All Fantasy Premier League managers have been bumped up to the maximum five free transfers for Gameweek 16.
The rule is to help deal with absentees for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which takes place across December and January.
So, with plenty of flexibility, what are the priority moves to make heading into this weekend?
Players to hold
It’s worth noting that although fantasy managers have been gifted these five free transfers for Gameweek 16, most players involved in AFCON will still be available for Premier League selection this weekend.
That includes Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo (£8.4m), who sits in just under 30 per cent of teams. The Cameroon international is worth holding one more week, for Bournemouth at home, having got on the scoresheet last time out.
He has registered eight shots on target in the last four gameweeks, more than any other player in FPL.
Bryan Mbeumo is in form – but will head to AFCON next week (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) is suspended for Saturday’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which has made him the fourth-most transferred-out player heading into the weekend.
However, holding him could lead to future returns. Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League by some margin this season, and have kept eight clean sheets.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (£8m) is also worth keeping if you have a front three, even though he has scored just one goal in the last four gameweeks. Crystal Palace have three home games in their next four, with Manchester City the next visitors to Selhurst Park.
His underlying numbers suggest that more returns could be on the way, with four ‘big chances’ on goal in the last four gameweeks. His minutes in recent games have been a little bit concerning, though.
Players to sell
Now is the time to sell Mohamed Salah (£14m), given the disruption at Liverpool. He was left out of the squad for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter.
He has played just 45 minutes in the last three gameweeks and is at risk of not being included for the Brighton & Hove Albion game before heading to AFCON with Egypt.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) won’t be going to AFCON, as Ghana failed to qualify, but he remains on the sell list following six successive blanks.
Antoine Semenyo’s hot streak has cooled at Bournemouth (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
He has registered just one big chance on goal across these performances, a stark contrast to his early-season form, when he had seven in the opening eight games, the most of any FPL-designated midfielder.
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (£7.3m) is another player to sell going into Gameweek 16, with four successive blanks. He has played just 251 minutes in the last four gameweeks, with four shots and four key passes.
Players to buy
Manchester City’s Phil Foden (£8.6m) remains the priority transfer in, having delivered double-digit hauls in three successive gameweeks. He has gone from a risky differential to nearly 30 per cent owned over this purple patch.
His price has increased by £0.6m in the space of 10 days, with five goals and one assist across a dazzling period of performances. He ranks top among midfielders for big chances on goal in this spell, with six.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago (£7m) is the second-most transferred-in player for Gameweek 16 and justifiably so. He is second only to Erling Haaland (£15m) for league goals scored this season, with 11. Thiago is top for big chances in the last four gameweeks, with seven.
He has blanked in consecutive games, from tricky away trips to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, but Brentford’s fixtures now improve. They have three home games in their next four, with Leeds United the next visitors to the Gtech Stadium on December 20.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) is dominating the captaincy conversations this week, with a favourable home game against bottom-of-the-league Wolves. He’s less than 20 per cent owned, but has returned one goal and two assists in the last four gameweeks.
Bukayo Saka and Arsenal have a favourable run of fixtures coming up (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
If your budget doesn’t stretch to Saka, then Declan Rice (£7.1m) is a viable alternative. These two team-mates share set pieces, with Rice registering nine key passes and three big chances created in the last four gameweeks.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) is another priority target, following his 18-point haul last time out, which has made him the top-performing midfielder this season.
His underlying numbers from the last four gameweeks have been phenomenal. He registered 17 shots on goal and 16 key passes, showcasing his different routes to fantasy points. He is across set pieces and is always in the mix for the defensive contribution bonus points, too.
For FPL managers seeking cheaper midfield options, consider Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimares (£6.9m) or Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6m) who could be on penalties in Salah’s absence.
