Brighton FPL Gameweek 12: Gross gets around De Zerbi rotation
Roberto De Zerbi continued to rotate his Albion squad for the Gameweek 11 draw at Everton. Whilst this makes it difficult for FPL managers to know which Brighton assets to select, one player who seems immune to being rested is Pascal Gross.
Even if Der Kaiser starts in Amsterdam on Thursday night against Ajax, it is likely he will still be in the XI who face newly promoted Sheffield United at the Amex four days later.
A game against the bottom of the table Blades might be just what the doctor ordered for the Albion. They are now five games without a win as the heavy schedule brought about by their Europa League commitments starts to bite.
Brighton can though take positives in that they are still picking up points via draws. A late equaliser at Goodison Park ensured the spoils were shared despite it being the first game this season in which the Seagulls did not register an official big chance.
Pascal Gross (£6.3 million)
De Zerbi has shown throughout the campaign that his well sized squad has plenty of rotatable options. Handily for FPL managers, Gross has enjoyed consistent game time for Brighton. This makes him an almost bullet proof selection.
The reigning WAB Player of the Season has started all nine Premier League matches for which he has been available, completing seven. The two games he missed were through a muscular injury.
When it comes to set pieces, only seven players throughout the league have had more successful corners than Gross’ 10.
And, were it not for VAR ruling out Lewis Dunk’s (£5.0 million) strike at Everton, Gross would have registered an assist for the centre-back’s sweet volley.
Heading into Gameweek 12, Gross is the team leader for chances created (20). He comes at a good price point and is sure to be in the thick of the action, even if deployed in one of the full back positions.
Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5 million)
Midfield colleague Kaoru Mitoma is Brighton’s number one for attempts (20), shots inside the box (18) and big chances (eight). He sits joint top with Pervis Estupinan (£5.0 million) for big chances created (four).
There are further reasons beyond those headline numbers explaining why Mitoma is the fifth-highest-owned midfielder in FPL, featuring in 36.6 percent of squads.
Not only is Mitoma on six attacking returns but he is also armed with some impressive underlying stats. Fifth overall for penalty area touches (78), he also sits third amongst all players for take-ons (61).
Having played the next-most minutes behind Seagulls captain Dunk, Mitoma offers a reliable route into Brighton’s attack.
Managers will be pleased that he assisted Ashley Young’s (£4.4 million) own goal which earned the Albion their point at Goodison and will be optimistic of more versus Sheffield United.
Captain Fantastic
Gameweek 11 was infamously bad for most of the FPL universe and this was epitomised by Erling Haaland (£14.0 million) and Mohamed Salah (£12.9 million).
The duo were heavily backed as captains to haul in matches with Bournemouth and Luton Town respectively, only to both blank.
This time, Salah is at home to in-form Brentford and Haaland visits Chelsea. Managers who do not fancy putting their faith in either having been burned last week should perhaps look at Bukayo Saka (£8.6 million) for the armband.
Arsenal face Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. The Clarets are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded 27 goals from 11 matches.
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