After a weekend away for the FA Cup, Fantasy Premier League returns with a massive Gameweek packed with derbies and statement fixtures across the league. From the Manchester Derby to huge clashes at both ends of the table, this is a weekend where form, fixtures and squad balance all come sharply into focus.
With AFCON wrapping up and rotation beginning to influence selection, Gameweek 15 presents a real opportunity for managers to plan ahead and set their teams up for the weeks to come.
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures give us plenty to work with:
- Man Utd v Man City
- Chelsea v Brentford
- Leeds v Fulham
- Liverpool v Burnley
- Spurs v West Ham
- Sunderland v Crystal Palace
- Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
- Wolves v Newcastle
- Aston Villa v Everton
- Brighton v Bournemouth
With that in mind, we’ve selected a 3-5-2 XI built around fixture strength, recent form and value picks who can make the difference this week.
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Our FPL XI For Gameweek 15 (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen – Brighton – £4.5m
Verbruggen continues to deliver quietly impressive value. Brighton have tightened up at home and now face a Bournemouth side adjusting after losing Antoine Semenyo, their main attacking outlet. Back-to-back home clean sheets have already delivered strong returns, and with Brighton still controlling games well at the Amex, Verbruggen looks like one of the safest budget goalkeepers available this week.
Defenders
Gabriel – Arsenal – £6.7m
Gabriel remains the standout defensive pick in FPL. Since returning from injury, he has combined clean sheets with genuine goal threat, once again underlining why Arsenal defenders are so popular. Nottingham Forest away is a fixture Arsenal should control, and Gabriel’s aerial dominance keeps him firmly in must-have territory.
Jeremie Frimpong – Liverpool – £5.7m
Frimpong’s return has added energy and creativity down Liverpool’s right side. Burnley at Anfield is one of the best fixtures on the calendar, and with Liverpool expected to dominate territory, Frimpong’s assist potential is as appealing as the clean sheet opportunity. He looks well worth the investment for managers targeting attacking defenders.
Omar Alderete – Sunderland – £4.1m
For those needing a budget enabler, Alderete continues to offer far more than just a cheap price tag. Sunderland’s upcoming defensive fixtures are excellent, and his high volume of defensive actions gives him a strong baseline for bonus points. Clean sheets plus steady defensive contributions make him a very reliable low-cost option.
Midfielders
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal – £10.2m
A rare blank last time out does nothing to dent Saka’s appeal. He remains Arsenal’s most consistent attacking threat and has delivered returns in the vast majority of recent Gameweeks. Against Nottingham Forest, he should see plenty of the ball and remains one of the safest premium midfield picks available.
Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa – £7.7m
Rogers continues to justify his popularity. Playing at home against Everton, he offers both goal threat and creativity, and has already shown his ability to deliver double-digit hauls. Villa Park has been a strong venue for attacking returns, making Rogers an excellent mid-priced option.
Cody Gakpo – Liverpool – £7.3m
Gakpo looks set for a strong run now that his minutes have stabilised. Burnley’s defensive issues, particularly down their right side, suit Gakpo perfectly, and Liverpool’s attacking numbers at Anfield remain among the best in the league. He offers great upside without breaking the budget.
Marcus Tavernier – Bournemouth – £5.0m
With Bournemouth reshaping their attack after the loss of Antoine Semenyo, Tavernier is stepping into a more central creative role. Set pieces, consistent minutes and potential penalty duty all add to his appeal. Brighton have conceded plenty of chances recently, making Tavernier a strong differential option this week.
Mateus Mane – Wolves – £4.5m
One of the most exciting budget midfielders in the game right now. Mane has produced goals, assists and bonus points since cementing his place in the starting XI. Wolves face Newcastle at home, and with potential fixture congestion ahead, Mane also helps free up funds elsewhere in your squad.
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Forwards
Erling Haaland – Manchester City – £15.1m
Even during a quieter spell by his standards, Haaland remains the most dangerous forward in the game. His underlying numbers stay elite, and with the Manchester derby always capable of producing goals, backing against him still feels like an unnecessary risk. He remains the standout captaincy option.
Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool – £8.9m
Ekitike’s return from injury has gone under the radar, but his recent goal involvement suggests he is ready to punish sellers. With Burnley visiting Anfield and Liverpool expected to dominate, Ekitike offers serious upside for managers willing to back his form.
Prizes
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