As we approach Gameweek 12 of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season, managers are constantly on the lookout for budget-friendly options to bolster their squads. Last week we looked at budget forwards.
Today, we'll delve into the performances of four promising midfielders who won't break the bank: Emile Smith Rowe, Morgan Rogers, Antoine Semenyo, and Dwight McNeil.
Let's compare their statistics, ownership, and upcoming fixtures to help you make informed decisions for your FPL team.
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Emile Smith Rowe has been making a strong impression at Fulham in the 2024/25 season. The midfielder has logged 805 minutes across 11 matches, quickly establishing himself as a key player in Fulham's midfield.
Smith Rowe has scored three goals so far, second only to Raúl (4) shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox, and his expected goals (xG) of 2.78 closely align with his output. With 18 shots in total and 4 on target, he balances shot volume with decent accuracy.
Creatively, Smith Rowe has contributed two FPL assists, outperforming his expected assists (xA) of 1.06. Although he has only created one big chance, his involvement in Fulham’s attacking play makes him a compelling FPL option.
This form hasn’t gone unnoticed by FPL managers. Smith Rowe boasts an impressive 27% ownership—the highest among featured midfielders—and has been transferred in by 174,208 managers ahead of Gameweek 12. This makes him the sixth most popular transfer this week, as revealed by the Transfer Analytics tool.
However, Fulham's upcoming fixtures present a mixed challenge. A home clash with Wolves looks favourable, but tough matches against Tottenham, Arsenal, and Liverpool follow. The Fixture Planner tool ranks Fulham eighth from bottom for attacking difficulty over the next five gameweeks.
At £5.7m, Smith Rowe’s form and affordability are appealing, but managers must carefully consider how he might perform against tougher opposition.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has been delivering standout performances this season, solidifying his place as a key player. The 22-year-old midfielder has accumulated 903 minutes across 11 matches, underlining his importance to the team.
Rogers has scored three goals, slightly exceeding his expected goals (xG) of 2.86. With 20 shots in total—second only to Watkins (26)—and 7 on target compared to Watkins' 13, Rogers has shown his goal-scoring intent, as evidenced by the Opta Shot Map.
In terms of creativity, Rogers has provided two FPL assists but is underperforming against his expected assists (xA) of 2.9. Notably, he has created five big chances, demonstrating his ability to set up teammates in crucial moments.
Currently, Rogers enjoys 21.8% ownership, making him the second-most popular pick among featured midfielders. Ahead of Gameweek 12, 56,102 managers have transferred him in, reflecting rising interest in his potential.
Villa’s upcoming fixtures add to Rogers’ appeal. Aston Villa rank third for attacking difficulty in the Fixture Planner, with favourable matches against Crystal Palace and Brentford at home, and a trip to Southampton in the next five gameweeks. At just £5.4m, Rogers offers excellent value and could continue his strong form, making him a top FPL asset to consider.
Antoine Semenyo has been a standout performer for Bournemouth this season, featuring in 11 matches and clocking 969 minutes. His contributions have made him an integral part of the Cherries' midfield.
Semenyo has scored four goals this season, though his expected goals (xG) of 5.58 suggest he could have delivered even more. With a remarkable 48 total shots—second only to Haaland (56) in the Premier League, according to the Opta Stats Sandbox—Semenyo has proven himself as a high-volume shooter.
On the creative side, his output has been modest compared to other midfielders, with just one FPL assist and an expected assists (xA) figure of 2.16. However, he has created three big chances, indicating that his underperformance in assists could improve in the coming matches.
Currently owned by 10.2% of FPL managers, Semenyo offers differential value. His popularity is growing, with 54,508 managers transferring him in ahead of Gameweek 12.
Bournemouth’s fixtures are mixed, with tough matches against Brighton and Tottenham balanced by more favourable games against Wolves and West Ham. However, Semenyo tops the predicted points chart among midfielders featured in this article for the next five gameweeks.
Priced at just £5.7m, Semenyo presents a tempting option for FPL managers seeking a budget midfielder with significant goal-scoring potential.
Dwight McNeil has been a key figure for Everton this season, playing 889 minutes across 10 matches and averaging an impressive 5.1 FPL points per game, as highlighted by the Opta Heatmaps tool.
McNeil has demonstrated exceptional finishing ability, scoring three goals despite a modest expected goals (xG) value of just 0.81. With 15 total shots and 7 on target, his efficiency in front of goal stands out.
Creatively, McNeil has been impressive, registering three FPL assists, in line with his expected assists (xA) of 3.22. He leads all featured midfielders in this article with six big chances created, underscoring his importance to Everton’s attacking play.
Despite these impressive stats, McNeil remains a differential option, with ownership at just 8.6%. Only 3,515 managers have transferred him in ahead of Gameweek 12—a figure likely influenced by his absence in Everton's last match against West Ham and his current flagged status in FPL. For those willing to take a calculated risk, McNeil offers significant upside.
Everton’s upcoming fixtures include tough games against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, but home matches against Brentford and Wolves provide opportunities for McNeil to shine. Priced at £5.7m, he could be a savvy differential for FPL managers seeking to climb the rankings.
As we've seen, Smith Rowe, Rogers, Semenyo, and McNeil all offer unique qualities to FPL managers looking for budget midfield options.
Smith Rowe's popularity and consistent returns make him an attractive option, while Rogers stands out for his balanced attacking returns and favourable fixtures. Semenyo's goal threat and McNeil's creativity provide intriguing alternatives.
Consider your team structure and strategy when choosing between these promising talents, and don't be afraid to go against the grain for potential differential points.
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