Dream 11 Fantasy Premier League Week 16 (December 26) Top Picks as the EPL Returns

On December 26, the Premier League returns. Going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup break, Arsenal led the way with 37 points, followed by Manchester City on 32, Newcastle United on 30, and Tottenham Hotspur just behind on 29 points. However, most teams won’t have all of their best players ready to go when the EPL gets underway again.

This opens up some great opportunities for fantasy players on platforms like Dream 11. Anyone taking part in the quarter-finals on December 9 and 10 might not be match fit, given that most will seek a two-week break before returning to training. The certainty is that the best players who didn’t go to the World Cup will be ready to go big upon the league’s return.

These are the players who you should work into your fantasy Premier League team in any way that you can.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Ever since his days of featuring in fantasy Bundesliga teams, Erling Haaland has been a darling for those who choose him. Given that he has started his first Premier League campaign with 18 goals in 13 games, he should probably be in everyone’s fantasy teams. That said, the equally-high-priced Harry Kane has put away 12 himself, so picking one over the other to date is passable.

Still, Harry Kane will likely miss a game or two, while Haaland will carry on gunning for the Golden Boot. There’s still a long way to go, but the Betway sports market for top goalscorer has Haaland as the absurd favorite to take the crown. At -700, Manchester City’s striker is the clear favorite to carry on scoring goal after goal, while the English striker is way out at +1000, which likely considers his long World Cup stint.

Haaland’s been at the warm-weather camp with City in Abu Dhabi since the first week of December. He was one of seven in attendance, along with crafty playmaker Riyad Mahrez – who’s also perhaps worth an add. Their first game is the last of the next round of games on December 28, with a visit to Leeds United side that’s conceded 26 goals in 14 games, and City is the -400 favorite to win.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

He found his share of troubles at the World Cup in 2018, but his Egypt was completely denied a return to the tournament by Senegal in the qualifiers. The tournament came at a rather inopportune time for Mohamed Salah, as he had only scored three times in his first 11 appearances, but netted three times against Leeds and then Tottenham before being shut out by Southampton in the final game.

Darwin Núñez might just get back in time as Uruguay bowed out in the group stage, giving defenses a reason not to just home in on Salah. The next backline tasked with stopping the Egyptian from roaring back to form is Aston Villa. The +333 underdogs have home advantage, but goalie Emiliano Martínez may not be back in time.

Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United)

Under Eddie Howe this season, Miguel Almirón has found his scoring touch. While he wasn’t always a great pick in fantasy for Newcastle last season, it’d be impossible to deny his drive to compete. Now, a slight tweak to his positioning and decision-making, and Almirón is all over the scoresheet, exploding into the box and finding all of the right spots.

Within the 4-3-3 setup under Howe, The Guardian reports, the winger’s excelled now that he’s reeled in from pressing non-stop to become more of a change-of-pace, skillful attacker. Now, after a nice break, Almirón will get to take on one of the most inconsistent teams in the Premier League, Leicester City, looking to add to his league scoring record of eight goals and an assist in 15 games. The Paraguayan and his team are at +110 to win.

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

The club captain recently told Arsenal.com that it’s all hard work and dedication to the demands of the coaches that have enabled him to break out further as a world-class talent this season. This season, the 23-year-old has scored six goals and teed up two more in 13 games. He’ll be asked to power forward for the Gunners when they return to face the lowly West Ham United, particularly as the North London side will be without their Brazilian stars to pick up the goals.

When the Premier League returns, be sure to reap the benefits of having Ødegaard, Haaland, Salah, Almirón, and possibly Mahrez in your line-up.