FPL 2025/26 GW13: Thiago and Van Dijk (!) among five players you need to snap up before gameweek 13
Premier League action ramps up a notch over the next fortnight so it's time to make moves in FPL
If you’re looking to attack GW13 rather than just survive it, this is the week to be bold, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Between juicy home fixtures, underpriced differentials and a few players with minutes about to spike, there’s a real opportunity to jump ahead of the template. Whether you’re on a free-hit chip, wildcard or even triple captain, these five picks all offer that sweet spot of short‑term upside and solid underlying numbers, whether you’re chasing in mini-leagues or protecting a strong rank. From explosive attackers with great xG to budget enablers, these are the transfers that can genuinely move the needle for your team this week.
Cody Gakpo (7.5m)
With Florian Wirtz sidelined, Gakpo suddenly looks like one of the biggest winners in this Liverpool attack. He has already chipped in with a steady stream of returns this season, posting three goals and two assists in the league, and has racked up over 900 minutes, which shows the manager’s trust in him when fit. Gakpo’s underlying numbers are solid too, with more than three expected goals and over two expected assists, so the output is no fluke. If he locks in a run of starts while Wirtz recovers, you’re getting a proven finisher and creator in a top attack just as the fixtures begin to open up.
Virgil Van Dijk (6.0m)
The Virgil van Dijk who was appalling against both Nottingham Forst and PSV Eindhoven, you may ask? Yes. This is a classic ‘buy in the dip’ opportunity that could flip the script on recent results. Liverpool’s defensive numbers are much better than the raw goals conceded suggest, with their expected goals against over the last six Gameweeks hinting that a correction is coming. Things have to turn for Liverpool – they have too much quality for it not to – and this upcoming run against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds feels tailor-made for clean sheets and the odd set-piece return. Van Dijk still carries real threat from corners and free-kicks, so you’re not just buying into a defence due a turnaround, you’re backing a defender who can haul big when Liverpool click again.
Igor Thiago (6.5m)
Thiago feels like one of those picks you’re genuinely excited to click ‘confirm’ on. Burnley at home is exactly the kind of fixture you want for an in-form striker, and Thiago has been buzzing around the box, racking up big chances and looking full of confidence. If you’ve got cover to bench him in GW14 away to Arsenal, it makes bringing him in this week even easier. At 6.5m, you’re getting a nailed on Brentford talisman who’s performing like a much more expensive forward, and that kind of value is hard to ignore when you’re trying to push your rank.
Nico O’Reilly (5.0m)
At just 4.3% ownership, O’Reilly is exactly the kind of fun, explosive pick that can give you a huge edge over the template this week. He’s playing in a very attacking role for a free-scoring City side and has the confidence to make things happen in the final third. With a decent run of fixtures on the horizon and the potential for increased minutes around AFCON, you’re essentially getting a low-owned City attacker at a bargain price. If you’re chasing rank or want a standout differential in your mini-league, he’s the sort of buy that can swing a Gameweek in your favour.
Nathan Collins (4.9m)
Collins is a brilliant one-week punt if you’re on a Free Hit or sitting on a spare transfer. Brentford’s defence hasn’t been amazing, but this is exactly the kind of spot where they can land a clean sheet: Burnley come to town with the lowest expected goals in the league so far with only 8.7xG for the whole season, creating barely anything of note in open play. Collins himself is racking up 9.5 defensive contributions per 90 which boosts his baseline point potential. Add in his threat from set pieces of 24 touches in the opposition box so far, and a handy 4.9m price tag, he’s a perfect budget enabler for squeezing in premiums like Erling Haaland this week.