Gameweek 12 Sleepers XI: Draft EPL

Our Gameweek 12 Sleepers XI article provides Draft managers with a lineup of Fantasy EPL hidden gems. Our starting eleven of Draft Premier League differential picks will help you find a golden ticket to a big score this weekend! These hints and tips will give you a better chance of picking up an all-important victory, as any one of these under-the-radar picks could make the difference in a head-to-head game!

We'll be focusing on players that will bring us not only attacking returns or clean sheets, but also those players that score Ghost Points in the sophisticated and statistics based Fantrax Scoring System!

Fantasy EPL Gameweek 12 Sleepers XI

For this article, we use the percentage rostered calculation from Fantrax and Sleeper. Our only rule is that each player we highlight is rostered in 60% of leagues or fewer at the time of writing. Therefore, there's a good chance some of these players will be free agents in your Draft league! As always, we'll take form, fixtures, projected points, and a healthy dose of intuition into account to make our selections.

97 FPts in Gameweek 11! We almost made it to the promised land, so I'm counting it as a massive win. It probably helped that all of our picks actually started their games too. So let's start with the assets that hauled for us. In defence, Gusto topped the scoring with 23.75 FPts (1 goal & 1 CS against Burnley), followed by 2 midfielders in Harvey Barnes (14.5 FPts with a goal) and Nico O'Reilly (14.5 FPts with an assist) and finally topped off by one of our forwards, Callum Wilson getting 14 FPts, with a goal as well. Now for the subpar bits. Our other forward, Igor Jesus, only put up 1.5 FPts, despite registering the most shots (5) during the gameweek. In midfield, both the West Ham boys, Potts (9.5 FPts) and Summerville (8.25 FPts with an assist) put up respectable scores, but unfortunately Harry Wilson really let us down with only 2.25 FPts and an early sub. Our remaining two defenders also underwhelmed, with Kilman scoring 2.75 FPts (2 goals conceded) and Murillo getting 2 FPts (1 goal conceded & 1 yellow card). Lastly, in net, Sels only managed 4 FPts (1 goal conceded). Although the final score looks great in the end, a massive concern is that only 5 of our picks played more than 80 minutes in their respective fixtures. So we could have arguably done better! Beggars can't be choosers though, so we'll take what we get and push forward to Gameweek 12!

The Sleepers XI table below includes a full team of Starters, as well as 5 Reserves - high-upside players with some question marks around whether they'll start in Gameweek 12. So, keep an eye out when lineups are announced and pick them up if you see them starting, especially if you need to fill a spot on your roster. Read below for the rationale behind each of the Starter selections.

Emiliano Martinez (G, Aston Villa)

Over the last 4 gameweeks, both Roefs and Martinez have scored the most fantasy points of all goalkeepers, despite the former making 5 additional saves. Martinez has actually been averaging just over 11 PPS over his last 4 games. The Argentine shot-stopper kept 2 clean sheets during this run, against Man City and Bournemouth, but interestingly enough he got both at home. Although their fixture this weekend is at Elland Road this weekend, there's still hope that Aston Villa could earn their 4th clean sheet of the season, as Leeds are actually tied 2nd-to-last for goals scored (10) in the league, with winless-Wolves only 3 goals behind them.

Jan-Paul van Hecke (D, Brighton)

Over the past 5 gameweeks, the Dutch defender has recently emerged as one of the top defender picks in the game. Over this stretch of gameweeks, he's been keeping company with the likes of Gabriel Magalhães, Dan Ballard, Muñoz and Reece James. This recent run of form is basically night and day to how he started the season. During his first 6 games of the season, JPvH was averaging just over 4 PPS, but over the last 5 games, he has been averaging just over 14 PPS. This jump of 10 PPS is absolutely mental, and he's showing no signs of slowing down either. The Seagulls have been undefeated at home over their last 4 games whilst only conceding 4 times. Meanwhile the visiting Bees have lost 3 of their last 4 away games and have only scored 4 in the process, with half of those coming against an abject Hammers team.

