Gameweek 16 Sleepers XI: Draft EPL

Our Gameweek 16 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 16 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.

You know what, 75 FPts is a very respectable score for our Gameweek 15 team. It's not a score that gives you a win in most leagues, but there were definitely some stand-out performers in our XI, so let's start there with our review. We had 3 assets that hit double digit scores. Two of these were defenders, Maxim De Cuyper (15.5 FPts with a clean sheet) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (15.5 FPts after conceding 1 goal). Our third standout player was midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who ghosted out of his mind (17.25 FPts with no returns). These guys pretty much carried our team, so let's see who didn't. In net, thanks to a late penalty goal from Burnley, Ramsdale only scored 5.5 FPts (1 goal conceded). In defence, Joe Gomez came on as a sub and scored -4 FPts (3 goals conceded with a yellow card), whilst Malick Thiaw still put up 8.5 FPts despite conceding 1 goal. In midfield, our starters Carlos Alcaraz and Casemiro both scored 2.75 and 6 FPts respectively, whereas Lewis Miley got 4 FPts as a substitute. Finally, our forwards underwhelmed with Chukwueze scoring 3.5 FPts and Okafor getting 0.5 FPts. It's concerning that only 3 of our players played 90 minutes, which is probably expected at this time of the season when the fixtures are coming thick and fast. Alas, another gameweek is already around the corner, so keep reading to see who we go with for Gameweek 16.

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 16. 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.

Bart Verbruggen (G, Brighton)

Over the past 3 gameweeks, Verbruggen has been averaging just under 9 PPS, making 13 saves in the process, which is the most of all goalkeepers over that time. As we know, saves are a goalkeeper's bread and butter, so even if he was to miss out on a possible clean sheet, we're still expecting him to score 7-8 FPts this weekend. Brighton face Liverpool at Anfield next, and although the Reds are undefeated in their last 4 games across all competitions, they're still not as lethal and free-scoring of a team as they were last season. At most, we're expecting Brighton to concede 2 goals. After all, over the past 6 games in the league, Brighton have only conceded 6 goals, which is only more than the likes of Crystal Palace, Everton and Chelsea in that time frame. So who knows, they could still shut out Slot's men.

Diogo Dalot (D, Man Utd)

In Gameweek 14, Dalot scored 23 FPts with a goal (subbed early with a clean sheet), and in Gameweek 15 the Portuguese DEF scored 22.75 FPts with an assist (1 goal conceded). We should probably caveat these scores with the fact that the Red Devils played West Ham and Wolves respectively, but Dalot has now shown that his ceiling is quite high, which is what we love to see as Fantrax managers. Even so, the frustration with rostering Dalot has always been his reliability as a consistent starter, especially since his PPS is 9.6. But considering the likes of Mbeumo, Diallo and Mazraoui all leaving for AFCON, this could mean that Dalot can finally nail down one of the wingback spots for the long term. Although the fixture against Bournemouth seems scary on paper, the Cherries have actually been one of the worst teams in the league over the last 6 gameweeks (0 wins, 5 goals scored, 13 goals conceded). So I'd be snapping up Dalot immediately. Just make sure you have some cover for a non-start though, as it's the final game of the gameweek on Monday.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (D, Arsenal) 

Arsenal have been hit with multiple injuries to their backline, having lost centrebacks Gabriel, Saliba and now Mosquera. If that wasn't bad enough, now Calafiori is suspended in what is probably their easiest fixture of the season so far, as the Gunners host Wolves at the Emirates. Not all is grey though, as the Gunners already have a natural left-back replacement for the Italian in Myles Lewis-Skelly. The young London-born DEF got another start in the Champions League versus Club Brugge and scored around 18.25 FPts, which included a clean sheet and an assist. The clean sheet feels almost guaranteed given Wolves have only scored 1 goal in their last 6 league games. Yet if MLS was to replicate anything similar to what Calafiori actually does in the Premier League, then we're looking at returns on both ends of the pitch. One of the best punts on offer this weekend.

Nathan Collins (D, Brentford)

It's sad to see one of our fantasy darlings from last season, with a 2024/25 PPS of 10.1, be available as an option as a Sleepers pick. Collins has had a very inconsistent scoring season to say the least. He's only scored 10+ FPts on 5 separate occasions, with two of these scores having come with clean sheets in Gameweek 2 and 8. However, his last couple of scores have been much more promising. If you ignore the game against Arsenal, where he came off the bench as a substitute, he still scored 12.75 ghosts against Spurs and 15.75 ghosts against Burnley. If he can maintain this level of points production, we're looking at a solid DEF-2/3, not only for this gameweek but for the rest of the season. Regardless, he's still a great option this weekend as they host Leeds, a team who have lost their last 4 away games, only scoring 3 goals. In fact, since the season has started, Leeds have been 19th in the away form table, while Brentford have been the 4th best home team in the league. Did I also mention that Collins has had 2 big chances over the last 4 gameweeks? Upside with a clean sheet could be on the cards.

