The Perfect XI format of Fantasy EPL on Fantrax is going to take the community by storm. Fact. Our good friends at DPLCommLeague have brought the concept over to Fantrax, and it is sensational. We're here to provide Draft Premier League managers with our very own Perfect XI tips for each gameweek. Details of the concept and rules can be found here!
Check out DPLCommLeague for further information on the format, regular updates on the latest standings, as well as information on how you can enter.
Fantasy EPL Gameweek 13 Perfect XI
So, what is Perfect XI? Similar to Official Fantasy Premier League game, all managers have full access to the entire player pool each week, meaning multiple teams within the league could be completely identical. The main departures from OFPL are the Fantrax Default Scoring, unlimited transfers each week, no budget/salary cap, and live lineup changes available. This means that each week you can select a dream team of Fantrax assets who you think will score the most points on a given gameweek, and have the added bonus of being able to see the real life lineups before your players lock in. Magic.
Check out our Perfect XI tips below. These are our recommendations for the best eleven players this weekend! Picks are now accompanied by our weekly projections, which our Inner Circle members can exclusively access.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale
Team: Arsenal
Opponent: Newcastle (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: ~7 (GK projections to come)
Coupled with a 42% chance of keeping a clean sheet, Ramsdale has saved on average 4 shots a game and looks clinical weekly.
Pivot: Edouard Mendy
DEF: Trent Alexander Arnold
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Southampton (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 145.7
Once again, the best scoring fantasy defender in the game, averaging an impressive 20 points a game, don't overthink this one. This week, vs Southampton, he has a 45% chance of keeping a clean sheet, 34% chance of assisting, and 14% chance of scoring . Plug Trent into your lineup and let the points flow in, regardless of how they come.
Pivot: Konstantinos Tsimikas
DEF: Joao Cancelo
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: West Ham (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.8
Like the aforementioned Liverpool RB, it's hard to bench Cancelo, and there's really no reason to do so this week at home. He scores phenomenally well offensively, has the 2nd most points of any Fantrax defender, and has a 48% chance of keeping a clean sheet, 21% chance of assisting and 13% chance of scoring. Special shout out to alternative Ait-Nouri here; I really like him this week against Norwich and seriously considered changing to a four at the back to accommodate him in my lineup.
Pivot: Rayan Ait-Nouri
DEF: Reece James
Team: Chelsea
Opponent: Manchester United (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 12.5
Once again we're back to the basics: Trent, Cancelo, and at least one Chelsea WB for our Perfect XI defenders. James has been putting up ridiculous numbers every time he starts and this week should be no exception against a struggling United side. His odds this week: 42% clean sheet, 21% goal (highest of any defender), and 15% assist.
Pivot: Marcos Alonso
MID: Raphinha
Team: Leeds
Opponent: Brighton (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.6
In a week where we are potentially without the big 3 City MIDs and with Bruno facing Chelsea, Raphinha becomes my first MID pick. The Brazilian is the third highest scoring MID this season and for good reason; he's put up big numbers vs small and big clubs alike. This week vs Brighton, he only has a 22% chance of scoring and a 20% chance of assisting but, due to Bielsa's tactics, should create plenty of ghost points regardless.
Pivot: Pascal Gross
MID: Phil Foden/Ilkay Gundogan
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: West Ham (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.8/10.5
Another combo play. Just like last week, If Foden starts, you should start him. If he doesn't, I'd still advise having a piece of the Manchester City attack in the form of Gundogan or Silva. Let's face it, just about every week you should have a piece of the City attack in Perfect XI as they're always candidates for multiple return games. Foden has a 40% chance of scoring and a 31% chance of assisting. Gundogan's odds are a lot less, but he's likely to put up plenty of peripherals and get some set pieces in KDB's enforced absence.
Pivot: Bernardo Silva
MID: Andros Townsend
Team: Everton
Opponent: Brentford (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.2
A player we haven't picked in a long time, Townsend has a great matchup vs the Bees, who just conceded 3 goals to Newcastle. Everton have been in poor form and have lots of attackers injured or suspended but, regardless, this game should be a perfect one for Townsend to rack up Key Passes and Shots On Target. He only has a 19% chance of scoring and a 15% chance of assisting, but Townsend should get most of the set pieces, particularly if Gray is out, and Everton will be relying on his creativity.
Pivot: Connor Gallagher
MID: Callum Hudson-Odoi/Mason Mount
Team: Chelsea
Opponent: Manchester United (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 11.7/13.1
After a rather poor performance from Mount last week, many Perfect XI managers (including myself) were feeling rather let down. This week, however I'm recommending going back into the Chelsea winger/attacking MID pool. Against a reeling United side, their projections are too high to ignore despite previous performances. Take your pick, but both have about a 27% chance of scoring and a 25% chance of assisting. Hudson-Odoi is likely the safer pick and Mount the upside, if you think he returns to form.
Pivot: Ziyech/Pulisic/other Chelsea wingers
FWD: Mohamad Salah
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Southampton (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 15.9
Salah is the best player in the Premier League and the highest scoring player in Fantrax by 92 points (this number just keeps getting bigger every week)! This week, he has a 63% chance of scoring (highest of the week) and a 31% chance of assisting. Just do it.
Pivot: Harry Kane
FWD: Riyad Mahrez/Gabriel Jesus
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: West Ham (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.3/12.3
Ah Mahrez. Having frustrated many Fantrax managers this season, this might finally be the week the Algerian rewards the patience. I said the exact same thing last week and recommended a Jesus pivot (who also did not start). With KDB, Grealish, and maybe Foden out with COVID-19/knocks, Mahrez and/or fellow outcast Raheem Sterling will likely start in the attacking trident alongside regular Gabriel Jesus. Against the Hammers defense, Mahrez has a 38% chance of scoring and a 29% chance of assisting. Be happy you can play him in Perfect XI and not have to worry about him starting every week. And if he doesn't start, rotate over to Jesus (or even play them both)!
Pivot: Raheem Sterling
FWD: Sadio Mane
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Southampton (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.8
I tend to stay away from taking two forwards from the same team in Perfect XI, but this is one of those weeks where I feel good about it. Liverpool are expected to smash Southampton, scoring a projected 2.6 goals on average. Like Salah, Mane has a good chance of both getting on the scoresheet (47%) and assisting (27%). It's hard to ignore that upside, and for me its hard to trust the alternatives like Son and Kane yet, even in a positive matchup.
Pivot: Diogo Jota
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