We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, shots on target, successful dribbles, interceptions, and tackles, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 12 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System. Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 12 Ghost Point Hunters
Here we are yet again - the 394th International Break of the season. You hate it, we hate it. But let's make the most of it. On the big board, we're featuring Arijanet Muric, Ashley Young, Ryan Yates. The Not So Fast category features two CDMs that are temporarily fooling us: Mateo Kovacic & Manel Ugarte. And Jarrod Bowen and Tyler Adams are the One(s) To Watch. Finally, we are granting the Dr. Peter Venkman Award to a surprise recipient Bryan Mbeumo, who has been an erstwhile ghost point stalwart. We'll try to figure out what the hell is goin on.
Arijanet Muric
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Ipswich Town
Rostered: 28%
Ghost Points Per Start: 11.4
Ghost Points Last GW: 17.5
Prospects: We very rarely cover the guys between the posts. But we do make exceptions (Flekken was one earlier in the season) and we already know and love this chap, Arijanet Muric. After a very slow start to life back in the Prem with Ipswich Town, he has turned it on, averaging over a dozen points in his last 5 starts. This past GW, he balled out yet again, posting 17.5 scary scores from 5 Saves, 2 Clearances, 1 Aerial, and 6 High Claims Succeeded (HCS).
He is now the 2nd best ghosting GK after Flekken and still somehow less than 28% rostered. Yes, Ipswich Town ship goals for fun. But so did Burnley last season and so do Brentford this season. If the GK makes a myriad of saves every game, it doesn't matter. And we know this isn't a fluke; Muric can ghost. Just look at his16.4 GPPS last season with Burnley. If we weren't already happily married to Flekks, we'd file for divorce with our current GK and send a pre-nup to Muric.
Verdict: Pick him up!
Ashley Young
Position: Defender
Team: Everton
Rostered: 59%
Ghost Points Per Start: 7.6
Ghost Points Last GW: 10.75
Prospects: Stop it, you're nearly 40, son. Ashley Young just won't stop rolling back the years. He is certainly not the flashiest and he's lost a bit of pace but he can still do a job. He did just that over the weekend v the Hammers., dropping double digit ghosties from 2 Key Passes, 1 Tackle Won, 3 Accurate Crosses Not Corners (ACNCs), 1 Interception, 3 Clearances, & 1 Aerial.
After a slow start, the Everton defender is now averaging over 13 PPS in his last 7. Young has his dips but in this form, you have to ride it until the wheels fall off. Get him in and stay with the hot hand. You'll miss him if he ever retires.
Verdict: Pick him up if available in your league; if not, try dealing a DEF with better name recognition but worse numbers (e.g., Dan Burn) in a 1:1 for him.
Ryan Yates
Position: Midfielder
Team: Nottingham Forest
Rostered: 40%
Ghost Points Per Start: 7.3
Ghost Points Last GW: 11
Prospects: We all need waiver wire midfielders to plug in during an emergency. These are the heroes we choose but the ones we deserve. Ryan Yates is one of these high upside plug and play MIDs in the mold of a Christian Norgaard. He can ghost and he can nick random attacking returns. But he's usually not worth a long hold as he is rarely consistent for long stretches.
In GW11, Yatesy was on one, bagging 11 ghosts and doing so by putting in an all action performance: 2 Key Passes, 1 Shot on Target, 3 Tackles Won, 2 Clearances, & 3 Aerials. He proved yet again that if you need to pick up a midfielder in a pinch, you can do worse than the Forest man.
Verdict: Use as a "break glass in case of emergency" midfield streamer ROS.