Gameweek 16 arrives at a pivotal moment in the season, with the Premier League table beginning to settle, Champions League fixtures over until next year and fixture patterns becoming clearer. FPL managers now have enough information to meaningfully combine a player’s recent output with their club’s trajectory and the difficulty of upcoming fixtures. Using the FPL 30-day form list, the current league table, and each team’s fixture difficulty for the next four Gameweeks (GW16–GW19), we can identify which midfielders present promising returns in both the short and medium term. From this cross-analysis, ten standout options emerge — all of whom have favourable combinations of form, club performance, and upcoming opportunities.
Rather than simply picking the highest-scoring players, this article identifies midfielders whose clubs rank well in the table, who have good fixture runs, and who are not flagged as likely absentees. With that filter applied, here are 10 promising midfielders for GW16. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 16 is set at 13h30 (UK time) on Saturday, 13th December 2025. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action.
Phil Foden – Manchester City
Manchester City sit firmly in second place, and Phil Foden heads into GW16 as the standout midfielder on the FPL 30-day form list. City’s fixture this week is an away match against 4th-placed Crystal Palace, which is not an easy opponent structurally but a fixture City typically dominate in territory and chance creation. What makes Foden especially appealing, however, is the run of games that follow: West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A), and Sunderland (A) in GW17–GW19. These are highly favourable from an attacking standpoint, offering exceptional potential for points. Foden’s improving consistency, plus set-piece involvement and strong underlying numbers, make him one of the top GW16 and medium-term midfield buys.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Manchester United are 6th in the table, and Bruno Fernandes continues to feature near the top of the FPL 30-day form list thanks to his steady returns and set-piece duties including penalties. His GW16 fixture, Bournemouth at home, is encouraging — Bournemouth sit 13th, and despite occasional resilience, they concede enough chances for Fernandes to exploit. The fixtures tighten afterwards against Aston Villa (A) and Newcastle (H), but end strongly with Wolves (H) in GW19. Given Wolves are currently bottom (20th), the upside across these four fixtures remains high. Fernandes’ reliability in minutes, penalties and bonus points makes him a stable midfield core pick.
Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle United
Newcastle’s fluctuating form has pushed them down to 12th in the standings, but Bruno Guimarães remains a key creative force and ranks well on the FPL 30-day form list. Newcastle enter GW16 with a spicy derby matchup away at 9th-placed Sunderland, where form often matters less than intensity — but Newcastle still enter as favourites. Their following fixtures include Chelsea (H), Manchester United (A), and Burnley (A), with Chelsea and United offering unpredictable but potentially open encounters. Burnley, sitting 19th, present a clear opportunity. While Bruno G. lacks explosive returns, his consistency, passing dominance, and bonus-point attraction make him a strong midfield differential for this fixture stretch.
Merino – Arsenal
Arsenal remain top of the table (1st) and boast some of the most appealing fixtures in the league for GW16. Merino, included in the FPL 30-day form list as an Arsenal midfielder, benefits from excellent conditions going into a home fixture against 20th-placed Wolves. As the weakest side in the division, Wolves present a clear target for Arsenal’s attackers. Following that, Arsenal face Everton (A), Brighton (H), and Aston Villa (H) — a rising level of difficulty but still favourable enough for attacking returns. If Merino continues to feature in a forward-leaning midfield role, the Wolves fixture alone makes him a standout immediate pick for GW16, with potential to hold through to GW19.
Eze – Arsenal
Eze, also listed as an Arsenal midfielder on the FPL 30-day form sheet, carries similar appeal to Merino in the short term thanks to Arsenal’s top-of-the-table form and the plum GW16 home game against Wolves. Arsenal’s creative players thrive in home fixtures against deep-defending sides, and Wolves’ defensive fragility makes this a high-upside week for Eze. The upcoming sequence of Everton, Brighton, and Aston Villa has mixed difficulty, yet Arsenal’s attacking strength ensures their midfielders remain valuable assets throughout. For managers seeking a differential within Arsenal’s ranks, Eze’s positioning and involvement make him a compelling short-term buy, especially if he’s starting regularly.
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Saka needs no introduction and appears once again in the FPL 30-day form list with strong numbers. Arsenal’s fixture against bottom-placed Wolves in GW16 makes him arguably the single best midfield pick this week. Whether drifting wide or cutting inside, Saka’s combination of penalties, open-play involvement, and consistent minutes aligns perfectly with the fixtures ahead. The follow-up matches get slightly more difficult, but Arsenal remain one of the most reliable attacking sides in the league and are deservedly favourites for the EPL title. For managers seeking a captain alternative in GW16 or a secure long-term midfielder across GW16-GW19, Saka is one of the safest options available.
Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa
Aston Villa sit an impressive 3rd in the league and come into GW16 with an objectively strong fixture: West Ham away, with West Ham currently 18th. Villa’s midfielders have become valuable FPL assets thanks to their aggressive attacking structure, and Rogers appears on the FPL 30-day form list in a promising position. His creative contributions and advanced role make him particularly appealing for GW16. The upcoming trio of Manchester United (H), Chelsea (A), and Arsenal (A) is trickier, but the immediate upside at West Ham makes him a valid pick for anyone looking to maximise GW16 returns and reassess afterwards.
Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa
Kamara, another Aston Villa midfielder on the form list, benefits from the same excellent GW16 fixture as Rogers: an away match at struggling West Ham (18th). His lower price tag and consistent minutes make him an underrated option heading into the weekend. While his attacking ceiling may be slightly lower, Aston Villa’s overall goal-scoring trend means Kamara still carries real potential for returns. Like Rogers, his long-term viability may decrease as the fixture list toughens, but for GW16 specifically, he represents strong value and a useful squad-balancing pick.
Dewsbury-Hall – Everton
As an Everton midfielder, Dewsbury-Hall ranks second on the FPL 30-day form list. Everton sit 7th, which reflects a respectable run of results, but face a tough fixture away at 5th-placed Chelsea in GW16. This is not an immediate green fixture, but the upcoming run is attractive enough to justify investment: Arsenal (H) is tough, but then Everton travel to Burnley (A) and Nottingham Forest (A) in GW18–GW19 — both sides positioned low in the table and offering opportunities for returns. Dewsbury-Hall fits well as a rotation option or as part of a medium-term structure targeting the GW18–19 upswing.
Harry Wilson – Fulham
Wilson ranks well in the FPL 30-day form list and benefits from Fulham’s favourable GW16 matchup away at 19th-placed Burnley. Fulham’s midfielders often thrive in open matches, and Burnley’s defensive struggles make this an appealing fixture. Forest at home in GW17 is another strong opportunity before the schedule becomes more balanced with West Ham (A) and Crystal Palace (A) in GW18–19. As a mid-priced midfielder who often provides assists and long-range threat, Wilson is an ideal pick for managers chasing immediate upside in GW16 without committing to a premium slot.
Conclusion — Who Should You Prioritise for GW16?
Three midfielders stand out as top-tier options for both GW16 and the medium term: Foden, Saka, and Bruno Fernandes. Their form, minutes security, and club strength align almost perfectly with their fixtures. For short-term gains, Arsenal midfielders such as Merino and Eze (as listed) present excellent upside thanks to the home match against Wolves. Managers seeking differentials might look to Wilson, Kamara, or Rogers, while Dewsbury-Hall offers a medium-term rotation option with attractive GW18–19 fixtures.
With several teams offering favourable runs, GW16 is an ideal time to reinforce the midfield — and the FPL 30-day form list provides compelling evidence for these ten standout picks. For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available.