Every new Gameweek brings to light new information about teams and players that can influence our Fantasy decisions. Injuries, new signings, tactical shifts, new roles, and young players emerging are all essential parts of the decision-making process when a fantasy manager evaluates trades, waiver wire pickups or drops. In this new article, we aim to list everything that happened during the weekend and our takeaways through fantasy-tinted glasses.
Fantrax Takeaways Gameweek 12
Here we outline our Fantasy EPL Takeaways from the previous gameweek and how to interpret them for draft fantasy.
Key Injuries and Suspensions
James Maddison (TOT, MID)
Prospects: A headlining injury that Maddison will miss the rest of 2023, and possibly some of 2024. Maddison is dealing with an ankle ligament issue and is set for a few months out to try and fix the damage. This is bad news for Spurs and their fans as Maddison was the focal point of this team. I expect Spurs to seriously struggle without their star midfielder as we head into the Christmas period.
Replacement: While his initial setup sans Maddison was Bissouma, Sarr, & Hojberg against Wolves, expect Ange to try a few options such as a midfield 3 with some of: Bissouma, Sarr, Bentancur, Hojberg, Lo Celso, and Skipp. A formation change could also be in the cards seeing a fit Richarlison play as a 10 or even Kulusevski getting some time there. Short-term I expect Lo Celso to get a chance to prove he has a role at Spurs even if it is just as a backup.
Verdict: Maddison is a top fantasy asset and a must-hold. Lo Celso is worth a speculative add.
Rasmus Hojlund (MUN, FWD)
Prospects: Hojlund has a muscle strain and could miss the fixture vs. Everton but shouldn't miss more than that. Hojlund has yet to get off the mark in the EPL, but with the return of Shaw nearing he will be eager to get fit as soon as possible. Shaw being added back to the mix will added some much needed service for Hojlund. Shaw's overlapping runs and crosses into the box are something none of the other LB's tested could provide.
Replacement: We will see how Ten Hag lines up without Hojlund, but the most likely scenario will see a front 3 of Garnacho, Rashford and Antony.
Verdict: Hojlund has been a star in the Champions League and his time is surely coming in the EPL. I would look to try and trade him in on a low with the injury news.
Alfie Doughty (LUT, MID)
Prospects: Doughty got a knock to his ankle in Gameweek 12 and we don't know how serious this is. Odds are he is fit for this gameweek, but there is a chance it keeps him out.
Replacement: Ryan Giles is the obvious replacement here, but the lack of trust in Giles is evident so I could see the Hatters trying a few other options such as Jacob Brown at LWB.
Verdict: Doughty is a great asset, and is worth holding. If Giles starts he could be worth a stream, but a poor first half could see him hooked at half-time.
Kaoru Mitoma (BHA, MID)
Prospects: Mitoma withdrew from international duty with an undisclosed injury.
Replacement: I don't think Mitoma would miss any time, but it would most likely guarantee another start for Fat and potentially Buonanotte if he did.
Verdict: This seems like nothing to worry about, but with a matchup against Forest it's worth being quick with a lineup check and streaming Mitoma's replacement if he isn't fit.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (MUN, DEF)
Prospects: Wan-Bissaka missed the win vs. Luton, but reports say he should be back within the next 2 games.
Replacement: If Wan-Bissaka does miss Everton, then Dalot will be a sure starter at RB. But with Shaw nearing full fitness, that LB role will be up for grabs this weekend.
Verdict: With Shaw close to a return to the XI imminent expect AWB and Dalot to battle for the RB spot, but I would give the edge to Wan-Bissaka.
Callum Wilson (NEW, FWD)
Prospects: Wilson is set to miss up to 6 weeks with a hamstring injury. This is a blow for Newcastle who are struggling with injuries especially ahead of a few tough games.
Replacement: Isak should be a guaranteed starter as long as he is fit in Wilson's absence.
Verdict: Six weeks is a long time to hold Wilson. If you are not in a playoff league, then I would seriously consider dropping Wilson, or trying to trade him out for a useable asset just about free agent level.
Jarrod Bowen (WHU, MID)
Prospects: Bowen recently withdrew from the England squad due to an injury. We don't know the severity, but it could be one of those classic international break knocks.
Replacement: If Bowen isn't able to go this weekend, then Benrahma has a chance to be in the XI.
Verdict: This injury doesn't seem too concerning for Bowen but whoever replaces him in the XI is worth a pickup.
Andre Onana (MUN, GK)
Prospects: Onana was withdrawn from international duty and the extent of his injury is still unknown. This would be a huge blow to United without a true 2nd string GK right now, and a defensive line that is finally starting to show some form.
Replacement: Bayindir will start vs. Everton and until Onana is fit again.
Verdict: This would hurt the United back-line and I would be reluctant to stream defenders like Reguillon and Lindelof. I wouldn't be keen to stream Bayindir as well until we actually see him play.
Christian Eriksen (MUN, MID)
Prospects: Eriksen is expected to miss a month with the injury suffered early on vs. Luton. Eriksen has been reliable this year when called upon, but never really changed a match.
Replacement: This injury will open up the door for Mount to finally get a run of games and prove he's worthy of being a United player. I'm not too excited about the prospects of Mount, but he should be playing with a chip on his shoulder now.
Verdict: Eriksen was a high-end streamer and is droppable if you need the room and his injury is longer than we think.
