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While the marquee players are scoring the most points and should find a place in your team, it really is your budget options that sets you apart from the crowd. With the third gameweek of the second quarter around the corner, now is the time to get your Fantasy Premier League back on track, with these 5 cheap must-have picks for Gameweek 12:
#5 Matthew Lowton (Defender-Burnley)
Price: 4.5
Fixtures: Swansea City, Arsenal, Bournemouth.
With Burnley securing their 4th "1-0" of the season last week against Southampton, keeping their 7th place in the Premier league table with the fourth best defensive record in the league despite having already faced four teams from the "big-six", it is clear that a Burnley defender should make his way into your FPL side regardless of your budget.
We suggest you go for Burnley's right fullback, Matthew Lowton, as he has a better chance of registering an assist than the two centre-halves and is a tad bit cheaper than his counterpart on the left. (Ward is also a great option if you have the extra cash.)
Lowton is an indispensable part of a defence that has conceded just 9 goals so far, which makes it the fourth best defence in the league, behind only the likes of Man City, Spurs and Man Utd.
While a defender from one of those three giants will burn a hole through your budget, Burnley's defenders are still dirt cheap despite all of their heroics. For 4.5, you get yourself a member of a very solid defence who has played 90 minutes in all of the games so far. Additionally, with Burnley's aerial threat in the box, there is always an off-chance for the full-back to get an assist from his crosses to bag those crucial extra FPL points.
#4 Oumar Niasse (Forward-Everton)
Price: 4.9
Fixtures: Crystal Palace, Southampton, West Ham United.
There is no doubt that Everton have had an underwhelming start to the season, considering the talent of Ronald Koeman on the byline and also the homecoming of Everton's own Wayne Rooney. Much was expected of the toffees but they failed to deliver and maybe inevitably so, after failing to fill the boots Romelu Lukaku left behind.
Additionally, the managerial situation also isn't doing the team any favours but their dramatic win against Watford in GW11 might just be the push they needed to kick-start their season.
Even with players like Wayne Rooney in the same lineup as him, Oumar Niasse has shined brighter than any other Everton player so far. Despite being introduced as late as GW6, Niasse has bagged 4 goals, including his crucial strike at Goodison last weekend.
While he might not have had a lot of play time in the past, he seems to be earning the trust of the Everton boss and featured the whole 90 minutes against Watford.
For a meagre price of just 4.9, you can get yourself a forward who has managed to score four times in just 287 minutes.
Even though Everton's form cannot be trusted, their upcoming fixtures are very inviting and an investment in their top striker seems very tempting.
#3 Nick Pope (Goalkeeper-Burnley)
Price: 4.5
Fixtures: Swansea City, Arsenal, Bournemouth.
The second, and a more popular option of the Burnley defence on this list, Nick Pope should be the number one candidate for your goalkeeping spot if you're operating on a budget.
The Burnley shot-stopper has benefitted hugely from the injury of Burnley's number one, Tom Heaton, who himself was the most popular keeper on FPL last season.
Pope not only keeps clean sheets but also contributes with some heroic saves to keep his side in the game. He has made 37 saves so far, only behind Fabianski and Begovic. But more importantly, has more clean sheets than them thanks to the solid Burnley defence.
With only Arsenal looking like a threatening fixture, Pope can be trusted as your goalkeeper on FPL as he faces the likes of Swansea and Bournemouth, both of whom have had trouble scoring goals this season.
#2 Scott Dann (Defender-Crystal Palace)
Price: 4.7
Fixtures: Everton, Stoke City, Brighton&Hove Albion.
While he may seem an absurd choice considering Palace are bottom of the league and are yet to keep a clean sheet, Scott Dann is actually one of the better options on this list.
After a dreadful start, Crystal Palace have recovered hugely under Roy Hodgson, recording a remarkable victory over the reigning champions, a superb comeback against West Ham and were also robbed of three points at Wembley where they played their hearts out against Spurs.
If this isn't sufficient evidence to put your trust in Crystal Palace, no side has given away fewer big chances than Crystal Palace over the last four gameweeks, suggesting that a clean sheet is imminent. Additionally, Dann also provides an aerial threat from set pieces, further improving his potential score.
With Stoke looking like the toughest fixture in the next six gameweeks for Palace, money should be invested in the side that's currently sitting rock-bottom of the Premier League table.
#1 Fernandinho (Midfielder-Manchester City)
Price: 5.2
Fixtures: Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, Southampton.
The Manchester City midfield maestro makes his second appearance on this list as he continues to impress, providing an assist against Arsenal in the last gameweek. Overall, the Brazilian has accumulated 2 goals and 2 assists in his last four games which is not bad for a player valued at just 5.2.
He is the cheapest regular starter you can get from the rampant Manchester City team who are looking too good for the Premier League this season. Pep Guardiola has not only revolutionised Manchester City but also the career of Fernandinho who lived in the shadow of Yaya Toure prior to Pep's arrival.
City's opposition for the next four gameweeks is rated equal or lower than three, a run that should be adding a ton more to city's 38 goals scored this season. While defensive midfielders should generally be avoided on FPL, Fernandinho is an exception, as he lets you take advantage of City's superiority.
