Transfer recommendations for Gameweek 16: Jarrod Bowen among tempting short-term punts

ALL 20 Premier League teams are set to play twice in Gameweek 16.

As a result, it’s bound to a high-scoring affair and so it’s imperative all Dream Team managers confirm some smart transfers before Saturday’s 11am deadline – it might be a good idea to activate a Booster as well.

As usual, we won’t insult your intelligence by recommending Bukayo Saka (£6.9m), Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) and other obvious players but allow us to present some alternative transfer suggestions.

Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m)

Let’s start with an immensely tempting one-week punt.

West Ham’s No20 averages 7.5 points-per-game this season and leads the way among forwards for bonus points.

More recently, Bowen has produced 86 points since the start of Gameweek 7 at an average of 8.6 per outing – an outstanding effort given what most of his team-mates have produced.

Those numbers suggest it’s reasonable to expect a healthy haul from the England international in Gameweek 16 with the Hammers set to take on Brighton and Southampton.

Saints conceded five goals in one half in their last league game so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bowen cleaned up on Boxing Day.

Gabriel (£5.3m)

William Saliba (£5.3m) did an excellent job filling in as Arsenal’s primary set-piece threat but the main man is back now.

Gabriel marked his return from injury with a nine-point return against Everton last weekend and the Gunners will be hopeful of at least one clean sheet in Gameweek 16 up against Crystal Palace and Ipswich – two of the lowest scorers in the top flight this season.

The Brazilian centre-back features in 10.1% of teams and is currently ranked fourth among assets in his position with 120 points to his name.

No defender has scored more goals (four) than Gabriel this season.

Lewis Hall (£3.6m)

Newcastle’s left-back is technically Dream Team’s most in-form defender right now.

Hall is coming off the back of a massive 27-point haul in Gameweek 15 having provided two assists in the Magpies’ 4-0 thrashing of Leicester last weekend.

Kyle Walker-Peters (£3.1m) and Pedro Porro (£4.4m) are the only defenders who have earned more bonus points than the former Chelsea man this campaign.

Eddie Howe’s side travel to Ipswich this weekend before hosting Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

On a similar theme, we tipped Alexander Isak (£5.4m) last week and he’s worth repeating after a 19-point haul in Gameweek 15.

Amad Diallo (£3.7m)

Manchester United’s derby day hero is currently the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 16 and with good reason.

Diallo has registered three goals and seven assists in his last seven outings – a fruitful spell that has yielded 87 points in six Gameweeks.

The 22 year-old is ungenerously categorised as a forward in Dream Team but that’s not really a problem while he’s among the goal involvements.

The Red Devils host Bournemouth this weekend before a trip to 19th-placed Wolves, who have the worst defensive record in the Premier League in 2024/25.

Cole Palmer (£6.3m) and/or Nicolas Jackson (£4.2m)

A quick note to finish because we wrote an entire article about Chelsea’s top performers earlier in the week.

Without wanting to repeat ourselves, Palmer and Jackson are more viable now than ever before because the European competitions are on hold for the festive period.

The England star is essential as a midfielder who has racked up 174 points from just 16 appearances this season.