Kenny Tete (D, Fulham)

It's crazy to think that a team that comfortably finished in 11th place last season, now seem to be in the thick of a relegation fight, as the Cottagers currently sit only 1 point above the drop zone. Things don't seem to be getting better either as now Muniz has been ruled out of action until the new year, as well as one of our draft-day darlings, Antonee Robinson, who is still missing-in action due to injury. Although the situation appears grim for the West London club, one bright spark has emerged. After having his season interrupted by an injury, Kenny Tete returned with better form. Before his injury, Tete was averaging 6.3 gPPS, but over his last 3 starts post-injury, he has been averaging just under 10 gPPS. Although Fulham have only kept 2 clean sheets this season, they will be buoyed by the fact that Sunderland have been poor in front of goal during their away travels. The Black Cats have only scored 3 goals in 5 away games, which is only better than Nottingham Forest and Wolves. So if you need a DEF-3/4 this weekend, Tete could be a great punt.

Sepp van den Berg (D, Brentford) 

Another defender that has recently started showing some form is Brentford's Sepp van den Berg. It seems to be the trend at the moment, as defenders who we thought would do well to start the season, have only recently started showing some form. In his first 5 matches, Sepp was averaging around 5.6 PPS, whereas in the 2nd half of his appearances for the season, he's been averaging 9.5 PPS to be exact. What's impressive is the fact that he actually had the same number of clean sheets (1) during both periods, so his ghost point production has massively increased. Sepp isn't really known for getting attacking returns but if you need to just plug in a replacement for one of your studs, who could be missing due to a random international break injury, then he's an ideal replacement.

Wesley Fofana (D, Chelsea)

Chalobah owners are currently pulling their hair out at the moment. After such a hot start for the English DEF, he's gone very quiet, whilst whoever his CB partner is, they appear to be the one soaking up all the ghost points. For example, in 3 of the last 4 gameweeks, both Acheampong and Fofana have scored more ghost points than Chalobah, despite either player being subbed off early as Chalobah tends to play the full match for the Blues. Hence why we're suggesting Fofana as an obvious pick this gameweek. Albeit a small sample size, the French CB has been averaging just under 12 ghost points per start over his last 2 games, and his 9.0 gPP90 is actually the 2nd best of all Chelsea defenders, only behind Reece James. Even though Burnley seem to be having a decent start to their campaign, the Clarets have actually been worse at home than on the road, scoring only 3 goals in their last 4 games. So there's a great chance for a 3rd clean sheet in a row for Fofana and his friends.

Amadou Onana (M, Aston Villa) 

Problems? What problems? After being the butt of all jokes at the start of the season, and being winless in their first 5 games, Aston Villa have now won 5 of their last 6 games, and comfortably sit 6th in the league table. A smashing 4-0 victory against the likes of Bournemouth did paper over some very concerning cracks though. For example, the likes of Morgan Rogers and Watkins only putting up 4 FPts together in such a massive scoreline isn't great for owners. Hence why I'm going very rogue with my Aston Villa pick this weekend when they visit Elland Road on Sunday. Onana isn't really a season-long pick as his 7.4 PPS is nothing to brag about, but this pick is purely down to the fixture and his ability to randomly get attacking returns, especially from set pieces. Leeds have already conceded 5 goals from set pieces, which is the 4th most of all the teams in the league. So if you need an MID-4/5 option and didn't get who you wanted on waivers, Onana is a great gamble.