Pau Torres (D, Aston Villa)

After their horrid start to the season and not winning any of their first 5 games, Aston Villa have now won 9 of their last 10 games, making them the best team in the league over that stretch. In fact, during this time, they only conceded 10 goals, which is the same as Chelsea and Crystal Palace and only bettered by league leaders Arsenal (7 goals conceded). The Villans have kept 5 clean sheets so far this season, with 3 of them coming over their last 7 games. Up next they visit West Ham United, a team who are still finding their feet and form under Nuno. The Hammers haven't won any of their last 4 games and have only scored 4 goals during that time. So there's a good chance that Villa could keep a clean sheet this weekend.

Timothy Castagne (D, Fulham)

This might be one of the riskiest picks of the XI for this weekend. Castagne has not had a very good season to date, as the Belgian has only scored more than 10 FPts once, and that was as a substitute against Man City, which included an assist. While he was fit, Castagne was a main part of the starting XI for the best part of 5 games between Gameweek 2 and 8, but then eventually lost his spot. Given the injury to Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson still coming back from injury, Castagne seems to be a nailed asset again. Points history aside, we're mainly suggesting him as he's facing Burnley this weekend. Over the last 4 games, Burnley have been 19th in the form table, having lost all 4 games and only scoring twice. So it's hard to see where the goals are actually coming from for the Clarets. If you have the roster space for a DEF-4/5, Castagne could be a solid replacement for one of your studs who might be benched due to load management and rotation.

Enzo Le Fee (M, Sunderland) 

Why is it that a midfielder who is on penalties, corners and plays for a team that is currently only 3 points off a Champions League spot, is still viable as a Sleepers pick? After a frustratingly slow start to the season, ELF has now become an integral part of the Black Cats' system. He currently sits 2nd for assists (3), key passes (16) and tackles won (20), which makes him a bit of an all-action-hero. He now has 3 attacking returns over his last 3 appearances, with the most recent one being an underwhelming score of only 4 FPts during their 3-0 loss to Man City. However, up next is the Tyne-Wear Derby, the first one in the league since 2016. So expect loads of drama and fireworks, especially from the home team Sunderland. The Black Cats will be absolutely fired up to get a leg-up over their local rivals, especially at home. So if Sunderland do score some goals, we're expecting ELF to be an integral part of that.

Zian Flemming (M, Burnley)

I'm certain that if you look at our Fixture Difficulty Tracker, any asset that is playing Wolves is probably going to have the best rated fixture, and I'd be stunned if you were able to pick up an Arsenal asset as a free agent this weekend. So let's go with the next best thing. Burnley midfielders apparently have the 3rd best rated fixture in Gameweek 16, and so it seems like a no-brainer to go with Flemming, as he has been playing as a striker and he's also on penalties. After starting his first match in Gameweek 8, he had 7 starts in a row, scoring 4 goals along the way. The only concern about him as a pick is that he was a substitute in Gameweek 15, yet still came off the bench and scored a penalty. With Fulham having conceded 8 goals in their last 4 games, the most of all teams, I'd fancy a punt on Flemming as my MID-4/5.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (F, Leeds)

After his somewhat hot start to the season and first goal against Wolves back in Gameweek 5, things went south quickly for the English FWD. His ghost points started decreasing game by game and he eventually then got dropped to the bench, ultimately being displaced by the likes of Nmecha, who is now currently injured. That being said, it's truly amazing how quickly things can change in football, as DCL now has 3 goals in his last 3 appearances. What's even more impressive is the fact that he has scored against the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. With Nmecha out for the foreseeable future, DCL has now also taken over penalty duties, which further increases his value as an asset. Leeds take on Brentford next, a team who have only won 1 in their last 4 games, while also conceding 7 goals. Although Brentford are usually strong at home and Leeds are weak on the road, the recent change of system by Farke could also spark a new run of form, which could mean more goals.

Igor Jesus (F, Nottingham Forest)

It's kind of crazy to see that Igor Jesus is still so lowly rostered in Fantrax. Since the start of November, and coincidentally the beginning of his consistent run of starts in the league under Dyche, the Brazilian striker has attempted the most shots in the league (21), tied with the likes of Jarrod Bowen. During this time, Jesus has also registered the 2nd most aerials (21). It's not great to see that during this stretch of games, that only 5 of his shots have been on target, but one could say that he has been a bit unlucky to only have 1 goal to his name. The 7.5 PPS striker should not be free in any leagues right now, especially given the dearth of forwards this season. He is playing Spurs this weekend after all, a team that has conceded 8 goals in their last 4 games, which is similar to the likes of Burnley, Wolves and only 1 fewer than Leeds.

Thierno Barry (F, Everton) 

After his goal in Gameweek 15, Barry has now scored double digits in back-to-back games for the first time all season. Now it's not great viewing that he scored 10 FPts with a yellow card in Gameweek 15, but it was his first goal of the season. It should also be taken into consideration that the French FWD was yanked off after 61 minutes of play. Everton visit Chelsea this weekend, and possibly at the perfect time as the Blues are currently on a winless streak of 4 games in a row in all competitions, and are still without Caicedo, arguably one of the best players in the League. This bodes well for Everton's chances of scoring against Chelsea, especially given he's attempted the most shots of all his Toffee teammates since the start of November. So if Everton do get a goal or 2 against Chelsea, we're strongly expecting Barry to be involved.

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