Are you ready to dominate your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) mini-leagues this season? Brentford FC has teamed up with Fantasy Football Scout to bring you insider hints, tips, and advice for the 2025/26 campaign—and trust us, you won’t want to miss this. But here’s where it gets interesting: while some players are shining, others are leaving managers scratching their heads. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from Gameweek 11 and beyond.
Best of the Bees
Brentford’s recent clash with Crystal Palace showcased both their potential and their frustration. Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.9m), owned by a staggering one million FPL managers, headed Palace into the lead. Yet, the Bees had their chances too. Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.8m) narrowly missed with a free-kick, and Kristoffer Ajer (£4.4m) was inches away from a header. Late opportunities for Vitaly Janelt (£4.9m) and Reiss Nelson (£4.8m) kept the pressure on, but it wasn’t meant to be. And this is the part most people miss: Sepp van den Berg (£4.5m) emerged as the standout Brentford player, earning defensive contribution (DefCon) rewards for the fifth time in 10 matches. At a lower price than his center-back partner Nathan Collins (£4.9m), van den Berg also boasts better big chance and expected goal (xG) stats. Keep an eye on him, especially between Gameweeks 13 and 17, when Brentford faces Burnley, Leeds, and Wolves.
Best of the Rest
Beyond Brentford, Diego Gómez (£4.9m) stole the show with a second-half brace for Brighton, earning 16 points. Ryan Sessegnon (£5.4m) wasn’t far behind with a goal and assist for 14 points—though both players remain under 0.5% owned. Meanwhile, Declan Rice (£6.8m) continues to deliver, with his fourth attacking return in five matches and a total of nine bonus points. Of course, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) keeps setting the bar high, scoring his 13th goal in 10 games. But here’s the controversial part: Is Haaland’s ownership rate worth the investment, or are there hidden gems like van den Berg that offer better value?
In Demand
Mateta remains a popular pick, and his transfers could surge if Viktor Gyökeres (£9.0m) sits out Gameweek 11. Speaking of Gyökeres, the Arsenal striker scored his first league goal since Gameweek 4 but was subbed off with a knock. On the flip side, midfielders Mohammed Kudus (£6.6m) and Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m) are being offloaded after a dry spell in returns.
Captaincy Conundrum
Haaland is the obvious captaincy choice, but Liverpool’s recent clean sheet might give pause—though they’ve conceded more big chances than all but Burnley this season. Alternatively, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández (£6.7m) and João Pedro (£7.4m) are worth considering. Pedro, in classic FPL fashion, scored a winner against Tottenham after being sold by 1.6 million managers. With Wolves visiting Stamford Bridge next, could he be a differential captain pick?
Food for Thought
As we navigate Gameweek 11, ask yourself: Are you chasing the big names, or are you spotting the under-the-radar players who could make all the difference? Let us know in the comments—do you think Haaland is a must-captain, or are you backing someone like van den Berg to deliver? The FPL world is full of surprises, and this season is no exception.