Yves Bissouma (TOT, MID)
Prospects: Bissouma will be suspended for the Villa match due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Replacement: Lo Celso is expected to get the start alongside Hojberg and Sarr, but Skipp and Bentancur will be knocking on the door as well.
Verdict: If Lo Celso does start, he is worth a stream vs. Villa, and Bissouma should be an easy drop given his poor form.
Craig Dawson (WOL, DEF)
Prospects: Dawson will be suspended for the Fulham trip due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Replacement: Kilman + Toti are expected to be the starting CB pair vs. Fulham. It remains to be seen if Wolves will go with a back 4 or a back 5. A back 5 could see Semedo slot in at RCB and Doherty + Ait Nouri play in the wing back roles.
Verdict: All Wolves defenders have been decent streamers at some point this year, and since it is a late game, they are worth a stream if you get stuck in other matches.
Ben White (ARS, DEF)
Prospects: White missed the victory vs. Burnley but could be back in contention vs. Brentford. We will need to wait for the late week press conference for full confirmation.
Replacement: If White misses out, expect Tomiyasu to get another start.
Verdict: White has been in incredible fantasy form this season, and is worth a hold even if he misses another match or two. Tomiyasu is a good DEF3 streamer this week but don't expect him to win the spot over White.
Tactical Discussions
Spurs without Maddison and Van de Ven For the Long Haul
Observation: Spurs suffered a 2-1 loss to Wolves, but were missing key players in Van de Ven, Romero, and Maddison. These are arguably three of their best players this season. Romero will be back in a few games, but Van de Ven and Maddison will be out for months. This will be tough for Spurs to cope with. Dier and Davies are nowhere near the level of Van de Ven, and have shown for the last few years they probably need to move on from Spurs. One of them will partner Romero when he is back, and I expect this to really hurt the Spurs defence. Playing next to Van de Ven has allowed Romero to play a little riskier whether it be going forward or lunging in for a tackle knowing the pace and intellegence of Van de Ven will bail him out. Davies and Dier just simply cannot do that, and Spurs will struggle for clean sheets.
I am still okay rostering and starting the likes of Vicario, Porro, Romero, and Udogie depending on the matchup, but would definitely bench them against teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool etc. Attack-wise, Spurs just don't seem as fluid without Maddison, and the likes of Son and Kulusevski will surely struggle in fantasy and reality. Lo Celso may get a chance to bring some more creativity to the side but he is not Madders; nowhere near his level. I expect Spurs players to all take a hit until Ange can figure out a new gameplan to have his team stay in the top 4 race until Maddison and Van de Ven are back.
Verdict: I would not be rushing to trade in any Spurs assets right now unless you can get them for 60 cents on the dollar, or you can get in Maddison for anyone who isn't a top 15ish player.
Nkunku Almost Back
Observation: Nkunku is slated to be back after the international break, and while he won't jump into the XI immediately he is surely not going to be a sub all season. I would expect Nkunku to break into the XI after 2-3 appearences off the bench assuming there are no setbacks. The current front 4 includes Jackson - Sterling - Palmer - Gallagher. I don't think there will be a simple swap of someone out for Nkunku, but instead there will be more rotation among Chelsea with Mudryk still fighting for a spot as well. Jackson may be the obvious choice but given his recent form and him and Nkunku having a good preseason connection I cannot see him being the permanent one out. My thinking is seeing Gallagher drop back to his more natural role in a pivot and one of Caicedo or Enzo dropping out, with Nkunku occupying the 10 role. Enzo and Caicedo have been very inconsistent this year and Gallgher deserves to be in the XI. He has played in the pivot a lot of times for Chelsea and in his career so this won't be a new role for him. Chelsea attack is starting to look better each game, and when Nkunku finds his feet this will be a team that can score multiple goals each game.
Verdict: If you can somehow get in Nkunku over the next week I would do so. I would look to trade out Enzo if you can get any value for him with the fear he will rotate.
Everton Taking the Hit
Observation: Everton were controversialy hit with a 10 point deduction last week and are now in the relegation zone. Dyche and his boys will now have some work cut out for them to avoid a relegation battle. They are only 2 points away from escaping the relegation zone, but are now going to be in a constant battle to avoid the drop. This will surely be a huge moral hit for Everton and their team, but Dyche will need to find a way to keep the likes of DCL, McNeil, and Harrison healthy to consistently put up points, and hope Mykolenko continues his incredible form at LB. It remains to be seen how this affects them in fantasy, but we will get a better idea in the next few weeks.
Verdict: With regards to their fantasy assets it's a wait and see scenario.
Bournemouth Confidence Boost
Observation: Bournemouth confidently beat out Newcastle before the break and it looked like one of their best performances of the season. Pope made some great saves or the score could have been way more. This will be a huge boost for a side that is struggling this year, and with a friendly schedule coming up the hope is they start to take points in their next few games. The likes of Solanke, Christie, Semenyo, and Tavernier should all be great assets throughout the next month. Kluivert's spot is seemingly the one most up for grabs, but Billing is also going to enter the fray probably in the next match or so. Regardless, Cherries attackers will be elite streamers for a few weeks.
Verdict: If you can pickup a Bournemouth attacker from your waiver wire, I would do so. Be on the lookout for any potential surprise starters in the likes of Dango, Sinisterra, or Brooks in the matchup vs. Sheffield United.
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