What to do with your FIVE free transfers in Fantasy?

Following the Gameweek 15 deadline last Saturday, managers in Fantasy Premier League now have five free transfers to help plan around this season's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which begins on 21 December.

The tournament, which involves players from 24 African countries, takes place midway through the Premier League season, finishing on Sunday 18 January 2026.

From a Fantasy perspective, the AFCON matches cover Gameweeks 17-22.

However, there is a possibility that some players will leave early for the tournament ahead of the Gameweek 16 fixtures.

The extra free transfers now allow you to react if any members of your FPL squad do depart early, while also helping you avoid any potential price drops when rival managers sell the same players.

The 15 players whose involvement at AFCON is likely to have the biggest impact on FPL managers are listed in the table below.

Owners of Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo (£8.4m) have been quick to react, with the Cameroon star the most-sold player ahead of Saturday's 13:30 GMT deadline, moved on by 477,000+ managers.

If you are among the 29 per cent of managers who still have Mbeumo in your squad, it's worth noting he is expected to be available for Man Utd's Gameweek 16 home match against AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening before he then heads off to the AFCON.

Key players taking part in AFCON

Opportunity to sell problematic players

A look at the transfer trends also shows that managers are taking advantage of the extra transfers by addressing the poor form of a trio of popular attackers.

AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) has failed to produce an attacking return in each of the last seven Gameweeks, but remains the most-owned midfielder in Fantasy, selected by 46 per cent. 

Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (£7.3m) and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (£8.0m), meanwhile, both rank among the four most-owned forwards, found in 35 and 25 per cent of squads respectively.

Yet they have frustrated managers for a long period - Joao Pedro has two goals over the last 11 Gameweeks, while Mateta has scored twice in his last seven outings and has emerged as an injury doubt for Gameweek 16 due to a knee problem.

The trio have each been sold by 326,000+ managers, with a combined total sales of over one million.

Other injury problems are also emerging for FPL managers, with Daniel Munoz (£6.1m) ruled out "for a few weeks" and Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) missing Arsenal's midweek European match due to a knock.

Time to move to 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation?

By breaking down the top-performing players by position over the last six Gameweeks, you get a better idea of not only who to bring in, but which positions you should be investing your money in.

It's fair to say that forwards have proven the least reliable of all the positions.

Indeed, only TWO of the 38 players to produce 30+ points in the last six Gameweeks are forwards in Fantasy - Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (£15.0m) and Brentford’s Igor Thiago (£6.9m).

By contrast, 19 midfielders and 13 defenders have returned at least 30 points over Gameweeks 10-15, in addition to four goalkeepers.

Points per position, last six Gameweeks

Between them, midfielders and defenders also supply all five of the players who have produced 40+ points over the last six Gameweeks, with Phil Foden (£8.6m), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.1m), Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m), Munoz and Trevoh Chalobah (£5.3m) the top performers. 

This suggests that a move to 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 could prove the most productive, with FPL managers benching their third forward in each Gameweek, and potentially spending less of their budget on that player.

However, Fulham's Raul Jimenez (£6.2m) and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) do provide viable options for those looking to continue with three up front. 

Midfielders the likeliest to get big hauls

The recent displays of Man City's Foden have shown the huge potential on offer from midfielders in Fantasy.

Successive scores of 15, 17 and 12 points over the last three Gameweeks have accounted for 44 of the England star’s 77 points for the season and show why he is a must-have right now. 

Certainly, if you’re looking to immediately profit from a big haul with one of your free transfers, then it’s in midfield where you should look to be investing. 

The table below shows the 16 players who have produced at least three double-figure returns this season.

Haaland remains in a league of his own for rewarding you with major hauls and shows why he is the most reliable captain. Indeed, his six double-figure returns are at least double the total of all but four players this season.

But it's midfielders who dominate overall, occupying 10 of the 16 places here.

Double-figure hauls 25/26

Scroll across on mobile to see the full table

Along with Foden and Fernandes, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes (£6.9m) and Everton's Jack Grealish (£6.6m) are Haaland's nearest rivals, on four double-figure returns apiece. 

Once again, forwards are the least impressive of the outfield positions.

Haaland and Thiago are the only such players here, whereas four defenders - Arsenal's Gabriel (£6.2m), Palace pair Munoz and Marc Guehi (£5.2m) and Sunderland's Dan Ballard (£4.6m) - all feature. 

Which clubs have the best Gameweek 16 fixtures?

While each FPL manager's approach will ultimately be determined by the current set-up of their squad, a look at the schedule suggests that immediate investment in the key players from four clubs - Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea and Man Utd - can pay off.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd all currently sit among the top six teams in the Premier League table, and each have kind home matches in Gameweek 16, facing Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Bournemouth respectively.

Brentford are also at home, facing promoted Leeds United, and in home matches this season the Bees' total of 15 goals is the fourth-best tally in the league.

Gameweek 16 fixtures
Chelsea v Everton
Liverpool v Brighton
Burnley v Fulham
Arsenal v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Man City
Nott'm Forest v Spurs
Sunderland v Newcastle
West Ham v Aston Villa
Brentford v Leeds
Man Utd v Bournemouth

Crucially, Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea and Man Utd all have THREE home matches over the next four Gameweeks to immediately reward investment.

A double-up on the Gunners' rearguard looks a wise move, with David Raya (£6.0m) and Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) the best pairing while Gabriel remains sidelined through injury.

By opting for the consistent Declan Rice (£7.1m) over his far more expensive team-mate Bukayo Saka (£10.2m), you can free up cash to also have Man City's Foden in your midfield.

For Chelsea, Chalobah's outstanding consistency makes him a steal at £5.3m as a fixture-proof pick for your defence.

Meanwhile, Pedro Neto (£7.3m) offers an in-form alternative to Enzo Fernandez (£6.6m) in midfield. 

Owned by just nine per cent, Neto has produced DOUBLE the number of points than his team-mate over the last eight Gameweeks, scoring four goals and supplying two assists to collect 50 points. Fernandez has managed just one goal and 25 points for his 12 per cent backers. 

For Brentford and Man Utd, Thiago and Fernandes are by far the best picks, with penalty duties only adding to their appeal. 

Similarly to Foden, Fernandes has shown his huge potential for returns recently and looks a must-have. 

The Portuguese has delivered his two best scores for the season - 11 and 18 points - across the last three Gameweeks on his way to the top of the midfielder standings on 85 points.