12
Best GW Attacking Options: Chelsea (a) vs West Brom Watford (H) vs West Ham Man City (a) vs Leicester Spurs (a) vs Arsenal
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential: Chelsea (a) vs West Brom Liverpool (H) vs Southampton Watford (H) vs West Ham Burnley (H) vs Swansea
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?: IN: Pope, Lukaku, Morata, Eriksen, Richarlison, Sane. OUT: Any players from West Ham, West Brom or Everton.
GW Differential Picks:
Wilfried Zaha: He is the driving force behind every attacking move and should probably have a few more points to his name since his return. The Everton defence has failed to love up to expectations this season so I expect Zaha to test them and add to his tally.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Harry Kane: I’m determined to never move this armband again. Despite his sporadic returns he always has the highest ceiling for points potential.
(VC): Alvaro Morata: We can expect West Brom to sit back got 90 minutes in this one so a goal from open play may be elusive. Set pieces is where I see this game being decided, an area in which West Brom have struggled so far. Morata is dominant in the air and, after his goal against United, will be full of confidence.
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 12 Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Nick Pope
DEF: Ben Mee DEF: Stephen Ward DEF: Cesar Azpilicueta
MID: Raheem Sterling MID: Richarlison de Andrade MID: Eden Hazard MID: Leroy Sane
FOR: Harry Kane (C) FOR: Alvaro Morata (VC) FOR: Romelu Lukaku
Substitutes
GK: Ben Foster MID: Mo Salah DEF: John Stones DEF: Eric Bailly
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 12
Arsenal 0-2 Spurs Bournemouth 1-1 Huddersfield Burnley 1-0 Swansea Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton Leicester 0-3 Man City Liverpool 2-0 Southampton West Brom 0-1 Chelsea Man United 2-0 Newcastle Watford 3-1 West Ham Brighton 2-0 Stoke
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 12
Best GW Attacking Options: Chelsea (a) vs West Brom Watford (H) vs West Ham Man City (a) vs Leicester Spurs (a) vs Arsenal
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:
Chelsea (A) vs. West Brom
Burnley (H) vs. Swansea
Liverpool (H) vs. Southampton
Bournemouth (H) vs. Huddersfield
Man United (H) vs. Newcastle
Brighton (H) vs. Stoke City
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?: IN: Pope, Joe Gomez, Chris Smalling, Salah, OUT: Any players from West Ham, West Brom or Everton, exactly what Phil said, though I'd also add Southampton to avoid.
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
Christian Benteke (CRY) is back and available and might have been over looked.
Glenn Murray (BHA) is the best forward in the game right now.
Burnley defenders, Lowton, and Tarkowski, might have also been overlooked.
A few Palace options like Cabaye and Mila might be good one-week picks.
GW Differential Picks:
Glenn Murray (BHA): I touched on it above, but the ultimate differential this week is Murray. Four goals in four games is a tremendous return for the Brighton player.
Joe Gomez (LIV): Liverpool don't really concede at home, and Joe Gomez has just made his full England debut. A good week to bank on the player who will likely play a CB role against a Southampton side who struggle to score.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Harry Kane: Always scores against Arsenal, and is scoring more away from home. Every time I doubt him, he scores. Every time I have faith, he blanks. Best to keep it on Kane in case the Hurrikane rolls through the Emirates.
(VC): Alvaro Morata: Morata is a beast, and West Brom are on the decline. Logic suggests he is a good pick, until you think about the game will play out, and it will probably be an edgy encounter between two defensive sides.
Other Comments:
There might be a few 1-0's this week.
Clean sheets and a 4-3-3 system look ideal, but it never works out that way.
My heart is telling me to bank on a Newcastle win, but I just can't bring myself to do it. We are definitely going to give United a good game though.
On an unrelated note, what the hell is Chris Coleman thinking of potentially going to Sunderland?
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 12 Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Nick Pope
DEF: John Stones DEF: Eric Bailly DEF: Cesar Azpilicueta
MID: Mohamed Salah MID: Richarlison de Andrade MID: Eden Hazard MID: Leroy Sane
FOR: Harry Kane (C) FOR: Alvaro Morata (VC) FOR: Glenn Murray
Substitutes
GK: Matt Ryan MID: Pascal Gross DEF: Joe Gomez DEF: Stephen Ward
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 12
Arsenal 1-2 Spurs
Bournemouth 2-0 Huddersfield
Burnley 1-0 Swansea
Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
Leicester 1-3 Man City
Liverpool 2-1 Southampton
West Brom 1-3 Chelsea
Man United 2-0 Newcastle
Watford 1-1 West Ham
Brighton 1-1 Stoke
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 12
Best GW Attacking Options:
Lukaku, Salah, Jesus
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:
Manchester United, Burnley
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:
IN: Salah Richarlison Zaha Daniels Mee
OUT: Richie Cedric Hegazi Vardy
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
Draft FPL? Not sure, as I don’t play.
Who are the teams to look out for?:
Manchester United, Burnley, Bournemouth, Liverpool
Who are the teams to avoid?:
Leicester, Newcastle, Southampton, West Brom
GW Differential Picks:
Mane, Pogba
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Lukaku
(VC): Mane
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 12
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: David de Gea
DEF: Ben Mee
DEF: Charlie Daniels
DEF: Antonio Valencia
MID: Mohamed Salah
MID: Leroy Sane
MID: Eden Hazard
MID: Sadio Mane (VC)
FOR: Gabriel Jesus
FOR: Romelu Lukaku (C)
FOR: Harry Kane
Substitutes
GK: Nick Pope
MID: Wilfried Zaha
DEF: Stephen Ward
DEF: Kiko Femenia
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, live sport, and professional wrestling.
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The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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All aboard.