Diego Gomez (M, Brighton)

If you're a Mitoma-owner and you're reading this article, go pick up Diego Gomez right NOW! Ever since his 4-goal haul in the EFL cup against Barnsley, Fantrax managers took immediate notice. The problem with Hürzeler has always been the way he frustratingly rotated his players, meaning it never really made sense to hold the Paraguayan MID. Things have changed now though. Now that Mitoma has been confirmed out due to injury, Gomez might have a nailed spot in the starting XI. His 11.8 PPS is the 2nd best of all Brighton outfielders, only behind the likes of Minteh. Gomez has started the last 2 games and with scores of 35.25 and 21.5 FPts, it should come as no surprise that he scored the most points of all assets in the game over that 2 gameweek span. What's mental is the fact that the 21.5 FPts was basically all ghost points. Not saying that he's a MID-1/2, but while he is scoring like one, you need to find a spot in your starting XI for him.

Enzo Le Fee (M, Sunderland)

Enzo Le Fee, or as I lovingly like to refer to him as ELF, is another player who had a very subdued start to his campaign with Sunderland back in the Premier League. In his first 6 appearances for the Black Cats, he only amassed 30 FPts in total, which is pretty wild when you consider that he got 19 of them in his first start against Brentford. Since then, in his last 4 starts, he's been averaging just under 8.5 PPS, which is a solid scoring rate as a MID-3/4. Sunderland visit Fulham next and even though the Black Cats have been more prolific at home than on the road, Fulham are missing Sasa Lukic this weekend due to suspension, a player who has provided defensive cover for their already leaky backline. So ELF could find some joy in this fixture as Sunderland look to push on from their already impressive start to their campaign.

Mateus Fernandes (M, West Ham)

Since their despicable home performance against Brentford in Gameweek 8, which was coincidentally the first time that Mateus Fernandes was benched since his move to West Ham, the Portuguese MID has really stepped up his performances on the pitch. Over his last 3 appearances, he's had scores of 13.5 FPts (1 goal in 24 minutes), 14.25 FPts (1 assist) and 12.5 FPts (all ghost points). He seems to have now regained his spot in midfield and seems to be the perfect compliment to Potts as the new engine room for the Hammers. It should be noted that Paqueta is actually suspended for Gameweek 12, so there's a slight chance that Mateus could be deployed in his more natural No. 10 role, the one he used to play for Southampton during their last time in the Premier League. It should also be noted how impressive it is that in his last 2 starts, he's racked up 6 key passes yet taken no corners, which makes him a lucrative option as a MID-3/4.

Yeremy Pino (M, Crystal Palace)

You must be seeing this name on my list of suggestions and be thinking that I've completely lost my mind. One of the many attractive names to come in during the transfer window this season, has been yet another massive flop, similar to the likes of Xavi Simons. So much so that after 7 starts in a row, Glasner finally benched the Spaniard in their most recent league game. Pino ended up scoring nearly the same points off the bench in Gameweek 11 than he did in his last 3 starts combined. One would say he has been quite unlucky though, as he has yet to register an attacking return despite accumulating 1.69 xG and 1.66 xA in the league with the Eagles. Regardless, Wolves is possibly the easiest matchup for any team in the league this season, and despite having a new manager in their dugout, I can't see much changing for the Midlands club. If you want further proof, according to our Fixture Difficulty Tracker, Crystal Palace MIDs have the 3rd best rated fixture in the league, so there is a method to my madness. I'd play him as a MID-4.

Dan Ndoye (F, Nottingham Forest) 

The streaming options in the FWD pool are extremely grim at the moment, but one man seems to have possibly emerged as an option. In Gameweek 11, Ndoye put up 14 points, getting an assist in the Tricky Trees' 3-1 win over Leeds, which also ended up being Dyche's 1st win in his return to the Premier League. Since Dyche's first game in charge, despite not having the points to show for it, Ndoye seems to be one of his preferred choices in attack. He now has his 3rd attacking return for the season and even though they are visiting Anfield this weekend, Liverpool are an absolute shadow of who they used to be, only having kept 1 clean sheet in their last 7 league games. Liverpool's fullbacks have also been a massive issue for them all season, so Ndoye could find some joy in this fixture, regardless of who he is up against.

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