Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 12

The weekend's approaching, and while the end of the working week may be overtaking the minds of many, it's time to switch the focus to your fantasy football dealings ahead of gameweek 12 in the Premier League.

All eyes will be on the North London derby come Saturday afternoon, but in the main we look elsewhere for our suggested XI this week, though one player who will be centre of attention does make our team this time around.

Elsewhere, the WhoScored match forecasts again have a bearing on the players to make the grade, chosen on statistics and form rather than opinion.

Goalkeeper

In goal we opt for Fulham's veteran stopper Mark Schwarzer, despite the fact that the Aussie has conceded 19 goals this season. If you look closer, however, only 4 of those have come at Craven Cottage, where Fulham are a markedly improved side. The Cottagers face a Sunderland side that have had 30 fewer shots than any other team in the league (87).

Defence

Manchester United's buccaneering young Brazilian Rafael is the first in our backline as the Red Devils travel to Norwich. Ferguson's side are strongly favoured in the match forecast, tipped to score from an opposition error, a long shot and a wingplay situation. The latter two categories led to our choice of the right-back, who will always offer a threat in support of Valencia down the flank and has attempted 6 shots from distance this season.

In the heart of our defence is Schwarzer's captain Brede Hangeland, selected for much the same reasons as his teammate between the posts. The fact that aerial duels are among Sunderland's weaknesses according to the team characteristics should ensure that the Norwegian isn't too troubled and suggests that he may even feature at the other end.

Completing our back three is another captain, so no shortage of leadership from deep, with Vincent Kompany making his way into our XI. The champions face Villa at The Etihad this weekend, with no side scoring fewer goals on the road this season than the Midlands outfit's 3. With the away side weak at defending set-pieces, the Belgian could also get joy in the opposition box.

Midfield

Chelsea's Juan Mata takes his place on the right of our midfield and a look at the bottom of his player page shows just what sort of form the Spaniard is in. Contributing to 10 goals (4 goals and 6 assists) in just 9 league appearances, Mata has been back to his best after a lull towards the end of last season and with Chelsea 'very likely' to score from a direct free kick, the playmaker may get the chance to recreate the magic he conjured against United last month.

On the opposite flank we're tipping Adel Taarabt to have the individual quality to make his mark on what is a crucial game at the bottom of the table this weekend. With QPR hosting Southampton, the Moroccan should be right in the thick of it, as he likes to be, having been involved far more often under Hughes of late. The hosts are tipped to score from a through ball situation and Taarabt could be the man to unlock a Saints defence that doesn't put up too much resistance.

In the heart of our midfield Steven Gerrard may find it tough in deciding which is the better honour; 100 caps for England or a place in our suggested XI. The Liverpool talisman should have a key role against Wigan, with The Reds deemed likely to exploit Martinez's side's weakness at defending set pieces in the match forecast.

The final piece to our midfield puzzle, and another set piece specialist, is West Ham's Mark Noble. The Hammers are tipped to score from a direct free kick when Stoke come to town on Monday night, with Noble firing in 3 shots from such situations thus far. With penalty duties an added bonus, this mainstay is a great, cheap option in the fantasy stakes.

Attack

Luis Suarez - expert finisher. Not a phrase we have come accustomed to in the Premier League but netting from just 2 shots against Chelsea is in indication of the progression the Uruguayan has made in front of goal. The joint top scorer in the league with 8 thus far, Suarez will pit his wits against Wigan this time out and could have a field day against a side whose character indicates that they are 'very weak' at defending against skillful players.

We're tipping Nikica Jelavic to kick on from his goalscoring performance against Sunderland to be among the scorers again as Everton travel to Reading. David Moyes' side have had more efforts at goal than any other team in the league (217) and face a Reading side that have conceded more shots per game than any other outfit in England's top flight (18.7).

Taking the final slot in our XI this week is Emmanuel Adebayor; a controversial choice to some, but you can't deny his record in the North London derby. The Togo international will face the fans that despise him the most this weekend, as he returns to The Emirates, but whose to say he won't add to their hatred, as well as an impressive goal tally in this fierce rivalry. In 11 derbies between the sides, the majority of which were spent playing for Arsenal, Adebayor has scored 9 goals and registered 4 assists.