Best FPL midfielders for the next five Gameweeks

As the November international break allows FPL managers to relax, unwind and – eventually – plan for the future, here is a collection of the best midfielders between Gameweeks 13 and 17.

We’ve already looked at the stand-out goalkeepers and defenders.

BEST FPL MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah (£13.0m)

It’d be rude not to include the FPL top scorer and this season’s first player to reach 100 points. From his seven seasons at Liverpool – where they’ve all ended on over 230 points – this is Salah’s second-best total after 12 Gameweeks.

Regardless of fixtures, owning someone with such pedigree and reliability will keep managers warm during the winter months. Five double-digit hauls and just two blanks have happened so far, whilst ranked second for attempts (38), big chances (14) and shots on target (16).

With very few expensive defenders proving their worth, managers should be able to comfortably afford Salah.

Bukayo Saka (£8.6m)

Yet the most-owned FPL midfielder is still Saka, in approximately half of all squads. He’s also blanked on only two occasions – from one less appearance – but at a less explosive rate.

Managers may feel disappointed that the home meetings with Sheffield United and Burnley brought eight Arsenal goals but just a pair of assists from Saka. Could it be a similar story in upcoming matches with Wolves and Fulham?

The main Saka advantage is that he’s nailed-on and possibly on penalties for one of the league’s title challengers. Having said that, after averaging 0.93 expected goal involvement (xGI) per outing up to Gameweek 7, his last four combine for a low overall total of 1.02.

Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m)

Sitting third in the midfield ranks is West Ham’s Bowen. Unlike the previous two seasons where assists outweighed goals, this time he’s not much of a creator. But his eight strikes are only bettered by the much more expensive Salah and Erling Haaland.

He was tried as a centre-forward in Gameweek 12 and this out-of-position potential faces Burnley, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Wolves over the next five fixtures.

Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8m)

Luckily for this list, Mbeumo has exactly five outings before Blank Gameweek 18 affects both Brentford and Man City. In that run is Luton, Sheffield United and Brighton – three defences that are still without a clean sheet.

What’s intriguing is that he’s the sixth top FPL scorer thanks to a very fruitful nine attacking returns, yet his 10.79 xGI still suggests underachievement. On penalties, Mbeumo looks like a superb short-term pick.

Cole Palmer (£5.2m)

Finally, one of the league’s most in-form attackers is available at a frighteningly low price. Since making his first Chelsea league start, Palmer has seven returns from the half-dozen matches and ranks second for xGI (6.17) behind Salah. His most recent five run-outs have each ended on at least 0.98.

Admittedly, none of his four goals have been in open play – all have been penalties. Perhaps that isn’t sustainable. But Palmer still offers insane value and managers may find it hard to wait until Chelsea’s Gameweek 16 fixture shift to get on board.