With the opening of the 12th round of Serie A looming (Saturday at 8:45 PM with Cagliari vs. Genoa) and finishing on Monday with Sassuolo vs. Pisa, it’s the perfect time to build your squad with the right choices. Below, our recommendations for 11 key players for this matchday.
GOALKEEPER
- Ivan Provedel (Lazio vs Lecce) – €6.2M
The goalkeeper you absolutely must bet on for this 12th matchday. The data speaks for itself. He has the highest average rating among goalkeepers in Serie A (7.46). He’s the best in “goals prevented” and has already collected six clean sheets. This means he’s not only reliable, but also very effective at limiting opponents’ chances.
DEFENDERS
- Wesley (Cremonese vs Roma) – €6.7M
Wesley is one of the most creative defenders in the Giallorossi squad: he’s third in Roma for expected assists (1.46 xA), and first among the Giallorossi defenders for big chances created. He’s also one of the team’s best dribblers, which gives him the ability to often find himself in an advanced position or break lines. He can be a decisive factor in attacking build-ups.
- Diego Carlos (Torino vs Como) – €5.6M
He has established himself as Como’s defensive leader. He combines experience, positional awareness, and physicality. He is the team’s best player in terms of average clearances (7.1), a statistic that highlights his key role in protecting the penalty area and anticipating the opposition’s chances. In a match against a Torino side that tends to create many crosses and dirty balls, the Brazilian defender can shine with decisive interventions and provide valuable defensive bonuses.
- Antonio Caracciolo (Sassuolo vs Pisa) – €5.5
Pisa’s captain and a key player both in defense and on the ball. Not just a wall, but also a defensive midfielder. He’s the team’s second-best passer despite playing as a central back, and he also ranks high in tackles and interceptions. If Pisa keeps a clean sheet, he’ll be among the key players.
MIDFIELDERS
- Michael Folorunsho (Cagliari vs Genoa) – €5.5M
An intriguing choice for the midfield: he can get into the goal area and create danger. With Cagliari playing at home and looking to capitalize on a key match against Genoa, the Italian midfielder has what it takes to contribute both offensively and through runs, potentially providing goals or assists.
- Nicolò Zaniolo (Udinese vs Bologna) – €5.2M
Zaniolo is in top form. He’s scored three goals in his last five games. He has the best scoring rate of the Friulians, one goal every 186 minutes. Against Bologna, he can shoulder offensive responsibilities, look for the decisive play, or finish. It’s a somewhat risky option, but potentially rewarding.
- Kenan Yıldız (Fiorentina vs Juventus) – €9.0
He’s obviously Juventus’s brightest talent, and also the most dangerous in the final 25 meters. However, the numbers suggest he needs to improve his scoring average: just three goals in 11 games, a tally that doesn’t reflect his potential. He wants and needs to make a bigger impact. In a big match like the one in Florence, he has the perfect opportunity to show off his talent.
- Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio vs Lecce) – €10.1M
He’s the beating heart of Lazio’s attack and playmaking: he’s a penalty taker, captain, and technical leader. Against Lecce, he could be the key player: he can score, get in the box, and/or provide key passes. He’s an almost obligatory choice if you’re looking for an attacking midfielder with high bonus potential.
FORWARDS
- Gift Orban (Hellas Verona vs Parma) – €5.5M
Orban is probably the most surprising choice of the day, but for that very reason, he could prove very useful. Hellas Verona is still searching for its first win of the season, and a goal from the Nigerian striker could be the way to unlock the team. He has the physical and technical qualities to be dangerous, especially if Verona plays with grit and a desire to secure these three points.
- Ademola Lookman (Napoli vs Atalanta) – €8.7M
Another Nigerian striker. Ademola could be a key asset. Indeed, with the arrival of the new coach at Dea, he seems to be able to return to the level of his best seasons, just as happened with Moise Kean last year when coach Palladino was in charge of Fiorentina. In a match like this, he’s one of the few capable of finding space to cause damage.
- Marcus Thuram (Inter vs Milan) – €9.9M
For the Derby della Madonnina, he’s one of the most solid choices with the greatest potential. He has Inter’s second-best scoring frequency, with one goal every 131 minutes, and stands out for the quality of his shots: he’s the squad’s best average of total shots and shots on target per game, a true constant threat. His return couldn’t have come at a better time. When it really matters, he’s there, especially against the Rossoneri…
